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(Panic Room) were formed last year by (Anne-Marie Helder)
and (Jonathon Edwards) after (Karnataka's) implosion. They
drafted in former bandmates (Paul Davies) and (Gavin John
Griffiths), along with (Alun Vaughan) and (Peter Charlton)
and set about defining their own sound.***
"Visionary Position" starts off with the electronica
of "Elektra City", which has Anne-Marie singing through a
vocal distortor, about the joys of living in a computerised
age. It finishes off with a beautiful piano piece by Edwards
while "Endgame" starts off with some heavy breathing, hopefully
by Miss Helder followed by a Kashmirish medium rocker., featuring
some cool violin by special guest (Liz Prendergast).***
All good stuff so far!***
If you've listened to the "Proggy Style Radio Show" you'll
have heard "Firefly" and will know that it is a beautiful
song, in the vein of (Bev Craven). I never really knew (Karnataka)
much, so I don't know if this was their thing, but I'm enjoying
this one for sure.***
Initially I felt that "Reborn" had a certain celtic feel
to it, but in a modern (Fish) way, rather than the cliched
"we want to be Clannad" ulean pipes way. Well at least my
notes said "celtic - modern not cliche".***
The short folkish (it's the song that's short, not the
folk. It's not a hobbit song) "Moon On The Water" flows next,
a jaunty piano and guitar backing Anne-Maries voice, making
a beautiful and soothing combination. A short burst of guitar
meltdown sandwiched by chanting and breathing from am serves
as the intro to the middle eastern tinged "Apocalypstik" which
sees a cool bassline from Vaughan underpinning excellent guitar
work, reminiscent of an 80's (Hawkwind), by guest (Gary Phillips),
but all completely devoid of any pop sensibilities. Yes, the
band get to wig out on this one, in a big way.***
The traditional "I Wonder What's Keeping My True Love
Tonight" chills the place out again. I say it's traditional,
but I wouldn't know it was unless they'd told me. Though it
does sound old and folky. Not in a complaining about youngsters
and the price of powdered eggs way. It.'s nice even though
it's not really my "thing".***
"The Dreaming" rounds the whole thing off in surprisingly
enough, a dreamy way, though it contains a multitude of twists
and turns and twists along its (19) minute path. I even think
there may be one or two extra tracks in there, making up the
time.***
So, an excellent first release by the band, and it's
great to hear Anne-Marie stepping up to the main mic. I just
hope her stint in (Mostly Autumn) is temporary and doesn't
keep her from more (Panic Room) albums and gigs. That would
be a waste.***
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