PSYCHOTIC WALTZ: Mosquito (PROGRESSIVE METAL): review / opinion to read on Music Waves

After the success of "Into The Everflow", Psychotic Waltz is at the height of its ephemeral apogee. Indeed, it's difficult to surpass with their means such an album; why, then, not suddenly change direction? This is the reflection, and the step taken by Buddy Lackey and his mates after two strong albums. Let's face it, Mosquito will be shorter, simpler, catchier! Unfortunately, this third opus of the Californians will be a commercial failure but also critical, the band losing in the process a part of the hard core of its fans who cry out for betrayal.

And yet, listening more closely, one realizes that our five guys have only subtly hidden the wild heart of their music, under a catchy and melodic coating of an efficiency that is difficult to contest. The guitars are set back but listen to the fade out of "All The Voices", behind the voices in question... The technical and even acrobatic parts of the combo have not disappeared, they are simply used with more "strategy". It's undeniable that the compositions abandon their progressive character on this album, but on the other hand, what an inventiveness... Besides, fans of quirks can breathe, "Mind Song" and its psychedelco-reggae drawers is here to satisfy them - it's by the way one of Psychotic Waltz's tracks the most ahead of its time, and which can still be listened to today without seeming excessively dated.

Impossible not to come back to the annoying question: what to think about the production? Recorded in Los Angeles but produced by Scott Burns, the album inherits a heavy, massive sound, which contrasts with the ethereal nuances we used to lend to Psychotic Waltz, and which contributed to make a fringe of its audience a bit more angry. Would a more "vintage" sound have calmed down the crowd's ardour? It is legitimate to doubt it... Nevertheless, this modern production, well in its time, could have allowed the band to take off a little bit in their native land, if only its members hadn't lugged around an image of young hippies.

Destined to remain the "apart" record in Psychotic Waltz's discography, Mosquito is neither a masterpiece nor a total failure, it's just a risky album, rather clumsy at times and perhaps a bit premature at this stage of their career. - Official website

PSYCHOTIC WALTZ

MOSQUITO

AUTRE LABEL

PROGRESSIVE METAL