New Wave Of British Heavy Metal, Classic and Progressive Rock

Darrel Treece-Birch No More Time Review

Darrel Treece-Birch No More TimeFor the uninitiated, Darrel Treece-Birch is the keyboard man in top melodic rock band Ten, where he doesn’t too much of an opportunity to show off. He also plays with his “other band” – Nth Ascension where he has more of a central role to play in a fine proggy rock.

Here with his solo album No More Time, Darrel afford himself the opportunity of stretching out his keyboard dexterity and musical imagination with a sort of rock/prog/ambient affair which stands somewhere between Ten/Nth/Yes/Floydesque and a spot of Wakemanesque at his most, er, “bombastic” but in his own style. Overall a marvellous listen which with plenty of depth which reveals more with each listen. A proper “grower”.

This is Darrel’s album sure enough even though he has his buddies from Ten and Nth to call on here. The media sheet which came with the review copy talks about water, as the source of life, being the backdrop and the album illustrating the breadth and scope of life. It sets off with Earthbound – a nice muscular opening sequence which chugs along in an understated way.

The whole album is a pleasure to discover with the moving styles from the rockier stuff to the more dominant ambient key-drenched stuff. Darrel shows a terrifically expansive and imaginative range of sounds throughout. A nice change of pace for your reviewer.

Such is the variation in style you’re not quite sure what to expect next which adds to the listening experience. When the keys and deft guitars interweave it’s quite hypnotic.

Check out the video for The River Dream

My first listen of No More Time was spent mostly in a frustrating traffic jam around Worksop. The atmosphere in the car becoming calming as the album exposed itself. So calming and “chilling” I was a little disappointed as the traffic started to move again so relaxing was the listen.

I’d suggest that’s the essence of what Darrel’s put together here. An expansive proggy/ambient style showcase of his talents which is the kind of album you can throw on after a tough stint at the “day job”, pour yourself a huge G&T, on with the headphones and isolate yourself from the world to sip your G&T whilst the music puts you at ease with yourself again.

By the way – listening to this via headphones is seriously recommended. Brings it out even more. Treat your ears to something they may not be used to. Do give it a whirl.

Have a listen to No More Time and pick up your copy here:
http://mrrmusic.com/album/no-more-time/

And Darrel’s site too:
http://www.darreltreece-birch.com

Thanks to Darrel for the review copy. He tells me that a new Nth Ascension album isn’t far away. That’s top news too.

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