As the World comes off much stronger than Echolyn’s first few releases, with an instrumental barrage that is full and flourished, sounding more dynamic than 1991′s Echolyn and 92′s Suffocating the Bloom. With As the World, Echolyn’s progressive tendencies take root in the quick-changing rhythms and in the musical momentum altogether, much like Yes’s structure but without the intricate string work. Many of the tracks harbor a jazz-ridden flow to their sound, with smatterings of folk cropping up here and there. “The Cheese Stands Alone,” “Never the Same,” and “My Dear Wormwood” initiate a stable, neo-progressive feel, with time signatures that appealingly fluctuate and shift without notice. As the World implements more melodies in it’s songs as well, giving the album a much tighter impression and a more accomplished progressive groove than its predecessors. Individually, Christopher Buzby’s keyboard playing steals the show, but not by putting his instrument at the forefront, but rather by texturing the sound and coming in behind many of the tracks, presenting them with an effective curtain of layered notes for the rest of the music to lean against. Unlike a number of other neo-progressive groups, Echolyn’s instrumental and vocal prowess are at an equal level, instilling cogent harmonizing throughout the album’s tracks with regard to the surrounding music. As The World presents Echolyn in their most complete stage, tying any loose ends together that existed in their earlier recordings. – Mike DeGagne