Review of 'This Other World' album by Harper n Hubble Music

‘This Other World’ is the second album from Paul Harper and Andy Hubble (Harper n Hubble Music). It promises to take the listener on a journey, not only to Mars, but also to ‘This Other World’ of strained personal relationships; the tension of national and international relationships and that you will hear about the corruption of power and wealth as well as childhood memories being recalled.

This is my review of the 12 songs on the album:

1 - Long Highway Road
This starts off like it could be about how someone feels at the end of a relationship, but then there’s a twist both lyrically and musically, as the song is actually about someone who has passed away after an auto accident and is having an out of body experience. “But I’ll drive on throughout the night until I find that starry light.” “Never get to feel the Summer sun, a cold Winter's chill or an Autumn breeze.”

2 - Money Games
‘Money Games’ has a more of a rock feel with clever guitar use. It is about the corruption of power and wealth in the world of high-end business and politics.

3 - Nations
‘Nations’ is a more profound, moving song. It is very politically relevant at the moment. It’s about living in a world of adversity and the impact made by media coverage events.

4 - Over Easy
‘Over Easy’ is a faster, light rock track. It is catchy and Paul is vocally slightly reminiscent of Paul McCartney. It is about a couple’s break up with one partner trying to salvage things by letter. Although it is the fourth track on the album, it is actually the first so far on it to deal with the theme of human relationships.

5 - Mars
In ‘Mars’ the question, “is it better to live a life, free of strain, or to be a pioneer, take the risks and make the gains?” is asked. It is a very interesting concept and further on in the lyrics it is revealed “we left the earth in 2035”, as the song is from the perspective of the first colony on Mars in the near future.

6 - Break Even
Although the tune is on the upbeat side, with a pop feel, ‘Break Even’ is actually the story of a relationship that is ending in divorce, the legal world is ruling the emotional world and at best the couple in the end hopes to break even.

7 - Ghosts of my Past
‘Ghosts of my Past’ is a moving, thought provoking song about returning to a place of safety that was special during childhood; a place much different from where the character in the song is presently living.

8 - This Other World
The title track of this album is about someone who is going through very difficult times in a situation not of their own making, saying they are living in ‘“this other world”; whilst waiting to escape from it, being a very sad place they are in at the moment.

9 - Times of Trouble
‘Times of Trouble’ is a gentle ballad about being the light that guides you to lend a hand in these uncertain times.

10 - Long Time Dead
‘Long Time Dead’ is interesting as it could be about someone fighting back after a failing relationship or it could also be about countries fighting in war. It is a powerful song lyrically.

11 - I Can’t Cry
‘I Can’t Cry’ is about someone refusing to be broken after trial by media and the issues of press intrusion, “I can’t cry although I’ve tried and I won’t bleed if they cut me.”

12 - Running Wild
‘Running Wild’ is about a relationship drifting apart where one partner admits their own mistakes and deficiencies, still hoping there’s a chance things will come together. There is a lot of raw emotion in this song.

My own personal highlights on this album are ‘Long Highway Road’ and ‘Mars’ as I am particularly impressed by their originality. The album certainly lives up to its promise with very well thought out, intelligent and relevant themes.

For further information and song lyrics check out: http://www.hnhmusic.com/index.html