TRUTH BUTTON

The new Progressive Rock! This week I've reviewed two CD's of two different bands (the other one being Half Past Four) that show how Progressive Rock can go forward and yet, looking into the past, with style and originality.

KingBathmat is an English band and Truth Button (2012) is their 6th album. And it seems that the Alternative Rock really plays an important role in today's Prog music, cause we see it more and more in 00's groups. The band recorded the album with a quartet this time: John Bassett (vocals and bass), Lee Sulsh (guitars), Bernie Smirnoff (drums) and David Georgiou (keyboards).

Initially released in June of 2012 independently by the band, Truth Button (2012) was re-released later in January 2013 by StereoHead Records and it is a 'weird' collection of 6 tracks in almost 50 minutes. Why weird? Because the band achieved a fusion of different styles inside Progressive Rock like Alternative Rock, Psychedelia, Experimental Rock and even? Grunge!?!

Truth Button (2012) is also a concept album, it deals with an underlying theme of technophobia and social disconnection due to the ever-growing trivial use of modern technology of our times.

The opening track 'Behind The Wall' has all the guitars from the 90's Alternative Rock but mixed with melodic passages while the second one 'Abintra' is very heavy with a doom feeling and very weird vocals. While the two first tracks were a bit more on the heavy side, 'Book Of Faces' is more Prog in the common sense, at least in the first minutes. Then it becomes a healthy mess.

In the 'second part' of the album we have 'The End Of Evolution' with a few 'modern' touches and for me a low point on the album. 'Dives And Pauper' return with the KingBathmat sound and the epic titled 'Coming To Terms With Mortality In The Face Of Insurmountable Odds' closes the album in high style.

KingBathmat is not so easy to digest and at the same time catchy and full of good melodies. It takes some time to get used to John Bassett vocals too, but as soon as you do Truth Button (2012) comes very natural to the ears. Sometimes the tracks may seem a bit too long but it changes with a few listens. The band proves that it is possible nowadays to be experimental and drink heavy doses of Progressive Rock but at the same time have Heavy Guitars, a tight Rock n' Roll sound borrowed from the 90's and lots of singable melodies.

Truth Button (2012) is a proof that experience acquired after 6 albums and 10 years of playing and not being afraid of trying new approaches can give you big and beautiful fruits on your tree. In KingBathmat case this fruit is Truth Button (2012).