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BURDENED HANDS
EYESTRINGS
2004 , USA - EURO 15.00
Label: SPLIT DIFFERENCE RECORDS
ALBUM REVIEW
Dynamic progressive-influenced rock often swooping from epic to whimsical to downright dark; each unique track's infectious melodies and challenging rhythms are sure to please a variety of music lovers. Burdened Hands is the debut by a Michigan-based four-man band led by vocalist/keyboardist/composer Ryan Parmenter. If that last name looks familiar, Ryan is the nephew of Matthew Parmenter, the main force behind Discipline, and Eyestrings’ bassist and drummer have both been members of Discipline. This is a reasonably astounding debut, as the band has taken influences from the Beatles to the prog rock giants (Genesis, King Crimson, Yes) through to Tears for Fears and Radiohead and made it all their own. There is a great deal of variety here, yet the band pulls off the difficult trick of making it all sound cohesive. And it is all prog. Probably the closest reference is Echolyn with a little Discipline blended in (and more explicit Genesis references), especially in the way the band can be simultaneously retro and modern, and in the level of chops on display. And fans of Spock’s Beard ignore this album at their peril. 66-minutes of first-rate Ameri-prog. (Just for Kicks)
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