ANOTHER COUNTRY

I often think the music business is a cruel place, and how it discards those who should be feted and reveres those who are not creative at all. That is the case with Martin Springett, whose debut album, 'The Gardening Club' in 1983 never received anything like the acclaim it should have done at the time, and it wasn't until the reissue in 2017 that many people (including me) became aware that Martin had a musical interest alongside his artistic one, with just two albums more since the first one. The reviews he achieved in 2017 lit a fire under Martin, and this is the sixth album since then. He has also developed two different sets of musicians to work with, one on the east coast of Canada and one on the west, and this album again finds Martin working with both on different songs. The vast majority of those involved have appeared on other albums with him, but a special mention should be made of new member Danie Friesen who provides both "normal" vocals and classical elements, which adds additional finesse and polish to the overall.

Many of those involved, including Martin, provide more instrumentation than they are credited with at the end of the booklet, but fuller details can be found against each song as well as the lyrics and of course, Martin's wonderful artwork. While Martin provides vocals, acoustic and electric guitars, he is joined by Drew Birston (fretless and acoustic bass), Peter Dowse (bass), Wayne Kozak (saxophone), Kevin Laliberte (electric guitar), Chandy Leon (drums) and Norm MacPherson (electric guitars). I have often likened Martin as being a combination of Roy Harper and Camel, and to my mind that is still very true indeed, yet here he has broadened the palette, with more orchestration in places (care of Norm) and the wonderful vocals of Danie.

I still find it difficult to understand why Martin was not recognised as a true talent 40 years ago, and one can only wonder what would have happened to his career if that had taken place, as while his output has been prodigious in recent years, there has been no lack whatsoever of quality control. Here he has even allowed himself to produce one of his longest songs to date, yet it never meanders and keeps the listener totally invested throughout and highly engaged. It never seems as if this is an album which in many ways could be considered as being by a project as opposed to a band given the way the songs are performed by different musicians with the only common factor being Martin himself, as there is a focus and vision which are dominant throughout. Martin knows exactly what he wants to achieve and uses others to assist in fleshing out those ideas and polishing the final product.

Martin and I have been friends for some time now, and of course he has provided the artwork to all my books, so it is quite possible that readers will think I am biased towards him. However, the reason he first contacted me was due to the review I wrote of his debut as I fell in love with his music the very first time I heard it and each album just reinforces my view that his music is significant as there is a beauty within it which lifts me up each time I play one of his releases. There is something very special indeed about this album, which is one of his best to date, and let there be many more.

At the start of 2025, the release of new releases, which I find lacking in appeal, hardly inspires me to write letters. This is similar to the cohort of albums released last year, where, inevitably, a plethora of artists fall by the wayside. This is the case with "Another Country," the latest release from "The Gardening Club." Despite a label and a rich discography, "MARTIN SPRINGETT" and his project remain under-publicized, particularly in the French-language press. Why has this album, which subtly blends pastoral prog, folk, and cinematic ambiance, not received the kind of attention it deserves? Is it forgetfulness, a lack of curiosity? One thing is certain: "Another Country" deserves our attention.

For ages, "MARTIN SPRINGETT" has sculpted melodies in the silence of the media, bursting with a talent threatened by oblivion. Far from the spotlight, he plows his own furrow, a distinguished illustrator whose art flows through his veins. Born in the United Kingdom, the multidisciplinary artist emigrated to the west coast of Canada. Drawn, perhaps, by the gentle murmur of the king of rivers? Be that as it may, the poet of harmonic orchards founded the project: "The Gardening Club" in 1983. The self-titled debut album was released the same year. A few years of silence before the combo rose from its ashes in 2016 with a reissue, enriched with previously unreleased tracks and a graphic novel illustrated by "Springett" himself. Then, in search of new territory, he launched "A Gardening Club Project," a parallel initiative that broadened his palette while remaining faithful to his quintessence. From this essence, several albums were born, including "The Blue Door" in 2021 and "Mr. October And The Moon Of Madness" in 2022.

It took two years for the "Another Country" project to come to fruition. Originally, the title was supposed to be "The Enigma Of Arrival." Martin Springett has revealed that the title should have been "L'Énigme de l'arrivée," the painting by De Chirico, because, according to him, it allowed him to project himself into the disparate places he desired musically and thematically. "Another Country" is a project that reflects the artistic evolution of Martin Springett and his collaborators. Released on October 11, 2024, this 57-minute opus consists of nine tracks that explore varied themes, skillfully blending progressive rock, jazz, and neoclassical elements.

After an introduction to the artist, let's dive into the heart of "Another Country," the latest opus from "The Gardening Club," led by the talented Martin Springett. This album marks a new stage in the band's musical evolution.

From the opening notes of "A Zephyr of Sound," a delicate sonic breeze envelops us, setting the stage for "Small Town Boy," an introspective ballad that tells the odyssey of a young man leaving home in search of new horizons. The lyrics, written by Steve Bennett, resonate with touching sincerity, evoking the hopes and disappointments of adventure.

"Tricksters" draws us into a musical whirlwind where Wayne Kozak's soprano saxophone harmoniously interacts with the guitars of Springett and Laliberte. This composition explores the changing facets of the human personality, symbolized by the "trickster," that mischievous and polymorphous being.

The nostalgic atmosphere of "Hotel Nostalgia / Enigma 1" invites the listener into deep introspection, each room of this imaginary hotel containing memories and forgotten melodies. The soprano voice of "DANIE FRIEDEN" adds an ethereal dimension to the whole, reinforcing the feeling of an introspective journey.

The eponymous track, "Another Country," spans over sixteen minutes, offering a sonic odyssey rich in variation and emotion. The careful arrangements and impeccable production of "KEVIN LALIBERTE" and "NORM MACPHERSON" demonstrate a mature artistry, skillfully blending progressive influences with contemporary touches.

In short, "Another Country" is a masterful work that confirms "The Gardening Club"'s place in the modern progressive rock landscape. Each track is an invitation to escape, a sensory journey where music and poetry intertwine to create an unforgettable auditory experience.

{translated from French to English by admin as reviews should be submitted in English}