TIM BURNESS

This isn't what many people would think of as a "classic" progressive rock album, but to my ears it is the best thing Tim has been involved with to date. In my last review I described him as a musical magpie, and that is still a very true description, as he moves from place to place picking up the shiny things. The band he reminds me most of is XTC, as he has that very English feel to his music and is all over the place musically. Some of the songs, such as "Dear Stranger", are repetitive and full of poppy hooks one on level, and a sad indictment of modern society on another.

Of course, it would be impossible to discuss this album without the aforementioned "Still Mumbling", which is a real pain, as it is quite hard to describe. Modern, in an Eighties way, it is political satire at its very best, and I actually prefer it to the older song. I have no idea how many times I have played it now, let's just say lots, and it makes me smile each and every time ? it is so true! This is a great album, full of space and life and a real independent feel to the overall sound. If Stiff Records were still around and signing prog acts, then Tim would be their very first signature.

Originally released digitally towards the end of 2015, Tim has now slightly remixed and extended (three new tracks) and made this album available on CD through the Expanding Consciousness label. As with his 2007 album 'Vision On', the core of the band was Monty Oxymoron (keyboards, vocals, Theremin and percussion), Fudge Smith (drums) and Keith Hastings (bass), while there were contributions from guests such as Gregg McKella (synthisizers and effects), Lee Abraham (sub-bass guitar), and Andrew Bradstreet (bodhran). Tim of course made his name with Burnessence in the Eighties, and had been around the progressive scene for some thirty- five years or more, but doesn't release albums that often, so this was the first since 2007.

That is a real shame, as he has a very English approach to progressive and neo-progressive rock and hits many, many musical bases. He is a bit like a musical magpie, picking up the shiny things and hoarding them, and while they are all valuable they certainly don't all sound the same. The first number, "These Are The Days" could have come from Fudge's previous band Pendragon in the very early Nineties, while "And Set Your Spirit Free' has so much energy that one can imagine it being played in the clubs in Ibiza. Some songs are full on and over the top, while others (such as "Hold Me") are incredibly delicate and restrained. This is what makes this such an incredibly solid album, there is huge variety and depth in what he does.

Tim feels that it is his best work, and even his cynical bass player (his words, not mine), agrees with that. I believe that Tim and the band recorded far more tracks than they used on this album, so hopefully the next album will be here much quicker! For more details on his music, and far more, visit his site

Symphonic rock from the 70's is a big influence on the compositions; and the output of Steve Hackett in particular, as heard on the opening number. There's quite a few spacier moments here too though, in sound perhaps a tad closer to Hawkwind than Burness' stated idols Pink Floyd. Still, the symphonic leanings are most prominent, in tunes which apart from that have leanings towards pop music; and which probably will appeal more to fans of Neo than classic symphonic rock.

It's a mixed production though; some songs just doesn't manage to cut it. Burness' isn't a great singer either, and especially on the calmer, ballad-like songs his vocals tend to grate a bit. Quite a few goodies in here too though, with -Broaden Your Horizons- as my personal selection from this release.