MIND THE SOUP

In 1999 in the small town of Kalajoki,Finland finds birth a new talented Finnish act named Jeavestone by four young musicians: Jim Goldworth (vocals, guitar), Mickey Maniac (guitar, vocals), Tommy Glorioso (bass) and Kingo (drums).With the addition of Angelina Galactique on flutes,keys and voices their sound became richer and the record a self-financed eponymous EP in 2001.Jeavestone toured Finland before the release of their first album ''Mind the soup'' in 2005.

At just 40 minutes,''Mind the soup'' is a good modern Art Rock/Prog album with diversity and energy.With changing heavier and calmer moments and a good dose of breaks in every track,Jeavestone manage to mix different styles such as Heavy Rock,Folk and Classic Prog,influenced by the likes of THE BEATLES, GENTLE GIANT, RUSH and even SPOCK'S BEARD.The majority of the compositions are short but always with rich musicianship,strong amount of dynamics and a vocal orientation.Speaking of vocals,these are quite great and come often in a polyphonic appearance with often a humourous edge.Very much guitar-driven with powerful grooves and short soloing,the tracks are often interrupted by acoustic calmness,complex keyboard parts and flute-driven delicacy to add this afore-mentioned diversity,which makes ''Mind the soup'' an enjoyable listening.The production is also a plus,being bright and clear all the way.

''Mind the soup'' leaves a sweet taste after its listening and it is an album well-played and produced,enough for the listener to keep an eye on the band.Modern prog of good quality and certainly recommended...3.5 stars.

This Finnish prog band deserves more attention as I'm sure many friends of energetic and uplifting Eclectic Prog would find their music interesting. Apps79's review from 2011 offers the basic information, I'll concentrate on the track-by-track approach. The opener is a riff-centred, hard rocking song with some resemblance to modern US prog. 'Beauty Contest' puts on a higher gear in the breath-taking playfulness, and one can get many associations from Beatles to Led Zeppelin to Jethro Tull, all in about three minutes.

High tempo song 'Crazy Madness' is acoustically oriented and has nice vocal harmonies, featuring also a guest appearance of Didgeridoo. It's followed by an instrumental joyride titled 'Extended Massive Orgasm' centred on electric guitar. Towards the end also organ sticks out. The next track is again very US-style, boogie-flavoured prog full of nice arranging details and tempo changes. Flute is a great bonus.

'Snowfall' starts in acalm, acoustic manner, but the sensitivity of singer-songwriter sort of mainstream rock is accompanied by edgier elements. 'Showpiece' mixes laid-back groove with energetic hard rock, and rollicking instrumental 'Stumbling Gigolos' has some wordless vocal harmonies. This far I have managed to avoid mentioning GENTLE GIANT, but 'A Prophet's Daydream' is such a great piece of multi-layered Eclectic Prog that Jeavestone must have a big appreciation to those British pioneers too, not just being influenced by modern, mainly American successors of the style.

A very strong debut, but perhaps too packed up with hectic rock drive for its own good. A little more eye on sophisticated details and to the emotional side of music would have turned this album into something very impressive.