Jane Getter Premonition - Division World

Following their 2021 album Anomalia, Jane Getter Premonition is back with Division World.  Written during the pandemic with lyrics that Getter says are “reflections of the divisiveness and divisions happening in the world today”, the album contains only one instrumental and is the most song-oriented one they’ve released.  Getter’s regular band, keyboardist Adam Holzman, guitarist Alex Skolnick, bassist and singer Paul Frazier and drummer Gene Lake, who have all played with a who’s who of musicians and bands, are back, along with guest vocals from Randy McStine on three cuts.  While often rooted in prog, there is a lot of diversity throughout the album, often within the same song, and even though they are more song-oriented there is always room for Getter’s guitar solos, which never fail to impress.  The title track kicks things off and is more of a straightforward prog track, as is “Layers”.  “Dissipate” is a very dynamic tune that while midtempo is also a little heavier with a thumping bass and cymbals along with hypnotic, swirling synths.  It is followed by “The Spark”, a melancholy rock song with some hints of jazz accompanied by some really nice piano work.  The sole instrumental “Compass” starts with crunching, metal guitars and shifts to strong jazz fusion with some outstanding guitar work, before shifting again to a jazzier section and then back to a thick heavy guitar solo at the end. “End The Blame” is up next and is a really pretty track that lays a foundation of piano and synths, a laid-back rhythm section and guitars (acoustic at times) all under Getter’s vocals and some great harmonies.  Book-ended with a more easygoing prog vibe, “Devolution” has a great metal guitar in the middle, while “Another Way” has an offbeat, angular, stop and start prog sound meshed with a bluesier side.  “Mixed Up” is another more laid-back prog track that not only has some great fusion guitar work, but also really showcases Holzman as he lets it fly on the keys.  Getter’s well-crafted songwriting really comes through on “Rewind Again”, a dynamic tune that opens slow and dreamy and has a nuanced, heavier guitar solo at the end.  The closing track features McStine on lead vocals and is a lush, orchestrated ballad that is a complete shift from anything that came before.  While somewhat a shift away from their previous releases, Division World is another winning release from Jane Getter Premonition.  

(Esoteric Antenna)