Thorne, Steve - Emotional Creatures: Part One


Year of Release: 2005
Label: GEP Ltd
Catalog Number: GEPCD 1035
Format: CD
Total Time: 52:59:00

Steven Thorne's official debut album is a likely candidate for my discovery of the year. A few years ago, Jadis played in the Netherlands and Steve Thorne was their support act. Honestly said, I found him a bit weird ? walking on the stage with an acoustic guitar and a full backing band on MD ?, so I didn't really pay attention. But when I received his album, I remembered him, so I was curious to his music on disc. As said: a huge surprise!

And what's more important ? it was a nice surprise! A very good prog album with some singer/songwriter touches and a truckload of guest musicians. All members of Jadis and almost all of IQ joined in and also Nick D'Virgilio (Spock's Beard), Geoff Downes (Asia) and Tony Levin (Peter Gabriel, King Crimson) are present on the album. This shows what kind of reputation Mr. Thorne obviously has.

Thorne himself also plays a large number of instruments and is blessed with a beautiful voice. I would describe his voice as a mixture of Fish, in his solo period and Gary Chandler (Jadis). It kind of depends on the song. For example, "Well Outta That" could have been a song by Fish, as it has the same passion and drive as Fish (used to) has and the vocals are quite similar here. The bass by Tony Levin is really great here, subtle, yet very present. But a ballad like "Julia," has more the vocal sweetness of Gary Chandler, which makes this song a really touching ballad.

I am really caught off guard with this album, as the 10 songs (the first track is a short instrumental intro) are such amazing prog songs, with lots of melody and a wonderful atmosphere, that it is pure joy to listen to this album. At no point the music gets cheesy or do you get the feeling you heard it before. Thorne is a pleasant singer to listen to and a versatile musician. And the guest musicians are icing to the cake!

I would place Emotional Creatures - Part One in the range of Jadis. Laid back, melodic prog, with enough passion, sweetness and atmosphere, to make a great album. An impressive debut from a very talented musician who does not need well-known names to sell his album, as it is excellent, but hopefully now reaches a wide audience. Well, he deserves it, so don't miss out on this fantastic album.


Tracklisting:
Here They Come! / God Bless America / Well Outta That / Ten Years / Last Time / Julia / Therapy / Every Second Counts / Tumbleweeds / Gone / Goodbye

Musicians:
Steve Thorne - guitar, other instruments

Plus as guests: Tony Levin, Nick D'Virgilio, Geoff Downes, Martin Orford, Steve Christey, Gary Chandler, John Jowitt, Paul Cook

Discography:
Emotional Creatures: Part One (2005)
Emotional Creatures Live

Genre: Progressive Rock

Origin UK

Added: May 16th 2005
Reviewer: Marcel Haster
Score:
Artist website: www.steve-thorne.co.uk
Hits: 1910
Language: english

  

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