Sleeping In Traffic, Pt. 1

Sleeping in Traffic, Pt. 1 is Beardfish's third album, but the Swedish outfit's first for a major progressive rock record label, namely InsideOut. Even though the album went by rather unnoticed, prog rock fans should take note of it. Beardfish do not break new ground, but their take on the genre has a lot of balls and feeling. Blending an occasional Gentle Giant influence with a strong Genesis background and a deep-running blues basis, the group is particularly successful in the melody department, without devolving into ersatz melodic hard rock. In other words, these Swedes strike a very fine balance between prog complexity and sincere feeling. In that regard, their strongest achievement is "Harmony," a moving progressive blues number showcasing the vocal prowess of the group's singer...and some mean organ playing. Also worth a special note are the all-out prog rocker "Sunrise" and the Gentle Giant/Ritual-inspired "Year of the Knife." The mini-epic "Roulette" (12 minutes) works out a little less convincingly, mostly due to a lack of general direction, as it turns into a hodgepodge of underdeveloped ideas. The ballads are also hit or miss, although "Afternoon Conversation" is a definite keeper. Overall, Sleeping in Traffic, Pt. 1 packs a nice progressive punch while remaining on the more accessible side of the fence. And it is easier (and cheaper) to find than Beardfish's previous album, the self-released double CD The Sane Day. ~ François Couture, Rovi