Inside Out (2012)

Arjen Lucassen has gone down the solo route for his new album (although long time drummer Ed Warby plays on the album), based on Mr L, a 21st-Century man who was cryopreserved at the moment of clinical death from a terminal disease. Mr L is then revived at a point in the distant future, when technology has advanced enough to cure his disease and has a psychological advisor (played by legendary actor Rutger Hauer) whose job it is to help him emotionally adapt to this strange new world.

Musically this album is best summed up as a collection of all the musical avenues Arjen Lucassen has explored with his bands Ayreon, Guilt Machine and Star One. There is the quirky ‘Pink Beatles In A Purple Zeppelin’, that not only name checks some of his musical heroes in the title but has an amusing lyric (basically in the future very note and melody has been used and by using your imagination you can create any musical mash up you like) and a 60’s psychedelic groove. A little folk pops-up on ‘When I am Hundred And Sixty Four’ and I defy anyone not to hum along to the catchy pop tune that is ‘Dr Slumber’s Eternity Home’.

There are darker moments in this future world though with comments on population control (‘Parental Procreation Permit’) and the thought/internet policing on ‘E-Police’. The latter has a distinctly ELO feel to the music. There is only one epic song on here, the title track where Wilmer Waarbroek helps out on backing vocals and this has lots on going on both musically and vocally.

Special mention on getting Rutger Hauer involved as he fits the narration perfectly, adding both menace and humour when required.

There is second disc of songs that didn’t quite fit the concept plus some covers of classics by Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin and Blue Oyster Cult. I didn’t have access to these for my review so I will enjoy these delights when I buy the album.

I am sure some hardened Ayreon fans will be possibly disappointed as they would be expecting an Ayreon sound but why do a solo album if all you do is mimic your bands? Instead this new album should please his existing fans and bring in some new ones, especially given the pop leanings of some songs like ‘Dr Slumber’s Eternity Home’. An album that fully deserves a place in your collection, be you an existing fan or new to the wonderful musical world of Arjen Lucassen.

****1/2

Jason Ritchie

Interview with Arjen Lucassen April 2012

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Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.

In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.

Next session: Sunday 1 December

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio

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David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 20 October 2024.

UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 22 October 2024.

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Power Plays w/c 28 October 2024

THE RASMUS Rest In Pieces (Better Noise Music)
THE PLAGUE What Else Can I Do (FiXT)
STAR CIRCUS Turn The Tide (indie)
DEFENCES Breathe It In (Long Branch Records)

Featured Albums w/c 28 October 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Singer Songwriter)

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