EMOTIONAL CREATURES - PART ONE

I love it, A bit prog, a bit folk but brilliant lyrics and good vocals. Love the instrumental with Tony levins chapman stick, but my favorite track is gone. Not much of a review, more of an opinion really.

Excelent lyrics, very good vocals and instrumental. The Genesis and Gabriel inspiration is obvious, but let's be honest, it's very hard to make good prog music without sounding a bit like these classics. Just an opinion...

Not every unknown musician manages to present such an impressive list of known progrock guest musicians as Steve Thorne: Nick D'Virgilio, Geoff Downes, Tony Levin and members from IQ (Martin Offord, John Jowitt and Paul Cook) and Jadis (Gary Chandler), welcome on Steve Thorne his debut CD! The biography mentions that singer/songwriter Steve Thorne comes from the southern part of England, over the years he has played in venues across the country both as a solo performer as the founding member of Colony Earth and The Salamander Project. More recently he has stepped 'off the island' to support Jadis on tour in the UK and Europe (Belgium, Germany, Holland and Spain). Steve was well received and gained much praise. The record company Giant Electric Pea (IQ) mentions on this solo-CD influences from folk and Peter Gabriel, Rush, Genesis, Jethro Tull to Tears And Fears. Well, I can trace a lot of these bands and artists on Steve Thorne his album "Emotional Creatures: Part One" but I have to say that his music is not an ordinary rip-off. Steve has written 11 very beautiful and elaborated songs that are scouting the borders between folk, pop and progressive rock. It's obvious that Steve is a singer/songwriter: lots of acoustic guitar, strong vocals and interesting lyrics (like the cynical "God Bless America") but the creative way he integrates lots of instruments in music, reminds me of Peter Gabriel. At some moments Steve sounds like Gabriel (especially in "Every Seconds Counts" featuring Tony Levin on his distinctive stick) but without copying him. Using many members of IQ, it's not very surprising that we can discover elements of this famous neo-progrock band like in "Ten Years" (a mellow IQ). Although this is not a progrock album in the vein of Pink Floyd, ELP of Genesis, this fine debut-CD from Steve Thorne has delightened me. Steve is a great and very creative musician who makes music from his heart, using his brain for the balance!

There are several influences in this CD, but early Marillion with Fish on vocal is the impression I got. This is especially clear on "The Last Line" about cocaine addiction that sounds very reminscent of the Marillion songs on "Misplaced Childhood" or "Clutching at Straws". I agree that it's hard to to prog rock without sounding like someone. Since I loved the original Marillion I think this is a great addition to my collection. The intensity of the lyrics are pretty variable, from a silly tongue in cheek political statement like Asia used to write in "God Bless America" to calming ballads. I find the variety of styles refreshing and the quality of musicianship excellent. I hope there's a Vol. 2!

I love this cd. Very good lyrics and vocals. I think the seventh song Every Second Counts is the best on this cd and Gone- great solo! Not so prog but very interesting and spiritual cd. I'll give four stars to this.

This album is OK but on the whole a bit disappointing, the vocals and musicianship are good, but the overall feel of the album is that of a winter's rainy day, rather miserable and a little boring.

The songs are all rather similar in feel and the subject matter is also rather repetitive with a melancholy air about them.

There is little change of dynamics on the album, and for what they are allowed to contribute, the guest artists might as well not be there. JADIS fans buying this CD because of the presence of Gary Chandler, will be disappointed.

This album could have been so much better with move variation in song subject and dynamics.

This is the debut album of Steve Thorne,a rather accesible album for al the fans of prog rock or even rock in general.It contains some good melodies,very carefully built musical arrangement,Thorne's vocals are also quite good with a wide range of emotions but the problem is it's not progressive at all...no time signatures,no complex structures,no breaks,just straightforward songs with a variety of styles...A simply good effort but this guy shows that he has talent for much more prog situations...

Part 1 Emotional Creatures

Road technician goes his own way, as Steve Thorne spent many years as a Pendragon concert stalwart and courageously embarked on a prolific solo career, with a little help from his many friends and musical acquaintances. There is a bevy of illustrious names that most fans will recognize Paul Cook, Martin Orford and John Jowitt of IQ, the Jadis crew are all here with the addition of Gary Chandler and Steve Christey , drummer Nick D'Virgilio of Spocks Beard as well as Geoff Downes of Asia and the inimitable Tony Levin. Not a bad lineup ! Thorne's singing style appears to veer near Fish territory, albeit a mellower version than the wild Scotsman, poignant lyrics and passionate vocals are his main signatures. Upon first spin, the perception is confusing because it is surely far from "deep" acts such as Porcupine Tree or the other bands mentioned above whose members guest here. You need to listen to this a few times and then suddenly conclude that many of the songs bloom like a fine wine, enticing the sonic palate with lingering staying power. Both "Ten Years" and "Julia" are exceptional pieces that I discovered only after hearing them incrusted in my brain while working, unaware at first of their impact. On the masterful "Gone" bassist John Jowitt (of IQ, Arena and Jadis fame) shows why he is so highly touted and revered in the prog community, his Rickenbacker dueling with a fretless bass in some tribal demonstration of presence and power. His handling of both is dizzying, certainly a unique display of the "basso profundo" at its best. (I will state it again ad nauseam, that prog bassists are gleaming as well as creative, twisting not only technique but tone as well). The other jewel here is the gut wrenching anti-cocaine anthem "Last Line", a rousing and bitter rant against the ravages of blow, with imperative lyrics and disturbing vocals. This is primo stuff that defies being ignored, a passionate tirade against this evil powder. "Therapy" is another grower, a prog ballad that shines lusciously and remains hummable after only a few spins. Days later, it remains moored in the shores of my memory bank. The sweeping mandolin caressed "Tumbleweeds" is also an extremely pleasant ride, emitting overt folk tendencies that wink at Guy Manning. The sarcastic "God Bless America" wanders into anti-Bush territory first explored by colleagues IQ on the quirky "Harvest of Souls" from Dark Matter, walking the thin line between loving and hating the USA (it's always been the government not the people, yanks!). Everything is delicately appealing, great production, astounding artwork from Tony Lythgoe and sizzling playing by all the invitees who strive not to overshadow the delicacy of Thorne's songs. This is personal music that will charm and seduce the casual listener as well as a fine example of the successful simplicity of prog . Ideal escape when you need not challenge your ears and mind to excruciating complexity and just want to float in succulent serenity. Very unexpected and very impressed, I am! 4 arousing spikes.

This was a pleasant surprise to say the least. Steve Thorne is a name i've seen over the years helping out bands as a session musician or guest. Anyway this is his first solo album and he's brought in a lot of help. Orford, Cook and Jowitt from IQ,Tony Levin, Geoff Downes, all of JADIS, Nick D'Virgilio and more. Despite all the guests here Steve is the focus with his appealing vocals and great song writing. By the way the cover art here is perfect for the album title. So well done. I'd love to have that blown up and on my wall. I was surprised at how often I though of MARILLION here, Ken Baird also came to mind several times.

"Here They Come" opens with a music box then sounds that are almost the direct opposite including marching styled drums. "God Bless America" is my least favourite lyrically. I like my neighbours to the south. Anyway the song is led by acoustic guitar and vocals. Some good flute too. "Well Outta That" opens with strummed guitar and synths as these urgent vocals come in. Maybe theatrical is the word. He reminds me of Fish at times here. It turns more powerful as the drums become more prominant. Contrasts continue. It kind of spacey before 4 minutes as it settles to the end. "Ten Years" is one of my favourites. Acoustic guitar and fragile vocals along with background synths. It turns fuller then settles again with those haunting synths as contrasts continue. The atmosphere is incredible.

"Last Line" opens with strummed guitar as vocals join in.They get passionate before it kicks in. An emotional track. Organ 2 1/2 minutes in as drums pound. "Julia" is mellow early on then it kicks in at a minute. So moving. Contrasts continue. An aggressive section with vocal melodies late. "Therapy" is such a feel good song. It ends with sampled words and a spacey soundscape. "Every Second Counts" opens where the last song left off with atmosphere and spoken words. A beat is included then it kicks in before 2 minutes. Nice. Some guitar too 4 minutes in.It ends as it began. "Tumbleweeds" opens with acoustic guitar,synths and vocals. It does get fuller but this is all about the lyrics. "Gone" opens with strummed guitar, bass, drums and vocals. It kicks in heavily after a minute as contrasts continue. "Goodbye" opens with some beautiful acoustic guitar melodies as reserved vocals join in. Synths too. The atmosphere is powerful 3 minutes in to the end. Gulp. Birds come in singing reminding me of the gorgeous cover art.

A very solid 4 stars. Highly recommended.