DeeExpus - King Of Number 33


DEEEXPUS
King Of Number 33
(EAR MUSIC / EDEL)

From now on DeeExpus can count on the attention of a wider audience and their fame will only increase. Although I have to admit that their musical experience on King Of Number 33 also without the incorporation of Marillion keyboardist Mark Kelly would have succeeded. Multi-instrumentalist Andy Ditchfield and singer Tony Wright wrote the album which is centered around the 26 minute King Of Number 33. A six-piece Magnus opus on the downfall of a local eccentric from Tony Wright's youth, who was obsessed with buses and the English monarchy in the past. The pallet from which this beautiful musical landscape has been created, shows references to Porcupine Tree, Marillion, Dream Theater and Riverside, where one does not shun even the gothic grunge.

Opener Me And My Downfall directly shows the Porcupine Tree / Marillion references. Great riffs and the familiar strumming guitars. With the melodic and adventurous keyboards and sensitive guitar solo in the middle, along the great vocals and harmonies. DeeExpus seems to pinpoint their high standard for the album in their first track, but knows how to keep this standard throughout the album. Maybe September opens like a rippling ballad with piano and cello accompaniment, but halfway through switchs to the neoprog idiom with strong keys and guitar playing. Marty And The Magic Moose is a catchy instrumental, with a melody that quickly settles in your head. Keyboards and attractive guitar battle against each other in nice solos around the main theme, with a prominent role for the uilleann pipes. It is followed by the title track, which turns into their showcase, in which they show their experience without falling in superlatives. Memo finally closes the album. A beautiful track with Nik Kershaw on vocals. The choice of Kershaw's voice night be unexpected but turn out to be highly successful. For me it is one of the favorites of the album. King Of Number 33 contains all the ingredients to become a classic. Wright has an excellent and catching voice. The band has in John Dawson and Henry Rogers a strong rhythm session. Kelly steals the show and shows, with his eighties inspired Marillion sound, to be a great addition to the band. Ditchfield finally shows to be a composer who knows how to create beautiful melodies, which are fine for the ear and linger in the head. I look forward to October 6, when DeeExpus will perform this album live at the iO Pages festival in Zoetermeer.

Tracklist:

Me And My Downfall
Maybe September
Marty And The Magic Moose
King Of Number 33
        Chapter 1: Paupers Parade
        Chapter 2: Accession
        Chapter 3: The Psysician And The Traitor
        Chapter 4: The Hunt
        Chapter 5: Neverending Elysium
        Chapter 6: Rex Mortuus Est
Memo

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