COLOURATURA

As with their last album, the core of the band is still the trio of Ian Beabout (backing vocals, microKORG synth, flute, field recordings, Theremin, lead vocals), Nathan James (bass, lead vocals, backing vocals, keyboard & synths, acoustic guitar), and Derek Pavlic (guitars, viola, Mellotron & synths, glockenspiel, vocoder) along with a few guests. They are deemed by PA to be crossover, but here it is more in what they are doing as opposed to the crossover genre itself as here they are bringing in neo along with a healthy dose of the blues and reality which gives the music a real edge and presence. This does not seem like a modern recording at all, as there is something about it which cries analogue as opposed to digital and playing a download just seems wrong as this should be vinyl, nothing less. It is impossible to express just how important the realism is to this album, as one get the impression of the guys being in the studio and just hitting record as opposed to scrutinising every last note and then sanitising the death out of it. This is music which has been allowed to breathe and move in whatever direction it needs to.

It is a very songs-based release, but one never knows where it is going to go so consequently one stays interested throughout as there is a real passion at play, a desire to do what they want to as opposed to attempting to fit inside any particular box. This is a step up from their last release in every way, as the band cross the genres to create something quite different to the rest of what is being released in the genre. Hopefully, when I come to write about their next release mine will not be the only reviews on PA ? they certainly deserve far more attention than they appear to be receiving.

One of the delights of the last album was the way they moved through multiple different styles which made it almost impossible to review, and that is very much the same here as while for the most part this is a more sedate release, they are again not content to sit in one particular area and surely that is what progressive music is all about? Here is prog as a concept as opposed to a straight musical genre. There are times when they use a lot of acoustic guitars and mix in folk influences in a way which feels like very early Seventies yet with more polished production. The arrangements are clever in that they are never overdone and there is plenty of space within the music which allows Nathan's vocals to be direct and supported but never overwhelmed. The emotional pain and suffering within "Shepherd's Throne" is clear as the protagonist realises that by killing another he will never get to heaven.

This release has a lot of depth within, and it certainly pays to listen to this on headphones and pay close attention to what is taking place. It is an album with plenty of dark and light, both musically and lyrically, and is all the better for that. This band has passed many people by, about time that was corrected.

So let's start by hanging some labels on this thing shall we? People like labels. So, there's some Zappa, yes definitely Zappa, jazz, psychedelia, funk, krautrock, oooh Cardiacs, mustn't forget Cardiacs, folk, um, kitchen sink, cuddly toy. Must have missed something somewhere. But, the joy of this album is that when it is being played it all makes total sense, and all I want to do when it is finished is to put it on again! It may be incredibly diverse, but not in the way that these guys have pulled it together. Apparently this is the second release from the band, who comprise just Nathan James (voice, keyboards, bass, horn) and Ian Beabout (flute, editing, sound design and production) and some assorted guests, which includes Dave Newhouse from The Muffins among others. The use of brass instruments of different types work incredibly well, and there is a passion, lightness and sense of fun throughout this album which makes it a real joy. This is music with no preconceived ideas or formula, just being taken where it needs to go. If I had my arm twisted behind my back and was asked for a simple subgenre then I would have to plump for crossover prog, but as it is meant to be defined, as there is a real musicality and melody that pervades the whole album.

Available in multiple formats, this is a delight, and the fractured beauty of 'Photograph' is required listening for anyone who is fed up with created pop stars. In some alternate universe it is #1 on the charts.