Dutch Translation by Adriana Adriensen

A strange CD is this. Four guys from New Jersey produced this album in 1993, The World in Which we Live and three years later the the inheritor Human Interest Story. Only at the end of 2008 is there a third record, titled Narrow-Caster. The Quartet 3RDegree makes "progpop" songs of 4 to 5 minutes, dressed in awayward dressing. At the first time when you listen to it, it sounds somewhat "flat" despite the strong voice of pianist George Dobbs, which sounds very clear, but also has a raw edge, like also Bobby Kimball of Toto. The songs do not stay with you, donot expect cathy repeats. Also the production is not of great dynamism, but all is well in balance. And if you give this album a bit more time, then these Americans open up their secrets by asking questions, to probe, to clown and to make you think. The symphonical parts are not very obvious and "old-fashioned", but you find them in the very clever arrangements, sometimes with light jazz influences. All sort of careful "stuff", at which especially an understated battery of piano work is added.Once a while you hear short and unorthodox gitarsolos, a little bit King Crison-like. At other times the multivocals remind you of YES (Cautionary Tale) and then also of 10CC (ballad Scenery). Dobbs, with his  soft songside, makes you think about the gospelartist Charlie Peacock (in the title track for instance). 3rDegree can - at the other side - also do a strong rockk, like in the song Free for All. An album dat not at once imposes with a strong start, but after a while still  unlocks your symphathy.