Once you get past the name, Cats In Space bring the pomp of the ‘70s back with a powerpop rock edge that makes them sound familiar yet new and exciting. Taking their musical cues from ‘70s pomp-tastic band such as ELO, Queen, REO Speedwagon and Styx the six-piece fuse together glorious harmonies and melodies with a swagger that has rarely been heard lately. Lead track from this album 'Mr Heartache' (featuring Andy Scott from Sweet on guest guitar) is easily one of the best songs ever written. This band are the epitome of the golden age of rock music on the radio, and ‘Too Many Gods’ is full of glorious keyboards and awash with killer hooks. This high standard of musicianship should perhaps be expected though, especially when you consider the individual members; Greg Hart - guitars, vocals and synthesizer, Paul Manzi - lead vocals, Steevi Bacon - drums, Dean Howard - guitar, Jeff Brown - bass, and Andy Stewart - piano, synthesizer, vocoder, and Wurlitzer, have all played with the likes of Asia, Ian Gillan, Mike Oldfield and Sweet. The soaring licks, sensual sax tones (from guest Greg Camburn) and lavish keyboard flourishes are what make this album one of the best to be released this year. Each of the songs are themselves like an album – with so many elements that you simply cannot take everything in. Hell, I've listened to this album every day for nearly three weeks and on each listen I'm finding new thing to love. From the opening bars of 'Arrival (Intro)' to the last haunting notes of 'Velvet Horizon'. Cats In Space have released another contender for my album of the year! http://www.catsinspaceband.com
