Although only drummer Mit Witchitwatee is actually Thai by nationality, “flow” (that is the correct way to spell it, all in lower case letters) were formed in Thailand and have certainly captured the Thai spirit. In their first self produced full length CD they have produced a bunch of songs which, being fun and likeable, are brilliantly performed.

The other 3 quarters of “flow” are talented vocalist Rick Montembeault, whose uniquely expressive vocals carry you from song to song driving the choruses into your head, whilst being one of the few vocalists in modern rock that actually bothers to sing the songs so that you can actually understand what the song is about; a welcome relief in this day of “Kid Rock” and such.

The other two are twins Peter and Roland (Breez to his friends) Fleischhacker. Peter on bass forms with Mit a very solid rhythm section which gives the whole album a groove that runs through it, dragging you toe tapping along from song to song.

But the star of the show is the man Breez on lead guitar. The opening song, “Being in the flow” has a pleasant, funky beginning driven along by a punchy bass line and Rick’s vocals, but as soon as the chorus comes along and the Breez’s lead guitar kicks in, you know you are listening to a CD that’s just a little bit special. Then, when the guitar solo rips your head off leaving you for dead, the action starts to cook.

Of the 12 songs of this collection of Seeds (that are sure to grow on you!) there is plenty of variety, from the lonesome ballad “The Hardest Thing” to the impossibly fast garage punk of “Like a Gun”, with the totally over the top lyrics of “My barrel’s fully loaded, my hammers fully cocked, the last time I exploded, somebody’s world was rocked, it looks like I’m on safety, when I go off you’ll be shocked, I’m like a gun and I go bang”.

This marvelous CD was recorded by “flow” at Heaven Records and Doux Studios Bangkok, with all the songs written by Rick Montembeault, and is presently available at Tower Records (soon to become the Warehouse Company). This is the sort of music that should be played all over Thailand in the Rock ‘n’ Roll bars. This week Thailand, next week the world.

Mott the Dog wishes flow all the best in their travels.

For those of you who would like to know more about flow, where and when they are gigging in your area, please look up their website at www.f-l-o-w.com

Rick Montembeault - lead vocals and guitar
Rol aka Breez - lead guitar and vocals
Peter Fleischhacker - bass guitar and vocals
Mit Witchitwatee - drums and percussion

1. Being In The Flow
2. N.Y. City Dilemma
3. I Don’t Want To Wait Anymore
4. Born Too Late
5. Outside Looking In
6. The Hardest Thing
7. Don’t Got You
8. Like A Gun
9. Avalanche
10. You Are The One
11. Writing On The Wall
12. I Won’t Be Around

By Poppy

I sat down with anticipation to watch this movie unaware that it was a Walt Disney or a cartoon; it was the title that attracted me. So you can imagine my disappointment, but I decided to keep an open mind and settled down to watch.

Plato, in 360 B.C. said, “In a single day and night of misfortune the island of Atlantis disappeared into the depths of the sea.” The naive cartographer Milo Thatch (voice by Michael J. Fox) has big dreams of fulfilling the goals of his late grandfather by finding the lost kingdom of Atlantis and its secret power source, but he is missing two key things: funding and the elusive “Shepherd’s Journal” that holds the key to finding the lost empire. But then, Preston Whitmore (John Mahoney), his grandfather’s millionaire friend, surprises Milo with the journal and a motley crew and sends him off on an expedition to find Atlantis.

Needless to say there are many adventures on the way - they loose their ship but survive to find Atlantis. There Milo and the gang meet Princess Kida (Cree Summer), who shows them the island and introduces them to her father, King Kashekim Nedakh (Leonard Nimoy), who doesn’t like visitors, but agrees to let them stay one night.

But wait, who is the villain? If you are familiar with Disney movies, you know, there is a villain. It is also a nice twist in the story - that is why I am not saying another word.

Atlantis is a beautifully animated movie with a very good story line and great voice-over work. The scenes in the kingdom of Atlantis are almost breathtaking, even though they are mere drawings. The visuals in the chase and fighting scenes are spectacular.

Directed by Gary Trousdale and Kirk Wise

Starring: The voices of Michael J. Fox, James Garner, Cree Summer, Jim Varney, and Leonard Nimoy.