Unitopia: Seven Chambers

Putting aside differences that resulted in quite an acrimonious split, Unitopia are back with their first studio album in some 11 years (this outing was released in 2023, but it’s only landing with me for review now). That said, only two of the number who made up the line-up for 2012’s Covered Mirror Vol 1: Smooth As Silk are part of the band for Seven Chambers, namely singer Mark Trueack and keyboard (and rhythm guitar) player Sean Timms. The rest of the band comprises John Greenwood on guitars, mandolin and keys, Steve Unruh violin, flute and all manner of other thingamajigs, Alphonso Johnson on bass and Chester Thompson on drums.

What is immediately apparent is that Seven Chambers is a lengthy two-disc affair, but one that lands at just under 85 minutes, so in truth it’s actually a very long single disc album stretched onto two by the merest of margins. As all of that may suggest, this is also a conceptually based piece, if not an actual concept album, with the lyrics nearly all referring to health travails that have faced members of the band. The one track that doesn’t, “Helen�, instead tells the story of Helen B Taussig and how her own health issues as a youngster shaped a life of medical discovery and advancement.

It’s an interesting starting point and given that most of the audience for the melodic/neo prog Unitopia purvey are of at least slightly advanced years, one many will relate to. Lyrically the album is clever and involved but not too clever or over involved, although the section in “Bittersweet� - a tale of living with diabetes or obesity - where foods that can safely be consumed with the condition are sung -

White fish, salmon, broccoli
Vegetables, leafy greens, bocconcini
Oats, nuts, seeds and forest fruits
Soya, kale and spinach and bean shoots
Tofu, carob, hummus and beetroot
Snow peas, green beans and grapefruit
Lentils, yoghurts, eggs and brown rice
Lean white meat… hmmm… very nice!

- just after a an equally lengthy section of foods that are on the banned list, does come across like someone singing their grocery list for the week, which in essence, I guess it is. Either way, on repeat encounters it all comes across as a bit self indulgent, even if it is about being the exact opposite. That said, if you wanted someone to sing you their shopping needs, then you could do much worse than Mark Trueck, who across this album reminds me of ex-Arena man Rob Sowden in a way that he hasn’t previously.

Also on disc one comes the completely convincing “Broken Heart�, which broods and builds before dazzling bright, whereas “Mania� maybe gets kind of lost in its own need for identity. However, with the violin from Steve Unruh punctuating the likes of the aforementioned “Bittersweet� and the interplay between Timms, Greenwood and Johnson a real joy at times, it’s a minor complaint.

Disc two, containing just the two lengthy tracks, really allows for Unitopia to open up and move through a host of themes and ideas, with “The Uncertain� possibly being the heaviest track this band have laid down. Even with that being the case, in one sitting this album does begin to lack for a little light and shade and in all honesty, I can’t help but wonder if it wouldn’t have been more effective as a shorter, sharper 40 minutes or so. As I’ve gotten to know it, I must admit to choosing one disc to listen to before sampling something else and them coming back to the other at a later point in time. To be fair, it’s an issue that I’ve also had with Unitopia’s albums in the past, so for long-time fans, I guess it won’t be a problem. Either way, there’s no denying that it’s good to have these neo-prog veterans back in action and delivering thoughtful, engaging music once more.

Track Listing
Disc 1
1. Broken Heart
2. Something Invisible
3. Bittersweet
4. Mania
5. The Stroke Of Midnight

Disc 2
6. Helen
7. The Uncertain

Added: September 5th 2024
Reviewer: Steven Reid
Score:
Related Link: Unitopia online
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Language: english

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