Kino is another super band, consisting of players from Marillion, Arena and It Bites including ex-Porcupine Tree drummer. I'm always a little doubting about these kinds of projects, but this time my worries were in vain. In true progressive rock vein, the album needs some relistening, but then it suddenly kicks in.

For me the album's highlights are the album opener "Loser's day parade" which flows nicely through dissonating rock-riffs to beautiful harmonies. "Telling me to tell you" refreshes the soundscape just in the right spot... and then there's a radio hit song (as much as it can be on this genre) "Perfect tense", that's full of great melodies and harmonies, maybe even too overwhelmingly to someone. Overall, Kino has created an album which is harmony rich and full of tasteful playing.

The music is fortified with production and arrangements that it deserves. John Mitchell's vocals was the biggest surprise for me. Though they are quite processed, they sound pleasing, even so much that I find his work more compelling than the vocalist of his main band Arena. Maybe the mix of the album lacks some definition and brightness every now and then, but I think it's probably caused by the extensive use of brilliant harmonies. Mastering is done professionally without squeezing the final decibels out of the mix.

I think this album is and will be one of the best progressive rock albums for this year. I hope this band won't be just a one album miracle.

Release date: 28.02.2005

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- TINK (10.02.2005)

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LINE-UP:
Trewavas, Pete: Bass Beck, John: Keyboards Maitland, Chris: Drums Mitchell, John: Guitar & Vocals
Producer:	Unavailable
Mixing by:	Unavailable
Mastering by:	Unavailable

	TRACKLIST:
	01. Losers Day Parade 02. Letting Go 03. Telling Me to Tell You 04. Swimming in Women 05. People 06. All You See 07. Perfect Tense 08. Room for Two 09. Holding on 10. Picture