EXOTIC CREATURES AND A STOLEN DREAM

The absurdly prolific Anthony Kalugin returns with the eighth album under his Sunchild moniker. Musically, the differences between Sunchild and Kalugin's best-known project Karfagen are pretty slim, the chief one being an increased emphasis on vocals, and with it, a penchant for radio-friendly melodies (albeit often presented in far from radio-friendly forms).

On this one we have just two lengthy suites (plus a couple of short bonus tracks), that immediately transport the listener with dreamlike fluidity. These are not just long songs, but purposefully unhurried ones. Yes, there's a little bite to the electric guitars at times, but for all its implied grandeur, this album is for the most part a serene, meditative listening experience - comfort prog at its absolute comfiest.

If you're looking for something revolutionary and challenging, this ain't it. But if, like me, you sometimes need an album just to get you through another dreary day in the office - something that's light and reassuring, but with just enough proggy heft to hold your attention - then "Exotic Creatures and a Stolen Dream" might just do the trick.