Geoff Downes may be best known to the general population for his 1979 hit ‘Video Killed The Radio Star’ (the first music video played on US MTV), and the two albums, The Plastic Age (1980), and Adventures In Modern Music (1981), that he made with Trevor Horn as The Buggles, but since those heady days of pop stardom he has been a member of, not one, but two iconic progressive rock bands. During the year following “the hit”, and after the departure of Rick Wakeman and Jon Anderson, Yes called upon Downes and Horn to fill the vacant keyboard, and vocal roles for their Drama album sessions. Although the pair’s services were only required for the one album, and its subsequent tour, Downes would go on to form Asia with his former Yes colleague Steve Howe, alongside, John Wetton (UK, King Crimson), and Carl Palmer (Emerson Lake And Palmer). He remains an active member of both of these bands today. Meanwhile elsewhere in the cosmos, singer, songwriter, and producer, Chris Braide was slowly building up quite the reputation working with artists as diverse as S Club 7, JLS, Glen Tilbrook, and Pixie Lott, and producing a number of film soundtracks as well as releasing his first solo album, Christopher (a.k.a. Chapter One) in 1994, followed by Life In A Minor Key in 1998. In 2012 the pair joined forces creating the Downes Braide Association (DBA) to record their debut album Pictures Of You. Following four further studio albums, Suburban Ghosts (2015), Skyscraper Souls (2017), Halcyon Hymns (2021), and Celestial Songs (2023), and one live album, Live in England (2019), 2026 finds them returning to the recording studio for album number six, Trauma.
“These songs emerged from the cracks. Trauma is about the ghosts we inherit, the wounds we hide, and the light that still finds its way through. In the end, it is not an album about suffering, but survival.”
Chris Braide.
Second single, ‘Hello, Hello’ introduces Trauma with DBA’s now characteristic warm harmonies and lush orchestrated keys which opens metaphorical and musical doors to welcome the visitor into their emotional world. ‘Trauma’ the track, extends that invitation by holding out a reassuring hand as it transforms from its piano intro to more “twiddly” almost neo-prog moments with the full band coming to the fore and blending with the spectre of David Longdon’s subtle archived flute (from their 2018 sessions) which makes its first appearance within the mix. Despite Downes, and Braide being front and centre, Andy Hodge (Marc Almond/Kate Pierson) on bass, Ash Soan (Snow Patrol), and Tim Weller (Will Young/Marc Almond) on drums, and guitarist Dave Bainbridge (Iona/Lifesigns) add their talents to this highly talented harmonic melting-pot. Hints of Asia are present in the opening riff of ‘King Of Karma’ as the pace quickens on this account of re-evaluation, and taking control. First single ‘Wonderland’ drips with the duo’s power pop magic, and could have taken Supertramp or even Chicago to the top of the charts in their 80’s heyday, but today it displays an instant twenty-first century earworm qualities to stick in the listeners mind on first encounter. On ‘Love And Loss’ Australian songbird Emmi supplies a light Celtic feel, duetting as one of the key protagonists on this power ballad for the ages which deals with both physical and emotional separation. Much of Trauma feels very familiar, and I feel this is probably down to the timeless nature of the melodies and the universal subjects shared within Braide’s themes. This is particularly evident on ‘I Wish I’d Known’, and ‘Do You Remember?’, both featuring outstanding contributions from Bainbridge during their mid track guitar breaks. Having appeared on the previous three DBA releases, Mac Almond is now a very active part of the DBA family, and here he contributes joint vocals to the questioning, Floyd-esqe, ‘Juliet’, and acts as the perfect foil with his soft (cell) vocal textures, without pulling to much focus from Braide. The journey continues with ‘Lake Of Memories’ which not only supplies a real highpoint but also provides the most progressive moments of the collection. With keyboard flurries, guitar heroics, and racing rhythms building to a high crescendo, before its Yes infused finale. As with the best progressive epics ‘Lake Of Memories’ has so much depth that it definitely benefits from repeated playbacks. The album closes with the orchestral ‘Wherever You Are Now’ which leads off with narration from Delilah Barrett, and is developed from a poem by XTC’s Andy Partridge. ‘Wherever You Are Now’ adds a warm, comforting close to another triumph from what is on first inspection an unlikely pairing.
Once again Downes and Braide have continued to build on their previous work to produce something to sit alongside their lofty day jobs without encroaching to much on those other projects territories. The package is topped off with more eye-popping images from the master of sleeves, Roger Dean, as well as being peppered with additional poetic words from playwright Barney Ashton-Bullock and Dean Johnson. This album is in no way a Trauma either aurally or visually, and stands as a modern melodic peak which dips into a little of those old school prog sensibilities.
With Yes releasing their latest album, Aurora in June, and Asia due to release their latest offering, Indigo in November, it looks like Downes will have the next few years pretty much charted out for him, so the chance of DBA making any further rare live appearances are pretty slim. I’m sure Chris Braide has plenty more hits to write, and will continue to see his work pushing others into the limelight while he shines a little dimmer in the backrooms of the music business. It’s just as well we can enjoy the work of one rock-star and his unsung hero friend. It is obvious from the heartfelt, uplifting feel of Trauma that they both still relish the opportunity to create such stirring music. Trauma is released on 25th September via Spitit Of Unicorn/Cherry Red Records, and although it may not appeal to fans of Braide’s mega-star friends, Lana Del Ray, and Beyonce, it will certainly sooth the ears of many Yes and Asia (or even Buggles) fans.
- Reviewed By Peter Brockwell.
- Trauma is released via Cherry Red Records/Spirit Of Unicorn on 25th September 2026.
Track List:
1. Hello, Hello
2. Trauma
3. King Of Karma
4. Wonderland
5. Love And Loss
6. I Wish I’d Known
7. Do You Remember?
8. Juliet
9. Lake Of Memories
10. Wherever You Are Now
