Author: Peter Podbrežnik
Artist: Lifesigns
Label: Esoteric Recordings
Release: 2013
Rating: 4.5/5
Lifesigns are a new English progressive rock band made up of three seasoned musicians. They are John Young (ex-Uli John Roth, Paul Rogers, Bonnie Tyler, Greenslade, Quango, John Wetton) on keyboards and lead vocals, Nick Beggs (Kajagoogoo, Steven Wilson, Steve Hackett) on Chapman Stick, bass guitar, and backing vocals, and Martin »Frosty« Beedle (ex-Cutting Crew) on drums. The band got going back in 2008, when John Young realized, to his utter amazement, that in his rich musical career he had never actually recorded an album that was fully prog rock, even though it’s his favorite genre. Nick Beggs, who, despite an impressive career in pop rock, had always been a prog guy at heart, didn’t need to be asked twice. Once all three musical masters joined forces, the symphonic prog rock band Lifesigns was born, and, luckily for everyone who loves intelligent, richly layered music with something to say, it packs some of the best elements of the genre.
Their debut »Lifesigns« features some seriously prestigious names: Steve Hackett (ex-Genesis) on guitar, Jakko Jakszyk (King Crimson, ex-Level 42) on guitar, Thijs Van Leer (Focus) on flute, and Robin Boult (Fish, Howard Jones, John Young Band) on bass guitar. It’s stuffed with mighty, lavish symphonic arrangements, and at just the right moments the band adds outstanding vocal harmonies between Young and Beggs, with the influence of the symphonic prog legends, led by Genesis and Yes, impossible to miss. The album will surely also appeal to anyone following the British neo-prog scene, especially those who value bands with a positive, atmospheric touch and a strong melodic stamp. Young has a wonderfully pleasant voice, with some similarities to Peter Gabriel (ex-Genesis) and Francis Dunnery (ex-It Bites), and it complements Beggs’ vocals very well. As a songwriter, Beggs also brought a few rare but noticeable new wave/pop elements into the Lifesigns sound.
The ambitious, melody-driven nature of this technically enviable trio shows itself right on the opening symphonic prog rock epic »Lighthouse«. Gorgeous, melodic keyboard arrangements flow into one another with real taste, backed by thick bass lines and pompous drum fills. The symphonic textures stay in good-taste territory the whole time and never come across as over the top. Even the solos keep their melodic structure throughout, and the band steers clear of long improvisational jams. Lifesigns would rather keep a strong melodic balance, though there are moments when they show off their technical chops in abundance. The uplifting, thoroughly positive atmosphere gets an extra lift from Young’s soothing singing. »Telephone« has a slightly more ‘modernist’ feel in the intro thanks to digital rhythm patterns accompanying the drum groove, while the ethereal, nostalgic chorus is the peak of this atmospherically varied track, hypnotizing the listener in an instant with its sheer emotional power.
»Fridge Full Of Stars« with its majestic symphonic arrangements is in many ways reminiscent of classic Genesis, while Beggs’ smartly timed Chapman Stick playing is once again a real feast for the ears. The almost shamelessly deceptive vocal harmonies are accompanied by brilliant, pastoral guitar flourishes courtesy of the legendary Steve Hackett. The upbeat, multi-harmonic chorus recalls Yes a little, but Lifesigns manage to weave a totally distinctive atmosphere of their own. It’s all spiced up with energetic flute passages from the unforgettable Thijs Van Leer. The melancholic »At The End Of The World« will undoubtedly please all fans of Peter Gabriel’s solo career and of Genesis from the »A Trick Of The Tail« era. Here Young’s deeply emotional vocal takes center stage, further enriched by epic arrangements and outstanding vocal harmonies, while a relatively unpredictable rhythmic patchwork ties it all together.
An album of remarkably consistent quality, where it’s very hard to pick a favorite, closes with »Carousel«, a rhythmically dynamic and complex track on which newly minted King Crimson guitarist/vocalist Jakko Jakszyk delights with his recognizable guitar improvisations, while Van Leer’s flute antics once again add a strong pastoral touch. Even at the close of the album, Lifesigns manage to create a stunning atmosphere with something distinctly romantic, pastoral, nostalgic, and Victorian about it, which is why most prog classics fans will think of Genesis first while listening. Luckily, though, Lifesigns never fall into the trap of overly imitating classic motifs, as so many modern (neo) prog bands all too often do.
»Lifesigns« is a must-have for anyone who loves British symphonic prog rock with a distinctive stamp, towering vocal harmonies, intense atmosphere, and modern production. Comrades Young, Beggs, and Beedle have without a doubt made one of the best prog rock albums released in 2013, and it’s also one of the better debuts of the last few years. It looks like Lifesigns have a bright future ahead, though the question is when they’ll start recording the next album, since both Young and Beggs are swamped with numerous side projects that are just as important to them.
Lineup
John Young – keyboards, lead vocals
Nick Beggs – bass guitar, Chapman Stick, and backing vocals
Martin “Frosty” Beedle – drums
GUEST MUSICIANS:
Steve Hackett – guitar
Thijs Van Leer – flute
Jakko Jakszyk – guitar
Robin Boult – bass guitar
Production
Steve Rispin
Tracklist
1. Lighthouse
2. Telephone
3. Fridge Full Of Stars
4. At The End Of The World
5. Carousel
