It's just spectacular throughout – nobody does this type of thing anymore.

Cats In Space have to be one of the most important bands to emerge from the UK in recent years... if not ever. Although they unashamedly incorporate obvious influences from the likes of Queen, ELO, 10CC, The Sweet, The Who and Supertramp, they've amalgamated them into something quite unique – nobody else sounds like Cats In Space! Album number three, 'Daytrip To Narnia', takes what they achieved with 'Scarecrow' and embellishes it with even more layers of Glam Rock-tastic, bombastic pompousness; it's an absolute riot of outrageous joy from start to finish.

Arranged like a classic two-sided long-player, "side one" features the stand-alone songs. 'Narnia', 'Tragic Alter Ego' and the wonderful 'Hologram Man' cast a sideways, cynical view of various elements of the music business; it's firmly tongue-in-cheek but also completely accurately observed nevertheless. Paradoxically, 'Silver And Gold' is an affectionate reminiscence of music's glory days – basically the seventies – while 'Unicorn' is so brilliantly seventies that it somehow manages to sound like 10CC, Elton John and Rush all at the same time.

If that wasn't tempting enough, "side two" is where it gets really interesting with the twenty-seven-minute epic conceptual Rock Opera 'The Story Of Johnny Rocket' which is broken down into six tracks that work just as well individually. This combined entity ranges from all-out Classic Rock on 'Johnny Rocket' and Disco on 'Thunder In The Night' (where they go all Night Flight Orchestra), through the sixties Beach Boys-sounding 'One Small Step', plus heart wrenching-balladry on the astounding 'Twilight' and 'Yesterday's News', to classy Pop Rock on 'Destination Unknown'.

It's just spectacular throughout – nobody does this type of thing anymore. The creative genius pairing of guitarist Greg Hart and his co-writer Mick Wilson (10CC) have created a certified masterpiece with this combined offering.

Stunningly produced and lavishly packaged with incredible artwork, it's a true feast for the eyes and ears. This release is brimming with gorgeous melodies and dazzling instrumentation, while the harmony vocals are simply breathtaking; vocalist Paul Manzi in particular sparkles throughout, but especially on the ballads 'Twilight' and the quite beautiful 'Chasing Diamonds'.

If you haven't heard Cats In Space before, don't buy this! Listen to the debut 'Too Many Gods', then listen to 'Scarecrow' and then get the masterpiece that is 'Daytrip To Narnia' and see just how far they've evolved in the four years since these Cats landed – you absolutely won't regret it. Christmas 2019 has come early!

Ant Heeks