Despite ‘Listen’ having been released just under a year ago, we feel as though its relevance is still high, especially for understanding Belling The Tiger’s overall artistry and formative journey. Hailing from Detroit, the talented progressive rock outfit champions a truly vulnerable, evocative character, blending cinematic energy with instrumental virtuosity and meaningful lyricism. What more could you wish for? It’s the perfect formula.
Introduced by its title track, ‘Listen’ EP opens in true prog allure, with a six-minute glorious ride towards nostalgic 70s flavoured territories. A charming organ really supercharges the group’s retro character, reminding us of staples of the genre such as Genesis and Jethro Tull, among others. In this case, Belling The Tiger doesn’t hide from the occasional nuggets of psychedelia, a sign that their influences are wide and eclectic. ‘No Wings for Myself’ follows up with a sumptuous, melodic ballad, all soaked in cinematic goo and orchestral atmospheres.
On the track, Belling The Tiger embraces a much more contemporary brand of prog-rock, making good use of a variety of synthetisers. That’s also the whole point behind the EP; it’s quite timeless, steeped in the great prog rock tradition across decades. Delving deeper into the record’s overarching lyrical theme, the American band explains: “It navigates the fragile boundaries between thought and identity, love and loss, silence and awareness.”
Recommended! Discover ‘Listen’ EP on Spotify:
