Tim's fourth solo album finds him returning to the neo-progressive rock music of which he was a part (with his band Burnessence) during the late 70s new wave along with Marillion, IQ, Twelfth Night etc. Instrumentally, the work is in a pleasing melodic style similar to The Lens or more recent bands such as Dutch proggers, Odyssice or Trion. Tim's social commentary lyrics are incisive and intelligently written. The opening track is a tribute to Steve Hackett and is followed by the rocky "This is Life", a commentary on the internal struggle to cope with or affect major world developments.
Tim is supported by such luminaries as Pendragon's Fudge Smith and the Damned's crazy but brilliant keyboard player Monty Oxy Moron. Tim plays guitars some keyboard parts and e-bow. Occasionally he reminds me of The Watch for whom he has done occasional support slots. This is especially evident on "All through your life" which finishes on a classic-rock/neo-prog arrangement. Tim leaves his most savage attack on modern morals and materialistic greed for the song "Here comes the great collapse" with its oscillating organ, tension and release timing, dirge like chord progressions and the frenetic crescendo on exit.
The following piece is a tribute to Gong and brings in some of his ambient and spacey side which he lends to bands like Tuu. The two "Undercurrent" tracks are short but very effective guitar, piano and synth compositions featuring some fine ivory tinkling by Monty on the longer, dreamy second one. Ray Davies might have written the next track "Everyone hears voices" with its poppy rhythm and clever lyric. Tim takes over the keyboard part for the last symphonic track sounding very like Selling England era Genesis, "Triumph of the Soul".
I still struggle a little with Tim's rather strained, harsh voice but, other than that, this is a good release which should be enjoyed by most neo-prog fans.
Track Listing
1. Can you hack it
2. This is life
3. Space and time
4. Undercurrents
5. All through your life
6. Here comes the great collapse
7. Broaden your horizons
8. Undercurrents II
9. Everyone heard voices
10. Triumph of the soul
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