Share the post "Album review: PATTERN-SEEKING ANIMALS – Friend Of All Creatures"
GEP [Release date 14.02.25]
Pattern-Seeking Animals were formed in 2018 with this being their fifth studio album, and first for their new label GEP, having previously been signed to InsideOut Music. Pattern-Seeking Animals line-up remains that of Ted Leonard (vocals, guitar), Dave Meros (bass), John Boegehold (keys, synths, guitars, vocals) and Jimmy Keegan (drums).
Never ones to shy away from an epic tune, the album opens with a nine-minute musical joyride that is ‘Future Perfect World’. The harmony vocals on here are magnificent and set the bar high for the rest of the album.
The listener barely has time to make tea when as the album’s big epic ‘Another Holy Grail’ arrives next. Ted Leonard is one of the finest, yet possibly most underrated, singers in prog rock circles. He’s not too shabby on guitar either as the solos on this song highlight.
John Boegehold is a key part of Pattern-Seeking Animals sound, not only as the main songwriter, but for the musical arrangements on each song. These really come to life on an epic like ‘Another Holy Grail’ where in parts you feel a whole orchestra is involved.
Elsewhere on the album, ‘In My Dying Days’ has a lovely 70s era Kansas feel, whilst ‘Days We’ll Remember’ is as wistful and mellow as the song’s title suggests. ‘Words of Love Evermore’ taps into the classic 70s sound of the likes of Yes and Genesis, without being a total plagiarism that some bands have been in the past.
With Spock’s Beard seemingly on indefinite hiatus, Pattern-Seeking Animals fit that musical hole nicely for those, like this reviewer, who enjoy melody led progressive rock and not endless solos for the sake of it (looking at you Dream Theater!). The album grows after repeated plays and is as good as their previous albums, and perhaps with more time spent in the album’s company could end up as one of their finest musical moments to date. ****
Review by Jason Ritchie
Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK
Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.
Next session: Sunday 6 April (Fifth Anniversary!)
Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio
David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 2 February 2025.
UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast on 11 February 2025
How to Listen Live?
Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)
Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.
More information and links at our radio website where you can listen live or listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com
Power Plays w/c 24 February 2025
SMASH INTO PIECES Man Or Machine (indie)
MISSION JUPITER Human Nature (Label 51 Recordings)
FALLING BELOW Answers (indie)
ILIANNA A Year From Now (Highway Music)
IZZY REIGN Photos (FiXT)
Featured Albums w/c 24 February 2025
09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003 – 2024 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003 – 2024 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003 – 2024 (Singer Songwriter)
Popular (last 10 days)
Share the post "Album review: PATTERN-SEEKING ANIMALS – Friend Of All Creatures"
PDF - you can delete unwanted sections
