TRACK LIST:
1. Arrive 5:58
2. Radiowave 4:44
3. Lightchaser 4:52
4. Speed of the Climb 5:36
5. Build for the Future 4:49
6. Burning Daylight 3:04
7. Walls 4:43
8. Running Man 6:58
9. The Siren Will 5:09
10. Staring at the Sun 6:24
11. Samsara 5:51
12. The Great Escape 12:38
LINE UP :
Patric Farrell - guitars, bass, keyboards, drums, programming, vocals
Kenny Bissett - vocals
with:
Dave Pena - guitars
Chris Benjamin - guitars
Imaya Farrell - cello, violin, viola
Prolusion.
US band Built for the Future first appeared back in 2015, lead by the creative duo of Patric Farrell and Kenny Bissett, and launched their debut album "Chasing Light" the same year. Since then they have also released one further album, two EPs as well as a non-album single.
Analysis.
Built for the Future describes themselves as Crossover Prog, a definition spearheaded by the old Progarchives website that usually means progressive rock made with a liberal influx of pop music sensibility. While the self-description of bands may not always be all that accurate, in this case I'd say that this one fits the bill fairly well indeed.
The album kicks off on a bit of a 70's tangent, with an opening track that at least in the first half comes with a little bit of a David Bowie feel to it, and to my ears at least stays put in a more 70's inspired landscape also when the song starts rocking out a bit. For the rest of the album my impression is that we skip a decade ahead in terms of sound and style inspiration.
What the majority of the songs here have in common is that they either develop towards a more neo-progressive oriented expression with atmospheric keyboard textures as a central element or that the songs feature surges of a similar nature as they settle into their more fully developed form. But prior to that, and bubbling under the surface, we find a nice little handful of different traditions and orientations. The most common denominator is what I'd describe as a bit of an art pop sound, or a more pop/rock oriented variety of progressive rock if you like. Smooth, melodic and slightly quirky arrangements and movements that retain a broad and appealing nature. Some synth pop elements find their way into some of these landscapes, a little bit of post-punk may appear in a subtle manner on occasion, some new wave elements are used to good effect and very occasionally one might argue that the vocals come with a little bit of a Gothic rock touch to them too. The latter are always pleasant and melodic, but the occasional use of a darker and more resonant tone and timbre is one that for me comes with a Gothic rock association.
This is an album that is all about the subtle details in a fairly smooth and easygoing environment. You won't find any avant touches here, the challenging escapades are left behind at a safe distance. Compelling and welcoming moods and atmospheres is what this album is going for, with the quirky features being of a subtle nature and the details given a solid polish to boot. They are present, but more often than not unobtrusive. Balancing the smooth sounds with the edgier details is a challenge in such an environment of course, and for me at least I believe the band have managed to master this challenge on this occasion. There is depth here, and undercurrents to enjoy, but never to the detriment of the open and welcoming landscapes explored.
Conclusion.
This debut album by Built to the Future comes across as a solid production in the field of compelling and broadly appealing progressive rock with a distinct inclusion of pop music sensibilities. Art pop with an art rock undercurrent and a nice little twist of a neo-progressive rock orientation. An album that in my book at least should be found satisfactory by many or possibly most of the people who prefer their progressive rock with a healthy dose of pop music sensibilities.
Progmessor: January 2023
The Rating Room
