SPACE ELEVATOR – Space Elevator 1 (2015)

Last year we featured here in exclusive the self-titled debut of SPACE ELEVATOR, the new sensation from Britain that was put together by songwriter / guitarist David Young, who plays in the West End production of the Queen musical ‘We Will Rock You’.
While preparing the new album, the band has re-launched the album re-entitled “Space Elevator 1“, featuring as bonus track a cover of Queen’s ‘Who Wants To Live Forever’ (read comments), plus some tracks re-mixed and new artwork.

David Young has pulled into the project some of the best musicians in the business including Whitesnake / Black Sabbath legend Neil Murray on bass, Elliott Ware (The Who, Alice Cooper) on keyboards and in demand rock session drummer Brian Greene.
The last piece of the Space Elevator line up is the female lead singer known only as ‘The Duchess’ who has a voice that really must be heard to be believed (and a gorgeous look).
I pretty much guarantee that if you’re a fan of classic rock then this album will blow you away.

If you think that Space Elevator sounds alike a ‘stage musical’ judging David Young’s pedigree, you’re wrong.
This is a terrific, imaginative, bombastic rockin’ combo inspired by big late seventies / eighties acts but with a vibrant ‘real band’ feeling.
Young makes his Stratocaster sing sweetly on one song before rocking out on the next with a valvular Les Paul, but all done in an understated way. He is the musical director, but the guitarist is not trying to out do the rest of the band, they come across as a tight professional unit.
We have a magical keyboard work from Elliot Ware (also of We Will Rock You fame) – and when I say magical believe me, the man goes from Grand Piano, Synths, Harpsichord to Hammond Organ and Moog. All his ivory arsenal sits happily next to the dynamic rhythm section handled by Murray and Greene.

And then ‘The Duchess’; she not only is a gorgeous, eye-candy beautiful woman, her vocal work is simply outstanding on this record, full of emotion, from silky whispers to all out rock screams – you are left in no doubt she is good at what she does.
Space Elevator set out to create an album inspired by classic rock with a lot of early Queen, Thin Lizzy, ’80s Kate Bush, Foreigner and more, much more. They will take your senses on an auditory journey of well crafted rock songs with great dynamics and powerful playing supporting lush vocal harmonies and instantly memorable melodies.

The journey begins with the opening, “Elevator” that sets the mood for the rest of the CD, and is actually one of the real highlights, as a groove laden riff from David Young complement the alluring vocal prowess of the Duchess. The chorus is instantly catchy, the guitar solo is tasty and punchy, and the overall vibe is like some majestic combination of Queen meets eighties Yes. “We Are The Losers” is a grandiose sympho-pop rocker, with emotional lyrics that the Duchess drives home with a potent delivery. She is a beast of a vocalist, one minute like Kate Bush fronting Queen on “I Will Find You (Gallifrey Dreams)” – a real pomp rock delight – then coming all over Fleetwood Mac on “We Can Fly”.

“Ordinary Day” (somehow Heart meets ELO) and the melodic rocker “Little White Lies” (great guitar work) are little gems, while “Loneliness Of Love” is a stunning AOR rock song that has radio play written all over it.
More solid and catchy melodic rock can be heard on awesome Romeo Daughter’s like “More Than Enough”, and the bluesy midtempo “Really Don’t Care”, the latter plenty of musical layers.
I mean, Space Elevator do not produce ordinary songs, all are rich on varied types of keyborads, electric / acoustic guitars, different bass tones and drum patterns.
Listen to “Oils And Bubbles” and it sounds like nothing in today’s music scene: great harmonies, Brian May approved guitar solos and a tongue in cheek lyric make this a winner. The last two tracks, “We Can Fly” and “Move On” are filled with amazing melodies, intriguing atmosphere and dramatic textures.

Expect to be bowled over by the majestic & powerful sounds that will come out of your speakers or through your headphones when you pop this CD in.
Space Elevator spreads excellent musicianship as you’d expect given the calibre of the musicians involved, and a fantastic set of songs plenty of musical ideas and gorgeous melodies. Not a single filler here, all served by a top notch production with lots of layering and texturing coming through giving a new spin on the traditional rock sound which is very refreshing.

It’s recordings like this that should be the talked about in the music world. It’s an amazing listening experience that gets better with every listen. Brilliant I’d say. Do yourself a favour and get a copy now.
Foocking Awesome

01 – Elevator
02 – We Are The Losers
03 – I Will Find You (Gallifrey Dreams)
04 – Ordinary Day
05 – Little White Lies
06 – Loneliness Of Love
07 – More Than Enough
08 – Oils And Bubbles
09 – Really Don’t Care
10 – We Can Fly
11 – Move On
12 – Who Wants To Live Forever (Queen cover) [bonus]

The Duchess – Lead & Backing Vocals, Vocal Arrangements
David Young – Electric, Classical and Acoustic Guitar
Neil Murray – Bass
Brian Greene – Drums, Percussion
Elliot Ware – Grand Piano, Keyboards, Harpsichord, Hammond Organ, Moog Synths

BUY IT !
www.amazon.co.uk/Space-Elevator-1/dp/B014FC4O00
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