YOU HAVE IT ALL

The timing may have just been right for me. After listening to several new purchases of albums released in 2022 and finding something to like on all of them but also finding plenty that would require further listens to "get", this album settled into my ears and wrapped up with me feeling that this was the kind of album I wanted to hear: something that I could "get" from the first listen and be thrilled about.

"You Have It All" by Lobate Scarp got mentioned on a few prog albums of 2022 lists presented in YouTube videos, and I decided it was one that I certainly should have home. I knew little more than Peter Matuchniak of Kinetic Element, Bomber Googles, Gekko Projekt, solo, etc. was playing guitar on the album. But a cursory listen on YouTube intrigued me.

The album is a collection of various approaches to song-writing with some more cross-over type tracks, two longer tracks with multiple parts and lots of intrumental work, a couple of tracks with a bit of a harder edge to them, and a couple of tracks that are more like intermissions between the busier music. And that is one of the points I really enjoy about the album. It's not a slab of four epics that you have to wade through over and again before they start taking shape in your memory. This album offers variety in track length and flavour, and features a nearly uninterrupted flow of music that takes me for a ride. Another thing I really love about the album is the variety of sound. In addition to the standard vocals/guitars/keyboards/bass/ drums set up, there are also violins and violas, a string quartet composed of these and a cello, some french horn, and a diruba, which is a tradional Indian instrument. During the first listen I was enthralled with all the surprises that came up and in some cases unpredictable moments that went a different way from what listening experience had told me to expect. With each subsequent listen, I kept tuned in for those moments that thrilled me so much the first time.

Other reviews describe each track, so I don't need to go into detail, but for the first time reader of reviews of this album, I'll add my own notes.

"Conduit" is an instrumental track that gives each soloist a moment in the spotlight, and that includes a violin solo. It seems to wrap up dramatically after four minutes but then slows down and a mournful French horn comes in with the dirupa contributing its distinctive flavour to the sound palette. The bass guitar smoothly announces its presence and takes us into the next track, "Nothing Wrong". After a mysterious and unsettling atmosphere, the song takes shape and evolves into a affirmative and resolute statement about choosing to life life one's own way.

I personally find "Life Line" to be a very beautiful and uplifting track, a kind of orchestral rock song that lifts the spirit and conjures feelings of soaring or dancing on dunes by the sea. A little further down the track list, "Beautiful Light" has a similar feel but with more of a folk touch to it and some pretty woodwinds. For those who like sweet sentimental songs with some orchestral power to send you to the happy skies, these two tracks are the tickets for the ride.

The title track is the first of the two longer tracks and quite confidently asserts the potential of Maestro Adam Sears and Co. to create a powerful piece, but for me, it's the album closer, "Flowing Through the Change" that offers so many delightful moments that it's easily my preference of the two. There are two or three motifs in the music in the final track that reprise once or twice and sometimes not so obviously at first. For example, after one exacting build up, a synthesizer breaks from the crescendo and sails away with a pleasing singing melody. Later in the track, after another powerful built up with the string quartet and vocals, the music drops to a simple acoustic guitar and rhythm section with the guitar picking out the same melody delivered by the sythesizer earlier, but it takes a second listen to recognize it if no one told you to expect it. "Flowing Through the Change" concludes with a dramatic orchestration of rock band and string quartet for a fitting end to a wonderful album.

I'm jumping around a bit, but I would be remiss not to mention the exciting "Our Test Tube Universe". The atmosphere on this track is unique on the album. The song lyrics describe a scientist conducting experiments and not understanding the results. It has a strong eighties feeling to it but in a rock/new wave way but with some cool organ effects.

A final thing I want to mention is the quality of Adam Sears's voice. I really like it! He can sing with a powerful alternative rock voice or in clearly enunciated half-whispers. He complements the mood of the lyrics and music very well with his vocals.

There's a host of musicians participating on this album including some pretty big names like Jon Davison, Ryo Okumoto, and Jimmy Keagan. Working together with Adam Sears, Peter Matuchniak, and other band members and guests, I think the whole team has created a wonderful piece of work that satisfies the symphonic prog fan, the cross- over fan, and the fan of ambitious and creative rock. My personal rating is a full five stars and after multiple listens I am still excited about nearly every track. But for Prog Archives, I'll give it four stars because I know a rating of "essential: a masterpiece of progressive rock music" should be very thoughtfully given.

But once again for the record, I love this album!