THE LAST PINK GLOW: AN INTERPRETATION OF JACK KEROUAC'S THE HAUNTED LIFE

Do you know the saying: to jump out like a rabbit from a hat? You will need it in a moment. There are cases, as you know, when we are convinced that a situation is under complete control, that (as the saying goes) all the pieces in the game are already known and dealt, and suddenly something appears that disrupts this previous comfort and order and even forces us to make quick changes. Of course, this fact can be described more colorfully, that something hits us like a bolt from the blue. Regardless of the words and descriptions, the most important thing is the fact that the apparent balance changes due to the appearance of such an element... well, let's say it - such an album. Even more, it forces us to almost completely revise our view on the topic: good albums of the first half of 2025.

But let's start with American literature and a brief recollection of the writer, vagabond, and rebellious rebel - Jack Kerouac. He is probably best known as the father of the Beat Generation and the author of such novels as: "On the Road", "The Drahma Bums" and "Big Sur". He made a particularly deep impression on many generations of musicians; John Lennon, Bob Dylan, Syd Barrett (Pink Floyd), David Bowie, Van Morrison, Fish (Marillion) and members of The Doors and King Crimson all cited him as a person who had a huge influence on their work and worldviews and paid him musical tribute over the years. And in fact, when we talk about this writer, we usually stop at the novel "On the Road", which is a flagship example of the jazz-poetic post-war, drug-induced era of the Beat Generation and at the same time a book created as a result of recording "spontaneous stream of consciousness prose". However, we should not forget his other literary attempts. One of them is the unfinished short story "The Haunted Life," which the author began writing in 1944 and which, unfortunately, never saw completion. It was this unfinished short story that became the basis for the latest album by the Rocking Horse Music Club, "The Last Pink Glow," which was released on May 9 of this year. And although the band collaborated on writing the lyrics with Jim Sampas, the literary executive of the Kerouac Estate, often using Kerouac's words from the short story as lyrics, the result of this collaboration is very, very musical, and less connected to literary studies.

Rocking Horse Music Club - despite its blues-folk sounding name, one could say it is a "veteran" of progressive rock in its slightly eclectic form combining symphonic rock with elements of American music, blues, electronic and orchestral music. This is a band that, while creating its three previous albums ("Every Change of Seasons" from 2018, "Which Way the Wind Blows" from 2019 and probably the most famous double album ? "Circus of Wire Dolls" from 2023), had the opportunity to work with such musicians as: Steve Hackett (Genesis), John Helliwell (Supertramp), Greg Hawkes (the Cars), Kenwood Dennard (Brand X), Noel McCalla, Chris Difford (Squeeze), David Cross (King Crimson), Tim Bowness, John Hackett, Amy Birks. By the way, I will just mention that the double album "Circus Of Wire Dolls" was named album of the year by ProgRadio.com.

And that rabbit out of the hat? It was the appearance of the latest release that changed my perspective on the list of the most interesting (I omit the word best) albums of this year. When it started to seem that new albums by Echolyn, The Flower Kings, Cosmic Cathedral, Karmakanic and other "aces" would take the top places on it, the song "The Haunted Life" with guest appearance by Mr. Tony Banks (Genesis) was played and well it may be the most beautiful song of this year. And well the carefully constructed structure of the best, best albums has to change.

Other compositions are no less impressive than the song "The Hounted Life".

"Haunted" begins the album with a beautiful guitar intro and captivating keyboard playing, as well as delicate, narrative vocals. The whole thing simply flows and seduces and lulls from the very first chord. From the very first moment we enter a musical world from which there will be no escape, which will sweep us away and enchant us. Please do not fight this feeling.

And although the second composition begins in a slightly unconventional way, its indie-rock character, lightness and carefreeness, together with the jazz sound of the trumpet, should appeal to lovers of "swinging" rhythms. "It's the Small Things" - please do not be misled by the title - it is not a small thing, it is a very melodic composition with an unconventional ending.

Please follow the words of the title of the six-minute song "If We're Silent & We Listen" - be quiet and listen. The fourth track on the album, despite the heavier sounding guitar, is a wonderful rock march with a simple melodic line and captivating arrangement. And the keyboards... please listen to the heavenly melody that begins in the fourth minute.

"The Ballad of Joe Martin" - acoustic guitar, Dylan-like vocals, slide guitar, some folk-country lineage and violin. It is not known whether it is "Dylan" or maybe "The Waterboys", but how it sounds. Can folk be reconciled with neo-prog? In the case of this song, I think so. Please focus on the third minute of this song.

"Changing Channels" ? no please do not change the channel. If I called for obedience above (be quiet and listen), then here total insubordination is indicated - do not change the channel. Otherwise you will lose the opportunity to commune with a conglomeration of symphonic, orchestral and progressive rock. And in the case of this song, it would be a loss that cannot be made up for.

The second of the ballads on this album - "The Ballad of Wesley Martin" - like a discordant piano, whose disharmonious sound is softened by the lyrical vocals and orchestration can be the cause of the swaying, which manifests itself in the impossibility of any change until the end of the whole thing. "Splitting Atoms" returns to the neo-progressive mood, returns to the delicate keyboard passages, returns to the heavenly atmosphere of peace and travel in spite of space and against the hourglass of time. Just close your eyes and go to the sung "land of gentleness".

I don't know if you will be able to "return to Earth" after listening to the previous track, but I am afraid that a moment after this return you will have to fly away again on the sounds of the song "Restless Wanderers" to another supersensual reality. Or maybe just not return...

And although the penultimate composition on the album is not a typical ballad, you cannot hide its folk- country roots. But after all, the album draws inspiration from the work of Kerouac - a vagabond, a beatnik, so the place of "Big City Small Town Blues" with its blues sound and folk arrangement is most justified.

And at the end, the band serves up a nearly thirteen-minute suite "The Last Pink Glow", which once again simply forces us to go on an extraterrestrial sonic journey, in which the concept of time loses its meaning and becomes unimportant. There is nothing more important, nothing exists, there is only our flight, our journey through lands to which our unfettered imagination and the length of sounds lead. It is an endless journey from which you will not want to return. I guarantee it. And at the end, let me just remind you "The Haunted Life" featuring Tony Banks (who was also the co-creator of this song) may be the song of the year. Please just let yourself be carried away by its magic.

This is the fourth release by The Rocking Horse Music Club. And although the name, well, isn't very progressive, "The Last Pink Glow" will break into your hearts, minds, souls and stay there for a long time. And the band itself is a musical "cooperative" formed by Brian Coombes, Justin Cohn, Patrik Gochez, Brenden Harisiades, Mike McAdam, Myron Kibbee and Eric Wagley. In 2024, guitarist Andrew Rotunno joined the group. You may come across a slightly extended version of the album's title. Sometimes its title is given as: "The Last Pink Glow. An Interpretation of Jack Kerouac's The Haunted Life".

"The Last Pink Glow" - the pink glow... or maybe a new musical spark in the firmament of 2025...? And so to the complete end. We also have our own Kerouac, our own - Marek Hlasko - if there was an opportunity, it is worth remembering.

Rewiev published at MLWZ.pl

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