TIPPING POINT

Australian group THE BEN CAMERON PROJECT is the creative vehicle of composer and musician Ben Cameron, currently residing in London, England. "Tipping Point" is the first album to be released under this moniker, and following a two year long creation period it was self-released in May 2014.

The Ben Cameron Project documents very well what one man can achieve in this day and age if he has the creative skills present to make good music, and the patience needed to do just about everything himself in order to create an album's worth of material and release it. In this case a mostly vintage-oriented progressive rock album, of the kind that might interest those with a taste for the more accessible parts of bands such as Genesis, Camel and Pink Floyd blended into one package, just as long as you don't expect or crave a top of the line, state of the art mix and production.

The Ben Cameron Project is mainly the brainchild of multi-instrumentalist and composer Ben Cameron, an artist from Melbourne, Australia. "Tipping Point", his debut album, was recorded between February and April 2014 with the help of Chris Cameron (drums and percussion) and self-released on May 15, in the same year. Ben Cameron not only played guitar, keyboards, bass and vocals, but also produced and mixed the album in his own studio with good results. According to the author, "Tipping Point is a two-part, 40 minute, concept piece that explores one man's struggles with anxiety, depression and bipolar disorder". Given the subject matter, the mood is tense and melancholic. The music is never boring and draws on many sources of inspiration ranging from the classical prog bands of the seventies to more recent influences. Ben Cameron might not be a great vocalist but he's convincing while interpreting lyrics dealing with hidden feelings and solitude but also with hope and the need to move on leaving behind the shadows of a disappointing past.

On the whole, a good work that deserves a try. You can listen to the complete album on bandcamp, so have a try and judge by yourselves!