Confuzion - Extinguished (album sampler/ Criteria Records) By Steve Rudd

Energetically benefiting from the refreshing and super-smooth vocal talents of Ashley Stone, this Reading-based band produces seriously poppy music of a hugely anthemic nature. These three songs provide the first evidence of the type of material that is set to appear on their second album that is due for release later in 2004, with their grand Extinguished tune being an upbeat wedge of feel-good and technically perfect pop-rock.. with the emphasis more on the pop elements than the rock'.

Imagine the cool funkiness of the Scissor Sisters music crossed with Duran Duran's and Delirious' collective ear for perky melodies, as prominent keyboard-based tuneage succulently seeps out of the mix courtesy of Nick Willson's talents. What's more, Nick has also produced all three of these fantastic tracks. Their Uprising is an even funkier tune, with Pat Kohlhammer's lead guitar part rocking affairs up as Ashley admits We've had enough of all the propaganda.

Still, the final track in the exclusively instrumental masterpiece Met Zijn Vieren is the most outstanding of all, and suggests that Confuzion are genuinely interested in actively pushing musical boundaries, for this tune is essentially Progressive Pop in its most captivating format, as Pat's Blues-based guitar emotively wails against the lush band musicianship that is poignantly underpinned by some beautifully affecting Keane-esque keyboard melodies.

Oh, and if you ever manage to see these guys play live, pipe up with a request for Deep Purple's Black Night classic if you dare, as they have been known to cover such a tune on occasion - and in fine style too. 4/5 www.confuzion.com E-mail.. confuzion@criteriarecords.co.uk

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