MIND THE SOUP

I first learned about the Finnish group Jeavestone a couple of years ago, when I heard their self-produced EP. Since then they have released their first album, Mind The Soup, and I have also seen them live on a gig. I was about to write a review on this album a lot earlier, but luckily I didn't. I would have given MTS a higher rating, but giving a bit more time to it, I have got some perception.

I'm giving it three stars now because I believe this band can only be on its way to greater things. Their first album has nine songs which are written during I think four or five years, and that says it all: the band has had some tunes that have survived to their debut album, and in the meantime they have written new music as they have progressed. This makes the album quite inconsistent. I also have to say, that some of the pieces are really done tongue-in-cheek, and only two or three of them are really prog. These are The Secret Playhouse and The Prophet's Daydream, which are really promising compositions. On the other hand, Jeavestone call themselves a "prog'n'roll" band, so obviously they aren't trying to follow the paths of the most symphonic prog acts. On MTS, Jeavestone mix a lot of different spices in the pot: groups like Jethro Tull, 70's Rush, Early Spock's Beard and Kingston Wall have all left their marks on MTS.

What really strikes with Jeavestone's debut, is their musical ability. They have two equally creative solo guitarists who play simultaneous solos, a very trustworthy bass-drums section and a nice colouring effect in the use of flute. They are very fluent on stage, too. The lead vocalist, Jim Goldworth, has a very distinguished, strong voice that hardly goes out of tune and will be a pleasant surprise for a lot of people. For whatever reason the members of Jeavestone use a bit infantile artist names.

Mind The Soup is an encouraging debut and makes at least me to expect fine things from the band in the future.