Theo – The Game of Ouroboros (Big O Records/Generation Prog Records, 2015)
This is a superb album by Theo, a band led by multi-faceted musician and composer named Jim Alfredson. After I listened to the album I found out that Jim Alfredson is also the keyboardist for the modern organ jazz trio Organissimo. This jazz connection is clearly visible in some parts of The Game of Ouroboros.
The album features progressive rock of the highest order. Jim Alfredson is deeply influenced by the classic progressive bands of the 1970s, but he wants add modern production elements to the music to make it more current. Sometimes modern prog is code word for prog metal, which is neither modern nor prog. Thankfully, Alfredson‘s concept of modern is right on track. He adds electronics, sound effects and is also a master at setting moods and nuance beautifully. Theo uses silence, quiet passages and slow tempo elegantly, and switches to intense prog rock seamlessly.
Throughout the album, you’ll be treated to memorable organ, piano, electric piano and synth solos that are masterful and tastefully done. Jim Alfredson also provides the majority of the vocals. As lead vocalist, he’s quite good, with a wide range of vocal styles. He sounds very American, which is good. A lot of American progressive rock singers try to sound like Peter Gabriel or Jon Anderson. It’s refreshing to listen to singers who bring a different style to the progressive rock world. Alfredson is sometimes intimate and soft spoken. On other occasions, his vocals are much more intense and he also delivers a vocal performance on track 5 that is close to the classic soul sound of Motown or Michael McDonald.
There is not a weak track on this album, which makes it very satisfactory. Prog fans will find the always cherished long suites. Theo are masters at transitioning from soul or bluesy mood to jazz-rock and finally into masterful epic symphonic progressive rock. Even though I’ve focused on Jim Alfredson, the rest of the musicians are equally talented, delivering notable guitar and bass solos along with creative drumming.
The lineup includes Jim Alfredson on lead and backing vocals, keyboards; Gary Davenport on bass, Chapman stick, fretless bass; Kevin DePree on drums, percussion, backing vocals; and Jake Reichbart on guitars. Special guests include Zach Zunis on lead guitar on the title track; and Greg Nagy on 12-string and backing vocals.
The Game of Ouroboros is an impeccable progressive rock album by a talented group of forward-looking musicians that deserve more attention.