John Wilkinson is the singer in the Genesis tribute group Mama that celebrates the Phil Collins era of that particular band and John has a voice very similar to Phil, as any who have seen Mama can attest. John is also the singer for Liverpool based The Swan Chorus and their last album ‘Achilles and the Difference Engine’ was my favourite vocal album of 2023. Whilst work on the next Swan Chorus album continues, John has found time, with assistance from fellow Swan Chorus member Colin McKay, to craft an album full of great songs and music that allows the majestic voice that John possesses free reign to weave his own magic.
‘Imposter Syndrome’ is a great album and I was fortunate enough to be given an exclusive preview of an unmixed version of the track Stranded many months ago so I was delighted to acquire the full album in due course. It is a collection of songs that I heartily recommend as it is very memorable and bears repeated listens. In addition, the cover art is excellent with an almost winteresque style. The album contains eight tracks and a bonus acoustic version of Ghost Dancers. So let’s dive in and see what it’s all about, shall we?
T3he album opens with Pulling Threads which wouldn’t have sounded out of place on that wonderful Swan Chorus album, such is it’s strength and catchy chorus. The track is hinged on a strong keyboard motif and guitar line from Colin McKay. Ghost Dancers is a stately track with another fabulously memorable chorus that unaware or misinformed folks would easily mistake for Phil Collins himself, it is astonishingly good, excellent stuff indeed. The flute style keyboards in the mid section are also superb, as is the fluent guitar solo, making it another very good song indeed. On King Of Yesterday the Collins influence is undeniable and, if Mr Collins had done this song, it would have been on radio worldwide. It is another very catchy track with an earworm chorus. This is followed by a truly heart-warming song called I’ll be There, which would be a great song for a wedding or for anyone who needs a little support, as it is all about being there in times of need or difficulties. This is a very warm and positive track and I really like it’s sentiments. I know John means every word of the song as he has a family situation that requires his constant support. It is a humble tender song with great words, I like it a lot.
The Sci-fi inspired track Exodus deals with how we are destroying our world and the need to escape and make a fresh start elsewhere, acting as a wake up call to rectify things whilst we still have chance. It has another upbeat keyboard part and strong guitar melodies at play, this is also the longest track of the album with great keyboard parts. There is a lot going on lyrically and the song has suitably strong vocally, the mid section is good too with its chiming keyboards and descending sounds. You can definitely get the The Swan Chorus style that this track offers, it is another very strong piece of music indeed. The Big Conspiracy has a strong beat and some powerful drum patterns. It is a song is about conspiracy theories and their prevalence today and how some people believe all sorts of lies and half truths that are offered these days. Title track Imposter Syndrome deals with John’s feelings of self worth and how he feels a fraud at what he does. It’s a pity as he certainly is no imposter to these ears! Okay, he sings in a tribute band but his own unique work with The Swan Chorus and Ellsmere surely bear testimony to talent, they certainly do to me anyway. The album concludes with Stranded, a song with a strong nautical feel in both the sounds and it’s lyrics. This wouldn’t have been out of place on Nick Magnus’ ‘Strange Inheritance’ album from earlier this year, it’s an excellent story telling song, an epic track with strong melodies and instrumentation. I really like this song as its one I heard many months ago and it still impresses now.
Not only will ‘Imposter Syndrome’ appeal to fans of The Swan Chorus but also to anyone who likes great songwriting with fantastic melodies and fine vocals, it is a very strong album of great songs and performances by John and Colin.
Released 2nd October, 2024.
Order from bandcamp here:
https://johnwilkinson1.bandcamp.com/album/imposter-syndrome