Reviewed by Paul Kerslake The back of the CD reads, "As each generation searches for the meaning of life and love, music can provide a portal into the realm of faith, hope and love. 'Living World' is a journey through that portal." This statement, combined with the cover art (a globe floating in a violent sea with storms raging around) suggest prog rock-style pretension though thankfully the music is not reflective of the cover although track two, "Krakow", and the closing track, "Souls To Love And Cherish", are instrumental and do veer into "concept album" territory. The opener "You're The One" is reminiscent of Steely Dan and Chicago in that polished, FM rock sound. There are many other songs like this, singer John Gaughan having a distinctive voice not dissimilar to Donald Fagen. The musicians, including Chris Rea's keyboard player Kevin Leach, are clearly talented and apparently 7,000 man hours have been spent producing the album. And it does sound very highly produced, the songs not sounding out of place on Radio Two, or a late night smooth FM radio show somewhere in LA. However, few of the songs register and one can't help but wonder if they'd stopped after 3,500 studio hours there might have been a bit more life left in the recordings.
The opinions expressed in this article are
not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed
views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may
not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a
later date. Interested in reviewing music? Find out
more here.
|
home
radio
Comment
Bookmark
Tell a friend
Track 14 - 'Souls to love and cherish' is identical to track 4 except that the vocal is replaced by a Tenor Sax solo - It's about children- Souls to love and not problems to solve. To some extent it's intended as a concept album. 'Krakow' was inspired by nightmare Kevin Leach had following a visit to Kaziemerz in Krakow where 60,000 Jews were lost in the Holocaust. It's a moving lament for the lost but would be incomplete without the next track - One way to Zion - which is almost a history of the Jewish people and the hope for the future of the 'One New Man'. The album is intended for a secular 'Radio 2' audience and is carefully crafted to avoid words which would prohibit secular airplay. It's intended to be inspirational which is the word used in responses to recent airplay on Premier Radio. Most reveiwers have commented on a Steely Dan - Christopher Cross feel to some of the tracks - praise indeed!