The Filibuster Saloon - 2023 - Going Off Topic [mini-review]

(31:44; Fyre and Lytenyng Music)



















US band The Filibuster Saloon are out with the album "Going Off Topic", and progressive rock is the style explored on this production. It is an expressive and diverse production we get in this case, and initially the band comes across as a bit of a stripped down but playful variety of early Kansas with some violin and piano driven tunes. But as the album moves on the songs also gets gradually more expressive and creative, with numerous side steps into chamber rock territories that occasionally also includes some folk music undercurrents at times. Playful piano prog with jazz-oriented instrument details come and go too, and quirky and whimsical instrument and arrangement choices gets to be the norm rather than the exception as this album unfolds. The music is elegant and fairly easy to listen to all along though, even when the compositions come with a wide array of otherwise challenging details, and the choice to make this an all instrumental production certainly fits the mood, mode and execution of the material here. An album to seek out by those who find challenging progressive rock with avant sensibilities approached and executed in a manner that is also a fairly easy listen to be a matter of interest or intrigue.

Olav "Progmessor" Björnsen, November 2023

Links:
https://filibustersaloon.bandcamp.com/

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