If you grew up to the sounds of bands like Yes or King Crimson, the band Kinetic Element is going to become your friend. The quintet consists of Mike Visaggio on piano, organ and the obligatory synthesizers, drummer Michael Murray, bassist Mark Tpko, guitarist Peter Matuchniak and vocalist Saint John Coleman. The cd is replete with throwbacks to the 70s even stating that the release has a “Side One” and a “Side Two.” The entire album is subtitled “A Symphony in E Major” of course, completing the circle of jazz, rock and classical.
Keeping with the genre, the songs are divided into two long opuses, “All Open Eyes” (subtitled “Why It Will Be Worth It In The End”), and a 19 minute title track (“What Manner of People Shall We Be?”) even opening the album with an “Epistle” that is a “letter from the Apostle to the Peacemakers.” Couldn’t they find Jon Anderson for this?
Actually, Saint Jon has a great voice, and the majestic messages work amazingly well. There are rich vocal harmonies and wonderful guitar work on the ambitious “All Open Eyes” and the team rocks hard to the message of “Epistle” (I guess Saul of Tarsus wasn’t around to pen this one). Wonderful dramatic climaxes, thoughtful keyboards with atmospheres and chops abound on the gorgeous “The Face Of Life” and even classical moments pop up for the “Last Words” and an earnest “Lost Words.” While there are hints of Howe, Wakeman and Emerson, the band is truly its own, only hitching a ride to the jazz-rock vehicle, but never imitating the originators. If they come in tour, this will be a fun one, especially if they come in and a lake near you.