Album review: THE SPIRITUAL MACHINES – Awake, Alert, Alive, almost

July 20th, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

THE SPIRITUAL MACHINES - Awake, Alert, Alive, almost

Would Work Sound [Release date 14.02.17]

Sometimes reviewers can get lost underneath a sea of review copies waiting to be sorted, waiting for evaluation. They seek refuge in other music eras, rediscovering their lost youth, whilst avoiding the present. Anything but reviewing what’s in hand. And then, an unassuming disc comes along and grabs the attention. Immediately, the focus sharpens and an audible sigh: there is still good stuff out there!

The Spiritual Machines is a project from TV/film composer/producer Evan Frankfort and as you might expect he realises densely coloured soundscapes, aided in the main by vocalist James Grundler. Anyone who includes a two part take on ‘Don’t Fear The Reaper’ that sounds nothing like BOC is attempting fate, but in the overall context it’s passable if somewhat disposable.

The album – Frankfort’s second under this moniker - is a concept piece describing a futuristic time when humans can exist outside their bodies and live forever “in the cloud”. Frankfort has taken his cue from futurist/novelist Ray Kurzweil. Musically, think Bush mixed with Muse, but in a good way.

The highlight here is ‘Bubble’ featuring the vocals of the under-used Lori Denae, closely followed by the complementary ‘The Race Is Still Alive’ sung by Grundler and ‘The Man Who Stole The World’.

Frankfort saves his best for last, though, because ‘Anyone Can Fly (Rise Up)’ deploys the full gamut of his filmic calling with stirring orchestration, massed choirs, and an excellent Grundler vocal.

This is a truly energising and provocative album. Seek it out. ****

Review by David Randall

David Randall presents ‘Assume The Position’ on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio every Sunday at 22:00 GMT.

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

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 3 November 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 29 October 2024.

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

Listen via Windows Media Player. Click or tap here and “open file”
Listen via other media player (eg. VLC) Click or tap here and “open file”

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.

More information and links at our radio website where you can listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com

Power Plays w/c 11 November 2024

ARCANE MOON Hello Sun (indie)
S8NT ELEKTRIC XTC (Long Branch Records)
ARCANA KINGS Here We Go (Curtain Call Records)
KLOGR face The Unknown (Zeta Factory)
BEYOND UNBROKEN Dance With The Dead (FiXT)
REVENGIN Decadent Feeling (Wormholedeath)

Featured Albums w/c 11 November 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)