3:47 E.S.T. [AKA: KLAATU]

I'll never understand people's unwillingness to consider Klaatu as prog, at the very least Art Rock, with the capital A. Early on when compared to Pink Floyd & the Beatles, they saw themselves more along the musical lines of the Moody Blues. Which, over their career, one can see the similarities more easily. On this sparkling debut, though, they created a prog masterpiece. Lengthy orchestral pieces bookend the album. Calling Occupants is probable one of the most intelligent & classic pieces of music to play on the radio. California Jam is a Beach Boys' - like summer dream, a condensation of sunny day fun & sun, carefree escape that once out of one's teenage years, we seem to be unable to imagine. Anus of Uranus, along with True Life hero are the rockers. The guitars' tone in Anus, are equalled only by Boston's 1st album from that period. And while Anus is not exactly prog, Klaatu weren't the only progressive group to rock out on occasion. With the slightly psychedelic lyrics about our protagonist's friend, it's a space celtic reel on ovedrive. For those who wanted to see this as the Beatles, Sub Rosa Subway & Dr. Marvello were Paul & John tunes. The first, a heavenly melody, with whimsical lyrics on the 19th construction of a metro, building to an orchestral crescendo celebrating Albert's success; the second one, Dr. Marvello, eerily echoing Lennon's sometimes spacey melancholic side, with its theme of a dream of a search for happiness. Sir Bodsworth Rugglesby III, well, the Beatles did these kiddie type tunes to perfection, Genesis had their musical hall numbers, and Klaatu has this one. Harmless, enjoy it for what it is. Finally the piece de resistance - Little Neutrino : an atomic subparticle's story of its' voyage through the universe. Or is it a tale of loneliness ? Pink Floyd, Tangerine Dream, just imagine floating through space. I hear bits of VDGG in the arrangement, but the song just screams serious music. For those who hated the hype & carried their hatred or disappointment over to the group, please remind yourself that it was the media, not the group who was responsible for that. And enjoy it for what it is - a marvelous Art Rock Opus that song//arrangement/production - wise stood as an equal to other so-called Rock High Art from the mid 70s.