Frost*
Experiments in Mass Appeal


4.0
excellent

Review

by Duffluc USER (4 Reviews)
September 4th, 2011 | 20 replies


Release Date: 2008 | Tracklist

Review Summary: "Experiments of Mass Appeal" is a showcase for Frost*’s talent, a band that creates some of the most catchy and interesting contemporary progressive rock music out there, and they do it in a way that’s as unique as the bands upbringing.

I’ve never been known as a man who hides his personal biases, especially when they pertain to music. I’ll admit to scoffing at artists simply due to the genre of music they play (country, for example. Guffaw!). So when I first heard of Frost* and was told that Jem Godfrey, the man behind its operation, was a former songwriter and producer of chart-topping pop hits for bands like Atomic Kitten, my views of the band were skeptical at best. Yet Frost*’s label as a progressive rock band got the better of me, and I gave them a spin. Saying my skepticism was misplaced would be an understatement. "Experiments of Mass Appeal" is a showcase for Frost*’s talent, a band that creates some of the most catchy and interesting contemporary progressive rock music out there, and they do it in a way that’s as unique as the bands upbringing.

Right off the bat, it’s evident that Frost* knows exactly what it’s doing. The opening track, which shares its name with that of the album, starts off with a suitably cool feel. However, mellow vocals and a soothing piano part soon burst into a veritable wall of sound that’s sure to catch your attention. Yet it isn’t long after the song progresses into an impressively chaotic showcase of the bands instrumental musicianship that the cool sleepiness of the introduction returns. This is a fantastic pattern that will be repeated throughout the album. Nearly every song feels like a roller coaster, its subtler moments suddenly giving way to crashing crescendos, and visa versa. "Experiments of Mass Appeal" uses the rise and fall of these climaxes better than most other albums I’ve heard, and it’s a key tool to the albums overall feel.

Saying that the band’s success depends entirely on this formula, however, would be a great injustice indeed. Each track is emotionally charged, with songs like "Saline" and "You/I" being as stirring as they are well written. The bands mixing and instrumentation is equally well done. Acoustic passages are often accompanied by a soft vocal track and a lulling piano tune, while the heavier parts rely on fast fingered electric guitar playing, superb use of the synthesizer and powerful, frenzied drumming. Godfrey’s time working with pop music is apparent as well, with certain songs, like "Toys" for example, having that catchy pop music vibe to them. This isn’t a bad thing, however. Instead it serves as another tool Frost* uses to create a unique sound I have yet to hear replicated elsewhere.

As great as "Experiments of Mass Appeal" is, it’s not without its flaws. The 2nd half of the album is noticeably weaker than the first, with ideas being rehashed and revisited. "Dear Dead Days" opens in an uninspired, simplistic way. "You/I" seems incredibly out of place, and doesn’t maintain the fantastic flow the album started out with. "Wonderland", the final track that spans almost 16 minutes in length, ends the album powerfully. However, a long gap of seemingly aimless sound sampling in the middle of the track does momentarily sour the experience. Such shortcomings are nitpicks in the larger picture, however, and do not deter one bit from my strong recommendation of the album.

To conclude, Frost* is a band that should be listened to. The fantastic, emotionally charged song writing and instrumentation will fill your ears with a sound you won’t find from any other band. The fact that Jem Godfrey moved away from pop music to create this album is a testament to progressive music itself, and only shows that (pardon the cliché,) you can’t judge a book by its cover.

Recommended Tracks:

Experiments in Mass Appeal
Pocket Sun
Saline
Wonderland


user ratings (97)
3.7
great
other reviews of this album
Connor White (3)
A solid remix can't fix all of Experiments' problems with a smothering sound, hampered by generally ...



Comments:Add a Comment 
Duffluc
September 4th 2011


12 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

My first review. I chose this album because it didn't have one, and I felt that it deserved one. Hopefully I did it justice. Tell me what you think!

OneMoreRoland
September 4th 2011


1053 Comments


I remember this band! Haha. Toys is so catchy

Jethro42
September 4th 2011


18281 Comments


Milliontown was an ok album, not sure if I want to hear this.

Jethro42
September 4th 2011


18281 Comments


Excellent first review. I can easily get a picture of what the album sounds like. Might check it out at some point.

TheArkitecht
September 4th 2011


1673 Comments


It's about time this got a review! I've heard a few tracks from this and loved Milliontown so it's on the to-do list!

crazyblinddude
September 4th 2011


3388 Comments


Good review man. Didn't know they made a followup album to Milliontown. I'll be checking this out.

Whispered4tw
September 4th 2011


938 Comments


From what I've heard on Youtube, this sounds quite different compared to their debut.

Meh...

cb123
September 4th 2011


2238 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

ill have to re-listen to this at some stage, it was good but nothing really grabbed me on the first couple of goes around

Insurrection
October 29th 2012


24844 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

holy shit im liking this almost as much as milliontown. band is so amazing

RetroSpective
January 2nd 2013


822 Comments


Singer on here is a lot better than Milliontown. Sounds like they're still trying to find their niche

Drummerboy123
February 18th 2013


3122 Comments


Finally got round to buying this the other day.

Dear Dead Days is where it's at.

JohnnyoftheWell
Staff Reviewer
February 24th 2013


62444 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

Dear Dead Days aslvweioraaeommavwvwa WOW

Insurrection
February 24th 2013


24844 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

Best song by far and one of my fav prog songs in general probably

JohnnyoftheWell
Staff Reviewer
February 24th 2013


62444 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

The t/t is sweet too, but yeah it's superboss

CynicalComplex
November 20th 2015


120 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Forever~



Immortally~



Endeavor~



A god I'll be~



Remember~



Reality~



Forever~



Immorally~

Lord(e)Po)))ts
November 20th 2015


70256 Comments


i can tell this is awful by the way that it is

LunaticSoul
May 28th 2016


2418 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

new disc is out



still Frost* doing Frost* things. I don't think it's nowhere near this one or its predecessor though

bloc
November 8th 2017


70683 Comments


This is rather nice

Observer
Emeritus
August 7th 2020


9455 Comments


vocals are sweet

TVC15
February 6th 2022


11375 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

Front to back banger



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