YOU HAVE IT ALL

Yeah, now we have it all! It definitely took some time, several attempts, one can say ten years in the end. But now it's on the bench since May 2022, the band's new fully-fledged release. Strictly speaking, you may also take it as an expansion to the 2019 EP 'Spirals And Portals'. Anyway, who cares, the typical LOBATE SCARP ambience is coming back, that's assured, important. First and foremost due to Adam Sear's distinctive singing voice, I'm really fond of over and over. And then he makes the conductor here again, has composed most of the available material, cares for the keyboard range too. Some minor exceptions anyhow, for example the opening instrumental Conduit sees Ryo Okumoto enhancing the crew. This just comes in the vein of a well-concipated warm-up, also covering some nice ethno world impressions towards the end. In addition the songs are of a rather symphonic nature right through, especially because viola, violin, cello, and keyboard strings respectively patterns are generously present all over.

In consequence the contributor list turns out to be a huge one. This certainly also due to the fact that the entire song material formed over quite a longer period of time. Apart from those who are particularily proactive, finally all power comes from the collective of musicians. In sum just a great advantage when expecting something skillfull and entertaining. That's the real secret, or what? Please don't blame me if I will name only a few involved in the further course. As there would be Andy Catt (bass) first and foremost, being at Adam's side since the beginning. And Peter Matuchniak (Kinetic Element) needless to say, who is responsible for most of the electric guitar duties, providing one hell of a job. Finally the regular drum work will be shared by Eric Moore, Jimmy Keegan and Mike Gerbrandt. Including Hoyt Binder delivering the lead guitar Nothing Wrong is fading in next, connects to the newer pieces without any problems. The main refrain intensively invites me to sing along, still.

And then the album's title track sees other famous vocalists partially taking the lead, just another prove that Adam is pulling the strings with a proper portion of unpretentiousness. Let me emphasize Our Test Tube Universe next, which comes with a rather heavy nature due to a stomping drum beat, but you won't miss the lovely Mellotron in between, gorgeous! The extended Flowing Through The Change bears a bit of a jamming appeal, nevertheless, or just due to that evolves to the album highlight the more I'm listening. One of the two generously offered so-called long tracks, where a composer brings all his blood and sweat into operation. Maybe also a lot of tears, but perhaps the latter is more relevant to the listener? This is well achieved prog music, just for the record. I recommend to check that effort out. Fans of Spock's Beard, Enchant, IZZ, Echolyn and similar should set the anchor here in any case. Im sure, who already liked the prior album 'Time And Space' will feel comfortable with this too.