District 97 – Hybrid Child

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Laser’s Edge Records
Produced by Chris Harden, Jonathan Schang & Manny Sanchez

Back in the mid ’90s there were some pundits who thought that Chicago would be the next ‘Seattle’, a hot bed of alternative rock talent that would overwhelm the mainstream. It never quite happened but the city remains a good source of strong alternative music.

District 97 are as good example as any – a progressive rock band with a distinctive American alternative rock flavour. This young act take ’70s progressive rock and have updated it with a slightly jazzy post-rock feel; ELP, by way of Fugazi and Shudder To Think. This isn’t necessarily all that original – after all, post-hardcore bands such as Shudder To Think were often compared to older bands like King Crimson – but like with any genre of music it’s not so much about whether you create something completely new, as whether you execute it well. In this regard, District 97 get full marks. They fuse such unexpected elements as a prolific rhythm section, prog keyboards, classical cello, alternative rock guitar and a stylish front woman and make it fit together perfectly and seamlessly.

The album is split into two distinct sections. The first section contains four singular large compositions, I Don’t Want To Wait Another Day, I Can’t Take You With Me, The Man Who Knows Your Name and Termites. All four of these are very strong pieces, highlighting each of the band members’ abilities while remaining memorable and enticing at the same time – there’s plenty of skill on show, but true to their alternative rock roots the song comes first and at no point do these songs become overburdened by one of the fold showing off. I Can’t Take You With Me in particular shows the band are able to take progressive music and make it something more accessible, having a certain indie rock vibe.

The second half of the album is a ten-part epic Mindscan. Depending on perspective this saga of tracks can be either hit or miss – it is essentially one large piece of music, with some of its sub-tracks being little more than instrumental vignettes and noises in between more conventional pieces. In any other genre this would be a bad thing, but there is depth to these myriad pieces and the way they link into one another gives the whole a lot to explore and discover.

Whether District 97 have managed to create something new or distinctive is something the purists can argue over on forums for months to come; in the meantime, fans of progressive music, post-rock and good music in general will find plenty to discover on this impressive debut.

“ memorable and enticing ”

Tracklist: I Don’t Want To Wait Another Day / I Can’t Take You With Me / The Man Who Knows Your Name / Termites / Mindscan I: Arrival / Mindscan II: Entrance / Mindscan III: Realization / Mindscan IV: Welcome / Mindscan V: Examination / Mindscan VI: Hybrid Child / Mindscan VII: Exploration / Mindscan VIII: What Do They Want / Mindscan IX: When I Awake / Mindscan X: Returning Home

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Written by James Donovan
More: 2010, Albums, Alternative, Progressive, District 97