A Tidy Trio.
Karnataka - The Gathering Light; Panic Room - Satellite;
The Reasoning - Adverse Camber.
Typical.
You're anticipating the 2010 release of that modern melodic prog album you've heard about, and three of the buggers turn up within months of each other...
In February the Welsh progressive rock band Karnataka released their fourth studio album 'The Gathering Light', seven years after their last studio release, and featuring only one musician associated with the previous trio of studio albums.
But of course there was a pretty good Reasoning for that, and not a little Panic prior to it's release...
Karnataka have been responsible for some of the best modern prog over the last decade with music that includes Celtic influences and soaring prog soundscapes, and a core personnel within the quintet of ever-presents Ian Jones on bass, vocalist Rachel Jones, and keyboard player Jonathan Edwards.
By the time of their highly acclaimed third album, 'Delicate Flame of Desire', they had become a six piece, with the permanent addition of multi instrumentalist and vocalist Anne-Marie Helder.
However the group disbanded in 2004 due to "unforeseen personal circumstances", and four of the five Karnataka musicians, including Helder, went on to form 'Panic Room' in 2007...
Panic Room's debut 'Visionary Position' featured a more diverse range of influences than Karnataka, from alt-rock, to eastern rhythms and themes, to Celtic laments, and although 'pre-release' versions of the follow up were available in December 2009, it was January 2010 when their second album 'Satellite' was officially released (including a Special Edition available through the band's website that includes a bonus four track CD).
Satellite was a musical shift to a far more accessible, almost mainstream sound, with the opening numbers - the pacey light rock of 'Freedom to Breathe' and the slightly slower tempo of 'Picking Up Knives' - setting the tone.
There is more familiar territory (as regards the ex-Karnataka musicians 'previous') on display with songs such as the ballad 'The Fall', and the closing title track which is a real grower.
This is a very nice little album, but that's not to say Satellite is a predictable two-dimensional 'light rock songs and ballads album' - the quirky 'I am a Cat' and the rockier 'Black Noise' are nice changes of pace, and there is always the heavy gothic-esque rock of 'Dark Star' to shake the progwebs off...
Karnataka - The Gathering Light; Panic Room - Satellite;
The Reasoning - Adverse Camber.
Typical.
You're anticipating the 2010 release of that modern melodic prog album you've heard about, and three of the buggers turn up within months of each other...
In February the Welsh progressive rock band Karnataka released their fourth studio album 'The Gathering Light', seven years after their last studio release, and featuring only one musician associated with the previous trio of studio albums.
But of course there was a pretty good Reasoning for that, and not a little Panic prior to it's release...
Karnataka have been responsible for some of the best modern prog over the last decade with music that includes Celtic influences and soaring prog soundscapes, and a core personnel within the quintet of ever-presents Ian Jones on bass, vocalist Rachel Jones, and keyboard player Jonathan Edwards.
By the time of their highly acclaimed third album, 'Delicate Flame of Desire', they had become a six piece, with the permanent addition of multi instrumentalist and vocalist Anne-Marie Helder.
However the group disbanded in 2004 due to "unforeseen personal circumstances", and four of the five Karnataka musicians, including Helder, went on to form 'Panic Room' in 2007...
Panic Room's debut 'Visionary Position' featured a more diverse range of influences than Karnataka, from alt-rock, to eastern rhythms and themes, to Celtic laments, and although 'pre-release' versions of the follow up were available in December 2009, it was January 2010 when their second album 'Satellite' was officially released (including a Special Edition available through the band's website that includes a bonus four track CD).
Satellite was a musical shift to a far more accessible, almost mainstream sound, with the opening numbers - the pacey light rock of 'Freedom to Breathe' and the slightly slower tempo of 'Picking Up Knives' - setting the tone.
There is more familiar territory (as regards the ex-Karnataka musicians 'previous') on display with songs such as the ballad 'The Fall', and the closing title track which is a real grower.
This is a very nice little album, but that's not to say Satellite is a predictable two-dimensional 'light rock songs and ballads album' - the quirky 'I am a Cat' and the rockier 'Black Noise' are nice changes of pace, and there is always the heavy gothic-esque rock of 'Dark Star' to shake the progwebs off...
Meanwhile in 2005 Rachel Jones joined The Reasoning, a Cardiff based band being formed by bass player Matthew Cohen, with the core of the band becoming the Cohen's (Rachel having married Matthew) and Dylan Thompson on guitars - thus far the ever presents throughout The Reasoning's recording and performing life.
Their debut album 'Awakening' was edgy, featured a number of songs heading in the direction of melodic prog metal, and was a solid start, my only gripe being the fact that Rachel Cohen was not featured nearly enough (there were three featured vocalists in the band at this point).
The second album 'Dark Angel' was overall a little heavier than the similar sounding debut, and while not a step back was not a step forward in my opinion.
It has its moments though, including two of their best songs to date - the delightful little number 'Breaking the 4th Wall' and the excellent 'A Musing Dream' which closes the album.
However in 2010 'Adverse Camber' presented The Reasoning at their best, with stronger songs, better arrangements, and a musically solid seven piece line-up (the band were previously a sextet) now including additional vocalist Maria Owen.
It certainly takes its lead from the previous two albums, and indeed opens in similar style with a rock driven number to grab the attention (this year's model being 'Diamonds and Leather') but Adverse Camber expands musically from its predecessors and offers a little more, whilst still retaining a melodic 'metal-Lite' prog structure.
Indeed it leaves you wanting a little more too, as not one of the six tracks featured are over eight minutes, which is a pleasant breath of fresh prog air as many bands tend to 'fill' a CD album these days, or over-extend a song to self indulgence.
While songs such as 'The Nobody Effect' and the closer '14' are probably more likely to be fan favourites with their melodic prog themes and heavier riff-based excursions, it's the primarily lighter melodies of 'Through The Now' that's the highlight for me, and features both Rachel Cohen and Dylan Thompson on vocals...
And so to Karnataka.
Bass player Ian Jones started to rebuild the band in 2005, although there were many personnel changes around the core trio of Jones, keyboard player Gonzalo Carrera and singer Lisa Fury.
By 2008 the line-up was stable and performing, with Karnataka's 'comeback' album finally released in February 2010.
The panic amongst fans was, of course, the concern that it wouldn't work - and would it even be Karnataka. Indeed, should it even be Karnataka?
As regards the latter, I do have a problem with individuals who re-use a name more for 'brand' purposes than band purposes, but here there was a clear musical exception - Jones wanted to express the sound and themes of the original Karnataka, whilst progressing and extending the bands career with a new set of musicians. In that regard, he certainly succeeded...
This is a very good band, The Gathering Light is a fine album, and special mention must go to both Italian guitarist Enrico Pinna (the standout performer for me) and vocalist Lisa Fury (who has a remarkable vocal resemblance to Judie Tzuke, and that's no bad thing in my Tzuke book).
Although receiving high praise and excellent reviews in the world of prog, and Rick Wakeman commented "British prog doesn't get much better than this...", it's not quite the complete package in my opinion.
The beautiful but far too short opener 'The Calling', featuring guest musician Troy Donockley on Uillean pipes, is over before it's begun and is therefore quickly 'lost' to the following track, the excellent band instrumental 'State of Grace' featuring the talents of the aforementioned Mr Pinna...
There are no poor songs here but a couple of the tracks, while pleasant, never rise above the modern melodic prog norm for me.
However when they deliver with songs such as 'The Serpent and the Sea' (not just a great Karnataka song but a great song, period) and the superb 'Forsaken' it's hard to fault, and The Gathering Light is clear evidence that the 'Karnataka sound' is alive and well.
Personally, I would have preferred to see Jones & Company go with the name 'Karnataka II' to pay homage to what had gone before and provide a little identity for the 'new' band, but the bottom line is good music is good music.
While most reviewers and fans bask in The Gathering Light, I have to admit that of the three 2010 albums touched on here, all from primarily Welsh, or Welsh based, bands, Adverse Camber is the one that works best for me, with The Reasoning having delivered their best album to date.
It may not be as instantly accessible as Satellite, or have the polish of 'Light', but it has an edginess to it which simply suits my muirsical sensibilities more.
But, when all is sung and done, it's a tick in each of the three prog boxes.
Tidy.
However when they deliver with songs such as 'The Serpent and the Sea' (not just a great Karnataka song but a great song, period) and the superb 'Forsaken' it's hard to fault, and The Gathering Light is clear evidence that the 'Karnataka sound' is alive and well.
Personally, I would have preferred to see Jones & Company go with the name 'Karnataka II' to pay homage to what had gone before and provide a little identity for the 'new' band, but the bottom line is good music is good music.
While most reviewers and fans bask in The Gathering Light, I have to admit that of the three 2010 albums touched on here, all from primarily Welsh, or Welsh based, bands, Adverse Camber is the one that works best for me, with The Reasoning having delivered their best album to date.
It may not be as instantly accessible as Satellite, or have the polish of 'Light', but it has an edginess to it which simply suits my muirsical sensibilities more.
But, when all is sung and done, it's a tick in each of the three prog boxes.
Tidy.
Footnote:
On May 18th 2010, only a matter of days after the above review/s, Karnataka drummer Ian Harris confirmed that he, singer Lisa Fury, and keyboard player Gonzalo Carrera were no longer part of Karnataka, "with immediate effect."
'Karnataka III', anyone?
Ross Muir
May 2010
Note: The audio tracks are presented to accompany the above reviews.
No infringement of copyright is intended.
On May 18th 2010, only a matter of days after the above review/s, Karnataka drummer Ian Harris confirmed that he, singer Lisa Fury, and keyboard player Gonzalo Carrera were no longer part of Karnataka, "with immediate effect."
'Karnataka III', anyone?
Ross Muir
May 2010
Note: The audio tracks are presented to accompany the above reviews.
No infringement of copyright is intended.