File Under: Progressive Rock rating: C tracks 1. Space Race 2. I Say 3. You Say 4. Dizzle Tizzle 5. Feels like Falling 6. Ten Fifteen 7. Tequila Mockingbird 8. Maxilla Gorilla 9. All's Swell that Ends Swell 10. Dujz 11. New Math related links Zeroesque

So this is what they call progressive rock... Well, at least that's what it said on the cover of the CD. It reads "Instrumental Progressive Rock and Fusion Juggernaut...". Oh, ok. Now that that's clear.

I really had no idea what to expect from this when I put this CD in to give it a good listen to and when I finished, I really had no idea what I had just heard. If this is Progressive Rock, I think I'll stay away from it.

This collection of songs is, as the line above mentions, instrumental Rock in the same vein as Steve Vai, but not nearly as good. Appearing as Guest Guitar players are fellow progressive and "neo-classical" ax slingers, Vinnie Moore and Scott McGill. Considering the CD specifically points them out as special guests on the CD, I'll be daring and assume that they are pretty well known in their genre. Me? I've never heard of them.

Starting off right away with a serious guitar solo is the first track called "Space Race" which I guess if you actually closed your eyes and thought of two pod racers speeding around racing against one another, it fits pretty well. Not too shabby.

"I Say", the second song on the album doesn't bode nearly as well however. An almost cheesy piano ballad starts off the track which eventually moves into a heavier guitar part with drums. Actually, when the guitar part kicks in and relieves the ailing piano solo, it's not too bad. Bitchin'. After that, the songs just sort of start to meld together, not really being able to distinguish one from the other.

Hailing from New Jersey, Zeroesque play some decent, but far from great guitar rock and where they may have their niche in the music industry for those off you who are aspiring virtuoso's and can really appreciate the fine melodies of these instrumental crooners, I can't see this sort of stuff being too enjoyable for any length of time. It's not that the talent isn't their, it's the marketability.

Joseph f. Kuzemka is a Contributing Writer. Contact him at jk@rockzone.com.