This impressive slab of Rush meets Bowie landed on our desks a bit past its 2001 copyright date, but Worlds of Mystery merits mention – even belatedly. Left Coast, which hails from California (hence the name), plays a brand of progressive rock that's sometimes funky, sometimes jazzy and almost always a little off-kilter. These five guys keep you guessing about what's coming next. Track two, "On the Prowl," is a dark thumper about being stalked, while the next song, "You," is a mid-tempo ballad that – while bordering on pop – is as beautiful as it is catchy.
Of the 11 tracks here, two are instrumentals. The rest are propelled by the simply awesome vocals of Richard Pavelec, whose voice recalls that of David Bowie and even Bono. His baritone adds depth to these already structurally complex songs. Lyrically, Left Coast probes the mysteries of the psyche ("Moment of Truth," "Do You In") and of love ("Shadows," "Spanish Lover").
Unfortunately, a horrible mix brings down the disc's final rating. Still, in your world of musical travels, Left Coast is worth a visit. This is not your typical progressive rock album.
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