In a world of Vloggers, Influencers, The Masked Singer, Tik-Tok, and K-Pop, it’s a wonder that a band like Lifesigns have survived for well over a decade. The brainchild of singer, songwriter, and keyboard player John Young (Fish, Strawbs, Greenslade), when you see the list of former members things become a little clearer. Nick Beggs (Steven Wilson, Steve Hackett, Howard Jones, Kajagoogoo), Martin “Frosty” Beedle (Cutting Crew, Never The Bride), and Niko Tsonev (Steven Wilson), have all appeared in the band over the years, and friends with benefits include, Thijs van Leer and Menno Gootjes from Focus, Steve Hackett, and the only guitarist to have appeared on all three studio releases, Robin Boult (Fish, Howard Jones). With a pedigree like that it is no wonder that when they appear in front of an initially unfamiliar audiences on Cruise To The Edge (an impressive six times), at Marillion Weekenders, or on the bill of International Festivals the response is wholly positive. Anthology brings together tracks from the bands three studio albums to date, Lifesigns (2013), Cardington (2017), and Altitude (2021) along with a track from their second Live album, Live In The Netherlands (2023), plus one added bonus.
Opening with the “Hospital Radio Hit” from the Cardington album, ‘Impossible’ bounces its way into the unsuspecting listeners head, creating an earworm which betrays the bands progressive rock heritage, but demonstrates the mainstream appeal of this collective, with solos switching between Gootjes, and now full-time guitarist Dave Bainbridge (Iona, Strawbs). ‘Telephone’ is introduced by Nick Beggs distinctive slap bass and takes Anthology back to the groups beginnings, for an ethereal look into the musical roots of Lifesigns, with its Yes like mid section (“You can talk to the rivers and listen to the stars”). Described by John Young as “the happiest tune about the end of the world”, ‘At The End Of The World’ is what you would call a builder. Beautiful vocal harmonies develop as voices, keyboard, and drums intertwine, before the “What do we know” section explodes into a stadium anthem, which crashes to a ballistic close. Bringing the album right up to date (well 2021), Altitude‘s, ‘Gregarious’ highlights the development of the four (+1) piece, with Jon Poole’s prominent bassline being particularly crucial to the tracks (Alex) Harvey-esque vibe. The title track of Cardington, comes in at just over ten minutes, and displays conceptual storytelling at its very best, as it weaves the tale of the R101 airship, and those incredible men in their flying machines from ‘Cardington’ in Bedfordshire, while Bainbridge proudly stakes his claim on the vacant space stage left. ‘Fortitude’ is probably Lifesigns at their absolute peak (to date). This display of lyrical content, vocal balance, and musical mastery from every corner, are what draws so many hardcore prog fans to the band, but leaves the door ajar for the mainstream music lovers to slip through. Another case in point is fellow Altitude track, ‘Last One Home’, here presented in live form from Live In The Netherlands. Like ‘Last One Home’ the bonus, and the cherry on top of this bountiful progressive rock cake harks back to Young’s days writing for the late great John Wetton, and his Asia offshoot, Qango. New track, ‘After All’ has become a crowd favourite since its introduction at the bands most recent concerts. Dedicated to absent friends and family, as with much of Lifesigns more emotively heartfelt numbers, it never fails to strikes a familiar note with the assembled “Lifers”, who sometimes find it difficult to suppress their emotions. With the track getting a Lifesigns lift, and it’s universal themes of loss, I’m sure this newly recorded studio version featuring drummer, Simon Phillips (Protocol, Toto), will be sure to have a similar effect as it brings Anthology to a close. Housed in a stunning limited edition, 42 page media book, which features “The Story Of Lifesigns” essay by John Young, tour poster images, and photographs of the band and some of their faithful followers, for many this will be a very personal souvenir of the bands evolution to date, for others it will surely be the first step to a higher Altitude.
Unlike many retrospective releases, Anthology doesn’t mark the end of a era, but is designed to open a new chapter, creating new avenues, and markets for the previously streaming shy progsters. The Lifesigns audience already contains a healthy mix of genders compared to the stereotypical progressive rock crowd and hopefully their modern take on the classic progressive template will find it’s way into the ears of some slightly younger listeners. The current line up of, founder members, Young, and Steve Rispin (sound), alongside long-standing members, Jon Poole (bass), and Dave Bainbridge (guitar) being joined by Bainbridge’s Iona band mate, the multitalented Dutch drummer, Frank van Essen, are currently working up material for the highly anticipated studio follow up to Altitude. This year is looking like a busy one for this group of jobbing musicians, with the Blu-ray release of LITN, John Young Solo shows already booked for August/September, as well as fulfilling their other musical commitments with Bonnie Tyler (John Young), The Wildhearts (Jon Poole), and Colin Blunstone (Dave Bainbridge). Who said being a musician was easy?
- Reviewed By Peter Brockwell
- Anthology is released via Lifesigns Music On 1st May 2026.
- Lifesigns Official Website
Track List:
1. Impossible
2. Telephone
3. At The End Of The World
4. Gregarious
5. Cardington
6. Fortitude
7. Last One Home (Live)
8. After All
