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Progland was founded by John Gabbard in 2005. It's purpose has been to provide you, the music community with the latest music and dvd reviews. It will continue to be your link to the most popular music reviews in the progressive world.

 

Xinema - “Basic Communication”

Label - Unicorn Records
Reviewed by: Jerry Lucky
Genre: Prog Rock
Country: Sweden
Language: English
Length: 50:38
Release Date: August 1, 2006
Band Members: Mikael Askemur / lead vocals, bass, keyboards, guitars Sven Larsson / guitars, vocal
  Jonas Thurén / drums, vocals
     
Track Listing: 1.)- Colours (5:08) 8.)- Life The Way I Knew It (3:41)
  2.)- Train To Nowhere (4:50) 9.)- Ghost of a Memory Part I - Nothing to Fear (4:00)
  3.)- Talk (5:54) 10.)-Ghost of a Memory Part II - Grapes of Wrath (0:43)
  4.)-Speak to the World Part I - Awakenings (1:57) 11.)-Ghost of a Memory Part III - the Passage (1:18)
  5.)- Speak to the World Part II - Newtons Cradle (4:58) 12.)-Ghost of a Memory Part IV - Black Pigeon (5:22)
  6.)-Speak to the World Part III - At the Hovel of Eddies (0:51) 13.)-Ghost of a Memory Part V - Deus Ex Machina (1:26)
  7.)-Speak to the World Part IV - Basic Communication (4:48) 14.)-Dust In Your Eyes (5:40)
     
The Review

Swedish band Xinema are back with a new release entitled Basic Communication. And I’m happy to report they’ve built on their first release and delivered a sophomore recording that is better in many ways. The musicianship is tighter, fuller and more dynamic and the compositions are stronger too. ***

For those who missed it first time around here’s the recap. Xinema is a trio consisting of Mikael Askemur (lead vocals, bass, guitars, keyboards), Sven Larsson (lead and rhythm guitars, backing vocals) and Jonas Thuren (drums and backing vocals). The three of them had played together in a band called Madrigal in the mid-to-late eighties but then went their separate ways before coming together once again in the late nineties to revisit their work together. ***

Musically Xinema create a very polished, lush musical style that is one part radio ready album oriented rock and one part melodic prog. Their musical style has evolved somewhat on this second release. While their first CD was more or less a revisiting of their early material, Basic Communication was a chance to put the past behind them. Still present are the hints of bands like Saga or the more complex side of Asia but now there is also a strong stylistic leaning to later Genesis meaning that the compositions have more going on within. ***

This time around on Basic Communication, Xinema have pushed their musical envelope to craft not only the shorter four or five minute pieces, but also a couple complex multi-part compositions running around twelve and thirteen minutes. Here they get a chance to stretch out musically as well since each longer piece incorporates more musical interludes. Each incorporates music that leans heavily on melody, texture and atmosphere. In a small way the trio is getting back to a little more instrumental virtuosity but don’t expect complex fireworks here. The emphasis remains on driving the song, but as on their previous release, the depth of each piece grows with repeated listening. It may sound simple at first but the more you listen the more you’re able to hear the depth of their work. In that respect it’s deceptively simple. ***

So while the focus has changed slightly the emphasis remains on crafting memorable melodies. That being said Xinema now seem no longer afraid to let instrumentation drive the composition a little more, providing thematic, movie-soundtrack-like bridges to link the elements together. To my ears this is a really good move in that it gives the music a depth that was a little lacking last time. All in all, there’s no question Basic Communication is quite a bit more proggy than their first release and I think it sounds really good. Xinema have really picked-up their game for their sophomore release. Basic Communication is a great follow-up. Fans of melodic progressive rock will find a lot to enjoy here. ***

 

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