Progressive Rock Review: Coloratura-WTF Was That?!

Release Date: June 1, 2024

Label: Melodic Revolution Records

Website 

I can explain what the band Coloratura is on their newly remastered version of WTF Was That?! It's wild, weird, and wonderful. Progressive rock as it should sound, with music with room to move around, change, and evolve as you listen. This album got a reboot because the band wanted to improve on the sound, which they did successfully with this vinyl release.

Side A opens with a short instrumental, "WTF Was That?!" It is an exciting beginning with strongly paced drums, some wah-wah guitar, and cascading sounds. At the end of the track, they say, you guessed it, WTF was that?

 

"Toy Soldiers" is a total shift in sound (big surprise, well, not really), with solid sounds and changing colors and emotions. The guitar cranks with a robust bottom end. The vocals are also excellent, and as the song ends, they sing, "They are just play things anyway."

 

"Flim-Flam Man" is funky and rocking as they repeatedly sing, "scum bag, scum bag," about the character. The flute is a good addition, giving it a more progressive feel. There is a funky bass run, and the guitar joins in. The vocals reminded me of 10cc, one of my all-time favorite bands. Once again, there is a good rhythm and backbeat. A mountain of sounds comes together at the end, extraordinary musicianship!

 

"Side Hustle" is one of my favorites. It starts differently (all their music is different but dissimilar to the previous track) as the flute arrives again to meet the guitar, drums, and bass. Some very cool vocals follow along. The rock-solid rhythm section continues to serve as the foundation for this castle of musical mastery.

 

"Lousy Smarch Weather" has some very complex music, with those 10cc-like vocals again and some interesting sound effects. As I mentioned at the outset, it's weirdly wonderful. The track gains momentum with an instrumental break showcasing the command of their instruments, providing one hell of an auditory ride.

 

"Away" takes a step to close out side A. They go mellow and acoustic, giving the listener another extreme change to take a bite of. You end up appreciating their diversity even more now as they turn out a 70s AM radio pop tune to blow you away, leaving you wondering what could be in store for you on the flip side.

 

Side B begins with "Palace of Blood," another instrumental opener, a monster of a song to keep your excitement and anticipation high; the opening bass line is strong, with cuts like a knife guitar accompanying it. The guitar adds more noise to the mix, and everything else happens simultaneously to give you an immersive experience. As the music ebbs and flows from softer to heavier, it becomes more complex with abrupt stops and changes. Some of the passages sound like metal, but that is all part and parcel of the package of this blockbuster track. Look at the title, and it all makes sense.

 

"SIMR" segues from the previous track with more instrumental fun. It sounds like a carnival of sound, noise, and color merging into the best ride at the carnival passing through; it's the one you keep going back to ride again. The vocals say, “Someone in my room,” the extended version of SIMR. There are remarkably progressive sounds, and then they close the door suddenly. It's over.

 

"The LSD No-No" starts with a bass line with some sophisticated effects. Then, a synth begins, and within a minute, it becomes a gathering of every instrument they can muster. Their stamp of change works well here, going from seemingly ordinary to the edge of strange. It makes sense after taking a hallucinogenic drug. It is exciting while they maintain their stand-up professional musicianship at each position.

 

"Mothman" is the perfect closer to this fantastic album. The legendary creature, or myth, or what? In this instance, he is a superhero. The bass begins, and the drums enter, followed by the flute, as the rhythm section grooves. The music is as quirky and strange as the story, which now seems appropriate (and always did from start to finish). It could have been a TV theme for a show like Batman in the Sixties. Some good guitar licks are featured, and the vocals have a definitive humorous inflection, making light as the lyrics fit along with the music. And wouldn't you know the last thing you hear on the last track is WTF was that?!

 

Coloratura is crazy good. If you like progressive rock with all the twists and turns, you must hear this album, preferably on vinyl. You can get your limited edition light blue splatter copy for $20 on Bandcamp now.

 

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck-TFOV Founder

July 31, 2024

Tracks

Side A:

1. WTF Was That?! (2024 remix) 01:47

2. Toy Soldiers (2024 remix) 03:49

3. Flim-Flam Man (2024 remix) 05:23

4. Side Hustle (2024 remix) 02:40

5. Lousy Smarch Weather (2024 remix) 04:27

6. Away (2024 remix) 04:37

 

Side B:

1. Palace of Blood (2024 remix) 05:47

2. SIMR (2024 remix) 03:18

3. Sleeping Giant (edit) (2024 remix) 05:14

4. The LSD No-No (2024 remix) 05:03

5. Mothman (2024 remix) 06:13