06-11-2017, 15:51
Something new coming up from DBA (Downes Braide Association) who are entirely new to me although this will be their third release. Geoff Downes is a known factor, of course, but I haven't a clue about Chris Braide. He has a long list of song-writing credentials (for artists I wouldn’t normally listen to, with one or two exceptions) and from what I have now heard, a good voice.
The Association bit appears to apply to whoever else fits the bill at the time! Kate Pierson from the B52’s is on the sample track - Marc Almond, Andy Partridge (XTC) and Tim Bowness on others, yet to be released.
The album title, Skyscraper Souls, seemed enticing and the Roger Dean looking cover art caught my eye. As it happens – it is indeed his fantastical brushwork.
Based on the sampler, I listened to some songs from their second album, Suburban Ghosts (2015) - I suppose you’d call it AOR. I didn’t like the drum programming on the first track – sounded like it was going to run away with everything, but whoever was doing it seemed to acquire a little more finesse further along the way - or found the 'slow down' dial, lol! I quite liked “Vanity” - they’re saying what everyone else is saying about the sorry state of the planet, directly and without any subtlety, which although not 'clever' doesn’t make it any less valid - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6Jf1RVUS7E. That said, I probably would not seek out the album.
Anyway - it will be interesting to see whether Skyscraper Souls breaks any new ground. Due out around 17 November, I think ...
This then, is the title track …
The Association bit appears to apply to whoever else fits the bill at the time! Kate Pierson from the B52’s is on the sample track - Marc Almond, Andy Partridge (XTC) and Tim Bowness on others, yet to be released.
The album title, Skyscraper Souls, seemed enticing and the Roger Dean looking cover art caught my eye. As it happens – it is indeed his fantastical brushwork.
Based on the sampler, I listened to some songs from their second album, Suburban Ghosts (2015) - I suppose you’d call it AOR. I didn’t like the drum programming on the first track – sounded like it was going to run away with everything, but whoever was doing it seemed to acquire a little more finesse further along the way - or found the 'slow down' dial, lol! I quite liked “Vanity” - they’re saying what everyone else is saying about the sorry state of the planet, directly and without any subtlety, which although not 'clever' doesn’t make it any less valid - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6Jf1RVUS7E. That said, I probably would not seek out the album.
Anyway - it will be interesting to see whether Skyscraper Souls breaks any new ground. Due out around 17 November, I think ...
This then, is the title track …
"The surest sign that intelligent life exists elsewhere in the universe is that it has never tried to contact us." ~ Bill Watterson