I truly have huge passion and respect for Progressive Rock artists, having cut my first "serious" musical teeth on acts such as YES, KING CRIMSON, EMERSON, LAKE AND PALMER and GENESIS. At some point, probably around 1982, the Progressive scene changed; leaning more towards solid Pop songwriting and eliminating the eighteen to twenty-minute multi-suite songs, to concentrate more on the four to five minute, radio friendly fare such as exhibited by ASIA and Trevor Rabin era YES. Nothing wrong with this, in my opinion; but it was certainly a completely different feel.

It is without a doubt that Robin Schell, and bandmate John Beagley, of LIFE IN DIGITAL, share that same respect and love for Seventies era Progressive/Art Rock, based on what they have put forth with their second release "Signs To The The Far Side". Make no mistake in believing this to be a Prog Metal record. What Schell and Beagley have put together here bears more in common with late Seventies YES or (dare I say it) BUGGLES than it does with OPETH or FATES WARNING. Certainly nothing wrong with that, but in this day and age, it just feels...different. It also feels very refreshing to hear artists following their passions for their craft and heritage.

Starting this album off is the twenty-two minute and forty-four second opus that is "Karma". This song is a fantastic example of what LIFE IN DIGITAL seems to be about. The "suites" involved here are not separately named tracks, a la "And You and I" or "Perpetual Change", but instead a single unit, broken into different stylistic adventures and timbres. From its airy, ocean wave sounding intro into the first guitar power chords and keyboard textures, all the way through, you get a sense that they have trod this ground before. There is some stellar guitar work, not only in the rhythms, but a fantastic solo around the 9:50 mark, and some gorgeous acoustic work checking in around thirteen minutes in. Schell's keyboards are beautifully worked in, as well. At times, while first listening to this cut, I had to go back to the press releases for the record to make certain the great Jon Anderson hadn't checked in on some guest vocals. Yes, Robin Schell is at times THAT close.

Although the remainder of the songs on this record are shorter, they are as Progressive in style as the aforementioned "Karma". "Suspended Animation", the second cut, checks in at a mere six minutes. The musicianship and vocals are still most incredible, with a very nice (shorter) instrumental break coming at around three and a half minutes in. A fantastic mix of guitar bravado and layered keyboards that left me wanting more. Other tracks, such as "The Traveler", reminded me of later Mike Oldfield efforts in their musicality.

I love the workmanship poured into this record. It was obviously a labor of love for the artists involved, and I look forward to hearing more work from them. Here's to Progressive Rock...may it live forever.