Reviews roundup – John Wetton vs. Soley Mourning vs. The Dreaming Tree vs. Monster Sound vs. Transience
JOHN WETTON
Anthology: Studio / New York Minute with the Les Paul Trio
Primary Purpose Records
He may be poorly right now but there is still plenty of new (old) John Wetton material to enjoy with this double disc anthology of solo material right up there.
He’s always had a great voice, mo matter what he’s been singing, but you get the feeling of who he really is from his own records, of which there are surprisingly few. Which isn’t surprising considering all the band he’s been in – King Crimson, UK, Asia, Icon etc. So if you’ve missed out on his records over the years, then this is a very good place to start.
There is a very interesting booklet in which he looks back quite candidly at his solo records, and of course the music is replete with big names – Robert Fripp (King Crimson), Steve Hackett (Genesis), Geoff Downes (Yes / Asia), Steve Lukather and Simon Phillips (Toto), Billy Sherwood (Yes), Martin Barre (Jethro Tull), Ian McDonald (King Crimson / Foreigner), Simon Kirke (Free / Bad Company), Clive Nolan (Arena / Pendragon), John Mitchell (IT Bites / Arena), John Young (Lifesigns).
But it’s the songs that count, and he’s written some mighty fine ones.
Over in New York, however, there is an odd (and short) live album, which seems to have been recorded at a charity show in 2013 at the Iridium, with Les Pauls old band backing him on a selection of covers, as well as one of his one and an Asia hit.
Shame, then, that it doesn’t really work for me. It falls between two stools, with the backing neither jazz enough or rock enough. Possibly, they hadn’t had much rehearsal time, so it’s only for those who really, really need to hear Mr Wetton doing covers of Steely Dan, Marvin Gaye, Beach Boys, the Beatlesband and more.
That one is for fans only, but the curious should definitely buy the Anthology.
Anthology – BUY AT AMAZON
New York Minute – BUY AT AMAZON
SOLEY MOURNING
The Rocket Pool
independent
I’m mildly surprised that Soley Mourning have never broken big (bar in Belgium). Maybe it’s the odd name, but their brand of modern rock was the dish of the day for a while their.
And it’s possibly too late now, as they release album number four. Which is a shame, because the West Midlanders have the songs and the chops, which fans of Foo Fighters, Muse and more should be lapping up.
Maybe they’re too adventurous for the mainstream, and not adventurous enough for the whacked out. I don’t know, because I can think of no real reason why their songs shouldn’t be chart bothering ones.
They’ve moved a long way since their debut, and songs like ‘Turn Yourself Around’ and The Unmaking Of A Rational Mind’ are deserving of a big crowd for their big sound.
THE DREAMING TREE
Silverfade
independent
It’s also album number four from The Dreaming Tree. Now there aren’t many phrases I hate more than alt-prog, but that’s what’s emblazoned here. Gits.
I mean, if you’re prog, just come out and say it. Don’t shilly shally around trying to fool the kids into thinking you’re Arcade Fire. Not when you’re the best melodic prog band since the heady days of It Bites.
And they are. So don’t believe the hype about their post grunge influences. Instead, take a listen to the driving, pop / prog / jazz of ‘Yesterdays Tomorrow’ or the musically inventive eight minutes of ‘Forever Not Forever’.
Tad fans need not apply.
MONSTER SOUND
Who’s Laughing Now
independent
Dammit! I can’t get Monster Squad out of my head. But this isn’t a soundtrack to the classic TV show, it’s Monster Sound.
Which means we’re off to Switzerland for some hard driving pop punk meets classic rock, courtesy of Mr Killjoy and his cohorts. It’s album number three, and they certainly know how to crack one out. A riff, that is.
They mix up the sounds of the Offspring, Motley Crue, Rocket From The Crypt and AC/DC with no regard for the welfare of your neck, as you whip it around to blasting tunes like the title track, ‘Whiskey Night Love’ and ‘Don’t Stop’.
Party hard and party here.
TRANSIENCE
Temple
independent
Lastly, for today, we’re off to the mythical continent of Australasia for some prog rock, with a tinge of metal. Transience is the band, they come from Melbourne, and this is their full length debut.
Which is quite hard to believe, because it is very good indeed, with all the hallmarks of a band who’ve been doing this for a long, long time.
From the opening instrumental ‘Anglophobia’ (the cheek) through the metallic ‘Nails’ and the epic ‘Shining Lights’, they barely put a foot wrong. If you’re looking for some new prog that looks to the past and the future, then this one you should definitely try for size.
The Rocker - The Artist Formerly Known As Zeitgeist. TAFKAZ 
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