Rocket Scientists
“Refuel” (Think Tank Media, 2014)
Refuel, the new album by California rock band Rocket Scientists begins with a really promising powerful progressive rock instrumental piece showcasing the talent and speed of keyboardist Erik Norlander and guitarist Mark McCrite. Unfortunately, it’s very short.
Progressive rock disappears with the second track, which is essentially a toe-tapping pop piece. The pop direction continues on tracks 3 and 4.
Another prog rock instrumental, titled ‘Regenerate’ appears on track 5. This time it’s longer and features a mix of keyboards, fabulous Steve Hackett-style guitars and fretless bass.
Back to pop on track 6. Track 7, The World Waits for You’ is the only vocal piece with a true progressive flavor. It’s an acoustic guitar ballad with excellent electric guitar solos, piano work and harmony vocals that recall early Kansas.
Progressive rock returns for a final time on track 11, ‘Galileo,’ where the group speeds up the pace, adding jazz fusion elements with electric piano, synth, guitar and bass solos. The last piece, ‘The Lost Years’ has a progressive instrumental part set to a steady pop drum beat.
Rocket Scientists is a trio featuring Erik Norlander on keyboards, Mark McCrite on guitars and vocals, and Don Schiff on sticks and strings. Guest musicians include Gregg Bissonette on drums, vocalists Lana Lane, Kelly Keeling and Emily McCrite, and brass players Jon Papenbrook (trumpet), Eric Jorgensen (trombone), and Richard Hofmann (piccolo trumpet, trumpet).
Buy Refuel