DO NOTHING TILL YOU HEAR FROM ME

A supergroup of touring musicians from Steve Hackett's and Steven Wilson's bands, I guess I'm really here for Marco. You can see my reviews for his early discography: I'm an advocate haha. I really don't know Nick Beggs, as it were, but certainly intrigued by anyone who has any mastery over the Chapman Stick. This is a review for an apparent later release with a few slight changes to tracklist/bonus track ordering.

"Do Nothing Till You Hear From Me" is our opener, with open electronica, reminiscent of Krautrock. Vocally somehow reminiscent of Wilson; Bri'ish peepo', amirite? This sort of thing unfortunately feels a little dated. Just a focus that doesn't feel like it holds up, but I know that's also coming from me. I'm just a skeptic. Of course it's well performed, just not a whole lot for me. Alternatively, "Praying to a Mute God" immediately has a more classic sound. Here, Begg's vocals are definitely stronger to me. This track has great melody and a pretty cool, beefy riff. Great guitar solo, too! Wow! What a turn.

Certainly charmed by "Nightschool for Idiots". A personal feel, for sure, but also sweet. Quite the juxtaposition with the next, the swelling "Feed the Troll". Really cool harpy-type something after minute 1. Nice riff; Marco's on fire; 'nuff said? Very tense song. Some creepy, deep yet soft vocals that reminded me of some of the backing vocals through Kate Bush's career. "Your Dark Ideas" starts off familiar somehow... Wonky rhythm innit? Not super into it, honestly. I'm sure the 'ideas' were 'dark', but I can grant you that they were at least decent.

"Last Man on Earth" is... fine. "In the Crosshairs" has a pretty cool opening/main riff. And the instrumentation is very satisfying. The guitar and synth leads slide all around. All the while, right n' heavy. "Strange Relationship" starts off with Marco showin' his versatility with a jazzy feel. This is kind of a post-Raga-Rock, lightly neo-Psychedelic number. Another moment where Roger King shines on synth. Kind of static track, yet a lot to offer texturally.

Now introducing a BRAND NEW BREED, "Swimming Horses", one of the few tracks that really pulls me in from the start. Very cool. Certainly we do have "the ebb and flow" as Beggs says on this one. Sweet vocally, but a lot going on underneath. Swirling accompaniment, sort of Eastern in scope as well, with Marco's snare popping out of the mix bright and strong. Not exactly static, and even so, the textures and general performance is interesting in and of itself.

"Mavro Capelo" also has an interestingly Eastern something-or-rather goin' on. At first low and slow, it picks up to another heavy riff. The synthwork here is very very cool. Around minute 2, big shift toward's something... Baroque, I guess? Very interesting. Then back to the main heaviness... It kind of loses me there, but it's not a bad song, in the least. And finally, "Father Daughter" is an expectedly sweeter number. Vocal responsibilities are shared with Nick's daughter, I trust, Lulu Beggs. Very nice. Again, a sweet sweet song. Not saccharine, but sincere. And well performed.

And that's it! I will certainly be continuing to dive in, in time, but really just to look for those especially more golden moments from the trio.