BONUS TRACK "MAYBE WISE" ON CD VERSION

Geof Whitley Project – Age Of The Gods


With Age of the Gods, the Geof Whitely Project continue to evolve both in sound and style. This time we have some lyrics that may tweak the ear and maybe even cause debate in some circles. The much respected basic sound of GWP is still there but, as ever, certain boundaries are pushed outwards and we are even treated to some very acceptable shorter tunes with commercial possibilities.


The album opener ‘Might Echoes’, refers, lyrically, to great empires and armies of the past, while maintaining a reflective mood in the music. Nothing ‘new’ musically but just the right kind of opener to draw the listener in, good melody and a promise of something more.


“My Shadow & Me” has a quiet reflective opening, keyboard and drum steady and true with a gentle, haunting guitar line.


Things get more interesting, in a positive way, with the thunder and ‘drone’ beginning to ‘Age of the Gods Pt 1&2’. A fuller sound, driving percussion takes over, keys to the fore but building and expanding into a solid ‘GWP’ vibe. Time and tone changes a plenty, approaching film score drama here!


The next couple of tracks could be a little ‘unsettling’, ‘Perfect Isolation’ starts with sheep, cows and a lone crow, before expanding into the keys with GWP styling very much to the fore. Lyrics are little unsettling but delivered with feeling and maybe just a hint of trepidation of the ‘troubled times’ we currently face. A message is there for the listener, but you take from this what you want, it isn’t forced on you.


‘Resurrection’, while again having all of the ingredients of the GWP classic, does, or at least could, rattle some cages lyrically. Nothing too contentious but it does explore religious beliefs a little. The music is driving and melodic.


‘It’s Not A Game’, is a bit of departure from the ‘expected’ GWP style. Harder edged, without losing melody, guitar to the fore, this tune could fit into any ‘rock collection’ with ease. More ‘rock’ than ‘prog’, but well done and a real ‘ear worm’.


‘Age of the Gods Pt3”, here GWP push into more electronic territory, guitar and keys taking turns to blend the melody, a driving percussion used with subtlety.


Next up, ‘Enemy in Friends Clothes’, is more what we’re may be used, but again the lyrics are more evolved and tell a tale that needs to be listened to. Dramatic and slightly ominous passages are all pulled together to create a mini epic.


‘Indisposition’ may even creep into AOR territory, but don’t be too dismayed, it is done with all of the elements that GWP deliver so well. Catchy, commercial with more layers to the vocals, this is a very pleasant addition to the GWP catalogue.


‘Playing for success’ is another venture into the more ‘ambient’ world, building gently, before providing some slightly ‘off beat’ sounds, again, easy on the ear and done with skill.


‘Arcadia’ is a seven minute GWP musical adventure, not going to give too much away here but it is worth a real listen.


However, probably my favourite is “Maybe wise”, this has a more acoustic feel with some wonderfully subtle moods, maybe hints of Strawbs and Pendragon, in sounds, but still very much GWP.


A great album with a great mix of ‘old’ and ‘new’ styling, brave adventures in the sound, simply marvellous.



PB 29/04/2020