2021's Kaleidoscope was a corking album that came as a complete surprise to me. It made the IDHAS Top 30 in the Best Albums Of The Year, deservedly so. You can read the review here. Mad In England continues to variety of Kaleidoscope but takes it even further.
I get sent a lot of UK Pop Rock and most of it sounds very Brit Pop. There is no problem with that if bands were aiming at the better edges of the genre. But most of the bands want to be Oasis and it just gets extremely dull. Why not try to be themselves, these bands are obviously talented, so why be a clone.
I would suggest that these bands have a listen to the two Catalyst albums. The songs are influenced by others, but he makes them his own and considering that this is a true solo effort, that is admirable. With such variants, not everything works, but the vast majority does.
As well as Pop Rock, paths are taken into Guitar Pop, Classic Rock, Indie Rock, Modern Prog, 60s Beat, Psych Pop and Brit Pop. You might think that this would get confusing over 11 songs, but the album is so damn melodic with Catalyst's suited vocal and wonderful Guitar playing.
He is not afraid to mix genres either, Stop allows Modern Prog to turn into inventive Brit Pop, yet I'd Rather Be Anywhere has a verse that is pure 80s Indie Pop and a chorus that trails 70s Pop Rock, even a little UK Glam. The latter may be the best thing here, lyrically adept and beautifully arranged and performed.
My Family goes all 90s US Indie Rock, but the title track is great Modern Guitar Melodic Rock with a hint of Muse and a great trumpet blast from Nick Hughes. There is also a real Council House mentality to the magnificent I Got A Gift.
Why Can't We All Just Get Along gets very close to Power Pop and the closer, Dead Man Walking starts moodily, but breaks into a mix of Classic Rock, even Blues Rock. So as you'll note from my words. there is a lot to admire and get your teeth into here.
The title, as you'd expect, suggests a theme and that theme allows Catalyst to explore England as it was and as it is. It is also a chance for him to demonstrate what a splendid lyricist he is. an outlier in this type of Rock. Mad In England is top notch and underlines that Pop Rock doesn't have to be all cliches and ripped off riffs.
You can listen to and buy the album here.
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