Drummer Colin Timpson (aka iCobbles) started writing songs between 1983-5 with the band XIX (signed to RSO records). After the band folded, an exciting career in accountancy beckoned, and it wasn’t until 2010 that Colin started writing again. He had some success with songs written for other unsigned artists in Europe and the UK, then when his father died in 2020 Colin decided to devote his efforts and skills into his father’s piano concerto (The 610 Concerto) developing it until scored and performed.
Then, in 2022, Colin took up writing for himself again creating and releasing You’re Not Alone and, like newborn spring lambs, up bounce John Mitchell and Nick Andrew, to ably assist with vocals/guitar/strings, production and mastering.
John Mitchell is probably no stranger to those reading this review. If you’ve not heard of him, where have you been? Those who know his music will find this quite the departure from his previous releases and other projects with which he’s been involved, as this is very much a pop and, dare I say, dance album. As the shudder runs down the spine of the old Prog faithful, I ask you not to let this deter you, as Mr Mitchell is nothing if not flexible. You may be pleasantly surprised.
So, if you have not shuffled off into a dark corner, consoling yourself with Gabriel-era Genesis or King Crimson as you re-file your vinyl albums in chronological order, then one can assume you are still reading and not averse to a little variety in your music choices.
This album covers the struggles of alienation during lockdown, the strength to face the heartache of loss, and the contrasting resilience needed to overcome suffering. Every song tells part of an encompassing story of emotions, durability, and the everlasting power of love to benefit our ability to connect with our fellow human beings.
We all suffered in some way during and after Covid, the disease that keeps giving or, should I say, taking away the loneliness and loss in life brought home by the horrors of this infection. Relationships suffered and only the internet allowed outside contact for the majority. How to build and maintain relationships became difficult as the lyrics of Lockdown Love convey, accompanied by bouncy keys, drum machine and John’s softly restrained vocals, yearning for face-to-face encounters once more.
Eventually, we could meet again, and it was So Nice To See You on a track reminiscent musically of McCartney’s more whimsical output, with rippling keys, synths and a cheerful sing-along chorus.
As a RAF veteran, I can especially relate to the lyrics of this next track, Did You Miss Me, having spent prolonged periods of time away from loved ones. The nights of disturbed sleep and constant worry they will all be safe and well whilst you are away. Also, the hope on return is that you find they and the situation haven’t changed to any detrimental effect, allowing you to reconnect and reacquaint your love with them. Squishy 80’s style synths and guitars reminiscent of Steve Winwood accompany the clap track, beating out the time.
There is no greater feeling than love in a great relationship. All seems well in your bubble, and it makes you feel invincible and unbeatable as the endearment is reciprocated and you bask in the sunny warmth of your Heaven Sent beloved. Acoustic frets sing of happiness, with strings caressing loving souls. This is joy, and you can’t imagine a world without them.
Ibiza light rhythms flow throughout the fifth track as John echoes the sentiments of every lover by declaring he will Never Leave Your Side on this pleasantly easy dance tune. Though I can’t help but wonder how ‘banging’ this would sound in a club if the music was beefed up with a thumping bassline. Then we could all shed our walking frames and walking sticks and gesticulate our glow sticks with wild abandon.
Dating these days is a minefield, especially online. Are people who they say they are, or are they fake profiles? Can you trust them when you have only met online? It’s easy to portray ingenuous feelings when your identity is hidden. If taken in by say a Gaslight Girl you can end up feeling lost, confused and feeling guilty when you haven’t actually done anything. With musical backing from The Pet Shop Boys’ style of pop, this song exposes those who think it’s fun to hurt people and think they can get away with it on this track, leading the album down a darker path.
Piano and sentimental strings lead into a song of love, watching your little girl grow, caring for her, comforting and making it all seem better when she is upset, wiping away the tears and finding the smile that makes your heart burst with joy. Watching as she matures I Can See (another day), as she faces the changing events in her life and for the down times when she needs a shoulder to cry on, you are always there. The bittersweet love and pride you feel as she learns about the world, how it works and nurtures her into a fully developed human being. There are some nice orchestral swells on this, and John’s guitar work emphasises the emotions felt as the dance beats are discarded for this beautiful song.
Not everyone has such an emotionally stable background, incidents can happen that take you down some decidedly ill lit alleys in life. Places in your mind that isolate you leaving you feeling helpless, the horror of things that have brought you to this place. Feeling like there is no one you can turn to when you need them as guilt and hurt fill your body. So lonely, Rocking In The Dark, crying to yourself; if only you could reach out and find those who do care, but your mind is scarred and blinded to the light. The dancer is abused and forgotten, as the track once again takes us from a world of love to a maelstrom of pain where the yin and yang of the songs bounce from those who care to those who need caring for, on an emotional big dipper.
The next track swings back to those who want to Kiss It Better and make everything alright as loved ones struggle to connect and make you understand that if you are hurting, they are there for you. This is a gentle rock-tinged track with a tender dance beat in the chorus and a heart at its centre. I could imagine someone like Bryan Adams attempting to sing this, but not sure he could make any better job of this penultimate track than John does, as his vocals imbue the songs on this album with feeling and sentiment.
Interestingly, we are not to finish this album on an emotional high, as when love has gone but you seem trapped, your gut feeling makes you feel like I Can’t Breathe. The downbeat keys and sorrowful violin plaintively tug at your heartstrings, with a sense of loss portrayed in the harmonising vocals of a once-held belief that this would last forever, as we are slowly divorced from the album with a faint cry and final heartbeats of a drum.
A melting pot of remorse against passion, love against sorrow, our emotions are taken on what sometimes seems like a very sad journey, but some of the destinations raise the spirits. From what seemed a light dance/pop album at the start with thoughtful lyrics, we are left to cogitate as the lyrics and music take us to deeper levels and yet the album does not leave me feeling sad, just pensive, reflecting on life and feeling like I want to listen to the strange beauty found within the album depths again.
Colin Timpson has written some quite wonderful, sentimental songs here, aided well by his collaborators. I would urge you to take a listen, as I have, to my enjoyment. I hope to hear more from him.
TRACK LISTING
01. Lockdown Love (2:50)
02. So Nice To See You (3:38)
03. Did You Miss Me (4:09)
04. Heaven Sent (3:46)
05. Never Leave Your Side (3:25)
06. Gaslight Girl (3:07)
07. I Can See (5:07)
08. Rocking In The Dark (4:20)
09. Kiss It Better (3:58)
10. I Can’t Breathe (3:46)
Total Time – 38:13
MUSICIANS
Colin Timpson – Piano, Drums
John Mitchell – Vocals, Guitars, Production & Mastering
Nick Andrew – Guitars, String Arrangements, Production
ADDITIONAL INFO
Record Label: Cool One Records | Colin Timpson Music
Country of Origin: U.K.
Date of Release: 11th October 2024