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Giant Electric Pea - [Release date: 04.09.23]
Southern Empire was formed in 2014 following the break-up of Australian progressive rock pioneers Unitopia, and have carried the torch for Southern hemisphere prog since.
Signed to IQ’s Giant Electric Pea label, the band has released three albums – “Southern Empire” (2016), “Civilisation” (2018) and a live outing “Live @HQ” (2016) – all of which were well received and deservedly so.
Sean Timms (keys, lap-steel) and Steve Unruh (violin), the card-carrying Unitopia members are joined in Southern Empire by Cam Blokland (guitars), Jez Martin (bass), Brody Green (drums) and new vocalist Shaun Holton.
The debate rages on in the only magazine in the UK dedicated to progressive rock with seemingly endless column inches discussing what is and what isn’t prog – like it really mattered.
There is absolutely no doubt with this however, being an amalgam of every great progressive rock band you’ve ever heard – anchored in the seventies for sure, but given a fabulous 21st century production sheen.
Yes are probably the closest touchstone, but there’s elements of Genesis, King Crimson and even the jazz-prog of Colosseum, all of which coalesce to make Another World the album that would dampen the trousers of most progressive rock aficionados.
The stage is set with opener “Reaching Out” – its pounding staccato riff, ominous keys and Jon Anderson-alike vocals combine to provide a platform for the exceptional fretwork of Cam Blokland – a constant throughout the album.
There’s three ‘epics’ here, all of which clock in at over ten minutes – “Face The Dawn” veers from heavy riffing to delicate piano and violin figures with a side-order of jazz sax and “Moving Through Tomorrow” which features Sabbath-like rifferama set against quotations from Dylan Thomas’ ‘Do Not Go Gently Into That Good Night’ and progresses beautifully with every band member having their moment in the sun.
But even these two are blown away, time-wise anyway, by the majestic near twenty minutes of “White Shadows” – a cornucopia of every prog fans’ want-list – classic progressive rock with seamless segués between instrumental passages. It reminded me, at times, of Steve Hackett’s solo work – or rather if Hackett had a co-write with Yes. Nice.
And the three other tracks are not make-weights either – “Hold On To Me”, “When You Return” and closer “Butterfly” would all jostle for ‘standout’ status on most progressive rock albums – and certainly those issued during GRTR!’s lifetime.
In summary, a wonderful album – chock full of everything that makes progressive rock so good – great songs, a thoughtful libretto and musicianship from all concerned that’s just off the scale.
You don’t get signed to GEP if you’re no good – this is their fourth album.
Says everything you need to know.
***** Review by Alan Jones
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