2nd May 2001 - The Progress Report (Dave Haslam)
There are not very many bands who could put out a full length CD with just four songs, but here we go again. Thieves' Kitchen made their presence known with 'Head' last year and now they hit us with 'Argot'. I'm not a big fan of mostly instrumental CD's, as they tend to overplay a lot and go nowhere. This is not the case here. Thieves' Kitchen have raised the mark.

This has elements of King Crimson, their best stuff. The new bass player is amazing, he fits in so well with the band. This is hands down the best CD of its kind. Back to the Crimson reference: I put on some King Crimson after listening to Argot, and I had to go back to this CD. 'John Doe Number One' is Emerson, Crimson and Giant, plus killer guitar - this guy gets better and better, and must be listed as one of the best guitarists around.

'Escape' has some great piano work and more stunning bass and drums, you'd swear these two were playing together for years. Add some Vincent Crane organ and some John McLaughlin riffs and you have another winner.

'Proximity'. More groundbreaking music that harkens back to the masters, and at the same time takes you to new places. Just good music. The last track, 'Call To Whoever', is a fitting last song. It's a teaser, a song that leaves you wanting more, and lets you know that you've been someplace new, someplace you want to go again SOON.

If there is a better band doing this type of music, I have yet to hear them.

This review is featured on the 'Progress Report' website at http://theprogressreport.gq.nu. That website is currently producing some alarming pop-ups, so this link is disabled at present.

Many more reviews still to come...

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