Thieves' Kitchen: Argot

TK is back with yet another fine release of hard-edged, noir-prog rock, that spits out the truth of this world's endless stream of harsher realities. Be it inner struggles to be true to oneself or to simply rise above the pressures of life that would seek to drown personality in the mundane — TK bangs out the fight. They deliver their rocking cold shower and bed of nails via an endless storm of riff-crunch, power chordal guitar and virtuoso keyboard superstructure. Bass and drums provide a concrete foundation and souped-up drivetrain. Add in vocals with that angry howl and pained resolve and this is neo-prog that blows away most other neo-proggers by its fierce momentum and epic jams. The onslaught buries you for over an hour in just four songs that range from 12:58 to 20:22.

If you have that need to vent and yet dream of ultimate resolution of conflict, these guys are your soundtrack. There is more than enough extensive keyboard solos and sordid axe meanderings of ecstasy to satisfy even the most jaded prog rocker. If you dug their first release, you'll dig this one too — this follow-up doing an awesome job of keeping this reviewer eager for the next project. Recommended steroidal art rock and introspective neo-prog for the nameless heroes that walk among us each day.

Cyberhome: http://www.thieveskitchen.co.uk