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Neal Rosner

Kentucky

Review by Gary Hill
I’m not sure that this fits under progressive rock, but if not it certainly comes close. There are plenty of proggy things at play here, along with other elements. The lyrics on the first section of the album are all topical in one way or another. I would say that everything here is proggy to some degree. Some nails it more than others, though.

This review is available in book (paperback and hardcover) form in Music Street Journal: 2025  Volume 1. More information and purchase links can be found at: garyhillauthor.com/Music-Street-Journal-2025.
Track by Track Review
Part 1: Plain
                     
The Choice

Jazz, prog and other aspects are on the menu here.

Apocalypse Chicago

Trippy and yet jazzy, this has some definite psychedelia and proto-prog in the mix.

Les Cirque Des Enfants

There is what sounds like a children’s choir early on this song. The track feels like something meant for kids with its weird animal impressions. The musical arrangement is more proggy, but the vocal arrangement is theatric. This is intriguing stuff.

Frances

This duet is intriguing. It has some proggy tendencies, but also some musical theater things.

I Guess the Engagement is Off

There is definitely some intriguing prog concept on this. The track works well in a very quirky way.

Me Myself and I

Bouncy and fun, this feels like progressive pop. There are quirky things about this tune, but to me it’s one of the strongest things on the album.

Micajah

Quirky to the point of being a little strange, there is both prog and musical theater in the mix here. This turns twisted late, and makes me think of The Residents a little.

Red and Blue

Here we get a bouncy little groove. This is fun stuff. It’s also tastefully strange.

The Radical

Quirky, and proggy, this is another bouncy tune.

What Price Would You Play

More of a psychedelic pop rock groove is in the driver’s seat a lot of the time here. The cut has some proggy things at play, as well.

It Lives in the Attic

The jazzy, trippy vibe on this is so cool. This is definitely one of the highlights of the set. There are some vocalizations and weird laughter on this track, but no actual lyrical vocals.

Part 2: With Peanut
             
Do You Want To Go To Heaven

More of a jazzy folk prog vibe is at play here.

Avinu Malcenu

With world music, prog and more in the mix, the lyrics to this are not in English. I really dig the guitar solo on this.

The 3 Prayers Psalm 19:14

Acapella aspects are on display early. The number turns more rocking later, but the multi-layered vocal arrangement brings something special to the table. I dig some of the guitar sounds on this a lot, too.

What Is God/Seed of Abraham

This number is not the most proggy thing here, but it has some solid hooks.

Part 3: Kentucky

 

                          
Western Kentucky Come on Down

There is plenty of folk music texture in the mix here.

 
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