BJH, AKA John Lees’ Barclay James Harvest, have been promising a new studio album for a few years now and it is finally here. Released via Cherry Red Records on an assortment of formats, I opted for the bog standard version.
Some early reviews kind of give the impression that it is a bit ‘meh’ (looking at you Prog Magazine!). Well, they are all wrong. I will admit that on first listen only two tracks standout: The Blood of Abraham and Snake Oil. However, spin it a few more times and it is a real grower – beautiful music, great playing – some terrific mellotron and John Lees is playing like a beast.
Talking of John, his voice still has that John Lees sound, but it is not as powerful as it once was (that’s ageing for you!). Wisely, the slower, more introspective tunes get his vocals and Craig / Jez handle the rest. The backing vocals and harmonies are great, too.
It’s a long album at 78 minutes – in the olden days this would have been a double. Thankfully, there is nothing that I would call filler – this is cool stuff all the way through.
I must mention here that the keyboard work is excellent – the mellotron work is sublime (really sounds like the Tron on Once Again!) and there is a killer organ solo in Snake Oil, too. Final track has John letting loose in his own style with a beautiful extended guitar solo.
Musically, this is not one dimensional – there is more going on than is initially apparent. This is the key to its charm – you hear something new each time. Love it.
To conclude, if ever you liked this band, you will love this album. As said already, it’s a real grower. I bought 4 albums last week and only Relativity is being played. Literally several times a day – no skipping! Can’t praise it enough.
Tracks
1. Relativity Part 1 (Through the Dust) (09:10)
2. The Blood of Abraham (07:43)
3. Heard it All Before (07:54)
4. Magpie (06:53)
5. Love (04:51)
6. Peace Like a River (04:19)
7. Hourglass (06:49)
8. Snake Oil (08:49)
9. The End of Days (06:44)
10. Picture World (05:45)
11. Relativity Part 2 (The Stars That Shine) (09:02)
Who Sings / Plays What?
John Lees – Guitars, Lead Vocals on tracks 1, 4, 6, 9, 11
Craig Fletcher – Bass, Lead Vocals on tracks 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 10
Kevin Whitehead – Drums
Jez Smith – Keyboards, Vocals