One of the most fascinating aspects of the progressive rock genre is its timeless quality. Across decades of its existence, there are thousands of bands and releases waiting to be discovered—whether they’re obscure gems from the past or fresh contributions from modern artists. This sentiment perfectly encapsulates my experience with Minneapolis, Minnesota-based art rock group The Light in the Ocean (TLITO).
Actively creating music since 2019, TLITO released their third album, Deep Reef Dream, in April 2022. It wasn’t until recently, while curating tracks for Progotronics 47, that I came across this album. The saying “better late than never” couldn’t be more fitting. I deliberately took my time to explore Deep Reef Dream after immersing myself in TLITO‘s earlier works, eager to understand how the band has evolved. One thing became abundantly clear with each listen: TLITO reinvents itself with every album.
With Deep Reef Dream, it feels that the band have done some soul-searching. TLITO have finally given their style a much-desired sense of balance. Between melody and instrumental fireworks, the intimate and ambitious, Deep Reef Dream is the first album in the band’s career together that sounds like they know not only where they want to go, but how to get there.
Including a better-than-ever mix and production, TLITO‘s execution is the best it’s ever been with Deep Reef Dream, and they put themselves head and shoulders above most other contenders in traditional progressive circles. There is something to be said for the kind of variety the band tackled here. While the fact that they were willing to explore so many options means little by itself, the confidence TLITO approached each stylistic element with is striking. With the stylistic difference, for instance, between the symphonic prog infused opener “Things Inside” and quaint pop of “Tijuana Sunset” is easily recognizable, the album flows so well together that it’s easy to overlook the fact that that The Light in the Ocean are really shifting gears to begin with. Even beyond the eclectic angle, Deep Reef DreaM has a near-immaculate sense of flow; even the goofy “Smee” and “Mr. Pippy” snippets feel in place.
Considering I would usually think of a band that jumped between styles like this as non-committal and undecided, it’s all to TLITO‘s credit that the album works together so well. Deep Reef Dream is a remarkably consistent album, though calling it that limits the possibility of truly excellent. The psyched-out “Psyclops,” somewhat funky title track or proggy closer “Big Beef” would probably be my picks if the jury was ever out on choosing ‘highlights’ off of the album.
Having listened to TLITO‘s albums in their chronological order, I can’t help but be impressed by how far they have come as musicians and a band. Especially considering that traditional progressive rock usually repulses me this side of the new millennium, that they’ve effectively livened up the style is a feat unto itself. This may be seen as a promise of even better things to come from The Light in the Ocean in the future (and the new album is already being cooked for 2025).
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Having listened to TLITO‘s albums in their chronological order, I can’t help but be impressed by how far they have come as musicians and a band. Especially considering that traditional progressive rock usually repulses me this side of the new millennium, that they’ve effectively livened up the style is a feat unto itself.
