IN A PERFECT WORLD

In A Perfect World, album number four from Karmakanic, while being a solid effort pretty much finds the band treading water and is somewhat of a disappointment after the excellent Who's The Boss In The Factory?

It's business as usual as they churn out more Flower Kings like (not surprising given band leader Jonas Reingold's also a member of that band) modern symphonic prog though with a more commercial approach at times. The epic Send A Message From The Heart was a great opener and career highlight on the last album. They try it again here with 1969, some Yes influences coming through, but it lacks the strong melodies and exciting instrumental work of the former and has to be content with being just above average and never really takes off. There are stronger moments however with Turn It Up having an insistent melody and The World Is Caving In after a quiet start turns into quite a powerful piece. Can't take It With You combines latin influences with heavier elements to quite good effect. When Fear Came To Town from a tedious acoustic opening, despite its ten minute length never really goes anywhere as it develops into a mellow and tasteful instrumental.....and so it goes, you get the idea.

Overall an average album from great musicians but with nothing to set it above hundreds of other modern symphonic albums it's unlikely to widen Karmakanic's fanbase to any great extent. 2 ½ stars.