LOST IN AN ABSINTHE DREAM

The eighth Mutiny in Jonestown studio album sees the band release it's strongest prog offering yet. Half of the 10 songs were deemed worthy to include on the bands 2 best-of compilations, "Anthology II 1993 - 2002" and "The Witching Hour". The album itself flows very well and includes many extended compositions. The opening title track clocks in at 10 and a half minutes while the third track, 'Our Dark Design' comes in a little over 10 minutes. Both are multi part journeys lead by the dense lyrical content and musical backgrounds that support and reinforce their meanings. Plenty of lead synthesizer and guitar solos fill them. 'Our Dark Design' ends with a wonderful synth and guitar dual solo. Sandwiched between them is, 'Something Wicked This Way Comes', a 7 and a half minute adaptation of the Ray Bradbury novel of the same name. Those looking closely will notice the original version of 'Something Wicked'' was released on the previous album. The song was improved and completely rerecorded for it's inclusion here.

The remaining songs range from 'The Lady Catherine' (loosely based on the part of the film Bram Stokers Dracula that centers around the Theatre Vampire in France'a twisted love song about a vampire and her willing 'donor'), to 'How?' a scathing hardcore punk-like attack on the current issues facing 1993. Others are multi part, often complex compositions heavy on the lyrics. Speaking of lyrics, the final two pieces, 'Middle' and 'Who is Most Afraid?' are both ee cummings poems set to music. 'Middle' makes ample use of the mellotron choir sound and it's bridge section is one of the craziest ' waltzes you'll ever hear. 'Who is Most Afraid' is a nearly 8 minute journey through the poem with one of the best album ending song sections on any Mutiny in Jonestown release so far. The final ee cummings words, ''and drawing thy mouth toward my mouth, steer our lost bodies carefully downward' gives way to a repeating melodic guitar solo highly reminiscent of the way Steve Hackett ended the 'Spectral Mornings' album.

This album is available on BandCamp. I firmly believe this is the second Mutiny in Jonestown album to deserve a 4 star rating and I invite anyone reading this to give it a listen and hear this little known jewel for yourself.