CD Review  

Nick May
 "Whimwise"

reviewed by Wayne Gristle

 

 Whimwise is the new instrumental progressive/symphonic album from multi-talented guitarist & composer Nick May, who came to prominence with legendary Art-Rock Band The Enid.

Whimwise very much follows on from where The Enid left off in finding and fusing the common ground between contemporary electronic/rock styles and the great Romantic tradition of symphonic instrumental orchestration. Whimwise also features another ex-Enid alumnus, Steve Hughes, performing on drums - ensuring that this release will be top of the wants list of every Enid fan still hankering for more of the timeless orchestral crossover popularised by the band on their various major label releases.

The opening track Opening Books is a grand introduction to the album and lets the listener know that Nick has returned. With its huge orchestral percussion and pacey, up-beat pompy edge, it's a little bit like cheesy show jumping music but it should still nonetheless have Enid fans jumping up and down in their seats with excitement. The only thing I found that lets it down slightly is that the drums sound a little bit thin for the first-half of the song but seem to get a bit stronger toward the end. Also there is hardly any guitar! Which is a shame because it would have been a better balance between the huge backdrop of the simulated orchestrations. That said, this is a great opener, but lacks a slight direction and identity.

The second track Lies begins with some of Nick May's trademark moody guitar along with strings and brass reminiscent of The Enid, with a very celtic feel. Again very up-beat and melodic, this song flows well between some tricky Steve Hughes drumming and menacing guitar. Soon enough there are lots of familiar quirky time changes that soon grab you. This is one of my favourite tracks on Whimwise because it's not too long (just under 4 minutes) but punchy and in your face. Again some very rich Enid flavours. I find it hard to compare this one to any of Robert John Godfrey's compositions.

Next we have Scurry Flurries which you'd think WAS The Enid! Probably the closest sounding but with a very modern approach. If you know some Enid material (like I do) then think Salome or Touch Me era. The first half of the song is very classical sounding with Nick prefering to keep the guitar playing once again to a bear minimum. Later on in the track it builds into something not too dissimilar to The Enid's Punch & Judy Man from Six Pieces. Fast drums and reeling synths make up a strange eclectic cocktail of a frantic and sketchy soundscape, that left me a bit confused as to quite where the direction of the track was heading and I wasn't too keen on some of the keyboard sounds, I thought they were a bit plastic and cheap sounding. But overall quite exciting and I'd be interested to see some of this stuff played live and I wish Nick would show off his guitar playing a little bit more.

Not In My Name has to be the epic of the album and being just over 10 minutes long it is in the same league as something for, say, a major Hollywood film score. It's massive! And just as good as anything I've ever heard from The Enid if not better. Again some of the trumpet sounds are a little plasticy and I wonder what a difference it would of made had it been a real orchestra.

Innocence, the last track, rounds off the album nicely with an impressive, Enid-esque rock number, that reminded me a bit of The Enid's Tripping The Light Fantastic album. The drumming is impressive but I'm not sure if they're real or programmed. Possibly my second favourite track. Again big symphonic strings and trumpet, with Nick turning up his guitars.

Summary

Overall a truly marvellous achievement, well thought-out, with strong musical arrangements and plenty of original spine-tingling moments. On the first couple of listens, its disappointly minimalistic guitar-wise, but not to the point where it lets the album down too much, because the simulated orchestra more than makes up for it, although a better and less fake library of synth sounds would have been better. Nick's guitar seems to add sweetness to the whole thing now and again. And once I became more familiar with Whimwise the less it seemed to matter anyway because the music is very rich and full that maybe more guitar would've over done the unique subtlety.

Basically this is of a high standard from 'yet another guitarist's debut solo album' with lots of light and shade. And for a totally instrumental affair, it is dynamic and colourful enough to keep the listener interested and entertained throughout. I'm sure this will indeed appeal to the snottiest of prog heads, but if yours is a love for Joe Satriani or Stevie Vai and the like, and are looking to be blown away by furious guitar work-outs, then I'd steer well clear because Nick doesn't have to play impressive solos all the time to show-off (even though he probably can!) Anyone seriously into their slightly experimental Symphonic Prog like The Enid or maybe Tangerine Dream owe it to themselves to obtain a copy today!

You can order a copy from Nick's website: www.nickmay.co.uk