Jim Griffin -The Counterblast - Progressive Voyages Review PV089

Jim Griffin – The Counter Blast – Progressive Voyages Review PV089

The cover of the Counterblast album by Jim Griffin

This chap is new to me despite the fact that this is his third album the previous ones being Marginalia Suburbia (2023) and The Signal (2021).

This is the first of his that I have had the pleasure of listening to and review.  Jim hails from Limerick in Ireland, this album came about as a result of deep contemplation of the dreadful tragedy of the Space Shuttle Challenger destruction less than a minute after launching.

 When a faulty seal caused the shuttle to explode resulting in the death of seven Astronauts and also in  the contraction of NASA’s  vision for space endeavours.  Whilst the disaster was a tragedy, it was more the lasting repercussions and subsequent aftermath that affected Jim as he says that day his dreams died and the firm realisation that we’re earthbound hit him forcefully.  This album is a reflection of that realisation.

The album consists of 6 main tracks with 2 bonus Bandcamp tracks.  They are all under 9 minutes duration with the sound being good  punchy rock with space type effects  as part of the mix.

The album starts with Cosmic Law and Order which has a driving drumbeat and a very reverb effected guitar line and synths in a fine opening salvo.  The guitar has touches of U2’s The Edge, but I’m sure that’s me rather than the intention.  This track is largely instrumental although it does have various spoken elements included.  There are excerpts of comments made by various people like Ronald Reagan, John F Kennedy and the like,  it works well as an opening piece of music.

Second track Xenocide has great saxophone in the opening section.  The vocal is quite aggressive in tone though and even the great bass work and saxophone seek to offer a counterpoint to the aggressive vocal.  I also like how the bass organ and saxophone sound in the middle section.  Vocally singer David Preece reminds me of Bruce Dickinson of Iron Maiden, a most interesting style and an impressive track. We then move onto what is possibly the albums centrepiece title track.  A counterblast to Astral Travel.  Here again the track  features excerpts  of speeches vocals which are very Iron Maidenesque,  and whilst not as driving as Iron Maiden this track Is fairly brisk in tone, with strong playing throughout,  the singer David Preece is splendid here.

The track takes a softer turn halfway through as it enters a quieter part in which he questions an opposing viewpoint.

We then move onto what is track 4 which is actually side 2 (Anemoia) of the album  the first side being Harmonia.  This Track 4 is called Sleeping Generation parts 1 to 3.  This track again features extracts from speeches including John F Kennedy commenting about why they wanted to go the moon, because It is there, amongst others.  The first  part of the track opens gently with shimmering piano notes.  The track uses the Shuttle disaster as its inspiration, as with that one moment Jim’s solar dreams were dashed and crashed down to earth.  Jim is not angry as such more he had to come to accept his being  earth-bound was his calling now.

The second part of the track  Sleeping Generation parts 2 is again occupied with the realisation and coming to accept the fact that unless you have the means to escape, which let’s be honest is unlikely at best, unless you know Elon Musk, Richard Branson or Jeff Bezos that is.  The track has a eulogy for the Astronauts from Ronald Reagan.

The third part of the track is a more wistfully toned piece of music,  in which Jim sends a lifeline to the boy lost in space (himself?) who can’t find a way down back to earth and life.  It is quite a sad song with great music though it must be said.

This concludes what has been a deeply involved and personal album from Jim and his collaborators, Robbie Costelloe (Saxophone on Xeonocide), Keith McCoy ( Drums on Xeonocide) and David Reece (Acccept and Bangalore Choir) (vocals on Xeonocide and A Counterblast To Astral Travel).

All other instruments are by Jim Griffin.

This is an excellent album just wish it was on CD though Jim ?

I should also mention the two Bandcamp Bonus tracks For The  Dying Empire and January Sky are both excellent .  The latter being a homage to the seven Astronauts who perished on that fateful day  28th January 1986, set to an almost techno dance beat soundtrack.

Info here: www.therangerandthecleric.bandcamp.com

Author John Wenlock-Smith.