Fifth Species - Life in the Punch Line (2018)

The Greensboro, North Carolina, trio take most of their influences in a pool of revered prog rock bands from the 70s. Bands like Gentle Giant, Yes, King Crimson, Emerson, Lake & Palmer, and early Genesis all resonate through this modern reincarnation. The result is something akin to Canterbury prog with an updated but analog-sounding production with upbeat keyboard staccati, male and female vocals with intertwining melodies over contrapuntal instruments, and a general and understandable fondness of uneven time signatures. The trio format is squeezed to its limit, as all three members sing and play multiple instruments.