I have nothing but disdain for people who say that all great music was released decades ago. While this sort of revisionism is, unfortunately, widespread in all genres, it is perhaps most pernicious in progressive rock spaces. That's because it is accepted as broader and obvious fact; the age of the great was, depending on how you ask, the 60's or the 70's (with some radicals insisting on the 80's instead). What's for sure is that it's not now and when Syd Barrett put his pen down or when the original King Crimson lineup dissolved or when Yes dared make catchier rock or...you get the idea. Something grand passed from the world and the age of great progressive rock passed with.
This is, of course, nonsense. It's nonsense for two reasons: first, there's nothing stopping bands from still making great progressive rock in the style of that by-gone era. But, more importantly, there's nothing stopping bands, literally arresting in time and shackling them to the style of the good ol' days. There is so much more music out there and no genre is more well poised to take advantage of that bounty than progressive rock. Eclectic as it is, progressive rock, when done well, can reach out a mighty, clever hand and scoop up influences and styles to create wholly new things. For example, Object Unto Earth The Grim Village, which is a progressive rock album tinged with math-rock and emo. Oh, and it's also about a frog and its knightly quest across the land. Yep.
Listening to the second track, "On a Pale Horse I Thrive", is probably the way to go if you want to hear exactly what the above mix sounds like. The underlying strata of the track is undeniably progressive rock - the mix of the dual guitar tracks, the contrast between the energetic chorus and the somber verses, the far-wheeling drums and bass. It all bursts with that energy that progressive rock is so good for, exuberant in its exploration of the intricate compositions. But. The timbre of the instruments is decidedly sweeter than you might find on Fragile, let's say. That's the math-rock influences, adding that poppy, sugary sheen that the sub-genre is well known for. It lends the track, dare I make the punk, more bounce, creating a very unique and alluring sound.
The other major difference are the vocals who, especially at the end of the track, careen right off of the usual ranges of progressive rock and into emo scream. That kind of hyper-emotive, ragged, and slightly aggressive tinge works incredibly well with the track's bouncier vibes, sending it into a last, final explosion. From which it, of course, simply bleeds into one of my favorite tracks on the album, "Plea to the Abjurative Warden". From there, the album will keep striking that balance between melancholy and poppy verve, navigating the stream of the music incredibly well as it unravels the story of our ranine protagonist (by the way yes, that's how you say "frog-like").
And that story is the last part of what makes this album so good. In true progressive rock fashion, the concept of the album is what ties everything together and elevates it here. Our hero is an anti-hero in many ways, not exactly a paragon of shining ethics. Staying true to the tropes of anthropomorphic journeys (think Watership Down or Bambi), the album leads them into the darkness that lies underneath nature, the musty, fragrant, rotting humus that connections this world and the next. Through it, and some bank robberies, jail breaks, and shootouts (yes, I swear), our protagonist is faced with their mortality and the weight of their choices.
These beats work incredibly well with the music and "Alas I Hop Along", the closing track and my favorite, captures that feeling of melancholy and banks on it. I've listened to this album dozens of time now (it is, of course, enjoyed best in one sitting, like all great works of progressive rock) and its ending has never failed to move me. If any of the above sounds good to you, I urge you to give this underrated band and their excellent release a try; there is so much to dig into here, both musically and conceptually. Like all great progressive rock albums, I am looking forward to spending years with this album, infusing my own journey and growth it. Remember: the golden age of music is now, and forever.
The Grim Village was released on January 17th. You can get it at your local wetland (and also via Bandcamp above).