David Gates is a versatile artist with a storied life. He`s battled childhood trauma, undiagnosed autism, and intermittent bouts of madness and found solace and purpose in music. A musician for over twenty years, his struggles came to a head at twenty seven when alcoholism nearly claimed his life. After rehab and ten years of sobriety, music remains his guiding light. He releases an album ‘Watched Over by Machines of Loving Grace’ this month which serves as David’s heartfelt homage to the album as an art form and offers a philosophical commentary on navigating life as a neurodivergent individual in a world that often feels misaligned.
The album opens with `All Watched Over by Machines of Loving Grace` which has a fairly reflective feel with vocals that are shared in a kind of weary style and put me in mind of Richard Butler from The Psychedelic Furs. There`s a kind of frustration shared throughout `For The Love Of` which had a fairly anthemic vibe.
`Methusaleh` claimed to have lived the longest life, dying at 969 years of age and the title appears to be a metaphor for a tale shared in an almost stream of consciousness about growing old inspired by catching up with an old friend. We enjoy another thoughtful piece with `MEmory` which seems to hint at addiction.
`Preparing For Emergencies` has an electronic pace with vocals that appear to be shared through a vocoder and sound a warning as to plan for potential disasters. In `Rebranded`, the absence of mental stress or anxiety and a desire for a state of ataraxis is uppermost in its lyrical content. This yearning is shared over a slow burn electronic backbeat.
`Predictable Symphony` is possibly a brief wistful musing on a soured friendship while `Futurist` has a more rock like feel with lyrics that praise an alliance, bond or brotherhood that has weathered not only time but all weathers. In the latter part we have samples of what sounds like children playing spliced in.
`Acceptable Limits Of Being Sick` has a rolling beat and vocals that once again appear to be a kind of inner monologue and maybe hint at overcoming physical and mental debilitation. There`s a brief chiptune segment towards the end before the number resumes it`s original path. The sound of waves hitting the shoreline and a strummed guitar introduces and leads us through `For Catherine O`er The Sea` which perhaps reminisces on an early lost love.
The album concludes with the meditative and dreamy `I`ll See You There` which imagines and visualises more positive times ahead. A pretty uplifting number to close out on.
‘All Watched Over by Machines of Loving Grace’ is an interesting and quite captivating listen with showcases David Gates`s varied lyrical and musical talent. While I don`t profess to understand all the lyrics that were shared, it certainly stirs your interest to understand and empathise.
Rating 8/10
