What makes A Matter of Life & Death by Guy Manning notable?

This album stands out for its critical reception within the progressive rock community, receiving praise for its lyrical ambition and complex arrangements. It helped reinvigorate interest in narrative-driven music during a time when mainstream rock was leaning towards more commercial sounds. By 2004, Guy Manning had established himself as a significant figure in the progressive rock scene, with 'A Matter of Life & Death' being his fourth solo album. This release followed his 2002 album 'Songs from the Black Mountain', solidifying his artistic direction and thematic depth while showcasing his growth as a songwriter and musician.

How many songs are on A Matter of Life & Death?

A Matter of Life & Death has 9 tracks, running approximately 53 minutes.

A Matter of Life & Death

Guy Manning · 2004

53 min · 9 tracks · progressive rock

A sweeping blend of intricate melodies and contemplative lyrics, capturing the essence of progressive rock's storytelling tradition.

Spotify Apple Music

YouTube Music YouTube Deezer Bandcamp SoundCloud

Own it: Amazon eBay

Top tracks — play these first

→
The Dream — Opening with lush instrumentation and introspective lyrics, this track sets the thematic tone for the entire album, encapsulating Manning's vision.
→
Falling Down? Rising Up! — This track features dynamic shifts in tempo and emotion, illustrating Manning's ability to blend complexity with accessibility, representing the album's core message.
→
Midnight Sail — Closing the album, this song reflects on themes of journey and reflection, bringing a poignant resolution that resonates with the listener long after it ends.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

58 /100

Treeline

Higher than 49% of albums we've rated

The album showcases strong compositions and thematic depth, characteristic of progressive rock, though it may not reach wider audiences.

What we noticed

The album features extended tracks, with several exceeding six minutes, allowing for intricate musical development and thematic exploration.
Lyrically, the album weaves a narrative across its tracks, with recurring motifs that connect the songs thematically.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 6/10
Durability 25% of the score: 7/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 The Dream 7:00
2 Nobody’s Fool 5:11
3 Omens 5:26
4 The River of Time 6:36
5 Silent Man 4:13
6 Falling Down? Rising Up! 7:56
7 Life’s Disguises 3:25
8 Out of My Life 8:49
9 Midnight Sail 5:18

What to play next

Listen next

One Small Step...

2005

Go back to

The View from My Window

2003

Full Guy Manning discography Artists like Guy Manning

progressive rock

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata