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Quandary: Ready to Fail
 Ready to Fail? I Think Not!
Quandary is a relatively new band from Australia, and Ready to Fail is the inapt title of their debut album. Boasting terrific musicianship and great compositional talent, I can confidently say that Quandary has released one of the better progressive metal albums to come out in 2010. Although there is still some work that could be done with their sound, these guys have started on a great note. This is a promising and highly enjoyable debut album.
Quandary plays a style style of traditional progressive metal with a heavy Liquid Tension Experiment/Dream Theater flavor. Don't mistake Quandary for a clone band, though - these guys still have their own sound. There is a high-level of technicality, however, that would remind me of Liquid Tension Experiment especially. A lot of this album is instrumental, though there are also some vocal parts. Unfortunately, the vocals are usually a mixed bag. Sometimes they are really strong, and sometimes they are really weak. In the first track, "Out of Time", the vocals are on the weaker side, whereas the vocals in "Waiting for Change" are great. The vocals rarely drag down my experience, but the few weak sections are worth noting. Despite the few vocal shortcomings, Quandary is an incredibly tight, highly impressive unit. These guys are simply a joy to listen to.
The production is pretty good. It's a bit too raw at times, but it generally sounds great.
Conclusion:
Ready to Fail is a highly impressive and mature work from these young Australian lads. If you like technical prog metal, this is an album worth checking out. If Quandary could develop a slightly more unique and distinct style in the future, I could see them getting a large fanbase. They definitely have the chops to succeed in the crowded prog metal world. A 3.5 star rating is well-earned for this mature and promising beginning. It'll be interesting to see where these guys go in the future.
Track Listing
1. Out of Time 04:25
2. Illusion Of Progress 08:54
3. Umbra 04:34
4. Ready To Fail 02:26
5. Waiting For Change 05:23
6. Penumbra 05:08
7. Disconnect 09:36
8. Cloud Shapes 12:23
9. Stepping Stones 20:20
Added: November 19th 2010
Reviewer: Jeff B
Score:  
Related Link: Band Website
Hits: 3192
Language: english
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Quandary: Ready to Fail
Posted by Gert Hulshof, SoT Staff Writer on 2010-11-19 16:07:15
My Score:
Quandary are an Australian band, with Ready To Fail making their debut in the world of Neo- Progressive Rock. The four Aussies give us a bundle with their first outing, with a length of over 70 minutes you'd better be prepared for a long sit listening to this album.
9 songs long varying in heaviness. The influence of popular Neo is clearly noticeable but not disturbing. Quandary belong to the new wave of Australian bands that could really make a difference in today's music scene among all those American and British bands. Historically bands from the latter two countries stand a better chance to become known throughout the world and reach fame if you will.
As a music reviewer with the special interest in Progressive rock & Heavy rock genres I find it very welcoming to see that more and more bands evolve and get a world famous status, If it were only in Prog.
Back to the Music on Ready To Fail, as I stated there is a slight variation in the song heaviness. Clearly noticed influences by Marillion, Dream Theater and the like. The four guys have really spared no effort in the making of this album, as it took them nearly 4 years. You can clearly hear that.
Heavy riffing, cool bass lines, pounding drums, lushes of keyboards at times. Good vocals, but most of all songs capable of carrying themselves. Good structured way, clean and clear built up of songs. These boys know what they want, and have created their own sound. Carried by the influences, but nevertheless their own style.
With the creation of two epics on this album they have made a point, and made their intention clear to the world, We are Ready, as they say ready to fail. I hope not, or is this just some sarcasm from the boys, in my opinion it should read Ready and able to succeed.
Quandary have in themselves to become big, the new breed of Progressive rockers is coming and Quandary are one of the bands. If you have the chance, listen to this album. It can be found on bandcamp, and it is worth seeking out.
Quandary is worth it. Ready To Fail, needs a chance to Win.
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