Patchwork Cacophony: Hourglass

In the seven years since Ben Bell released has last Patchwork Cacophony album, the multi-instrumentalist hasn’t just become the full time keyboard player in UK progressive rock outfit Gandalf’s Fist, he’s also, among other things, released an album with Marcus Taylor under the name Broken Parachute. With the universally high standard of all of those endeavours, it’s good to see Bell slowly but surely growing a reputation that he’s well earned through some excellent and varied releases. Even before we get going with this review, let’s just put it out there and confirm that Hourglass is right up there with the best of them.

What Bell does with Patchwork Cacophony is take you on a journey, all of the songs standing on their on two feet while building an album that grows and evolves as you live with it. It’s the short “Wake Up� that welcomes you into Hourglass, the short scene setting beginning to the album almost feeling like the sun rising as you prepare for the musical journey being laid out. “Carpe Diem� does indeed seize the the day, Bell’s clever guitar and keyboard interplay already uplifting and invigorating as he and drummer James Chapman build the tempo. In truth, Bell is more of a storyteller than he is an out and out singer, but it’s a trait that has served many a progressive rock outfit well and so too does it here, his expressive voice able to convey the mood and emotion of the ever building music it accompanies. From there we are taken down all manner of paths, the short “Perspective I� a piano piece that resets the scene before “Blind Faith� adds a playful acoustic strum and then a full on scorching guitar solo. Although it might be the energetic “Castaway� that lives longest in the mind, the energy and passion with which it is delivered completely irresistible.

Across the album things are split with the pattern of four short tracks bolstering four more substantial pieces, and in fact those longer songs - as edits - are available separately as an EP called Halfhourglass, for more casual listening (it’s a smart idea and one that works well I may add). However, it is, as expected, those longer workouts in their full glory that really show what this album is all about, Bell’s established progressive rock motifs now laced through with a mood and tone that may well be an influence from his time well spent with Gandalf’s Fist, which makes for an exceedingly interesting turn of events.

Hard hitting in places, carefully crafted throughout and cleverly constructed, Hourglass is an album that invites you in to its world and carefully holds you there as you soak in what it has to offer. The results really are rather special and only grow more impressive with each repeat visit.

Track Listing
1. Wake Up
2. Carpe Diem
3. Perspective I
4. Blind Faith
5. My Home Is Tomorrow
6. Perspective II
7. Castaway
8. Wake Up (reprise)

Added: April 25th 2024
Reviewer: Steven Reid
Score:
Related Link: Patchwork Cacophony @ bandcamp
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Language: english

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