*. Jimmy Hotz .* (Album + EP)

Album: Beyond the Crystal Sea (1980) + Single: The Gates of Time (2000)
Genre: Prog Rock (Symphonic Prog)  /  USA

Beyond the Crystal Sea is the 1980 debut from Christian progressive rock artist Jimmy Hotz. I honestly had never heard of the guy but I ran across the CD in a clearance bin and had to pick it up based on the cover artwork alone. I was expecting something cheesy, and instead ended up being wowed by the musicianship and vision Hotz displays on this album. 1980 seems to be an odd time to debut with a conceptual art/space/progressive rock album, as even the proggiest of the `70s acts were moving on to pop territory, but Hotz manages to capture that classic `70s prog sound. This is a very melodic album that's never heavy, has a lot of synthesizers, some impressive guitar work and a tremendous atmosphere and spirit. Hotz handles guitar, keys, bass and vocals, and is a skilled hand at all of them. Vocally he has a light and fey voice reminiscent of Fish and Roine Stolt. The longest song on Beyond the Crystal Sea is the 8+ minute opener "Observations of a Larger Reality," but the songs flow so well you'd swear you were listening to one long 45-minute song. As I mentioned earlier, this is a Christian rock album, but Hotz never goes overboard with the religious content. It's all very metaphorical and fantasy/conceptual, and is pretty far from the straightforward evangelical nature of Petra or the Daniel Band. I consider this a good thing, as it doesn't alienate those of us who are simply looking for a good prog album. This is a real gem. I'd easily recommend Beyond the Crystal Sea to fans of classic progressive/space/art rock. Fans of Yes, Starcastle, Kansas, Hawkwind, early Genesis, early Marillion and maybe even Pink Floyd should find this a most enjoyable album. If you're a progressive rock fan and a Christian, you'll get even more out of it. Review by "Justin G." (www.amazon.com).

RATING:  8.25 / 10

.