ALBUM REVIEW: Frost* - Life in The Wires

Frost* Life in the Wires

I’ll readily admit to only ever skirting the fringes of Frost*. The supergroup formed in 2004 are favourites with a couple of good friends, but life has never provided the time or direction for me to dive into their catalogue. A double concept album Life in The Wires might not be the best place to start a deep dive, but this is where I join, and it’s been a delight to live with this release for a couple of weeks. 

I’ll not draw the usual history lesson, but suffice, this is a band where high quality musicianship isn’t an issue. Frontman Jem Godfrey is joined by what is regarded the classic line-up here, alongside guitarist John Mitchell, bassist Nathan King, and returning drummer Craig Blundell. Why a double album then? “Every prog band worth their salt really should do a double album, shouldn't they?” says Godfrey. “We've always kind of had this idea of wanting to do one. So, I sat down last summer and thought, well, I'm just gonna have to get my head down and go for it”. Flowing from the band’s 2021 release Day & Age, with the end of the last track Repeat to Fade featuring in the opening song, the story here revolves around Naio, an aimless kid in an A.I run world who tries to find the source of a voice he hears on an ancient AM radio, much to the annoyance of the All-Seeing Eye who fights back. As Naio hunts for the home of ‘Livewire’ pursued by an angry mob. 

Frost*

As the story unwinds, it’s impossible not to sit back and appreciate the sheer perfection that is unwrapped. The musicianship is crisp, production crystal clear and although it is very progressive in the prog rock sense, there are still moments when the band let rip and reveal their heavier roots. At times it’s cinematic in its flow, grabbing the attention with soaring melodic passages that lift the heart. The construction on This House of Winter is delicate and beautifully crafted. 

By all accounts, this is a return in some senses to the band’s debut Milliontown, released in 2006. Whatever the case may be, it’s difficult not to become absorbed by the whole release. At 85-minutes in length it isn’t one for the one-track generation but provide this with the dedication and time that it deserves, and you will find glorious delight and musicianship that is breath-taking. As one would expect, there are some longer tracks but it’s the 15-minute epic Life in the Wires (Part 2) that really blows the mind, with Godfrey’s mesmeric keyboard work complimented by Mitchell’s understated guitar work. Combined with uplifting vocal harmonies, it’s some track and one that really hooks the listener from every angle. An album that almost defies description, Life in The Wires really is something special.


Life in The Wires is released on 18th October via InsideOut Music
Review by Hutch


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