MEN SINGING

The 2001 Henry Fool debut album was a quirky ride to say the least, featuring some zany arrangements delving into experimental zones of sonic conflict, a modern equivalent of Random Hold or even Quiet Sun, strangely both having Roxy Music's legendary Phil Manzanera as main artistic vehicle. So it will come as no surprise that the man is finally present on a couple of tracks on this the sophomore album, in a style reminiscent of his recent 'Firebird VII' release back in 2008. Once again, the musicians are led by bassist Peter Chilvers, keyboardist Steve Bennett, ex No Man axeman Michael Bearpark and reedman Myke Clifford, as well as Tim Bowness on vocals and guitars. Well Bowness is back but no microphone for him, as this is an all-instrumental affair, adding drummer Andrew Booker and keys guy Jarrod Gosling (no relation to Ryan). There are 4 tracks on this short release, evenly timed as two 13 minute + jobs and two 6 minute and such pieces.

So what is it like, you ask? A smoother, more groovy set of tunes, very British, very quirky once again, with loads of stellar interplay, a serious dedication to modern atmospherics colliding with a resilient Canterbury tinge whilst dabbling unashamed in sonic lunacy. 'Everyone in Sweden' is a near 14 minute frolic, immediately catchy a la Soft Machine, with loads of assorted keys rippling through the bass/drum shuffle, flashy Manzanera riffs cleverly overlaying the auditory carpet. You have it all eddying nicely with churning organ, whistling synths, tingling piano, brooding mellotron walls and some sexy saxophone blurts, dedicated to send you into buzzland. Simply sensational progressive rock and classic British jazz-rock coalescing into a tremendous swirl of creative sound and blessed fury. The bass in particular does some dazzling settlings of account with Clifford's squawking brass arsenal, Bennett and Gosling laying down some nasty symphonic bliss, recalling at times, old and early instrumental King Crimson (led by the mighty Mel Collins). It is becoming increasingly rare to find a track that can alternate pace and mood with such seeming ease, creating dense atmospherics that are most inspiring. The effect is a curious mixture of avant-garde and old school, expertly played and brilliantly arranged. Manzanera's distinct guitar rasp adorns the title track. Intensely luxuriant, almost menacing 'Men Signing' has a more cinematographic feel, with the mellotron front and center, coerced by a pulsating beat and slashed by a Manzanera special, full of astute guitar sounds and ingenious timbres, delivered with such methodical grace and effortless precision. The track literally cooks with fervent urgency and electric dedication. So you wonder about Brit humour? Well it's still alive and well if one glances at the next two titles 'My Favorite Zombie' and the longer 'Chic Hippo'. The first is a stranger piece, led as it is by an insistent and omnipresent mellotron, a twofold guitar attack from Bearpark and Bowness, a gruesome bass pounding display and some confused drumming, all establishing a slightly schizoid sagacity of imbalance. It's hard edged in an unconventional sense, truly unsettling! 'Chic Hippo' is a portlier piece led by a scouring violin courtesy of Steve Bingham, as Chilvers burps with authority, aided by Booker's two-fisted slam and percussive genius. The trumpet squeezes out demonic restraint, with buzzsaw guitars mowing down the guilty. When an e-piano flutter enters the ring, things just get kookier, almost dissonant and nearly weird by previous standards, with echoes of grand musical schemes painting the air. Again quite experimental and 'recherché', the boys are seeking out dense pastures and infusing with brilliant musings in enticing the listener into their world of 'singing men'.

Fans of the afore-mentioned bands will flock to this mellotron and sax mixture, in my mind a clear step-up from their debut, which was highly regarded by prog fans. Subtle and deranged sounds from clearly imaginative artists certainly deserve our attention and applause. Bloody marvelous!

5 Male vocalists