CHECKING FOR ECHO PROJECT

Life & Other Short Stories, Vol. 1 CHECKINGFORECHO.BANDCAMP.COM

A chance to check the credentials of a varied and engaging project.

Multiple guest artists can result in quality control sometimes being sidelined in favour of filling out an album’s credits. There’s no hint of such issues here. In fact, conceived and directed by the multitalented Jon Farley, there’s real consistency in both delivery and composition that actually speaks more of a band than a glorified solo project.

For instance, it might take a couple of listens to realise that the female vocals on Stillborn, the revelatory cover of Frost*’s Saline and the gorgeous folk-tinged piano and voice of When Tomorrow Comes are actually courtesy of Dandelion Charm’s Clare Shorthouse Fowler, Fearful Symmetry’s Yael Shotts and Elaine Samuels of Kindred Spirit Band rather than one singer. This isn’t to suggest that all 10 tracks here are unremarkably similar – there’s real variety, including some stirring neo-prog in Seen But Never Heard and a cover of IQ’s Red Dust Shadow, as well as thoughtful spoken word on the brief yet sumptuously ambient title track and some heroic guitar soloing on My Suit Of Armour.

With proceeds going to charity, Life & Other Short Stories is an album worthy of attention on many levels.