The future of progressive rock in the UK is being shaped by bands like The Blackheart Orchestra, Hats Off Gentlemen It’s Adequate, The John Hackett Band, Cairo, Ruby Dawn, Ghost of the Machine, Shadows of Mercury and now, add one more to this list…The Age of Distraction. To me A Game of Whispers, sounds like a return to the bold and innovative era of the 1980s; which saw the rise of bands like IQ, Marillion, and Pendragon, and that later spawned bands like No-Man.
Yes, there is some wonderful music being made in the UK’s “Green and Pleasant Land”, again!
Age of Distraction, is, in fact, a “supergroup”, made up of some of the members of the bands that I mentioned above. The band was founded in 2023, by member and lead writer, John Cook; who is a guitarist and former member of This Winter Machine, and This Other Eden. He recruited rising-star, and vocalist, Charlie Bramald, (Ghost of the Machine, Shadows On Mercury). Gravity-defying bassist, Mark Gatland, of Hats Off Gentlemen It’s Adequate, and IT; and multi-instrumentalist, plus producer-extraordinaire, Dom Bennison, (Last Motion Picture, ex-This Winter Machine), who plays drums, and keyboards.
To borrow a line from Age of Distraction, “The time is upon us”, to appreciate a new rise of UK progressive rock. A Game of Whispers, the debut album, “explores the boundaries of melodic, accessible progressive rock and metal, evoking an atmosphere all of its own, in the process”. The complete album will be released on the 31st of May, 2024.
So, without any further ado, let’s dig into this masterpiece!
A Game of Whispers opens with a unique soundscape. “The Uninvited”, featuring Ruby Jones. It is filled with slow, elegant piano, played with scratchy noises in the background soundscape. Ruby repeats, “system override activated. Error. Avoid mission. Mission has been compromised”. Then, full cinematic orchestration and deep piano take over the soundscape. Wow, an absolutely overwhelming surprise of an opening.
Then, “Break My Bones”, busts up the theatrical scenery. Keyboards and synthesizers slide past the thundering drums and guitars. Just like I remember from the best of the 80s bands of the “Neoprog Era”. We have returned to the era of Arena, Pallas, and Fish era Marillion, again. This time though, we have a new voice. Charlie Bramald, is that voice and it is full of emotion. I also hear wonderful reminders that take me back to an earlier part of this century, with sounds like those Touchstone laid down. Charlie sings, “You could have been anyone. I could have been someone else. But events conspired to bind us. Destiny sent me a friend”. The music is dramatic and powerful, as the story unfolds. Charlie continues, “Two islands in the storm. Torn asunder in the storm. Left alone”. A parting of two true friends. The guitar solo that follows is enormous and full of power. The drumming tremendous.
“Compromised”, opens with rattling drums, like a Touchstone shocker from the past. The steady U2 like guitars and bass are stunning. Charlie sings, “Can we carry on this tug of war. If you stop letting go of the rope. We’ve come far to make it worth. To far to let it go!” Later, he sings, “But it’s time we realized we’re too compromised”. Another excellent song that is full of passion and emotion. Two excellent album openers, sure to be live show rockers.
“Protect Me”, opens with soft, echoing electric guitar. Charlie sings, “Do you feel strong or weak. Do you even feel at all? Am I the lion or the sheep. Being led toward my fall? I’m the lock and you’re the key. You caged me in a world of pain. But I refused to beg for mercy. There are no winners in this game. Can’t anyone protect me. I have lost my way!” (Vaulting ahead of Marco Glühmann of Sylvan, who, will release a solo album later this year), for the “King of Pain” title for now. Such emotional strength in the words and music, on this album, so far.
You can’t make a more emotional song than, “The Plea”. It opens with cool boxed drums, surrounding bass, and an amazing electric guitar solo. An instrumental plea, without words that will lift and at the same time make you think again about what has been said so far on this brilliant album.
“Take Me Down”, is another golden track, filled with amazing drums, keyboards, guitar, and Philip Stuckey, guest singing, along with Ruby Jones. Stuckey sings, “I’ve woken up to ice and snow. Think I’ll have a coffee before I go. Trying to think things through I’m all used up. But hey that’s nothing new. I’ll keep coming back for more”. Another toxic relationship song, set to prolific music. Like a drift back to the sad evenings and muses I remember from Clutching at Straws; if anyone still remembers that epic album.
“A Game of Whispers”, is the Kingpin in this game of whispers. This song, may go down as the song of the year in the UK in 2024. Charlie sings, “I used to count on you. While you were keeping score. A simple game of numbers. All my indiscretions accounted for. Every moment made to measure. One by one we weigh the cost. Tip the scales in your favor. Sense of balance is all but lost. Believe what you want to believe. But I’m not your enemy. There’s no turning back for us. The lines have long been crossed. You turned the world against me. That’s not the real me. Your words stick to me like shadows. Sneaking by my side (Shadows by your side). Twisted replicas of me. Misconstrued by your design (Fiction blurs the lines). In this game of whispers. No one wins if no one lies!” Yes, absolutely powerful lyrics with metal-like music to match. Heavy lead and bass guitar, supported with excellent drumming. Charlie continues, “I’m reaching out to you. Across the battleground. Can we negotiate a truce. In this war of words and sound.
What you see is what you get. So what do you think it is you see? Distractions making demons. Where the angels used to be”. An absolutely blistering guitar and drum combo, along with a melody that will stay with you, long after the song ends. The best song on an album full of greatest hits!
“The Point of No Return”, is not the Kansas-classic, but rather Age of Distraction’s own interpretation of the concept. Another pulverizing and innovative electric guitar and drum blast of instrumental genius.
“Oceans”, is my favorite song on the album. I am an ocean lover, and have not heard an ocean song that I did not like; from the Pearl Jam’s classic, of the same name, up to this new epic. Like the Pearl Jam’s song, this song also opens with acoustic guitar. Charlie sings, “When we talk, the time disappears. But the hurt remains when you’re not here. Catch my breath, but lose my words. I find my meaning in your eyes. I show my pain under a thousand stars.” Reaching out to someone to find out “how deep does your ocean go?” A modern day Bee Gees concept renewed, “How deep is your love?” An absolutely emotional song that will coax you to sing along…if you have a beating heart.
“The Left Unsaid”, opens with sounds of the surf and slow played electric guitar. They add some percussion and soft whispering. After all it is a Game of Whispers.
This time, soft interlude instrumental.
“Sneak Attack”, is a wonderful continuation of the instrumental interlude, from the last song. Only this time it is keyboards and synthesizers which calm your nerves, before the eruption comes. They hit you with a bolt of lightning full of drums, bass and electric lead guitar. A revenge, angst song regarding a broken relationship full of metal and anger. Blistering electric guitars, punctuating bass, and a drum kit that never stops hammering home the beat. No one enjoys a sneak attack, unless it sounds like this!
“My Peace”, is the closing song on the album. It is full of warm keyboard and orchestration. The calm after the storm, and despite the anger and angst unleashed earlier. Soothing violins and strings to close out, one of the best UK albums of the year!
Age of Distraction’s A Game of Whispers, explores the world of toxic relationships, personal and global miss-communication, and the undercurrent of what we are thinking and strategically planning, without truly discovering what the other side wants, knows or believes. The stunning artwork of Andjela Vujić, will draw you in, but it is the words and music that will keep you listening, and make you want to return, again and again. Can I recommend that you buy this album? Of course! Go and get it today. Every track is a winner and it is great in the car, on headphones, or blasted as loud as you can at your favorite party with friends. This album is a return to the way the UK used to make great, epic progressive rock albums. Please get Age of Distraction’s A Game of Whispers, if only to help this band return to the studio to make another. I’m sure you’ll like this. And like me you’ll want more!
Album Track List:
1. The Uninvited (ft. Ruby Jones)
2. Break My Bones
3. Compromised
4. Protect Me.
5. The Plea
6. Take Me Down (ft. Philip Stuckey & Ruby Jones)
7. A Game of Whispers
8. The Point of No Return
9. Oceans
10. The Left Unsaid
11. Sneak Attack
12. My Peace
The album also features Philip Stuckey singing lead vocals on ‘Take Me Down’; Ruby Jones, plays piano and keyboards on “The Uninvited” and “Take Me Down”. All songs performed by Age of Distraction. Produced, mixed and mastered by Dom Bennison, at Creative Media Producer www.dombennison.com. Songs written by John Cook. Arrangement on “The Uninvited” by Ruby Jones. Orchestral arrangements on “Oceans” and “My Peace” by Dom Bennison. Lyrics on “A Game Of Whispers” by Charlie Bramald and John Cook. Lyrics on “Protect Me” and “Oceans” by John Cook. Lyrics and vocal melody on “Take Me Down” by Philip Stuckey. Lyrics(?) on “The Left Unsaid” by Dom Bennison. All other lyrics and vocal melodies by Charlie Bramald. Backing vocal arrangements by Dom Bennison, Charlie Bramald and John Cook. Cover artwork by Andjela Vujić.
Band Website and Social Media Links:
https://ageofdistraction.bandcamp.com/track/a-game-of-whispers-single
YouTube and Music Video Links:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPgfCBkzV6yVhnUlyHzlyuw