Origin by Earthlimb

Reviewer: Chris Hattingh

This is a killer album in the progressive rock vein. Influences from early prog-rock bands like vintage Genesis (think “Selling England By The Pound”), Hatfield & The North, Gentle Giant and XTC are evident. But at times one is also reminded of bands as diverse as U2, Alice In Chains and Nine Inch Nails. The drums remind me of Neil Peart. The vocals run the emotional gamut….from haunting to gentle to menacing. In a few places the vocals remind me of David Coverdale, but with more angst. At other times the vocal arrangements sound like something created by John Anderson and Yes, while at the same time being unique.

The production and arranging is awesome…whoever put these arrangements together has the perfect combination of innovation, imagination, taste and experience. At times I would think that I was listening to a masterfully crafted tapestry of loops and triggered samples, but then I would be jolted back to reality by a section that could only be played by real humans in real time.

The lush soundscapes and vast stereo panorama invoke a feeling of spaciousness (at times with a sci-fi flavor and at others with a new age flavor). Tight arrangements, odd time signatures, vintage analog synth sounds, great use of dynamics, surprise twists and turns – it’s all in here. Definitely a “must listen” for all prog-rock fans, and anybody who isn’t afraid to listen to some cerebral music.