| Band
Members: |
Steve Thorne / lead vocals, acoustic,
electric and 12-string guitar, bass, keyboards, percussion |
Paul Cook / drums on 1, 3 and 8
|
| The
Review |
Steve Thorne is a newcomer to the world of progressive
rock. With "Emotional Creatures Part One" he has produced
an excellent debut of the highest quality. What we have here
is a sophisticated and carefully produced collection of fresh,
contemporary songs. Thorne's voice and acoustic guitar have
a folky singer-songwriter style, but the music is firmly in
the tradition of English progressive rock. To these ears,
this is a winning combination. ***
The high quality of musicianship and production on this
album is helped by an all-star cast of helping hands, all
of whom do a predictably great job. Peter Gabriel and King
Crimson bassist and Stick player Tony Levin plays on two tracks,
I.Q. maestro Martin Orford (he has always put himself about
a bit!) contributes some keyboards and flute, Spocks Beard
drummer Nick D'Virgilio, other members of I.Q. and Jadis,
the list goes on. Throw in a bit of early and new Marillion,
maybe some Genesis and Jethro Tull, and you have some idea
of the territory Thorne is in. ***
However this is a strong album with its own identity.
Lovers of good songwriting will appreciate Thorne's style,
and there are also more than enough instrumental passages
to keep the more purist "progressive rock" listener entertained.
Steve himself plays a wide range of instruments throughout
the album, and credit is due to the talents of the man himself,
even though the other musicians and producer Rob Aubrey contribute
significantly to the end result. ***
After an atmospheric opening track, the first song is
"God Bless America", a track that may upset some patriotic
American listeners. Thorne paints an ironic, if not downright
sarchastic, picture of America as seen from an Englishman's
point of view. Other songs explore such themes as cocaine
abuse, emotional loss and the passing of time. The instrumental
end section of "Ten Years" is as good as any by the old masters,
with a spacious and full sound. The instrumental "Every Second
Counts" rocks, with an interesting use of keyboards and effects
by Steve himself, a great track. The album finishes on a mellow
note of beautiful sadness with "Goodbye", Thorne playing everything
on this one. ***
Steve has supported Jadis many times over the last few
years, and is currently on tour with Pendragon for their 2006
European tour. According to his website, "Emotional Creatures
Part Two" is already well on the way and I for one look forward
to hearing this. Steve Thorne is of one of the most accomplished
new progressive talents to have emerged in the last few years.
http://www.timburness.com
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