LEFT COAST

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California, USA

Warranties and Disclaimers

"As soon as the first song ‘Earthquake’ starts on ‘Worlds Of Mystery” you will be dazzled at the hypnotic vocals of Richard Pavelec, who has a strong resemblance to David Bowie. He sounds like a combination of Bowie and Iggy Pop actually. He maintains a powerful and magnetic presence in every song on this CD.

Left Coast is an extremely passionately intensive and gifted group of individuals. I absolutely love the progressive rock that I can call savagely beautiful, and that is exactly what their music is. That is my own term for what I would consider to be the ultimate prog-rock. When the opposing factors of power and beauty are constantly playing off of each other, waging war if you will, an exquisiteness is shaped that can only be found in your minds eye. Now that is what great music is able to accomplish. This music will take you wherever you want to go with the bat of an eyelash, just let the story be told in the music and you will arrive at your destination.

I was particularly impressed with this group’s multiplicity. They know how to mix up the soft and tender beauty of the keyboards manned by Chris Kokesh to blend expertly with Roger Nigg’s pulsating drums, the thunder of Alan Smithey’s bass, and the cat quick lead guitar runs of Neal Hedegard. It all makes for the perfect circle of instrumentation that seems so seamless and effortless.

The instrumental pieces are done remarkably well; I would like to hear more. In fact, one of those typical prog-rockers that go on for eight to eleven minutes would make a prolific statement that many people would take notice of. They have the ability, which is for certain. I am a real instrumental head, so that would be the ultimate turn on for me. The stunning instrumental compositions ‘Evening In Montreux’ and the closer ‘Dancing On Crystal’, which goes over seven minutes,  are centerpieces for the group’s immense proficiencies with their instruments, and they serve as a true reflection of what they are capable of. ‘Spanish Lover’ is a real departure that catches you off guard, and it’s a pleasure to listen to with the Latin flavorings and sweet female vocals to add to the far away ambiance. Variety is king on this recording and there is never a dull or wasted moment. This is a five star album, and you won’t want it to end." - Keith "MuzikMan" Hannaleck, ProgressiveWorld.net

"From San Diego, CA comes this progressive rock band with elements of pop and metal fused in called Left Coast. This quintet features Neal Hedegard: electric, acoustic & bass guitars; Chris Kokesh: synthesizers, piano & organ; Alan Smithery: electric & fretless basses; Roger Nigg: drums & percussion; Richard Pavelec: vocals; Neal Hedegard and Roger Nigg: produced, engineered and recorded the album at Left Coast studio’s, in San Diego, CA.

This is a wonderful CD that is very listenable and well written. This group is similar in styles of Rush, Queen, and Yes. But believe me, this band is no rip off.  They deliver the goods in the form of their music. There are eleven tracks on this album that are worth listening to; beginning with the first track “Earthquake”. This song features smooth guitar work and great drumming, not to mention the great David Bowie style voice of Richard Pavelec. As a matter of fact, its Pavelec’s deep and clear voice and range that makes this CD worth coming back to many times. Track # 3, “You”, is Left Coasts bid at commercial airplay; this song is indeed good enough to be played on many adult contemporary radio stations. It has a great melody, great guitar playing and a nicely trimmed down accordion style sounding keyboards in the background.  Track # 4, “Moment Of Truth”, is a beautiful melodic piece showing great guitar work being played with feeling. Track #6, “Shadows”, is very well constructed and one of the more progressive pieces on the album; it shows some nice tempo changes and smooth atmospheric change to the flow of the album. Track #9, “Spanish Lover”, is a Spanish style piece featuring congas & bongos and great acoustic and electric guitar work. This is the most notable track on the album, and my own personal favorite. Track # 10, “Rainmaker”, is Left Coasts hardest piece on the album, and my least favorite track on the album. Track # 11, “ Dancing On Crystal”, is an instrumental piece that contains good musicianship and shows good depth.

The only drawback to this album is the drums are mixed in a bit too loud, but the rest of the album is smooth and crisp. This is a good release but it’s not breath taking. The album is refreshing and somewhat upbeat; it’s worth going out to give them a try.  I hope the band keeps going in the same direction and keeps putting out good music.  I rate this album eight out of ten keyboards. " - George Roldan, Prog4You.com

"Left Coast comes from San Diego, California. The history of Left Coast is a story of insight and perseverance. The founding members co-wrote and produced the material leading to the unique and progressive sound they envisioned. Joined by a talented array of musicians, the Left Coast sound evolved. Left Coast is not an another band that emerged into this year 2002, for my surprise like many new and good Progressive Rock Bands today is that, they get a lot of inspiration from the source itself. Their music sometimes are melodics with Neo progressive parts with a variety in the musical arrangements with powerful blend of Rock and Jazz, along with a hint of fusion, in some other ways, they complement with some Hard Rock passages at its best with great keyboards and drums, the vocal ones are strong and with two tunes, although only one singer, in parts we have the impression of two singers that alternate in each part of the songs. But the one of the most important thing and the best in best are the fantastic guitar sounds, into the all tracks all solos of the guitars are full of tecnical harmonies, inspired, superb with very emotion and takes the band in a new musical directions with an original sound. Is not necessary to compare Left Coast with other bands, fact that will contribute with the success of them, however we can almost listen in one or two tracks some blends of "Rush" and "Pendragon". "Worlds Of Mystery" represents immeasurable qualities of musicianship, lyrical composition and studio techniques. An inventive Progressive Rock band which self-produced one album only, with eleven tracks it was recorded at Left Coast, San Diego, CA. Produced anf Engineered by Neal Hedegard and Roger Nigg. Certainly a work that must be part of any CD collection. My special and particular attention to the songs: "Earthquake", "On The Prowl", "Moment Of Truth", "Shadows", "Evening In Montreux", "Spanish Lover" and "Dancing On Crystal" (one of the Best). Left Coast are: Neal Hedegard - Electric, Acoustic & Bass Guitars, Roger Nigg - Drums & Percussion, Chris Kokesh - Synthesizers, Piano & Organ, Alan Smithey - Electric & Fretless Basses, Richard Pavelec - Vocals,  Guest Musicians On "Spanish Lover" Chuck Prada - Congas & Bongos and Kim Pollack - Spanish Female Voice. Excellent and indispensable work, highly recommendable..." - Carlos Ferreira, Progressive Rock & Progressive Metal