Overhead - 2018 - Haydenspark

(51:47; Overhead)

Track list:
1. Animation for the Poor Man 4:13
2. Last Generation 5:15
3. Count Your Blessings 4:44
4. Haydenspark 9:24
5. King of the World 5:31
6. Across the Nation 5:23
7. Death by Tribulation 5:19
8. The Fall 3:54
9. Gone Too Far 8:04

Line-up:
Alex Keskitalo - vocals, flute
Jaakko Kettunen - guitars, bass, keyboards
Ville Sjöblom - drums, percussion, saxophone
Janne Pylkkönen - bass, synthesizer


Prolusion.
Finnish band Overhead have been around since just shy of the millennium shift, and initially releasing new albums at a fairly steady pace. In later years the band have slowed down a bit as far as the creation of new music is concerned though, with only two of their six studio albums appearing in the last decade. "Haydenspark" is their fifth studio album, and was self released back in 2018.

Analysis.
It is a more accessible variety of progressive rock we get on this production, with many of the compositions revolving around more of a melodic rock and hard rock foundation rather than honing in on a more purebred progressive rock expression. As such one might describe this album as one made with a liberal amount of crossover appeal, and a creation that should appeal just as much for fans of melodic hard rock and the more accessible varieties of hard rock as it should strike a chord with progressive rock fans.

Many of the songs here are fairly straight forward affairs, seguing back and forth between a more atmospheric laden variety of melodic rock and an accessible variety of hard melodic rock, with subtle details in harmony and atmospheric overlays being the sole element that adds a bit more of a recognizable progressive rock touch to the proceedings. This is a band with a deft hand of creating and exploring landscapes of this nature though, so while some of these songs may not have the appeal in style for progressive rock fans these escapades are well made efforts in their own right. But for this reason this may not be the best album from this band's back catalogue for progressive rock purists to seek out.

On other occasions we do get to hear a bit more of the progressive rock credentials of Overhad though. On the longer compositions in particular expressive instrument details become more noticeable and dominant, a little bit of a flirt with flute details in the Jethro Tull tradition may appear, a surge of layered keyboards with a hint of symphonic progressive rock may be applied, and the timeless textures of the Mellotron will start hovering somewhere in the background. Or merely the addition of an orchestral arrangement detail at the tail end of a song. Often more subtle than overt, but impulses that expand the boundaries and adds nuance to the arrangements nonetheless.

As is customary with all albums I have encountered by this band I find the mix and production to be of the quality that is expected and required too, with the songs given the right amount of polish to highlight the compelling nature of the landscapes explored.

Conclusion.
While Overhead is a band with a past featuring albums with a stronger focus on progressive rock than this album, and their most recent album from earlier this year also coming across as a bit more geared towards a progressive rock audience, this more accessible album is one that also comes with properties and details that will appeal to this crowd. But with a liberal amount of material that will arguably have just as much of an appeal towards those with a stronger interest in well made and sophisticated melodic rock and accessible hard rock. Those who tend to fancy music covering the entire spectrum here will obviously be something of a key audience for this album, and as far as I'm concerned this is a solid production for that crowd to enjoy too.

Olav "Progmessor" Björnsen, August 2023

Links:
http://www.overhead-band.com/