Xinema - Different Ways

Year of Release: 2002
Label: Unicorn Records
Catalog Number: UNCR-5004
Format: CD
Total Time: 57:44:00

Could it be that the reason why Xinema is a trio is because these Swedish guys are signed to a Canadian label, Canada being the home of Rush? Respect for Geddy Lee and friends or not, their musical offering is less hard than that of their "big" brothers. In fact their musical structures tend to have more in common with AOR in the Toto and Starship tradition than the metal direction. Mikael Askemur's lead vocals tend to swim between that of John Wetton and A-Ha's Morten Harkett, giving the music a certain acceptable commercial feel. In fact some of the tunes they deliver could easily have been recorded by an early Asia! In "Timing" the rhythm is programmed giving it a tremendous speed. The way "One Day" sounds this could well be a composition from one of Sting's glorious solo albums.

At times, it has to be said, Mikael's voice loses at a bit of certainty, especially when there's little arrangement backing him. "Across The Styx" sounds like a Barclay James Harvest acoustic song or a John Lees solo composition accompanied by some wonderful guitar courtesy of Sven Larsson. Towards the end it's like real dolphins have come to have their say! With "Distant Lights," Xinema indeed gets close to the feel of a solo John Wetton once again sporting some nice and convincing guitar with a decent amount of Vai characteristics. Pity the acoustic guitar parts are often played on a keyboard, which, of course, does not give them the same depth as if an original instrument were to be used. Xinema certainly must have thought to leave the best till last as they have done exactly that. "Blind Is The Light" is indeed an ace song, delivering the goods in exactly the way we want it. They even get the sound of a donkey in! It's the longest track on the album and certainly the very best offering from this superb new band.

Tracklisting:
In The Scent Of The Night (5:46) / Over The Sea (3:41) / The Last Flower (4:37) / Timing (4:29) / One Day (3:40) / Different Ways (4:50) / Maybe Time (3:06) / Across The Styx (4:42) / Distant Lights (5:02) / How Can I Believe (4:37) / The Secret (5:54) / Blind Is The Light (7:04)

Musicians:
Mikael Askemur - lead vocals, bass, keyboards, guitars
Sven Larsson - lead guitar, backing vocals
Jonas Thurén - drums, lead and backing vocals

Discography:
Different Ways (2002)
Basic Communication (2006)

Genre: Progressive Rock

Origin SE

Added: September 22nd 2003
Reviewer: John "Bobo" Bollenberg

Artist website: www.xinemaworld.com
Hits: 2620
Language: english