Citizen Cain

CITIZEN CAIN originally formed in London in 1982 with Gordon Feenie (drums/flute) and Cyrus (bass/vocals) and shortly after Tim Taylor on guitar. But even though many critics rated them very highly the band split in 1988 and Cyrus returned home to Scotland. Two years later Cyrus met with old guitarist friend Frank Kennedy whom with friends Stewart Bell (drums/keys) and Dave Elam (bass) had a few songs written. After a few months Stewart went onto keys and drummer Chris Colvin was brought in. With Cyrus on vocals and flute CITIZEN CAIN MKII was complete. In '91 the first demo was recorded and received excellent reviews. The following year their debut album was recorded 'Serpents In Camouflage', but the band were not happy with the result even though SI Music had agreed to release it. The band line-up then changed over the next few years with Alistair MacGregor coming in on guitar and Nick Arkless on drums and finally recruiting Andy Gilmour on bass. With this line-up CITIZEN CAIN recorded 'Somewhere But Yesterday' and was released through SI Music in October '94. In '96 SI Music went bankrupt, but since their albums have been re-released on the Cyclops label. As you have already guessed CITIZEN CAIN are a progressive rock band from Scotland. In my opinion their influences I would have to say are JETHRO TULL, CAMEL, MARILLION and GENESIS, who seems to be their biggest influence. To me the music is very much in the GENESIS, “Nursery Crymes” / “Foxtrot” / “Selling England by the Pound” era. But don't get me wrong the music on 'Somewhere but Yesterday' doesn't sound dated, far from it. It's highly complex, fresh, exciting and even at times a little amusing and lets face it GENESIS today are not the same band they were all those years ago. Now even though, CITIZEN CAIN do show some similarities to earlier said progrock bands, what does it matter if the songs being produced are all excellent and you fully get absorbed listening to their albums. Although the comparison comes to the listener's mind right away, they are able to deliver good quality music. Long compositions are constant on their albums. There are some nice key solos and flute, and the instrumental chops are certainly refreshing for a band that's gonna get hammered on the GABRIEL/FISH thing.