It'll All Work Out In Boomland
by T2

Review
In the grand pantheon of British progressive rock's most overlooked gems, few albums shimmer with quite the same otherworldly luminescence as T2's sole offering, "It'll All Work Out In Boomland." Released in 1970 on the small Deram label, this extraordinary debut arrived like a transmission from some parallel universe where The Nice had been raised on a steady diet of psychedelic mushrooms and Miles Davis records.
The story begins in the smoky clubs of London's late-'60s underground scene, where keyboard wizard Keith Cross had been cutting his teeth with various blues and R&B outfits. After a brief stint with the short-lived Bulldog Breed, Cross found himself gravitating toward more adventurous sonic territories. Teaming up with bassist Bernard Jinks and drummer Peter Dunton, he formed T2 with the explicit intention of pushing rock music into uncharted experimental waters. The band's name itself—a cryptic reference to the second movement of a classical piece—hinted at their lofty ambitions.
What emerged from their collaboration was nothing short of revolutionary. "It'll All Work Out In Boomland" presents a sprawling 45-minute journey through the outer reaches of progressive rock, anchored by Cross's virtuosic Hammond organ work and the rhythm section's telepathic interplay. This isn't the pastoral whimsy of early Genesis or the bombastic theatricality of ELP; instead, T2 crafted something altogether more visceral and unpredictable.
The album's centrepiece, the 18-minute epic "No More White Horses," remains one of progressive rock's most audacious statements. Beginning with a deceptively gentle acoustic guitar figure, the track gradually morphs into a swirling maelstrom of improvised organ passages, thunderous bass lines, and Dunton's propulsive drumming. Cross's keyboard work here is nothing short of phenomenal—alternating between delicate church organ meditations and face-melting Hammond assaults that would make Jon Lord weep with envy. The piece ebbs and flows with an almost jazz-like sensibility, building to moments of genuine catharsis before retreating into contemplative passages that feel both ancient and futuristic.
Equally compelling is the album's opening salvo, "Morning," which announces T2's arrival with a burst of organ-driven fury that immediately establishes their credentials. Cross's playing here is both technically impressive and emotionally resonant, weaving melodic lines that stick in the memory long after the final notes fade. The track's relatively compact seven-minute runtime serves as a perfect appetizer for the more expansive explorations that follow.
"J.L.T." showcases the trio's more introspective side, with Cross deploying a wider palette of keyboard textures to create an almost ambient soundscape. The piece demonstrates the band's remarkable ability to create tension and release without relying on conventional song structures or vocal hooks. It's music that demands active listening, rewarding those willing to surrender to its hypnotic pull.
The album's production, handled by the legendary Gus Dudgeon (who would later work with Elton John), captures the raw power of T2's sound while maintaining remarkable clarity. Each instrument occupies its own sonic space, allowing listeners to appreciate the intricate interplay between Cross's keyboards and the rhythm section's muscular foundation.
Tragically, "It'll All Work Out In Boomland" would prove to be T2's only statement. Despite critical acclaim from the underground press, the album failed to achieve commercial success, and the band dissolved shortly after its release. Cross would later resurface in various incarnations, but never again would he achieve the perfect storm of creativity and chemistry that defined T2.
In the decades since its release, "It'll All Work Out In Boomland" has achieved something approaching cult status among progressive rock aficionados. Its influence can be heard in everyone from Hawkwind to modern post-rock pioneers like Godspeed You! Black Emperor. The album has been lovingly reissued multiple times, each new generation of listeners discovering its unique magic.
Perhaps the most remarkable thing about "It'll All Work Out In Boomland" is how fresh it sounds today. While many of its contemporaries feel dated or overly indulgent, T2's music retains an urgency and inventiveness that transcends its era. It stands as a testament to the power of musical exploration and the enduring appeal of artists brave enough to venture into the unknown. In Boomland, indeed, it all worked out perfectly.
Listen
Login to add to your collection and write a review.
User reviews
- No user reviews yet.