Steve Cochrane is a self-taught guitarist/vocalist/songwriter who entered the musical arena with grand artistic ambitions. Throughout the 90s, he released a trilogy of albums bearing a trademark epic style. “A kick in the uplifting end of our soul”. “Musically invigorating and compositionally dynamic”. "A symphonic prog lover's wet dream". These were typical comments, along with favourable reviews and considerable airplay throughout Europe, various pockets in the US and in Quebec.
Fast-forward to the current century and a new album called With Or Without, which takes a leaner song-based approach with emphasis on acoustic guitar and vocals. Still, the prog/art rock influences shine through in the intricate arrangements, fluid guitar stylings and in the lyrics, which are often surrealistic and philosophical.
It begins with a brief finger-picked acoustic prelude, then “Key to the Sea” bursts forth with aggressive strumming and a muscular bass line. “The Greatest Since Rembrandt” offers a tongue-in-cheek look at pretense in the art world before surrendering to memories of youthful serenity in ‘Swans”. The final four tracks flow together to create an epic of sorts, including the dramatic “Abandon Ship” and the uplifting closer “Rise Like the Sun”. Unlike most of the CDs that are coming out by the thousands these days, With Or Without is an album that is meant to be listened to from beginning to end.... repeatedly.
If you wish to learn more about Steve Cochane and hear tracks from his first three albums, visit www.spiritcompass.com
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