A Darkened Room
author: IZZ
IZZ represents a rare breed in the current modern progressive scene. Amazing songwriting and compositional talents, masterful instrumental abilities, and an understanding of the importance of vocals in rock music. After all progressive music is still just rock music in the end and it has to do just that. This disc does.
From near perfect three minute masterpieces like "Regret", "Ticking Away" and "The Message", to the ten minute epic, well make that the twenty minute epic when considering the 3-part "Can't Feel the Earth", this disc delivers on the expectations of everyone who loves music. Each tune is jam packed with ideas and, as usual, the attention is paid to the finest detail, gorgeous harmonies, soaring guitars, intricate arrangements. IZZ is what they are.
Here's what the disc doesn't have: Repeititve riffs that go on too long to create "the big prog epic". IZZ has more ideas packed in a 4 minute tune than are heard in the typcal side of a modern prog disc. Over-baked psuedo-drama. These folks can create real drama that does not need to hit you over the head to tell you its there. There is zero wanking on this disc. Purposeful music. The 1st wave prog bands have more in common with IZZ in terms of the completeness of their approach, than much of the current prog scene.
Buy this disc, then go back and have a listen to the rest. Then go twitter or something.
Phil Nomore
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