Bruce Main returns after 5 years with a brand new album, Swimming In The Pixel Sea. Bruce has used that time wisely to create probably his best work to date. The production is a notch or two up from previous releases. I hope this is his breakthrough album that will put his name on more people’s ‘to get’ lists.
This time around the line-up is down to a trio of musicians, Brian Phraner (Bass - tracks 1,2 ,3, 8), Mark Phraner (Vocals - tracks 1, 2, 7, 8) and Bruce Main (All other instruments). One minor drawback to me, is the drums. I picture more lively drums for this album. Maybe Bruce will have a drummer if he plays live. Speaking of which, I think his music would be perfect at a progressive rock festival either in the USA or across the pond.
Songs that I noticed the most were the opening track “The Contest” (8:30), “Swimming In The Pixel Sea” (8:05) and “Drowning In The Pixel Sea” (11:58). You have to listen to the entire album to follow the concept of a a man named Josie Brown who experiences using a computer for the first time and experiences it’s treasures & traps.
As with Bruce Main’s previous releases, you hear bits of Camel, Genesis, Pink Floyd, Guy Manning and Wilton Said on Swimming In The Pixel Sea. It takes several listens before you can grasp the concept and the music. Once you did, you wonder where this music has been and why you overlooked it for this long. I recommend this to the fans of the aforementioned bands as well as melodic progressive rock.
Reviewed by Ron Fuchs on August 16th, 2011
