Prog Radio | Album Review | ''An Ordinary Life'' by Long Earth

Album Review

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4.5

Stars

An Ordinary Life

Long Earth

923

Long Earth's third studio album, "An Ordinary Life," marks a significant addition to their catalog. This crossover prog band from Scotland delivers a collection of eight tracks with a total runtime of just over 63 minutes, showcasing their ability to blend progressive rock elements with accessible melodies and poignant lyrics.

The album opens with "Fight the Hand that Bleeds You," a politically powerful ten-minute track that immediately sets the tone for the entire record. You’ll hear straight away the band has no intention of shying away from direct lyrics with a point of view. The interplay between Martin Haggarty's commanding vocals and the dynamic instrumentation, including Renaldo McKim's evocative guitar work and Mike Baxter's rich keyboard layers, creates a compelling start.

"An Ordinary Life” is the band’s most worthy release to date, highlighting Long Earth's growth and maturity as a band. Their cohesive sound, coupled with insightful lyrics and intricate arrangements, makes this album a noteworthy release in the progressive rock scene.

Throughout "An Ordinary Life," this veteran band's tight musicianship is evident. The rhythm section, featuring David Mclachlan on bass and Alex Smith on drums, provides a solid foundation that drives each song forward. Tracks like "Sand" (my favorite track) and "Morpheus" highlight the band's ability to balance complexity with melodic sensibility, ensuring that each composition remains engaging and memorable.

Lyrically, the album touches on themes of politics, war, personal reflection, and broader social commentary. The songwriting will not leave you wondering where the band is coming from. The trilogy of tracks titled "Life I," "Life II - The Arc," and "Life III - Empty Shore" explore various stages and emotions, creating a narrative arc that ties the album together. These songs are thoughtfully arranged, allowing listeners to connect with the emotional journey presented.

"An Ordinary Life” is the band’s most worthy release to date, highlighting Long Earth's growth and maturity as a band. There's not a bad track on this record. Their cohesive sound, coupled with insightful lyrics and intricate arrangements, makes this album a noteworthy release in the progressive rock scene.

Tune in to Prog Radio to hear several of the tracks from this well-crafted record in our New Music rotation, as well as featured in Monday’s “What’s New Proggy Cats?” broadcast.

4.5 Stars