HEAD

This band was formed by the former drummer for GREY LADY DOWN. They got their name THIEVES' KITCHEN from a Charles Dicken's book called OliverTwist, in that novel the place where all the orphans lived and practised their pickpocketing etc. was called "Thieves' Kitchen". This band is not your typical Neo-Prog band (if there is such a thing) they play some complex music at times with some odd time signatures.The musicianship is of a high quality, and the vocalist does a great job as well. I also like their sense of humour. By the way this is my favourite album from this band, I know i'm in the minority with that statement but it just clicked with me unlike their others.

The first song "Mute" has keyboards galore in it and I like the organ play backing it up. And there is a really good extended keyboard melody in this song, as well as some great guitar after 12 1/2 minutes. Again the vocals make this all work. I have to mention the chunky bass and also how intense it gets after 15 minutes. Great track ! "Time" features lots of mellotron samples throughout,and some more great guitar. The keyboard playing though is the focus here.

"The Return Of The Ultragravy" has some beautiful piano melodies throughout and more mellotron. More chunky bass and heaviness as well. Just a fantastic tune ! "Integrity" is my least favourite track although the bass and vocal melodies impress. The final song "T.A.N.U.S." is almost 20 minutes and so has lots of time changes as you can imagine, and a terrific guitar solo that I didn't think was going to end. Also more beautiful piano and vocals. Great chorus line too "it's just another #%@* day". It opens with the sound of a clock ticking and sparse piano before the alarm goes off and then we spend the day with this guy until he goes to bed at the end of a long day. Cool lyrics. Very catchy.

This is a splendid debut record, and for me a special one.