"So it comes as a refreshing surprise to find the sophomore album from Pattern-Seeking Animals being released a scant 10 months after their debut hit the shelves in the summer of 2019. Perhaps this is an approach that other bands could learn a thing or two from, as it's evidently worked out remarkably well for P-SA. Not only does "Prehensile Tales" easily eclipse their well-received debut, it will likely be a contender for one of the best prog-rock albums of the year."

"One of the strengths of "Prehensile Tales" is that they mix styles and genres seamlessly and un-apologetically. The first ten seconds of opening track 'Raining Hard In Heaven', rooted in a groove eerily similar to 'Billie Jean', offer no clue that this is a progressive rock band. In short order it turns into one of the best pieces the band has yet recorded. The engaging verses immediately reveal the strength of lead singer Ted Leonard's voice and the songwriting skills of John Boegehold. But it is in the instrumental section that the mastery of the whole band comes to fore, layers of Boegehold's keyboards swirling above the esteemed rhythm section of Jimmy Keegan on drums and Dave Meros' bass. Their intoxicating arrangement of ascending passages leaves plenty of room for Keegan to work his magic, punctuated by Meros' punchy runs and seeking patterns." SM - SP



Essential Track: "'Soon But Not Today' is a linear piece that moves through several different styles but seldom looks back. Starting off as a ballad, moving into a reggae groove and winding up in a full-on Beatlesque blowout, this has a bit of everything in it. The lyrics revolve around Boegehold's favorite theme: meditations on a central male character who has missed the boat in life in one way or another, but it's a glorious sonic journey in any case." SM-SP



Read the full reviews on Sonic Perspectives and Prog Archives.

Listen to samples and buy the CD from Inside Out Music or wherever fine prog music is sold.

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Click on the following link for a complete list of bands that have played for the NewEARS Art Rock Series

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2020-07-12
The Musical Box - A Genesis Extravaganza Volume 2 at Tupelo Music Hall - Derry, NH at 08:00 PM
Rescheduled to November 20th

2020-07-28
Roger Waters: This Is Not A Drill North American tour at TD Garden - Boston, MA at 08:00 PM
POSTPONED TBD

2020-08-02
The Musical Box - A Genesis Extravaganza Volume 2 at Ridgefield Playhouse - Ridgefield, CT at 08:00 PM
Rescheduled to November 13th

2020-08-15
The Musical Box - A Genesis Extravaganza Volume 2 at The Wilbur - Boston, MA at 08:00 PM
Rescheduled to November 17th

2020-09-10
Brand X at Iron Horse Music Hall - Northampton, MA at 07:00 PM
With Special Guests Randy McStine
TBD

2020-09-17
THE MACHINE performs Pink Floyd (rescheduled from March 21st) at Ridgefield Playhouse - Ridgefield, CT at 08:00 PM
$50

2020-09-19
Coheed and Cambria "Neverender: NWFT" at The Palladium Outdoors - Worcester, MA at 05:00 PM
With Special Guests chon.
$50.00 - $99.00

2020-09-23
Martin Barre performs classic Jethro Tull at Ridgefield Playhouse - Ridgefield, CT at 08:00 PM
$49 - $55

2020-09-24
Martin Barre Performs Classic Jethro Tull at Tupelo Music Hall - Derry, NH at 08:00 PM
$45 - $60

2020-11-21
The Machine performs Pink Floyd at Wall Street Theater - Norwalk, CT at 07:00 PM
$25.00 - $65.00

2020-12-27
The Machine performs Pink Floyd at The Cabot Theatre - Beverly, MA at 07:00 PM
TBD

All Events ...>>

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