Frost – ‘Falling Satellites‘ (Insideout, 2016)
Frost’s Satellite is exactly the type of album which demonstrates that forward-thinking progressive rock is alive and well. Keyboardist, composer, vocalist, producer and songwriter Jem Godfrey has put together an impressive mix of classic progressive rock with contemporary sounds, bringing in cutting edge recording technology, overdubs, pop hooks, electronics and lots of sound effects.
Highlights include ‘Towerblocks’ were he delivers a collage of electronic beats, vocal samples, fabulous keyboard and guitar solos and a general epic feel. Prog for the 21st century.
A notable piece is “Lights Out, where Frost turns to exquisite chill out soul arrangements with a great mix of male and female vocalists. The female vocalist here is rising British pop singer Tori Beaumont.
Another high point is “Closer To the Sun,” where the bands mixes pop hooks, electronic atmospheres, effects, and a signature solo by guitar master Joe Satriani who appears as guest on this piece (I’ve always been puzzled why guitar heroes like Satriani, Steve Vai, Eric Johnson and others don’t appear more frequently in progressive rock productions). Additionally, Jem Godfrey also delivers a great keyboard solo.
The finest pieces on the album are ‘The Raging Against the Dying of the Light Blues”, “Nice Day For It…” and “Hypoventilate,” several parts of an extraordinary suite where the band delivers exciting high-intensity progressive rock. These segued pieces have frequent time signature changes and some of the best keyboard work and guitar/keyboard interplay on the album. A genuine delight and truly remarkable.
“It’s been a long time coming, but we got there in the end. I think this is our strongest album to date and moves the sound forwards whilst still referencing what’s gone before,” says Jem Godfrey. “It’s also great to have finally co-written some songs with John in a Frost* context. The end results were better than either of us could have imagined, we just can’t wait to get out and play it all live now.”
The Frost lineup on ‘Falling Satellites’ includes Jem Godfrey on keyboards, vocals, Railboard (a 10-string Stick), guitar, lap steel, and a mysterious device called beaumatron; John Mitchell (Lonely Robot, It Bites) on guitars and vocals; Craig Blundell (Steven Wilson) on drums; and Nathan King (Level 42) on bass.
Guests on the album: Tori Beaumont on vocals; Joe Satriani on guitar; and Mark knight on violin.
The album is available on limited edition CD digipak with two bonus tracks, gatefold 2LP + CD and digital download. The 2nd bonus track, “British Wintertime” has an epic conclusion that exhibits gorgeous keyboard orchestrations.
Frost has produced one of the best progressive rock albums we’ve heard this year. Highly recommended.
Buy Falling Satellites in the Americas
Buy Falling Satellites in Europe