STEVE THORNE – Part Two: Emotional Creatures

Teaming up with some of the best contemporary musicians available, guitarist and singer (and more!) Steve Thorne now releases Part Two: Emotional Creatures, the sequel to his 2005 debut album and another chapter in his trilogy about humans.

The Music

The material for this album seems to have been waiting for just the right setting, since some of it’s written as far back as 1994. And, the setting is kind of gloomy and fits no glossy postcard panorama. Thorne often dwells with a shadowside of humanity, a kind of black and white picture where the most significant objects are given a slightly tinted color. The music leaves an image somewhat like the fabulous Coppola movie Rumblefish. It also challenges our perceptions of reality and fiction, like in the story of the stalking fan in “Hounded.”

Style-wise, Thorne writes in a melodic way, with a mood that could best be described as atmospheric. This atmosphere is kind of cool blue and that’s what makes it all so intriguing. Part Two: Emotional Creatures doesn’t boast anything and the listener is required to sit down and do exactly that: listen! When you least expect it, a simple and mesmerising song like “Great Ordeal” brings out a few, but blessed and welcomed, rays of golden sun. That said, it’s impossible to pin any highlights — all eleven compositions are equally good.

The Band

Steve Thorne handles a lot himself, being both composer, singer, guitarist, and keyboardist, plus he also engineered and produced the album! With such a hold on things, it seems his many prominent contributors have had less influence on the outcome and it all sounds very homogenic and, well, band-like. Nevertheless, his fellow musicians have got his ideas right and the performances are simply spot on.

So, even if Tony Levin, Nick D’Virigilio, Dave Meros, Geoff Downes, Pete Trewavas, Gavin Harrison and several others make sincere and in every way superb contributions, this is about Steve Thorne and his message. Thank God for his intuitive sense of melody and arrangement and for his voice, which is essential to the overall experience.

The Verdict

It’s tempting to dub Part Two: Emotional Creatures a must, not just because of its well-crafted predecessor, but also because its individual qualities. Give this album some time and space and you’ll be rewarded. Brilliant!