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EYES OF THE WORLD
Tracklist: Erase ... Rewind (9.41); Stronger (5.53); Windows to Your
Soul (7.26); Glass Tiger's Eye (4.07); Lapse of Sensation (8.21); Eccentric Orbits (5.52); Amber Skies (4.38); The Vast Within (11.49)
LINEUP:
Declan Burke - Vocals Guitars
Mark Westworth - Keyboards and backing vocals
David Pankhurst - Drums and backing vocals
Sean Spear - Bass and Bass Pedals
REVIEW
It's nearly three years now since we reviewed the Pictures EP from Darwin's Radio, a CD that was released to showcase the band's direction and to serve as a taste of the album that would follow.
Well, the wait is finally over and I'm pleased to be able to say that 'Eyes of the World', the first full length album to be released by Darwin's Radio, continues the good work started on Pictures.
With seven brand new tracks and one that previously appeared on the EP (Windows to Your Soul) this is a remarkably strong CD with a very mature sound that certainly marks Darwin's Radio as a powerful force in the
current progressive and melodic rock scenes.
There are a number of musical influences to be found here, sometimes obvious (Rush, Genesis and IQ), and sometimes quite subtle (Camel and Styx both come to mind), but never leaving any doubt at all that this is no copy band at work, this is Darwin's Radio.
The song writing throughout is strong and the band as a whole seem to have moved forward considerably in the last three years. The musicianship too is superb, and the band work well together providing a smooth
effortless flow of music that really works the senses.
Declan Burke's guitar work is hard to fault and it's easy to get lost under the spell of his emotive and powerful playing.
If this was not enough his vocal delivery also manages to strike a chord from first to last as he demonstrates he his at home with a wide variety of styles from soft slow paced ballads to full on raunchy rock.
Mark Westworth too has come on in leaps and bounds from his early days. Gone are the neo progressive noodlings that were so characteristic of Grey Lady Down (and to be fair, many other band's of that period),
and in their place we are treated to a strong confident style that is able to pay homage to the likes of Genesis and IQ while holding a charm all of it's own.
The rhythm section, consisting of Dave Pankhurst on drums and Sean Spear on bass, do sterling work throughout providing a strong back drop that allows the music to flow easlily.
Getting the album moving is 'Erase ... Rewind' which initially sounds as though it is going to be a predictable neo prog track, but as the rather brash intro ends, giving way to a lighter piano sound that heralds the
start of the vocals, you quickly realise that this is not the case at all. The track is quite upbeat with nice guitar and keyboard flourishes and some great melodic rock touches added by the backing vocals
during the chorus sections. The length of the piece also allows some brilliant changes in direction and mood, and as the piano around mid distance gives way to an effusive guitar section you just have to smile
and acknowledge that they are doing everything right!
This is followed with 'Stronger' which has an energetic, rolling sound powered by a potent bass line onto which guitar and keyboards continue to build. The song has a catchy and very immediate chorus that sounds like
an old favourite from the very first time you hear it and overall the effect is very pleasing.
'Windows to Your Soul' was to my mind the weakest track on the Pictures EP. In my earlier review I was critical of the length of the track and it's lack of variety, but I now feel that this softer number with it's
altogether more mellow mood fits in very well in the context of a full length album and I find my earlier criticsm unwarranted.
By contrast 'Glass Tiger's Eye' is another faster moving track with a fairly basic structure and something of a pop/rock feel to it.
'Lapse of Sensation' starts with a brilliant instrumental run with some definite IQ overtones that should go down very well with progressive fans. The vocals when they get underway have a somewhat melancholic
ring, and there is a lot of feeling expressed in both the singing and the music.
In the closing section the guitar sound really soars with strong support from the keyboards (giving a Pendragon feel to the proceedings), while the drums and bass provide a solid underpinning that gives a sense of togetherness. This quickly proved to be a firm favourite.
There is scarcely a moment to take a breath as the album quickly powers into the instrumental number 'Eccentric Orbits' - a strong driving number with a slight jazz edge. This is lively number with it's
playful, almost humorous mood, is certainly one that will grow on you.
In another change of direction things really slow down again as we move into the mellow, almost ballad like sounds of 'Amber Skies'. In itself there is nothing particularly remarkable about this song, but yet
again it was perfectly molded for this slot in the album.
'The Vast Within' brings the album to a close in fine style.
The track starts out slowly and builds up the layers gradually in an easy going, no hurried fashion. The vocal style in the first stages of the song is kind of interesting too reminding me as it did of Crowded House. Around mid distance there is a distinct change in the mood and we run through a series of instrumental build ups, interspersed with vocal passages, which is pure progressive music at it's best. The final build up climaxes with a perfectly placed soaring guitar solo and slow fade out that leaves you with a great sense of completeness.
All in all I believe that Darwin's Radio have lived up to their promise and have delivered an excellent debut album, full of contrasts and variety, that should go down well with fans of progressive and melodic rock
alike. Let's have more like this please!!! Highly recommended.
Simon July 9th 2006
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