Big Elf – Cheat the Gallows
Custard Records
www.bigelf.com

Rating: A

In 1973, a whacky guy named Doc Brown kidnapped Mick Box of Uriah Heep, Keith Emerson of Emerson, Lake & Palmer, Bill Bruford of Yes, a couple members of Hawkwind and the  Beatles (all but Ringo).  He loaded them into his time traveling Delorian, set the flux capacitor to 2009 and drove into the future.  The mad doctor then went into the music business and set his band up to record the album Cheat the Gallows and put them on tour, opening for Dream Theater. 

Well, that may not be exactly the way it went down but Big Elf is a band that has deep roots wrapped around prog rock’s illustrious past.  Where most modern day prog bands fail, including Dream Theater, is in songwriting.  Too much emphasis is based on instrumental virtuosity and not enough on making the song have it’s own personality.  The thing that separates bands like ELP, Yes, Gentle Giant and Yes from all other progsters is the fact that they can play with brilliance yet write tunes that are memorable.  Big Elf has this same talent.  In fact, Cheat the Gallows may end up the best rock album released in 2009.   

Despite being in a genre that is bloated, overblown, self-indulgent and out of fashion, Big Elf has created a masterpiece that features well written songs, immaculately played instruments, interesting soundscapes and brilliant imagination.  From the swirling organ in “Gravest Show On Earth” to the Pink Floyd meets the Beatles meets Hawkwind closer of “Counting Sheep” Big Elf prove they have what it takes to bring progressive rock back from the grave.   

Dream Theater gets huge points for taking a band on tour that could, eventually, challenge them as the best prog rock on the planet.  Cheat the Gallows is a must-own album for anyone who loves weirdness and virtuosity in their music.  

n       Jeb Wright