Detailed Reviews [The Mighty Handful - 2017 - "Still Sitting in Danny's Car". Part 4 ("Slow Reveal"), Part 5 ("Devils in the Details")]

Prolusion. UK band THE MIGHTY HANDFUL has been a feature in the progressive rock scene for the past decade or thereabouts, with greater parts of that time spent developing and releasing their 5 part concept series "Still Waiting in Danny's Car". The 4th and 5th part of this creation were collected on this compilation album, which was released in 2017.

Analysis. As with the previous parts of this conceptual series, The Mighty Handful weave their way inside and outside of the progressive rock universe with the music on this album, but ultimately I do consider it as a fine example of accessible progressive rock. Besides the conceptual nature of the album itself there's also a fair bit of development on most songs, in addition to the songs themselves structured in a more progressive rock oriented manner. Vocal harmonies are played around with quite a lot on this production, heralded by the barbershop style opening song 'Four Hoarse Men', and explored on a number of different songs moving forward. Scale movements and various types of ballad explored in a few different manners is a part of the totality here too, and there's also a song with a borderline post rock orientation to be found here. Good, old piano rock enters the fray too, and as a matter of fact the piano as an instrument is central throughout this album experience. A subtly jazz-tinged sequence makes an appearance in one of the songs too, and towards the end cinematic oriented chaotic electronic soundscapes pops up too on the song called 'Exit Piece' before the album and the concept series concludes on a more playful and folk music oriented note on 'So Who's Death?'. The final parts of this concept series concludes with an album of theatrical, dynamic and fairly expressive songs that mainly stays gentle and inviting in nature. Perhaps a bit of a low key conclusion to this series, even if tighter and more energetic songs and parts do appear, and despite the at times theatrical nature of the songs they do tend to be understated rather than dramatic in nature. Vocals, vocal harmonies and the piano play leading roles, so to speak, with some fine keyboards moments and elegant guitar details in support.

Conclusion. For those fond of conceptual creations, this final part of the concept series is obviously not the right place to start with this band and this series. But for those more concerned with the music itself, I'd say that this is a fine album to investigate if the more careful sides of accessible progressive rock is something you have an interest in. Besides a couple of energy pills this production is more of an understated, subtle journey through more careful landscapes, and merits a check by those who find such a description intriguing.

Progmessor: July 2021
The Rating Room