Karate
Pockets

Wandering on the site and through the pages dedicated to Karate, I couldn't help but notice the absence of a review for "Pockets." A terrible omission because the album is a splendid synthesis of the latest Karate, more akin to "Unsolved" than to "Some Boots" (to be honest).

Let's start right away with the major flaw: the duration, just over half an hour, splendid indeed, but still only half an hour! The tracks are always characterized by a variety and exploration that leaves their sound unclassifiable for how unique and original it is. Farina crafts well-settled guitar patterns with his voice, while his rhythm section seems to spur him on, and it's unclear whether it's to steal a bit of the spotlight or simply to keep up with him. But one must be happy because there are also tracks that make you tap your foot like "The State I'm In" aka "Goode Buy From Cobbs Creek Park" or the opening track "With Age", while the others are even softer or more reflective like "Water", "Cacophony" or "Concrete".

What else to say? Old fans who appreciated the shift a few years ago will love it, those approaching it for the first listen will listen, re-listen (after all, it's only half an hour…) and then say "Ok… I am officially a fan of Karate!"