THE UNDERFALL YARD

Last Friday, my best friend Kerri died suddenly, without any warning whatsoever. He leaves behind a wife and two young children.

I'm sure that most members of Prog Archives appreciate that, at times such as these, we turn to our music in order to release our emotions, try to find out some meaning to such events, or simply to wallow in the depths of our individual feelings and torment.

I was recommended The Underfall Yard by Progkidjoel on the forum when asking for birthday recommendations. When I finally acted on his, wise, advice I sent him a PM telling him just how fantastic this piece of modern progressive rock was as a body of work. If I had reviewed it at the time, it would have generated a certain four star review. "An excellent addition to any prog rock collection".

Since last weekend, the album has come to mean a whole lot more, deserving of five stars, and really because of one piece of music, and I will explain why.

Victorian Brickwork is the first epic track on the album. Until that point, we are treated to exemplary playing and lyrics on Evening Star and Master James of St George.

The lyrics themselves, when I played them on my MP3 player last week meant so much to me, recalling so many conversations with Kerri, my friend.

Lost in the low lights at the ocean tides The love you never meant to hide The low lights at the ocean tides The love you never meant to hide

Kerri and I had so many discussions about how different our beloved wives were from us, the idiosyncrasies, and the day to day ups and downs of married life. But one thing held us in a bond. The love we both shared for our life partners and the children that we have. Those lyrics are so profound and just so painfully reflective. And so true. We never seem to tell our love just how much they mean to us until it is too late.

Some seven minutes into the track, the piece transforms itself into a glorious explosion of sound, guitar telling a painful story. And then, that moment.

The joy of the best progressive rock bands is to change moods and signatures. I am not ashamed to say that at eight and a half minutes into the track, when the brass solo commences, then accompanied by keyboard and rhythm section, into such an achingly beautiful, joyously painful, section of music, I cried my eyes out, in sheer wonder of the breadth of expression and emotion portrayed.

I am not an overtly religious man. However, I tell you, God spoke to me that night, and as I write this review. God gave these musicians the wonderful talent to create such an incredible piece of music, to call out to me in a moment of emotional crisis and of need. These incredibly talented musicians provided me with an outlet in which to cry, reflect, and to come to terms with both Kerri, and the love I feel for my family.

Very rarely does a band, or music, touch one like this.

The album as a whole is a great work. However, for me, I am going to award five stars to this album on the rare basis of one track from it, a track which I will forever associate with my friend.

Salute. Gorffwys mewn tangnefedd (rest in peace)

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