FANATIC (E)

Fanatic is the fifth studio album by Jadis in the fifteen years of the group's existance. Fanatic is the successor to Understand (2000) and after a period of changes in line-up Jadis are back to the front with both IQ-members Martin Orford (keyboards, vocals) and John Jowitt (bass) in their midst. Together with drummer Steve Christey they show on their new album. This is definitively a great line-up! The album features nine tracks ranging from four to just over eight minutes. The Great Outside begins with a Pink Floyd-like acoustic guitar and some gibberish, than the band joins in with full power: Taurus-pedals and heavy orchestrations accompany the characteristic guitar sound by Gary Chandler. They remind me instantly of the very best songs from the previous albums. Naturally - as in most other tracks- Jadis like changes in rhythms and love to incorporate matchless transitions into their songs. Also we hear lots of beautiful instrumental parts within the songs before returning to well-recognizable vocal parts. Into Temptation opens with Chandler's echoing guitar, then a prominent bass and strings join in followed by again nice melodies and good singing by Chandler, who's voice has maybe become a little mellower during the years. The characteristic melody lines played both by guitar and bass are very catchy and the song ends in a delightful wah-wah guitar solo. Each And Everyday appears to be a straightforward ballad, beginning with electronic percussion and strings. Chandler sings softly, he uses an acoustic guitar, an almost pop-like 'nanana' in close harmony, but the last part of the song evolves in a somewhat more metal atmosphere after Jowitt brings on his powerful bass-playing. I Never Noticed opens with Christey's drumming, then the guitar joins in and again a ballad appears, but after one minute interludes of more heavy sounding guitars and keys that lead to an Eloy-like instrumental part interrupted by the same piece with heavy guitars and the tracks transcends in the next instrumental title track, an ambient-style keyboard-dominated piece with at the very end the guitar closing off magnificently accompanied by Taurus-pedals and delightful orchestrations. Without interruption this guitar plucking leads to the next track Yourself Alone, a less distinctive poppier song, but it rises well above mediocrity because of the bass playing by John Jowitt and it's got a very tasteful and powerful guitar melody. Take These Words opens in what could have been Rush (period Hold Your Fire) and is followed by a mid-tempo tune in the very best Jadis tradition. What Kind Of Reason is the longest track. It opens with plucking an acoustic guitar and just keys, after a few minutes straightforward drums and bass join in. It's a nice and slow ballad, than the first subtle guitarsolo transcends gradually to more prominent guitars and a heavier sounding solo. Orford's piano and keys together with Chandler's acoustic guitar finish this tracks. The Taurus-pedals return once more in the beginning of the last song Who Can We Be Sure Of. The Jadis sound is alternated with almost melodic metal parts and some similarities with Yes come to my mind.

In conclusion, together with a refined and clear production Fanatic is a superb album in the progressive rock genre and reaches most certainly the level of brilliance in many of the tracks of my favourite albums More Than Meets The Eye (1992) and Across The Water (1994). The special edition features an extra track and has got an extensive booklet. These four very competent musicians deserve your attention!