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CD/DVD Releases: Thieves' Kitchen Announce The Release Of New CD

Posted on Friday, February 15 @ 08:17:29 UTC by nightowl

Acclaimed creative rock band Thieves' Kitchen are proud to announce the impending release of their fourth CD, The Water Road.

The new album will be the first to display the immense talents of new member Thomas Johnson (formerly of Anglagard) on keyboards. Aside from this change, the line-up remains identical to 2003's Shibboleth but also features a number of additional textures provided by guest musicians. Anglagard alumnus Anna Holmgren has contributed numerous stunning flute passages, original TK bassist Paul Beecham plays saxophone and oboe, and cello makes an appearance courtesy of Stina Pettersson. Furthermore, vocalist Amy Darby introduces a wide range of further instrumentation including recorders, clarinet, harp - and even Theremin and spoons!



The Water Road was recorded primarily at Rob Aubrey's Aubitt Studios - highly renowned amongst the progressive fraternity in the UK - whilst the Anglagard connection is further enhanced by the use of Mattias Olsson's studio in Stockholm, Sweden where Thomas recorded copious Mellotron parts along with Optigans and Orchestrons. The move away from "in house" recording has also enabled drummer Mark Robotham to employ acoustic drums on this album for the first time as opposed to the electronic skins previously utilised by the band. This especially complements the increased use of fretless bass by Andy Bonham.

Instrumentation is one matter, but what of the compositions? Founder member and guitarist Phil Mercy has formed a prodigious writing partnership with Thomas and the material thus produced is definitely the finest of the band's career. From the delicate piano intro to the 21 minute opener "The Long Fianchetto" to the triumphant, symphonic strains of the album's eponymous closing track, the band's music has taken on a whole new dimension. The music ranges from quasi-orchestral passages in "Fianchetto" to the psychotic, breakneck fusion of "Om Tare." Long-term fans of the band are not forgotten either with the prog-fusion stylings of material such as "Tacenda For You," but this contrasts delightfully with the crazed folk of the 4 minute "Returglas" - almost a single! Meanwhile Amy's voice has taken on a whole new richness and maturity along with the lyrics certainly being her best yet, running the whole gamut of emotions from defiance to introspection and poignancy.

The album will be available through the usual channels towards the end of March.

[Source: Thieves' Kitchen]

Posted in Album Release News