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Review:
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Before I start the review I will have to admit to bias,
I am a massive Mostly fan and believe it is criminal that
they are not stars with their blend of Fleetwood Mac/Deep
Purple/Pink Floyd/Steeleye Span classic rock. Their 2003
album Passengers is one of my top 5 of all time, led by
the creative trio of founder, guitarist and singer Brian
Josh, keyboarder Iain Jennings, and the goddess Heather
Findlay. Since then Iain left to form his own band Breathing
Space, although he returned later he is now merely like
a session man, the difference is very noticeable. Then the
news broke like thunder early in 2010, Heather was leaving.
This has left Brian as the sole songwriter and creative
force, with lovely Olivia Sparnenn being promoted from backing
to lead singer, she was also confusingly lead vocalist with
Breathing Space, but has now resigned that post. It is therefore
not surprising that I approached this new release with some
trepidation. They also have Panic Room lead singer, solo
artist, flautist, keyboard player and guitarist Anne-Marie
Helder in their ranks, but sadly she only plays a supporting
role. There is a limited edition double version but I will
be dealing with the single album general release. It opens
with a brace of classic melodic rock Mostly tracks, 'For
All We Shared', which reminds me of the Alan Parsons Project,
and 'Violet Skies'. Brian takes the mike for the next two
rockers 'Deep in Borrowdale', which brings to mind Bachman
Turner Overdrive, and 'Something Better', then the stomping
title track 'Go Well Diamond Heart' which is almost symphonic
metal.
It is notable that several songs have, unusually for
Mostly, a political edge, in particular the war in Afghanistan.
The soaring ballad 'Back to Life' is one of the three songs
featuring regular guest Troy Donockley on uilleann pipes,
some of you will know him from his appearance in 'The Islander'
and 'Last of the Wilds' by Nightwish. Brian decides to keep
his solo short and not to go off on one of those endless
rambles. 'Hold the Sun' is another classic rock track, and
it ends with the epic, moving waltz 'And When the War is
Won', a truly great Mostly song. Olivia does a really good
job, but she has quite a catsuit to fill, and perhaps Brian
could have given a couple of his songs to Anne-Marie to
sing with her powerful expressive voice. I would call this
a safe Mostly album, without the prog, folk and some of
the magic and delightful eccentricities of the past, but
this is still an excellent record by anyone's standards,
and if you're new to the band, the album will have none
of the baggage us long term fans are carrying, so a diamond
8.75 out of 10.
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