The Lost Archives Surfacing the reviews of our forgotten youth
    Back to The Lost Archives
    The Phantom Tollbooth 1998/Kato
    Kato — Seasider cover

    Kato

    Seasider

    (1997)

    Reviewed by James Stewart

    Discogs
    Label BigskymusicThe Phantom Tollbooth1998
    britpoppop rock

    Most observers of the rock music world are now agreeing that brit-pop was a fad with only a short lifespan. For years before the genre exploded, however, some bands were playing a style of music that has been thrown into the brit-pop pile. Kato is one such band - mixing elements of punk, pop, and traditional rock to generate a sound which certainly wouldn't seem out of place in the charts, but sounds more interesting than a lot of the dross that does actually make it into the wider marketplace.

    Previously known as K, the band has built up a large enough fanbase to warrant this being their fourth professional recording, and that experience shows. The lyrics are confidently delivered from vocalist Keith Ayling (who also wrote them). They deal with themes taken from everyday life, some (but not all) of which allude to the band's Christian faith.

    The band may need to be moving on if they're to stay current, but they are certainly good at what they do, and this six track EP also suggests the quality of their live show (which is a good one).

    3.5 tocks

    More from Kato

    1999Home Movie

    Also in The Phantom Tollbooth 1998

    1997Deliriou5?King Of Fools1998Eden's BridgeCeltic Worship1997Johnny RespectBlue Collar Moxy1997Kim CostanzaSong of Solomon1998Twila ParisPerennial: Songs For The Seasons Of Life1998Rich MullinsThe Jesus Record