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  | JOHN IRVINE BAND ~ THE STARSHIPS ARE GATHERING
HEAD IN THE DOOR 007 (Barcode: 9508984316687) ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 2023 Released: 2024
This is the 7th album by the John Irvine BandFind albums by this artist, led by British (Scottish) guitarist / bassist / keyboardist / composer John IrvineFind albums by this artist, recorded in a duo setting with drummer Andrew ScottFind albums by this artist. As the title (gently) suggests, this is the 2nd album in the “End Of Days” Sci-Fi trilogy of albums. The album presents eight tracks, all of which are original compositions by Irvine.
The music is exactly as described, a mixture of Prog and Fusion, more of the former than the latter perhaps, but it does not really matter. Surprisingly, the music is soaked in synthesizer sounds and there is very little guitar per se, which I found rather disappointing. Of course these might be synthesized guitars – who can tell these days.
The melodies are nice and coherent, played mostly up-tempo with a solid “wall of sound” drums behind, which leaves no chance for any silent moments for the ears to rest a bit. After a while it all sounds a bit samey with a lot of déjà vu, with early Prog bands getting out of their tombs and joining in.
Paraphrasing on the famous Frank ZappaFind albums by this artist saying: “Jazz isn’t dead, it only smells funny”, it seems that despite all efforts both Prog and Fusion are so dead, that they don’t even smell any more. The only rosy thing about them is nostalgia.
Having said all this, it’s obvious that Irving is a talented and dedicated musician, doing what he likes to do, which I respect of course, especially since he does it well. Of course he might have just forgotten the PIN code of his “back to the future” time machine, but he isn’t complaining.
Overall, this is a great butt-kicking album for listeners stuck musically in the early 1970s, serving them a fresh portion of their favorite medicine, which will not cure them, but keep them alive happily ever after.
| | Updated: 02/02/2024Posted: 02/02/2024 | CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend |
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