Label: InsideOut Music
Release date: April 1, 2022
Production: Pattern-Seeking Animals
Album length: 59.29 min
Genre: Progressive Rock
Rating: 9.5/10
»Only Passing Through« is the third studio album from the excellent prog rock collective Pattern-Seeking Animals, which features current and former members of the cult band Spock’s Beard. The supergroup, which started out as a side project under the wing of the multi-talented producer, composer, guitarist and keyboardist John Boegehold, has already wowed fans with two great releases, so expectations among lovers of their music were pretty high ahead of »Only Passing Trough«.
Understandably, Pattern-Seeking Animals take a similar approach to songwriting and arranging as Spock’s Beard, which means they swear by a harmonious blend of complexity and melody, with the difference that they also allow themselves a few experiments that are atypical for the ‘Beard boys’. And »Only Passing Through« doesn’t let up either, delivering from start to finish with compositions that are strong in arrangement, lyrics and atmosphere. Mastermind Boegehold promised back when Pattern-Seeking Animals were formed that they’d put out new albums every year if possible, so it’s no surprise that »Only Passing Trough« arrived less than two years after its excellent predecessor »Prehensile Tales« (2020, RockLine review).
Anyone who was hoping for yet another masterpiece of modern prog rock revivalism from Pattern-Seeking Animals for the third time running wasn’t let down, because »Only Passing Through« is an album that’s a pleasure to listen to from start to finish. The short but gorgeous opener »Everdark Mountain« is full of contrasts between gentle and punchy moments, which cleverly round out its mysterious mood. On »I Can’t Stay Anymore«, which also came out as a single, Meros’ thick bass lines grab you right in the opening section — ones that even his late idol Chris Squire (Yes) wouldn’t be ashamed of — while the charismatic drum master Jimmy Keegan, who also pitches in on backing vocals, shines with his proverbial rhythmic variety. Meanwhile, Boegehold deftly maneuvers on keyboards between modern-sounding and more traditional synth textures.
Ted Leonard is one of the finest vocalists in modern progressive rock, as every fan of Spock’s Beard and Enchant has known for a long time. All of Pattern-Seeking Animals’ experimental talent shows on the superb thirteen-minute epic »Time Has a Way«, which packs in quite a few old-school prog influences, mainly thanks to symphonic Mellotron arrangements. Every now and then this epic masterpiece throws in little surprises, like a sudden burst of brass arrangements on trumpet with a Mexican-tinged ambient feel. The influence of the legendary Chicago is unmistakable here. Pattern-Seeking Animals tried a similar experiment on the previous album, too. Still, arrangements like this add plenty of spice to this ambitious, atmospherically rich symphonic prog adventure.
»Rock Paper Scissors«, the album’s second single, features folk rock arrangements built on an acoustic foundation, plus string passages, which combined with Ted’s singing and extra vocal harmonies instantly bring to mind some of the legendary Kansas’ work. »Much Ado« is the moment on the album where the band happily shows off its harder side too, with more upfront, at times almost hard rock guitar passages. The end result is another interesting piece with various symphonic prog elements front and center, but also a pinch of late-seventies arena rock influence and bands like the aforementioned Kansas and Styx. The latter’s influence, rare in modern prog rock, can be felt on some of the other tracks on »Only Passing Through« as well, like the title track, which has just the right mix of melody and complexity.
The symphonic prog treat »Said the Stranger« is one of the few compositions on the album with more British than American old-school prog influences. The middle section brings a unique surprise, where electronic textures kick in that some ‘new wavers’ from the eighties à la Ultravox wouldn’t be ashamed of either. The closing piece »Here With You With Me« is marked by a romantic, nostalgic mood, with lovely vocal harmonies and mostly good-natured synth arrangements. Despite some sonic and atmospheric echoes of The Flower Kings, this one doesn’t come across as overly cheery or playful. Both bonus tracks, the punchy »I’m Not Alright« and the cheerful »Just Another Day at the Beach«, turn out really well and are on the same level in quality as the ‘regular’ tracks on »Only Passing Through«.
With »Only Passing Through«, Pattern-Seeking Animals have once again confirmed that they’re not just some stand-in for the currently studio-inactive Spock’s Beard, but have plenty of sonic identity of their own. At the same time, they remain among the few prog revivalists who are more influenced by homegrown (American) than British prog legends. All progressive rock fans who prize melody just as much as complexity will recognize »Only Passing Through« — this supergroup’s most ambitious undertaking so far — as a modern prog rock masterpiece from the very first listen.
Author: Peter “Dr. ProgRock” Podbrežnik
Track list:
1. Everdark Mountain (2:50)
2. I Can’t Stay Here Anymore (6:05)
3. Time Has a Way (13:15)
4. Rock Paper Scissors (5:01)
5. Much Ado (4:49)
6. Only Passing Through (4:19)
7. Said the Stranger (7:07)
8. Here with You with Me (8:14)
9. I’m Not Alright (4:17) *
10. Just Another Day at the Beach (3:32)
*…. bonus tracks
Line-up:
Jimmy Keegan – drums, backing vocals
Ted Leonard – vocals, guitar
Dave Meros – bass guitar
John Boegehold – keyboards
