Bottled Out of Eden is the third release from eclectic UK prog/psych/pop act Knifeworld, a band led by Kavus Torabi (Gong, The Cardiacs) that also features seven other musicians & singers. Though they reside on InsideOut Records, Knifeworld are more of a casual fit for the label, as they tend to tread in more jazzy, psychedelic pop laden waters rather than full blown symphonic prog-rock or metal as many of the InsideOut roster historically seem to. Quirky horns, keyboards, and lilting guitars support a multi-layered male & female vocal approach on fun tunes such as "High/Aflame", "The Germ Inside" and "I Am Lost", which come across like a blend of XTC, Pink Floyd, Gong, and perhaps Hatfield & the North. That very British 'Canterbury' flavor permeates much of the album actually, with the lighthearted, dreamy "The Deathless", the melancholy "Foul Temple", and the airy "A Dream About a Dream" all reminiscent of the quirky mix of pop, jazz, and prog that bands of that era & region were known for. "I Must Set Fire to Your Portrait" has an angrier tone, not far removed from Van Der Graaf Generator, while "Lowered Into Necromancy" contains some lovely moments of counterpoint that bring to mind Gentle Giant. Perhaps the most upbeat and fun track here is the closer "Feel the Sorcery", as sax, guitars, percussion, and a myriad of vocal layers weave impressive patterns, sort of like Echolyn meets Hatfield & the North meets The B-52s...yeah, imagine that!
Overall, Bottled Out of Eden is an intriguing listen, and though some parts of the album tend to drift and meander a tad much for my liking, there's still plenty to enjoy and recommend here for anyone into the more pop & jazz side of prog rock.
Track Listing
1. High/Aflame
2. The Germ Inside
3. I Am Lost
4. The Deathless
5. Foul Temple
6. Vision Of The Bent Path
7. I Must Set Fire To Your Portrait
8. Lowered Into Necromancy
9. A Dream About A Dream
10. Secret Words
11. Feel The Sorcery
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