To some bands, the term progressive is nothing more than a label, while others embrace it and take the term as a personal challenge. Frost, most definitely fall into the later category. After their debut album Milliontown received such high praise, it would have been easy to try and reproduce the same sound but instead they took their moniker to heart and decided to push the boundaries just a little bit more.
Experiments in Mass Appeal is just what the name implies. Flowing from sweet soaring melodies to terrific harder edged material, this album makes sure that you aren't going to confuse one song with another. Each song has a very distinct flavor and crosses so many musical genres that I am not even going to try to define them. Let's just say it's like going to the store and buying one of those assortments of Jelly Belly candies. You might get a sweet bubble gum flavor or in the same bag you might get a spicy Jalapeño, but you are not going to get a bad tasting one in the bunch!
Jem Godfrey, keyboardist extraordinaire, along with John Howitt and Andy Edwards from the group IQ and guitarist John Mitchell from the band It Bites have come together with vocalist Declan Burke to produce an album which could be used as the definition of progressive music. Songs like "Toys" with its popish, airy sound are a refreshing change from the heavy music that dominates this genre. This isn't to say they don't also stoke up the metal fires now and then. On the disc they do seem to keep it down but when they flare up, watch out you may get scorched. The title track is a prime example where they lull you in with a quiet soothing melody before exploding into a face melting electric moment!
This disc is worth the price just for the epic 15 minute "Wonderland". Frost takes you on a musical journey that is simply a pure delight. From the tender piano work to the grandeur of twin guitars this piece is a progressive fans Nirvana! (And I don't mean the band)
Experiments in Mass Appeal will surely be a welcome addition to your music collection. I think about going to the local restaurant where they serve root beer in a chilled mug. It is amazing how much better some things are when they are served Frosted!!
Track listing:
1. Experiments in Mass Appeal
2. Welcome to Nowhere
3. Pocket Sun
4. Saline
5. Dear Dead Days
6. Falling Down
7. You/I
8. Toys
9. Wonderland
Printer Friendly Page
Send to a Friend
