SATELLITE

The history of Karnataka and its dissolution in 2004 is well documented - suffice it to say here that there are now no less than four excellent bands based around the six original group members, an indication in itself of the phenomenal depth of talent that this former band had within its midst.

The nucleus of the old Karnataka (a band of that name still exists, led by bassist Ian Jones, with all-new support musicians) went on to become Panic Room, and their debut CD, "Visionary Position" was one of my favourite albums of 2008, and one which I felt sure they would struggle to match when releasing any follow-ups. How wrong I was!!

This album, "Satellite" is about as near-perfect a collection of songs as it is possible to create. Each track is enticingly different in style (the third one, "I Am A Cat", quite markedly so), captivating the listener right to the very end...and each is superbly written, brilliantly played, and exquisitely sung. If this weren't enough, the option exists for the early purchasers of the album to get their hands on a limited edition package with a second bonus CD of four extra songs which are every bit as good as the eleven on the main disc if they order direct from the band's website or see them play live before supplies are exhausted

I'm not going to do a track by track analysis of the music - it would be pointless, as all the pieces are of such stunning quality. I struggled for some considerable time to decide which was actually my favourite, since all the songs have their own special moments of sheer magic. In the end I had to pick the title track "Satellite", which closes the main album. It builds into the most majestic soaring chorus that you ever could imagine, and then fades out gently at the end, leaving the listener absolutely spellbound.

Anyone who enjoys the existing well-established melodic, lush, harmonious, female-fronted progressive rock bands, such as Mostly Autumn, or Magenta cannot possibly go wrong with this

It is still only January 2010 as I write these notes, but I already know what my favourite CD of the year is. NOBODY is going to beat this, and I mean nobody.

"Visionary Position" was maybe more inventive and 'original' in some ways than this album is, but in terms of the song-writing, playing, production, and sheer consistency of the material on offer, "Satellite" wins hands down - and yes, it IS still prog!

Just how Panic Room are going to follow this one, I await with eager anticipation. They say nothing is perfect, and I guess that has to be true, but this is just about as close as you can get as far as I am concerned.

More of the same will do very nicely for me - but that's just what most bands try NOT to produce!

4.9 stars...and a bit!.