As debuts go this one is pretty darn good, with a lot of classy songs and strong musicianship on offer.
The Reviews Editor knows that I have a very eclectic musical taste these days. Melodic, heavy, weird, whatever it is I'll give it all a try. He also knows, however, that my first real (and abiding) love is and always has been AOR, with all the glories and majesties that that music can conjure up. So for every issue he tries to give me at least one interesting melodic rocker to write about.
This month it's the turn of Spanish band Indicco who were formed from the ashes of 91 Suite. Three years in the making, 'Karmalion' is obviously a work of love and patience, with the band taking their time to come up with an album that AOR lovers will really appreciate and admire. Having a guest list doesn't hurt either, so who wouldn't sit up and take notice when seeing names including Jimi Jamison, who co-sings on three tracks adds backing vocals and also writes a song for the album, Mark Spiro who not to be outdone co-writes and sings on a further three tracks, and rounding things off we have that guitar God Tim Pierce who joins in as well. With a production and mix courtesy of Spiro and the band, we have on our hands a very interesting debut indeed.
'All About You', 'The Voice Of The Wind', 'Leaving Me', 'Ride The Wave' and the rest of the songs all have their musical charms, but for me it's the Survivoresque (because of the Jamison connection) 'Days Of Wine And Roses' and the Spiro influenced 'Wrong' that really show what is the future for this band. These two songs have everything an AOR fanatic needs to get excited about, big hooks, pink and fluffy (copyright Derek Oliver) keyboards, and wonderful double vocals from Jamison and Spiro who join with Indicco's lead vocalist Indigo Balboa, whom I must mention is no slouch in the singing department himself, to produce some wonderful harmonies...
As debuts go this one is pretty darn good, with a lot of classy songs and strong musicianship on offer for the listener, and I have high hopes that if they continue writing and performing the way they do, album number two from the band will make them a household name (well in our musical circle anyway).
Ian Johnson
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