| The
Review |
2002 was a banner year for English instrumental quartet
Sphere 3 with the release of the band's first recording, Comeuppance.
Since the group relied heavily on organ and guitar unison
phrasing and intense riffing their style spans classic progressive
rock with appropriate nods to IQ as well as to English jazz
fusion heroes such as Brand X. The opening cut, "A Good Example
of Arbitrary Assumption" sets the tone for the entire record
with guitarist Steve Anderson injecting a Steve Hackett style
controlled angst against Neil Durant's jazzy piano interludes
and flaying Moog synth lines. One aspect of the band's compositions
is that many solos and main musical interludes have been trimmed
short thus squelching any common criticism for prog fusion
as being overly self indulgent. Pieces such as "Sidewalking"
are much more concise and well balanced between hot chops
and crafted musical passages not far removed from the approach
of bands such as The Yellowjackets or Level 52. The quartet
evaded heavy handed posturing on most of the ten pieces relying
on a steady set of guitar arpeggios and digital keys (as heard
on "December Gaze"). That is until the disc closer, "Paralysis"
which highlights swelling mellotron choirs and plenty of well
placed classic prog pomposity. The band has been hard work
on the follow-on recording expected in 2006 with two completed
tracks hopefully much in the same vein.
Jeff Melton
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