It takes some bands longer than others to find their feet; hell, some will spend their whole lifespan searching for a corner to call their own. But if that click comes, be it at rehearsal number one or one hundred, it spurs a feeling that resonates deep in the bones of both band and listener, an inexplicable and intangible yet very real sense that something larger than life is afoot.
For Hertford quintet Proceed this magic has - to put it simply happened.
Formed in 2008, but with roots extending back to the members classroom days, Proceed have spent the last two years figuring things out, crafting, creating and coming of age, striving for a sound beyond the boundaries of the norm something, indeed, to claim as theirs.
The result of this musical voyage is debut mini album Curious Electric, a territorial pissing of wild ambition and monstrous competence that sees Proceed blossoming as musicians, songwriters and, most importantly, a collective - this is the sound of a band truly in charge of their art, a point only emphasised by the fact that the album was self funded, produced and recorded, the latter single-handedly by frontman Daniel Lancaster.
A sophisticated, musically erudite assembly of songs that chain complex arrangements and a progressive timbre to huge and highly infectious pop sensibilities, Curious Electric will have you hooked and intrigued, its vibrant musical alchemy a rare strike against the homogenised silt of Proceeds would be peers.
Its not every day you need both your thinking cap and your sing-along spirit, but then albums like Curious Electric are hardly a dime a dozen. After all, we wouldnt call it magic if they were.
Band:
Dan Lancaster Vocals/Guitar
Tom Doyle Bass
Adam Faires - Memotron / Electronics
Brad Jackson Drums
Ash Hughes Guitar
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