Arjen Anthony Lucassen - 2025 - Songs No One Will Hear

(46:35; Inside Out Music)

There is no doubt that Lucassen has been one of the most interesting and significant songwriters and performers in progdom for more than three decades, either releasing material under his own name or as Ayreon, Stream Passion, Star One etc. Here we see him bringing in some old friends such as flautist Jeroen Goossens, singer Irene Jansen (while her sister Floor guests on one song) and others, while he of course plays the multi-instrumentalist role on this concept album. It is possible to get this album as an extended three CD set (the second with no narration, the third being instrumental), but the essential disc to get is the first one which contains narration by Mike Mills. He plays the part of a radio DJ, and we get part of his “broadcasts” before each song, and there is no doubt he has a major part to play (even if he does remind me somewhat of the DJ on The Carpenters’ version of Klaatu’s “Calling Occupants of Interplanetary Craft”). I am a particular fan of his comment prior to “Goddamn Conspiracy” where he says, “Hey so I braved the urban jungle today people, and I couldn’t help but notice there’s a few, ehhh… what can we call them, “asteroid deniers”? Now, I'm all for questioning authority, but come on! I mean, I can literally see this thing lighting up the night, if I look out my window here". I wonder where Robert F. Kennedy Jr. would be on this?

In between the commentary from Mr. Mills, we have some of the most commercial sounding music I have ever heard from Lucassen. It still has its roots in prog, somewhat, but there is a higher concentration on the music being easily accessible and, gulp, easy to listen to. The lyrics tell the story, as he uses comedic elements to make his point (what is the only thing to do when you know you only have five months left to live? Why, join the “Shaggathon” of course), and in many ways it is quite an indictment on modern society. Why are people looting when they are all going to be dead soon anyway? 

There are times when one does not want to concentrate too much on attempting to understand what is going on, and here the musical threads have been designed to weave and move in a way which makes it incredibly accessible, and while the listener can get deep inside the story the very first time it is played there is no doubt the more it is listened to the more one understands the complex majesty behind it. (Oh, and when Floor hits that note on “We’ll Never Know” all one can do is smile). Superb.   

Kev Rowland, October 2025

Links:
https://www.arjenlucassen.com/
https://www.insideoutmusic.com/