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""A Model Life" is in line with the continuity of Lonely Robot's albums: a high-end pop-FM with neo progressive sounds, extremely well executed. Pleasant, but without surprise."
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3/5
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Originally, Lonely Robot, the solo project of John Mitchell (Arena, Frost*...), was to last only the time of three albums. However, working alone, out of the contingencies imposed by a band, has its charms. So John started again the machine, and it's only two years after "Feelings Are Good" that "A Model Life" is released, presented as the most personal album of its creator.
Faithful to the spirit underlying his project, John has simplified his line-up: the unmovable Craig Blundell (Steven Wilson, Steve Hackett) takes care of the drums and John does everything else: composition, vocals, strings (guitar, bass... and cello), keyboards and production. The style remains based on neo progressive sounds with a good presence of keyboards, but leans more towards a sophisticated FM rock than towards progressive (not so far from the turn of Ray Wilson's "Weight of Men", in fact), the structure of the tracks remaining rather formatted while leaving room for some guitar soli.
It is that John Mitchell decided to return to what he knows best. The guitar is back in the limelight, most of the tracks being embellished with solo parts that highlight the precision and the sensitivity of the master's touch. It is a pity that John did not push the cursor further, the last piece 'In Memoriam' in particular would have largely deserved a more developed solo.
Among the qualities of the album, we have to underline the very pleasant tone of the vocals (this grain of voice well in evidence on 'Mandalay') and a deep, detailed and well balanced production. The research on the sonorities is also interesting, from the fiddling with the cello (the beginning of 'Digital God Machine') to the electro touches ('The Island of Misfit Toys', atypical, whose electro wanderings are not without reminding those of Mike Rutherford with his Mechanics!) Craig Blundell ensures the percussion part with accuracy (nice work of toms on 'Rain Kings' among others).
Considering these assets, "A Model Life" is pleasant to listen to, in spite of a small soft underbelly towards the end of the album, most of the tracks - except the opener 'Recalibrating', clearly dynamic - wandering in more uniform mid tempos. An opus in the right line of the other productions of Lonely Robot, a little more intimate but without big surprise. - Official website
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TRACK LISTING:
01. Recalibrating - 5:02
02. Digital God Machine - 6:08
03. Species In Transition - 6:19
04. Starlit Stardust - 5:48
05. The Island Of Misfit Toys - 4:18
06. A Model Life - 5:27
07. Mandalay - 1:56
08. Rain Kings - 6:33
09. Duty Of Care - 6:24
10. In Memoriam - 5:53
LINEUP:
Craig Blundell: Batterie
John Mitchell: Chant / Guitares / Basse / Claviers
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STAFF:
3.3/5 (3 view(s))
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