So when I received a copy of Checking For Echo's album, 'The War Is Never Won', I was a little cautious: was this just going to be another version of the same story? But I was pleasantly surprised.
This is the work of Jon Farley, and touches on a number of aspects of the consequences of war in a thoughtful and poignant way. The album opens with an epic-length, multi-part song, 'The War Within', which starts with gentle piano arpeggios before the plaintiff vocals begin, taking us on a journey from childhood innocence, through responding to ones nation's call to arms and the loss of 'friendships barely forged', the desire to return home, and the difference in home and the soldier that war has brought about. The use of the whistle at the start of 'The Whole Nine Yards' and a trumpet sound as reflection begins in 'Field of Souls' are very evocative, as is the contrast in the hope, the realisation and the consequence of 'The Homecoming'. 'The Forgotten Country' touches a little on what we now recognise as PTSD, and the change that war brings to those who fight it and to those who are fought for. One of the most powerful lines says: "The battle comes home and it takes its deadly hold in each mother’s darling son", and at times there only seems one way out from the nightmares... Thoughtful, powerful stuff.
The rest of the album then takes us on a journey through the many conflicts that have followed from 'the war to end all wars'. 'The Greater Good' contrasts the reality with the public voices of those in charge - that this slaughter is for the greater good. Musically this reminded me a little of John Holden's work. Lyrically there's an almost restrained anger at times, without the resort to cynicism or sarcasm, which has a powerful effect. 'Victory's Waltz' is an instrumental interlude of a sort, and it doesn't come across much like a traditional waltz! (I can't quite work out the signature at times) There is attack and drive in it, which raises the mood of the album, which has been a little subdued up to now (understandably). 'Heroes' starts with seagulls screaming and the fleet leaving Portsmouth on its way to the Falklands, and is a tribute to all those who have given their all 'to defend British Isles'. This is not your typical anti-war song, in fact it clearly calls for support for those who serve, which is never a bad thing, however we feel about the morality of war.
'It's a Crude Business' is a delightfully tongue-in-cheek examination of Western (but more specifically, US) foreign policy where defending commercial interests seems to be far higher on the agenda than perhaps it should be in most decisions to go to war. The music gives a light-hearted, funky feel to what is a very serous subject. 'Imaginary Evidence' is billed as another instrumental track, but behind it are sound clips around the controversial decision of Blair to send troops to Iraq, and the questions over Saddam's 'weapons of mass destruction'. 'The Falling Man' is a poignant reflection on one the the most haunting images that came out of the events of 9/11, from the perspective of that man, and musically it begins with echoes for me of Pink Floyd's 'Nobody Home'. The album closer is another epic, 'The Greatest Freedom', which moves its focus to Helmand Province. We open with the sound of helicopters, then muted keyboards, as the narrative seems to flip between a young, naive soldier and a Jihadi warrior. A muezzin's call and the sound of a dulcimer set the scene, as we settle on the soldier, as he makes his first patrol, always on the watch for ambush and IEDs - a watch he ultimately fails in: "My role in today’s patrol is to be on prime time on the BBC, to show the world the hidden danger, a victim of an IED" The soldier tells of his return to 'the land of my place of birth' where he is paraded through the streets of Wotton Bassett, draped in the Union Flag. For him, and maybe for his adversary, 'The greatest freedom it’s often said will come to us all when all else is dead.'
This is a thoughtful, keyboard-driven collection of songs that tackle to deeper issues around war in its modern context. Quite low-key overall, there are some uplifting moments, and Jon must be commended for the effort he has put into this project both in composition and performance. Every listen brings new insights and new delights, and I would heartily commend it to you. You can find it on Bandcamp here.
