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Tony Carey is the man behind one of the greatest keyboard intros of
all time, on Rainbow’s “Tarot Woman” (from the “Rising”
album). That alone should put him in the history books. He was with
the band for only about two years, after which he started a
(primarily in Germany) pretty successful solo career, with great
pop/rock albums like “Some Tough City”, “Blue Highway” and “For
You”. He is also much in demand as a session musician and producer,
having worked with a.o. Joe Cocker and John Mayall.
In the 80’s, he released two albums under the “Planet P Project”
banner, the self-titled debut (1983) and “Pink World” (1984).
Especially the latter, a science fiction concept album (about a boy
who gains superior mental powers, saves the world, but eventually
corrupts) is highly regarded and is even frequently compared to
Pink Floyd’s “The Wall”. A bit of an exaggeration, in my
opinion, but it still is a great record.
And now, some 20 years later, Tony Carey is back with a new
Planet P Project album. “1931” is the first of a trilogy of
albums, titled “Go Out Dancing”, which will be focussing on the
history of the 20th century. Parts 2 (“Levittown”) and 3
(“Out In The Rain”) are already in the works.
This album is not exactly new. The music was recorded over a period
of over a decade. It was available for a while as a free download
and was later self-released, before being picked up by Progrock
records for this official release.
Lyrically, “1931” covers subjects like fascism, racism and
terrorism. Yes, pretty heavy concepts and you can be sure there will
be more comparisons to Pink Floyd / Roger Waters (not
only lyrically, by the way). So be it, as long as people understand
that this album definitely stands on its own.
“My Radio Talks To Me” is about propaganda on the radio and has a
goosebumps moment when a speech by Hitler is played in the
background. Brilliant song! “Join The Parade” and “Good Little
Soldiers” are equally fantastic, both also containing chilling
background speeches. “Work (Can Make You Free)” has an 80’s synthpop
feel and isn’t the strongest song, but the albums picks up after
that and has some superb moments with tracks like “The Things They
Never Told Me” and the haunting “Waiting For The Winter”, about Nazi
deportation of Jews in Warsaw. The emotional “Where Does It Go?”
closes the album on a pretty pessimistic note, asking what we have
learned from all this.
If you know some of Carey’s older work, you know what to expect.
It’s less poppy and more prog than the work he’s released under his
own name, but it’s still vintage Carey.
It may sound a bit dated to some, as it does have that 80’s synth-driven,
electronic vibe. Some real drums might have made it sound a bit more
lively, too. Still, it is never annoying and the samples, loops and
electronica feel exactly right on most songs. The at times very
Floydian guitar (which appears a touch too infrequently for my
taste) sounds great. Carey may not be the world’s best singer, but
he does have that raspy, very distinctive voice, which makes any of
his albums special, so no complaints there.
“1931” is a one-man project, and full credit must go to Tony Carey
for what he achieves here pretty much on his own. But just imagine
this with a real band: a guitarist who can throw in some more of
those neat solos, a real drummer,… What a masterpiece this would be.
As it is, it is still a more than excellent album, one of the very
best Carey has ever produced, and it shouldn’t be overlooked. |
