SEE SEE THE SUN

I've to say beforehand that I've never been a fan of this particular band. Actually I did not hear of them before a couple of years ago. I purchased their debut here in review for the reason that I quite liked it after a few spins and because it's the one coming closest to the sound of early releases by seminal Prog bands like Genesis and Yes. Meanwhile nevertheless after listening to this album more often I come to the conclusion that there are good reasons why Kayak never became better known and stayed in the second row through all those years of their existence. The music here is clearly inspired mainly by Yes (keyboards, guitar, bass, vocal harmonies) but as well slightly by Banks' keyboard work. In "Lovely Luna" which is by far the best track I can also hear hints to Gentle Giant, especially in the initial vocal part. The biggest problem I'm having with most of their songs that they're just sounding to poppy to my ears. It's more or less like listening to a light version of classic Yes or Genesis, something I really don't have any need for I rather have problems with the lack of rock and dominance of pomp than with the lack of catchy and memorable melodies in classic symphonic Prog. Thus this band appears rather redundant to me but that's just my personal subjective impression. Nonetheless this is overall a very pleasant album and an enjoyable listen every now and then but I doubt a regular one. The musicianship presented by the band members is really excellent and the vocals are okay though I can't get crazy about them either. Lots of bombastic keyboard sound that should please quite a few Prog fans and I can recommend this debut to anyone looking for a poppier type of symphonic Prog. But I doubt that this one (as all others from their catalogue) can be considered an essential addition to any Prog collection.