Red Jasper: 777

Following a comprehensive retrospective campaign, Angel Air Records released the first all new Red Jasper album in nearly two decades, The Great And Secret Show in 2015. It was an album which both impressed and disappointed, new singer (and old drummer) David Clifford making that switch reasonably smoothly and new drummer (and not old singer) Nick Harredance making a mighty impression. A band long known for a unique take on Prog via an English folk sensibility, that folk edge was much less in evidence, leaving a straight up, possibly slightly dated, neo-prog attack as the band's main weapon. 777 continues those themes, Clifford still a singer capable of evoking neo-prog sounds of the 80s, as his band's music also stays firmly in that mould. Ex-Shadowland drummer Harredance has moved on, Florin Werner a convincing replacement.

Personally I'm a big neo-prog fan, however there's a certain unexpected side to hearing a brand new album so closely following a time gone by, the production on 777 verging on pastiche, such is its clattery, echoing authenticity. The keyboard sounds and guitar tones also ape a time of three decades or so ago and while there's no doubt that the songs are well constructed, I have to be honest and say that the stifling production sucks a lot of the atmosphere from the likes of "Nothing To Believe" and "The Gathering". The more pastoral and extremely English sounding (ironically given its name) "Forth Of Fife" resets the balance, the slow deep build quite expertly handled as Lloyd George's keyboards shine brightly. "She Waits" on the other hand struggles to wheeze into life, a waltz breathlessly hoping to inject a change of pace, which it does by coming close to a deathly stop.

However with "Reaching Out" bringing a brighter tone to proceedings and Robin Harrison's early Rothery inspired guitar styling taking hold, it's a genuine, classy highlight of this album. As with the band's precious release, lyrically the work of writer Clive Barker has inspired the exploration of human nature, religion and belief. Along with an intriguing album cover that evokes the most recent series of American Horror Story (Hotel), the imagery, both physical and mental is strong. When Red Jasper really hit their stride, they easily match that level of atmosphere. However to do so throughout and to live up to the full potential of the music they create, a more cutting edge sound would make the world of difference. It wouldn't stop 777 sounding like an album inspired by another time, but it would avoid it sounding as though it could already do with a slick remaster.

Track Listing
1. 7
2. Nothing To Believe
3. She Waits
4. Forth Of Fife
5. The Gathering
6. Reaching Out
7. Blessed With Gold
8. Dragonfly
9. Paradise Folly
*Bonus track*
10. October And April (unplugged)

Added: July 2nd 2016
Reviewer: Steven Reid
Score:
Related Link: Red Jasper online
Hits: 2069
Language: english

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