Album review: TIM ARNOLD – When Staying Alive’s The Latest Craze

Bandcamp [Release date 06.11.20]

It cannot be denied that lockdown and the coronavirus has been a huge strain on all of us, especially as much of the world enters a second round of lockdowns. On 23 March 2020, the day the UK went into lockdown, Tim Arnold began work on this album. Tim said of making the album “I had to just keep responding to what was happening, because it was always pretty intense”.

This is his twentieth album release and is a result of his lockdown experience and the family life that went with the territory (do watch the videos accompanying this album). Many of us back in March said we’d use this downtime to learn something new or create, but like many good intentions these fell by the wayside for many. Luckily, Tim Arnold has used this time wisely creating the music on this album and performing a series of socially distance concerts at his London home.

Tim is joined by various guests musicians who recorded their parts remotely including Buddhist monk Phra Peter Suparo (a former member and percussionist with the Penguin Cafe Orchestra) and bassist Andy Lewis, who was a member of Tim’s first band Jocasta.

Opening duo ‘Nothing On Earth’ and ‘Weird Now’ highlight many of the feelings and emotions we are all feeling this year. Missing friends, the daily routines of life we took for granted thrown upside down, live music…the list goes on.

On ‘Key Worker’ listen carefully for the background sounds and music, as Tim looks at the life of 2020’s hero the key worker. ‘Wonder’ is another one for the headphones, a gently soothing, melodic filled treat.

Before you go thinking it is all possibly a bit too much given the situation now, ‘Another Record That Changed My Life’ is a wonderful celebration of classic albums and how the power of music helps us. In a proper musical world this would be a top 10 hit, having a strong chorus and melody.

An album of times, created in the current pandemic and although it may not have answers to end the virus, it does contain an underlying message of love and hope. ****

Review by Jason Ritchie

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

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Power Plays w/c 21 April 2025

THE DEVIL WEARS NADA Late Night Talking (Eonian Records)
DROWNING POOL Madness (SBG Records)
PARKER BARROW Make It (indie)
REDIKIN Nailed It (Wormholedeath)
PENNY FOUNTAIN Euphoria (indie)
CRY FOR MERCY Saving Grace (indie)
VIGILANTES Life In The Fast Brain (indie)

Featured Albums w/c 21 April 2025

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003 – 2024 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003 – 2024 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003 – 2024 (Singer Songwriter)

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