Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 9/10
The world may be perpetually on the brink of meltdown as it struggles from one crisis to another with little room to take a breath before the next impeding disaster needs patching up or perhaps covering up; however whilst there are groups such as Touchstone who can fill the emptiness that the soul can feel when living through times such as we do, then there is always a glimmer of hope that a bleak day can have some element of brightness to it.
Topping their previous albums may have been a tall order for the members of Touchstone, With Wintercoast and its superb live follow up Live in the U.S.A. and the superb The City Sleeps being some of the finest albums of the last few years and the exquisiteness of The City Sleeps marking it out as a classic of the genre, yet top it they have and Oceans of Time is an album that insists that fans rise to the occasion and revel in the intricacy of flowing notes, the high crest of the wave that brings the heavy Progressive and the ethereal together.
Kim Seviour has once again reached deep down into her core and essence and come up with vocals that enhance the Touchstone sound but makes her sound like an essential Progressive spirit, full of beckoning, a musical psyche that patiently awaits the listener to come along for the ride knowing full well that the listener will beg and grovel on bended knees to go round and round again once more in her company.
Tracks such as the incredible Fragments and the delicate early nature of Spirit of the Age are paramount and the heady mix of Mr. Moorghen’s bass raging with such staggering beauty alongside Adam Hodgson’s guitar and Mr. Cottingham’s dreamlike keyboards are enough to make the whole experience one to relish within.
Oceans Of Time is deep and thoughtful, the music easily stands against other Progressive Rock albums and adds greatly to the genre. Never let it be said that Rob Cottingham, Adam Hodgson, the excellent new addition of Henry Rogers, the stunning Moo Moorghen and the enchanting Kim Seviour never give their all in search of a musical truth, an experience in which the listener or live audience won’t have anything but respect for.
Ian D. Hall