IZZ - Collapse the Wave
IZZ sounds like a band, not a studio creation made up of synths and samples…
Collapse the Wave
Artist: IZZ
Label: Doone Records
11 tracks / 53:04
Collapse the Wave starts out strong, with the eight and a half minute “We Are the Third” giving a preview of everything that IZZ does right. The song sounds like the very definition of prog-rock, with a multi-layered structure, strong melodic approach, and dynamic, powerful instrumental work from the band – and yes, IZZ sounds like a band, not a studio creation made up of synths and samples. The vocal melodies, often shared by Tom or John Galgano and Laura Meade sound somewhat Yes-inspired but not to the extent that it sounds like they’re imitating the legendary progsters. The opening track has driving organ, rich bass lines, drums that pound confidently but find space to go into a recurring heartbeat motif, and impressive, solid guitar riffs. Like the rest of the album, the song is loaded with introspective lyrics – and plenty of them!
One of the signs of maturity in the band is immediately following up the blockbuster opener with the thoughtful piano-and-vocal “So Many Voices.” A common mistake by prog bands is the constant bombardment of ‘impressive’ dizzying performances, leaving the listener overloaded and lost. Collapse the Wave, thankfully, is more nuanced. Having said that, the third track, “Brace For Impact,” features very confident, strong band performances, slightly ominous, more aggressive vocals and a very cool staccato break against the intriguing lyric: “We are the first in the whole of creation There’s nothing between us you’re our destination Sleep while you can You’re just a man Changing your thoughts with a wave of our hand.” So, the prog continues…
“Deep Inside” follows in a ballad tempo – an excellent male/female vocal duet with a solid melody, strong keyboard work and excellent arrangement. The album’s title track follows with a sophisticated jazz-informed piano riff up front, joined by some synth and guitar interplay, solid bass and perfect rock/jazz drumming. The first section of the song is a stunning instrumental that manages to avoid typical prog avenues in favor of a more streamlined approach. “The things that we don’t see behave as waves …Come and look with me - Collapse the wave,” the lyrics suggest, and finally ask: “Has the time come to collapse the wave?” A bit of a respite follows in “Sometimes Sublime,” an elegant melodic song that may or may not be a love song. The instrumentation is more laid back, with guitar and synth (and an organ sound very reminiscent of Procol Harum’s “Nothing That I Didn’t Know”). The end section repeats and builds to a powerful climax.
Impressive tight harmony vocals sit on top of some interesting rhythmic shifts punctuated by funky guitar licks in “There’s Hope,” one of the album’s most ambitious tracks. A fun a cappella moment ends the song and makes way for “Brethren,” a one-minute instrumental barrage of percussive music.
The complex structure of “Not About Me” makes it sound almost like a prog stage musical, with a dialog between two singers. Vocal interplay continues in “Soak Up the Sunlight,” a sophisticated composition with a wonderful synth solo, great vocal harmony and an interesting, complex melody.
The album closes with “And We Will Go” – and they go in great style! The song has starts and stops, excellent vocals, a prominent piano and some nice, nasty guitar licks. This band knows what it’s doing.
The band IZZ, is: Paul Bremner: Electric & Acoustic Guitars, Brian Coralian: Electronic & Acoustic Drums and Percussion, Greg DiMiceli: Acoustic Drums and Percussion, John Galgano: Bass Guitar, Electric & Acoustic Guitar, Vocals, Tom Galgano: Keyboards, Vocals and Laura Meade: Vocals
Collapse the Wave is almost an hour of good, well written and performed prog rock that manages to rise above the repetitious and sometimes pretentious nature of the genre, even though the lyrical themes are (according to co-founder John Galgano) “A sonic exploration of self and the Universe.” Okay... but it’s also just really good music!
- Bert Saraco
4 1/2 tocks
You can see concert photography by Bert Saraco at the link below.
