THE RED PLANET

Long time since my last purchase of a RW album... his 70s albums were among those forming my musical taste as a teen in spades. He was the first among the members of the then prog supergroups I noticed as a solo musician when listening to the "Six Wifes". But "Criminal record" was his last release getting hold of me and which I still listen to.

Since "The Red Planet" got so many excited reviews, I purchased it unchecked... I should have done it. Sorry, Rick, for being so straightforward. But comparing TRP to what means to me "Rick Wakeman" based on your early albums I have to say they are worlds apart.

While listening through the whole album, there was no moment I felt those reviews are right. Most of the time it is simply boring: always straightforward 4/4, simple harmonies and chord changes. I did not find any melodic line catching me immediately, to be honest not even after having heard it the second time. No compositional depth, no enthralling transitions. The whole thing feels like a patchwork of uninspired pieces lacking completely what made RW that outstanding musician at the dawn of his career. I remember an interview with him where he said regarding TRP something like "the best album of my career". I can't believe he meant it. If he did, my simple reply is "No, it is not".