This is the third album by an unusual amalgamation of muso’s. Namely ex Kajagoogoo bassist Nick Beggs, keyboardist Roger King (who plays in Steve Hackett’s band), and drummer to everybody – Marco Minnemann. Not so weird really, as Beggs plays with King in Hackett’s band, and he played with Marco in Steven Wilson’s band (until Marco had a falling out with SW).
The music has a post rock/prog/pop vibe to it, and is really quite good with the emphasis being on the songs and melody. Beggs’ voice is in a high register, but suits the music really well. This is a double album over 4 Sides, but the 4th side has a lathe cut band logo.
The title track is a great song and a perfect opener. Guitar duties are handled by Beggs and Minneman, as no recognized axeman plays on the album. One Day is another great track and would have made a great single. The last track on Side 1, Knucklehaed, has a funky under groove to it, and again, a focus on the melody.
Side 2 begins with Envy The Dead, it is the heaviest track on the album, and is a very riff driven track. Sonic Boom starts with a drum and bass pattern from Marco before the song kicks in, and has a very different groove to the rest of the tracks. This is my favourite on the album. Old Men is a quiet peace and shows the fragility of Nicks voice, a beautiful piece. The House Where Love Once Lived closes out Side 2, and again, is a slower paced track – very laid back and chill.
Over to Side 3 we go and Iridium Heart starts with an almost East Indian vibe before it settles into what is a great pop song. The penultimate track, Twisted World Godless Universe, is a quirky track and runs with the album’s theme of a dystopian future. Last track, I Think Of You, is a melancholic ending to a very good album.
This album is definitely more melodic and poppy album compared to the previous two, and for what it’s worth, I really like it.
8.5/10 from The Grooveman.
