Mike’s Ainscoe’s 2016 Album and Song Round Up

Albums

Until late in the year, Katatonia were sitting comfortably ahead of the pack in the race for the highly anticipated Mike Ainscoe Album Of The Year title with their ‘Fall Of Hearts’ album. One that provided a superb introduction to the darkly progressive Swedes until Jim Moray appeared with a belter in the early Autumn that absolutely nailed it not so much as album of the year, but surely his own personal triumph. The top five are set pretty much in place but the rest in no particular order. Yes, a few albums released by Inside Out – the prog specialists, so not too surprising, but thanks to Freddy Palmer, PR man from my favourite label for keeping us supplied with great new music, updates and the chance to interview and gig with their artists. Parish notices and shameless promotion over, without further ado, we have…

JIM MORAY : ‘Upcetera’ (Niag Records)

A late arrival in 2016 and an instant hit. Always inventive – his award winning and ground-breaking debut ‘Sweet England’ in 2004 set the bar remarkably high, but ‘Upcetera’ clears it with room to spare. Traditional songs with sweeping arrangements go hand in hand with original songs done in a more straightforward yet simply astounding fashion. Might be hyperbole, but utterly fabulous and flawless.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tipKhlVuwtM

KATATONIA : ‘The Fall Of Hearts’ (Peaceville)

Discovery band of the year and another band from Sweden who seems to be spilling forth conveyor belt style. On the same page as Opeth and Pain Of Salvation; dark and bleak where moments of power and melody collide. Had me and other friends scurrying to investigate the back catalogue, but you always remember your first.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_o_j6v3PGE

SAM CARTER : ‘How The City Sings’ (Captain Records)

Jim Moray’s buddy in the loud guitar folk rock of False Lights also made an impact this year with a storming new solo album. Inspired by his time in London, it combines reflective acoustic guitar pieces as is has been his signature so far, but with the addition of a few songs which detonate in a most un-folk-like way. All very ‘Judas’ Dylan but an exhilarating release.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4uHZPFksc34

JOHN WESLEY : ‘a place you’ll never be’ (Inside Out)

Shameful that people haven’t heard more of the man known as Wes. Seeing him play in the touring versions of Porcupine Tree, Bigelf, and Sound Of Contact as well as being a pal of Marillion is no excuse for missing his solo catalogue. Not only having rectified that, ‘a way you’ll never be’ goes a step further in showcasing a harder edged and no holes barred style in a real bolt from the blue.

https://youtu.be/KLiKRNPl-pc

SPIRITUAL BEGGARS : ‘Sunrise To Sundown’ (Inside Out)

A release from Inside Out that doesn’t fit their usual prog rock profile so may have been slightly overlooked . One of a couple of retro styled melodic hard rock / blues albums that really hit the spot this year. The Hammond organ stylings of Per Wiberg colour the Beggars material with a more ‘purple’ hue; close your eyes and it could be vintage 1972 – nowt wrong with that in my book.

https://youtu.be/hhl5aEW4rVs

DEVIN TOWNSEND PROJECT : ‘Transcience’ (Inside Out)

A musician whose creative output and fertile mind finally came to fruition after trying so hard for so long to see what the fuss was about. Big songs and grandiose arrangements and a great cover design – ‘Transcience’ is the DTP album to grab if you’ve ever been undecided. Slightly reined in from his ‘Ziltoid’ excesses, but not too much, it’s an accessible blast of melodic prog metal.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TPjHUFe4AKk

FAUSTUS : ‘Death And Other Animals’ (Westpark Music)

The promise of doing something a bit different (“prog…” so Saul Rose told me in Bolton earlier in the year) saw their third album having a much thicker sound amidst the collection of folk songs from their Halsway Manor residency. Folkily intense and musically top class with a dash of humour and ‘One More Day’ which still reminds me of the Who, a comparison they maybe don’t mind.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=22nUjqwpYVo

MARTYN JOSEPH : ‘Sanctuary – acoustic’ (Pipe Records)

The solo acoustic version of his 2016 album sees him stripping back the songs to how he performs them live – just the voice, the guitar and the passion and delivery of a songwriter who’s a genuine craftsman. Probably better than the original album and with some class songs which have been well road tested before recording, solo with just the guitar is what he does best.

https://youtu.be/8IBmmXn1QwM

SCORPION CHILD : ‘Acid Roulette’ (Nuclear Blast)

THE top Nuclear Blast release for me this year – second album of bluesy psych rock and a frontman in Aryn Jonathan Black who is a fusion of all rock’s great frontmen – you name them there’s a bit in there. Add some ‘heavy keys’ to the rock guitar rock and ‘Acid Roulette’ is a heady swirling mix with an ‘if it ain’t broken, why fix it?’ philosophy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XI4jAw-un7k

RADIOHEAD : ‘A Moon Shaped Pool’ (XL Recordings)

Hardly a case of ‘underground music uncovered’ from the band who wrote the book on doing things differently. A more cinematic set this time round and fuelled by Thom Yorke’s relationship breakdown and an album which is perhaps not quite as dark as anticipated although with healthy portions of melancholy and pathos. They remain a big draw amongst the those who like something allegedly more intellectual or profound but as Frank Turner said there’s “no such things as rock stars, just people who play music.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TTAU7lLDZYU

AIRBAG : ‘Disconnected’ (Karisma Records)

Great slabs of melodic progressiveness with lengthy instrumental passages and some blinding guitar. The trail leads back to 2013’s ‘Greatest Show On Earth’ – forming a perfect pairing for anyone who hankers after something which matches the Floyd at their peak; the sort of music that David Gilmour really should be doing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KqNB4rZ7E1s

BUBBLING UNDER

THE PINEAPPLE THIEF : ‘Your Wilderness’ (KScope)

DREAM THE ELECTRIC SLEEP : ‘Beneath The Dark Wide Sky (Omn Label Services)

HAKEN : ‘Affinity’ (Inside Out)

BLAIR DUNLOP : ‘Gilded’ (Gilded Wings Records)

WILL VARLEY : ‘Kingsdown Sundown’ (Smugglers Records)

Songs

1. JIM MORAY ‘The Flying Cloud’
2. JIM MORAY ‘Sounds Of Earth’
3. KATATONIA ‘Serein’
4. MARILLION ‘The Leavers pt v: One Tonight’
5. O’HOOLEY & TIDOW ‘ The Needle & The Hand’

The top three songs from the top two albums. Jim Moray clearly needs knighting for his services to music. After whittling things down from the whole album to five then four sings, it boiled down to a choice between two songs from the top album of the year. ‘Sounds Of Earth’ a more acoustic approach showcasing his guitar skills and having seen him stand alone and play it live – wow. The tale of an intergalactic time capsule has vied with ‘The Flying Cloud’; another epic arrangement of innumerable verses of sea shantying backed by an unerringly and exquisitely played Viola Da Gamba of Liam Byrne. A truly astonishing and outstanding album that Blackadders’ Baldrick would have called “a magnificent octopus”. ‘The Flying Cloud’ just edging it but I might change my mind….

‘Serein’ represents the ultimate in power and melody in harmony from Katatonia – one song it’s hard not to play again at the flick of the CD scanner as soon as it ends, probably at the expense of the whole album and despite it being a more straightforward piece – simple is best. Inspired little guitar runs sit alongside lyrics of melancholy and desolation. Totally different from Jim’s work but all three are lyrical meisterworks.

Marillion – well, a new album in ‘F.E.A.R’ which many, including the band themselves have been drooling over; to be fair, probably their most consistent for years with less of those sort songs you play not much more once. The choice moment is one part of the lengthy ‘The Leavers’ suite and is THE moment for communal singing in concert although IMHO, they missed a massive trick by not playing it live. It has a seasonal feel with the simple piano motif and keyboard simulated brass so a late November gig at their spiritual home in Manchester Academy (a long story) would have been bob on for an emotional coming together of what they call ‘the family’.

And finally, Belinda & Heidi make an appearance with the standout (for me) track from ‘Shadows’. After toying with some drinking themed songs on the lighter yet still insightful and quietly potent ‘Summat’s Brewin’ album, they got back in their stride with a set of songs packed with dark undertones, strong women and elephants. However, the one that emerged was one that Guy Garvey would be proud of and whose sparse and intimate rendition upped their songwriting status no end.

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