This collection of songs was put together by US musician and producer, Geoffrey Armes, mainly from his 1980s output, evident in the predominant synth-pop influence. Many were written for friends and associates as well as relating to imaginary figures. Vocals are competent at best with occasional rather wobbly delivery which can grate on the listener. Nevertheless there are a number of good songs and instrumentals which stand out. "Snow Country" has a catchy beat, well-orchestrated embellishments and an emotive lyrical delivery for example.
Another example is "Love in your eyes" with its string effects and bubbly percussion making up an unusual and very effective arrangement for a basic love song. "Tudor" is a melancholic instrumental with brass and string effects and a bright wah-wah guitar part creating a kind of laid back calypso meets jazz feel and is followed by the reflective and dream-like "Across the Wall-Mirjam" which is one of the most interestingly constructed pieces on the album. The longer "Sprawling" with its fine acoustic guitar picking is perhaps the best of the more recent instrumental works which break up the songs on this release.
This is perhaps too personal a compilation to have very wide appeal but it does highlight an aspect of a dedicated artist whose work is worth investigating. Most of Geoffrey's back catalogue of music is available through CD Baby or Amazon, some, as this one, by download.
Track Listing
1. Gong Li
2. Snow Country
3. Mother
4. Love in your eyes
5. March 5th
6. Station Goodbye
7. Kathleen
8. Tudor
9. Across the Wall-Mirjam
10. Sprawling
11. Give to the years
12. Afternoon march 25
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