Progressive Rock means a lot of things these days, but back when Mystery (the brainchild of guitarist Michel St.-Pere) started out the genre was still dominated by the “lighter” sounds of bands like Yes, Genesis, and King Crimson. Mystery is a band that has definitely stayed true to that vein of the Progressive Rock body. Throughout the new millennium the band has soared to new heights, gaining even more interest now that singer Benoit David has been touring the world with the legends of Yes as a replacement singer for Jon Anderson.
While I have heard a bit about this band over the years, I am largely unfamiliar with their work. One Among the Living makes me feel a little awkward, truth be told, as they certainly seem to be a band I have wrongly overlooked. That’s not to say that this album is perfect or anything, but if you like King Crimson and seventies Yes then there is a lot to love here.
First, off, let’s get the obvious out of the way. Benoit David sounds a helluva lot like Jon Anderson. Having seen the version of Yes fronted by David, I wondered if it was just a voice he can step into, but after hearing this I believe his voice is naturally strikingly similar. “The Falling Man” is one of the best examples of this, the bombastic and dark-edged guitar work on the song make the vocals even more striking. On this song in particular they just haunt you until you are chilled and lead perfectly into the victorious and tremendously peaceful sound of “Sailing on a Wing,” one of the album’s finest moments to be sure. “Wolf” is another excellent moment, although not nearly as ferocious as the title may lead you to believe. I also like the more rockin’ nature of “Kameleon Man” and gives David a chance to spread his wings and get slightly more aggressive, showing a different side of him.
Although Benoit David’s high profile recent gig lends this album some weight, it’s St. Pere’s songs that really make it a standout album. I have to admit that I’m excited to have some really solid Progressive Rock to chew on that isn’t as heavy as bands like Stratovarius or Symphony X or quite as technical as artists like Dream Theater or Erik Norlander/Rocket Scientists. This is just great rock music played by people who are masters of their instruments. It’s not something I’ll listen to all the time but when I’m looking for something to stimulate my mind, Mystery’s One Among the Living will certainly be an album I’ll turn back to.
Reviewed by Mark Fisher
