district97 hybrid child

Released: 14 September 2010 Label: The Laser's Edge

OK, so you take some progressive musicians with jazz influences, an American Idol finalist and a classically trained cellist, stir it all together and what do you get?

The answer is something like District 97. You can pick out the jazz influence, and the classical overtones, and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with Leslie Hunts vocal qualities, in fact, she’s got rather a good voice, if perhaps a little weak on the sustain, and somehow, it all works... but only if you like your classical progressive rock music.

This album, their debut opus, has a sound that is influenced by Dream Theater, modern jazz and with some classy, classical cello work going on by Ms Katinka Kleijn.

The rest of the band are solid enough, churning out solid riffs, on and off beat drums, pounding bass and backing or leading keyboards as required, all on cue with confidence and accuracy.

Production has left the sound perhaps a bit thin in places, but in other places is nicely rounded and balanced, so there’s some inconsistency there.

There’s always a reminder of other influences from the likes of Dream Theater, Yes, White Willow and other classical prog bands, and that’s not a bad thing as it establishes exactly what this band are trying to do, and they do it well.

However, as with some other classical prog, I find it difficult to listen to the whole album at one sitting, even though some of it is very, very good. It’s just that there is some of it that is concentrating too much on mindless guitar or cello solos for the sake of it, rather than for adding to the musical experience.

It’s not a bad album though, and I would put District 97 on my ‘to watch’ list.

by Alan Thomson