Alan Burant: Occam

Alan Burant is lead and background vox, guitars, keys, percussion, lyric-smithing, Glenn Gray is lead guitars, mandolin, bass, background vox, Corrine Lillo is main keys, background vox, Ian Whitman is bass, fretless bass, and double bass with Scott Arrison on drums and percussion. Mike Spindloe guests on saxophones and Geoff Redman guests on acoustic guitar.

Find within: polished, neo-proggish rock with some prog metal leanings in the lead vox and lead riffage. Lead vox reminded me of a near-Journey/Perry or higher timbred yet relaxedly slick Queensryche/Tate. Vocal stylings leaned many times towards the days of spandex rock crooning. Obviously straight up rock leanings pervaded, especially evident on “More To Realize”, “Mirror Image”, and “Surround”. A few delightful Jade Warrior moments were found on “Total Strangers” and “Occam’s Razor”, with plenty of acoustic guitar magic and effective synth embellishings. Tracks ranged from 2:05 to 16:16 with few purely instrumental tracks. Another group’s sound that comes to mind is the mellower ballads of Saga. The ferocious riffs and chops of Saga are lacking here. A nice touch here and there is the backing feminine vocals of Lillo.

Fans of Journey, Saga ballads, Queensryche, some Supertramp, and most all poppish neo-proggers will find much to enjoy here. I must pass however, desiring less theatrics and bombast in my prog. Still, quite strong and tight work.

Reprinted with the permission of John Collinge and Progression Magazine .