Re: Forever (Spring 2023)
Posted: Wed May 17, 2023 8:30 pm
Evolution or revolution?
So, thanks to a hefty layout and a bewilderingly fast delivery by Fed Ex I have had the opportunity to spend some time with the much awaited album. I will say that for people who were a little questioning of the post-production added to ‘Love Shine A Light’ then you may have to come to terms with a new sound under Sam and his team. I must admit that at first I was hesitant. Not about the quality of singing which is exemplary from everybody and have we ever had so many soloists on an album (somebody add them up for me, I’m thinking 10)? But after multiple plays through I’m settling into it and it is growing on me. Personally, I prefer a more natural ‘choir-like’ sound but I guess that has never been Libera’s sound really has it and it never put me off them and this new style won’t. I hope you'll adjust to it too.
Eternal Bond – This has the unmistakable Muramatsu composition ‘sound’. It is immediately familiar even though we have never heard it before. Lovely opening from Morgan and Joe. I like the part when they duet the song particularly and this is a strong opener.
Beati Quorum – Heard this a few times live since its debut last summer and a studio production has really made it is shine brighter (it was my favourite between this and Lighthouse when I first heard it because I think the chorus lends itself to Libera’s style more than Lighthouse but more people sided with Lighthouse as their favourite at the first hearing). Nathan and Luke sound very good and I like it when the ‘bigs’ voices kick in.
God Only Knows – Clearly you have all heard this one so there isn’t much I can add. Sung by three voices they really hit that Beach Boys harmony and they will be missed (hopefully Luca has a few more Treble concerts left in him and if Dan and Victor are destined for the back row in the near future then what a back row that will be )
Far Away – Who has had a go at this one? One of my Faves in MH; TC; BP & RS; RS & KC; IL. Well, Luca is as polished as any of them. In fact, his voice is very polished and measured on every single one of his tracks on the album (and don’t forget to get a copy of his solo album which I know you will enjoy). There is a second voice that comes in towards the end for a duet – is that an uncredited soloist or is Luca singing that part as well?
Ave Verum. This was mind blowing live when we heard it at St John’s last Christmas. If you have yet to hear it Freddie M is going to blow you away. His voice on this track has been given free rein and so it has more of a Soprano feel to it (think Aksel Rykkvin’s more operatic style from his solo album) than the more traditional Treble style of English boy choirs. Worth the price of the album alone. What a voice. What a performance. Wow.
Lighthouse – Like Betai Quorum I think the studio version has unlocked this track a bit more. It isn’t at all the normal Libera sound. If you are familiar with Josh’s work then it will be instantly recognisable. This track could have been written for Luca who is able to translate the song beautifully, showing great expressive singing throughout and that isn’t easy because it does change direction a few times. Luca has been at the front of Libera for a few years now and has given us a lot of songs. I honestly think this is perhaps his best work for Libera because he is able to put such depth and emotion to it. But of course it is a group song and all the vocalists are fantastic and gel so well together, so a shout out to Morgan, Dan and Victor for their great work too.
O Beata– Oh boy, it’s beautiful. Classic Libera (no surprise as it is from the great man himself). Another banger of a vocal from Mitchel and I love Victor’s supporting role on this one. This is certainly a more traditional style of song for them, but watch out for that slight twist at the end. Love it.
Anima Christe – back to back bangers. Joe Hill is really blossoming and with Freddie M and Luca the vocals are on point here, crystal clear and resonant.
Come My Way – I know it, you know it, the world knows it – DW has been a fantastic servant to the choir and given us some great songs. Another RP composition that just exudes Libera. I love the little staccato counter-points that pop up around the 58 second part.
At Sea – Hmmmh, well well well. A few people were interested in hearing this one from the snippet we were given. Does it live up to the expectation? Let me think about it….just teasing, I love it. Very different from Josh’s Lighthouse, not at all similar in style. The mood it creates puts me in mind of Three Ravens. Not that they sound alike, but it has that air of mystery and slightly olde worlde vibe. Freddie M knocks it out of the park with his vocal line that weaves its way through the song, gets built upon by the choir which lifts it up and then they let it fall back to Freddie’s line. It definitely gives me the feeling of waves breaking on the shore. One of the absolute stand out tracks for me but I suspect others may not be as enamoured because it is different and pushing new boundaries (or shores )
Sing Forever – I know Big Ben did it solo but I prefer it as a duet and Joe and Nathan really get to work on this one. What’s not to love. A little less muscular than the Jamie and Sam original I think the youth and vibrancy of Joe and Nathan works really well here.
Be Still My Soul – A classic song which has always suited Libera in my opinion; they are able to make it shine more than any other group I have heard sing it. I think the first time I heard it live was in Northern Ireland over 10 years ago. It wowed me then and I still find it moving and a bit teary to this day. Great singing from Joe, Morgan and Fred H. like previous versions it starts with just voices and then later on very soft supporting instruments come in.
A Grateful Heart – Luca carries the song with just a very little harmonising from Dan, most notable towards the end. From memory it is very similar in sound and arrangement to previous versions which I would have to listen to again to compare but suffice to say nothing new here.
Love Shine A Light – I know what you’re thinking, Yorkie won’t like this one. Too pop like. Too lightweight. A bit sweet and over produced. You’re wrong, it makes me smile. Firstly, I just love Mitchel’s voice and for those that say it isn’t enough to save a poor quality Euro trash song I think you are wrong. He’s fab on this. Secondly, I think that the lyrics do go well with the Libera ethos. It has a bit of similarity to Sing for our world in my eyes. In fact you’re all so wrong I’m playing it for the second time as I write this. In all seriousness, I do see why some people think it is lightweight but actually in the context of the album I think there is room for a fun piece like this. Do I won’t a whole album of ‘Libera goes pop’? No, absolutely not but is there room for a little bit of a fun track out of the 14/13 tracks? Of course there is.
So evolution or revolution? You tell me.
So, thanks to a hefty layout and a bewilderingly fast delivery by Fed Ex I have had the opportunity to spend some time with the much awaited album. I will say that for people who were a little questioning of the post-production added to ‘Love Shine A Light’ then you may have to come to terms with a new sound under Sam and his team. I must admit that at first I was hesitant. Not about the quality of singing which is exemplary from everybody and have we ever had so many soloists on an album (somebody add them up for me, I’m thinking 10)? But after multiple plays through I’m settling into it and it is growing on me. Personally, I prefer a more natural ‘choir-like’ sound but I guess that has never been Libera’s sound really has it and it never put me off them and this new style won’t. I hope you'll adjust to it too.
Eternal Bond – This has the unmistakable Muramatsu composition ‘sound’. It is immediately familiar even though we have never heard it before. Lovely opening from Morgan and Joe. I like the part when they duet the song particularly and this is a strong opener.
Beati Quorum – Heard this a few times live since its debut last summer and a studio production has really made it is shine brighter (it was my favourite between this and Lighthouse when I first heard it because I think the chorus lends itself to Libera’s style more than Lighthouse but more people sided with Lighthouse as their favourite at the first hearing). Nathan and Luke sound very good and I like it when the ‘bigs’ voices kick in.
God Only Knows – Clearly you have all heard this one so there isn’t much I can add. Sung by three voices they really hit that Beach Boys harmony and they will be missed (hopefully Luca has a few more Treble concerts left in him and if Dan and Victor are destined for the back row in the near future then what a back row that will be )
Far Away – Who has had a go at this one? One of my Faves in MH; TC; BP & RS; RS & KC; IL. Well, Luca is as polished as any of them. In fact, his voice is very polished and measured on every single one of his tracks on the album (and don’t forget to get a copy of his solo album which I know you will enjoy). There is a second voice that comes in towards the end for a duet – is that an uncredited soloist or is Luca singing that part as well?
Ave Verum. This was mind blowing live when we heard it at St John’s last Christmas. If you have yet to hear it Freddie M is going to blow you away. His voice on this track has been given free rein and so it has more of a Soprano feel to it (think Aksel Rykkvin’s more operatic style from his solo album) than the more traditional Treble style of English boy choirs. Worth the price of the album alone. What a voice. What a performance. Wow.
Lighthouse – Like Betai Quorum I think the studio version has unlocked this track a bit more. It isn’t at all the normal Libera sound. If you are familiar with Josh’s work then it will be instantly recognisable. This track could have been written for Luca who is able to translate the song beautifully, showing great expressive singing throughout and that isn’t easy because it does change direction a few times. Luca has been at the front of Libera for a few years now and has given us a lot of songs. I honestly think this is perhaps his best work for Libera because he is able to put such depth and emotion to it. But of course it is a group song and all the vocalists are fantastic and gel so well together, so a shout out to Morgan, Dan and Victor for their great work too.
O Beata– Oh boy, it’s beautiful. Classic Libera (no surprise as it is from the great man himself). Another banger of a vocal from Mitchel and I love Victor’s supporting role on this one. This is certainly a more traditional style of song for them, but watch out for that slight twist at the end. Love it.
Anima Christe – back to back bangers. Joe Hill is really blossoming and with Freddie M and Luca the vocals are on point here, crystal clear and resonant.
Come My Way – I know it, you know it, the world knows it – DW has been a fantastic servant to the choir and given us some great songs. Another RP composition that just exudes Libera. I love the little staccato counter-points that pop up around the 58 second part.
At Sea – Hmmmh, well well well. A few people were interested in hearing this one from the snippet we were given. Does it live up to the expectation? Let me think about it….just teasing, I love it. Very different from Josh’s Lighthouse, not at all similar in style. The mood it creates puts me in mind of Three Ravens. Not that they sound alike, but it has that air of mystery and slightly olde worlde vibe. Freddie M knocks it out of the park with his vocal line that weaves its way through the song, gets built upon by the choir which lifts it up and then they let it fall back to Freddie’s line. It definitely gives me the feeling of waves breaking on the shore. One of the absolute stand out tracks for me but I suspect others may not be as enamoured because it is different and pushing new boundaries (or shores )
Sing Forever – I know Big Ben did it solo but I prefer it as a duet and Joe and Nathan really get to work on this one. What’s not to love. A little less muscular than the Jamie and Sam original I think the youth and vibrancy of Joe and Nathan works really well here.
Be Still My Soul – A classic song which has always suited Libera in my opinion; they are able to make it shine more than any other group I have heard sing it. I think the first time I heard it live was in Northern Ireland over 10 years ago. It wowed me then and I still find it moving and a bit teary to this day. Great singing from Joe, Morgan and Fred H. like previous versions it starts with just voices and then later on very soft supporting instruments come in.
A Grateful Heart – Luca carries the song with just a very little harmonising from Dan, most notable towards the end. From memory it is very similar in sound and arrangement to previous versions which I would have to listen to again to compare but suffice to say nothing new here.
Love Shine A Light – I know what you’re thinking, Yorkie won’t like this one. Too pop like. Too lightweight. A bit sweet and over produced. You’re wrong, it makes me smile. Firstly, I just love Mitchel’s voice and for those that say it isn’t enough to save a poor quality Euro trash song I think you are wrong. He’s fab on this. Secondly, I think that the lyrics do go well with the Libera ethos. It has a bit of similarity to Sing for our world in my eyes. In fact you’re all so wrong I’m playing it for the second time as I write this. In all seriousness, I do see why some people think it is lightweight but actually in the context of the album I think there is room for a fun piece like this. Do I won’t a whole album of ‘Libera goes pop’? No, absolutely not but is there room for a little bit of a fun track out of the 14/13 tracks? Of course there is.
So evolution or revolution? You tell me.