Lucid Fly - Building Castles In The Air

I'm betting this chick might want to sue her hairdresser.I love me some progressive music, as well you know, almost as much as I love Eva Green (it's true, I always turn off Casino Royale after she leaves for the bank). But like any other genre, it's hard to find something that sets any one act apart when it follows the genre's conventions as closely as new bands tend to do. When one of them adds something new to the mix or simply does what's expected but takes it to a higher standard of quality, that's when jaded old cynics like myself take notice. This is where bands like Lucid Fly come in.

Moving from one side of the country to the other in order to take their music to the next level, the melodic prog rockers have released Building Castles In Air, an album that both impresses and satisfies genre votaries like myself. Part of that credit goes to singer Nikki Layne, whose confident crooning can range from ethereal to ringing as the mood calls for it. Guitarist Doug Mecca however has a deft touch on the rhythymic side of things, with moody textures that never overpower the song as a whole. Apparently, having earned copious praise throughout their expanding realm of influence, they were hand-picked by Mike Portnoy to play on the Progressive Nation at Sea cruise in 2014 which put them in front and alongside many notable bands and upping their exposure considerably. And it is well-deserved, I can assure you.

The Bottom Line: Lucid Fly isn't just a progressive band with a female lead singer, they're a truly well-rounded band in terms of influences and they've got the chops to put out some truly impressive material. Keep an eye on this band.

- Genghis sure does want to go on one of those metal cruises one day...