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Picture might be
the historic start of a new super band. The members aren’t the
least. It was It Bites keyboardist John Beck
who took the initiative to gather some quality musicians to form a
new band with. Guitarist and singer John Mitchell of both
Arena and The Urbane, Pete Trewavas (Marillion,
ex-Transatlantic) and ex-Porcupine Tree drummer
Chris Maitland joined him.
A very strong start, that is the least I can say.
Quite heavy guitars, a steaming rhythm and strong vocals. A better
name-card would have been hard to find.
The rest of the album is less heavy, but provides
you with some magnificent melodic rock. Mitchell’s singing is just
perfect and all instruments sound as if the band has been together
for ages. There’s only one word to express what the production is
like: perfect!
The sound is hard to define. There is some
Sylvan to be heard and now and again I thought I heard some
influences of the 80’s new wave. In Swimming in Women
I even heard some Suede-like sounds and some Supertramp
on the other hand. Yes influences can be heard in Holding
On. But above all this is very modern rock with progressive
elements, catchy melodies and a rhythm that often grabs you by the
throat. The band members have obviously taken distance of their
former bands to create something new. Perhaps one of the strongest
aspects of this album is that one forgets the diversity of
instruments used. They sound so much in harmony that the idea of
unity is very much applicable. But the instruments are there
alright. Wonderful piano and keyboards, steaming guitar solos on
People and All You See and no less than magnificent
drums. Also Trewavas proves that a bass guitar is more than just
part of the rhythm section. And the great part of it all is that
Kino has the intention to go on!
This music makes you want to live. Just buy it! |
