What does a 41-year-old internal-medicine physician do in his spare time? If the medical professional in question is Michael DeMichele, he makes progressive-rock records. Based in Pennsylvania, multi-instrumentalist/vocalist DeMichele and drummer Simon Janis recently released The Perfect Plan, their second album recorded under the name Object Permanence. Taking influences from Dream Theater, Porcupine Tree and Tool, DeMichele writes metallic songs that boast precision and execution over warmth and melody. That's not to say, however, that The Perfect Plan is not enjoyable. Spinning the eight songs on this disc actually can be a revelation for prog and metal fans who savor every note and enjoy dissecting arrangements and instrumental progressions. The biggest problem with The Perfect Plan is that DeMichele's industrial-like vocals get lost in a thick mix, making them almost unintelligible. Unfortunately, his robotic voice simply isn't suited to this material as much as someone with cleaner, clearer vocals. That aside, Object Permanence has more going for it than many do-it-yourself prog projects - including snazzy packaging that makes up in visuals what it lacks in liner notes.
Track Listing:
1) Stem $ells
2) Man in the Window
3) Life Vest
4) The Perfect Plan
5) Disconnect
6) Immortality
7) Open Minds
8) Voice of Reason
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