Peter Rand, one of the composers and leaders of Imperial Measures, was nice enough to attend my 2024 Holiday Show on Zoom, and mentioned to me that he is part of another band, that is releasing a new album at the beginning of 2025. That band is Imperial Measures, and they released “The Promise of Morning”, on January 1, 2025, on FG Records.
Imperial Measures is a UK band made up of: Peter Rand, who is the composer, keyboardist and lead guitarist; Kevin Hartnell, the album producer, drummer, bass player, and who also plays guitar, keyboards, and sings vocals; and Stefanie Kisamore, is the lead singer.
This is a wonderful, first surprise of the year album. It was the first indication that I had, that 2025 will be a fantastic year of music for independent musicians. The Promise of Morning, is the kind of album a reviewer wants to hear as their first album of the year reviewing.
The album opens with “Persona”, a fast moving, guitar-driven, Bryan Adams/Alternative rock, sounding opener. We get to hear Stefanie Kisamore’s vocals quickly and she sounds great. Later, it takes on a little Chameleons, Manchester, grinding guitar flavor.
“Tuesday’s Children”, is a completely different song entirely. The pace is slower and it is full of Kisamore’s vocals, laying out an intricate story, supported well with cool and distant grinding guitars and keyboards.
“All I Need”, is full of deep and soft synths, warm bass, and drums with supporting bells. The best opening sounds of the album, so far. The song becomes a showcase for Kisamore’s vocals, and some interesting keyboards and synths. The keyboards and synths are some of the best I have hear in this early year.
“Playing with Fire”, is comparatively another guitar-driven sound, with Kisamore performing great vocals, singing, “Don’t be afraid, in a downwind, slow. Stop playing with fire”.
“Waiting Game”, has a nice Pretenders-like beat and sound to it. In fact, Stefanie Kisamore, kind of has a softer, sweeter, Chrissie Hynde sound to her vocals. Not the punk Chrissie. The movie soundtrack Chrissie. A little like “If There Was a Man”, from the James Bond 007, 1987, Living Daylights soundtrack. Not exactly, just similar.
Stefanie Kisamore opens “Falling”, by singing, “It was a long hard climb. To the mountain top with you. So here I come free-falling…” A cool, slow, guitar driven song.
“Ash”, is one of my favorite songs on the album. It opens with Vangelis – level synths and keyboards. Like a symphonic opera. Stefanie Kisamore’s vocals compliment the sound with perfect harmonies, singing about dreaming. Absolutely wonderful!
“Neverland”, opens with an almost country twang guitar song. Kinda of a swinging bluesy and western feel to it. Whereas the last track had some of the best keyboards on the album, this track is full of some of the best lead and bass guitar on the album.
“Medusa”, is not the Tarja Turunen classic in any way. In fact, the song is sung by a male vocalist, Kevin Hartnell. The story is the same, but the level of anxiety and fear is not the same.
“Running Scared”, opens with excellent soft acoustic guitar, and yes flute. The best song on the album! Stefanie Kisamore’s vocals sound like Grace Slick, as the song has a nice Jefferson Airplane throwback sound. A wonderful surprise and I hope they use that flute more along with the keyboards on the next album. Move aside Ian, there is a new piper on the horizon! The drums are also magnificent on this song.
“Wages for Cages”, is another excellent, keyboard and Kisamore vocals track. Her voice exhibits more mystery and ethereal sounds on this wonderful track. Another of the best tracks on the album.
“Resurrection”, opens with a big, bold electric guitar riff and some backing bass and drums. Kevin Hartnell and Stefanie Kisamore team up to sing this one. The hardest, Joe Walsh-like guitar song. It almost has an Eagles – feel to it.
“The Promise of Morning”, opens with punching drums and an almost Asia-keyboard sound. Then, Stefanie Kisamore enters the soundscape to sing. This one is full of great electric guitar, bass and drumming. The guitar playing on this track is some of the best on the album.
“Tinsel Town”, is the closer, and it opens with bold, French horns and orchestration. Almost like a salute to the morning. Stefanie Kisamore sings, “Lift me up, and me down. Take me through Tinsel Town. Those windows all white. Windows and doors, for one night”. A wonderful holiday – like song. Brings back memories of a month ago. Excellent closer. Thanks for the memories.
Album Track List:
- Persona 03:43
- Tuesday’s Children 03:35
- All I Need 04:13
- Playing with Fire 03:15
- Waiting Game 03:35
- Falling 05:59
- Ash 04:57
- Neverland 04:05
- Medusa 03:19
- Running Scared 03:58
- Wages for Cages 05:04
- Resurrection 03:51
- The Promise of Morning 03:53
- Tinsel Town – 4:11
Imperial Measures’ “The Promise of Morning”, was the perfect introduction to a new band I needed in the New Year. “Tinsel Town”, really hit the spot on the last day my family is keeping our Christmas tree up. However, “Running Scared”, is the best song on the album, and an early favorite to finish on my favorite songs of the year list.
Yes, I absolutely recommend Imperial Measures’ “The Promise of Morning”, for anyone that likes good straight ahead rock music with prog and other influences. This was a nice way to open the New Year. Thank you Peter Rand, for the introduction to Imperial Measures. Now I need to go back and hear the first album, when I get time later in the year. Please give Imperial Measures’ “The Promise of Morning”, your listening attention. You cannot go wrong.
Band Website and Social Media Links:
https://imperialmeasures.bandcamp.com/
https://imperialmeasures.hearnow.com/the-promise-of-morning
https://www.facebook.com/people/Imperial-Measures/61554858853656/?_rdr
https://www.facebook.com/peter.rand.75
https://musicboard.app/artist/imperial-measures/releases
YouTube and Music Video Links:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_i3t3-rycc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQw6mtD6jow&t=3s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FOZrM5GZ1Bs