PERSPECTIVE

My fellow Canadian is quite the prolific musician, presenting releases since 1984, kicking off with "Starsong" but his finest trait remains his consistently adamant and rebelliously unapologetic desire to maintain his stylistic preference and not bend to any outside pressure in having to forge bold new horizons. A rogue prog composer who sticks to his roots is fine with me! Personally , I am completely addicted to his art, just as I continue to enjoy consuming large doses of longtime favorites like cheese, chocolate and wine. Why should I deny my tastes buds more pleasure ? "Perspective" is his 19 album and is just another brilliant sonic adventure with all his usual collaborators on board for the ride. Rick has proffered a darker complexion to his craft, perhaps a sign of the current angst-laden times, where media-fueled truth is just another unresearched opinion begging for followers and maybe even a few likes, desperate for some sense of control . This narrative is clearly enunciated on the rhythmically dystopic "False Prophets", a mesmerizing thumper that takes its sweet time in developing a long line of cling-clang percolations, ominously close to imprinting a sense of doom or ,at the very least, disbelief in any form of conventional 'leadership', where nothing is explained properly or even researched, just platitudes bandied about like internet candy. The Barry Haggarty lead guitar shines like a crazy diamond, unafraid to cry in despair as Rick ruminates on the human condition. Will pounds his skins with indomitable impunity, urging on 'the piety on bended knee' evoked on the microphone.

"My Avalon" searches for the inner lantern that flickers albeit gingerly, the guide towards an inevitable fate that shows no preference towards rich or poor, powerful or weak. The gorgeous melody is stirring, a forlorn lament that seemingly has never faded since the dawn of time. What finer instrument than the Mateusz Swoboda cello to underline the plight of every birth , the lead guitar taking over with its usual extemporaneous euphoria, a gloriously effective track.

A moment of reverential simplicity in song, "The Path" displays a Moody Blues-like serenity, lead and backing choir describing 'a destiny lost, a lifetime too late' , the swirling lead guitar engraved on the tombstone that awaits further along the way, patiently awaiting the inevitable outcome of a life well lived, though with many regrets , the cello holding the hand of fate until the final silence.

The majestic centrepiece on this album is "An Ordinary Man", a typical Miller epic that fluctuates gently with immense restraint, choir orchestrations and flute being a perfect combination as it encapsulates the symphonic quality of the arrangement. Kane Miller's acoustic guitar and Rick's heartfelt vocal combine to roll out the red velvet synth carpet, infusing the ardent theme with profound intensity. An instrumental section portrays the shadow filled dreams expressed , a blistering fretboard salvo scouring the sky above, before returning to the thematic melody once again, for good measure. Voice effects, urban chaos, tingling threads of light, all the creature comforts for those who fear solitude and who believe they will inherit the earth. The extended bluesy solo contains a fair amount of grieving sizzle, a welcome expression of the turbulent nature of life , unrelenting and obsessive , occasionally deeply unjust but so is fate. A classic in the Miller canon for eternity.

Exploring Middle Eastern influences is also a Miller trait, the instrumental "The Prisoner of Uqbar" evoking the sweeping grandeur of forever shifting dunes, distant sandstorms, a yearning for some mirage-induced oasis, the slow-gait of the caravanserai as it leads seemingly nowhere, the obligatory cobra-exciting flute amid hand drums and sundry percussives that enhance the aura of the souk.

A more conventional ballad with the slightest hint of the Crimson King's Epitaph , "When Night Meets Day" is similarly crushingly attractive, heartfelt and ornate piece that seeks only to appease the senses, delighting in harmony and expression. 'In the twilight, choices are made' is a revelation of a truism that escapes those who sleep through the night, unaware and untroubled.

Like being held captive "Inside the Dream", the reverie-like lilt takes on a glittering variety of impressions that have no rhyme or reason (or so we are led to believe ) when in fact, the truth often lies there in complete isolation from the daily routine. The elegant piano joins in with the sombre cello in peaceful bliss, flirting with past memories and envisioning future expectations, a torrid electric guitar stretching the envelope of time and space, until the next reality checkpoint is reached.

Offering a tongue in cheek finale as a pseudo-horror movie mini soundtrack, a murky insanity creeps in with "She's Alive!" , with as clever lyrics as one will encounter in 2025 , : 'her skin is made out of plastic, her bones are made out of clay . Her brain I bought on Ebay'. Evoking the classic " The Bride of Frankenstein" with Gene Wilder (1974) but with a modern soundtrack of clicking licks, hostile beats, whispering vocals, and yet an accessible main theme, this quirky piece comes as a novelty to the unexpectant listener. I would be inclined to add this to some Bauhaus/Peter Murphy track on an imaginary radio show , as a spooky attempt to offer trick instead of treat for a change. She is definitely alive.

Another utterly enjoyable chapter in an illustrious career, to go with the creamy Camembert, the impeccable Amarone and some Leonidas Belgian chocolats .

4.5 Viewpoints

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