METAPHOR - THE SPARROW - 2007

Metaphor biography
METAPHOR was formed by Malcolm Smith (guitars), Marc Spooner (keyboards), Bob Koehler (drums), and doing the bass and vocal works, brothers Vince and Robert Montia, respectively. It happened in 1993, in California, USA and the original band line-up specialized in covering the songs of UK-progressive band Genesis, from the so-called Gabriel Era (1970-1975).
In 1997, after the departure of brothers Montia, Jim Post joined as the bassist and John Mabry as vocalist/lyricist. Rehearsals began with much of the music written previously by M. Smith and M. Spooner, as well as one done by Bob Koehler, added by two others from the new member John Mabry; so in 1998, they started recording their debut CD.
In 1999, METAPHOR completed the recording of their debut, "Starfooted", at Suspect Studios in Sunnyvale, California, and subsequently signed a record contract with Galileo Records, a Swiss progressive rock label. "Starfooted" was released in April, 2000.
Bassist Jim Post decided to leave the band in 2000 and he was replaced by Jim Anderson, who is now responsible for duties related to bass and bass pedals and also helping in the composing department. The following year, METAPHOR directed their time on composing and arranging a lot of new material; later this year, drummer Bob Koehler left the band and they had to count with guest drummer Jeff Baker for their second CD, "Entertaining Thanatos" released in 2004. In 2005, percussionist Greg Miller (coming from the neo-prog band Mind Furniture) joined METAPHOR.
In 2006-2007, METAPHOR wrote, arranged, rehearsed, recorded, and released their 3rd CD, "The Sparrow", which is based on the best selling novel of the same name by Mary Doria Russell. Members of METAPHOR have also worked on various side projects, with the promise of a new collection of METAPHOR music in the not-too-distant future.
METAPHOR sound has everything able to please prog fans: mellotron, odd-time signatures, many complex rhythm changes, good compositions and arrangements. However, they are not too derivative of any particular band, although the influences of a number of past and present progressive rock bands can be fairly discerned: YES, GENTLE GIANT, KING CRIMSON, CAMEL, IQ, The FLOWER KINGS, ALAN PARSONS PROJECT, MARILLION and JETHRO TULL.
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The Sparrow is the third release from San Francisco's prog-rock upstarts Metaphor. Based on the book of the same name by author Mary Doria Russel, The Sparrow is a concept piece telling the story of a Jesuit funded mission to an alien inhabited planet, leading to all sorts of exciting events. The band's previous two albums were heavily Genesis flavored, and while there are moments here that remind of that classic prog act, especially in the keyboard sounds of Marc Spooner, for the most part this is a much more modern sounding prog recording, bringing to mind Spock's Beard, The Flower Kings, and Arena. Still, there's enough of a vintage Genesis, Gentle Giant, and Yes undercurrent going on here to please any lover of 70's symphonic prog.

The vocals of John Mabry as always are very strong, as he is showing once again how to be an effective storyteller as well as vocalist. His emotional, melodic vocals permeate tracks like "Stella Maris", "Death in Eden" (featuring some wonderful, lush keyboard playing from Spooner & tasty guitar lines from Malcolm Smith), and the soulful "Stranded". There's some fanstastic interplay between the guitar and keys on the epic "Challallah Khaeri" (which has an almost Genesis meets Squeeze feel to it) and the short, Gentle Giant inspired instrumental "Garden Building", and the Mellotron strings come out full force on "Flower Harvest". If you like Hackett styled guitar lines, layers of vintage keys, and booming bass (courtesy of Jim Anderson), the instrumental "We Are Many And They Are Few" should be right up your alley, and ominous Mellotron returns on the moody "God Will Break Your Heart".

Metaphor have continued their strong run here with this latest The Sparrow. It's not easy to put together three challenging & demanding prog rock opuses right out of the gate, but this outfit from San Fran have done just that. Symphonic lovers take note and seek this one out.
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