1. A Life Within A Day - 6:362. Tall Ships - 6:18
3. Divided Self - 4:06
4. Aliens - 5:33
5. Sea of Smiles - 5:25
6. The Summer Backwards - 3:01
7. Stormchaser - 5:27
8. Can't Stop the Rain - 5:48
9. Perfect Love Song - 4:04
Side projects from Yes's outstanding bass player Chris Squire are few and far between, but thankfully they are multiplying in the 21st century. This album is a collaboration between Squire and classic Genesis guitarist/solo artist Steve Hackett. Those familiar with the 80s are probably seeing red flags, since the last time Hackett joined forces with a Yes man, this happened. But not to fear, these veterans bring their storied and seasoned experience to a set of truly outstanding songs, untempered by ill-advised pop-stardom-seeking. (In case you clicked on my malicious little link, here's something to take that sound out of your ears.)
These two just sound so natural together. The album sounds fantastic, with their vocals meshing perfectly in a series of mid-length progressive songs that mix the best of classic Yes and Genesis with strong songwriting, Beatle-esque melodic harmonies, and Led Zeppelin stomp. Steve Hackett's guitar work is simultaneously tasteful and jaw-dropping, laying down atonal jazz solos one minute, emotive slide the next, blistering rock around this corner, calming classical around that. And Chris Squire's bass playing is hungry, athletic, and beautifully highlighted throughout. Complemented by the keyboard playing and arranging of Roger King and the tight drumming of Jeremy Stacey, A Life Within A Day is a treat.
A sense of light-hearted humour (British spelling required) underlies the proceedings, whether it's the self-referential poke at their respective bands' 70's glory days on "Aliens", the cheeky Hamlet-bashing on the upbeat "Divided Self", the Ukrainian Bell Carol quote in "Stormchaser", or the gloriously sunny chorus of "Sea of Smiles", the pervading warmth sets these songs a step above the sum of their (quite considerable) parts, which means any qualms about supergroup pitfalls can be put to rest. A superb album from two of progressive rock's trailblazers.
Arbitrary rating: 5 out of 5 senses of light-hearted humour
No comments:
Post a Comment