LIFESTYLE - 2008
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Immediately after the completion of Beyond this point, the 11th studio album was put into production. The previous 5 albums had been book-ended by "The winds of change" and as that chapter ended a new chapter was beginning, however, Lifestyle itself, would be split into two chapters.
Tracks 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9 &10 were completed before and during a marriage breakdown. The split, whilst not unamicable, was not without some degree of difficulty. It meant living alone, working a full-time job and raising 2 children, albeit part-time.
Fast forward 6 months and having settled down into a new way of life the remainder of the album could be concluded. The album was finally finished later that year and a further 7 tracks had been added. There is a noticeable difference between the 2 sets of tracks, the first 7 are very different in sound and style. Contrast that with the more familiar Breezy sound for the second seven and the result is a very diverse collection. What this results in ultimately is a very unique album within the Breezy catalogue. In many ways not dissimilar to "I would if I could but I can't" which itself opened another chapter of Breezy music.
Tracks 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9 &10 were completed before and during a marriage breakdown. The split, whilst not unamicable, was not without some degree of difficulty. It meant living alone, working a full-time job and raising 2 children, albeit part-time.
Fast forward 6 months and having settled down into a new way of life the remainder of the album could be concluded. The album was finally finished later that year and a further 7 tracks had been added. There is a noticeable difference between the 2 sets of tracks, the first 7 are very different in sound and style. Contrast that with the more familiar Breezy sound for the second seven and the result is a very diverse collection. What this results in ultimately is a very unique album within the Breezy catalogue. In many ways not dissimilar to "I would if I could but I can't" which itself opened another chapter of Breezy music.
1. Haven't I seen you somewhere before? - The opening track for "Lifestyle" was always going to have the signature long introduction of the previous 4 albums. This is the pattern to which the song title refers to, the album contains the a lengthened version of the track, this lengthened version is to date the only version. The aforementioned split had already delayed the completion significantly and therefore all planned extended versions, edits & remixes were never executed.
2. A good year - Track 2 started out as a sarcastic take on the previous 12 months, it ended up sounding more like a celebration. Indeed that is precisely what the track is about, picking yourself up, dusting yourself down and basically just getting on with life.
The artwork displays fireworks which themselves are used worldwide to celebrate the end of the year.
The artwork displays fireworks which themselves are used worldwide to celebrate the end of the year.
3. Move - Move isn't the most complicated track in the Breezy back catalogue, but it is very distinctive, funky bass, tippy-tappy percussion and that guitar riff which loops over and over again throughout the track. Throw in some synths and the track really does "move" along.
The track appears on the third compilation album "Fiat Justitia"
As part of the promo for "Lifestyle" this track has a video. The video is shot in England, Scotland, Spain & Wales and quite simply show people moving in cars and on foot. You can watch it below!!!
The track appears on the third compilation album "Fiat Justitia"
As part of the promo for "Lifestyle" this track has a video. The video is shot in England, Scotland, Spain & Wales and quite simply show people moving in cars and on foot. You can watch it below!!!
4. That funky beat - Standard Breezy fayre here, hi energy dance track, repetitive vocal sample, swirling sequence and of course, the "beat uh that funky beat uh that funky beat!" This track has an extended version 1 of only 2 tracks on the whole album to get this special treatment.
5. Risky business - Track 5 as already alluded to, was produced post split. This again is a typical Breezy number, pads, synths and sequences all working together, but with a hint peril, concern even reluctance and trepidation - risky business indeed!
6. Warm bath - Inspired by a joke about a getting out of a hot bath too quick, warm bath is quite simply that feeling of being laid in a nice warm bath. Cares forgotten about, the worries and troubles of the world left just outside the bathroom. A gentle soothing little number, aaaah that's better, mmmmmm......
7. Behaviour - Another one of the latter additions to the album. Upbeat but with a dark undertone, I suppose reflecting on the mood at the time and in turn my behaviour................
8. La petite tortue - A more downbeat track now, a bubbling bass and a layered pad/synth do most of the groundwork here. Our small tortoise is very happy just ambling along minding its own busy and keeping itself to itself, suddenly about 2 thirds through our tortoise hears a noise and stops, keeping still yet vigilant, the danger passes and out tortoise can continue its journey.
9. Machinery rising - Inspired by sci-fi "War of the worlds" "Matrix" & "Terminator" it would indeed look like the machines are rising and this track doffs its' cap to that very occurrence. The machines are slowly infiltrating the human infrastusture where they will wait, patiently. Plotting and planning their next move. They will not rush, the machines have time, but for now, they're waiting patiently.....................................................to be continued
10. Welcome to the bazaar - Track 10 provides us all with some long overdue drum n bass. This track was originally going to be the first track on the album thus the title being "welcome", then it got removed altogether only to be re-instated onto the final cut of the album. Discussions around keeping the track title were lengthy with "The bazaar" being a potential alternative title, however the title remained and the rest, as they say, is history
11. The chase - The Chase originally started out as "Stab in the dark" but it was quite apparent at an early stage that that was not the best choice. The track was re-titled and here it is. This track is also featured on "Fiat Justitia"
12. Stab in the dark - Another dark sounding track, brooding synths and a bubbling bass all contribute to the track. A typical Breezy-esque dance track which once more is post break-up. The track represents the fear of going back out into the world. Looking for love or companionship all over again, when, one might have thought the need for that would never happen again. It's about how daunting putting yourself back out there really is, especially when we're not getting any younger.
13. Day out, night in - The penultimate track is just about life itself and the simple things it gives us. There is a lot to be thankful for and no matter how hard it can be times it can be amazingly awesome. So enjoy, take the rough with the smooth and just go out there and try to be happy.
14. An ancient study of modern times - The last few albums finished on an experimental track and Lifestyle is no exception although this is a very different experimental track. It starts with what sound like oriental chimes and a few random sound effects. Then the pulsing bass just plays along as the chimes build up. Then the bongos appear and finally the track finishes with a throbbing kickdrum and the chimes, bringing the album to a finish.
