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Translation from original German by Tatiana Pashman

3rdegree "Narrow-Caster" (Eigenproduktion 2008)

Even the progressive rock hater, and there are (as everyone knows) enough among the popular

music list

eners, will not fail to note that the current progressive rock scene produces a large quantity of CDs and DVDs. This planet produces a relatively gifted species - rational human beings, some of whom are creative musicians, who offer their own view of things and song compositions. They create a style and sound of their own, a universe involving their craft and inspiration.  They expand and rejuvenate the gene pool of progressive rock.

3RDegree, a comically written name, are such a band.  In tune with song structure, a focus on vocals and lyrics.  The band celebrates and presents some very interesting progressively based instrumental runs, complex rhythms, and lots of melodic lines.

Robert James Pashman (bass, keys, vocals), Pat Kliesch (guitar, vocals), George Dobbs (lead vocals, keys) and Robert Durham (drums, percussion) certainly don’t have the Avant-garde of progressive music in mind. They know how their odd ideas, tricky harmonies, catchy arrangement and unique vocals in some of their songs set the scene. Among the 10 songs are some catchy ones, although some are too laboriously structured to fit the mainstream but not that remote from the general understanding of the pop music world. But then there are tracks which have potential and can do a lot more, but the band betrays with their stubbornness and selfishness.  As a comparison, I think of contemporary bands such as Izz or Echolyn and even more so Discipline, those bands present important and complex work.  3RDegree comes close stylistically, interpreting Matthew Parmenter, Discipline’s former head and songwriter’s, personal singing style.

Fans of modern progressive music who are not blind and deaf to the past decades, may be excited about an ambitious album, which contains quiet and gentle alongside some nicely oblique motives. Play Tip: "Free For All" and "The Last Gasp" - the last two tracks.

VM 11/29/08