Band:	Traverser
Album:	Telemetry
Style:	Alternative rock, Progressive rock
Release date:	2010
A review by:	felinenine

01. EMD
02. Knifehole
03. Burn In
04. 3X3
05. Pacifier
06. Blackwater
07. Architeuthis
08. The Deluge
09. Eyes To Silent Walls

Traverser is a mainstream influenced progressive rock band, influenced by such outfits as the Deftones, A Perfect Circle and Tool. There is a tricky elegance to most progressive music, something that comes only though endless hours of practice and the careful incorporation of different styles into a cohesive whole. In other words, balance though constant motion. Traverser's debut album, Telemetry, is well on its way, but still has miles ahead before it can match the level of technical prowess needed to create those expansive, epic songs that fans of this genre so enjoy.

According to the info sheet, this band listeners are to be introduced to a "sprawling landscape of thought provoking music," unfortunately; the thoughts provoked had little to do with creativity or contemplation.

There is a general lack of depth to the songs which could easily be remedied by additions to the lower end. More bass and heavier drums are needed to flesh this out, preventing them from sounding like overextended repetitions. This is most evident in the track 'Architeuthis', over seven minutes in length. I was expecting more of a showcase of talent and progressive artistry but instead it was more reminiscent of an ignored ringtone muffled by a pocket.

There is a tendency to flirt with the progressive and then abandon it within the chorus. Now I know the point of most choruses in music is to anchor the song for listeners, re-establishing the consistency of the song. In Traverser's case however, they wind up as more of an interruption. The music flows so beautifully until the brick wall of the chorus stops you in your tracks, and cuts the song into fragmentary pieces.

Instrumentally, the best tracks to start with are 'Burn In' and 'Knifehole,' because they actually get to the level of "progression" the band was probably aiming for and we don't run into aly of those "chorus walls" I mentioned earlier. Lyrically... well let's just say the vocals wear you down after a little while. David Medairos' style fits on some tracks, but will sail over the guitars, becoming too separated from the instrumentals on others. Luckily, the worst vocals on this album are always accompanied by the best instrumentals and vice versa so there is potential, if those two things find themselves next to each other for once.

Right now, Traverser has the drive to create powerful, "thought provoking" music as it were, the album is performed very well - a clear sign of its talented members. The length of songs have taken precedent over the content and could use some serious tweaking, starting with the connections between vocals and instrumentals. Until then, it will be difficult for listeners to visit the "sprawling landscape" Traverser has promised us.