WE'RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER

Urgency greets the listener with IT's new album "We Are All in this Together", a sense of current desperation that is infused into the brash tracks, taking neo-prog to a much raunchier level than one might expect. Led by multi- instrumentalist, producer and vocalist Nick Jackson, this talented crew also includes co-producer Andy Rowberry on guitars and keys, a tight rhythm section of bassist James Hawkins and drummer Will Chism, as well as keyboardist and sax player Ryan McCaffrey. Toss in a slew of guests including the venerable Rupert Greenall of The Fixx fame and you get a tight album that has tremendous melodic warmth as well as loads of anger, frustration and genuine rage. The tracks are nevertheless smoothly thought out, packing a wide expanse in terms of musicality, but with a strong penchant for boundless vocal work from Nick as well as some tremendous choir and backing vocals. IT is definitely part of the modern version of new prog, contemporary themes wrapped in a tighter bundle, somewhat akin to bands line Deeexpus, Cairo, Touchstone, Final Conflict, Comedy of Errors, Drifting Sun etc?

The aptly titled Power" blasts ahead with a snivelling bass onslaught, garnished with sensationalist voice effects and a rough beat. Nick molests the microphone, spewing venom-drenched lyrics that illustrate the state of the world we live in. Tyrant rants, fake news, lies that lie beneath the veneer of self-loving truths, snarling tirades and jagged edged music are the details that make this progressive hurricane so appealing. Crunchy riffs that recall Porcupine Tree and Kyros, dabbed with slick synthesizer cascades that verge on techno (much like recent Galahad), the table certainly seems set for quite the prog ride.

Financial torpor is dealt with on "Born in Debt", a complex maze of increasing liability and tumbling quality of life that seems to be the norm, as the rich get wealthier and the masses get apathetic. Like a pleading sermon, the sequencer- laden piece segues rather brilliantly into the mesmerizing "the Working Man", a definite album highlight, a modern prog classic that owns all the marbles, with a magnificent chorus, whispering yet angry vocals and a slick arrangement that may conjure memories of Arena or Ayreon, in terms of melodic structure. This is what intelligent prog sounds like, a clever nugget that has appeal, worth and wealth, accessible yet brainy. And very contemporary! The wailing female voice (I am a total sucker for that!) is a massive highlight that transcends time and space.

Another timeless and whopping melody greets the listener on the equally appealing "Last Chance", a rather doomsday- like ballad that has meaning as well as proverbial bite. "Got nothing to lose, it goes on and on and on". The sheer quality of the piece says a lot about the continuing elevation of the neo/symph genre, as writing compelling music is not an easy a task, and adorning it with breathtaking pomp and ceremony simply takes this to a higher plane. "Together forever", Nick sneers!

Another bass-driven track is the punky "Gamble the Dream", a venom spewing affair that has an almost Stranglers?like drive, Nick belting out his rage with little respite or complacent modesty. Nasty, greasy and torrential. The Nine Inch Nails influence is front and center, adding some well-grounded angst to the proceedings, Nick even daring to growl. Short and hard. Love IT.

Throwing in some classic psychedelia on "Voices" gives this slower piece a strong Beatles-like feel, where dreamy, echo- laden pleading on the microphone elevates the track to a modern day rant against government and political confusion (Blair/Bush project), using a George Galloway speech to great effect (I do not agree with his self-serving pseudo-politics, which I find politically typical of hypocritical slicing dicing and outright lying). Music is great though!

How about a nice 11 minute epic to further the cause? "The Path of Least Resistance" stretches out their inspiration, incorporating a fine Floydian atmosphere of clanging and shimmering guitars, whispering voice and current affair commentaries. This is definitely the centerpiece monument, a towering arrangement that sets the scene and then glowingly wraps humongous melodies over the top, exhilarating in both depth and accessibility. Multi-faceted and constantly evolving, one musical step leads to another on the road to a clear destination, the brazen riffs come clambering out of the urban ghetto and Nick's heavily effected voice provides some much needed snarl and bite. A stupendous prog anthem that deserves a wide audience, rapturous applause and pumped fists!

If there would be a 'hit single' here, it would be "House", a finely chiseled jewel of a prog pop song, very near something The Fixx would create, with slashing West-Oram styled guitars and a Cy Curnin-like vocal performance that will astound the cognoscenti. I band I still adore, The Fixx often rode the fine line between 'alternative' and prog, to great studio effect and stunning live performance. You wear your influences well, I guess. The endlessly repeated title highlights the slick Rowberry guitar work, both rhythm flicks and lead licks. Crucify me! Wow! Rabid and quite pissed off, "Down the Hatch" infuses a vocally violent counteraction to the apathy that permeates the world, lyrics grabbing the jugular, forcing it 'down, down, down, down,"! Crisp, crunch, cringe and crave. Brutal. Dark. Defiant.

As an amateur historian, "Revolution" means a lot to me, having been victimized by one as a new-born, so I embarked on analyzing the concept throughout the ages. Dejectedly, some have succeeded only in regressing, instead of supplying the deliverance promised. It's a bold concept, mothered by societal frustration at being led by countless idiotic profiteers and hypocrites. Sadly, there is no such thing as a great leader, there is no such thing as a good human. The music offers pain, despair and anger. IT also shows understanding and the yearning for a better future. It's a revolution, an evolution in a primitive world.

Tremendous musical journey, full of sizzle and explosion. We are all in this together, indeed.

4.5 atoms

Who said that Neo-Prog could not be a used to make a deep reflection of nowadays problems?

With this album It have managed not only to create an excellent prog-rock album, they also speak about the complex political situation that we are experimenting the last years. Maybe they are being a bit too ambitious (or ingenious) if they are waiting for a real people's revolution. But it's a wonderful concept for an album anyway.

To develop this concept, they use a pristine and crystal clear production. It's obvious that they spent a lot of time not only composing the songs, but also in recording them to achieve the best possible sound. And I have the say that the album sounds fantastic, detailed and deep. Sometimes even a bit over-produced! But I'm OK with that.

Power starts the album wonderfully, with a powerful bass and a obscure and dramatic vocal interpretation. The guitars sounds great and there is a constant layer of keyboards (even mellotron), which deeply reminds me to Arena, specially the Rob Sowden's albums.

Born Into Debt contains a rather negative lyrics and it's a fine slow tempo song with good melodies. But it's a bit anodyne anyway and also very Arena resembling. And even more Arena is The Working Man, specially in the chorus and the guitar sound. They try to hide it with different effects, but the result is that the track sounds over-produced.

Last Chance has fine acoustic verses and a chorus where we can hear a slide guitar and mellotron. The solo brings automatically John Mitchell to mind... Again. But it's a correct song anyway. But surprisingly, the album gets better with Gamble the Dream, maybe the hardest moment of the album, great riffs and another good chorus. A very funny and fast song!

But wait, Voices is even better! The song starts with synthesised vocals and good keyboards, and here we can really hear the true character of the band. The Arena and IQ influences are not so obvious this time and after the third minute the band was able to compose a wonderful section which remembers me to the best musicals, containing wonderful choirs and melodies.

And The Path of Least Resistance is another hit of this album. With the Arena influenced surprisingly turned down, the beginning of the song follows the good path and style of Voices, but after that the tracks derives in darker vocal melodies and good instrumental passages till the moment 7'20'', when a great riff in the vein of Porcupine Tree starts till the end of the most progressive song of the album. And maybe the best!

House shows the influence of Steve Hogarth's Marillion, with strong bass playing and another catchy chorus. Modern Neo-Prog at its finest! Down the Hatch remembers me to Pink Floyd in the first seconds of the song, but soon a original dark melody appears with almost robotic vocals. After a mysterious instrumental interlude we can hear another great riff with strong bass and rough vocals. And at this moments it's obvious that despite their influences, this band has it's own personality.

Revolution starts with a bass which remembers me to Dream Theater. And that's not an accident, because the song has a riff in the verses that it's almost progressive metal. The chorus and instrumental interlude are more conventional, but they bring the album to and end in a rather appropriate way.

Conclusion: We're All in this Together is not the typical Neo-Prog album. Despite the strong Arena, IQ and Marillion influences the band is able to achieve its own personality, especially in the second half of the album. The result is a very funny, surprising album with a fine dark tone and strong musicianship, highlighting the good Jackson's vocals, great guitar riffs and strong bass.

In addition, the lyrics of the album are a rare gem, talking about social matter in a rather realistic and cool way. Just excellent!

Best Tracks: Power, Gamble the Dream, Voices, The Path of Least Resistance, Revolution.

My Rating: ****

UK band IT first appeared on the scene back in 1994, at that point mainly the solo project of composer and musician Nick Jackson. Over the next 20 odd years the band would reappear now and then with new albums, and also solidified into more of a stable band unit. "We're All in This Together" is their fifth studio album, and was released by UK label Progressive Gears in 2017.

Those who tend to favor modern day neo-progressive rock, as well as fans of artists that have taken some cues from Porcupine Tree into whatever type of music they explore, should feel right at home with this most recent studio album of IT. Dark, atmospheric laden music, a theme and concept explored that is pulled from our everyday reality, teaming up on a well made and well produced album that also sounds like it was made now. If this sounds appealing, chances are good that this is a CD that will have a strong appeal with you.