THE HUMAN EQUATION

I found this quite a difficult album to get into. Arjen Luccasen seems to be moving deeper and deeper into the rock opera world. Looking at the lyric sheet here it looks like something written by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice.

The guest list on each album is getting longer with the singers on this album being assigned roles to play. This gives many of the songs a conversational feel. The policy of writing in this way is questionable as it means either that the strengths of the vocalist are not fully exploited, or compromises having to be reached with the requirements of the story.

All that said, there are many fine moments, Heather Findlay (Mostly Autumn) makes a particularly impressive contribution. The instrumental guests are less both in number and influence, with Luccasen and Warby taking on most of the duties themselves. Ken Hensley (Uriah Heep) contributes a characteristically excellent Hammond Organ solo, and various traditionally orchestral instruments appear throughout.

Musically, I found the album slightly disappointing, the emphasis being placed too much on the story telling. A few more keyboard and guitar solos would have been welcome.

Not a bad album, but I have difficulty recommending it, particularly to newcomers to Luccasen's work. There are better places to start.

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