Arc Of Life, new band featuring Davison, Schellen, Sherwood, Kerzner and Haun

[bRETT]

Same - definitely an unpopular opinion around these parts, but I also like a fair amount of it. Hardly confused with their best work, but it has some nice moments - even if they aren't particularly proggy.

It begins and ends strong, And at its worst it sounds like a band playing, which gives it an edge over OYE.

[aith01]

It begins and ends strong, And at its worst it sounds like a band playing, which gives it an edge over OYE.

Ouch... Harsh, but fair I suppose.

[Kcrimso]

I struggled through the whole Arc Of Life album today. Never. Again.

[Frumious B]

I struggled through the whole Arc Of Life album today. Never. Again.

It’s got that Heaven & Earth caliber songwriting combined with shrill, goo coated Sherwood production that is actually painful to the ears this time around. And just like that, The Future Bites suddenly sounds a ton better compared to this turkey.

[Kcrimso]

It’s got that Heaven & Earth caliber songwriting combined with shrill, goo coated Sherwood production that is actually painful to the ears this time around. And just like that, The Future Bites suddenly sounds a ton better compared to this turkey.

Indeed. Compared to Arc Of Life Wilson's album is a masterpiece.

[Frumious B]

Scary thing is that I think “You Make It Real” is actually the best song on the record. Not that it’s good, but at least you could take the song and rework it into a passable Monkees/Fountains of Wayne type thing that might be listenable.

[Kcrimso]

Scary thing is that I think “You Make It Real” is actually the best song on the record. Not that it’s good, but at least you could take the song and rework it into a passable Monkees/Fountains of Wayne type thing that might be listenable.

Third Impression by 3.2 (Robert Berry's band) was also released today. It basically belongs into the same genre (AOR meets proggy pop or something) as Arc Of Light but it is way better on every level.

[Jacob Holm-Lupo]

Listened. Absolutely no disrespect to Squids, who is a great musician and who I am sure had nothing to do with the final outcome - I know how these collabs can work. But: The music aside, which certainly has its bright spots, something seriously has to be wrong with Billy Sherwood's ears. His productions keep getting worse. I could make a better-sounding album with a toy keyboard and an iphone.
Just, why? Why does he want it to sound like this?

[Jacob Holm-Lupo]

Third Impression by 3.2 (Robert Berry's band) was also released today. It basically belongs into the same genre (AOR meets proggy pop or something) as Arc Of Light but it is way better on every level.

Yes, interesting you should mention this. I actually really enjoy that album. Good, old-fashioned proggy AOR/pomp rock. I get an ELPowell vibe, which is not bad in my book. Very unlike Arc of Life, this is professional-sounding, and the music flows well, unlike the very stilted rhythms on the Arc of Life album. Proof you can easily make good, commercial-sounding prog in 2021 that is musically satisfying.

[Top Cat]

Third Impression by 3.2 (Robert Berry's band) was also released today. It basically belongs into the same genre (AOR meets proggy pop or something) as Arc Of Light but it is way better on every level.

Thanks for suggesting this, I just checked out the official video and it smacked me upside the head with how GREAT this is.

Yes, interesting you should mention this. I actually really enjoy that album. Good, old-fashioned proggy AOR/pomp rock. I get an ELPowell vibe, which is not bad in my book.

I agree with the ELPowell sound and vibe, an album I really enjoy and like a lot.
This CD is on my next to buy list.
Thanks guys.

[Kcrimso]

Thanks for suggesting this, I just checked out the official video and it smacked me upside the head with how GREAT this is.


I agree with the ELPowell sound and vibe, an album I really enjoy and like a lot.
This CD is on my next to buy list.
Thanks guys.

I think previous 3.2 album (The Rules Have Changed, 2018) was even better so check that one out also.

[Mstove]

It begins and ends strong, And at its worst it sounds like a band playing, which gives it an edge over OYE.

Ha - I legitimately laughed out loud at that one.

[moecurlythanu]

Jeez. I'll say it again. I hope you guys don't run off poor Squids. He's one of the good guys.

[aith01]

Jeez. I'll say it again. I hope you guys don't run off poor Squids. He's one of the good guys.

I second this.

[Mstove]

I second this.

Third

[Sean]

Agreed.

[Sean]

Indeed. Compared to Arc Of Life Wilson's album is a masterpiece.

Well, at least Arc is fun music and aren't taking themselves too seriously. Meanwhile, the new SW is here to remind you what a bunch of soulless, Amazon loving drones he thinks we are. Which is "bad", unless the consumer is taking a bite out of the (his) future.

[Frumious B]

Jeez. I'll say it again. I hope you guys don't run off poor Squids. He's one of the good guys.

Well the Sound of Contact record is a veritable feast for the ears.

[Frumious B]

Well, at least Arc is fun music and aren't taking themselves too seriously. Meanwhile, the new SW is here to remind you what a bunch of soulless, Amazon loving drones he thinks we are. Which is "bad", unless the consumer is taking a bite out of the (his) future.

Transatlantic...a fun record that actually sounds great too.

[Jacob Holm-Lupo]

Well the Sound of Contact record is a veritable feast for the ears.

Agreed.

[rdclark]

Listening to Arc of Life is like finding a previously unknown record from the 80's by a band you liked one song by. Which is not on this record.

[ThomasKDye]

I hate to say it, because I think Jon D is a fine vocalist, Squids is great and Jimmy Haun is a decent guitar player, but I didn't like the first two songs at all. It's mostly Billy singing to some of his blandest, most uninteresting melodies yet. And these reviews don't inspire me to think the rest of the album is any better. I've got plenty of Sherwood albums that I can barely listen to already, I don't need one more.

And I honestly don't like hating on Sherwood. Valley of the Windmill was fun and his contribution to Union was the best thing on it, IMO. I still have hope for the next Yes album. We'll just have to see.

[Frumious B]

I hate to say it, because I think Jon D is a fine vocalist, Squids is great and Jimmy Haun is a decent guitar player, but I didn't like the first two songs at all. It's mostly Billy singing to some of his blandest, most uninteresting melodies yet. And these reviews don't inspire me to think the rest of the album is any better. I've got plenty of Sherwood albums that I can barely listen to already, I don't need one more.

And I honestly don't like hating on Sherwood. Valley of the Windmill was fun and his contribution to Union was the best thing on it, IMO. I still have hope for the next Yes album. We'll just have to see.

Haun is a casualty here too. He sounds pretty good on the first two CIRCA: albums and it’s not his playing that is bad on Arc Of Life, but his guitar tone. Take the other single, “Just In Sight”. To me the guitar work sounds like what would happen if you took early 2000s era Steve Howe rocking his trebly Telecaster and plugged him into this massive rack of gear that processed his sound into oblivion. Nothing necessarily wrong with the playing, but the life is completely drained from the sound. Fingers, strings, warmth, humanity...where are they?

[Kcrimso]

Well the Sound of Contact record is a veritable feast for the ears.

I also liked that one.

[Top Cat]

I wouldn't worry too much about Squids, as a musician you have to develop tough skin from negativity and people not liking your work.
That being said(and I'm not accusing anyone here), there is a big difference between making comments about not liking something, and pure nastiness. We see the later on the internet far too often.
If someone bought something, or is a fan and they feel the latest project isn't what they like or expect, then it's fair game for criticism, especiallly if you've spent money on it.

Squids has repeatedly said, he wasn't involved in the writing, and from what I've heard his keyboard parts are low in the mix, which for us fans of Dave is disappointing, but as he's written, he should be more involved in the next album.

There are people who like this, and that's fine, that doesn't make them stupid or blind sheep. Music is subjective and everyone is different and we all like different stuff.