OK, so the main protagonists in Airtime have a pretty cool background in Triumph and Von Groove but I can hardly begin to tell you how cold this collection leaves me. Recently I used the word nice to describe how I felt about Maeder’s newest CD and in many ways I feel the same about Liberty Manifesto. There’s no doubt about the musical chops on display within but the songs are, in the main, uninvolving and lacking any distinction. According to their biography Liberty Manifesto is, “rewarding, life-affirming and liberating.” For me it’s safe, dull and not destined to get any more plays. 

There’s a definite progressive leaning on Liberty Manifesto and as such it is admirable that Rik Emmett and Michael Shotton aren’t content simply to rehash former glories but rather try to make music that stands up in 2007 and to be fair there are a couple of hidden gems for the listener. The first is the instrumental Transmutation which is very, very good and Emmett plays his guitar on this absolutely beautifully. Maybe it’s the lack of words that makes it so good? It’s not quite worth the price of admission all by itself but it really is good. Edge of Your Mind is another song which meshes the talents of Emmett and Shotten to good effect. It’s perhaps the most straight forward rock song on offer and the harmonies work well. 

I’m afraid that much of the rest of the album does very little for me. I can see what is being attempted but I really struggle to engage with it in any meaningful way. Code 9 in particular I find difficult to get to grips with. It doesn’t gel with the rest of the album and, unusually for an Escape release, finds Mr. Melody not coming out to play. Overall Liberty Manifesto is somewhat of a disappointment given the calibre of those involved in it's making but I’m sure that if you’re a fan of either of the Airtime members, there’ll be something for you to grab hold of.

Let us know your views on Liberty Manifesto

Track Listing

Edge Of Your Mind
Midnight Black & Blue
Liberty
Headstream
River Runs Deep
Find Your Way
Addicted
Code 9
Rise
Moving Day
Transmutation
Cryin Shame

Line Up

Rik Emmett - Vocals/Guitars/Bass
Mike Shotton - Drums/Keyboards