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Progressive Rock CD Reviews

Platypus

When Pus Comes To Shove

Review by Gary Hill

Combining elements of many `70`s styles, including prog, in a fresh mode, When Pus Comes To Shove is a strong work that should really hold up to the test of time. Platypus is Derek Sherinian, John Myung, Rod Morgenstein and Ty Tabor.

This review is available in book format (hardcover and paperback) in Music Street Journal: The Early Years Volume 2 at garyhillauthor.com/Music-Street-Journal-The-Early-Years.

Track by Track Review
Standing In Line
Jumping out of nowhere, this is a hard rocking track that seems to combine the sounds of bands like Boston with Deep Purple.
Nothing To Say
Starting with a mid era Van Halen sort of groove, this is a nice balladic rocker. "Big dreams, loose seems, I`ve got nothing to say to you, There once was a time you were a good friend of mine, but the memory`s blurred some days." A fine keyboard solo with wonderful classic sounds leads to a break which captures the late `60`s era Beatles sound quite well. Next up is a brief hard rocking segment with classic `70`s rock elements. That leads back into the main portion of the tune to round it out.
Rock Balls/Destination Unknown
A hard rocker, this instrumental seems to feel a bit like The Dregs. It is a solid rocker, and features a nice slower segment with very strong prog elements. The keyboard sounds coming out of that protion are classic. The piece builds back in intensity from there, still maintaining some of that prog fire. This is a very strong track.
Platt Opus
Dramatic classical piano work starts this one. The piece has a very Kansasish feel to it, and is a considerably effective prog cut. There is wonderful instrumental interplay sure to please the most demanding prog rock fan. Nearly an instrumental, this one has only a few lines of spoken words.
I'm With You
Another solid rocker, I`m With You starts with a strong instrumental intro. This is a very catchy and potent cut that really captures the `70`s rock sound. The keyboard line on this one is especially inspired, and has a magical sound.
Chimes
Starting with chimes, a pretty intricate keyboard segment takes over from there. The piece has a jazzy sort of texture, in a Dimeolaish tradition. This is a gradually building cut that is quite entertaining.
Willie Brown
Hard rocking guitar starts this compostion in a solid `70`s mode and a rock and rollish keyboard tone adds to the texture. This is a potent rocker in a Edgar Winterish mode with strong rock and blues sensibilities. Willie Brown features a credible instrumental break that really rocks.
Bye Bye
A ballad rock groove with modern jazz overtones, this cut includes a chorus that is rather Beatlesesque. This is a very pretty song, and features a considerably evocative guitar solo and strong lyrics. "A girl of such grace, a smile on your face, A woman of women to me, And you brought us all down to our knees, Ribbons from flowers divided in two, Given to those left alive, And you stepped quietly into heaven`s door, I never said bye bye."
What About The Merch?
With a funky, soulful intro, this cut has a nice `70`s texture, a bit like a reworking of the classic soul music of the `70`s. With a solid nod to the sounds of such rockers as Edgar Winter, this one has a solid groove and killer classic sound.
 
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