Lead vocalist/Keyboardist/composer Ryan Parameter, nephew of Matthew Parameter of the phenomenal Michigan based band Discipline, proves on his band, Eyestrings’s debut CD "Burdened Hands" that talent runs in the family.

Eyestrings's Burdened Hands is close cousin of bands like Spock's Beard and Echolyn with traces of Mid-period Genesis in places, in which on the CD's 10 songs shift both lyrically and musically between complex mid-passages and lovely power ballads, but yet the music is quite pleasant to listen to.

Both the first ("Recovery") and last ("Empty Box") tracks are over 10 minutes which shows off the band’s surprisingly excellent musical chops topped off with wonderful lyrical content similar to Echolyn.

The remaining songs off of Burdened Hands, Ryan is as diversified in his writing, with highlights throughout, like the brilliant Tom Waits-ish "Slackjaw", "Funnel", "Just A Body" and a hopeful radio hit? "Itchy Tickler".

Ryan's Eyestrings debut on Burdened Hands is wonderful showcase to the band's honing their skills for a number of years, hopefully the band will build on this stunner of a debut, and produce an even greater follow-up.

One of the better progressive CDs of 2004.

Charles