SWEET EDITH MANTON

Johnny Unicorn would come to the forefront again in 2010, after working in a couple of singles with Phideaux and becoming involved in Autumn Electric.His new album, titled ''Sweet Edith Manton'' was launched in July with Unicorn singing all lyrics and handling all instruments except for the drum parts, performed by Jason Campbell.The album was freely downloadable on bandcamp, but there is a good bunch of self-produced CD around as well.

Front cover is the best thing this album has to offer I am afraid, because Unicorn has made a turn from the quirky keyboard experiments of his previous work to a much more accesible sound on ''Sweet Edith Manton'', this effort still keeps a nice dose of the man's naughty instrumental work, but overall sounds closer to Pop Rock/Indie Rock.Most tracks are very short with this typical, contemporary American Rock stylings, heading mostly for an audience of teenagers, executed on guitars, piano, synths with a little bit of sax, while even Unicorn's vocal distortions sound kind of dull in such a musical background.Rhythmic and pleasant music with synth layers and unpolished guitars, but without much of a progressive flavor left for those seeking such a sound.''The last day'' should be the one to choose as the most proggy piece, featuring a developing groove, transforming into some kind of KING CRIMSON-esque guitar fest and containing some tricky sax tunes.''Edith Manton'' closes the album with a surprising way after so many short pieces, this one clocks at about 16 minutes.But it's overall sound is pretty confusing with Unicorn insisting on playing under an Indie Rock umbrella with irritating vocals and rough-edged guitars, the next moment starting to exhibit on symphonic or jazzy water with keyboards and sax in evidence.Not very memorable of an attempt, Unicorn is such a talented guy, but the segments on this piece are so unrelated to rise as an appreciated composition.

Far less interesting work than the more experimental and convincing ''Put your mind inside my mouth''.Too poppy for prog fans, too prog for Pop fans.And that's its biggest disadvantage...ending up to be a directionless album.