Caviar Bobsled (ShroomAngel Records, 2015)
American progressive rock band Hands has released an outstanding album titled Hand. This relatively large ensemble from Texas plays symphonic progressive rock of the highest order. Their roots are in the classic sound of the 1970s with a well-balanced combination of instrumentation, up to 60 musical instruments.
Although guitars, vocals, keyboards and fusion-style fretless bass play a leading role, the band also features beautiful woodwinds extensively. There is wonderful interplay between the vocals, cello, guitars, woodwinds and keyboards throughout the album.
Some of the musical arrangements recalls Gentle Giant, Genesis, and Echolyn’s harmonies, but Hands has its own personality, blending British progressive rock with American folk rock, jazz-rock sensibilities, mesmeric chamber classical music, and even a little world music.
Hands was an underground Texas band that performed and recorded from 1977 to 1980. They became better known to the progressive rock community thanks to the release of some early recordings many years later. The reaction to the archival releases was so encouraging that the band got together again and started recording new albums.
Album lineup: Rex Bozarth on bass, cello, Chapman Stick and background vocals; Mark Cook on Warr guitar, bass, keyboards, drums, percussion and devices; Shannon Day on vintage and contemporary keyboards; Skip Durbin on woodwinds and exotics; Martin McCall on drums and percussion; Ernie Myers on vocals and guitars; Steve Powell on bass, keyboards, guitar, background vocals and noises; and John Rousseau on drums.
Caviar Bobsled is a beautifully-crafted album that showcases progressive rock at its best. One of the best releases of the year.
Purchase Caviar Bobsled