An English soundscape

The so-called progressive rock has indeed in the past decade, more than a few signs of life ('Life Signs') given on its own, but blossomed again in the most beautiful and varied colors. This circumstance makes now a new band from the county of Bedfordshire advantage, and the beautiful cover artwork already points to a deeply 'English' atmosphere of their debut album.

Keyboardist and lead singer John Young (2000-2003 Member of semilegendären Progformation Greenslade) is here clearly the boss, because he not only wrote all the songs, but dominated with his keyboard instruments also the musical events.

Bass player and singer Nick Beggs was in the eighties the driving force behind the pop group Kajagoogoo ("Too Shy", "Big Apple"). In the last twenty years he made himself with his work at Iona and Steve Hackett Stephen Wilson or a name in the Progszene. The blond Rasta braids back then but he has retained.

Drummer Martin 'Frosty' Beedle also celebrated in the eighties some hits with the band Cutting Crew, including the evergreens "(I Just) Died In Your Arms Tonight" and "I've Been In Love Before". Their first album BROADCAST 1986 I hear, despite its contemporary sounds echoed occasionally still quite like.

Since the trio employs no guitarist, one handle for Lifesigns with Steve Hackett, Jaakko M. Jakszyk and Robin Boult on partly well-known guest musicians back. Thijs van Leer also ensures (Focus) with his flute for two or three very atmospheric contributions.

(Prog) Musically the disc makes no prisoners: at 53 minutes of playing time spread just five pieces, three of which exceed the magic ten-minute mark. The lyrics are twisted long and sometimes beautiful. "Fridge Full Of Stars" (A fridge full of stars) could have been sealed by Jon Anderson (Yes). The chorus even text quotations from him are adopted relatively unaltered.

The songs are varied, full of surprising twists, partially complicated structure, but do not look overcrowded or pointless protracted. It takes a while until you have digested and understood everything, but that is how it should be with a good prog album indeed be.

Properly upsetting and emotionally it is for my taste but only in parts of the second track "Telephone". There run me then sometimes even goose bumps down my back, and / or it tumbles a little tears of emotion.

Total Lifesigns is a fine work that will be like a hilly and wooded English countryside at a leisurely pace he-go, so you can really appreciate all the charms.

Playing tips: "Telephone", "Fridge Full Of Stars".