Geof Whitely Project – Paper Tiger

Paper Tiger, the latest release from Geof Whitely Project delivers all that is expected and, as always, that little bit more.

Opener, ‘Cut Against The Grain’ has a nice relaxing lilt to the music, but the lyrics are somewhat menacing and require the listeners full attention.

My personal favourite is track 2, ‘Under The Waves’, a gentle opening with some interesting sounds, expands into the, dare I say, signature sound of Geof Whitely Project, sweeping keys with subtle yet powerful guitar. The lyrics build the picture in the way that fans will recognise, adding layers to the tale being told. Interesting use of a ‘pipe’ sound adds a different feel to the overall sound.

‘Made A Promise’ has a quicker tempo but maintains the signature sound, as the track progresses I was drawn into the subtlety of the layers within the music. This is a trick that Geof Whitely Project seem to be the masters of. Huge bombastic blasts are not needed, the layers provide the drama, where needed, but never going over the top.

The gunfire opening to ‘West Bank’ gives a hint of where this track may be going. However, this is not a ‘preaching’ song, it had this reviewer questioning what was is happening on the ‘West Bank’. The lyrics need to receive attention again, the music provides the backdrop to a song that questions war and the worlds opinion on it.

‘The Prisoner’ once again has the listener intent on what the words convey, all the GWP touches are there.

‘An Uneasy Presence’ is a genuinely spooky offering, one that will be in the list for a Halloween Special. The organ sound gives a background hint of the old horror film soundtrack style but does not dominate or detract from everything else going on musically.

I wasn’t going to do a track by track review this time, but, well, OK, ‘Force of Someone’ keeps up the standard, then ‘Cracked Eyes’ takes you to a different place. A gentle melodic opening settling you down before the question is asked, “Is everyone crazy?” Drama and tension rises with the way the music layers build.

‘Vulnerable Species’ has an opening to lead you down a path, again opening out into a song that questions what we are actually doing to our world. Again, not preaching but asking you to think about other things other than the wonderful music.

Closer ‘I’ve Seen A World’ is in the Environmental protection sphere, looking back at memories and asking the listener to look at where we are now. 

The music on ‘Paper Tiger’ is, as always, subtle, melodic and sitting in that wonderful ‘genre’ that is exclusive to Geof Whitely Project, containing rock, progressive rock, full on electronic and dashes of ambient music. The lyrics are thoughtful and questioning without feeling like ‘soap box preaching’. The album is a complete package and is simply marvellous.

Paul Baker

Soundscapes

Radio Tamworth & Burton Radio

‘The Geof Whitely Project was formed in 2011, it consists of Geof Whitely and special guest Musicians, the aim of the project is to put out original material in all types of musical formats from Prog Rock-Rock-Pop-Electronic-Instrumental.’

So says the information on the Bandcamp page but the Geof Whitely Project is much more than that, it is the brainchild and labour of love of prolific musician Arny Wheatley and is a true progressive vision. Arny releases a lot of albums and there are no massive leaps forward with each one but a steady progression of musical styles and delivery so that, while each are distinctively a GWP album, no two are the same.

This latest release, ‘Paper Tiger’ continues in a similar vein with more depth and further maturity to each track on the album. The opening two songs, Cut Against The Grain and Under The Waves are both a case in point. Like every song that the Geof Whitely project has released, they are linked by Arny’s distinctive, monotone vocal delivery, a link back to the very first album released, but the music has added layers of sophistication and depth that delivers a very impressive sound. The edgy, synth driven Made A Promise has a funky 80’s feel to it and On The West Bank is an emotive, touching lament to a seemingly never ending conflict. The Prisoner is the Geof Whitely Project distilled into seven minutes of excellent, hypnotic music with Arny’s vocal drawing you in to his surreal world.

There is a dark, mysterious edge to An Uneasy Presence, a track that has a real Hammer Horror feel to it, it’s deliciously enigmatic and my personal favourite, Force Of The Someone, takes an 80’s Genesis vibe and runs with it to perfection. Fans of antipodean prog band Unitopia will hear touches of that outfit in the light and airy wonder of Cracked Eyes with its masterful keyboards and synths and the laid back but very serious grooves of Vulnerable Species. The album closes with the solemn and haunting I’ve Seen A World, a very impressive piece of music with highly meaningful lyrics, mirrored by the wonderful music.

‘Paper Tiger’ is the Geof Whitely Project’s most accomplished release yet, an album of intelligent songs that is a plea to the world and a hope that it is not already too late. Well done Arny my friend, you have truly delivered your Magnum Opus and what a wonder it is.

Progradar 2025

Released 8th January, 2025.