Crocodile "Howling Mad Black Music Under Hot Stars"

Thanks for coming back to the Concert Closet fellow progheads!  The prog garden continues to produce an abundance of great music and this week's feature bears that out.  As autumn continues to produce bright colors in nature, so to does the prog canvas explode with vibrant hues that cover the spectrum.  This week the search for all things prog takes me back to Austin TX, to visit a band I have enjoyed since first hearing their sound.

                                           

Crocodile just released their second album, "Howling Mad Black Music Under Hot Stars." About twenty months removed from their debut release, the band describes this latest addition to their catalog as a "prog album comprised of love songs."  Seems a trifle odd...a bit like describing the federal government as a nurturing entity.  As the saying goes however; the proof is in the pudding.  So let's grab a bowl of custard and drop a laser on that disc...

The festivities begin with "Dark Inverted Jubilee."  The upbeat tempo as the curtain peels back is reminiscent of Transatlantic with top notes of Steely Dan.  Vocals blend smoothly with guitars that throw a velvet punch and keyboards that tease just enough to pique your interest.  Crocodile has picked up where they left off; time to take this listening party a bit deeper...

   "The Genie (in full flower)" is the next serving, and the mood continues to be upbeat--despite the macabre tension lurking in the background.  Crocodile makes music that makes me feel safe, unaware that Pennywise the clown is lurking behind the not-quite-closed-tight closet door...
There is an ELO meets Gentle Giant vibe coursing through this tune...here come those bright colors splattered on a frayed canvas...

Liner Notes...making their home in Austin TX, the current line-up of Crocodile is Kevin Sims on guitar and vocals, Ted Thomas on bass and vocals, Thomas Shaw on keyboards and vocals, and Greg Seale on drums.

Their first album, "His Name Is Stan And He's A Bad Motherf**cker" was released in February 2018.  This, their second release, hit the Internet just weeks ago.  One personnel change between albums isn't bad; some bands never survive the rush of the first release and the madness and mayhem that causes egos to explode.  Still others melt down because album #1 was the dream and there was no long-term plan or focus.

Crocodile is different...their path seems well defined, and combined with the talent coming through the headphones, I expect the prog garden will be filled with more music from this quartet.  Despite their penchant for long album titles, the music cuts right to the chase.  Soft grooves on one cut bootlegging into hard driving guitar on the next make Crocodile a challenge to categorize and a joy to listen to.

You can purchase both of the band's albums at their website Crocodile and at Bandcamp.  They can also be found on Facebook and Twitter @crocodileatx. 

The final song for review this week is the first cut on the album,
"(Arrival) Small Eden."  The opening takes me back to Spirit and their fresh approach to the prog garden at the time.  Sounding like an "in the moment" improv jam session, this is a song to simply fall headlong into.  Kevin's guitar leads the keyboards  masterfully across the gentler acreage of the prog garden until the song wraps up and he decides to make statement of his own...and all the while Greg is the drum major, keeping everyone focused and on point.

Your ear worm this week is "Avis Ender," the final cut on the album.  This one starts out clean and crisp, a bit like latter-day Jethro Tull.  Tom's keyboards sit back from the crowd on this piece but are oh, so essential--like the all the nutrients hiding in that power bar...you don't taste 'em but you do feel a surge of energy.  Turn this one up a bit and be glad there are bands that refuse to be categorized...    

                  

One of the many reasons I continue the search for all things prog and bring new music to you is the fun of finding bands that make it.  Hundreds, if not thousands of bands release a demo, EP, or a first album.  The challenge is getting your sound heard and appreciated--and then putting out album number two.  Here I am already looking forward to album number three from these guys.  How big the Crocodile catalog gets depends on how long the desire to keep doing what they're doing lasts...hopefully the fire burns for quite a while.

So once again fellow progheads the sand has fallen through the hourglass.  The search for all things prog found a true gem this week and I hope you enjoy this album as much as I have.  Getting into the prog garden requires a bit of luck and an adult dose of determination; staying requires grit, thick skin, a strong will, and a little thing called talent.  The journey continues...until next time...

Apostles of Chaos "What's Inside?"

Greetings once again fellow progheads!  Thus far the  fall harvest from the prog garden is quite impressive--but I want to venture a bit further back at the moment.  This week the Concert Closet takes the search for all things prog to what can arguably be referred to as ground zero for the prog garden; England.  A common stop on the journey where many a great new prog band resides, this week I visit Apostle, a band recording for the Progressive Gears label.

For those of you darting your eyes back and forth from the title of this week's review to the last word in the paragraph above, allow me to explain...Apostles of Chaos released their album "What's Inside?" in March.  Since that time the seemingly obligatory personnel changes combined with the members of the band taking serious introspection into their music and the direction in which they want to take it lead to a bit of name change.  Simply put; chaos is out, Apostle is in.  However; in my never ending desire to keep things as complicated as possible, I titled the review as the album dictates.  Confused yet?  Hopefully your befuddlement will fade once the music is cranked up...

My immediate impulse is to let the music flow through the headphones starting with "Reaper."  There is a Dream Theater quality to the opening; a bit ominous, heavy, and foreboding.  The drums lay heavy across the entire piece and the guitars drive the point home.  Ryan's vocals are heavy enough to ride across that sound wave without losing any of their edge.  Apostle comes through on this song with a determination to hit you straight on, much the way Marillion creeps into your cerebellum throwing sound waves all over the place.

Traveling down the disc a bit I find another intriguing cut, "In Your Eyes."  There is a Spock's Beard quality to this piece and the canvas is splayed with brighter colors this time around.  Apostle shows off an ability to cover major ground in the prog garden as they go from grim darkness to a more melancholy stride flecked with top notes of Machines Dream and Violent Attitude If Noticed.

Liner Notes...Coming together in Yorkshire England back in 2017, the current line-up for Apostle is Ryan Hanson on vocals, Richard Lidster on guitar, Shaun "Tin Tin" Ellis on bass, Chris "Egg" Allen on keyboards, and Marcus Murray on drums.  Apostle draws influence from many facets of the prog era ranging from Led Zeppelin to Rush, blended with a shot of Marillion and Transatlantic, tossed with just a hint of The Strawbs to pique one's musical pallet.

Despite having as many albums as name changes on their resume, I expect a lot from this band in the future;  "What's Inside?" is a stellar first offering.  Apostle can rattle you with boisterous metal, soothe you with delicate piano, fascinate you with intricate guitar work, take you back with sounds reminiscent of prog giants past, and blaze a trail forward with music best described as their own.

For my last serving this week I went with the title cut.  Once more Apostle makes a bootleg turn across the prog garden as they show off an ability to draw from decades past to make music of the prog future.  Top notes that range from Deep Purple to Jethro Tull makes this band all the more desirable to even the casual listener...once you put the headphones on it's easy to fall into the abyss...

Immerse yourself further in Apostle at Apostle and keep up with the changes at FaceBook and Twitter @AOC_Bandpage_UK.  Music can be purchased on their website as well as the Progressive Gears site Progressive Gears.

Your ear worm this week is the song "Drifter."  This song has a bit of everything; strong lead in, heavy guitar/drum wallop, and melodic riff harking back to the 70's.  There are aromatics of Kansas rising from the headphones with this cut along with a touch of Kinetic Element.  Enjoy the ride and don't forget to focus...

                       

Once again fellow progheads we enter the final turn for the week.  Apostle turned out to be a vibrant multi-faceted band capable of cranking up the heat on one song while serenading you with the next.  This is the type of band I imagine Adrian Belew could take in an entirely new direction much as he did with Talking Heads.  Don't interpret that to mean I think Apostle needs a new axe man--I don't.  Richard does just fine and the band is in good hands...it's just one of the many crazy thoughts that enter my head as I wander the prog garden looking for the next new thing; "what would happen if..?"

As for me I am quite content with the line-up Apostle has put together.  So while I sit back and enjoy another run through the disc, the search for all things prog continues on...until next time...

Pattern - Seeking Animals

Welcome back fellow progheads!  It feels like forever since the lights in the Concert Closet have been turned on!  The summer was a whirlwind and as much as I hate to see the sun start setting earlier, it is great to be back.  In between seeing a few fantastic live shows I was fortunate enough to be immersed in a plethora of great new prog; the fall harvest should be quite plentiful....

Sorting through dozens of new releases, new discoveries of old releases, new favorites, old favorites, and some music that simply fit like that favorite old T-shirt, the next leg of the search for all things prog starts with a listening session with Pattern-Seeking Animals, a new group comprised of old talent...as in time-tested and ready for a new adventure.

Pattern-Seeking Animals was originally intended to be an outlet for Spock's Beard songwriter and producer John Boegehold.  Once he put together enough material to qualify for an album, he set about assembling a band to bring his efforts to life.  Enter Jimmy Keegan, Dave Meros, and Ted Leonard.  Despite a (perhaps) unavoidable slight tilt toward Spock's Beard, Pattern-Seeking Animals has developed and nurtured a sound all their own. Their eponymous debut was released in July, so I have had quite a bit of time to become familiar with it.

"Orphans of the Universe" is an excellent jump off point; the piano intro is elegant and
tantalizing--for about 15 seconds.  Drums and guitars then join the fracas in what is best described as a carnival ride through the prog garden...bright colors stream across a canvas filled with excitement.  Ted's vocals are a cooling summer rain as they become entwined in the music like silk threads in a flowing scarf.  There are obvious top notes of Spock's Beard, but listening deeper I pick up aromatics of The Inner Road and The Mute Gods.

Playing farther down the album is a rather interesting piece called "We Write the Ghost Stories."  John's keyboards take center stage on this cut, leading the listener on a journey that is wondrous in its depth and muted extravagance.  This song comes at you directly--almost demanding your undivided attention.  While the lyrics are speaking to you, attempting to get your attention, Jimmy Keegan's drums grab you by the collar and slap you around a bit...just enough to let you know that this would be a good time to pay attention.

Liner Notes...Pattern-Seeking Animals is creator John Boegehold on keyboards and synthesizers, accompanied by Ted Leonard on vocals and guitars, Dave Meros on bass, and Jimmy Keegan on drums and vocals.  I have reviewed Jimmy with so many bands I've lost count...and he brings an exclusive sound to every band he performs with.  This is a band with no pretense about who they are; seasoned professionals who have collectively logged many a mile traveling the prog garden with countless bands.  Everyone contributes and the spotlight easily splits off in four directions illuminating every member of the group.

Finally I give you "These Are My Things."  This song travels a bit of a darker path yet manages to shine bright.  The soft opening sets you up for a boisterous finish.  Pattern-Seeking Animals as a whole are greater than the sum of their parts--and the parts are impressive.  The pleasure in this song is how seamlessly one instrument melts into the next; the music flows as smoothly as warm caramel rolling down the sides of a slice of cheesecake...


Pattern-Seeking Animals have managed to avoid being caught in a sound warp; yes they have musings of Spock's Beard, but there is way too much talent pressed into vinyl here for these guys to allow themselves to simply be another "cover band" with original material.  No; the top notes are there--undeniably--but top notes are to be expected.  Listen deeper and you will discover  Pattern-Seeking Animals sets the bar higher and achieves the ultimate goal; a sound and experience unique unto themselves.  Apparently John's musical alter-ego has a lot to say...

To purchase this album and other treasures in the Inside Out catalog go to the band's website
at Pattern-Seeking Animals or Inside Out Music.  You can also connect on PSA Facebook and Twitter @psanimals1.  In these days of easy access to technology I urge you to support the artists...

To entice you just a bit further I bring you the clip below; "No Burden Left to Carry."  As the song opens you can sense the urge to burst through the headphones.  Once again the top notes have  a familiar air about them, but fused with a touch of Asia and Gekko Projekt, Pattern-Seeking Animals continue to make their own mark in the prog garden.


                      


Thank you for coming back fellow progheads.  It has certainly been an interesting journey these past six years; I've learned quite a bit about music and about myself.  The prog garden continues to offer up bumper crop after bumper crop and I am content to reap every harvest.

Listening to Pattern-Seeking Animals was not just a form of entertainment, but an education of sorts as well.  We all know artists that have been members of several bands--sometimes on-again-off-again, but with Pattern-Seeking Animals it's different.  Here they celebrate their past experiences and use all they have gained through them to bring forth something new.  For me, it makes strolling through the prog garden the pleasure it is.  One song can take you in so many directions and open so many doors...the journey seems to last forever.

With that said, time to take the search for all things prog onward...until next time...

More Ambient Serenity from Abstract Aprils

A most sincere thank you to everyone venturing back into The Closet Concert Arena!  I thought this week the perfect time to travel down the ambient path...a tranquil journey I enjoy as much as I need.  This section of the prog garden is a wonderful place to clear your mind, body, soul, and just relax.

As an extra bonus, I reconnected with an old friend I met because of this blog, enjoying his music ever since.  Abstract Aprils is the filter your body needs when the world comes at you 500 miles an hour and all you want to do is step off the carousel for a time out.

Never known to follow the masses, Abstract Aprils recently released a series of singles with the end goal being a complete album.  So in keeping with that mindset let us sit under a set of headphones allowing a new crop of ambient sounds to wash over like that first breath of fresh spring air following a way too long winter doldrums...

"Blair Eyes" gets the party started...and quickly I remember why I so fell in love with the ambient section of the prog garden.  Simply stated this piece is a cleansing of the soul...the washing away of all the grime the world manages to fling at you.  By the end of the day you yearn for a long peaceful shower to wash it all away and this is it.  The top notes of Robert Fripp are so aromatic as to make you wonder if Abstract Aprils were part of The League of Crafty Guitarists.  Even Byrne and Eno come through delicately from a transcendent perspective...

The next sound to make its way through the headphones is "Bedroom," and a more aptly named piece of music I cannot think of at the moment.  The music melts across your auditory sensors and proceeds to cascade gently down your neck, flowing through your entire body like aloe on a sunburn. Abstract Aprils captures the essence of ambient music right here; there is a calming effect that slowly overtakes your mind and spirit as you listen.

Liner Notes...those of you with good memories will recall Abstract Aprils is the alter-ego of one Collin Welner who calls Missoula, Montana home.  Collin has been recording under the Abstract Aprils moniker for about five years with several recordings to his credit. The challenge with ambient music is discovery; I know it's out there and I enjoy the soothing benefits it offers but as of yet I have not found a radio station with this subgenre included in the playlist.

Collin is an artist in the truest sense of the word--he performs his craft because he enjoys it.  There are many in the ambient section of the prog garden who are recognized as great artists; Brian Eno, Robert Fripp, Harold Budd, Can, even David Byrne has some notable ambient music in his catalog.  Still others, Twyla Tharp and Philip Glass among them, have recorded music that would fall under the ambient umbrella.  But for every Eno the are dozens of Abstract Aprils--and I mean that in a most respectful way.  Collin has put together some beautiful recordings and soundscapes...all you need to do is tune in and relax...

The next piece to emit from the headphones like a calming siren is "The Dawning" and its seamless flow into "Glimme."  The music expands your thoughts as you get lost in the moment...wandering through the doors in your mind like a tourist at Buckingham Palace.

You can purchase these latest releases and more from Abstract Aprils at bandcamp and audiosocket.
There is facebook and Twitter @AbstractAprils for keeping with the latest information on the band.

I posted "I Won't Fight" for your relaxation and mental "aroma" therapy this week.  Here Abstract Aprils lays bare all there is in the world of ambient music; soothing soundscapes, gentle patterns, and a sound that seems to come mildly from the other side of a mountain.  The canvas is running with pastel hues as the brush floats silently across its face, leaving a picture as delicate as the sounds wafting through the headphones.  Put this on and enjoy the day, putting aside the clamor of the outside world...


                  

So there you are my fellow progheads, a beautiful respite from all the madness and mayhem that surrounds you every day.  Abstract Aprils is that breath of fresh air you were looking for when you wandered into the ambient section in the first place.

One of the reasons I can enjoy so many sections of the prog garden is the "mind cleansing" I get when I spend time tuned in to ambient music.  To truly appreciate all sections of the prog garden one must occasionally "make a pit stop."  Abstract Aprils and others of the like allow the listener to do just that, all the while taking an enjoyable ride on the smoothest of mood elevators.

Of course when the elevator reaches the ground floor one must venture out so as to enjoy the next stop on the journey.  So as the search for all things prog continues, I remind you to savor the moment...until next time...

Deep Energy Orchestra "Playing With Fire"

Hello fellow progheads; welcome once again to The Closet Concert Arena!  Spring is in full bloom and the prog garden is bursting with some incredible music.  This week the search for all things prog goes off on a bit of a tangent to check in with a musician I have respected and admired for many years.  His career has crossed paths with several great bands and many talented artists...for the next 168 hours I celebrate the music of Trey Gunn and Deep Energy Orchestra.

Trey is probably best known for his time in King Crimson, and followers of this blog will (hopefully) remember a 2013 review I wrote of his amazing work in KTU.  But for now we celebrate Trey's latest project, Deep Energy Orchestra, and their debut release "Playing With Fire."

Opening track "The Return" is a soothing balm for all that ails you.  The strings are mesmerizing as they float between an inner stillness and an uptempo train ride through Bangladesh.  I feel a Ravi Shankar vibe flowing through this piece, albeit with a bit more flair.  The percussion gels with the bass line in such a seamless synergy you might think it all flows from one body...this band is as tight as Ebeneezer Scrooge...

Next piece of music to fill the headphones is "Mysterious World." This one leaps out of the gate and completely surrounds the perimeter of your skull with an aura that is as relaxing as it is stimulating.  Deep Energy Orchestra channels King Crimson on this cut; Trey celebrates his roots rather than leave them behind.

Liner Notes...in addition to Trey Gunn on Warr guitar, Deep Energy Orchestra is Jason Everett/AKA Mr. E on 7-string fretless and 6-string acoustic bass, Radhika Iyer on 7-string electric violin, Anil Prasad on tabla, Rachel Nesvig on violin, Aleida Gehrels on viola, Phil Hirschi on cello, and V. Selvaganesh on konjira and custom drum kit.  You get the idea that the group is heavy on strings, but that can almost be misleading.  The soundscapes and images created flow so effortlessly and work so well together you forget how many people are required to put it all together; the band becomes an aside to the music...

The album was recorded live in Seattle, WA over a two-day period as part of an Artist Residency Award.  Classical meets funk meets jazz meets Indian-style is a section of the prog garden I would consider at best scarcely populated...so the awe factor is in play.

Final selection is "Awakening" and the title is quite apropos.  As the guitar nudges you and drums gently poke your ribs, the canvas begins to fill with the brightness of the day. I cannot emphasize enough how tight this group is; they seem to draw strength from and feed confidence to each other.  Trey has always been one to venture far from the conventional and with Deep Energy Orchestra he is absolutely blazing a new trail.

There is a tranquil intensity to the entire album and you can make your purchase at DeepEnergyOrchestra  and bandcamp.  There is also the proverbial Facebook link and you will find Trey on Twitter @treygunn.

To fill your mind and soul this week I bring you "The Return."  I chose this cut because it offers insight into the Deep Energy Orchestra world; a glimpse not just behind the curtain but inside the creative minds of what this band is all about.  You are privy firsthand to the pleasure and joy this group exudes; Trey is a beacon of positive energy and Mr. E has found his happy place.  Let this one play on a loop a few times and all the negative aura in your world will fall away.  Somewhere George Harrison and Ravi Shankar are smiling...


                   

Thus ends another week of music and mind exploration in the prog garden.  Deep Energy Orchestra is a great example of why the prog genre casts such a wide net; the soundscapes developed here fused with that funk and jazz heartbeat make this an album unlike any I have played in quite a long time--if at all.  Trey took the road less traveled and working with giants in their own right put together a wonderful album that you will want to play over and over.

Of course the search for all things prog doesn't stop so the journey continues...until next time...

Machines Dream "Revisionist History"

Good evening fellow progheads! So far The Closet Concert Arena 2019 Edition has brought to light a superb cross section of new and under-the-radar progressive rock bands, artists, and music.  Keeping this trend going I travel this week to the Canadian tundra hoping to avoid the "Philippines-Canada Trash War" as I visit with friends making a return visit.

Machines Dream is another member of the Progressive Gears Records prog rock stable (told you there were a lot of talented bands over there).  They recently released "Revisionist History," a remixed/remastered collection of their first two albums.  This is a band that caught my attention when they first appeared in the prog garden so this stroll back to their beginnings should be interesting...

 My first morsel is "Trading Stars for Solitude."  The song opens softly, much like a morning sunrise coming into full view over a hillside.  The guitar leads you down the path and keyboards begin to pick up the pace.  Machines Dream comes into full bloom as the music fills the canvas with a cool, bright, pleasing  array of color.  The beginning of a soothing roller coaster ride...

The second song to emit from the headphones, "Mad for All Seasons," moves the tempo meter a bit.  I like a song that builds momentum like this...top notes of Rush in that regard.  Starcastle seems to splash across this cut; there is a carefree vibe that resonates like wading along the beach mid low tide.

Machines Dream travels across the prog garden deliberately and purposefully, leaving their mark in the metal and cinematic sections while traipsing through the more ominous and brooding sections as well.  This is a band firmly in control of their own destiny taking their sound to the masses.

Liner Notes...Machines Dream resides in Sault Ste. Marie Ontario, Canada.  Having been featured here a few times in the past, Machines Dream should be known to the Concert Closet faithful.

This being their first two albums remixed/remastered to "sound as they deserve to be with original missing tracks included"  it seems only logical to mention Will Geraldo for the mastering and Craig West for the producing.  The music was of course played by Keith Conway, Craig West, Marco Pierucci, Ken Coulter, Brian Holmes, and Shayne Wigglesworth.

One more cut for review; "Toronto Skyline."  One of the things Machines Dream does so well is make you think; the opening lyrics go straight to your thought processors, firing up the cerebellum.  The resulting imagery is quite striking as the canvas fills with dark hues that are highlighted with bright streaks of starlight piercing the veil of night.  There are top notes of Pink Floyd flowing through this cut and emotions drip from the music like raindrops running down the kitchen window...

You can purchase this album and the entire Machines Dream library at these websites; progressive gears records,
big cartel and bandcamp.  Tune in to Facebook and Twitter @MachinesDream to keep up with all the latest on the band.

The musical interlude this week is "The Session."  The opening voice over is hauntingly Big Brotherish as the tempo begins to build...and then the proverbial smack in the head.  Machines Dream looks at everything the world can throw at you through a different lens, reflecting on how chance can make life almost temperamental; here today gone tomorrow with no rhyme or reason as to why.  I like it when the music makes you think and entertains all at once...

                     

Once again my fellow progheads the sand has slipped through the hourglass quicker than the sun dropping below the horizon on a clear night...and as we reflect on the music we feel sated.

Machines Dream has done justice to their early recordings; consider "Revisionist History" the cleaned up version of what actually was a pretty darn good first draft.  With time, experience, and some talented friends behind the curtain this is an excellent collection.  The band no doubt feels some satisfaction in saying, "This is the way we meant these songs to be heard" without coming off pretentious.  Knowledge is a mighty sword, and Machines Dream wields it like few other up and coming bands do...I appreciate that.

Now of course the search for all things prog carries on...until next time...

Lonely Robot "Under Stars"

Hello again fellow progheads!  Always a pleasure to welcome you back to The Closet Concert Arena as the search for all things prog continues deeper into 2019.  This week the journey rounds back to London and a visit with Lonely Robot.  Their latest release "Under Stars" is on Inside Out Music, the third installment of a three album journey begun in 2015.  More than a one album concept, "Under Stars" brings closure to a concept trilogy...this is looking to be an intense week...

The album opens with "Terminal Earth," an instrumental piece that evokes images of Earth as seen from the Moon; an introduction of sorts to a wondrous journey we are about to embark on.  As the music fades/bleeds into the next cut, "Ancient Ascendant," the tempo gets an energy shot.  The mood is very interstellar; I'm careening through time and space at warp speed.  Lonely Robot is setting up the concept finale in grand style...

Settling into another song, I opt for "The Only Time I Don't Belong Is Now."  The atmosphere is still thick with an otherworldly vibe; there are definite top notes of Dream Theater and Spock's Beard looming overhead...floating around the room like an aromatic cloud.  The canvas is shrouded with grays that seem to explode randomly with bursts of light...the imagery that oozes from this album is stunning...

Liner Notes...the Lonely Robot behind the curtain is John Mitchell.  You may know John as a member of Frost*, Kino, It Bites, and Arena among others.  Lonely Robot is the outlet John uses for his solo work.  While John plays guitar, bass, keyboards and sings vocals, he is joined on this leg of the trilogy by Steve Vantsis on bass and Craig Blundell on drums.

John wears many hats in the prog garden; singer, songwriter, guitarist, producer, and sound engineer; apparently he needs to keep himself busy.  There is an incredible array of music on this album and despite being a concept--the third and final chapter of that concept actually--the music moves across so much acreage of the prog garden that it defies the concept stigma.

 Following the sound, I come across another thought provoking cut, "When Gravity Fails."  One of the really intriguing things about the music of Lonely Robot is John's ability to paint an image with words that completely fits with the mood of the  song.  I close my eyes as this song streams through the headphones and I begin to feel alternately floating weightless and sinking like I'm wearing lead boots in the ocean.  There are flashes of Mile Marker Zero coming through along with a splash of Liquid Tension Experiment.  

You can purchase this album at InsideOutMusic and johnmitchell.  Find out more about Lonely Robot at Facebook and Twitter @LordConnaught.  You will also find links to John's other music including the first two installments in this concept trilogy.

Your siren this week is "How Bright is the Sun?"  The curtain draws back on elegant solitude as the song begins to crawl slowly through your head.  As vocals cross the threshold an intensity picks up slowly and deliberately; gentle keyboards float across the top like melted butter running down the side of a stack of pancakes...this song finds your happy place...

The canvas is specked with pastel hues surrounded by brighter streaks of primary color, apropos not only to this particular cut but the entire album.  Bask in the beauty that this song emits...

                      

Once again my fellow progheads time has run out on the week.  Lonely Robot brought the story full circle with this album; the culmination of a four year vision laid out in three stages.  The beauty of "Under Stars" lies not only in the music here, but also in how it so naturally followed the emotions and feeling laid out in the first two chapters of the story.  I like the fact that John's approach was to take each album as an individual work for it's own sake with the forethought that it would all come together in the end.

Stories cannot always be told in one sitting; they need time to come together and grow...to take on a life of their own.  What Lonely Robot brought to life here is something you appreciate as it plays back in your mind and you remember how fragile and exhilarating life can be.  John started by delving into where life as we know it really originated, carried it through the musings of an artist engrossed in all there is out there, and finally showed us how we waste so much time looking for life in all the wrong places.

The prog garden is filled with many like Lonely Robot; storytellers with vision and an ability to paint with sound.  It's part of what makes the search for all things prog so special, and of course the journey continues...until next time...