Detailed Reviews [Schooltree - 2017 - "Heterotopia"]

Prolusion. US band Schooltree have a history that goes back a decade and a bit, and they launched their career as a recording unit with the self-released digital album "My Metal Mother" back in 2011. Their second album "Rise" followed two years later, and in 2017 Schooltree released their third and most recent studio production to date - the double album "Heterotopia". As with their previous two albums this creation was self-released by the band.

Analysis. Schooltree is one of those bands that some people may possibly want to describe as art rock rather than progressive rock. In this case perhaps first and foremost because this is strikingly accessible music, while at the same time this is a production that doesn't really have all that many similarities with any one of the more well-defined sub-categories one can find in the progressive rock universe. I understand that this is a concept album, and this is also quite the sprawling affair - in a good way. With 24 songs covering a slew of subtly or more markedly different style subsets and orientations there is a lot going on musically here, with everything tied together by what appears to be a well developed concept. The common denominator throughout this album are songs revolving around what I tend to describe as piano rock: Songs where the piano is if not always the main and dominant instrument then at least the important instrument that ties all the other elements and side steps together into a unity. Obviously we do get compositions that deviate from this norm too, but songs revolving around this key element is the main recurring element throughout. This recurring approach, if you like, is used in a number of different manners. Some of the songs play around with a more distinct symphonic progressive rock inspired expression, on other occasions tendencies from arena rock as well as musicals may well be the expression of choice. Gentler forays into folk music inspired and psychedelic rock oriented territories is another important part of this production, and more dreamladen creations with otherworldly associations and a borderline ambient orientation is a further part of the totality. With quite a few songs making use of two or more of the variations detailed. But all along, we do return to songs where the piano is a key or even the main instrument. But while the music is a very important part of the totality, the same can be said about the vocals. Lainey Schooltree is an excellent vocalist, handling delicate control and powerful deliveries with equal ease, and some of the vocal harmonies we get to enjoy here are truly superb. While this is an album that is a few years old by now, I have to say that the material here still sounds fresh and invigorating, and as an album experience this is one that certainly has a timeless feel to it. Thankfully this creation has been given the high quality mix and production the songs require too, which makes this album a very enjoyable listen through and through - on all levels.

Conclusion. Described as a rock opera, "Heterotopia" comes across as an inspired production within that field. The songs tend to be accessible and compelling in nature, balancing being easy on the ear and the mind on one hand and featuring enough layers, textures and elements on the other making it an intriguing listen also for the attentive and detail-oriented listener. If accessible progressive rock with a distinct piano rock flair and inclusions of elements from a good handful of style details from inside as well as outside of the progressive rock spectrum strikes you as interesting, you will probably find this well made and solid album to be quite the rewarding experience.

Progmessor: January 2024