TICK TOCK

A concept album based on the book ("Wind, Sand And Stars") by Antoine Di Saint-Exupey, which was about his real life long distance flight from Paris to Saigon in 1935 that ended with him crashing in a desert. Listening to this album with this in mind really adds to the music considerably. The title "Tick Tock" is a metaphor for the walking that this man and his co-pilot did through the desert. Check out the lyrics though, this is brilliantly done. And the music like on the amazing "Night" album is so lush and atmospheric. Just a pleasure to get lost in these soundscapes. I was reminded a lot of latter day MARILLION only i'd say GAZPACHO do it better. I actually wasn't surprised to see tszirmay's review of this album earlier today because this strange but cool kind of synergy seems to happen between us a lot. In fact I looked up my review of "Night" and noticed his review was right after mine (only 2 weeks later). We travel in the same Prog space without even knowing it. Great to have a friend like him.

"Desert Flight" opens with jarring guitars as vocals then drums arrive. Synths and some killer bass before a minute. Mellotron before 2 minutes as it settles. Lots of atmosphere before 4 minutes.The tempo starts to pick up 6 minutes in. Then it dies (they crash) with violin and piano a minute later as the wind blows. I have to say that for me this album gets better as it plays out which is such a cool thing. "The Walk" is very MARILLION-like early with percussion, reserved vocals and acoustic guitar. Mellotron before 3 minutes. Violin a minute later. An atmospheric calm 5 minutes in. It turns to a Middle Eastern flavour after 6 minutes.The second part of "The Walk" is similar to the first part but even better with the strummed guitar and mellotron being more prominant. Great lyrics here too as he sings about the struggle to survive in this walk through the desert. "The long haul back in no direction and no one knows were ok. And the curve of the horizon a masterpiece, survival on adreneline it's over soon. Doesn't everyone have their own walk to walk".

"Tick Tock" is the incredible 22 1/2 minute title track that's divided into three parts. A tick tock-like rhythm as vocals come in. Amazing sound ! Lots of atmosphere. A fuller sound 4 minutes in. A sudden burst of a male choir upon the soundscape before 6 minutes is a nice touch. In part two the drums and bass are heavier. Piano joins in. Such an uplifting sound after 2 1/2 minutes. It settles after 5 1/2 minutes but you can still hear the tick tock as it builds. It turns even quieter before 8 minutes. Flute and tons of atmosphere 9 1/2 minutes in. Part three comes in and the song comes to life with the tick tock, drums, bass and piano. The guitar sounds great 1 1/2 minutes in. The tempo and mood continue to shift. Emotional section. Mellotron 3 minutes in. Check out the lyrics in this part: "You silence every love, yet you always starve for more, your'e only waiting time, lucky to be alive, lucky to be alive". "Winter Is Never" is pure emotion for me, the triumphant conclusion. Man he sounds like Hogarth here.

4 stars.