PART TWO - EMOTIONAL CREATURES

Singer/songwriter meets prog rock? Well, that´s the impression this album gave after several spins. Not that the formula is mature: there are some tracks that are much more in the singer/songwriter vein while others are pure progressive. Anyway, it´s an interesting work and worth checking out. I was first atracted to this CD because the many famous special guests it includes, it is not everyday you see people like Nick D'Virgilio (Spock´s Beard), Geoff Downes (Asia), John Mitchell (Arena, Frost), Tony Levin (King Crimson, Peter Gabriel), Pete Trewavas (Marillion, Transatlantic), Gary Chandler (Jadis), Gavin Harrison (Porcupine Tree) and Martin Orford (IQ), among others, playing on the same record, is it? But they all act here like players only, for the CD is the brainchild of Steve Thorne, songwriter.

At first I must admit that this work did not appeal much to me. It seemed too modern and superficial. However, after repeated listenings I was able to understand that there was more than meets the eye (or ear). The guy knows how to craft fine tunes and give them the necessary arrangement and instrumentation to make it more than just ´songs´. Actually, as the name points out, this is a conceptual work, the second part of his Emotional Creatures, part 1. I didn´t hear any of his previous records, but this one is quite well done and perforned. It sounds simple, but it is not. Actually the CD demands the listener´s full atention to be fully appreciated. But it is worthwhile.

Conclusion: although I can´t say it is one of my favorite CDs, I must admit that Part Two: Emotional Creatures has its charm and so does his formula. As I said before, the mix does not always work, but he´s heading an interesting direction and I´m looking forward to hear his next albums. I hope that he can develop from here and come up with something unique. Promising. 3 stars.