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Swedish band Xinema are back with a new release entitled
Basic Communication. And I’m happy to report they’ve built
on their first release and delivered a sophomore recording
that is better in many ways. The musicianship is tighter,
fuller and more dynamic and the compositions are stronger
too. ***
For those who missed it first time around here’s the
recap. Xinema is a trio consisting of Mikael Askemur (lead
vocals, bass, guitars, keyboards), Sven Larsson (lead and
rhythm guitars, backing vocals) and Jonas Thuren (drums and
backing vocals). The three of them had played together in
a band called Madrigal in the mid-to-late eighties but then
went their separate ways before coming together once again
in the late nineties to revisit their work together. ***
Musically Xinema create a very polished, lush musical
style that is one part radio ready album oriented rock and
one part melodic prog. Their musical style has evolved somewhat
on this second release. While their first CD was more or less
a revisiting of their early material, Basic Communication
was a chance to put the past behind them. Still present are
the hints of bands like Saga or the more complex side of Asia
but now there is also a strong stylistic leaning to later
Genesis meaning that the compositions have more going on within.
***
This time around on Basic Communication, Xinema have
pushed their musical envelope to craft not only the shorter
four or five minute pieces, but also a couple complex multi-part
compositions running around twelve and thirteen minutes. Here
they get a chance to stretch out musically as well since each
longer piece incorporates more musical interludes. Each incorporates
music that leans heavily on melody, texture and atmosphere.
In a small way the trio is getting back to a little more instrumental
virtuosity but don’t expect complex fireworks here. The emphasis
remains on driving the song, but as on their previous release,
the depth of each piece grows with repeated listening. It
may sound simple at first but the more you listen the more
you’re able to hear the depth of their work. In that respect
it’s deceptively simple. ***
So while the focus has changed slightly the emphasis
remains on crafting memorable melodies. That being said Xinema
now seem no longer afraid to let instrumentation drive the
composition a little more, providing thematic, movie-soundtrack-like
bridges to link the elements together. To my ears this is
a really good move in that it gives the music a depth that
was a little lacking last time. All in all, there’s no question
Basic Communication is quite a bit more proggy than their
first release and I think it sounds really good. Xinema have
really picked-up their game for their sophomore release. Basic
Communication is a great follow-up. Fans of melodic progressive
rock will find a lot to enjoy here. ***
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