Steve Thorne - Levelled - Emotional Creatures : Part 3 '2020

Tracks list

Tracklist:

01. Little Boat Pt.1 (2:06)
02. He Who Pays The Piper (9:24)
03. Rainy Day In New York (5:19)
04. Waking Up (5:19)
05. World Salad Surgery (5:42)
06. Psalm 2.0 (5:05)
07. The Fourth Wall (3:55)
08. Monkey Business (4:47)
09. Waves (5:07)
10. I Wont Forsake Truth (4:57)
11. Little Boat Pt 2 (2:16)

Born in Southampton, UK, Steve Thorn has had a bit of a long career but is
largely an unknown entity across the pond here in the US. In the 80s and 90s, he
was a founding member of both COLONY EARTH and THE SALAMDER PROJECT and the only
inkling you find of either is some videos from 1989 of a COLONY EARTH gig. His
previous groups covered a whole range of styles but he seems to now sit firmly
in rock and pro-rock genres. A multi-instrumentalist and a bit of session player
for UK-based prog groups such as JADIS and IQ, he ventured out with his first
solo album in 2005 with “Emotional Creatures: Part One” followed up
by “Part Two: Emotional Creatures” in 2007. He seemed to have
abandoned his “Emotional Creatures” concept with a trio of albums
– 2009’s “Into the Ether”, 2012’s “Crimes
& Reasons” and 2016’s “Island of the Imbeciles”. But he
has returned to continue his exploration with the similarly nonconforming titled
“Levelled: Emotional Creatures Part 3”

The press release I was given warned that I may find some of the lyrical content
offensive. With this album, Thorn questions many of the conventions and beliefs
we hold as truths – likening them to cult-like beliefs – of
“Scientism”, “Heliocentrism”, and acceptance that man
landed on the moon to name a few. It isn’t entirely clear if Thorn
himself doesn’t accept these truths or if it is simply the character that
he created for his concept that is questioning things. The music itself is safe,
neo-progressive with a pop-y tinge. Think the PINK FLOYD, ARK or the quiet side
of PORCUPINE TREE or MARILLION with a voice similar to Fish. At times brit-pop
like THE BEATLES inspired “Monkey Business”, but most times soft and
contemplative which “Waking Up”, “Waves” and the spooky,
minimal “Psalm 2.0” does well with a solo sounding very much like
David Gilmour. If you want edgier prog rock, check out “Word Salad
Surgery” with an excellent outro solo.

What surprised me is that this release does not seem to have the plethora of
guest artists that Thorn typically rounds up from his many connections made over
the years. Thorn obviously writes all the music but previous quests Tony Levin -
a highly well-respected bass and especially chapmen stick player in the prog
community - and Nick D’Virgilio of SPOCK’S BEARD in particular
added clout and some much needed dynamic to Thorn’s compositions. Drums
this time are played by Kyle Fenton of COSMOGRAF and lead guitar parts provided
by local artist Geoff Lea are perfectly suitable and especially the latter adds
some much needed spice to otherwise adequate neo-prog pieces. While the subject
matter does make you think, the level of energy never seems to lift me up enough
to pick out many favorites in the mix.

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