I know longtime fans of Styx, Rush and Kansas will get a boatload of fun out of this latest Presto Ballet album.
Written by: gdmonline
ARTIST: Presto Ballet
ALBUM: Relic Of The Modern World
LABEL: Body Of Work Recordings
YEAR: 2012
SERIAL: BOW0005
CD REISSUE: Discogs Reissue List
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA
LINEUP: Kurdt Vanderhoof – guitars * Chuck Campbell – vocals * Kerry Shacklett – Keyboards, backing vocals * Bobby Ferkovich – bass, backing vocals * Chris Gorczyca – Drums
TRACK LISTING: 01 The Chemical Age * 02 Watching The Radio * 03 Broken Toys * 04 Prelude To Farewell * 05 Relic Of The Modern World
RATING: 9/100
Background
For Kurdt Vanderhoof, Metal Church must seem like a million years ago. Thankfully his other pet project Presto Ballet is alive and well, and continues in a progressive rock haze, leaving melodic exhaust fumes for all of us to follow happily.
We’ve reviewed every full studio album since their inception, and it would be remiss of us to not do the honours and allow ‘Relic Of The Modern World’ some space on our 2012 pages.
The thing I like more about Presto Ballet nowadays is that they happily swim in the 70’s and 80’s retro swimming pool without being affected by, nor affecting the water – so to speak.
It’s like they’ve got their own diver suit, choosing to tweak the oxygen mix until it’s the right mixture. Even though we’ve only got the five songs (the fifth is a massive 19 minute extravaganza), we’re not short-changed in any WAY on this 40 minute set.
Presto Ballet have had a slight tweak to the lineup: Chuck Campbell comes in for Ronny Munroe while Chris Gorczyca (otherwise known as Chris G) replaces Henry Elwood on drums.
The Songs
Gotta love the Styx like intro (either De Young or Gowan like organ work) before punching its way into a Rush like structure for ‘The Chemical Age’, which maintains its presence all the way through.
The Rush and Styx comparisons don’t completely disappear after track 1, ‘Watching The Radio’ keeping it all happy families into track 2. Kerry Shacklett’s ivories working the melodies in great Steve Walsh fashion while Vanderhoof provides the six-string rapiers and feathers.
I love the pomp and bombast preceding ‘Broken Toys’, eventually making way for some piano led cloak and dagger whilst retaining a tougher edge. Like 80’s fashioned pomp in the vein of MPG. Very nice.
‘Prelude To Farewell’ is a short one and a half minute prelude with Shacklett spinning a few finger flurries on piano.
Then we get to the 5 part 19 minute title-track: ‘Relic Of The Modern World’ which moves from one end of the musical spectrum to the other. Nearly every aspect of the prog rock and melodic/-pomp sub-genres is covered off here.
In Summary
In my review of last years ‘Invisible Places’, I wrote that it was their best effort to date. This one is right up there too.
I know longtime fans of Styx, Rush, Kansas will get a boatload of fun out of this latest Presto Ballet album. Apparently, the next release is going to be full-on double CD concept album. Woah. Can’t wait.
Presto Ballet on Video
Click to go to YTM album page.
