Search - Jadis :: Fanatic (Spec)

Jadis returns with more energetic & relevant rock!

Jeffery K. Matheus | Indianapolis, IN United States | 10/28/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

""Fanatic" is the fifth studio album from UK prog-rockers JADIS, and it may well be the band's most mature & well-crafted work to date. While far from a household name in America, Jadis should be well-known to anyone who has followed the progressive rock revival movement through the 80's and 90's (and up until today.) Jadis had their beginnings in the UK prog scene of the 80's, alongside bands such as Pendragon, Marillion, IQ, and 12th Night; but over five impressive studio albums, and with a growing repuatation as a "must see" live band, Jadis have developed into a distintive musical outfit that does not fit easily into any one "movement". Jadis, to my ears at least, is what I would call a modern progressive rock band - with the emphasis on "modern" & "rock". Most of the band's songs are in the 5, 6, or 7 minute range (so those who demand 15 minute epics may feel more comfortable with other latter-day prog acts, such as Pendargon or Cairo.) But be aware that Jadis have crafted an unusual compositional style which is quite adventerous, while somehow remaining concise & accessible. While one can sometimes hear the obvious influences of prog bands such as Camel, Pink Floyd, and early-Genesis in the band's music, attentive listeners will also notice hints of more modern influences floating around (U2, Tears For Fears, Crowded House.) If there is a key to Jadis' artistic success, it would have to lie with the group's multi-talented founder, Gary Chandler (guitarist, lead vocalist, composer, lyricist.) Chandler sings with a warm, thick, resonant mid-range vocal tone - think John Wetton/Greg Lake with a little more "ooomph"! And what can I say about Chandler's guitar work??? He has rightfully placed on numerous "best guitarist" polls in the UK with a style that blends a number of different techniques (from melodic Gilmore/Laitmer-style soloing, to bombastic hard rock riffs, to U2-like arpeggiated patterns), and somehow turns them into something original & refreshing. Other members of this line-up will be well-known to fans of modern prog - Martin Orford on keyboards (IQ, John Wetton Band), John Jowitt on bass (IQ, Arena, Nolan & Wakeman), and Steve Christey on drums (John Wetton Band, Peter Gee)...O.K., enough history lessons, now onto the latest album, "Fanatic"....Gary Chandler has said that the title "Fanatic" refers to recent world events (9/11, war, violent fundamentalist factions, the frightning rise of blind militarism/patriotism in the USA & UK, etc.), and it is a theme that runs through many of the albums lyrics - sometimes subtley, sometimes directly. The album begins with the scratchy sound of a bluesy acoustic-slide guitar (something I've not heard from a Jadis album before) leading into an explosive full-band arrangement with "The Great Outside". This is an excellent opening track for the album, fluctuating as it does between heavy and light sections, and featuring some Mellotron-like sounds from keyboardist Martin Orford. Up next is the bold & melodic "Into Temptation" (a Jadis original, not to be confused with the Crowded House tune of the same name), this is a track that overflows with those unique 'Jadis-isms' that fans love, and detractors hate (a twisting/turning rhythm, dynamic arrangement, subtle uses of electronic effects, and that ever colorful & imaginitive guitar work from the fingers of Gary Chandler!) "Each & Every Day" takes on a more subdued, pastoral tone, but unexpectedly grows in intensity as the song progresses (I like Steve Christey's modern elctronic drums touches on this one.) The title track, "Fanatic", is an instrumental piece which begins in a keyboard-drenched 'new agey' style, then builds into a majestic guitar solo by Gary Chandler - brilliant! "I Never Noticed" then kicks things up a notch with a brisk pace and vibrant sing-along melody. While a song like "I Never Noticed" is probably catchy enough to be a rock radio hit, the frantic instrumental break in the middle lets the listener know that Jadis still has one foot in the "prog" world. The next two tracks, "Yourself Alone" & Take These Words", are full of melody, energy, and type of smart arrangements that fans expect from Jadis (kudos to Jowitt & Christey for their tight rhythmic work!) "What Kind of Reason" takes the band into mellower territories, with a pastoral/majestic/orchestral approach similar to The Moody Blues or Barclay James Harvest. Chandler's guitar work is quite stunning on this track (swiching between nylon-string acoustic sounds, and soaring electric solos) Even more impressive are his impassioned vocal delivery, and his all-too-relevant anti-war lyrics ("what kind of future can we hope to share/with acts of inhumanity thriving everywhere?") In a day of trite, meaningless, "fun" pop music, it's refreshing to see an artist speaking out against the bloodthirsty agenda of our World-leaders (something that affects us all, whether we like it or not.) Things get much heavier (musically speaking) with the next track, "Who Can We Be Sure Of?". This is a powerhouse rock tune, with a chorus that is probably the closest you will ever hear Jadis come to the "prog-metal" genre - although not as melodically string as other songs on the album, it does nicely display the band's versitilty (Chandler's anti-war sentiments also come through loud & clear with this one!) The album's final track (found only on this "Special Edition" release from Inside Out Music) is "The Flame is Burning Out". Now HERE is a song that overflows with memorable, catchy melodies! (Great vocal harmonizing between Chandler & Orford, and some splashy rhythm guitar that sounds a little like Andy Summers of The Police.) All in all, if you have not heard of Jadis before, this is an EXCELLENT place to start your collection! (and give the disc a few spins before passing judgement; like many adventeous artists, Jadis may take a few listens to fully absorb & appreciate.) If you are ALREADY a Jadis fan...then what the heck are you waiting for??? This may well be the band's high water mark this far!...Support "real" music!!!"

Great travelling Music

Dan A. Bobrowski | California | 09/05/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I got a sampler with a Jadis tune on it and quickly ordered this disc. Great travel music. It really reminds me of Trevor Rabin era Yes and the first Asia. Well crafted songs, good vocals and a great rhthym section. The guitarist has a lot of talent. Production is tight and could use a little space to open up the sound, however, I'm glad I picked this up. A similar sounding disc is Conspiracy ~ The Unknown. Stand out tracks:
a) I Never Noticed
b) The Great Outside
c) Fanatic (Instrumental)Peace............"

YYaaaaaawwwwnnnnn

Bryan M. Tucker | baltimore | 06/03/2005

(2 out of 5 stars)

"I had high hopes for this, reading the reviews. With the line-up and being a monster IQ fan I was sure I could not go wrong.



Wrong I went. This is simply very boring. I have been through it a solid 4 times and find little to smile about. Very average singing (low on melodies), weak lyrics, and just downright cheesey. It sounds like an 80's band that is trying to revive prog music and confused as how to progress.



I did pick up more than meets the eye and was far more impressed with the writing on that one.

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