If you've been following modern prog since the mid-'90s, no doubt you've experienced or heard about the music of New York's IZZ, who burst on the scene with their debut in 1999 and have released a wealth of albums since as well as played at many of the popular progressive rock festivals on the circuit. Don't Panic is the bands new album for Doone Records, and the current line-up for IZZ here in 2019 consists of:
Anmarie Byrnes - vocals
Laura Meade - vocals
Paul Bremner - electric & acoustic guitars
Tom Galgano -keyboards, vocals, production & mixing
John Galgano - bass, electric & acoustic guitars, ukulele, keyboards, vocals
Brian Coralian - acoustic & e-drums
Greg DiMiceli -drums, percussion
With a fairly steady cast over the years, IZZ has managed to amass a pretty loyal following, helped greatly by the long string of solid studio albums. Don't Panic is no exception, a 5-track set that is highlighted by the behemoth epic "42", which clocks in at just under 19-minutes, clearly influenced by Yes and Starcastle with a wealth of sizzling keyboard and guitar explorations, muscular bass lines, busy drums, and a fabulous three-pronged vocal attack courtesy of Meade, Byrnes, and Galgano. Longtime guitarist Bremner shines throughout as always, and his little acoustic instrumental "Six String Theory" is a joy to listen to. His slashing riffs and jagged solos on the raucous "Moment of Inertia" provides for some of Don't Panic's more fiery, heavy moments, while "Age of Stars" again brings to mind Yes as well as a touch of Gentle Giant, lovely vocal melodies floating around intricate musical arrangements, quirky and highly engaging. Toss in the symphonic and quite hook laden title track, and you have a wonderful little album here from the ever dependable IZZ, a band that deserves plenty of success with this latest opus after many years of hard work keeping prog alive with their engaging music.
Track Listing
1. Don't Panic (4:25)
2. 42 (18:41)
3. Six String Theory (2:07)
4. Moment Of Inertia (9:46)
5. Age Of Stars (9:00)
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