SiX BY SiX – SiX BY SiX
Release Date: 19th August 2022
Label: InsideOut Music
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Genre: Rock, Progressive Rock.
FFO: Rush, Saga, Mute Gods, December People.
Review By: Eric Wilt
I first found out about this band while reading Facebook comments on a video that Ryo Okumoto released from his stellar new album. A man named Robert Berry congratulated Okumoto on his new album and made a comment about how he and Okumoto were now labelmates. As a fan of most of the albums Inside Out releases, my interest was piqued. I did my research to find out that Berry’s band was called SiX BY SiX, and they were also preparing to release an album soon. The album was also called SiX BY SiX, and the song was called Yearning to Fly. I instantly loved the song, so I jumped at the opportunity to review the album when it came available.
SiX By SiX is a new progressive rock power trio that sees Berry, who is best known as a member of the band “3,” in which he was joined by two-thirds of Emerson, Lake & Palmer playing bass, keyboards, and singing. He’s joined by guitar great Ian Crichton of Saga and drummer Nigel Glockler of Saxon fame. The band came together over a period of years, but they have been playing together for a relatively short amount of time. That said, the music the three have created for their debut record is mature and confident and sounds like it was written by a band that has been together for years.
The aforementioned Yearning to Fly is a midtempo rocker that would have fit perfectly on any of a number of Saga albums over the years. The song is highlighted by Berry’s tasteful keyboards and pleasing baritone. While the song is a solid starter, the choice to have the acoustic snare drop out during the verses and replace it with electronic hand claps is a bit puzzling to me. Another stand out song from the album is Reasons to Feel Calm Again, which features Crichton playing a guitar part throughout the song that reminds me of Cliffs of Dover by Eric Johnson. If you didn’t know of Crichton’s unparalleled talent before listening to this song, you will be left with no doubt of his prowess before it’s over. Skyfall appears later and is reminiscent of another power trio who were known for playing a progressive rock song or two. Finally, of note, is the song China, which features overtly political lyrics and a rocking verse section that I would label industrial-lite.
While the members of SiX BY SiX are no strangers to the music scene, it’s always hard when you release a debut album. In this case, I don’t think they have much to worry about. If you like well written rock with tremendous musicianship and thoughtful lyrics, you will find much to enjoy on SiX BY SiX.
(4 / 5)
