"...Time to break free from this mold..."
Land of Chocolate - The Pursuit of Happiness
Breaking away from musical conventions is nothing new for Land of Chocolate, the modern progressive rock quartet from Chapel Hill, North Carolina, whose critically acclaimed debut album (2001's "Unikorn on the Cob") immediately separated the band from the glut of today's paint-by-numbers acts that litter the airwaves. While the continual homogenization of the musical mainstream forces true lovers to question whether innovative music still exists, one needs to go no further than Land of Chocolate to realize that integrity still exists within today's musical landscape.
With virtuosic playing and sharply-crafted tunes that both challenge the ear and stimulate the mind, Land of Chocolate juxtaposes a level of musical mayhem with a strong ear for melody, theme and variation, and flat-out catchy hooks. It is a combination that leaves the average listener wondering what hit them, yet challenges the seasoned rock junkie to keep coming back for more. Throw on gymnastic three-part vocal harmonies overtop interweaving guitar and keyboard lines, and a sturdy yet tenacious rhythm section, and this is music that will certainly make your mouth water.
2004 saw the release of LOC's hyperactive yet mature sophomore effort, "Regaining the Feel", an album that not only solidified the band's reputation as a risk-taking, no-holds-barred unit, but also showed increased depth and maturity, firmly displaying the band's growth both in sound and scope and solidifying their reputation as an innovator within the industry.
The evolution continues today, as Land of Chocolate is currently putting the finishing touches on their third release - "Your Finest Hour", the band's most cohesive and mature work yet.
