THEO

The Game Of Ouroboros

2015-03-05

THEO is a Lansing, Michigan prog rock band fronted by renowned organist Jim Alfredson. In accordance with the genre, their album "The Game of Ouroboros" marries elements of classical and instrumental music with that of rock and roll. Alfredson's skill on the keys, whether in the form of synth, organ, or bare piano, is featured prominently throughout the album, but there's no shortage of driving guitar and drum solos. While most songs abandon the traditional structure of a traditional rock and roll song in favor of a more orchestral arrangement, the songs on "The Game of Ouroboros" are compelling enough in aura and content to draw any listener in.

This album is a work of dystopian fiction that hits close to home. The title track of the album opens with an unsettling futuristic phone recording, and later treats human passivity and being subject to the influences of corporations and media who lure us into complacency, and when we rebel, capitalize on it. "The Blood that Floats my Throne" is essentially about income inequality, and the implications of achieving great wealth. The album even treats the phenomenon of football team worship in "Idle Worship." The flow of the tracks, ethereal synth sounds, and rock influences, in concert with the elaborate and beautiful CD artwork all work to create a dystopian universe that looks disturbingly familiar.

review by Marie

Quick Links:

More reviews tagged #Rock

  • reviewed 03/2005

    IVY
    In the Clear

  • reviewed 11/2011

    GIRLS
    Father, Son, Holy Ghost

  • reviewed 10/2015

    The Como Brothers Band
    Imagination

  • reviewed 03/2017

    Novella
    Change of State

  • reviewed 11/2012

    BOB MOULD
    Silver Age

  • reviewed 06/2009

    STARDEATH AND WHITE DWARFS
    The Birth

Compiled by the WYCE Journalism Club

The opinions expressed in these reviews are those of the individual volunteers that submitted the article and do not necessarily reflect the views of WYCE or GRCMC; nor its staff, donors, or affiliates.