{"id":7065,"date":"2018-09-01T18:30:47","date_gmt":"2018-09-01T17:30:47","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.progradar.org\/?p=7065"},"modified":"2026-08-21T01:05:24","modified_gmt":"2026-08-21T00:05:24","slug":"review-3rdegree-ones-zeros-vol-0-by-james-r-turner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/progradar.co.uk\/index.php\/2018\/09\/01\/review-3rdegree-ones-zeros-vol-0-by-james-r-turner\/","title":{"rendered":"Review – 3RDegree – Ones & Zeros: Vol.0 – by James R Turner"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Follow up to 2015\u2019s album ‘Ones & Zeros Vol.1’<\/em>, this is American band 3RDegree\u2019s<\/strong> 6th<\/sup> album and see\u2019s the band revisiting the concept of the rapid advances of technology, transhumanism and futurism that was the core to this albums predecessor. Following on from their triumphant world tour, the 6 piece of George Dobbs<\/b> (vocals, keyboards, violin) Robert James Pashman<\/strong> (bass, keys, backing vocals) Patrick Kliesch<\/strong> (acoustic & electric guitars, keys, backing vocals) Robert Durham<\/strong> (drums & percussion) Eric Pseja<\/strong> (electric guitar backing vocals) and Bryan Zeigler<\/strong> (electric guitar, backing vocals) are on fine form here.<\/p>\n

From the opening where re1nstall_Overture<\/strong>, which revisits themes from the previous album, leads into Connecting<\/strong><\/em>, 3RDegree\u2019s<\/strong> strengths are their ability to mix complex musicianship and well observed lyrics into shorter punchier songs, and with lead single Olympia <\/strong><\/em>they blend this to perfection. The Future Doesn\u2019t Need You<\/strong> blends some sublime harmony vocals, great 70\u2019s synth sounds and punchy riffs to create a blend of contemporary rock and Queenesque harmonies.<\/p>\n

The album flows sublimely and, as such, means that this is an immersive listen and one you can\u2019t just dip into and out of, and that is great to hear, showing the album as art. Unintended Consequence<\/strong><\/em> has a powerful driving percussive sound, some great vocals again from Dobbs (whose unique vocals are an integral part to the 3rd<\/sup> Degree sound) and the band are as tight here as I\u2019ve ever heard them. Perfect Babies<\/strong><\/em> is a fantastic piece about genetics and ethics, once again, with some great lyrics.<\/p>\n

This album also see\u2019s the band going all out on their longest epic ever, the sublime and powerful Click Away!<\/strong><\/em> that clocks in at over 15 minutes, it\u2019s true progressive music at its finest. The keyboard work is superb, as the track grows and builds, delving into the world of social media and algorithms. It has some sublime vocal work, brilliant guitar riffs and guitar and keyboard interplay throughout. The vocal harmonies are one of the bands many strengths, and they add so much depth to this album, particularly on Click Away!<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

The finale of the album, the wonderful Ones & Zeros<\/strong><\/em>, has more of that sublime synth work and an amazing spine-tingling solo, as it rounds off this extraordinary concept in style.<\/p>\n

This album has been out for a few months, and I am not sure how something this wonderful, this complete and chock full of great songs and performances slipped under my radar. I am glad this has been rectified as it is one of the most complete progressive albums I have heard this year and is yet another fantastic album by this incredibly talented band. If you haven\u2019t heard it yet, I strongly recommend you get a copy and lose yourself in the world of 3RDegree<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Released 30th April 2018<\/p>\n

Order the album from bandcamp here<\/a><\/p>\n