Experiments in Mass Appeal [CD]

If you haven't bought Milliontown by Frost*, buy it now! But, this album is better!!!!

Frost* are the most dynamic Prog band the UK has produced for many years, technically brilliant, superb performers, Jem Godfrey is an amazing tunesmith and producer, and the most contemporary sounding band out there. Milliontown laid the foundation, but this album pushes boundaries.

In short, big sounds, complex but very listenable songs and a performance that is unmatched by 90% of Progressive bands.

Experiments In Mass Appeal is an album of soaring highs, soundscapes to die for and possesses a feel that no other album I have bought this year begins to get close to.

Stand out tracks for me include Dear Dead Days (a tour de force!), Falling Down and Toys. Simply stunning, I'm sure these tracks will appeal to any listener who is serious about music of any genre.

The double pack contains the Frost* video blogs originally posted on YouTube during the making of the album, but the disc also contains the instrumental versions of the album as MP3 files. A superb and unexpected bonus to be sure.

Basically, if you don't buy any other album this year, buy this one and enjoy.

6 stars out of 5. Get it now!

I picked up this album on release date, with the soaring guitar solos and epic soundscapes of Milliontown not too far away, still curled up in the back of my mind and yearning to be unleashed once again. I loved Frost*'s debut album, and was very eager to check up on their follow-up, to see if they could replicate the magic. What I discovered, to my eternal astonishment, was that Frost* had changed the formula quite noticeably.

It isn't just the change in personnel, although the new vocal style is very different. Nor the number of tracks, or the slightly more cathartic tone. 'Experiments in Mass Appeal', as a full album, smacks delightfully of a band that is simply more complete than it was before. If there was an over-reliance on keyboards and guitar solos in the previous release (perhaps the only complaint), the band has sewn together slightly more for this release, and really do sound fantastic. The track to highlight this difference is the magnificent 'Dear Dead Days', or perhaps the very...well, different 'Pocket Sun', which has killer riffs and sweeping vocals in abundance. At any rate, I was very surprised with this album, but in a very tingling, pleasant sort of way.

It kicks off with the title track, which more or less sums up the album as a whole - lovely vocal choruses and harmonics, some great guitar work, and the same stellar drummer that is present throughout the album. I can safely say that if you don't like this track or 'Dear Dead Days', I would advise not picking this one up, as they are a decent way of concluding roughly what Frost's new sound is. 'Welcome to Nowhere' and 'Pocket Sun' are both pretty rocking affairs, melting along in a pot of heavy, delayed guitar riffs and some exceptional drumming on the latter track in particular. Pocket Sun is a song that really stands out from the rest of the style, it has to be said. Following up those beauties is 'Saline', a softer number with some soulful singing going on, and it slots perfectly into the first half of the album, bridging the divide between the tracks either side of it nicely. It's probably the best softer song, very driven by nice piano interplaying with the vocals. 'Dear Dead Days' is perhaps the pinnacle of the album, with keyboard verging on ridiculously addictive at times, and the guitar as excellent as ever. Mitchell is one of the most underrated guitarists in the universe, he really knows how to lay down a riff and solo within a song, and not seem pretentious in the least. Superb playing.

The album continues with the softer 'Falling Down' and 'You/I', where a few lyrical themes from the previous album are continued onwards, with gentle piano the order of the day once again; that said, it's far from sounding samey and tired. Each track will keep you on your toes, and present you with something that another hasn't. Similarly, 'Toys' has to be heard rather than described, another very different song with a cutting edge, it reminds me of a few sections of the previous album in more ways than one- perhaps the only song that really links back. The final track (or should I say tracks? Aha...) is 'Wonderland', and is actually divided into the main track, and after a few moments of silence, another kicks in. Best to hear this one for yourselves, folks- I would be doing it an injustice otherwise.

Although I've spoken primarily on the LP so far, the DVD is well worth the slightly extra price tagged on. If you've seen the 'Frost Sessions' on youtube where the band routinely updated a video-blog with the happenings of the production of the album, you'll have an idea of what's going to be spinning around the disc. I won't ruin the surprise, but it's well-worth it, for sure. In addition, you get a few remixes of some old classics, and an entire album of instrumental tracks- the same tracks as the regular CD, sans vocals. Given that basically turns this into a double CD plus goodies, the price is a bargain.

On the whole, this album is just superb. I do like a lot of music in this vein, but Frost* are seemingly a throwback to the old progressive masters, whilst also driving forwards in the genre. I can't describe Frost* in terms of sound, because there is nobody who sounds quite like they do. They have really come on in leaps and bounds in terms of song construction, production and performance since 'Milliontown', and seem far more sure of what they're trying to accomplish. They are clearly a tight, cohesive unit who enjoy their music and the joy that it brings to listeners, and have a close relationship with their fans. They have progressed from Milliontown, but also kept true to their own sound, whilst retaining an excellent 'band' atmospheric nature to the recordings.

I honestly can't believe I'm saying this, because I've heard so much good music this year, it almost beggars belief. Entire genres have forced their way into my life, and yet through all of that...this album really did hit me on the blindside. I have to say that 'Experiments in Mass Appeal' is actually my album of the year. Still can't believe I just said that. And yet, it's true. Buy this album, and you will not be disappointed in the least.

Thanks for reading. :)

The first time I heard this album it left me cold. I made the mistake of trying to listen to it in my car and not giving it my undivided attention. In terms of the effort it takes to fully appreciate the complexity and stunning musical virtuosity at work here I am reminded of my first encounter with Dream Theater's "Scences From a Memory". Play it loud on a decent hi-fi, listen without distraction, and let the dynamics blow you away. Three or four listens into this album I came to realise that this really is one of those rare masterpieces that come along once in very long while.

The sound is very different to Milliontown which was full-on prog synthesizer heaven. There is a much more contemporary sound and the sound is not really "prog" at all, at times pop, metal and even industrial. The way the very complicated wall of sound is built up reminds me of Devin Townsend from the progressive metal world. The parts normally played on keyboard are being played on Mitchell's guitar and Jowett's bass. The melodies are strong, the flow of songs perfect. The drumming at times is insane and the vocals much stronger than on the previous album. Very much like listning to Muse I can play this and not feel my age; it is rock in the true "progressive" sense rather than a pastiche of 70's progressive rock. Those of you expecting another Milliontown will be shocked but ultimately rewarded with a musical experience that is going to blow your mind away.