DISTRICT 97: In Vaults (PROGRESSIVE ROCK): review / opinion to read on Music Waves

After a detour last year with a live album in the form of a tribute to King Crimson, District 97 is back with what is already its third studio album. The two previous ones had been very much appreciated by the editors of Music Waves, so "In Vaults" has the heavy task of confirming this good impression.

Since you don't change a winning team, the line-up hasn't moved and the musical style adopted on their previous opus is replicate. The compositions are made of a modern and nervous progressive linking the themes at a hellish pace, of ambiguous and uncomfortable melodies, of odd and syncopated rhythms. The rhythmic base is extremely solid, serving as a support for guitars that are willingly saturated and prefer to play in the low register. The keyboards, mainly piano and synths, share the soli equally with the guitars, and the whole beautiful world is dominated by the vocal performance of Leslie Hunt, whose clear voice is not lacking in power but also knows how to caress itself.

Basically, everything is here to have a good record. Except that the alchemy doesn't work. The chunks scroll by and nothing is retained. Impossible to remember a short melody, a catchy theme or a solo of a really pleasant instrument. The fault probably lies with these too many barely touched themes that do not leave a lasting imprint on the memory. It is necessary, when one takes this arduous path, that an atmosphere evoking feelings or sensations emerges from all these mini-themes. This is not the case here, where one only feels an impression of confusion reinforced by an imprecise production that does not allow to fully enjoy each musician's playing.

Only 'Snow Country', oscillating between soft rock and hard soft, and 'Blinding Visions', inscribed in a true progressive tradition with its themes that evolve slowly and cross each other, offer a certain consistency. Between the two, the band can't manage to generate that little thrill, that moment of passion that transports the listener. We say to ourselves "it's good, it's well done, it's a good job", without really participating and, once the record is finished, we don't remember anything except that the female singer has presence.

A question of personal appreciation, perhaps? Despite this lack of empathy, "In Vaults", not devoid of qualities, deserves to be given an ear A more compassionate listener than me could find happiness in it. - Official website

DISTRICT 97

IN VAULTS

LASER'S EDGE

PROGRESSIVE ROCK