Tracks: In the Scent Of The Night, Over The Sea, The Last Flower, Timing, One Day, Different Ways, Maybe Time, Across The Styx, Distant Lights, How Can I Believe?, The Secret, Blind Is The Light
More info: www.unicornrecords.com, http://hem.bredband.net/b127802/
Verdict (& Rating): An appealing fusion of prog and melodic rock (85%)
Xinema is a three piece prog/melodic rock band from Sweden, who have been together in their present form since March 1999. The members (Mikael Askemur, Sven Larsson & Jonas Thurén) played together in a band called Madrigal from 1985 to 1990, with the emphasis on complexity and influences like Rush, Genesis, Yes, Kansas and Styx.
In 1998 the band had a few get-togethers and whilst discussing the poor sound quality of their earlier demos, they decided it would be fun to wrap up the Madrigal days by re-recording the songs with better sound quality. The outcome was the formation of Xinema and this CD.
When 'In The Scent Of The Night' strikes up a couple of things spring to mind. The first is Saga. Leaving that for the moment, the next is the sound quality. The band have left those poor quality Madrigal demos far behind. The good fusion of keyboards and guitar make for an impressive start to the album.
"Over The Sea" confirms that the band's musical arena is progressive/pomp rock with a definite melodic rock/AOR theme. Since Saga is one of the better known exponents of this genre, a comparison is inevitable. Curiously Jethro Tull circa Broadsword is the closest reference point I can think of for 'The Last Flower'. Something to do with the keyboard sound I think.
On a number of tracks the guitar work, which impresses throughout the album, has a style not dissimilar to Saga's Ian Crichton. Prime examples being the next couple of tracks 'Time' and 'One Day'. Around this mid-album point, the songs seem to be sticking to a tried and tested formula, but to be fair to the band there is usually something to keep you listening such as the sheer quality of a track like 'Maybe Time' or the flowing guitar work on 'Across The Styx'.
By the time 'Distant Lights' arrives, the band are back in top gear and really demanding your full attention. A slight variation on the theme comes in the form of the more Asia-like 'How Can I Believe' and 'The Secret'. That just leaves the final track, 'Blind Is The Light', to do just as impressive a job finishing the album with it's well judged fusion of keyboards and guitar as 'In The Scent Of The Night' did opening it.
Xinema have a created an appealing album which will be of interest to fans of both prog and melodic rock. Fans of bands like Saga, Storming Heaven, Act and Thread in particular should check it out.
