The Mighty Ra - Now In A Minute Progressive Voyages Review PV033

The Mighty Ra – Now In A Minute – Progressive Voyages Review PV033

Now In A Minute is the new and latest album from Welsh Progressive Rock band The Mighty Ra coming several years on from their debut album All Secrets Known which was released to favourable critical acclaim in 2022, since then there was a download album of their show at Prog for Peart also in 2022, a single Controlling The Burn Ep in 2023 and then a big silence.

This was in part due to a major line up change with the departure of Rob Wisher to Karnataka and the recruitment of replacement keyboards man Jeremy Robberechts after these delays the band have regrouped and worked hard to make this new album,

Now In A Minute consists of 8 new tracks that see the band evolving into a more that has a newly found confidence in their abilities and their music.

Let’s dig in and see what’s on offer here,

Opening track Gods Of Reality is a hard hitting swipe at the gulf between the Have’ and have not’s, or the gulf of inequality in the distribution of wealth in today’s world here 5% own 95% of the worlds wealth and resources this opens strongly with a great guitar line from Andy Edwards, with strong support from Rob Griffiths (Drums) and Dave Rowe (Bass) with the delightful keyboards of new boy Jeremy Robberechts keyboards adding strong symphonic support.

This is a very strong opening statement of intent, The Mighty Ra are back with a vengeance and a point to prove.

Mr Disingenuous is next and this opens with a laid back almost jazzy riff the lulls you into a false sense of security before the song ga8ns a much harder section, the song is about someone who is insincere and dishonest and hides the true intentions and their hidden agenda, there is no indication of who this is aimed at, although Advertisers and political movers and shakers could well be in that line as well as X, Media tycoons and corporate bodies like Facebook, Google and X could all be eligible for such strong words and emotions here, this song has both a lightness in its jazzier parts and a strength in the harder sections, it has a lot of interesting parts here, with great keyboards from Jeremy and strong guitar Media tycoons. This is a longer song and as such it has time to evolve organically with room for a strong keyboard solo and a fine guitar solo from Andy before it returns to that excellent with and to a second longer guitar solo, which really goes for it a very strong track indeed,

New Wheel is the next track and this is a commentary the band about the bands line-up changes and how having to do so has made them stronger and more determined in their progress, the song expresses disappointment with the departure of keyboard player Rob Wisher and reinforces that whilst a big upset is not going to be the end of the band as they will continue and strive to go forward once again, The song is not bitter but it is forthright in its content.

The proof is in that the band have released this new album and as such have stayed true their original vision and have survived the loss of a member and replaced him with another player who shares their vision and is committed to realising it with them.

Sakura us up next and this is another interesting track with some Japanese influences as they make song uses the advent, flower and demise of the cherry Blossom as an allegory for the circle of life, this is a song of Intelligence and inspiration, missing it strong rock format with a degree of delicacy and thoughtfulness to create something that is both a little different and also a little special. There is a definite touch of Uriah Heep with the organ playing and also a powerful guitar solo, before some Japanese lines are spoken in a haiku, the last part of the track is an epic guitar solo/workout that is quite astonishing in its elegance and end this highly impressive song with style.

Fashoda is next this is another historically related track, Telling the tale of when a dispute between France and England became a war scare and the French chose to back down as they were heavily outnumbered by the British, Thus a major incident was thwarted with no loss of lives, only that loss of face for the French. This was an important moment for Anglo-French relations.

The song begins with a very sturdy riff, piece drums and a strong vocal from Andy.

The mid-section of the song is complex lyrically, very well-conceived and delivered skilfully, as is the middle eastern sounds that follow. With its grand and gripping dynamic interaction help this song stand out well, it is a very well thought out and crafted song of unusual subject matter handled respectfully.

A good organ solo follows as we head into the final chorus.

Last Night On Earth is up next which opens with a very, sinewy snaking guitar line against a chugging riff with synths 8n the background and a strong bass line, the song seems to be about leaving the earth behind for a fresh start elsewhere, it’s quite a bleak song as speaks of leaving many behind, there is some very David Gilmouresque guitar in the mid-section with strong floydian overtones a saxophone from Myke Clifford adds a touch of humanity to the song, it’s a fine song.

Revolution follows and this has a spring to its step, sounding not unlike It Bites in parts, the song has lots of intricacies to the Main riff and great hammond parts in support, yes very It Bites sounding here, that’s a very good thing as it brings the song to life in spectacular interplay and Style, the song is a strong reactions on the Internet and how people are keyboard warriors fighting online with words and trolling those whose views they dislike.

Stories Of Old is the final track and this begins gently with acoustic guitar , and gentle vocal and an upfront bass from Dave Rowe, the song is about stories of old, of adventures that have to be told and kept alive, there is another graceful guitar solo to the song along with Jeremy’s piano lines that brings the song to it conclusion on a final chorus and acoustic guitar notes.

I have to say that this is an extremely fine, well-crafted album of interesting songs and certainly bodes well for the ongoing growth of The Mighty Ra who on the basis of this album can only go from Strength to strength. Utterly unmissable highly recommended indeed.

Info here: www.themightyra.bandcamp.com