Squackett A Life Within a Day - Special Edition Review by Gary Hill
This new edition of the album created by the collaborative project led by Steve Hackett and Chris Squire includes a bonus Blu-Ray. That Blu-Ray is strictly audio and features a 5.1 version of the disc. This album has such a great sound. It's melodic but at times gets edgy. It's modern prog with a lot of style and charm. It was great when it was first released, and it's great today. It's good to see it get this deluxe treatment.
This review is available in book (paperback and hardcover) form in Music Street Journal: 2024 Volume 3 More information and purchase links can be found at: garyhillauthor.com/Music-Street-Journal-2024.
Track by Track Review
A Life Within a Day Some fast paced stuff gets this going, first as a sedate version and then a more rocking one. The intro works through and then it works to a dramatic riff laden movement that makes me think of Led Zeppelin's "Kashmir" to a small degree. This works through some changes with returning themes and a lot of classy modern progressive rock at its heart. The jams later get so crazed and cool with some really edgy stuff at play. Both Hackett and Squire show off, and at times this even makes me think of Alan Holdsworth.
Tall Ships
With an intricate guitar introduction, this works out to a tasty modern prog groove with some killer rubbery bass guitar work. This has some intriguing tones and styles. As much as I like the opener, I think this might even work a little better. There are some cool changes along the road, but this one doesn't get as crazy as the opener did.
Divided Self
This feels more arena rock based. It has some proggy elements, but is more of a pure pop rocker. There are some definite Beatles-like things at play here. Yet they are tempered with prog hints. I really enjoy the instrumental break on this a lot, but the whole song works well. It's perhaps not as challenging as the two tracks that came before, but it has plenty of magic. There is a trippy space out break that serves as the outro. .
Aliens
Yes did a version of this song live from time to time. This version works so well. It has plenty of balladic prog moments. This does have some Yesish vibes to it, or perhaps I feel that way because I first heard it done by them. This is more of a melodic prog cut with some good hooks and changes.
Sea of Smiles
A vocal part gets this going. Then we get into some cool prog magic that builds gradually. This is more of a pure prog based thing, but it still has some mainstream vibes.
The Summer Backwards
Now the delicate and mellow vibe that opens this reminds me of Genesis to a good degree. There are some Beatles-like elements that creep into this one, too. This is another effective melodic prog tune that has a lot of magic built into it.
Stormchaser
Harder rocking and driving, this is a little edgier. The bass work on it is so cool. During the instrumental break later it moves into something that feels like it would fit in the soundtrack to a science fiction movie. This is meaty and so cool.
Can't Stop the Rain
Coming in mellower, this has a modern Yes feeling to it in a lot of ways. There are some great intricate jamming moments here. The whole track works well in a mellower, melodic prog way.
Perfect Love Song
This has a great groove that has plenty of melodic prog in the mix along with some jazz and hints of fusion. It builds into some pretty driving stuff, and there is some especially powerful instrumental work. The track has some great hooks, too.
