OUT THERE

First release from the New English Rock Ensemble (also featured in the Live in Buenos Aries DVD), the album requires several listens to get familiar with the music. Surprisingly it has a definite prog metal feel and you get the feeling the music was created by a band not just Wakeman and a set of session musicians. Guitarist Ant Glynne in particular makes a significant contribution to the sound. Vocalist Damian Wilson does a fairly good job but there should have been a lot more shading in his delivery. Most of the time he just sings at the top of his lungs and you can't always make out the lyrics.

There are only six tracks and it's a full concept album about man's search for the origins of music in space. The picture on the front cover shows the spaceship. The title track is excellent with some good playing from both Wakeman and Glynne. The shorter tracks also work very well, from the more laid back To be With You to the out and out rocker Universe of Sound. He overdoses just a little on organ in the last track in my opinion. However, it is a good return to form for the keyboard maestro (his best album in twenty years in fact) and recalls his glory days in the 70s and Wakeman fans shouldn't be disappointed