mike haggith - a place of our own

     Arguably one of the first concept albums in Haggith's solo catalogue, A Place Of Our Own explores the idea that every single relationship between any two people is finite, and eventually expires. Written from a personal standpoint of feeling dissatisfied in his current relationship, this six-track, 36-minute album was made available for purchase via CD and digital download on 10 May 2014. This record builds on the orchestral sounds developed during sessions for its predecessor, Neighborhood Watch II, and blends them with ambient pop rock arrangements. The lyrical content throughout the record is not necessarily linear in progression, though the first and final tracks are reflective of a beginning and an end.

     Shortly following its release, A Place Of Our Own earned recognition as Haggith's best-selling solo release to date, an achievement which would eventually be outdone by 2015's The Warrenside. Amongst the many noteworthy elements of the album, it's also known for its inclusion of Haggith's longest-running solo track to date, as To Kansas: The Ballad Of K4/K5 plays at a length of twelve minutes and four seconds, or roughly one-third of the record's total runtime. Equal parts gritty and melodic, this record largely focuses on storytelling, with the music viewed as a delivery medium. That being said, it boasts its fair share of well-loved compositions, including Cowardly Hearts Beneath The Stars and "This Potato May Be Used As A Flotation Device", the latter eventually finding new fame with The Din under a new title, Potato (Should've Known Better).

     In terms of theme, this record sets out to claim that all relationships are finite, and that given infinite time to run their course, all would eventually do so. It explores such themes as complacency, boredom, and infidelity to support its case, though toward the end of the record, the focus of the story shifts to new love, and the desire to dive in, regardless of whether or not the theme is true. The briefly-mentioned suggestion is to leave space in one's life to carve out "a place of our own" with desired partners outside of external pressures or expectations, with the option to hit the "big red button" if or when the relationship runs its course. By the end, the desire to love and be loved triumphs over the record's original, bleak assertation.

     In terms of musical development, thematic elements, lyrical compositions, and artist growth, A Place Of Our Own is a proud cornerstone of the Haggith solo discography, and worthy of inclusion in any listener's collection. While CD pressings were manufactured and sold, they have since sold out, and this record is currently not available in physical print. It continues to be available for digital download.