Artists In Residence
My friends I am at my laptop on the first anniversary of the UK lockdown and I despair. The rich get richer while the poor continue to struggle, whatever savings they had has now dwindled and the threat of losing jobs and businesses hangs precariously over their heads. It has been a terribly trying and exasperating year, but for those already on the brink, it is the death knoll. Music has been a saviour to many people, myself included, it has been my lifeline, my guide and my safety net.
Our most innovative and visionary cousins Wheel are stepping into the arena with a seven song spectacular, a poetic composition that is sincere and honest. With three of the tracks weighing in at over ten minutes long, there is a sociable and approachable feel percolating throughout this fine example of progressive rock. I get moments of Rush and Porcupine Tree in particular, music that upholds a moral code, music that exemplifies well thought out, and well- constructed songs. There has been a lot to think about this past year, the BLM protests for example, discussed here in ‘Movement’ the lack of robust debate and discourse has perhaps made us immune to violence, our uncaring nature is showing. The accompanying video is stark; violence re-enacted to provoke and hopefully shake us all out of our apathy. This Anglo-Finnish alliance consists of James Lascelles on guitar and vocals, Santeri Saksala on drums, Aki Virta on bass and Jussi Turunen on lead guitar all working in perfect harmony and producing this vast and varied landscape. Using a multilateral direction, we see perfectly crafted slow sections, interspersed with riffage that ignites and illuminates, you are welcomed into a world of their creation, inspired by events that have seen humanity destruct. The title track ‘Resident Human’ has quite subtle, mellow parts then the drums come through at 8.09 swiftly followed by some highly skilful fretwork. There is joy and wonderment, contemplation and anticipation, fear and bewilderment all neatly packaged here.
The finale ‘Old Earth’ gives us a sanctuary, 2.17 minutes of a tender and refined disposition to take all your worries away. From beginning to end this album ebbs and flows to the rhythmic gestures of compassion and reliability amidst the devastation, we need to keep the wheels of progress turning, if we are ever to rid this world of the resident evil and replace it with resident humans.
Wheel – Resident Human out now via Odyssey Music