WHEN AGE HAS DONE ITS DUTY

Growing old

By design, this is I believe a great concept album as it tells about growing old - even from the album title you can have a sense of what it's all about. It actually fits with my requirements as I am growing old. In fact, everyone does. Musically I was prompted by my friend that it's a stunning neo-prog album by Cosmograf - a band that I knew nothing at all despite it's already the third album. When I listened to it the first time my impression was on the sonic production quality of the album. In fact this album reminds me to Dutch band TRIANGLE which also has great sonic production. The music? It's similar to TRIANGLE but it's much more mellow this one by Cosmograf. The one thing similar with Triangle is the vocal quality - especially this one by Cosmograf - that sounds strange to my ears. It's like the vocal does not blend nicely with the music. Well ...it might be a matter of taste I believe.

The music offered by this album is good in terms of overall composition and how it represents a concept album as the lyrics as well as the music flow quite well from one part to another. The opening track "Into This World" (11:15) is really a good one to enjoy. I like the combination of mellow parts as well as the heavier one especially those with stunning guitar work. But after the first track I cannot get my adrenalin flows faster as the music tends to be mellow in all parts in the album. Yes - they are good music overall but there is no dynamic demonstrated as usually progressive music has. There are many Floydian guitar solos and all of them I love very much. I can enjoy the music under ear candy prog with relatively no challenge in complexities in any part of the music.

In conclusion, I still recommend those of you who love mellow neo-prog music to have this album as the melody is good and the composition is good as well. It's just not as dynamic I would have expected. Keep on proggin' ..!!

Peace on earth and mercy mild - GW

The journey of Mr. Robin Armstrong continues in 2011 with the album ''When age has done its duty'', after Cosmograf was signed by the Festival/F2 label.Armstrong was inspired for this concept by a loss within his family circle and the album deals with the process of ageing.While he handles again multiple instruments and sings, this work features also some great guests: Huw Lloyd-Jones (vocals), Simon Rogers (guitars) and Steve Dunn (bass) from Also Eden, It Bites' drummer Bob Dalton, Luke Machin (guitars) of The Tangent and Maschine fame, Galahad's Lee Abraham on guitars/bass, Steve Thorne on lead and backing voices as well as drummer Dave Ware.

It seems that such a living concept, a real personal experience, was what Armstrong needed to fully develop his talent as a composer.''When age has done its duty'' contains some impressive dramatic passages and melancholic movements, really suitable to such a dark and deeply emotional concept, divided in eight tracks, most of which are longer than seven minutes.The album appears to a be a nice tribute to the history of British Progressive Rock, covering the years of the symphonic-oriented groups, giving respect to the thrilling vibes of PINK FLOYD, visiting the rural soundscapes of the British lands and transmitting the modern echoes of bands like ARENA and PORCUPINE TREE.Once more an album by Cosmograf serves the need for atmospheric soundscapes, but two years of added experience have showed Robin how to do this properly.The album features some great, Classical-drenched preludes on organ, bucolic GENESIS-influenced acoustic passages and the heavier/modern tunes of contemporary Prog, displayed on the edgy electric guitars and the mascular synthesizers.ALSO EDEN are also among the bands, which Cosmograf recall of, while the love for old Prog is also evident in a couple of Mellotron samplers and the RICK WAKEMAN-like organ showering.Armstrong has given space to some instrumental maturity, but his lyrical moments belong also among the album's highlights.

Finally, Robin has found its own, inspired way to offer his music ideas.Contemporary Progressive Rock with atmosphere, passion and sensitivity in full display.Strongly recommended...3.5 stars.