The Reasoning – Awakening

Another belated review. This one’s only two months old.

Cardiff’s The Reasoning are one of three bands to arise from the ashes of the original lineup of Karnataka, which imploded in 2004. The band includes Karnataka’s former lead vocalist Rachel Jones, and bassist Matt Cohen, formerly of Magenta. Their debut album was one of the most eagerly awaited for the first part of the year.

While the presence of Rachel Jones is invitably going to draw comparisons with her previous band, musically The Reasoning are a quite different beast. Compared to Karnataka’s atmospheric keyboard-driven sound, The Reasoning’s twin guitar lineup is more prog-tinged melodic hard rock than atmopheric celtic prog. And do they indeed rock out on this album.

It’s well-produced album with a crisp, clear sound courtesy of Dave Meegan of Marillion fame. Rachel shares lead vocal duties with Dylan Thomson, who I’ve heard compared with Frances Dunnery of It Bites, and the fact the Dylan sings more lead than Rachel is perhaps the album’s only fault. Several of the songs get stuck in the brain after just a couple of listens, notably “Aching Hunger”, “Fallen Angels” and the atmopheric “Sacred Shape”, perhaps the closest-sounding song to Karnataka, despite being sung by Dylan. Celtic prog sounds also surface in the album closer “Within Cold Glass” which features guest appearances from Marillion’s Steve Rothery and The Bluehorses Liz Prendergast.

For a debut album, this is an impressive piece of work. I look forward to the followup, to be recorded in the new year.