I am a huge prog rock fan. I thought I should start with that since what will follow might make you wonder. THEO is a project of jazz keyboardist Jim Alfredson. The album "The Game of Ouroboros" is a concept album that seems to be set in the future where we are all controlled by some large conglomerate or something. Concept albums are certainly popular in prog but I find them to be extremely risky since many times the music and lyrics are written to fit the concept rather than just being composed more naturally. This album sounds quite forced in that regard.
There is NO question that Alfredson and his band are talented musicians who can play. However, in prog rock everyone can play so that's not enough. To start with, I have issues with the overuse of sound effects. They pad already long tracks making them longer than needed. There are even some moments that the song seems over but it just goes on and on for no apparent reason. By that point, I've lost all interest. Prog should be exciting and interesting and this album just isn't. Jim has an average voice which might work as a backing vocalist but not really strong enough as a lead vocalist.
Is there an audience that will love this album? I think there is but for me prog rock is more than just "paint by numbers." This album lacks the good songs and just sounds like a jazz guy showing he can write a prog album. No thanks.
