CUTTING ROOM FLOOR

Where did these guys get there name from, 'Kino' means 'cinema ' in German!? Anyway, the music has no secrets delivering a very melodic and catchy blend of pop and rock with some progressive tendencies. It's not really my cup of tea but I have to admit that the nine compositions (live and demo) sound very tastefully arranged (from propulsive up-tempo to dreamy ballads) featuring lots of vocal harmonies, wonderful guitar soli (from sensitive to fiery) and pleasant keyboard contributions (piano, strings, synthesizers, organ). The vocals remind me at some moments of Peter Gabriel solo but more polished. My favorite on this CD is Say You Will (at about 15 minutes) featuring a varied climate, from mellow with warm vocals, acoustic guitar and soaring keyboards to harder-edged with biting electric guitar and powerful organ waves. The final song Parade is a cover of the late Kevin Gilbert, it starts with acoustic rhythm guitar and melancholical vocals and ends with moving electric guitar work. If you like the commercial pop-prog sound of Asia, post-Hackett Genesis, some 'Hogarth' Marillion or It Bites (keyboard player John Beck is a member of Kino), this CD could appeal to you.