TINYFISH

If you're seeking to swell your CD collection with yet another modern prog act, who bow down to the alter of the symphonic masters, then this is probably not for you. However, if you're looking for something fresh, powerful and original, this could be just the ticket. Numerous members of this London based five piece, first cut their teeth, in numerous shapes and guises in the neo hayday of the 80's. Despite this, the eponymous debut album from Tinyfish, plays through with an energy and enthusiam, more synonomous with artists in their mid to late 20's. To my mind this is high quality art rock, which arguably combines some of the commercial elements of 'Synchronicity' era Police, with the hard rock and intelligent, though down to Earth conceptualising of early 80's Rush. The band cites a long list of influences on their 'Myspace' page, ranging from The Cardiacs and XTC to Genesis and King Crimson, but Tinyfish have actually carved out their own signature sound, which only disreetly nods towards a few of these IMO. It's fair to say there is mild post Waters Floyd influence in the impressive slow melodic guitar playing from Simon Godfrey.

I was fortunate enough to have been leant a pre-mastered copy of the album, by the band, so I've had the best part of a year to get to grips with the songs. It's an impressive collection, and one of those albums where there are no duff tracks, no time wasters and no filler. This is quality art rock, by a band who know how to pen excellent vocal melodies, memorable riffs and intelligent lyrics. Keyboards are replaced by synth guitar, which serves to embellish the music, rather than dominate it.

A healthy balance is struck between the accessable hard rock of tracks like 'Too High for Low Company' 'God eat God' and the brilliant 'Motorville' and the more conceptual and lengthy 'All Hands Lost' and 'Nine Months on Fire'. The shorter tracks, with the right marketing machinary, and air play, would make excellent single releases and great adverts for the album. There are also fine passages of ambience which seem to combine the darkness of Radiohead with the beauty of Pink Floyd, this is notable in the outro title track, when Godfreys Gilmour-esque lead guitar really caught my attention. Like all good prog there is an undercurrent of melancholy in the music, especially in 'Fly Like a Bird' and 'All Hands Lost' and running through the whole album is, what can only be described as a sense of conspiracy and paranoia, which makes the whole package ever more seductive and intriguing. The songs are earnest, and dark in sentiment, but never depressing, and always heartfelt.

I look forward to seeing Tinyfish play live, and wish them a lengthy and prolific career. Excellent stuff, highly reccomended!