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Radiant Records
Words: Craig Hartranft
Added: 08.02.2023 | Released: 03.02.2023
Actually, they came from Western Pennsylvania, Earth. We Came From Space features several members (Bill Hubauer, Dave Buzard, and Dave Hawk) who went to the same high school, only later to find that they had similar musical interests. Some progressive music fans may recognize Bill Hubauer (g,k,v) from his participation with The Neal Morse Band. From this hospitable reunion, We Came From Space (WCFS) was born (and later to add Tim Malone on drums). To date the band has released two full-length albums and one EP. Overlords, on Neal Morse's label, Radiant Records, is their latest long-player which also includes two songs from the 2020 EP, Reasons in the Rhyme.
We Came From Space composes songs from a simple foundation, designing music that the members grew up with and loved. Apparently, their early inclinations were to classic melodic progressive rock. That's a fine place to start. From listening and with subjective (emphasis there) observations, I could suggest a mixture of several influences. Some distant, Seventies, some more recent.
I might start with the aforementioned Neal Morse Band (good company) then move to associated acts like Transatlantic and Spock's Beard. Perhaps, then, I would drop in some Steely Dan, especially within the title cut, Overlords, which has an interesting fusion between rock, blues, and jazz. She's The Bomb/Atomic Blues also has some expansive free-form prog expression. Throughout there's some delightful expressions in piano lines, guitar leads, and a touch of Hammond.
Alternatively, both Reputation and Silent Letter could have been born from Seventies classic rock. The former has some heavy, yet upbeat, groove in the rhythm section which carries the song; the latter seems more somber and introspective in the pacing, yet has an earthy tone in the vocals, organ, and bass lines. Clearly, throughout this album, three things are self-evident: WCFS's exceptional musicianship, creative song composition, and fundamental love for classic prog. That's a difficult combination to beat, or find in today's music scene.
All in all, if you enjoy progressive rock that mines the past but also embraces present incarnations, you will be both intrigued and entertained by We Came From Space's Overlords. Easily recommended.
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If you enjoy progressive rock that mines the past but also embraces present incarnations, you will be both intrigued and entertained by We Came From Space's Overlords. Easily recommended.
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