OSI
Free

THE REVIEW

Three years have passed since the dazzling "Office of Strategic Influence," a project initiated by Kevin Moore and Jim Matheos, from Chroma Key and Fates Warning, respectively, but all under the supervision of His Majesty Mike Portnoy.

Inevitably, after a debut album that was nearly panned by critics but that I really liked a lot, the project returns with an album that amazes me once again. "Free" is once again pearlescent: less focused on a progressive matrix and therefore more designed to hit the listener with more direct songs and simpler listening.

Their first attempt was indeed commendable, but at times suffered from the impositions of a genre that demands intricate compositions and sometimes the obligation of a suite. This, however, is really excellent even more: you can tell from the first track and the second: respectively "Sure You Will" with a techno trajectory and the rockish "Free". It would be difficult to categorize "Go", heavily based on electronics, while the following "All Gone Now" recalls guitars to protagonism in an almost monotonous and monochord but very pleasant pace.

"Home Was Good" is once again dominated by Moore's warm voice (less monotonous in this album than in the previous one) and electronics. It must be emphasized the excellent work on guitar and drums. Never intrusive: Portnoy, although he could overdo it at any time, fits well into the project presenting a truly excellent, simple but direct and effective performance. A fantastic surprise is "Once", very close again to atmospheres reminiscent of vintage rock, it especially seems to be a child of Kraftwerk.
Electronics, as already mentioned (and I risk repeating myself), really reigns supreme: "Better", "Simple Life", "Kicking" attest to its pleasant and not at all annoying presence, on the contrary, it marries excellently with the progressive atmospheres that permeate the album. The last track, however, leaves one puzzled: "Our Town" is an acoustic ballad with a country pace. It would really seem out of place, but if analyzed in depth, it seems truly the right epilogue for this great album.

Naturally, there will be very little talk about this album. Few know these projects, and few will give it due credit by purchasing this little gem. And it's an enormous shame because finding works like this is really rare. Recommended for those who love progressive music but also for those who want to step out a little from the usual music.