Search - John Wetton :: Rock of Faith

Who will light a candle . . .

Robert Koehl | Plano, Tx United States | 08/24/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

". . . just like everything else in Wetton's discography. This'll go out of print in a year or so, be unavailable for a few years, then get rereleased by some label you've never heard of before, then go away again, and on and on.



But while it's here, I offer my thoughts on the album for those who haven't heard it yet, or are desperately searching for one online. This album veers WAY away from Arkangel, Battle Lines, and the arena rock of Mr. Wetton's career up to now, and goes into a total Pink Floyd meets Lacrimosa territory where it isn't really rock anymore, but isn't easy listening, and sits kinda in between categorization.



"Mondrago" gets things started on a total "Shine On You Crazy Diamond" vibe. Fans of the Arkangel album will probably also feel a bit like they're hearing "Circle of St. Giles pt 2." Then we get the utterly depressing title track, with synths that don't exactly push the song, but give it a Sting vibe. The same can be said for the crunch guitars on "A New Day." But I've gotta say; if you're looking for a theme to this album, then two words will sum it up rather well: UTTERLY DEPRESSING. The subject matter is all about knowing you're going to die, and trying to find comfort in one's faith, and trying to enjoy life all the while being haunted and horrified at one's own mortality. This isn't the happy "Heat of the Moment" "Right Where I Wanted to Be" John Wetton. This is the "Starless" and "Rendesvouz 602" John times 1,000. You won't be driving down the highway with windows rolled down on a happy spring day to this cd.



And if you doubt my comparison to Lacrimosa, just listen to the song "Who Will Light a Candle." It's a morbid orchestral requiem number, complete with the mournfull woodwinds, that sounds like it was ripped out of a Lacrimosa album. And the subject matter is, of course, about being forgotten after you die. Then there's the low point of the entire disc, the dreadfull "Nothing's Gonna Stand in Our Way." If you can get past that without killing yourself, congradulations, you should enjoy the rest of the album, as the theme turns more and more religious (and thus, a little less depressing). It even has a few moments that border on rock.



The final three tracks give little glimpses and reminders of why we all loved John in the first place. "Take Me to the Waterline" is classic Wetton. "I Lay Down" reminds me of Astra era Asia. Then the a capella finalle leaves you on an oddly cheerful note, given that by the time you get to these three gems at the end, the rest of the album has sufficiently darkened your mood for the rest of the day. But if you like Floyd-style progrock which should be listened to on headphones, this album is THE album for you."

Admirable solo effort from seasoned veteran vocalist

Darrin Matteson | Aurora, IL USA | 12/30/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"When I think of John Wetton, my thoughts hearken back to the early 80s Asia stadium anthem, Heat of the Moment. To call it a song, is to call Bach just "another classical composer" or the Beatles just "another rock band." Rightly so, Wetton was 1/4th of that 80s supergroup which was equal parts Yes (Steve Howe on guitar), The Buggles (Geoff Downes on keyboards), Emerson Lake & Palmer (Carl Palmer on drums), and King Crimson (John Wetton on vocals and bass).



Part of the chemistry of that line-up was the superlative songwriting of Wetton and Downes. Much like Nirvana in the early 90s. Asia spoke to only a single generation before the various members went their separate ways. They were known for hits describing heartache and general teenage lust. Wetton's trademark impassioned vocals took songs that would have sounded cliché being performed by lesser singers and gave them a heavy dose of credibility... then again Wetton's passionate vocals could give the phone book credibility.



Fast Forward to 2002-- for the first time in over 10 years John Wetton once again found himself writing material with Geoffrey Downes... on the very same piano they used in their heyday in Asia. Wetton's solo catalogue has produced albums worth of anthems which hearken back to his days in Asia, mixing hints of seventies prog-rock with deeply passionate, and more often than not autobiographical, lyrics.



Wetton's latest, Rock of Faith, is no exception. With each listen I find myself growing more attached to this gem of a CD. The highlights of the CD are the two songs co-penned by former Asia bandmate, Geoffrey Downes, I've Come to Take You Home and I Lay Down but truly there are no weak spots on the album. The album is peppered with Eastern European influences, heavenly choirs, Supertramp-esque keyboards and saxophones, and even hints of Beach Boy, Brian Wilson's multi-layered vocal harmonies. The instrumental tracks, Mondrago and Altro Mondo are lush and absolutely beautiful. All-in-all it's a shame that this album goes largely undiscovered due to it's Japanese/European only release-other than his work with Asia and King Crimson, Wetton's solo work is known in the United States only by a handful of very devoted fans."

This ..... is music

Padraic | East Lansing, MI | 03/31/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is music! These are songs. The Lady Gaga CD does not constitute songs, this does. Get it, kiddies? 'Songs' reflect a personal experience, or an observation that had an effect on you, or a big, direction-defining realization ... that's put into words, and music. Not music made with a computer with a bunch of words thrown in that rhyme, with a repeating rhyme that gets called the "chorus" ... that happens like 30 times before it's over. Sad that most people under 28 no way would give this John Wetton CD a listen, today, all because it's by a guy who was in an '80s band. This man is what you call a SINGER. His voice is one of the top 10 best male singing voices on the planet. I happen to prefer this over the Asia stuff (with possible exception to the Alpha record). His voice can be heard on the Asia Phoenix CD and on their new Omega CD; this solo record came out a fair while ago, now, but it's a great listen ..... This is what music is supposed to be. Period"