 Jadis
- "Fanatic" Inside Out Records 2003 Band's original line up consisted from Gary Chandler (lead vocals, guitar), Steve Christey (drums) and two I.Q. members Martin Orford (keyboards, backing vocals) and Jon Jowitt (bass) delivers fifth studio album. I am bit late with this review, but right now (January-February 2004) I am not able to find for myself anything in stores worth of buying. It is shame for me that this is the only album I've ever experienced from this band holding now on the rock scene for almost 17 years. "Fanatic" captures perfect balance. This is a record done with domination of pure feel. I mean collision of all themes in songs is supreme. There is no dominance, no submission, but pure symbiosis between all sounds provided by band's unique musical language. They're not imitating, like thousands of present bands, they are sincerely living their rock culture and expressing their art on a way that is distinctly their own. Lyrics serve pure awareness of higher cosmic powers, and Jadis are strong and very convincible preachers about that. Music is full of light and positive vibrations. There is perfect symbiosis between Orford's space keyboarding and his genuine arrangements which remarks also whole I.Q. music, Gary's recognizable "island prog rock" singing style (be it P. Gabriel, Fish or ex-Arena frontman P. Wrightson), his precise and subtle guitar playing which offers nice bunch of versatile sounds, outstanding rhythm drive provided by Steve's tasty drumming and melodic John's bass guitar drives. Orford's style can be immediately recognized especially when having in mind the title song. It is instrumental and actually his song, something that is quite common thing to hear from Martin, especially for all I.Q. fans. Jadis are not retro seventies stuff like "trendy" The Flower Kings for instance. They are very expressive and recognizable chunk of British prog rock movement, that was very strong in eighties with acts such as Marillion, I.Q., Arena. "Fanatic" is a dynamic record. Songs differs a lot. And the way how those songs are assembled together just convinces those guys are supreme masters of their prophecy. Production is crisp and clear. Some kind of Celtic cold breeze is always present. It gently and on a very subtle way derives in sound somewhere from behind and charges very effectively overall high climax that is present on a record. Strong ethereal moments are captured especially in songs such as Into Temptation, Fanatic, Yourself Alone and What Kind Of Reason. Album opens on a quite shocking way, with song The Great Outside, carrying heavier guitar riff. Right with second song called Into Temptation album's climax starts to take off the ground and in next song Each & Everyday it is even graduated. It is hard to point out highlights, speaking strictly for myself; I would choose Into Temptation, Each & Everyday, title song and Yourself Alone. Album delivers strong spine tingling climax that will easily grind your souls. Jadis know it all. No trends, always listening to the voices in their hearts. Very fluid, relaxed progressive rock album, which explores, navigates, tastes the unknown all the time on a highly successful and unpredictable way. An excellent album for all of you who are not afraid of being the light.
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