You and me, the birds and the bees, the fish in the seas, the animals and the trees … we are all part of nature. A bewildering variety of species form an interlocking ecosystem, nearly all of them dependent on organisms lower down the pyramid of life. Many of those species are now standing on the precipice of extinction.

Mother Nature has proved to be extremely resilient in the past. But I can’t help but wonder whether we are in danger of losing a vital cog in the complex mechanism of life – a crucial part of the whole machine.

Part of the Whole is an album of melodic rock songs. The musicians don’t try to augment the classic rock band mix of guitars, bass and drums with keyboards, brass or strings. But there is more than enough variety in the structure, the tempo and the melody lines to satisfy the educated listener. And they make the most of the clear, expressive voice of their vocalist.

Given the title, you might expect the lyrics to explore some of the weightier questions that confront us from time to time. Why are we here? Where do we fit in the Great Plan? How should we treat our fellow Earth-dwellers? But, in fact, the songs are much more introspective. They sketch our inner feelings – yours, mine, the singer’s – without filling in the details. It’s a thought-provoking 9-part essay on uncertainty.

I do have one criticism … In a couple of places, where they deliberately pick up the tempo, it sounds a little rushed. On the whole, though, this is a very enjoyable album that has already become a very welcome part of the Crotchety Music Library.