This is one of those times I have to say, "don't believe what you read on ProgArchives about this band". The idea that there's no attraction here for people who like "lengthy epics, grandiose atmospheres and displays of technical brilliance" is just pure bull. OK, they're more "song oriented" than "album oriented". But the songs are plenty long enough, the keyboardist spits out 64th-note arpeggios like he was auditioning for Frank Zappa, and as for "grandiose atmospheres" ... well, I'm not even sure I know what that means anyway. If it's about over-the-top pomposity, then I'm happy to say that Half Past Four doesn't need any. They just rock ... in odd, stuttering meters, ecstatic solos and very hip vocals. The assertion (again from the PA article) that there is "very little suggesting progressive rock" here is utterly baffling to me. This is prog rock at its finest ... neither derivative, pretentious nor full of discordant noise. It just sounds like the band is having a great time playing music that will both make your jaw drop and also want to get up and boogie ... if only you had seven legs!
Check out the embedded YouTube video below for a sample, or go to their MySpace site (link below) to hear a few more examples. This band is one of the greatest discoveries for 2009. Oh, wait, that's a 2008 date on that album! How is it I didn't hear about this band until now? You need to hear these guys ... and gals!
