Album of the Year 2016 – Number 23
Welcome to day eight of my epic ‘Album of the Year 2016’ top 30 countdown. And today is one of those posts that get to the heart of what my blog is all about – it’s not about singing the praises of the biggest bands out there, although I will do that too. It’s more about shining the spotlight on the music I love and the bands that deliver it whilst being relatively unknown or ‘successful’ in the conventional sense of the word.
In fact, in the case of today’s choice of album, the artist in question is unsigned and somewhat unbelievably, has less ‘likes’ on facebook than me. Now I know that’s not the sign of success, but how can such a great band have so little love from the metal community? It’s ridiculous.
And, on that note, I give you my choice at number 23:
Number 23
Odd Logic
Penny For Your Thoughts
Independent Release
“…‘Penny For Your Thoughts’ is properly progressive. This isn’t one of those records that toys around the edges of prog thanks to an occasional off-kilter riff or brief foray into anything other than a 4-4 time signature. The music of Odd Logic has a lot going on within it, with different ideas falling over themselves to be heard. And yet, despite what could become an untidy or unruly listening experience remains commendably cohesive. Almost naturally and organically, elements of rock, metal, jazz, classical and pop are fused together to create an enthralling, dramatic and dynamic listening experience.
As you can probably tell, this has been something of a revelation to me. I adore this record because it delivers exactly what I like in my music. It is heavy, melodic, complex, intelligent, surprisingly emotional and thoroughly entertaining from beginning to end.”
There are precious few relatively unknown bands out there that create really exceptional music. So it is nice to discover one and be able to feature them in my end of year ‘best of’ list. Odd Logic have been one of the biggest revelations for me this year – even during such a fantastically strong year for heavy music, ‘Penny For Your Thoughts’ is easily one of the best prog releases of the year and this should speak volumes as to how much I like this record.
It isn’t like ‘Penny For Your Thoughts’ flattered to deceive at the beginning either. It hasn’t lost its lustre at all and the magic is still there to hear several months after release. In true prog style, this is a proper concept disc and it’s the story that allows the guys in Odd Logic to go crazy with the styles and sounds that feature on this record.
And, if that wasn’t enough, the penultimate track ‘Lighthouses’ is another contender for the song of the year – it is just the most exquisite blend of prog, AOR and pop that comes together to deliver a song that gets completely lodged in my head and begs for repeated plays. If you’re into progressive metal of any kind, then ‘Penny For Your Thoughts’ needs to be high on your list. And then, once you’ve fallen for it, shout the name ‘Odd Logic’ from the rooftops.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WvAMRnqDMUs]
In case you’ve missed any of the other posts in the 2016 series, here they are for you to explore and enjoy:
Album of the Year 2016 – number 24
Album of the Year 2016 – number 25
Album of the Year 2016 – number 26
Album of the Year 2016 – number 27
Album of the Year 2016 – number 28
Album of the Year 2016 – Number 29
Album of the Year 2016 – Number 30
And from previous years:
Album of the Year 2015
Album of the Year 2014
Album of the Year 2013
Album of the Year 2012
