Kezia: The Dirty Affair

There's little doubt that Kezia are European. Italian to be precise and for those who like specifics, Brescia. Why? Well because the mad smooshing of genres that Kezia seem to love and bizarre subject matter they immerse themselves in could never come from the UK or US. Hence we're happily bouncing from prog metal to art-rock, straight up prog to alt-metal, quirky pop to… most else in between. Cleverly this leaves The Dirty Affair as a sing along album that offers up complex structures and myriad mood alterations. All of which comes together to create darting, dextrous musical mayhem. And yet nothing ever seems to veer out of control, with "The Dirty Affair (Between Pelican And Bear)" spinning madly while almost immediately hooking you in on a vaudeville meets Dream Theater wave. "Sneakers" is a little more reserved, yet Pierlorenzo Molinari's vocals still roam the wastes of madness in an utterly sure of themselves manner and impressively it's this confidence and believability that takes the likes of "Ebola" or "Before I Leave" and has you thoroughly invested in what would, in the wrong hands, verge on madness.

Unlike so many albums of this ilk, the constant shift in focus and style never feels forced or fake, the natural flow of the music always much more vital than simply heaping more and more zaniness on top of freaky features for full effect. Therefore when "Preludio" segues into the straight up prog metal of "Treesome", where the guitar of Antonio Manenti burns and the keys from Alberto Armanini cascade, it's no surprise that the results rival the best in the genre. Neither however is it a shock that it's the only time this more obvious approach is reached for, "Quendo" a deep riff led piece of almost symphonic metal, "Barabba Son's Song" a mad mix of screaming vocals and acoustic strumming where the chorus suddenly explodes with melody and hooks, suggesting possible mainstream success until the next bolt from the blue riff flies into view.

That Kezia are a talented bunch could never be in doubt, that they manage to weave a reasonably separate path from most other acts is admirable. Most importantly however, that all of this is achieved through music that never compromises, yet still connects on so many levels, is where this band truly succeed. As beginnings go, The Dirty Affair is the most sordid of secrets and most guilty of pleasures, leaving you wanting to share Kezia's charms, while desiring to keep their strange little quirks all to yourself...

Track Listing
1. Before I Leave
2. Ebola
3. The Dirty Affair (Between Pelican And Bear)
4. Sneakers
5. Barabba Son's Song
6. Quendo
7. Preludio
8. Treesome

Added: December 24th 2015
Reviewer: Steven Reid
Score:
Related Link: Kezia online
Hits: 1879
Language: english

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