Reviewing the new release from Edison’s Children – ‘The final breath before November’.

Oh Brother where art thou…?

The start of 2014 sees not one but two new studio releases from the prolific Marillion bassist Pete Trewavas. The first is the in-your-face prog goliath that is Transatlantic’s ‘Kaleidoscope’. A release so anticipated and marketed that you would be forgiven for missing the second release – Edison’s Children: ‘The final breath before November’.

This release follows the debut album ‘In the last waking moments’ from 2011 and features again the paring of Trewavas with vocalist and all round multi-talented musician, Eric Blackwood. Whilst the first release was more of a Marillion hybrid with all the members performing on the album, this second release is performed almost entirely by Blackwood and Trewavas. It does feature some guest stars in the form of Henry Rogers (Touchstone and DeeExpus) as well as Mike Hunter, Marillion’s producer and sixth wheel.

If both new releases were viewed as Trevawas’s children, one would be seen as the loud, brash and overly confident son and the other would be a quieter, more reflective and subtler child. That on the face of it may seem to be a simplistic view of the two albums but ultimately sums up their personalities. However both albums have one significant element in common with each other – they are both epic. Matching the size and scale of both the larger tracks on the Transatlantic release is the mindblowing 67 minute track ‘Silhouette’, pushing the whole album to the 80 minute mark, which is a squeeze by CD standards.

There are a multitude of flavours to appreciate on this track and throughout the rest of the album. At times a little of the Marillion vibe is there in the soaring Rothery-like guitar sound which blends in with hints of a Floydian influence – a little more of the later Gilmour years to be precise. Interspersing this sound throughout are some delightful synth parts which provide a delicious haunting atmosphere. Many of these moments on the album hint at what an alternative Marillion could have been if the more progressive beginnings had matured over the years. But influences aside this is an album of sheer power and amazement which is full of surprises. It is a beautifully crafted and performed record and for this reason would be very much appreciated by fans of bands such as ‘Big Big Train’ and ‘Airbag’. Avoiding the metallic tones of some of its contemporaries it’s a welcome change to so many new releases in the past year or so and for me it’s a standout release that deserves the same, equal attention that is bestowed upon its Supergroup sibling.

If you are already in receipt of the sparkly and somewhat green Transatlantic release you may find that there is little else you will be giving your time to other than getting your head round the enormous quantity of music on offer. But when you are done and you turn to your wish list to see what is beckoning you, make sure this release is at the top of your list. It will absorb you in a way that a great album should by plucking your emotions and drawing you into its rich world which opens up its mysteries with repeated plays. I for one intend to provide a more detailed view on this superb release at a later date.

Track Listing:

1. The Final Breath
2. Light Years
i. Fading Away…
3. Silhouette
i. Silence Can Be Deafening (Pt I)
ii. Welcome to Your Dreamland
iii. Where Were You?
iv. The Longing
v. The Moriphlux (Pt I)
vi. I Am Haunted
vii. What Do You Want?
viii. The Seventh Sign
a. the wrong
b. the alcolyte
c. the hollows
d. the road (less traveled)
ix. The Morphlux (Pt II)
x. Silence Can Be Deafening (Pt II)
xi. Welcome to Your Nightmares
xii. Music for End Credits