TELEPATHIC MINDS

1. "War to End All Wars" (8:43) bombastic opening is quite reminiscent of a lot of other NeoProg bands' songs. Settling down into guitar and synth support for the vocal entry is classic prog-by-numbers. I like the chunky bass being so forward in the mix. The drums sound nice but are perhaps mixed a bit too forward. Nice melodies--quite similar to The Flower Kings or RPWL. Odd little pseudo-1980s-metal instrumental passage in the sixth, seventh, and eighth minutes displaying proficiency but lacking any originality. (17.5/20)

2. "Ghosts from the Future" (12:41) I mean, it's competent music and musicianship--and contains plenty of bombast and drama--it's just that the song lacks interesting things like hooks and melodies. The flute and choral vocals are about the only things aside from the STEVEN WILSON-like final 90 seconds. (21.5/25) : - i) Endless Sleep - ii) Last Chance to Bail

3. "Sail Across the Universe" (8:22) unremarkable 1980s-influenced heavy prog using rather mundane vocabulary (in English) to try to express some grand/profound ideas. Nothing very memorable here. (16.75/20)

4. "The Pilot's Not Fit to Fly" (9:19) blues-rock that sounds like ATLANTA RHYTHM SECTION or CHRIS REA. Even the melodies and guitar play sound like the above-mentioned artists. Very pleasant Yacht Rock. (17.333/20)

5. "Sleep Tight Sweetheart" (5:50) some IZZ/GRAND STAND-like music with a Steven Wilson/David Gilmour vocal over the top. Both are a little too simplistic and derivative to garner any attention or praise. Not much instrumental flash or prowess on display. Good sound, though. (8.75/10)

CD 2 (44:10) 6. "Telepathic Minds" (17:18) one of my other top three songs. (32.125/35) : - i) Hypnotized - very nice, genuinely emotional vocal performance (9.5/10) - ii) Random Honesty - nice transition into a more 1980s heavy pop sound. Well composed (with all the hooks required of a good radio-friendly song) and recorded. (9/10) - iii) Telepathic Minds - opens with some guitar riffing announcing a kind of GUNS 'N' ROSES energy before moving into a Peter SCHILLING-sounding vocal. Forward-driving without being too aggressive or clichéd. (9.25/10) - iv) Back in Time - an instrumental journey taking off from the final "back in time" lyric from the previous section but then turning quite syrupy soft (with a pseudo-jazzy Fender Rhodes foundation!) power ballad. Nice bluesy guitar solo over the Hammond organ in the middle, but, overall, this is just a little too syrupy for me. (8.875/10) - v) Reprise: Home Again - a reprise of pretty much all of the suite's themes--like an overture! (4.5/5)

7. "Tuesday That Never Came" (4:04) I like the opening--especially the breathy vocal that Alex uses but also the layers of delicate guitar play. When the band moves into a heavier, plodding variation of the same theme at 2:08 I find myself at first annoyed but then, with consistency and repetition it all becomes comfortable and enjoyable. I must say, Alex's "backed off" vocal approach feels much more "real" and heart-felt--even vulnerable. A top three song. (9/10)

8. "Planet of Disorder" (7:18) heavy jungle rhythms with breathy flute open this one. When the vocal joins in there's an effect on Alex's voice that, for some reason, make me feel I'm in a room between a SYLVAN and KING GIZZARD & THE LIZARD WIZARD. One of the more engaging chorus motifs on the album help keep me interested--as does the interesting background synth play throughout the verses. The metal lead guitar flourishes could be dropped. There is a very pleasant, even pretty, pastoral flute and acoustic guitar section in the fourth and fifth minutes before the band returns to the NeoProg patterns from the rhythm section. Weird muffled guitar solo in the sixth minute is almost drowned out by being mixed so far back in the sonic field. (13.125/15)

9. "Sheep Stay Silent" (7:45) interesting opening sound like a mix of electronic sequencing, LINKIN PARK, and STEVEN WILSON which eventually moves into a more METALLICA/SW slow chugging with some weird Caroline ballad lyrics. (12.75/15)

10. "Almost Always Near the End" (7:45) This song feels like an awkward, almost forced blending of incompatible sounds and styles never really drawing me in (as much as I try). It does have a nice SYLVAN-like ending, though. (12.75/15)

Total Time 89:05

I've had this album since it came out in April but have found it quite a challenge to A) feel interested enough to listen to it start to finish and B) find the time (or desire) to want give it that kind of attention. 90 minutes is a lot of time to dedicate to listening to music (unless you're really loving the music).

B/four stars; a very nice contribution of varied though 80s power rock-oriented progressive rock music. Check it out for yourselves.

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