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Review Summary: Discipline is one of the best prog acts that appeared in the 90's. Unfolded Like Staircase is simply one of the best and most surprisingly prog albums of the 90’s. “Unfolded Like Staircase” is the second studio album by Discipline and was released in 1997. The line up on the album is Matthew Parmenter, Jon Preston Bouda, Matthew Kennedy and Paul Dzendel.
Discipline is an American progressive rock band formed in 1987 in Royal Oak, Detroit, Michigan. Originally, the band was formed by the high school students Matthew Parmenter, Jon Preston Bouda, Matthew Kennedy, Paul Dzendel and David Krofchock. Krofchock, who was the band’s keyboard player from 1990 to 1993, and took part on their debut studio album “Push and Profit”, left the group before the release of their second studio album “Unfolded Like Staircase”. Parmenter is the leader and the front man of the band. He writes all the songs and he also sings and plays several instruments, such as, keyboards, violin, saxophone and orchestra chimes. Since the early days, Parmenter made the band’s live concerts changing elaborate costumes for each song, like Peter Gabriel usually did in the early days of Genesis and also like Fish also did in Marillion. Because of that, usually Discipline was compared to Genesis and Marillion. However, the Discipline’s music has also been compared to Van Der Graaf Generator, not because of their debut studio album, but because of their next following work, this second studio album. Thanks to their great live shows, Discipline built up a good reputation in Detroit, which is something strange and curious, since this American region isn’t usually influenced by the progressive rock music. So, in 1993 the group released their first album. To support that album, the group toured the US in supporting of various progressive artists and bands like Steve Howe, the Yes’ guitarist, and Anekdoten, an excellent Swedish heavy progressive group, as many of you already know them.
“Unfolded Like Staircase” is, in my humble opinion, an exceptional and indispensable album, and is also, for me, one of the best albums of the 90’s. It’s composed of four long pieces of music. It isn’t at all a minimalist album, but it has a myriad of details and a constant development, coherence and balance in the whole work. On these things resides part of the personality of this musical work magnificently interpreted in a truly masterful way. This is an album with a work of exceptional composition. As we prog heads know, there is an infinity of groups with very strong influences from the big 70’s bands, such as, Genesis, Yes, Pink Floyd, King Crimson, Emerson, Lake & Palmer, etc., with a more or less success and personality. But sincerely, in this particular case, it’s the first time that a group in an only album, drinks so beautifully and perfectly well the very difficult musical essence of the strange and complex world of the Van Der Graaf Generator music. The music on the album has all the elements that characterized that very uncommon world. So, we have the drama, restlessness, darkness, delirium, tragedy, schizophrenia, but above all, it shows the amazing beauty that can be hidden in the darkest places into our minds. However, those influences reside only in the essence of the music. Both, voices and instruments, have very little to do with the finale style of the Van Der Graaf Generator music.
However, in my point of view, we can clearly see on “Unfolded Like Staircase” several other musical influences from the 70’s. Sincerely, when I listen to the album for the first time, I was completely astonished and amazed with so many different musical influences on only a single album or even only on a single track. I can clearly see on it two other very strong influences of the 70’s, the influences of Genesis on era-Gabriel and the influences of King Crimson on their first phase. But, by the other hand, I can also see some more recent musical influences on the album. Those influences are the neo-prog influences, particularly from the excellent neo-prog British band IQ. If we think a little bit about it, this last musical influence isn’t as strange as it seems. The neo-prog style isn’t so different from the symphonic style. If you compare Genesis on era-Gabriel and Marillion on era-Fish, you see what I mean. Anyway, the solo musical career of Parmenter fits perfectly well into this musical style. I also strongly recommend the Parmenter’s solo musical career.
Conclusion: “Unfolded Like Staircase” is a completely different proposal in relation to “Push & Profit”. Their second album is much more mature, complex, aggressive, surprising and totally progressive, with dark lyrics and also with a dark theatrical musical atmosphere. Despite “Push & Profit” be also an album with many different musical influences, such as, Genesis, Pink Floyd, King Crimson and Gentle Giant, “Unfolded Like Staircase” is essentially influenced by the Van Der Graaf Generator music. However, we can’t say that the music on “Unfolded Like Staircase” is a simple clone of that sound. Although the influence, the group manage to have a very own sound. So, “Unfolded Like Staircase” is really a magnificent album of the progressive rock music, a tortuous but at the same time a very beautiful work. It doesn’t contribute to creating a new sound, but it’s an album with a great quality in this branch of the progressive rock music.
Music was my first love.
John Miles (Rebel)
| other reviews of this album |
menawati (4.5)
One of the best progressive rock albums of the '90s. Discipline struggle for identity but still succ...
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Album Rating: 5.0
The decision to review this album, so soon, belongs in part to Jethro 42 and MrSirLord Gentleman. All began when Jethro42 asked my opinion about it, and MrSirLordGentleman, told me that here on Sputnik, the prog community loves "obscure" albums and bands.
So, here it is.
To Jethro: I know you like the album and the band. So, I sincerely hope you can like my review as you enjoy the album.
To MrSirLordGentleman: I don't know if this band and this album fit perfectly well into this category. However, only 1 review and 13 votes, until now, makes me think that in a certain way it's not far of that. Some other "obscure things" will appear soon. I hope you enjoy it, too.
To the others: I sincerely hope this my review serve to spark more interest on this band and particularly on this album. Undoubtedly, both deserve that. Enjoy it.
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It's crazy how much prog can get overlooked on sputnik. Thanks for bringing this to my attention man, seems right up my alley. Good review, although I think that some wouldn't enjoy the large amount of band history you included in the 2nd paragraph. Personally, I think it works in the case of this band considering their obscurity and subsequent disappearance. Anyway, pos'd
| | | Album Rating: 5.0
Thanks Joffton.
It was because their obscurity that I wrote too much about this group. My intention was to attract the attention of the people. So, it was why I mentioned the names of so many known bands. It was also important to put the band's music in its true style. I'm glad that you enjoy the album. I also recommend to you their other albums, particularly To Shatter All Accord.
Once more, thanks man.
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
Song ''Canto IV'' rules, but when I heard the album in full, I found the other three songs as enjoyable as Canto IV. A very consistent album, full of dark and theatrical atmosphere a la Van Der Graaf Generator with a more modern sound. Your recommendations are all spot on.
Great review, e21. This time you go more to the point (you still could do better in trimming though) and you're talking about the music and band a lot more than you did for your few other reviews. You improve your writing, and given English is not your mother tongue, it's not evident to be short and sweet, but you become better at it. Keep up the good work and above all, keep on progging!
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Never heard of these guys need to check this
| | | Album Rating: 5.0
I'm very glad you like my review, and I'm very flattered with your comment.
And yes, I'm trying to keep me on progging!
Thanks, Jethro.
| | | Album Rating: 5.0
ultimatethrasher, you need to check them urgently.
| | | Album Rating: 5.0
Jethro, tell me something please.
I'm a little bit confused and disappointed with the prog community here on Sputnik. The prog community here on Sputnik is big or small? When I made my debut review, Selling England By The Pound, one member told me that: "Why another 5? Why another review? We've got plenty of those around here." By the other hand, when I review an album with few rates or an album of an unknown band, only few members appear to writing something about it. And you are practically the only member that consistently read my reviews and comment them. It's very hard to me, see a great prog band like Discipline and an album like this and see so little interest about them. Why? Sincerely, one thing bothers me. When is to criticize always appear many, but when it is to support, very few appear. I think the prog community here on Sputnik needs to be more united and support better their members. It's very shocking to me, see a review about, for instance, an album of Miley Cyrus, and see dozen of replies about it, despite be her last work. I've nothing against that, I'm only shoking about the differences between both cases. Tell me, please, if I'm wrong, and what do you think about this. I'm sorry, but I need to put to you this question. As I can see you are a senior and a very respected member here.
Once again, thanks.
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
Two things could explain this. First, when a relatively new member is writing a review, it tends to be naturally quiet all around for a while, especially when the band you cover is unknown. You have to wait and make yourself a name before seeing a change.That being said, prog is not the genre that is the most popular on Sputnik. It's rather metal, indie, punk, classic rock and the likes.
Secondly, I indeed noticed a lowering into the frequentation of the prog threads. I don't know where have all the progheads gone since a while. I still meet some here and there, but we are not as united as we once were. I don't know if it's just me, but the readers seem to be rare since a while on Sputnik (all genres included). So don't take it personally. It's like if the user's lists are more popular than the reviews itself, ask me why... Prog were way more popular these few past years, but no worries, you just have to look to the votes and ratings for the classic prog albums/bands, then you can see that prog is far from being dead on here.
| | | Album Rating: 5.0
Thanks a lot, Jethro. I really appreciate your explanation. I'm going to continue do my prog path, and I really hope to continue with your support.
Keep on progging!
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
"the band you cover is unknown" yeah, Unless you review some Miley Cyrus album don't expect many pages of comments, also, the prog community is pretty active yet it doesn't have many users, so there isn't a lot of people to comment either
Speaking of the album I felt something pretty weird with Canto IV, have you ever had that feeling like "oh, this part is going to be so epic" but yet it doesn't happen? I feel like the song is full of great moments that build up to a greater epic part that never happens, or the epic parts on it are just too short to be totally enjoyed
Song's still awesome tho, so are the extracts of this that I've heard already
Sorry for not noticing the review before dude haha, usually I don't check the new reviews section since it is pretty weird for albums that I might be interested on to be reviewed
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
@e21; You're all welcome, dude. I edited couple of sentences, given English is not my mother tongue either, and it happens I'm slow at writing the proper words, so feel free if you want to read it again.
And yes of course, keep it going, don't discourage you, and you will soon assist to a positive change in the people frequentation. I'm sure it's gonna soon return to the normal. Keep on progging!
| | | Album Rating: 5.0
Thanks, MrSirLordGentleman. As I said to Jethro, I'm going to continue my prog path.
About the band and the album, I sincerely think that they are one of the greatest prog revelations of the 90's. As Jethro confirmed, the album has no highlights. All the four tracks are excellent. You need to listen carefully all the album.
So, as we can't expect many pages or comments, I hope to have your prog support in the future. Especially because I intend to do more reviews about some other "obscure albums of some obscure bands", some of my country.
Thanks, once more and keep on progging!
| | | Album Rating: 5.0
Thanks once more Jethro.
I have the same problem with the English language, as you have Jethro. So, don't worry about it.
For sure, I will not be discouraged. Keep on progging!
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
@SirLord, I know where you're coming from about Canto IV. Song is slow to take its flight, but I think the more quiet, subtle parts are there to prepare the coming of the climax. Yes it drags a bit, I confess, but with several listens, song is perfect as it is.
Edit; You're welcome, e21.
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
As I told you before, finally I checked this album. And you are right man. The album is astonishingly good. So, all my expectations about it and the band are confirmed. And now, about your review, it's also astonishingly good. I like the way you usually do the introduction to the story of the albums. In short, a great review of a great album from a great band. So, have a pos.
| | | Album Rating: 5.0
I'm glad you liked it TheIntruder.
And yes, you are right. The band and the album are astonishingly good.
Thanks, once more.
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
Push and Profit gets better with each listens. It's funny how their debut album reminds me of some good Echolyn. The latter came first on the map. If ever you never heard of the band, here are two of their highlights;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3UHkv8hZYY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oTNNp9cjRvQ
It's also evident that for Push and Profit, they didn't found their sound yet. They fixed it for Unfolded Like Staircase where they are more powerful and their songwriting and musicianship are impressive. Still there I hear bits and pieces of Echolyn, but don't get me wrong, it's no rip-off.
| | | Album Rating: 3.5 | Sound Off
honestly forgot I listened to this
should change that asap
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
Indeed. Start with Canto IV. It would be a good debut. Album is really consistent though. Your 3.5 will change, I guarantee you.
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