Isobar is a band from San Jose, California, that plays Progressive Rock Instrumental with forays into Fusion. We have come to know this band over the years thanks to the good albums reviewed in the pages of our webzine. The new chapter in the band’s discography, simply titled “IV,” was released on August 09, 2024 and contains 10 tracks with guest appearances on woodwinds and violin. The opener “Rational Anthem” immediately immerses us in the musical concept that characterises the band’s style. Keyboards and guitar intertwine in the melodies, while the rhythm section, always solid and elaborate, develops the theme through its continuous tempo changes, an added value to the band’s sound. Complex but at the same time pleasant and accessible to the listener, it offers an incisive beginning, with all the instruments enhanced both in the compositional and performance phases. Jazzy and technical passages alternate with symphonic openings, combining Progressive and Fusion, as is the band’s tradition. It continues the musical discourse undertaken in the previous one with “CatAtomic,” of which the band also extracted a video on their YouTube channel. The blend of Progressive Rock and more intricate sounds such as Fusion is more pronounced, with energetic and technical drumming that, together with a killer, deep, driving bassline, creates a beautifully crafted rhythm section. The keyboards offer sophisticated melodies and solo inserts that follow the development of the song, moving from more complex moments to symphonic openings with dreamy traits. The track features the violin, which is definitely an added value to the sound. A long intro with atmospheric and experimental keyboard sounds characterises “That I Know Of,” subsequently developing an interesting Progressive Rock theme. Between continuous tempo changes, the initial theme evolves between sounds enriched by effects and solo inserts that are at times virtuosic. An elaborate passage that shows the band’s more Fusion-contaminated side, without losing focus on classic Prog sounds. “Startling Over” is the shortest track, still exceeding five minutes in length. Involving, with a solid and elaborate rhythm, fine keyboard work and a mixture of Prog and Experimental traits with that characteristic imprinting that blurs into Fusion at times. So far, the most complex track, both in structure and in the melodic developments of keyboard and guitar, which also offer beautifully crafted solo interludes. The synth is the protagonist throughout the first part of “Master Moot Meets The Unwashed Cousin,” a track that enhances the progressive aspect of the band. Skilled in bringing retro sounds and atmospheres into a modern context with their personal touch. In a continuous alternation of guitar solos and keyboards, interspersed with choral instrumental sections with more technical passages and refined melodies, the song is well developed, exploring all the band’s musical facets. A Funky bassline, keyboards leading the melodies open “Strangling Dandelions,” with energetic drumming. The track is imbued with a more Fusion sound, with Prog passages that fit in, a sound that enhances the virtuosity and more technical passages that the band offers. Very interesting is the ease with which the band manages to interweave the two genres, between melodies and refined solos that lead into an emotional Symphonic Prog section in the middle section. The keyboards give a touch of the 70s to the sound in the second part, in this succession of solos and melodic interlacing that accompanies us to the finale enriched by the tempo changes and the mixing of different genres and styles. The horns come in and characterise the melodies of “Throne Rubber,” another track with an original sound, managing to mix more elaborate passages with others that are more properly Prog. The Jazzy touch is more pronounced, again managing to bring the more elaborate sounds of the past into a modern context with markedly personal traits. The band’s technique is enhanced by the complex textures developed in the composition phase and the quality of the performance, putting all the different individualities that make up the line-up at the band’s disposal. Electronic sounds open “Phonosphere,” one of the most complex and experimental tracks on the album, adding a modern touch to the sound. Through the continuous tempo changes, the band ranges between the different genres and styles that make up the track, which is full of very refined ideas and cues. Keeping the intensity and above all the listener’s attention always high, in a continuous succession of emotions between Progressive, Experimental and a touch of Jazzy/Fusion. The album ends with “Telephone Game,” which is also the longest track, exceeding seven minutes in length. Here too, the band develops and explores complex sounds that incorporate experimental elements into a sound that is already elaborate. Modern sounds intertwine with the classic sounds of the genre, with some fine guitar inserts first and keyboards later, showing the band’s more Prog side. A succession of tempo changes and sometimes intricate passages, ending with an atmospheric section and more Experimental and electronic sounds in the finale. Another good record for this band that offers an elaborate and always intense listening from start to finish. The mix between Progressive and Fusion is well done, with a first part of the tracklist plus Prog to incorporate more and more elaborate elements and technical sounds in the second part of the album. A mature album, full of ideas and high level phrasing, enhancing both the compositional technique and performance of the band and its guests. A recommended listening for all lovers of the most elaborate sonorities and with Jazzy/Fusion features of Progressive Rock music, with long and elaborate instrumental tracks very intense from beginning to end.
Tracklist
01. Rational Anthem (07:16)
02. CatAtomic (07:24)
03. That I Know Of (06:21)
04. Startling Over (05:29)
05. Master Moot Meets The Unwashed Cousin (07:31)
06. Strangling Dandelions (05:41)
07. Partial Zero (06:22)
08. Throne Rubber (06:39)
09. Phonosphere (06:15)
10. Telephone Game (07:51)
Lineup
Jim Anderson / Bass
Malcolm Smith / Guitars
Marc Spooner / Keyboards
With Mattias Olsson / Drums, Percussion
Featuring:
Trevor Lloyd / Violin (1, 2, 10)
Evan Weiss / Trumpet (8)
Ben Bohorquez / Saxophone (8)
