ARCHITECTS OF TIME

Residing in the UK, composer and musician Ben RUSCH is an active man indeed, with more than two dozen titles to his name in a handful or so of years as a recording artist. "Architects of Time" was released in 2010, and is the 20th out of 25 production he has available as of March 2011.

A trademark feature of Rusch' production would appear to be his lyrics. He is a guy with opinions on many subjects, and sardonic commentaries on social aspects go side by side with ironic observations on matters of life, tall tales as well as lyrics handling more serious matters in a more reflective manner. He's a smooth and eloquent storyteller, and that aspect of his material has a strong identity and generally high quality. One of the better examples of his humorous intent can be found in the case of Adam and Eve, retelling the good old story from the Bible as seen through Adams eyes. Nifty piano and guitar motifs provides the instrumental foundation for a creation that holds high class in all aspects, but where the story told arguably is the main asset.

The piano is a central instrument throughout, and based on this album I'd categorize Rusch as something of a piano man. Slightly similar to an artist like Aaron English, but without the latters taste for world music and jazzy escapades. Instead Rusch appears to have stronger inclinations towards the slightly zany touch rather typical of many artists residing in the UK. And musically a band that kept popping up in my mind while enjoying this production was good old Madness. In particular on the hangover anthem Hand Me a Jet Pack.

Other notable traits are the sophisticated arrangements that appear on regular occasions. From easily audible traits such as the use of multiple guitar layers on Double Helix to the ones of a more subtle nature. Final track Time to Go a neat example of that, where piano and strings at first are used to good dramatic effect, mostly provided by the latter, but as this sad and melancholic ballad evolves the strings role in the proceedings shifts to a dampened, brooding underlying motif adding an emphasis on the serious mood of the composition which lifts this piece from a nice but average variety of this kind of song to one memorable with an impact.

High quality piano motifs and strong lyrics are the main ingredients in Rusch excursion into the world of art pop on this occasion, and those who might fancy an artist where these aspects are highly notable will most likely enjoy this production. A strong effort from a productive and creative artist.