Out Of This World, is Kayak’s eighteenth studio album, and it will be released on May 7, 2021. This is my first review of this band, which I have known of, but have never heard or reviewed their music before. After listening to Out Of This World, I really wish I had heard them sooner. It is wonderful progressive rock music, full of the sounds of Kaipa, Asia, Wobbler, and so many other bands from the symphonic and classical realm of prog.
Kayak, is one of Holland’s most established and celebrated progressive rock bands. The band was formed in Hilversum, The Netherlands, back in 1972, by Ton Scherpenzeel and Pim Koopman. That’s over 48 years of making music, and that amount of experience, will teach you how to successfully create some dynamic progressive rock music. The band is made up of: Ton Scherpenzeel, on keyboards, lead and backing vocals; Bart Schwertmann, on lead and backing vocals; Marcel Singor, on guitar, lead and backing vocals; Kristoffer Gildenlöw, bass, lead and backing vocals; and Hans Eijkenaar, on drums.
Every song on this album is a keeper. Here is the track by track:
“Out Of This World”, is one of the best songs on the album. It opens with excellent, wild, running piano followed by guitar, bass, drums and synths added perfectly, not unlike Kaipa or Wobbler. Then Bart Schwertmann. sings, “The hills are deserted, the soldiers have gone, where the sun never rises. There is a different kind of war going on. We’re running from crisis to crisis. We’re here but we never belong. So, let’s get out of this world. And be free as a bird. And fly to a place we can live in?” Then those brilliant Asia horn – like keys! Simply stunning. Escape, is what we need from the burdens of modern society. The best escape song I’ve heard in a while. The strings and orchestration are wonderful. The Queen – like vocal harmonies are splendid. A perfect album opener if ever there was one. Nothing missing.
“Waiting”, opens with a cool echo reverb guitar riff. It sounds like something from an excellent ‘80s song, that I cannot remember the name of right now. The vocal harmonies are perfect. A great ‘80s throwback song that would have fit on any a number of pop albums back then. The guitar work is well played and original. The keyboards and drums are exceptional.
“Under A Scar”, opens with a cool Brian May – like guitar riff, before rich vocals. The music is so well designed, played, and recorded. You can hear the care, the professionalism of years of performing in every movement. A deep story, with cinematic music and theatrics surrounded by perfect orchestration. I would argue that this is much better than some of Queen’s early music. I keep hearing more and more similarities to Queen’s music, without mimicking it at all. This is all original, but has a feeling of the wealth of development and theatrical presentation Queen was well known for at their height. The piano and strings are just awesome.
“Kaja”, is a piano and soft electric guitar instrumental. A nice, early break.
“Mystery”, opens with cool harmonized vocals, like something you would remember from the best of Queen. Beautiful piano, bass, drums and lead electric guitar harmonized and working to create another great melody. Another of the band’s early selections for a single hit.
“Critical Mass”, opens with soft bells and piano. Solid drums and great, clear vocals. Great melody. The synthesizers are fantastic.
“As The Crow Flies”, opens with powerful drums and cool keyboards. Great beat and melody.
“The Way She Said Goodbye”, is a beautiful vocal – driven song, with a powerful story of love. The piano, acoustic guitar and drums drive this emotional tale well.
“Traitor’s Gate”, opens like a latter-day Traffic, or Steve Winwood solo album sound. I am a fan of both. So that Hammond – driven, conga – like, drum recipe is just perfect. Throw in those Asia keys and I’m in.
”Distance To Your Heart”, starts off like something ELO would play, with those deep bass and string sounds. A very nice rolling melody.
Very cool keyboard and synthesizer sounds kick off “Red Rag To A Bull”. Like a regal Styx song.
“One By One”, is another powerful, vocal – driven song. This time the song is a tribute to all the people that pass into the next world. “The rich and the poor, and all too soon, we will all follow”. The western/ragtime – like piano creates the perfect ending.
“A Writer’s Tale”, is another long folk story. The song opens with powerful choir sounds and then dramatic strings, drums, and keys. The lead electric guitars are brilliant and punctuating. It is the longest track on the album and would have been the perfect closer. Definitely the best song on the album, besides, the title track.
“Cary”, is full of the sounds of accordions, with a joyful beat and sound to it. An almost early Beatles sound, complete with orchestration and the joyous sound and fun they brought to their movies and videos.
“Ship Of The Theseus”, is a deep brooding powerhouse closer. Like a fantastic story from ELP, or more perfectly from Procol Harum. Yes, absolutely, very Procol Harum, and it is wonderful. Complete with horns and exciting electric guitar. The vocalist even has the deeper vocals of the ‘ole Salty Dog, Gary Brooker. Excellent way to close this great album.
This is a masterpiece of progressive rock. A wonderful introduction to a band that has been around for a very long time, but sounds as fresh as when they started. You can hear many influences throughout the album, but this is all original Kayak, and only a wonderful method to connect this band to the generations of prog and music that developed during their tenure. This band is dynamic and can play anything in this genre of music as demonstrated by all the many bands mentioned, in similarity. Get this album and get a full course of some spectacularly played progressive rock.
Track Listing:
1. Out Of This World (6:06)
2. Waiting (4:04)
3. Under A Scar (6:29)
4. Kaja (3:15)
5. Mystery (3:58)
6. Critical Mass (7:09)
7. As The Crow Flies (4:09)
8. The Way She Said Goodbye (3:18)
9. Traitor’s Gate (3:18)
10.Distance To Your Heart (4:18)
11.Red Rag To A Bull (4:17)
12.One By One (4:14)
13.A Writer’s Tale (9:29)
14.Cary (2:59)
15.Ship Of The Theseus (3:43)
https://kayak.bandcamp.com/album/out-of-this-world
KAYAK online:
www.facebook.com/kayakmusicband/
Thank you for your superb review. As a Kayak fan since 1975, I can’t wait for their latest album (I have pre-ordered it). Your review has whet my appetite nicely and it is nice to see the names of wonderful bands that have been mentioned in the same breadth as Kayak (Procol Harum, Queen, ELO etc.).
Although I am a fan of their 1970s work in particular, I have bought every studio album they have released and am still surprised and delighted at the standard of music they still produce. Great band and great music.
Once again, than you for your review.