Album review: THE DAVE FOSTER BAND – Maybe They’ll Come Back For Us

English Electric Recordings [Release date 31.05.24]

Several years ago when I saw The Steve Rothery Band playing live Dave Foster provided support, and then reappeared in the Marillion guitarist’s band. Half way through Foster’s own set, an ethereally toned guitar cut through. But it wasn’t Foster, it was Rothery guesting. It did show the differences between the haves and the have nots when it comes to tone and feel. Foster’s former incarnation with the much-loved Panic Room was also revealing in the live situation.

Happily Foster’s latest album is focused more on songs and atmosphere, in partnership with his Dutch collaborator Dinet Poortman. Yes, he does solo but for the most part it is kept within the confines of the song’s calling, fleshing out and enhancing rather than dominating. These tasteful touches are in the Gilmour/Rothery space so a little derivative. But the songs win out.

The opener ‘Sleep Spindles’ is one of the album standouts, a nicely melancholic vibe well conveyed by Poortman and with an uplifting pop chorus. She puts a classy stamp on all these tracks.

‘Talent To Failure’ has a surprise appearance from Mark King (Level 42) and is best described as poppy prog with an eighties feel whilst Rothery guests on ‘These Tendencies’ which reminds a little of goth pop rockers All About Eve. The ELO/Beatlesque ‘Queen Of Maybe’ provides the perfect antidote (lyrically) to that opener (with ex-Big Big Train’s Carly Bryant on backing vocals). ‘Delicate Things’ and ‘Whirling Of Whales’ round out the album in some style with Foster grabbing the opportunity for some atypical fret mangling.

This is an intelligent and sonically sophisticated album and one that repays repeated attention. Those impressed should also seek out its predecessor ‘Glimmer’(2023) and the duo’s debut ‘Nocebo’ (2019) . ****

Review by David Randall

Album review (Glimmer, 2023)

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