New Beard

Add Date: September 25

Artist: New Beard

Album: New Beard City

Label: Shoulder Tap

Genre: Progressive rock

Comments: New Beard is the perfect example of a compositional, multi-instrumental approach to rock. New Beard City features complex song structures, shifting time signatures, hints at styles varying from metal to jazz, and a fascinating variety of instrumentation. You'll hear a tuba assuming the role normally relegated to an electric bass, melodies emerging between harmonizing wind instruments, old school rock 'n roll piano, classical strings and Japanese koto solos.

Their closest musical relative might be mini-orchestra rock group Little Tybee. Yet this album remains a unique feat of fluid orchestration and intricate arrangement by a collective of musical minds. (Gustav Ejstes of Dungen arranged several of the songs, and mixed the final product.) From its jazzy ballads to its fast-paced prog segments, Near Beard City is cohesive and expressive. It may well demand of you a second listen. Track 6 is a personal favorite, but also try 1, 4, 5, 9 and 11.