1974 & the Battle For The Lazer Fortress |
I really do love when a band surprises me from out of nowhere. I also love it when a band does something that I honestly wasn't sure was possible. That band in both cases is CT's own 1974
1974 surprised the hell out of me in 2011. I was not expecting any music at all to come out of the little town of Newington, CT and I certainly wasn't expecting anything this good. But even after I listened and loved I had my doubts that they could pull it off in a live setting. Man, was I completely unfounded in my fears. This past Saturday night 1974 lit up the stage at Arch Street Tavern brighter than one of the stars from their album cover. This is one extremely talented band that has written one extremely eclectic and talented record.
First of all it should be stated - what other band would have the gumption to start (start!) an album with a 15+ minute instrumental track and then ride into a minute long "Intro"? You are a good twenty minutes into this album before you ever hear vocals. Doesn't matter though. It works. There really is something for everyone to like about this record. The first half of the album will certainly appeal to metal fans. Whether this band realizes it or not they've tapped into the likes of Opeth, The Sword, Paradise Lost, Anathema, Nevermore and even more rock oriented groups such as Uriah Heap and Queensryche. As the album (and the story) evolve though the sound becomes more pop and prog oriented and slightly more accessible to the average music fan. Tracks like "Guide Our Hands" and the extremely upbeat closer "Song of Survivors" could easily be played on the local "alternative" radio station. Fans of everybody from Rush, King Crimson, and Kings X to bands like 30 Seconds To Mars or even Muse will find things they love with at least the second half of this album, if not the entire thing. That's not to say that the metalheads will be lost and bored by the end of this record (this one sure wasn't). That's the beauty of it. Once you join 1974 on their battle for the Lazer Fortress you are in it for the long haul for sure.
