Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 9/10

It is almost criminal, worthy of the full weight of the law being thrown against you, to let such an exciting musician such as Liverpool’s Barry Briercliffe to go so long without releasing an abundance of music that not only sounds terrific but also captures the rich goodness of the man and his guitar.

In the end it is well worth the wait to hear the scintillating Life on Repeat. From the moment the music starts this is a man out to show just exactly what they have been missing, what energy wrapped up tightly and for so long being feared that it might not let loose again and throughout each of the 11 tracks on offer, the picture that is painted on the musical canvas is of a man content once more in the world. A man who has seen dark times, lived through them, took a few scars along the way but never lost the drive and determination to come back even stronger.

There is more than enough room in the world to accommodate someone who gets the foot tapping from the first beat, someone who gets an enormous kick out seeing a fan, or a casual interloper, smile when they hear his music. It is easy to see why when the listener’s first introduction is a song that just gets the anticipation going, a track that is impossible to hate unless of course your soul was removed at birth and stamped upon by a midwife with all the sensibilities of a crocodile chewing a wasp, the wonderful Alive.

For those who know Mr. Briercliffe’s music, this may be a song that has been around for a while, it’s been performed live on radio, including  the University of Liverpool’s radio station, to great acclaim and yet it feels as fresh as if this was the first time you have had the distinct pleasure. It also captures the heart of the album, the fact that this is man who just gets what it means to make an audience happy.

Barry is joined by Bryn Williams, the impressive Adriano Arena, Mark Blacoe, Ste Williams and Scott Poley on the album but there is the ghost of all those that have nurtured Barry’s career over the last few years; the music and family friendships that have guided him to record such great tracks as the brilliant Alone, the anguished feel of Two Star Town, World On Fire and Time is Standing Still. Every track on Life on Repeat is a positive note, a song of astonishing beauty and with no hesitation, just simply marvellous to listen to.

Mr. Briercliffe has never sounded better.

Ian D. Hall