Year: 2003
Time: 53:31
Size: 123,5 MB
Label: Self Released
Styles: Progressive Rock/Crossover prog
Art: Full
Tracks Listing:
1. Mermaid Kiss - 2:26
2. Breathing Under Water - 3:27
3. Write My Name In Stars - 5:54
4. Blind - 5:14
5. Spirit - 4:02
6. Soundchaser - 5:04
7. This Feeling - 3:38
8. Just Like You - 4:02
9. Some Days Are Like This - 3:02
10. Like Water - 4:15
11. Fated - 3:00
12. Whisper - 3:48
13. Thirteen - 2:21
14. Mermaid Kiss Reprise - 3:11
Musicians:
Evelyn Downing - voice, harmonies, flute, and loops;
Jamie Field - guitar and bass;
Andrew Garman - keyboard, bass and drums.
Mermaid Kiss as a working band began in 2000 after Evelyn DOWNING (vocals, flute) and Jamie FIELD (Guitars) recorded some songs at The Goat Shed studio of Andrew GARMAN (Keyboard, Bass, Percussion) and decided to continue to work together as a studio band. Taking their name from one of their early songs, the band released the eponymous 'Mermaid Kiss Album' in 2003, which resulted in request for the band to play live supporting KARNATAKA in 2004.
In 2006, while Evelyn DOWNING was away at university, the remaining band members recorded an ep 'Salt on Skin' with Kate BELCHER and Kate EMERSON joining Evelyn in performing lead vocals.
In June 2007 the band released an album called 'Etarlis', a series of musical illustrations for a story written by Jamie and Evelyn. For this album the line-up was joined by Wendy MARKS (Woodwind) and Richard NORTHWOOD (Bass), with guest appearances from Guest performances from Troy DONOCKLEY (IONA) and Jonathan EDWARDS (PANIC ROOM & KARNATAKA)
Coming from a long history of UK female-fronted melodic rock bands, MERMAID KISS fill that crossover niche between Neo Prog of MAGENTA and the Prog Folk of KARNATAKA fused with the radio-friendly Pop of ALL ABOUT EVE.
Mermaid Kiss are like no other band you've met in the Progressive Rock field and basically ''The Mermaid Kiss album'' is an Art Pop album with minor prog sensibilities.The songs are strongly based on the beautiful and ethereal vocals of Downing and the rather minimilastic background instrumental music, which stylistically differs from track to track.However there is a light Neo Prog atmosphere throughout the release, much in the vein of TRACY HITCHINGS or KARNATAKA, but the major influence here seems to be KATE BUSH and here intense, lyrical style.The short pieces on this album have a very deep atmosphere with a strong emotional and melodic content.Guitars and bass are used sporadically and most of the music is driven by soaring synths and light piano passages along with the (rather programmed) drums.Very mellow and relaxing stuff indeed, but the incredible vocals of Downing are a unique experience alone.Additionally most of these pieces have a slightly orchestral mood and a ballad-esque atmosphere, but more in an artistic way, very far from syrupy and dull approaches.
For the die-hard Classic Prog fan, who starves for some technical performances, ''The Mermaid Kiss Album'' is propably not a great choice.However, if your heart still beats for some emotional, sensitive and rewarding Art Pop/Rock, this album is definitely a winner.Recommended.
The Mermaid Kiss Album
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