As the debate over the meaning of the word "progressive" continues (as it applies to rock music), the loosest interpretations generally define it as anything that eschews the mainstream pop-song format and commercial aspirations. That's not to say that all music of this type is necessarily somehow inferior - there has been a lot of brilliant pop through the years: Queen, 10cc, Split Enz, The Beatles...with songs that certainly stretch the envelope and offer something more than the standard fare, and probably rightfully deserve the label progressive. And then there are those artists that stay safely within mainstream confines, yet seem to draw inspiration from the heavy hitters, occasionally throwing in a keyboard run or ethereal vocal passage as a pointer. In this category fall the likes of Toy Matinee, Tears for Fears, and so on...and now, Poor Richard, a quartet from Illinois featuring guitars, drums, keyboards, and a bassist who doubles on vocals. After the opening track "El Ladron", which recalls Hogarth-era Marillion embellished with some Gentle Giant ideas thrown in, this five song CD-EP turns to a more mainstream sound that remains safely within the confines of the pop idiom. That's not a knock - these guys do it very well - the musicianship and writing are of the highest caliber, and the production is quite good as well; it all works together to offer a sensible approach with good melodic hooks that should get them noticed. The remaining four tracks range from very commercial ("Dive") to some that pack a bit more of a rock punch with some overt and noticeable progressivisms ("Darkroom", "Clockwise"), but by far the best track on the disc is the closer "Free to Daydream", not because it's particularly proggy, but simply because it's an excellent all around pop song.