PICTURE

The term "Supergroup" gives the false impression that the music is going to be better then the sum of it's parts, or at least as good as the musical output of the members regular affiliates. Neither is true on this release of pop songs with slight, afterthought, prog accents. These musicians come together with strong credentials, they all are or were members of prog bands that are held in high esteem by their fans.

What this collective big named group produced is a highly derivitive, very polished, no risk-taking, neo-progressive rock album with strong melodies, but no real merit. If prog were popular in the mainstream, this is the kind of music that would be playing over the airwaves. Poppy lyrics, Asia styled hooks, professional (yet uninspired) solos, toe tapping, the wife won't scream if I put this on in the car stereo type of music. I find Kino has similarities to Jadis, IQ and Marillion. Not really my cup of coffee, but Neo- Proggers may find this the best thing since free condiments at Starbucks.

The strong point of the disc is the rhythm section. Trewavas and Maitland seem to connect, adding some fine moments to these lackluster compositions. Trewavas' bass slides in and out of the mid range heavy production. Maitland sounds crisp but isn't challenged at all with any stop and go punctuations, quick rhythm changes or odd meters. A few bursts of power and bombast here and there. Pretty straight forward mid-tempo flow throughout.

Guitars and keyboards are front and center, alternating solos, very in the pocket and polished. The vocals are good. Not great, competent. Kino offers a good use of harmonies.

The compositions are the weak link. You hear this stuff everyday, from numerous bands. For three of the musicians, these tunes sound so much like their particular band that I would ask, "why bother?" To create something super (as in Supergroup) you need to take what you know and have learned to a higher level, or at least something different.

For fans of Neo-Prog only.