THE MAN LEFT IN SPACE

Just 17 months after the release of Cosmograf's last album "When Age Has Done Its Duty" the band returns with its latest album "The Man Left In Space" in February 2013. I say band ? loosely as the project is mainly the solo venture of British multi instrumentalist Robin Armstrong accompanied by several high profile guests from the progressive rock community (mainly from the south of England). Armstrong continues his penchant for concept albums as the music on TMLIS tells the story of a doomed space flight to save the World set in 2053. The music is quite excellent with plenty of first-rate guitar work, the first track "How Did I Get Here" comprises of just chat between the astronaut and mission control, but then we are off and running with track two, the excellent 10 minute "Aspire, Achieve" which starts off with quiet acoustic guitar before more heavy electric riffs barge in after two minutes. This is followed by three instrumental tracks, "Good Earth Behind Me" has the poem "High Flight" by John Gillespie Magee recited quietly in the background of track which features memorable guitar and keyboard work. "The Vacuum That I Fly Through" is highlighted by Matt Steven's spacey sounding guitar. "We Disconnect" is my favourite of the shorter track as we return to vocals in the music in track six. The final two tracks are absolute beauties clocking in at just under ten minutes each. "Just spare a thought for the man they left in space" sings Armstrong in what is an elegant ballad interspersed with classy guitar and underlying keyboards which break through at times. The finale "When The Air Runs Out" has elements of space rock between the vocals as the astronaut ponders his impending doom. In conclusion a very good album which shows off all that is good about British progressive rock.