3 (Three) – The Ghost You Gave To Me (2011)

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“The Ghost You Gave To Me” is the sixth album from Woodstock, New York band “3” (also known as Three).
The name of the band originally stems from founder Joey Eppard’s own fascination with the number: “It is a reference to the construct of our reality as having predominantly 3 aspects. For example, we live in a 3 dimensional universe on the 3rd planet from the sun, experiencing time as past, present and future in a form that consists of mind, body and spirit.”

Much more than that strange proggy band that seems out of place on the Metal Blade label, “3” is a melodic prog rock institution, which still doesn’t accurately describe what this creative act are all about. The genre-defying diversity of their music is what gives them the self-proclaimed title of a hybrid band.
But the most vital pieces of information concerning 3 are the depth of beauty, lush and meticulously performed instrumentation, and the surprising amount of catchy material on every album.
“The Ghost You Gave to Me” may include the catchiest batch of their tunes yet.

The upper range ethereality of Joey Eppard’s vocals, as well as the many colors painted with his unique style of acoustic and electric guitar playing, along with the solid guitars of Billy Riker, continue to be a big part of 3’s sound on this new recording. Those delicate touches that reach so deep and the subtle, yet somehow bursting beams of light created, which collectively transcend popular notions of the guitar, are what have always been this band’s trademark.
The rhythm team of bassist Daniel Grimsland and drummer Chris Gartmann (who also contributes to those ever important backing vocals) complete the musical puzzle, one of those duos that support, accent, and meander with a purpose in one giant wave of percussive and low-end might.

But what stands out even more on this album are the hooks, led by an insanely catchy cut called “React” that should be a worldwide smash hit among rock and pop fans alike.
“High Times” is another track full of melodies and harmony vocals, driven by foot-tap rhythm and sizzling guitars, which go to define 3’s distinct identity.
Though “It’s Alive” gets notably heavy in progressive rock terms it is the basic intensity of the chorus that still ends up sticking, just as “Pretty” penetrates and stays on terms all its own strong groove, closest to straight melodic rock.
“Numbers” starts progressive with some dark ambient but in the middle breaks out a groovy riff that could easily have come from a melodic metal band.

The band offers a lighter melodic rock version of itself on “On With The Sun”, that conjures images of a pristine, ice covered landscape in a nice vocal melody and acoustic work supported by fantastic drum and bass work.
“Only Child” includes tribal-esque beats and unexpected shifts in direction, probably stands out as the most progressive track on the record. It’s a mysterious and intriguing song.
The nearly minimalist “The Barriers” will have you offering Pink Floyd comparisons before you’re forced to quality the statement by noting a vague folksiness. It’s ethereal and atmospheric, and again curiously infectious.

‘3’ isn’t your regular band for sure.
The befuddlement of searching for just the right words to capture they sound is half the fun; the other half involves the pure enjoyment of the music that the band has created on “The Ghost You Gave To Me”.
The entire album serves up a helping of prog with a side of non traditional metal, and as would be expected there are numerous transitions and changes in sound and structure. The changes occur frequently within songs so that each track has a bit of the heavy, a bit of the melodic, a bit of the mainstream rock, and so on.
3’s songs are driven by Joey Eppard’s smooth immediately recognizable melodic singing which has expanded in range and goes in several new directions, supported by the musicality of the rest of the band, specially Chris Gartmann’s brilliant and expressive drumming.
With “The Ghost You Gave Me”, ‘3’ continues to transcend themselves and evolve, while still remaining entertaining and intriguing.

01 – Sirenum Scopuli (intro)
02 – React
03 – Sparrow
04 – High Times
05 – Numbers
06 – One With The Sun
07 – The Ghost You Gave To Me
08 – Pretty
09 – Afterglow
10 – Its Alive
11 – Only Child
12 – The Barrier

Joey Eppard – lead vocals, acoustic & electric guitars
Billy Riker – guitars, effects
Daniel Grimsland – bass, backing vocals
Chris “Gartdrumm” Gartmann – drums, backing vocals

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