Chris Catalyst - Mad In England

 

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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I Don't Hear A Single Albums Of The Year 2021 : 21-30

It's been difficult to get these choices down to 100. I'm also not a believer in saying one album is better than another. Most of the time you are comparing Apples To Oranges. I'm not a List person, I just think what's the point?

However, for the last few years I have compiled annual Best Of 's  because these posts seem so popular and the aim of this Blog is to get exposure (and Sales) for the artists. There is no meaning or judgement on an album that is Number 1, Number 100 or not on the list. Anything that I review on here, mention on Social Media or play on the Radio Show is as highly recommended.

There are few rules. All albums have to have been reviewed on IDHAS. Reissues and Live Albums are not included. Previously unreleased albums are included, but Best Of's are not. For each album, I've posted a song from it and a link to the IDHAS Review where you can find further details and how to listen or buy the album. 

No 21 : Quivers - Golden Doubt    IDHAS Review

No 22 : Kid Gulliver - Kismet      IDHAS Review





No 23 : The Green Pajamas - Sunlight Might Weigh Even More    IDHAS Review

 

No 24 : Tamar Berk - The Restless Dreams of Youth         IDHAS Review

No 25 : The Wry Dogs - Pigs Might Fly  IDHAS Review

 

No 26 : The Harmony Motel - Topical Depression       IDHAS Review


  


No 27 : The Successful Failures - James Cotton Mather     IDHAS Review

No 28 :  Electric Looking Glass - Somewhere Flowers Grow    IDHAS Review


 

No 29 : Chris Catalyst - Kaleidoscopes   IDHAS Review

No 30 : Surreal Prismatics - Conscious Dreams       IDHAS Review

  

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Chris Catalyst - Kaleidoscopes

 

I owe a massive thanks to Roger Worton who contacted me recommending Chris Catalyst. I vaguely knew about Chris as a live guitarist with Ginger Wildheart and keyboard addition in my beloved Terrorvision. I also knew he was in Eureka Machines, a band that have never quite appealed to me, despite many recommendations.

So I was unexpectedly blown away by his second solo album. I've since seen reviews that say Kaleidoscope is testament to Catalyst's record collection and that seems more than a little unfair. Across the 12 tracks, there is a mass of variety, but this seems to be more about a show of versatility or even getting every idea down.

The wide spread of material may confuse a few who may wish for something a little more focussed. However, I am quite the opposite. I'm more than impressed by the variation and the overall impression is "Wow! What a talent!"

The album feels like a Brit Pop album and quite a few artists nod back towards the 90s, not many succeed and end up sounding like Oasis, god forbid. Not everything succeeds, but little fails and getting the full gamut of what Catalyst has to offer leaves you more than impressed. 

Kaleidoscopes is exactly what Pop Rock should be. Songs that are not too Rock to split your ears or be more about technical ability than tunes and not the I Love You, Yes I Do of Pop. On repeated listens, you realise what a splendid album this is, it has such depth without ever losing sight of the hooks and choruses. It never tries to be too clever, versatility doesn't necessarily mean showing off.

One of the things that I've learned over the years is that the first song that you should listen to on an album is the second track. It generally gives you a feel of what the album will be like more than an opener. King Of Everything is an absolute joy, part Psych Pop, part killer singalong chorus. 

The Ride is all Math Rock with its Muse like riff whilst Divide And Rule is wonderful UK late 60s Beat. A Modern Adventure is in Supergrass territory and Ordinary has a hint of Simon Le Bon. Falling Down edges towards Power Pop, yet becomes the anthemic closer.

Special mention should go to Happy which is great Pop in the mode of The Bluetones or The Supernaturals. It is an absolute crackerjack of a song. Many will point to the Neil Gaiman sampled, Make Good Art, which adds to the variance, but I'm not convinced that it should have been the opener with all this top notch Pop Rock around it. All in All Kaleidoscopes is highly recommended. You'll love it.

You can listen to and buy the album here. You can find out more about Chris Catalyst here. 

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