I awaited this release eagerly. Why?

Well, the short pieces of music on their website www.touchstonemusic.co.uk and on www.myspace.com/touchstonemusicuk sounded very very promising .

The EP opens with a good rocking rock song: Misguided Fool. After a few spins I already started singing along with this song. The guitar playing is crunchy, sometimes a little metalish. In the refrain of the song you can hear how well both (Rob & Liz) voices combine.

One Shot follows and is the "weakest" track of the EP. It's a little softer than Misguided Fool. It is still rocking and enjoyable to listen to though. Again good guitar and keyboard sounds.

Hear Me immediately sticks in my head (that is good!). It's based on a song from Rob's solo album (Behind The Orchard Tree). Haunting keyboards open the track. I won't tell more about it, just check it out yourself.

Last song (and personal favourite) is more or less the title track of the EP, The Mad Hatters Song. A long progressive piece. You can hear how good the rhythm section is (bass Paul and drums Simon). In the middle of the song you can hear stunning vocals by Liz (Rob's voice is good as well), a very versatile voice. It would be nice to hear her sing more in the future.

All in all a very good second EP from Touchstone and I am already looking forward to new material by this promising new band. People who like Magenta, Pure Reason Revolution and even Karnataka will find much pleasure in this CD. But I think a lot of people will like this music.

Soundwise this CD is excellent (a little help from Kino vocalist and guitar player John Mitchell)

A special point of interest is the very nice artwork of this CD. The artwork and the lyrics from the title track belong together. Nice work Adam (Hodgson, also Guitar player), I hope you do next one as well.

The CD can be bought through the bands website ( www.touchstonemusic.co.uk ) or through www.amazon.co.uk as of 19th June.

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