ARTIFICIAL

Unitopia offers many themes throughout this release, the complexity of modern living, depression, superficial existence, but finishes in an uplifting positive way - we can still have a fulfilling way forward if we want. As with their first 2 releases there is a vast variety of instruments and musical styles and this is what makes this group particularly appealing.

After a nice little introduction (Suffocation) we ease into Artificial World which offers a solid start to this impressive release.

Nothing Lasts Forever is a nostalgic revisit of happier times when the "Boys from Liverpool" gave us all we needed and life was simple and better.

Not Human Anymore has a more urgent musical pattern and grunt, but sweetly enquires if we've lost a part of ourselves. The usual enjoyable tempo changes are prevalent here.

Tesla, the album epic with several parts joined together and all the while easily holding my interest, musically and lyrically. Grand Piano, Tony Banks Organ, Orchestra, Folksy, Mediterranean, Jazzy, Acoustic etc etc. At around the 9 min mark of this 13 min cracker is the start of a great twist and you'll join in with the chant..... "we are, we are, all parts of the whole, all parts of the whhhholllle".

Timms gives us Reflections and tackles the issues of depression and along with Trueack's vocals, I defy anyone not to feel the sad depth of this beautiful track....a Unitopia classic.

The Power of 3 is the instrumental introduction to the Rule of 3's and again surprises the listener with the diversity of this band, if anything I would have loved this to have got out to 3 or 4 mins but let's not get greedy. Rule of 3's offers the continuing changes in musical patterns and poses a question I can't answer, but what I do know is I'm loving this album!

Gone in the Blink of an Eye is a punchy and gutsy output, frenetic at times but then calmed by saxophone and the message is clear - treasure today and don't take what we have for granted.

And now to the closing classic, The Great Reward. A magnificent ending to a very good piece of work. A re-occurring theme appears with a more positive outlook. An uplifting finale offering hope - spine tingling and powerful - a great reward for the listener. This song gave me a similar vibe or feel as Afterglow gave me and I imagine this song to be a great encore song for the band. Long may they continue!

Musically this album is 'top notch' and has something to offer for every Prog Rock fan, but another more than worthwhile reason to buy this release is to experience the vocal wonder of Mark Trueack. Obviously influenced by Peter Gabriel he has a sweet and powerful range and is a valuable asset to accompany the brilliant musicianship of this great band from Australia.