Unlike some of the latter, Wakeman always knew how to continue in captivating ways. Wakeman's landmark concept albums always had majestic overtures, the very first chords and musical phrases inevitably grabbing the listeners' attention - as the great Italian Baroque composers have done. either way The Red Planet will highly probably prove to be a thoroughly satisfying listening experience. Whether one arrives at this album with novice ears & eyes, without any exposure to Rick Wakeman's monumental discography, or as an avid prog-rock fan with shelves bending under the weight of his and other prog luminaries' albums. Every phrasing, every ornamenting of the lead lines on the keyboard, the gear changes, the epic, even majestic, passages, the juxtaposition of very different musical layers that all work together splendidly in true Yes manner. This album's music is quintessential Wakeman, of the kind we haven't heard for some years. Over the thankfully many years of his compositional and keyboard wizardry, we have heard everything from vast choral-symphonic epics to energetic instrumental rock to solo piano gems to tranquil, even ethereal, soundscapes. One never knows what might be released by this veritable institution of progressive rock, as Wakeman has amply demonstrated his ability to travel effortlessly across many genres and styles. The so far rather surreal 2020 can bring some epic delights, too - and it seems one of them is the new studio album by the keyboard legend Rick Wakeman and his band, The English Rock Ensemble.
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