More Than A Dream is the debut album from Unitopia, originally released in 2005 but now officially coming out via Unicorn Digital, the Canadian prog rock & fusion record label. Unitopia play a very song oriented form of progressive rock, long on catchy melodies, multi-part vocal harmonies, tasty guitar work, and arrangements that draw on world, pop, dance, metal, and classical styles. Featuring the vocal skills of members Mark Trueack, Sean Timms (keyboards), and Matt Williams (guitar), this CD is pretty rich from a vocal standpoint, and the band is rounded out musically by the drum/percussion team of Monty Ruggiero & Tim Irrgang and the multi-instrumentalism of Mike Stewart. Overall this is pretty original sounding stuff, with some elements that will remind you at times of Man on Fire, Peter Gabriel, 80's Yes, Pink Floyd, Fish, Porcupine Tree, and even a touch of Dream Theater. The CD's centerpiece is the 12-minute "Justify", filled with memorable hooks, smoking Hammond passages, and crunchy guitar work. At times sounding like vintage Genesis, even a little ELP and Dream Theater, this one is an exciting epic that really works. "Take Good Care" mixes classical with influences like The Moody Blues & Mike and the Mechanics, while the title track reminds a little of Peter Gabriel's solo work, as well as Guy Manning. If you like waves of symphonic keyboards over thick and juicy grooves, check out "Slow Down", and "Lives Go Round" is like a page out of early 80's prog ala Marillion, IQ, Pendragon, or Pallas, right down to the vocals and arrangements. However, it's the world and techno flavored pieces that make this album stand out, like the bouncy "Still Here" and the danceable & jazzy "Fate", each one easily accessible to more than the prog community. Unitopia are really onto something here. Sure, they can reel in the prog audience with the Genesis meets Twelfth Night track "Common Goal", but there's plenty of varied material from that point on which might appeal to a much wider crowd. Overall this is very solid from a vocal and musical standpoint, and worth your attention.
