And here it is, the tenth studio album of IZZ, Collapse The Wave. The last record came from 2019, so it is time for a new one. The bandmembers are still the same, namely Paul Bremner on electric and acoustic guitars, Brian Coralian on electronic and acoustic drums and percussion, Greg DiMiceli on acoustic drums and percussion, John Galgano on bass guitar, acoustic guitar and vocals, Tom Galgano on keyboards and vocals and Laura Meade on vocals. The only missing member since the last album is Anmarie Byrnes on vocals. The band was formed in 1996 in New York, United States of America. I have to admit that I am not familiar with IZZ, the tenth studio album is my baptism by fire. I read some reviews from previous albums to know a little bit of the history of the music of this band. What I remember of the reviews is that this band plays music in a wide variety of styles with the roots in the seventies like bands as Emmerson Lake and Palmer and Genesis, but give the music their own signature. Because I do not know the earlier music, I cannot compare it with the new songs. For me that is alright, a kind of fresh opinion. The album opens with the longest song, We Are The 3rd, that clocks eight and a half minute. It is immediately noticeable that this is a strong track with prog music that indeed has a wide of variety of styles, almost too many to write them down. For me the singing together from all vocalists is a plus. Everyone gets their moment in this song, it rises to great heights. The keyboard sounds are nicely made up. So Many Voices starts with keys and percussion, it gives a nice ambiance. The male vocalist has exactly the good vibration in his voice. Towards the end of the short song it becomes more aggressive but fades away slowly. Brace For Impact directly makes you move your body, good atmosphere with lovely keyboards, it reminds me of the movie from the eighties, Ghostbusters, that had the same tension. Here a nice guitar solo, there a nice keyboard solo with great rhythm section. Good song. Deep Inside is the next one, starting with keys and Laura on vocals, she has a beautiful voice with a great expression. It is a nice ballad. This is a song that lets you catch your breath again, after the first three up tempo songs. Then it is time for the title track, Collapse The Wave, that is the second longest song on the album. After nice keys you will hear a lovely guitar solo. The playing sounds a bit like Glass Hammer, and that is a good one because I like that band a lot. And if you say Glass Hammer, Yes is always close. The guitar solo reminds me a bit of Yes. The vibe in the song drags on a bit, but surely not in a bad way. I think it is one of the strongest songs on the album. After the title track Sometimes Sublime will enter your ears, and how. It starts with acoustic guitars and dreamy keys when Laura caresses your ears. Some Emmerson Lake and Palmer keys are there. This is a song that makes you feel a bit emotional, sometimes you can feel the tears coming. This song needs to be heard in the dark with your headphones on. Towards the end a phenomenal guitar solo is coming your way. I describe this song with the words lovely gratitude. There's Hope! Is the seventh one. Directly up tempo and prog full on speed is what will be served. A lot of tension and variety, too much to mention. I guess that this song is totally IZZ, great. What strikes is that all vocalists in this song totally sounds different than in the other songs, how nice! Brethren is a short song that has dual drumming, that is always so great to hear if more drummers are doing their thing at the same time. Also the keyboard is a bit weird in this short song. Before you are used to the song, it is over and that is a shame. Not About Me is a strong song because of the powerhouse music in combination with the great vocals again. It is a bit jazz combined with fusion and prog of course. This one is also one of my favorites because of the driving in all instruments and emotions in the singing. You will clap your hands when the intro of Soak Up The Sunlight starts. The harmony in this song is fantastic, it gives me a great smile on my face when I listen to the great keyboard in combination with the percussions. The song has a great force because of the vocals, they are so so strong, wow! This song goes in all directions but does not go off the rails anywhere. With a little tear in my eyes because the last song of the album is coming, And We Will Go. I do get a really Yes feeling by listening to this song, but not in a negative way. The bass playing could have been from Chris Squire, so that compliment is made! The keys in this song comes from Keith Emerson, another compliment! It is a real pleasure to listen to this song. And then.... yes it is true, then the album is finished. I am really happy that I can pull the play button again, so I can make this weird ride again, and again, and again. All in all I can say that this is a lovely album. The positive aspects for me are the wide variety in music styles, also in the songs you can hear a wide variety without losing the song, the vocals are really attractive for me, the brothers and also Laura. Not to mention the crazy keyboard parts and great guitar solos. Highly recommended. **** Michel Stolk (edited by Tracy van Os van den Abeelen) Where to buy? |
