The Fifth Movement

I've written this review in my head in many different ways - and they all keep coming back to the same tags. So this review will feature the following - The Beatles, Oasis, Supertramp, ELO, Roy Wood, X Factor and long legged string sections.

I first saw The Fifth Movement when they supported Amsterdam as the Kevin Critchley Outfit. Wasn't really prepared for what I heard in that there is the biggest sound coming off the stage as a wall of sound - not loud but just all the usual band instruments plus Violin and Cello all meshing together to produce more than the sum of their parts.

It was this noise I imagine Roy Wood heard when he listened to the Beatles. Some bands, like Oasis, think that being influenced by the Mop Tops is to wholehearted rip them off - others saw that they opened up avenues but then didn't fully explore them. Roy Wood heard I Am The Walrus and wondered what it would be like to use stringed instruments as an intergral part of a live band resulting in the first Electric Light Orchestra before leaving it to the more commercial hook lead Jeff Lynne - checkout 10538 Overture http://youtu.be/IJ3DOnkUtDQ as the template.

The X Factor when it wants to appear all sincere with the slow ballad songs drag in the all female string section - which provide colour but are not usually essential to the track. With The Fifth Movement there is no gratuitous use of any instrument. When you listen to this EP there is no show boating of any instrument - they all have a place in the arrangements.

However to talk only about the arrangements is to forget that there is a lyrical voice to this band but strangely it was the instrumental track Entropy that unlocked it for me. The first band I ever saw live was Supertramp playing their album Crime of the Century and its the instrumental section of the title track that I was reminded of http://youtu.be/7X7Dnkg0EKY . Kevin Cirtchley's songs on this EP echo those on Crime - as the sleeve notes put it there is "no safe guard from this brewing storm." A sense that those before us have gotten us into the state the planet is in we have to "Stop The Chaos" but do we have the answers and if we don't where are we going to find them.

I've been playing this EP to and from work for over a week now - each time the layers peel away to reveal more musical and lyrical gems. On first hearing it sounded interesting but not as immediate as the live shows but every subsequent hearing shows that the music and the band have a depth to them that will continue to develop and grow - although both music and band are already very sophisicated and its going to be a joy to see where they go next.

Find them on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/TheFifthMovement?sk=info - Liverpool Bands

The Fifth Movement took to the stage. A multi talented mixture of folksters, still in the same vein as the aforementioned Edwardian Picnic but with enough subtle differences (mainly a string section) to set a new tone on this night of discovery for myself. I’m trying to give this band a comparison and there isn’t one that springs to mind. I can hear the slight nod to Elbow here and there, possibly some of

the Decemberists pushing through. Its moody and atmospheric stuff and I’m suddenly very interested in this band. Their use of Cajon drums (which seem to be popping up all over the place lately) give a sort of ethnic, world music-ey atmosphere to it all. Dynamic and clearly written by musicians of the classical discipline. The Fifth Movements music sways and Kevin Critchleys vocals directs and leads us on a dramatic film score set that keeps us interested and entertained. I loved his fast, rhythmic acoustic guitar technique, I loved the intense, moodiness the strings added, I loved the synth player (Luke Moore) suddenly becoming the cellist. I loved this set. - Man Gone Blog

This gig was a launch party for The Kevin Critchley Outfit, who were officially changing the name of the band and releasing a new EP in the same name. They were to start the gig as KCO and end as The Fifth Movement. Also their new EP – This Brewing Storm was available for purchase along with their previous album Scars.

KCO began with a haunting instrumental intro backed by the Sense of Sound singers that beckoned the crowd forward. The gig was awash with energy and excitement as all members of the Outfit gave their all throughout the gig.

This band are something special. I’ve not seen this type of thing from an unsigned band before and they pulled it off is if they always have a 6 piece string section and 8 strong choir joining them on stage. They played two songs from their new EP ‘Stop the Chaos’ and ‘C-Song’. The former put me in mind of a Bond scene, with Latin guitar sounds and sweeping string sections. Epic film music!

What a quality band, what a quality night in fact. Four great bands each with they’re own sound that blended excellently.You can find out more about The Fifth Movement at their facebook page

I head home for the last train with 'Stop the Chaos' by The Fifth Movement and 'Phantoms' by Bird swirling around my head.

Wondering when I’ll be let out again, or should I make a run for it… the wardens know I’m in Liverpool but it’s a big place. Mawgh haha.

- Liverpool Live