Against Reason [Import]

Credo are back. Welcome back to the office my friends !! Their last studio output (the excellent 'Rhetoric') hit the shelves in 2005, and although in 2009 we were treated to the sublime 'This Is What We Do' live CD/DVD set from the Slaski Theater in Poland, many non-believers may have thought a new studio album would only be found at the end of the rainbow...
Imagine not seeing your best mate for 5 years or so, then meeting up with him again...things would have changed and that's the case with Credo. Many of us dislike change, but not when it's for the better, not when the change involves musical output that has matured like a vintage wine....
Credo have come of age.
The album kicks off with 'Staring At The Sun', where a totally addictive chorus (with a 'made for air guitar' riff - yes these boys can rock !!!) blends commercial viability to progressive integrity. Then 'Cardinal Sin' offers some resplendent acoustic keyboard lines from Mike Varty before the lush melodies of 'Intimate Strangers' seduce you like only your lover could...This song is about sex and it vibes its subject matter perfectly !!! Tim Birrell's gorgeously melodic guitar work reaches trouser tenting heights on this piece. PRS and Mesa Boogie have never gelled so well...I can't see any birds on Tim's guitar fretboard but his licks soar around you gorgeously like birds of paradise would, indeed his guitar work is integral to the success of the whole album. Next up is the title track, a mysterious instrumental with an Eastern heir, Tim's guitar lines cut through you like an assasin's knife with melody that is painfully beautiful...however, I'm slightly puzzled as to why this is the title track, and it leaves me slightly unsettled, wanting more, the track somehow promises more than it ultimately delivers.
'Insanity' follows, with some lovely, catchy synth lines from Mike (vaguely reminiscent of the catchy lines of 'Skin Trade' from 'Rhetoric') that take us to prog nirvana again as the song tackles the emotive subject of religious and political extremism...'Reason To Live' is a shorter song with more luscious melodies before 'Conspiracy' takes the reigns. Here, Mike's catchy synth lines vamp superbly with Tim's fluid rhythm work and Mark's vocals to provide a stunning and catchy song structure. Mark Colton's seminal vocals are also crucial to the album , often known as 'son of Fish' (not certain if this is a moniker he appreciates...) , he proves here that he has his own distinctive vocal tone that has little to do with Fish and this suggests that the comparison is probably more aimed at his jesterial stage presence during live performances. Mark is also the band's wordsmith and raconteur, each song here conveys a story or a message about life.
The album ends with 'Ghosts Of Yesterday'. The longest track on the album, it provides a more acoustically driven and more laid-back but yet anthemic conclusion. Not as immediate for me as the earlier tracks but more enjoyable with each subsequent listening.
If you like prog rock and if you like melody you will love this album, I guess it may indeed be "Against Reason'' not to buy it....

I have Rhetoric which is an excellent CD however I prefer against reason for the songs but the mix is awful. The production really good showing lots of thought processes but sounds like a few seconds spent on the mixing. Interesting musician ship and individuality which is good to hear from prog today. Don't get too over produced a piece of art with a few errors will be viewed for ages. This could easily achieve 5 stars but not his time - get it remixed and 5*+++

I have a huge smile on my face this morning as i have had a chance to review the latest cd from a band that may be familiar to some progressive rock fans. Rhetoric was a benchmark in progressive rock and was treasured by the more disconcerting of listeners and hailed as a classic amongst this select group who have had the pleasure of listening to this almost fabled of groups.

We begin with the opening track "Staring At The Sun" which begins with some superb keyboard defining the melodic intent with which credo want to make their mark on the progressive world as a whole. The guitar just sounds sublime during the first few minutes dueling very effectively with some very confident keyboard parts throughout. When the vocals kick in we have credo back in a fashion which has evolved to a newer and unbelievably more mature and assured sound. The music manages to ebb and flow with such majestic ease it is difficult to imagine a better opening track than this full of everything you could imagine but pieced together with such imagination it will leave you simply wanting for more.

After the breathtaking opening we now have the superbly titled "Cardinal Sin" which has one of the best opening few minutes i have heard this year menacing and brilliantly atmospheric. Mark Colton is on fine form with some very direct and accessible lyrics which match the melodic soundscape which is the trademark of credo and one with which they feel very at home with. With Rhetoric being one of my favourite albums the follow up album always seems to be a general disappointment because of one issue or another but with this album they have exceeded my expectations and then some. I defy anyone to find a better song than Cardinal Sin this year within the progressive genre. You can almost sense the togetherness of the band on this track and well worth the wait,a classic and masterful example of what modern progressive rock should be.

A slower pace greets us with "Intimate Strangers" and yet again this track hits the spot placed superbly within the running order and full of superb production values that just oozes class from its every pore. The keyboards try and dominate but are thwarted by an impassioned vocal performance yet again by Mark Colton,subtle but with a real edge.One thing that really strikes me is the maturity and development of the credo sound as a whole. There is so much to praise here is is difficult to describe in words just listen to how the melodic waves carry you on their majestic journey.

The title track "Against Reason" is an instrumental and really cements what we have heard so far into place.It manages to perfect the art of blending a number of different influences with some superb guitar and sound effects to a new level.

"Insane" begins with some dominating vocals and more quite incredible keyboard playing from Mike Varty. The song makes a statement in a very direct way but without ever sounding overblown,the musicianship from all the members of the band is really just sublime and very tight but still retaining the freedom that the progressive rock genre allows. A track that rewards repeated plays and one you will always return to without question and just gets better with every listen. The guitar towards the end of the track remains some of the most forceful i have heard along with some surprising sound effects at the end which just drive home the message.

A short chance for a breather before we open up to "Reason To Live" which has some superb part harmony vocals and a subtle keyboard and guitar backing.You expect the track to explode to life around the two minute mark but the band keep you guessing throughout and it is just as powerful as previous tracks but this time just laid a little barer than usual a real triumph.

We are hit with the full Credo experience on "Conspiracy" and it is a song that really gallops at pace and has many time changes throughout its tenure of 10 minutes.Where else in music can you have Roswell or for the real ufo buffs "Crash at Corona" mentioned within in a song without it becoming pompous or overblown. The keyboards really deserve a mention her yet again adding to the multidimensional sound that just builds layer upon layer. Credo have approached the subject matter of this song in a hard hitting and memorable snapshot of something we all probably believe in but are afraid to speak out through fear of ridicule.

Unfortunately we have reached the end of this journey with the last track titled "Ghosts of Yesterday" which is another 13 minute epic and a superb way to round of what will probably be the album of the year for a number of people in 2011. Acoustic guitar gently strums its way through the first few bars along with crystal clear vocals before the keyboards begin to dominate the structure before giving way to the ever present keyboards. The guitar adds so much throughout the album sometimes subtle as in this track but at other times purely dominatory in its presence. Credo have managed to culminate all of their experience from the past few years into this track and it just projects a progressive melodic experience that you are unlikely to hear again this year.

A perfect journey that you will wish you stay on for ever,and through repeated listens rewards with its depth,strength,maturity and style. An album that you will want to lend to your friends but just make sure you have their front door key as you will want it back whenever you need you musical fix of quality progressive rock
TheProgessor | 5/5 | 2011-5-6

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