Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

In a world that decries those that are said to live in the past, that openly scorn such thoughts of reminisce and pleasurable association, the open declaration being smacked around like inferior quality tennis balls at a less than prestige tennis match, is that the past means nothing, look to the future, only those that see the value in taking a blinkered stride forward rather than one eye on earlier accomplishments and true victories are worthy of creating Science Fiction for the masses to enjoy.

However look to the past, revel in the understanding of attained glory, for in the future that a person who has been through all of the apprehension of recognition and who has grasped with a sense of the absolute that life is often formed of being out front and urging the passionate rallying call, and quite often being reflective and thoughtful in the dynamic of the narrative going on around them; it is to those we should actively remember, for their words that once stirred us, can, and will do, again.

Tom Bailey’s name might be unheard to those who have lived their lives without looking back a few times, the rumoured ghost of those that the 80s were perhaps an anachronism all of its own creation. Yet to those who clawed, smiled, took heed of the man and the music created during his time at the helm of the impressive Thompson Twins and his work afterwards, in this, his debut solo album release, what comes across fruitfully is the image of a man who has bided his time, reached out to his own period as a spokesperson and hero, stayed behind to read the new manifestos and urging of the age and created a piece of art that is tremendously enjoyable, but also one that is not afraid to ask questions that will disturb those whose faith is built upon the languid, the image and the faithless.

Perhaps there was a moment in that 80s outlook which was covered in the materialistic, Heaven knows there were many performers to whom the gold platted dream was hounded by excess and the headline but Science Fiction was never meant to be like, those who saw the story open up in the song lyric, they knew the importance of such times, that those stories were meant to inspire to a greater purpose, not to live in the gutter with diamonds, but to live carefree and in the pursuit of knowledge amongst the stars.

In songs such as What Kind of World, Feels Like Love To Me, If You Need Someone, Work All Day and the sublime Bring Back Yesterday, Tom Bailey’s outlook after so many years away from the front-line is to be considered graceful, purposely relaxed and gracious in his own skin.

It is such a welcome return to the recording studio as the musician, Tom Bailey in this album has made it a science fact.

Ian D. Hall