ANTHROPOCENE

It is always nice to be contacted by a band through PA, as not only am I always pleased when a band is making an effort to get their music out there, but if they have contacted me then it means that they have read at least some of my reviews and feel that I may enjoy their music. That is definitely the case here, as Emmanuel de Saint M'en (bass, keyboards & backing vocals) thought that I would be interested in the fourth full-length album from him and Steven Francis (guitars, vocals, drums & additional programming), who go under the name Delusion Squared. Apparently the French band was formed in 2009, but this is the first time I have come across their wonderfully delicate take on prog rock.

The whole approach is that of gentleness, harmony, beauty and fragility. This isn't music to be amplified into the school, making its way in by force, but instead looks for the breaks in the psyche as it moves into the brain and gently takes up residence. Both melodic and crafted, this is crossover prog at its best, bringing together Alan Parsons Project, No Man, the softer side of Porcupine Tree together with harmonies that one might better expect from the likes of Simon & Garfunkel. There are rock guitars, but they are there to provide just the right amount of dynamics. Overall, It is light, and a quite different approach to much of the music that is currently in the scene. This album is one that can be played repeatedly, and each time the listener will sit there with a smile on their face. At least I did.