ENVY OF NONE – Stygyan Waves

The first album by Envy of None – the first new post-Rush music from guitarist Alex Lifeson – very much conveyed the attitude of a musician moving on. The fan reaction, on the other hand, proved that many of his followers were incapable of doing so. Many of them were hoping for something prog based, or at least something hugely guitar oriented in the vein of his vastly underrated Victor project. What they got was an album full of hooky songs that sounded like the missing link between ‘Blood For Poppies’ era Garbage and Chvrches.

Taken on its own terms, the music’s broad, melodic sound – coupled with great vocals from Maiah Wynne – provided something hugely enjoyable. Although the songs occasionally took a little while to sink in, it was an album that had more than enough potential to find its way under the skin of those willing to keep an open ear.

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ENVY OF NONE – Envy Of None

Alex Lifeson is a legend. More importantly, he’s a legend that’s never been afraid of musical change. The early Rush albums introduced fans to a hard edged and very distinctive guitar sound; the classic era of Rush from 1980-91 found him exploring various cleaner sonic textures that were distinctive in a very different way, but equally as cool. His Victor project from 1996 showed how his complex approach could be applied to a whole range of rock moods, and while some of that album’s heavier moments didn’t sit well with everyone, it was a very interesting release.

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Alex Lifeson’s Envy of None to release 7″ with all proceeds going to Ukraine Emergency Response

This week sees the release of the much anticipated debut from Envy of None. The new band features ex-Rush guitarist Alex Lifeson and ex-Coney Hatch man Andy Curran, and promises to be one of the year’s big albums on the prog rock calendar.

In addition, the band are issuing a strictly limited (500 copies) worldwide single of ‘Enemy’, with all monies earnt being donated to the UNCHR Ukraine Emergency Response. The news comes barely twelve hours after David Gilmour’s announcement that a reconvened Pink Floyd had recorded a new track and would be donating all profits to aid the Ukraine crisis. [Watch the new video here.]

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