Turtles All the Way Down is the seventh full-length release from Maryland-based progressive rock band Odins Court. Its also the first album of all-new material since the bands 2011 release Human Life in Motion. Since that point, the band has become a three-piece with Rick Pierpont (guitars), Dimetrrius LaFavors (lead vocals) and Matt Brookins (everything else).
Over the course of the last few years, Odins Court has quietly become one of the very best bands in the American Progressive Rock scene, and Turtles All the Way Down is a perfect example of why that is the case. The album benefits from three key elements innovative song structures, evocative guitar playing and vocals that resonate emotionally. Like Enchant, Odins Courts brand of progressive rock is tinged with metal, but not so much that they fall into that all too crowded Dream Theater worship sound. This is more like Pink Floyd with just enough of a metal edge.
Band mastermind Matt Brookins (who wrote, produced and mixed the album) continues to impress here, delivering soulful, evocative guitar solos reminiscent of Vinnie Moores early work. His soloing never feels technical for the sake of technicality; instead it sets the tone and atmosphere for the album. And when hes joined by Rick Pierpont the result is just stunning. You dont have to be a guitar guy to be moved by these two guitarists interaction and collaboration. The vocals are just as moving. Dimetrius LaFavors has a clear, strong, higher-octave voice thats just perfect for this kind of music, and he manages to make even the most high-concept lyrics connect on an emotional level.
Turtles All the Way Down is a concept album, and as such it works best as a total listening experience. There are individual tracks that stand out though, especially Insomnia, The Warmth of Mediocrity and the three instrumental title tracks (which sound so good back-to-back-to-back). The 17-minute closing track Box of Dice (Does God Play?) is also remarkable.
This is such a powerful album overall, and another reminder of just how good Odins Court really is. Fans of bands like Enchant, Spocks Beard, Pink Floyd, Genesis, Queen, Porcupine Tree and Shadow Gallery will definitely want to give Turtles All the Way Down a listen (or several). Its time for more people to discover the best-kept secret in American progressive rock.