THE OTHER LIFE

With 'The Other Life' ARGUS from Germany are offering an enchanting new Canterbury tinged production in 2021. A few years ago I've paid a lot of attention to their first two albums, but lost track to this band a bit after that. Anyway, at first let me emphasize that they still are able to hold the level high after more than 10 years. Enrico Florczak is missing in the line up now, for what reason ever. But with Ákos Bogáti-Bokor they actually are having another multi-instrumentalist aboard as a valuable substitute. ARGOS are delivering a more gentle atmosphere in general. Technically seen there's nothing to be desired. The compositions are well thought out. You will immediately recognize, here we have an experienced combo in action. It sounds rounded definitely, rough edges are not really intended it seems. Hereby the varied use of guitars and keyboards is mandatory.

And it's nice to notice Marek Arnold participating, due to some saxophone contributions on this occasion. Finally the vocals are offering a proper service again. Provided by Thomas Klarmann and Robert Gozon their charming singing voices are including nuances of Richard Sinclair and Peter Hammill, unsurprisingly, nearly as expected. Almost forbidden, but I would like to note two tracks especially anyhow. The Shall See Hotel definitely rocks the party, very nice guitar solos included. And I love the touching semi-acoustic ballad The Library Of The Future which closes the album. This production is intensively inspired by the likes of Caravan again. Sound-wise other references might also be bands such as I Am The Manic Whale or Needlepoint in some way. A very solid album, deserving four out of five stars in the end.

I've always loved the quirky, upbeat, humorous, and highly melodic sounds and stylings of this band. They create a retro sound that is always difficult to pinpoint as there are usually elements of a variety of bands/artists within each and every song--part of what makes their sound and albums so intriguing.

1. "Chameleon Sky" (6:31) so pretty and melodic, in the best vein of quirk-poppy XTC or Genesis. A tip three song for me. (9/10)

2. "Broken Mirror" (4:14) nice song that is diminished slightly by the lifting of Genesis "Duchess" programmed drum line and a few pitchy vocal lines. (8.75/10)

3. "The Twilight Mind" (6:45) the first of several Peter Hammill-like vocal performances over some fairly simplistic classic rock music (Journey, ABACAB Genesis). (8.5/10)

4. "Johnny Head-in-Air" (5:25) straight out of early Caravan/National Health only more cohesively melodic like early solo Brian Eno or Jethro Tull. My favorite song on the album. (9.5/10)

5. "I Carry Light" (5:46) such an unusual song--reminding me of the often dense and convoluted sound of Thomas Thelen songs. (8.5/10)

6. "The Trial of the Pyx" (7:58) with the lyrics and singing of Peter Hammill and David Bowie but the music of Styx or Toto. (13/15)

7. "Weak End" (3:10) back to a richer sound palette like the first four songs, there's an debut album Ambrosia-like innocence to this one. How?! And then they try to go Gentle Giant! (8.75/10)

8. "The Shall See Hotel" (6:23) cool, rich sound to start out this mood piece, it turns "heavy" pop rock and loses a bit of its allure. Some awesome guitar work, though, and welcome sax and vocal performances. (8.75/10)

9. "The Library of the Future" (3:26) acoustic guitar and solo voce--like a Prog Folk song. Could be a Steve Hackett solo piece. Nice. My final top three song. (9/10)

Total Time 49:38

B+/4.5 stars; a truly unique and different and delightful listening experience that I think most every prog music lover would enjoy.