There’s a strong tradition in progressive rock of various musicians going solo (David Gilmour, Roger Waters, Steve Hillage, Steve Hackett etc…), usually with results that offer a level of distinction from their day job. Here KingBathmat man John Bassett offers up an entirely different side of himself, referencing the pastoral progressive rock of Caravan and early genesis along the way. Playing more or less everything himself (Nathan Summers helps out on some of the drums), John’s solo work is awash with glorious melodies and lilting acoustic guitar work and highlights just what a prodigious talent the Kingbathmat frontman is.
Focusing on various elements of the modern world, ‘Unearth’ draws thematic comparisons to Steven Wilson’s solo work as well as Porcupine Tree’s ‘fear of a blank planet’, whilst musically it draws from a wide range of works, both old and new, to deliver a lush, warm, often melancholic sound that hangs dreamily in the air for the duration of the record. Opening track ‘stay away from the dark’ sets the tone with its echoing piano and strummed chords. A haunting track that gives John a chance to exercise his vocal range, the harmonies are perfectly phrased and the melody will insert itself into your consciousness without your even realising it. ‘Survival rate’ is a beautiful progressive pop track that cruises through the senses on an insistent beat whilst John’s voice, soaked in reverb, gently lulls the listener into a superficially soothing chamber only to find an insistent voice which tells you not to let your loved ones down. It’s a beautifully arranged piece of music and it perfectly exemplifies John’s unique skills as a composer. ‘Nothing sacred’ draws from the well of English folk music and juxtaposes a whimsical piece of music against lyrics that hint at a bitter subtext, a trick that recalls the work of Steve Thorne who ploughed a similarly dreamy furrow with ‘emotional creatures’. The title track has an uneasy feel thanks to its minor key and jagged tempo, the lush soundscapes of the earlier tracks giving way to an unsettling vibe that glimmers dangerously like the light from a beautiful, but exceptionally deep pool whilst ‘Pantomime’ shimmers with the sense of futility that can engulf the creative individual in this strangely disconnected modern world of ours. Even here, though, the mood is reflective and melancholic rather than miserable, and the beauty of the music, not to mention the keyboard solo that surely comes from listening to too much Rick Wakeman, serves to keep the music from becoming too introverted.
Moving into jazzy territory, Kylerhea is a progressive jazz fusion instrumental that brightens the mood considerably with its elastic bass groove and shimmering guitar work that showcases a lighter touch than Kingbathmat fans might expect. Next up is ‘TV is God’ which travels into psyche pop territory with the strangely detuned guitar flourishes recalling the long-lost Strangelove on their eponymous (and sadly final) album. In firm contrast ‘keep dear’ opens with gentle guitar and the sounds of birds tweeting only for an awkward drum pattern and slithery harmonies to drag the song in an altogether unexpected direction. It serves as a pointed reminder that for all the lush, wondrous melodies, this is still a progressive album and even without the crunchy guitars of KingBathmat John is still capable of delivering the unexpected. ‘Something that’s more worthwhile’ is a more straightforward piece that glistens like a crystal in the early morning light, the lyrics echoing the sentiments of many who feel lost in the soulless vacuum of modern life whilst the final track, ‘comedian’, arrives all too soon to close the album on a subtle, resigned note that fades gently into the sound of nature and a chiming alarm. It’s a strangely haunting note upon which to finish and it makes you want to return to the lush world that John has created as soon as possible.
John Bassett has already proved himself a consummate songwriter with KingBathmat, but his work here showcases a sensitive style that marks him out as a truly special figure in the progressive community. ‘Unearth’ is, in many ways, a startlingly brave album as John steps out from the protection of his band and delivers a deeply personal account of modern life via the medium of a series of truly beautiful works, each one perfectly formed to sweep past your defences and lodge deep inside your consciousness. It is an exquisitely beautiful album, awash with gentle melancholy and lingering regret and throughout the musicianship holds you, gripped, deep within John’s beautifully carved internal world. If you seek hard hitting riffs and visceral blasts of progressive might then this album is not for you, but if you want an album that combines the song writing of Pye Hastings, Steven Wilson, Nick Drake and David Gilmour into one potent whole, then ‘Unearth’ is for you. Lush, elegant and poignant, ‘unearth’ is a stunning work from one of the UK’s foremost progressive artists and it deserves to be heard far and wide.
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