Mighty Handful, The: Men In Stasis iii

And so with Men In Stasis iii the three part, three songs each EP project from those underrated rock, pop, progsters The Mighty Handful comes to an end. It’s been a complicated journey, with the same three songs completely remoulded into different sounding and differently intentioned pieces for each release. This third instalment, according to the band ‘explores colliding journeys of self-defeating beliefs, righteous/misplaced indignation, unexpected discoveries and handling losses and gains with equanimity. A project spawned as a response to Covid lockdown ennui and dislocation comes to its epic conclusion.’ And it’s hard to argue with those sentiments.

It’s “The Signal iii� that opens this final account, the clever repetition of ‘ready, set, wait for it’ bringing an air of latter day Roger Waters era Pink Floyd to the intro, buoyed by an acoustic guitar as they are. Singer Matt Howes adds a Bowie like flavour to proceedings as the atmosphere builds and a roaming pop sensibility brings in a host of broader themes - oh and some seriously tasty keyboards, courtesy of Ralph Blackbourn. “The Crucible iii�, however, changes tack quite considerably, a riff totting amalgam of punk influences somehow melding eagerly with vocal arrangements that 10CC would have proudly called their own. In some ways it reminds me of Scaramanga Six, but either way, this is maybe the most forceful offering from any of the The Men In Stasis EPs.

All of which leads the more tender, soulful, maybe even R&B inflected “The Stand iii� to close things out in a manner that looks for optimism, while maybe more closely finding melancholy. Although, that said, the more rousing crescendo tumbles into an early Queen meets Cardiacs rabble of madness that rewards ever more with each listen.

Releasing a trio of three song EPs doesn’t feel like the most adventurous endeavour any band has ever undertaken, but The Mighty Handful never do things by halves and indeed, rather than a triumvirate of throwaway numbers, The Men In Stasis reveals challenging questions and delight at every turn. Part iii is no different.

Track Listing
1. The Signal iii
2. The Crucible iii
3. The Stand iii

Added: December 5th 2023
Reviewer: Steven Reid
Score:
Related Link: The Mighty Handful online
Hits: 697
Language: english

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