It is heartening indeed to see Tim Bowness's latest effort hit the inaugural Prog Rock Album Chart at number 9. Though his No-man cohort Steven Wilson receives a lot of attention in various quarters, it is welcoming to see Bowness achieve success with his new album. Hot on the heals of last years studio album, it is obvious he wants to keep the momentum going and this new album is as good if not better. Bowness always excels at heartfelt melancholy with a sense of loss and here he excels in getting right to the core of those emotional pointers. Maybe I just like being a bit miserable, but honestly Tim Bowness like the best of Peter Hammill always takes you right to the heart of the rawness of how emotional experiences can leave their imprint on your soul. It's about connecting with the artist and Bowness sure does connect!
On this album he again surrounds himself with talent of the highest order. From Phil Manzanera, Andrew Keeling again producing beautiful string arrangements, Bruce Soord excellent on guitar and mixing and Rhys Marsh whose pedal steel playing is sublime. Mention must be made of Jarrod Gosling, whose wonderful artwork adorns this and last years Abandoned Dancehall Dreams. There is a video on Tim Bowness's web site where Jarrod talks about the artwork and it's relation to two classic albums by Genesis. See below for a hint of where he is coming from.
So, another excellent collection from Tim Bowness. I don't think he needs Mr Wilson now. That may mean little chance of another No-man album in the foreseeable future, but with the quality of what he is producing here, that's nothing to be too upset about.
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