3RD DEGREE are back ! It's hard to believe that it's been some 3 1/2 years since i reviewed their previous album "Narrow-Caster". I remember well thinking at the time that it was very refreshing and uplifting, a mood changer for sure. Some of it was a little poppy but it was so darn good that i had to give it 4 stars. To be honest i've gone back to it several times just to see if that rating held up and it always does. Well more of the same here folks only i believe this is even better. I had been listening to this all last week and i broke it out to review it last night and right away with the first song i was singing along and feeling moved. As per usual it's about the clever and humerous lyrics combined with an amazing singer and killer instrumental work. "Your Fooling Yourself" is a song i just love ! What a vocal performance too. I really like the contrasts between the chorus and the verses. A guitar solo before 2 1/2 minutes. And how good does this song sound 4 1/2 minutes in. Incredible ! "Exit Strategy" has a good solid sound to it then the vocals come in and lead as the sound settles back. It becomes so uplifting here and again before 4 minutes. "The Socio-Economic Petri Dish" opens with samples of what sounds like the Stock Market or chaos might be a good word for it. The music kicks in but we can still hear the commotion a while longer. Powerful, crisp drumming, chunky bass, guitar expressions and synths lead the way. It picks up 1 1/2 minutes in and the vocals follow after 2 minutes. This reminds me of STEELY DAN. Nice instrumental section after 4 minutes. The song ends like it began with chaos. This is unusual but the first three tracks here are my top three for this album. You can all go home now(haha). "Incoherant Ramblings" has a good beat with vocals leading the way. I like the section before 5 minutes, it reminds me of BEARDFISH. "The Ones To Follow" has strummed guitar, vocals and backing vocals then it kicks in but these contrasts will continue. Big finish. "A Work Of Art" is a cool song as we get piano, vocals, flute and sax all helping out. "Televised" is a great track. Piano leads as other sounds come and go. Drums take over after 1 1/2 minutes as we get a heavy sound. It kicks in with vocals. Great sound ! It settles back but not for long. Check out the vocals after 4 minutes and the bass too. "The Millions Of Last Moments" is a short piece with acoustic guitar melodies throughout. "Memetic Pandemic" opens with piano as reserved vocals join in. It picks up and turns fuller as contrasts continue. "A Nihilist's Dream" is laid back with vocals and it has a cool chorus. Without question i highly recommend this one to anyone looking for intelligent lyrics and incredible instrumental work. And as a bonus we get a singer who sounds like he's having the time of his life, and he's contagious. Review by "Mellotron Storm" (Prog Archives).
RATING: 8.25 / 10
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