The Interphase Project - No Turning Back

The Interphase Project

No Turning Back
self-released; 2014

3.2 out of 5

By Ted Rogen

Sergey Stephanoff, Jeff Daze, Nino Monaco and Ryan are the four members of The Interphase Project. They recently released an eleven-song album entitled No Turning Back. The songs are accessible pop songs, which sometimes like to rock and other times prefer going on a more folksy ride. 

There is no denying after spending some time with the album that they fit more into the mainstream framework then than that of the indie. The band serves up palpable melodies that you might expect from your local FM station more often than not. That being said, there are a number of unexpected deviations that just had me confused. 

The first song “Love You So” which was far from my favorite song was more or less “easy listening.” A piano supports the main vocal melody, which contains lyrical clichés. The vocalist sings, “This world will drag you down mix you up and push you around but I love you, so.” The band pulls a complete 180 with the second song entitled “Privateers.” It doesn’t sound close to the band I just heard and left me dumbfounded. The vocal delivery is completely different and has an upbeat, bluegrass, and sea shanty type vibe. The vocalist sings, “A man in suit sits to my left, navy commander looking so deft Sinking in my barstool I recoil “ 

After being completely thrown off as to what to expect the band goes at it with a number of safe soft rock songs. “I See You Outside” could be a Huey Lewis B-side. The next deviation comes with “Ocean Jam” which sounds like sultry ‘70s soft porn music. It never fully feels like it is rockin’ out.

“American Dreams” sounds like it would work best in a montage from Rocky II. Yeah - I can’t put my figure on it but I kept picturing Stallone chopping wood and running around in circles. “Lonely Town” is an attempt at slow blues/rock with some slight success. “Strange Daze” is a bit psychedelic and ‘80s sounding. The band closes with ”No Turning Back” which has a folk song type feel.  It lies somewhere between John Denver and Cat Stevens.

I honestly don’t even know how to feel about this album. It’s so random it plays like a collection of songs from different bands. I can’t even imagine how they did this. I’ll leave it up to you to decide what you think because I have nothing either positive or negative to say about this album. 

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