ALBUM REVIEW: Prehensile Tales – Pattern-Seeking Animals

As most music genres, progressive rock has had its share of ups and downs over the past few decades. One would think a style that’s supposedly meant to push itself forward would never succumb to pressure on its own. Nevertheless, over the years fans could see it win and lose traction. Arguably, the last big revival in prog rock occurred around the turn of the previous decade. One could say that progressive rock has collapsed into its comatose condition again, but it has not put an end for new bands to take part in launching new prog of their own. US progressive rock four-piece PATTERN-SEEKING ANIMALS may be a new name on the scene, having emerged in 2019 with the self-titled debut album, but featuring seasoned musicians and members of SPOCK’S BEARD—Ted Leonard (vocals, guitars), Jimmy Keegan (drums) and Dave Meros (bass), in addition to songwriter, producer and keyboardist John Boegehold—it’s easy to understand what sonic spectrum on the ever-expanding progressive rock curve the quartet sits in.

Somewhat in the vein of the hybrid between 1970s and 1980s progressive rock, PATTERN-SEEKING ANIMALS follow suit on their sophomore full-length release Prehensile Tales with the contemporary pacesetters by blending elements of classic progressive rock with the mint. While it has always been felt that the more markedly “up-to-date“ acts like CALIGULA’S HORSE are more to the point when it comes to contemporary talk, it is always impressive to hear old tropes (unconventional instruments, multi-part suites, prog epics, etc.) brought alive again with a fresh glow. There’s a boatload of expertise and top-notch musicianship here, and one can’t help but wow the strength of presentation.

It’s pretty clear PATTERN-SEEKING ANIMALS have built their identity from a range of groups that etched themselves in the progressive rock interchange decades before. Prehensile Tales, clocking at about an hour of playtime, makes for a surprisingly easy album to get into. The record displays a multitude of skills and aspirations without taking much in the way of risks.

Many acts have struggled with the ideas of freshness and innovation in traditional prog, but taking into consideration that timeless quality this genre is known for, it’s not like the approaches PATTERN-SEEKING ANIMALS are using have a shelf life. Although the comfy, sanguine sound on this record isn’t far from its predecessor, Prehensile Tales stands out through its heterogeneity. There is much more going on here than one might have expected after the debut. The opening Raining Hard in Heaven has an understandable affinity for the YES rhythm guitar techniques, while Here in My Autumn and Soon, but Not Today favour the angular twisted-ness of groups like THE FLOWER KINGS and KING CRIMSON. Others, of course, back the long-established comfort of GENESIS. Lifeboat, a 17-minute monster of a track, packs the ethereal beauty and eruptive density under the flag of one song; it’s one of the most incredible prog epics crafted in recent years.

To a prog rock rookie, the above-mentioned influences would probably all seem to fall into one class. Of course, those who know should understand the sort of extent PATTERN-SEEKING ANIMALS are covering with this release. Prehensile Tales has an instantly dear-and-near sound, but unlike 2019’s Pattern-Seeking Animals, it changes this familiarity with a revitalised feeling of awe.

Rating: 8/10

Prehensile Tales is out on May 15th via InsideOut Music.

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