Radio Voltaire

If you liked the first Kino album, then you've probably got this one already. If not, you should buy it (and not just try to download it from somewhere), so that maybe they won't wait another 12 years to make an album.

It's great in the same way that their first album was great, but it isn't a repeat of old sounding material. It sounds fresh and new. If I were forced to attempt to describe it, imagine the best parts of the first Asia album, and mash it with Porcupine Tree (again, the best parts). Throw in a healthy dose of O.S.I.'s first album. Then roll all that forward to 2018 when anything is possible. If you want to hear the guitar player sing, this is the place to hear it. To me, his voice is a bit like John Wetton from the King Crimson days, somehow husky and endearing at the same time.

The organs and synthesizers sound old school, but then the arrangement and mix is cutting edge.

On the first play, I thought "wow" there is a lot to take in. On the 2nd play, that was it. I was hooked, and then proceeded to play it several more times back to back. Then I played both of their albums back to back several times. It doesn't get old.

For the track Dead Club, imagine Oingo Boingo's Dead Man's Party, and then remix it as heavy prog instead of new wave. It's hard to explain, and a 30 second clip won't really make much sense either. Ok, find it on youtube and play it, but then come back here and buy the album.

It's full of energy, and also full of beauty. It doesn't get much prettier than the Keep the Faith track. The Temple Tudor track is thought provoking enough it could be submitted as a term paper. Not to neglect the opening track Radio Voltaire, it's too big for me to think about it all at once, which is why it's so easy to keep replaying it. I find that I Won't Break So Easily Anymore keeps getting stuck in my head, and then I go ahead and play the album again.

This is the best kind of supergroup: the kind with no egos and all talent.

An excellent follow-up to the 2004 original album! It was a long wait, but glad that John Mitchell and Pete Trewavas reunited along with John Beck and Craig Blundell. My favorite tracks are "Idlewild", "Temple Tudor", and "Grey Shapes On Concrete Fields", all Mitchell penned tunes. They stood out the most for me, but all the songs are very good. Very recommended to fans of Frost*, Lonely Robot, It Bites, John Wetton, etc.

I am a huge fan of John Mitchell, especially his two Lonely Robot albums. If you liked those, you will love Kino's latest. Fantastic songs, top-notch playing and production. Interestingly, my favorite song on Radio Voltaire is not written by Mitchell, but by Pete Trewavas - "I Don't Know Why", which sounds like a long-lost Todd Rundgren classic. However, every track is excellent, and I think it is even better than their last one, Picture.

This release has everything for the Prog fan. Complicated but lots of emotion. John Mitchell’s voice is smoky and expressive. Highly recommend this CD.

Another great album from John Mitchell and company. Love his work and I look forward to every album that he is involved in.

Well worth the wait for their second album. Every song is a prog masterpiece

Just bought the CD and downloaded the MP3. I like what I hear. It fits in with the John Mitchel/Kino/It Bites/Lonely Robot sound.
Idlewild is a pretty song (reminds me a little of the beautiful song Picture from their last album). I Don't Know Why
could be a radio hit. Top notch musicianship, of course. Been waiting a long time for a follow-up to their great 2005 album
Picture. But I thought John Mitchell and co. had abandoned Kino (we could not buy their music in the US) so I was shocked when this Kino album was announced. I thought there would be an It Bites album coming this year. Certainly, It Bites's notoriety would sell better than Kino's from a marketing viewpoint. John Beck is a "guest" on this album so I guess his availability to make a real It Bites sequel to Map of the Past was not possible. Nevertheless, I am very happy with this new Kino album.

I will have more comments after a few more listens.