2014

A happy and pulsating album, full of eloquent melodies and straightforward jubilant harmonies. That's probably the best way to describe this solo album by Life Line Project keyboard & guitar player Erik de Beer, who plays all instruments, flutes, drums, basses and all sorts of keyboards and plucked instruments included, himself.

There is a simple, but very effective dynamic main theme, that appears three times on the album. First Flight starts with an exquisite lead guitar solo over a three chord progression, alternated by a beautiful symphonic theme in the middle section, also performed on lead guitar. Great bass and drum playing! Second Flight gives us an unplugged version, in which we hear ukuleles, mandolins, lutes, chitarrone, acoustic guitars, a harpsichord, an acoustic bass and again very dynamic and solid drums, a lovely version! Last Flight starts with a slow keyboard introduction, before a fiery Moog lead makes its entry. This version ends with a multi layered lead guitar part and is at the same time the conclusion of the album.

Most of "2014" is instrumental. There are some vocal contributions however. Original 1983 Zoundwords singer Ankie Jansen performs "Injustice" . Her voice is suited perfectly for this type of music. I checked out the original 1983 version on the Zoundworks facebook page and I must say, Ankie is singing even much better today, well-succeeded intermezzo ! I liked her voice a lot !! Marion Brinkman, member of Life Line Project, is performing the more introverted and melancholic "The Hole", a beautiful song with a beautiful piano solo in the middle part. A strange vocal intermezzo without lyrics, that could well do in a Coca Cola commercial, is delivered with Cantata, in which Erik acts as a male choir, counterparted by Marion, Mieke Meijer and Heleen Vos (great Oldfieldish guitar lead at the end).

All other compositions are instrumental. All music is straightforward simple to understand symphonic rock, that will cheer up your day. One of the brightest songs on the album is the Early Bird Waltz, with a charming double voiced flute part in the middle of all sorts of acoustic guitars, supported by an excellent Fender precision bass part and again some formidable drumming. I also liked a lot the Zoundwork Shuffle, featuring a magnificent Hammond part, reminding me very much of the old Greenslade albums.

Don't expect long complex progressive rock compositions on this album, but just let yourself be cheered up by this happy and catching sparkling melodies and harmonies. I wanted to give four and a half stars, but since this is not possible on PA, we'll make it a fiver this time !!

Oscillator.