Collaborators from a time gone by, Mike Sartor and Darcey Stone aka Waver have finally set out what they’ve always intended to do, which is record an album together. The one time university roommates give us Space and Time, which is an accomplished and tight rock album dripping with 90’s nostalgia.
The duo split everything 50/50 on the album, including the songwriting, lead vocals and production. This results in a very cohesive and uplifting listen. There are nods to 90’s rock bands such as Soundgarden and Pearl Jam. However this is not a replication but the work of two guys doing what they love and showcasing their original material to the world.
Sartor and Stone reunited together in late 2024 with the intentions to make an album. The result is a pleasing collection of songs where excellent guitar playing is at the forefront. On ‘Always Awake’ guitars of the acoustic variety shine through on a feel-good track, which reminds me of James. There are lush guitar riffs on ‘Delivery Is Free’, which has a very nice vibe to it. There’s a fantastic bridge section: ‘How does it feel / To get what you’ve wanted / Everything you’ve wanted’.
Space and Time is an alluring mix of heavy rock tracks and gentler ballads. ‘Blue Tomorrow’ is a slower track which contains a lovely organ. The drums are very nice also, contributed by Brendan McGillin. As the song progresses we are treated to a gorgeous Hendrix-style guitar solo. The track contains one of my favourite lyrics on the album in: ‘Don’t wanna wake up blue tomorrow / Don’t wanna live in this place / I need a window through the sorrow / I need to recognise a face’.
There are plenty of highlights to be found on this album. The opener and possibly strongest track on this collection, ‘Silvertone’ has a wailing guitar solo in the style of Brian May or Slash. There’s more expertedly crafted songwriting in: ‘You live like you’re invisible / And talking to yourself / The pain is almost physical / But the cure is something else’. ‘I Used To Be Someone Else’ is a decent effort at noughties rock with varied guitar playing and tantalising harmonies.
Space and Time is a well polished rock album with an obvious 90’s edge but sounding contemporary at the same time. But it begs the question, why did they leave it this long?!