|
|
"With "Nemesis", Cairo explores the world of progressive music in a fairly classic but also rather eclectic way, successfully varying styles."
|
4/5
|
|
|
|
More than six years after a very well-crafted "Say", Cairo are back together again, with the only change being the replacement of the singer, as Sarah Bailey has taken over from Rachel Hill at the microphone. "Nemesis", with its splendid, self-explanatory cover, explores the territory of a progressive universe that is fairly classic but also rather eclectic, successfully varying styles.
In contrast to the previous album, the most energetic tracks are not the most successful: 'Trip Wire', rather pop-rock, goes round in circles despite its catchy chorus with its "wo-ouh-woh", and 'Rogue' appears a little simplistic. The lively 'Jumping on the Moon' escapes criticism, however, thanks to its personnality.
On the other hand, on the ballads or more typically progressive tracks, the English band comes off better, in a kind of treasure hunt where connoisseurs of the genre will recognize familiar figures: Porcupine Tree on the highly successful opener 'Asleep at the Wheel', whose opening strongly evokes the 'Blackest Eyes' from "In Abstentia", Vangelis in the "Albedo 0.39" period on the all-keyboard instrumental 'Save the Earth', for example. There's a touch of Mike + the Mechanics in the intro to 'Deja Vu' and the verses of the terminal 'Nemesis', set against a back of electronic percussion. And there's Mostly Autumn (well, a Mostly Autumn that's found an imaginative drummer...) on the piano-female vocals of 'The Love', as well as on 'Deja Vu', where James Hards' voice and guitar are reminiscent of Brian Josh. Further afield, the presence of John Mitchell (Arena), co-producer of the record (a safety factor for the sound...), can be felt on the guitar intervention of 'New Beauty' or the album's final solo - a track that could well have featured in Lonely Robot's discography.
In such good company, "Nemesis" is a pleasure to listen to. Not necessarily very original, but cleverly varied, it confirms the qualities of Cairo's first album. Worth (re)discovering! - Official website
|
|
|
|
|
TRACK LISTING:
01. Asleep At The Wheel
02. Trip Wire
03. Glow
04. Rogue
05. The Love
06. New Beauty
07. Déjà vu
08. Jumping On The Moon
09. Save The Earth
10. Nemesis
LINEUP:
Graham Brown: Batterie
James Hards: Chant
Paul Stocker: Basse
Rob Cottingham: Chant / Claviers
Sarah Bayley: Chant
|
|
| |
|
(0) MIND(S) FROM OUR READERS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Top of the page
|
| |
|
|
(0) COMMENT(S)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
READERS
4/5 (2 view(s))
|
STAFF:
3.7/5 (3 view(s))
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
IN RELATION WITH CAIRO (UK)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
OTHER REVIEWS
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|