Berwick based singer/songwriter multi-instrumentalist John Reed always has something profound to say and sing about. Another Maniac Shouting Against The Relentless Hurricane is exactly that. The following is what he has to say on his opening PR statement, and I feel it needs to be shared.
“There’s a hurricane going on out there and it’s largely being ignored, dismissed, and trivialised. I refer of course to the state of the planet on which we live, the planet we call our home, and the negative human impact on the natural world. Amid all this mayhem, I’m very happy to begin the year with the usual New Year gift. I hope you enjoy “Another Maniac Shouting Against The Relentless Hurricane”. It’s been a fun project to put together. The album comprises a mix of 10 songs: brand new songs and re-imagined older songs”.
First track ‘The Madness Remains’ – a strong guitar intro making its own statement, a dark tragic track about a Palestinian family living in fear of their lives daily. (My thoughts went to the Troubles in Ireland). Next comes ‘Eyes Wide Open’ – originally ‘Eyes’ on Elevation aimed at Boris Johnson but generally covers who you wish it to be. ‘Conspiracy’ is an evolving track, not yet been released and is about a bloke in a pub who if he wishes to encompass technology has the world at his fingertips, if he doesn’t he stays and drinks away in the pub. ‘Melting The Rails’ covers the wastefulness of governments with melting the rails down for munitions in the war but they didn’t work so dumped in the sea. Of course then the environment screams. The fact this happened only came to light after the war.
‘Heroes And Warriors’ was originally on John’s album A Proliferation of Pointlessness. What is courage? Of all the songs I’ve written, its message is the most unequivocal. What does it take to survive”. Hence the title. Interesting and thoughtful track to ponder on, as they all are. ‘The Reckoning’ is written with George Osbornes policy of austerity in mind but then it can be likened to men in suits who run conglomerates and governments with no thought of the people it affects, and how it affects.
‘No Peace Left To Keep’ is a brand new song written for A Proliferation Of Protest due to be released in the Spring of 2026. A warning to the world. If we don’t act soon to calm down wars and conflict there will be nothing left including peace to keep. ‘The Bombs’ is another new song and will be the initial track for A Proliferation Of Protest. John says “Of all the songs I’ve written, its message is the most unequivocal. One day, humans just like us might finally realise that violent death is always a step too far, and that dialogue, conversation, true understanding, compassion, cooperation, and care for our fellow humans is always the way forward”.
‘Big Guns’, originally on the 2016 Moorscape album, is about misuse of UK peat moorlands, but exclusive use by shooting parties and the military have helped these peat moorlands survive. ‘Tablets of Stone’ is about those left behind when we leave our mortal coil. John assures us he isn’t thinking of leaving the planet yet!
Ten amazing tracks for the subscriber to John’s quarterly newsletters on his website. John records the album in December for the New Year and if you sign up to receive his quarterly newsletters having an exclusive download is a real bonus!
John is an amazingly talented wordsmith, and he has an extraordinary passion for writing about what we all should be taking notice of and trying to do something about what we can. A poignant message in every track.
All tracks are covered by PRS.
Jean Camp
Artist’s website: www.johnreedmusic.com https://johnreed.bandcamp.com/
‘The Madness Remains’ – official video:
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