Three albums down and World Trade just keep the high-quality Prog coming.
Billy Sherwood, Guy Allison, Bruce Gowdy and new boy Mark T. Williams are back with a brand-new World Trade album. The thing about this lot is the fact that they put Def Leppard to shame when it comes to recording albums, this being only their third in twenty-eight years. However, the term quality not quantity seems to sum up the work of these wonderful musicians and 'Unify' is another superb album from them.
Musically this album begins where the debut and 'Euphoria' left off, with the band's own take on beautifully arranged and played Melodic Prog. The opening barrage of songs – including 'The New Norm' with its great harmony vocals, the epic 'Where We're Going' with its almost British Neo-Prog feel and the funky 'On Target On Time' – are tracks that help to show off the obvious song-writing and performing talents that World Trade have.
Yet this band of stellar musicians have a few tricks up their sleeves, ones that help them to rise above the plethora of acts who are out there and playing the same type of music. This is most obvious on 'Gone All The Way', it starts off with the chorus sung A Cappella style and then morphs into a plaintive verse sung beautifully by Sherwood. This song, whilst laid back in its approach, is a compelling and intriguing listening prospect with the whole band, especially Gowdy whose guitar playing is sublime, proving just what consummate musicians they all are. Other selections to look out for are the Genesis-like 'For The Fallen', 'Life Force' with its Rush like qualities and the cool sounding 'Again' which finishes the album off in very stylish way.
Three albums down and World Trade just keep the high-quality Prog coming, but I do fear that with all the other bands and projects these individuals are involved in, that this album could possibly be their swan song (although hopefully not). If it is, then it's a fine way to go out.
Ian Johnson
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