RICK WAKEMAN and the New English Rock Ensemble‘Out There’ (Classic Pictures MFW6093X) (2003)
His latest solo album is a prog rock concept album, with the story line
being the exploration of space to discover the origin of music. Joining Rick
are vocalist Damian Wilson (ex-AYREON/THRESHOLD & he also appeared on a
touring version of the musical Les Miserables), guitarist Ant Glynne, his
long-time drummer Tony Fernandez and bass player Lee Pomeroy. The album is
dedicated to the NASA astronauts who lost their lives aboard the STS-107
space shuttle.
Guitarist Ant Glynne adds a prog metal feel to the proceedings, none more
so than on opener ‘Out There’, where the guitar drives the song along. The
track also features some great parping keys! It is the albums epic tune,
weighing in at over thirteen minutes and the track where Rick’s keys show
most prominence. ‘To Be With You’ mixes choral passages into a laid back
beat to produce a very effective song. The rocky ‘Universe of Sound’
follows, with a driving rhythm and Damian’s vocal not unlike Jon Anderson in
pitch. The nearest to a Yes sounding track on the album. ‘The Cathedral in
the Sky’, starts with a church organ before adding more choral touches. The
whole song has a pomp rock feel reminiscent of Styx. It rounds the album of
in fine style.
Special mention to the cover as well, with a clear picture (a spaceship
made-up of musical instruments) as there is no band logo on it. The inlay
sleeve is well illustrated with all the lyrics, making it a good package all
round.
Superbly played and arranged throughout, the album will delight
longstanding Yes and Rick Wakeman fans. But it has a wider appeal to fans of
prog rock in general, particularly those who enjoy a more modern leaning
like Threshold, Arena, etc. Worthy of a place in your CD collection, with
the highlights being Rick’s keys and Damian’s vocals. Even if you think you
hate prog rock try this as the melodies are tightly composed and there are
no ‘waffly’ passages that put so many people off prog rock.
***** Out of this world | **** Pretty
damn fine |
*** OK, approach with caution unless you are a fan |
** Instant bargain bin fodder | * Ugly. Just ugly
