More Than a Dream (Progessive Land)

Coming out of Australia, Unitopia's debut has some usual 70's prog sounds blended pretty well with modern influences. I believe this is the first Unitopia release other than perhaps an EP, so this is new to my ears. One thing can be said is that Unitopia utilize more than the usual retro prog act, and is heavy on rhythms and textures not too unlike Peter Gabriel's solo work. Hopefully the word 'Gabriel' cropping up all over this review doesn't put off anybody, as there really isn't any Genesis clone sound in here at all. The vocals do have a slight Gabriel texture here and there, but just slightly. And not really.

The best material is towards the middle and end, where they textures and songwriting step up a notch. 'SLOW DOWN' is an atmospheric winner especially, while 'MORE THAN A DREAM' is a decent anthem. The album closer 'STILL HERE' is 80's Peter Gabriel to the core. While other 'prog' bands tirelessly study anything and everything Gabriel from 1972-75 with an almost unhealthy fanaticism, this one track is more the real deal, taking its Gabriel influence from the era when Gabriel was his true self and not part of a songwriting committee. This album is good melodic rock for night listening. It starts rather average, but the better tracks are in the second half.

Here's the trax:

COMMON GOAL: starts with the heavy rhythm, followed by some Mellotron. I was worried at first when I first heard the Mellotron, maybe thinking that the album would be littered with that cumbersome beast of an instrument. However, they also drop in some horn sounds, rappy vocals, dark guitars and other flavors.

FATE: imagine Peter Gabriel as the singer of a slightly more adventurous MIKE & THE MECHANICS but not quite. This one is a melodic mid-tempo with some well placed saxophone and female backing vocals.

JUSTIFY: Gabriel circa 1992(US) sound at first, before going into a more jazzier section with some clicking bass and electric piano and ending with a more anthemic closing.

TAKE GOOD CARE: an orchestral intro, much like the soundtrack to an epic film. Then African folk influences, which take you into a more 'world' music scenario. This is a positive and uplifting track.

RIDE: a shorter track in a funkier direction.

MORE THAN A DREAM: a piano intro, engaging atmosphere and rhythm slightly recall IQ's more accessible moments from the 90's, if in spirit, while the orchestral bits add a rich luster which makes this one of the better tracks from the album.

SLOW DOWN: an atmospheric and dreamier track which probably would have been more effective as the last track on the album. Almost Pink Floyd-like until the rhythm/funk section comes in with a jazz/classical section which is music to the ears, then the reprise of the main theme. Good track.

LIVES GO ROUND: another more upbeat number with some Yes-like instrumentation. Mostly upbeat with slight acoustic textures, but with a slower mid section and synth solo.

STILL HERE: some more atmospheric world music rhythms and obvious Peter Gabriel textures (think of an imaginary Gabriel album between 1986's 'SO' and 1992's 'US' and maybe something like this may have been on it.) Nice synths and ambience. Probably the one of the best solo songs Gabriel never made. And forget Genesis.

Unitopia have started off with a decent disc for a debut, we'll see what happens next. - Jason Carson, Progressive Land