Kategorie: CD-Reviews | Genre: Prog | Heft: Jahrgang 2013, eclipsed Nr. 153 / 9-2013 | VÖ-Jahr: 2013 | Wertung: 6/10 | Label: Just For Kicks | Autor: BSV
Mr. So & So have been active since the early nineties. But they had to survive a long dry spell until the album "Sugarstealer" was finally released in 2009. On their new work "Truth, Lies & Half Lies" the British didn't lose their sense for musicals. It is precisely because singer Shaun McGowan (no, not the Pogues' singer) and singer Charlotte Evans alternate and complement each other on the mic that this prog looks like theatre that has become music. That's not bad, but the vocals are so greasy over long stretches that it clouds the mood a little. Too bad, because Mr. So & So play fine Prog, which throws with ideas only so around itself, without being frickelig. In "Paperchase" the sudden hard rock guitars surprise. "Looking Glass is a piano ballad that makes you think of Kate Bush. Some short songs seem simple, while "Jingo" weaves an oriental-north african atmosphere with medieval flair and creaking guitars. "Compliance is a digital opera with a grand guitar finale. In spite of the fine arrangements even more would have been possible here.
Top Track: Compliance