ÜÛÛÛÛÛÜ °ÛÛÛÛÛÜ ÜÛÛÛÛÜ°ÛÜ °ÛÜ ÜÛÛÛÛÛÜ ÛÛÛÜÛÛ ÜÛÛ ÜÛÜ ÜÛÛÛÛÛÛ ÜÛÜ ÜÛÛÛ °ÛÛÛÛ°ÛÛßÛÛÛÛ² ßÛÛ ÜÛÛ°ßÛÛÛÛÛ ÛÛÛÛ ÛÛÛ² ÛÛÛÛÛÛ²ÛÛ ²ÛÛÛÛÛÛÛ ÛÛÛ²°ßÛßÛÛÛÛ ÛÛÛ² ÛÛÛ² ²ÛÛÛ° ÛÛ ÛÛÜ ÜÛÛ²ÛÛ ²ÛÛÛ²ÛÛ° ²ÛÛÛ°ÛÛÛ°ÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÜ ÛÛÛ°ÛÛÛ° ÛÛÛ° ÜÛÛÛ ÛÛÛ ÜÛß° ÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛ°ÛÛ ÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÜ ²ÛÛ°ÛÛÛ ÛÛÛ²ÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛ ÛÛÛÛÛÛÛ ÛÛÛ ÛÛÛ° ÛÛÛÛÛÛÛ ÛÛÛ² °ÛÛ ÛÛ ÛÛÛÛÛÛ² °ÛÛ ßÛÛ ÛÛÛ°ÛÛÛ²ÛÛÛÛÛÛ ÛÛÛ²ÛÛÛ ÛÛÛ ÛÛÛ ÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛ°ÛÛÛ° ÛÛÛ ÛÛÜ ÛÛ²ÛÛÛ° ÛÛÜ ÛÛ°ÛÛ² ÛÛÛ ßßÛÛÛÛ ÛÛÛ°ÛÛÛ ÛÛÛ ÛÛÛ ÛÛÛ²°ÛÛÛÛÛÛÛ° ÛÛÛ ÛÛÛ²ÛÛ ÛÛÛ ÛÛÛ²ÛÛ²ÛÛ° ÛÛÛ ²ÛÛÛÛ ÛÛÛ ÛÛÛ ²ÛÛ² ÛÛÛ ÛÛÛ° ²ÛÛÛÛÛÛ ÛÛÛ ²ÛÛÛÛ ²ÛÛÜ ²ÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛ ÛÛÛ ²ÛÛÛ ÛÛÛ ÛÛÛ ÛÛÛ°ÛÛÛ ÛÛÛ °ÛÛÛÛÛÛ ÛÛÛ °ÛÛÛÛ °ÛÛÛ ÛÛÛ²ÛÛÛ² ÛÛÛ °ÛÛÛ ÛÛÛ ÛÛÛ ÛÛ²ÛÛÛ ÛÛÛ ÛÛÛ²ÛÛ ÛÛÛ ÛÛÛ ²ÛÛÜ ÛÛÛ°ÛÛÛ° ÛÛÛ ÛÛÛ ÛÛÛ ÛÛÛ °ÛÛÛÛÛ ÛÛÛ ÛÛ²°ÛÛÜ ÛÛÛ ²Ûß ²ÛÛÜ ÛÛÛ ÛÛ° ÛÛÛ ÛÛ² ÛÛÛ ÛÛÛ °ÛÛÛß °Ûß ÛÛ° ÛÛ °Ûß °ÛÛÛÜ ß ß ²Ûß ÛÛÛ° °Ûß ÛÛß ÛÛ° ÜÛÛß °ÛÜ ÜÛÛÛß °ÛÛ ° ÛÛ ²° ²° ÛÛ° ²Û° °Ûß ßÛ° °Û² ° ÛÛ ÛÛ Artist: 3RDegree ÛÛ ÛÛ ² Û°° þÛ Album: Ones & Zeros: Volume 0 Ûþ °°Û þ Û²ß Û Year: 2018 Û ß²Û ° Û ² Rel. Date: 2018-12-30 ² Û ± ± Genre: Progressive Rock ± ± ÛÜ ° Label: self-released ° ÜÛ ° ÛÜ ° Source: CD ° ÜÛ ° Û² Type: Album ²Û ° ² Û Quality: VBR, 44.1kHz, Joint Stereo Û ° ² ² Û Û ° ² Ü þ þ ² þ °Û Û° ß Û These are the things on the mind of 3RDegree that Û Û make up its sixth album ONES & ZEROS: vol. 0 and Û Û the bookend to 2015’s ONES & ZEROS: vol. 1-their Û Û first concept album(s)-now complete. All songs Û Û offer a unique take on the issues and ethics Û Û associated with the rapid progress of technology. Û Û Ray Kurzweil & others have been discussing Û Û futurism and transhumanism since the 1970s but Û Û only now are we seeing it impact our daily lives. Û Û Spearheaded by 1990’s-era members California Û Û guitarist Patrick Kliesch & New Jersey lead Û Û vocalist/keyboardist George Dobbs, the rest of the Û Û band shortly pitched in different songs-all Û Û closely associated with the overall theme. As with Û Û previous albums, both fully-fledged and skeletal Û Û ideas were created and passed between band members Û Û via the Internet and worked on in the flesh soon Û Û after. Û Û 3RDegree circa 2017 continues to embody the Û Û musical direction envisioned by “power trio” Û Û Robert James Pashman, Patrick Kliesch & Robert Û Û Durham in 1991: to create interesting and engaging Û Û music that mixes accessible melodies and catchy Û Û hooks with the intelligence and complexity of Û Û Progressive Rock. Releasing a debut album (on Û Û cassette!) with THE WORLD IN WHICH WE LIVE in 1993 Û Û (w/Pashman on lead vocals), 3RDegree decided to Û Û step up their game in 1995, adding a world-class Û Û lead vocalist in George Dobbs and releasing their Û Û second album, 1996’s HUMAN INTEREST STORY, which Û Û was re-released in 2013, remastered. After playing Û Û many live shows in the New York City area gaining Û Û little traction, the band hung it up, leaving much Û Û material sitting on the proverbial cutting room Û Û floor. Û Û Dobbs would continue musical endeavors including Û Û solo albums, Pashman and Kliesch would work on Û Û projects together and a solo album each apart…but Û Û talk of 3RDegree was couched in the past tense Û Û until Pashman would make a video collection in Û Û 2005, putting together all the band’s music videos Û Û and performances onto DVD and basement tapes onto Û Û CDs. Discussion of the songs left behind bubbled Û Û under throughout that year until the original trio Û Û met at a NYC bar where it was agreed upon that the Û Û band would record again and later, play reunion Û Û concerts at NJ Proghouse in 2007 with original Û Û drummer Rob Durham and long time collaborator, Û Û guitarist Eric Pseja. 2008 saw the release of Û Û NARROW-CASTER (which included the aforementioned Û Û songs along with brand new ones) making a big Û Û splash in small progressive rock ponds worldwide Û Û with the Dutch Progressive Rock Page (DPRP.net) Û Û reveling: “It’s not often an album as refreshing Û Û as this comes along, and we should treasure it Û Û when it does...an album that demands repeated Û Û spins, and rewards every listen with some new Û Û revelation”. In 2009, new drummer Aaron Nobel Û Û joined and the band played shows in Brooklyn Û Û (w/Phideaux) & North Carolina’s ProgDay (w/Ozric Û Û Tentacles) later finding themselves working on Û Û some tracks with two different themes but with Û Û election year coming in 2012, the band decided Û Û that their political crop of songs would be Û Û particularly timely. Û Û THE LONG DIVISION would be released ahead of Û Û election day followed by many 2013 mid-year shows Û Û culminating in a return visit to ProgDay ’13’s Û Û pre-show-all with new lead guitarist Bryan Û Û Zeigler. The album’s single “You’re Fooling Û Û Yourselves” made the Top 10 Songs Of The Year at Û Û DPRP’s yearly poll alongside many, much more Û Û “established” bands. In early 2014, the band made Û Û an appearance at Quebec City’s Terra Incognita Û Û Festival (w/Glass Hammer) playing to an Û Û enthusiastic audience-3RDegree’s first show Û Û outside the USA. Û Û In August 2015, 3RDegree released a new album-ONES Û Û & ZEROS: vol. 1-on 10T Records (their last Û Û release) and performed live on their first world Û Û tour that not only hit the American northeast, but Û Û also France (Paris), Germany (Frankfurt), The Û Û Netherlands (Rotterdam), & U.K. (London, Û Û Leicester, Southampton & Wales) ending at The Û Û Summer’s End Festival (w/Pallas). Shows continued Û Û into 2016 (with original drummer Robert Durham Û Û back in tow) including an appearance at RoSfest in Û Û Gettysburg, PA (w/Spock’s Beard). The band Û Û continued writing songs related to the “ones & Û Û zeros theme” throughout 2016 with the goal of an Û Û equally compelling collection to accompany their Û Û career pinnacle. Û Û Û Û --- Û Û Û Û George Dobbs: lead & backing vocals, keyboards, Û Û percussion, violin Û Û Robert James Pashman: bass guitar, keyboards, Û Û backing vocals Û Û Patrick Kliesch: acoustic & electric guitars, Û Û keyboards, backing vocals Û Û Robert Durham: drums, percussion Û Û Eric Pseja: electric guitar, backing vocals Û Û Bryan Zeigler: electric guitar, backing vocals Û Û Û Û Produced by George Dobbs, Robert James Pashman & Û Û Patrick Kliesch Û Û Mixed & Mastered by Angelo Panetta Û Û Drums recorded at Panetta Studios & assisted by Û Û Dan D'Elia Û Û Drums on "Logical Conclusion" & drum arrangement Û Û ideas on "The Future Doesn't Need You" & Û Û "Olympia": Aaron Nobel Û Û Tech support: Ed Baumann Û Û Theremin on "Olympia": Sheuh-Li Ong Û Û Co-lead vocal on "Unintended Consequence": Moorea Û Û Dickason Û Û Additional violin on "Click Farm": Jay Friedman Û Û Spoken voice on "Perfect Babies": Ava Penelope Û Û Pashman Û Û Û Û --- Û Û Û Û New Jersey's gift to intellectually stimulating Û Û eclectic and crossover prog is back with the Û Û follow-up (or predecessor?!) to 2015's wonderful Û Û Ones & Zeroes, Vol. 1. Û Û 1. "ReInstall_Overture" (3:57) fast, brash, and Û Û poppy, this one let's me know that we're in for a Û Û more rock operetta- like adventure here. I'm Û Û reminded here of XTC or some of the poppier KING Û Û CRIMSON or ASIA music from the 1980s. It's very Û Û nice, but not great. (8.75/10) Û Û 2. "Connecting" (4:53) bleeds over from the Û Û opening overture, quickly adding singing to the Û Û mix. There's a cool intensity to this one while Û Û the vocals are going on, but then it gets weird Û Û between. "You are the [&*!#] tonight" is an odd Û Û lyric to throw in there before going back to Û Û stronger intensity. The intricate weave is pretty Û Û cool in the next section. This is almost feeling Û Û like a visual song, a vehicle for a story to be Û Û told on stage. (9/10) Û Û 3. "Olympia" (5:15) again bleeding over from the Û Û previous song, I like the flow of this section of Û Û the album. Great melody line for the first verse Û Û followed by a nice little instrumental and decent Û Û call-and-response chorus. The story is again Û Û feeling as if it's being delivered (or should be Û Û delivered) on a stage. And a good story it is with Û Û Olympia being some kind of AI servant/slave (who Û Û goes off like the OS in the film Her). (9/10) Û Û 4. "The Future Doesn't Need You" (5:50) continues Û Û the story in a much more delicate, emotional way, Û Û with the album's best music, best melodies and Û Û powerful lyric. (10/10) Û Û 5. "Unintended Consequence" (3:35) Broadway, Û Û anyone? (8/10) Û Û 6. "Perfect Babies" (4:43) Despite continuing the Û Û clever tongue-in-cheek story, despite getting Û Û stronger as the song goes along, this one just Û Û misses. (7.5/10) Û Û 7. "Logical Conclusion" (6:40) despite two awesome Û Û instrumental sections (from the end of the second Û Û minute to 3:18, and 3:55 to 5:15) and a great Û Û choral section near the end, this song fails to Û Û "hook" me with any melodic or lyrical lines. Û Û (8.5/10) Û Û 8. "Click Away!" (15:28) an epic that opens with a Û Û sound very familiar to those who have luxuriated Û Û in the sonic magic of THE FLAMING LIPS' 2002 Û Û masterpiece, Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots. The Û Û lyrics (referring to modern humankind's obsession Û Û with quick-access information and entertainment) Û Û are great but the melody and song dynamics fall a Û Û little flat. Despite several shifts and nice Û Û injections from chords, riffs, arpeggi, and Û Û interesting instruments/sounds, the song never Û Û really rises to a level deserving of superlatives. Û Û Great sound and melody in the chorus at 3:50. As a Û Û matter of fact, it's the "Thank you Click Farm" Û Û choruses throughout that are the most engaging Û Û highlights of the song. (8/10) Û Û 9. "Ones & Zeroes" (7:07) reminding me of a lot of Û Û some music by the CARS, this one gets into my Û Û brain enough to bring me back for more. For the Û Û finale of the story line, I'm not quite sure what Û Û the point has been: "It's always been binary Û Û code," means ... what exactly? (8.5/10) Û Û I think the failing of this album is in the band's Û Û decision to try to be cleverer and quirkier than Û Û they needed to be-- especially with vocal melody Û Û lines; just too busy! The best song has the most Û Û stable and simple melodies. Û Û Four stars; an excellent addition to the prog Û Û lexicon--especially to the necessary conversations Û Û regarding the values and priorities of "civilized" Û Û society. Too bad the album doesn't maintain the Û Û high and engaging standard that is sets forth with Û Û the first four songs. Û Û Û Û --- Û Û Û Û Listening to this, the new and hotly anticipated Û Û 3RDegree album, my first thoughts centered around Û Û "Connecting": the band, more aggressive than ever, Û Û sings of trolls emerging, not in the high fantasy Û Û sense you'd expect from most prog but in the Û Û contemporary sense of malicious online hordes more Û Û fearsome than the forces of Mordor. Mostly, where Û Û Vol. 1 was focused on a parodic, Kafkaesque near Û Û future Internet of Things, Vol. 0 - appropriately Û Û enough for numerically taking a step back - is a Û Û record of the present, of our current Û Û technological issues, and from here looking Û Û forwards. The lyricism becomes dead serious, but Û Û the lyrics, concept, and songs still fail to Û Û glitch. And even on this very in-the-now release, Û Û the band still finds time for "Olympia", an Û Û interesting exploration of relationships with Û Û artificial intelligence and the group's Û Û fascinating idea of a love song. Û Û Of even greater note are the instrumentals. As Û Û mentioned earlier, the band comes charging out of Û Û the gate; "Re1nstall_0verture" and "Connecting" Û Û form a double whammy of some of their hardest Û Û edged material yet, proving quite exhilarating as Û Û their sound fleshes out. The tracks, especially Û Û the aforementioned three and the suite "Click Û Û Away!", prove their best yet. The guitars and keys Û Û here are used to their maximum potential, weaving Û Û vivid electronic soundscapes, beautiful prog-pop, Û Û and driving rock. As the binary switches, 3RDegree Û Û has gone into overdrive, crafting another winner. Û Û Û Û --- Û Û Û Û Some of you may recall seeing in the #5 position Û Û of the 2015 PA Top 100 an album called "Ones & Û Û Zeroes - Volume 1" by a band named 3rdegree. I Û Û noticed it, and in early 2016 I ordered a copy and Û Û was sufficiently impressed to go ahead and order Û Û the previous three albums, all of which have their Û Û share of rewards. However, this top-ranking album Û Û really stood apart from the others for me. More Û Û than a collection of songs, it was a concept album Û Û about life extension and ultimately becoming Û Û trans-human, i.e. becoming integrated with the Net Û Û as an entity, leaving your biological human form Û Û behind. Û Û Now with any "volume 1" there can be expected a Û Û second volume, and after a long wait, 3rdegree Û Û finally released "Ones & Zeroes: vol. 0". Perfect! Û Û The duology is now complete! Û Û There was some trepidation on behalf of the band. Û Û Would the second part live up to the expectations Û Û of listeners who rated volume 1 so highly? From Û Û the get go, any doubts just fly out the window. Û Û Just plug into the opening track, an instrumental Û Û entitled "Re1install_0verture". If that isn't a Û Û solid welcome back that'll pull you out of your Û Û seat then I don't know what. It's a brilliant Û Û start to the album which includes musical themes Û Û from both Vol. 1 and Vol. 0. Û Û Now just let that album play and get into it. We Û Û are done with the topic of extending one's Û Û existence and so we've also said goodbye to Û Û Valhalla Biotech, which I felt added charm and Û Û atmosphere to volume 1. But our future modern Û Û world is dissected further with the topics of Û Û synthetic companions, genetic manipulation of the Û Û unborn, click farms, and other technological Û Û wonders we are enjoying or on the cusp of Û Û benefitting from. Û Û I say this with intended irony because that it how Û Û 3rdegree wants you to understand their views of Û Û these technological developments. As with the Û Û lyrics of any of their albums I know, there is a Û Û cynicism masquerading in naive optimism. Which Û Û brings me round to the opinion that each song has Û Û lyrics intended to provoke thought and possibly a Û Û little alarm or concern as well. Add to that the Û Û unique and skillful vocal delivery of George Dobbs Û Û and you have songs that beckon your attention. Û Û Although it would be easy enough for me to write Û Û complimentary words for every track, the big Û Û number has to be "Click Away!", a track over 15 Û Û minutes long and broken into parts, though it runs Û Û without breaks and shifts seemlessly from one part Û Û to the next. The song's lyrics are not included Û Û inside the digipak and you need to visit their web Û Û site where the lyrics appear with links to other Û Û web sites appear in the lyrics. 3rdegree have made Û Û the theme of "click away" a reality! Û Û 3RDegree have no problem coming up with engaging Û Û music, but at times you might not really pick up Û Û on the prog aspect. Their music older music Û Û previously struck me as 1990's alternative college Û Û radio intellectual tunage that was fed and raised Û Û on seventies prog. But with "Ones and Zeros" there Û Û seems to be much more going on. Wait! Was that a Û Û bit of Supertramp I heard closing off the album? Û Û Maybe it's just my imagination. Is there a Û Û suggestion of Styx? Or Queen? Well, you get the Û Û point. But anyway, 3rdegree's music is like a Û Û complex architectural structure that does its job. Û Û No blazing cascades of notes. No overt brandishing Û Û of time signatures in your face. No forced stops Û Û and starts. Just music that sounds cool and offers Û Û more nutrition for the soul than your typical Û Û mainstream alternative band. And yet I can't help Û Û feel that the band have really stretched Û Û themselves out this time, creating an album that Û Û is perhaps more "proggy" than their earlier works, Û Û but still managing to get some great melodies in Û Û the songs. Û Û What else can I say but congratulations to Û Û 3RDegree for an album well worth the wait! Now I Û Û really want to hear volumes 1 and 0 back to back! Û Û Û Û --- Û Û Û Û The new album 'Ones & Zeros - volume 0' is the Û Û prequel to 2015's volume 1 and another ambitious Û Û concept album from 3RD DEGREE that draws on themes Û Û of trans-humanism and the unintended consequences Û Û of being technologically connected with binary Û Û codes taking over our existence. Û Û Re1nstall_0verture opens the album in a maelstrom Û Û of spacey keyboards from Dobbs, from paradiddles Û Û and jagged guitar riffs. It is glorious to enter Û Û an album with such a glowing atmosphere. The lead Û Û guitar work of Kliesch, Ziegler and Pseja shines Û Û brightly alongside the complex bass lines of Û Û Pashman. The ominous symphonic strings coalesce Û Û with squealing guitars embellished by the Û Û relentless drum patterns of Durham. Overall this Û Û is a brilliant instrumental. Û Û Connecting opens with haunting piano motifs and an Û Û odd meter with estranged vocals. The effect is Û Û astonishing and makes this a very engaging Û Û composition. Û Û Olympia is replete with lead guitars and keyboards Û Û with gorgeous harmonies and the theremin thrown in Û Û for good measure. Û Û The Future Doesn't Need You has a soft opening and Û Û builds with quirky time changes and meters that Û Û would keep any respectable metronome swinging Û Û wildly. There are cool guitars and reflective Û Û lyrics to ponder over. Û Û Unintended Consequences has a bouncy rhythmic Û Û layer and a striking harmonised vocal treatment on Û Û the high and low register that works well with the Û Û Dickason and Dobbs Duet. It is a very quirky song Û Û in passages but it engages the ear for some Û Û compelling listening. Û Û Perfect Babies is really a low point of the album Û Û in terms of structure but I liked the Nietzsche Û Û quote by the child at the very end. Û Û Logical Conclusion brings the album back to a high Û Û standard with the pristine vocals of Dobbs. It is Û Û a wondrous keyboard journey with meandering Û Û guitars that are simply outstanding. Û Û Click Away! is the mini epic of over 15 minutes in Û Û length. It is a genuine multi movement suite that Û Û begins with airy piano and pondering lyrics. Here Û Û the atmosphere feels like something from the Û Û Beatles back catalogue from the White Album to Û Û Abbey Road era. Again the words echo the Û Û sentiments of the album that rejection is just one Û Û click away and there is a genuine anti social Û Û media theme permeating through out. The epic Û Û features glistening keyboards and marching drums Û Û with psychedelic harmonies. There are glorious Û Û guitar slides with impeccable fingerwork Û Û up-and-down the frets like a nervous spider. The Û Û lyrics have an emotional impact along with the Û Û beautiful acoustic picking and Beatlesque strings. Û Û It moves into early Gabriel Genesis structure, Û Û building slowly and inevitably to strong pounding Û Û orchestral rhythm. The offkilter percussion is Û Û jarring and urgent as it speaks of clicking on Û Û social media, and Facebook sites becoming a click Û Û farm for the consumer in this technological jungle Û Û we inhabit. The grinding organ and fuzzed guitar Û Û locks in and a more aggressive vocal as things Û Û heat up speaking of viral posts, spreading like Û Û wildfire projecting the ideal human. It is a Û Û wonderful track and the definitive highlight of Û Û the album. Û Û Ones & Zeros concludes the album with jaunty Û Û rhythms, pounding syncopated drums and raspy Û Û vocals asking the question are you a one or are Û Û you a zero, stuck in a binary code much like the Û Û nude on the cover being enveloped by digitised Û Û creatures. The track has some very progressive Û Û sections with unusual time sigs and extended Û Û instrumentals. The theme of trans humanism is Û Û prominent; what are we becoming, is the technology Û Û engulfing humanity to the point of assimilation Û Û and what are we doing about it? Û Û This new release is a dynamic album from 3RD Û Û DEGREE and a worthy successor to the previous Û Û releases. It comes highly recommended to lovers of Û Û concept prog with a quirky innovative central Û Û core. Û Û Û Û --- Û Û Û Û So the band continues with the suite of their Û Û concept album "Ones & Zeros vol.1" with their take Û Û on the issues associated with the evolution of Û Û technology. The story could apply to their own Û Û music! The music of 3rdegree has a foot in the Û Û retro prog and another one in the new prog. You Û Û can hear some past influences like Genesis, but Û Û they have their unique style. The band has done Û Û another great job with the vocals of George Dobbs Û Û who still have a unique voice which is quite Û Û enjoyable enhancing every song. The songs are well Û Û crafted with a Pop sensibility mix with some Û Û beautiful synthesizers arrangements, humouristic Û Û lyrics bringing a captivating atmosphere. The Û Û guitar is never taking the spot but is well Û Û balanced with the rest of the instruments. I Û Û really enjoy the sound old and futurist of the Û Û keyboards. The band is also using some well-dosed Û Û classical arrangements, but it never gives more Û Û emotion than the multi-part vocals arrangements. Û Û If I had some reservations about the music of the Û Û band in the past, I think that this time, all this Û Û has vanished with this album. I needed my Û Û headphones to discover this album... Û Û Û Û --- Û Û Û Û What would I think of the two albums working Û Û together? The albums are designed to be viewed as Û Û a pair, from the artwork and layout through the Û Û music and ideas. While I smiled when I noticed Û Û that this was called 'Volume 0', part of me would Û Û rather it had been called 'Volume 10', which of Û Û course is 2 expressed in binary code, but that Û Û really is nit-picking (yes, I'm a geek ' been Û Û working in I.T. for more than 20 years, but it's Û Û not my fault). Û Û Lyrically it is the perfect follow-on from the Û Û debut, so much so that it feels that it could Û Û become part of a permanent loop, so much so that Û Û the question becomes 'which came first, 1 or 0?'. Û Û Musically it does feel very much of a second half Û Û of a piece of work, possibly slightly more Û Û acoustic? The musical themes and styling of the Û Û debut are carried into this, with the same Û Û influences very much in play, so much so that one Û Û actually finds it quite hard to realise that there Û Û was break between the recording of the two albums Û Û as opposed to being recorded at the same time. And Û Û if anyone doubts the City Boy analogy just listen Û Û to George at 5:20 on 'The Future Doesn't Need You' Û Û and see what I mean. Û Û It is also definitely worth mentioning that all Û Û the lyrics are in the pack, apart from one, and Û Û the only way to get that is to go the Valhalla Û Û Biotech site. Once there the lyrics can be seen, Û Û but also there are various links, for example '5 Û Û Things That You Need To Know' (which takes you to Û Û a blog about becoming more involved in the local Û Û music scene) or 'Become A Shareholder' (which of Û Û course takes you to their store). As I write this, Û Û I see that the album is #2 on the PA charts Û Û (interestingly I gave maximum scores to #1, #3 and Û Û #5 ' haven't heard #4). It is a totally different Û Û album to the latest by Roz Vitalis, the current Û Û incumbent of the top slot: that is very much a Û Û progressive album, from the RIO scene, while this Û Û is progressive pop that is fully Crossover. In Û Û terms of sheer pleasure and repeated playing this Û Û wins hands down, as it just makes me smile each Û Û and everytime I play it. And isn't that something Û Û that music should be about? The two 'Ones & Zeros' Û Û albums perfect complement each other, and all that Û Û can be done is buy both and listen to them back to Û Û back. Û Û Û Û --- Û Û Û Û Never a band to do the obvious, 3rdegree followed Û Û up "Ones & Zeroes - Volume 1" a futuristic tale of Û Û the digitization of a human mind that ends badly Û Û with "Ones & Zeroes - Volume 0", a futuristic tale Û Û of a man who purchases a human companion that ends Û Û badly. Û Û Despite my tongue in cheek description of these Û Û album, I happen to love them both. 3rdegree have Û Û continued to produced albums of clever art rock, Û Û or crossover prog as we call it here at PA, Û Û fronted by exceptional vocals using lush harmonies Û Û and some deep intelligent lyrics. Û Û The album as a whole brings me back to the days of Û Û 10cc and Supertramp, two other bands that excelled Û Û at playing catchy, compelling and thought Û Û provoking music for the discerning listener. Û Û I find that this album draws me in even more than Û Û the previous album, and has become a staple in my Û Û car stereo this hot summer. Û Û I'm especially hooked on the three middle tracks, Û Û "The Future Doesn't Need You", "Unintended Û Û Consequence" and "Perfect Babies". And of course Û Û the 15 minute epic "Click Away!" is a joy. Û Û I'm not sure yet is this album has replaced "Human Û Û Interest Story" as my favorite 3rdegree album, but Û Û it's close. Û ² ² ± ± ° 1. Re1nstall_Overture 3:56 ° ° 2. Connecting 4:53 ° ° 3. Olympia 5:15 ° ° 4. The Future Doesn't Need You 5:49 ° ° 5. Unintended Consequence 3:35 ° ° 6. Perfect Babies 4:42 ° ° 7. Logical Conclusion 6:40 ° ° 8. Click Away! 15:27 ° ° 9. 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