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March 2023

• Excalion: Once Upon A Time
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February 2023

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January 2023

• Girish & The Chronicles: Back On Earth (Reissue)
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December 2022

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[ More Music Reviews ]

Lonely Robot: Under Stars

Melodic Progressive Rock

5.0/5.0

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InsideOut Music
Words: Craig Hartranft
Added: 17.04.2019 | Released: 26.04.2019

With Under Stars, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist John Mitchell (Frost, Kino, Arena, et al), brings his Lonely Robot trilogy to a close. So what are Mitchell and his wandering, wayward astronaut exploring this time? Mitchell explains, "This time, things are a little more down to earth. What I'm doing is looking at the millennial generation, and the fact that kids today are so tied to their phones and to technology. They really have no clue what is actually going on around them, and I find that worrying." I hate to break it to you John, but it ain't just the kids.

John Mitchell

But themes, concepts, and lyrical expressions can be elusive in a musical context, especially when not permitted to have the lyrics. So, I return to focus on the music, which needs little explanation. Mitchell offers his wistful melodic progressive rock filled with his synth and guitar magic, then wrapped in fine melody, strong vocal harmony, and lightly complex arrangements. Simple. To coin a phrase from a Geico commercial, "It's just what he does."

However, as usual I'm drawn to a Mitchell composition with strong guitar work, notably in the leads, like Under Stars, Authorship Of Our Lives, and The Only Time I Don't Belong Is Now. With the mellow How Bright Is The Sun, synths and voice lead the song before reaching a guitar solo followed by a synth solo. Within the mostly instrumental Inside The Machine, the guitar rises quickly and roars with soaring power almost to the end. Kick ass, baby! The final song is apropos, The Ending, a calm and introspective-like conclusion to the trilogy. Needless to say, Under Stars is a fine conclusion to John Mitchell's Lonely Robot trilogy, but hopefully not the end to the project or his ongoing personal exploration of melodic progressive rock. Easily recommended.

Alan Parsons: The Secret

Melodic/Symphonic/Pop Rock

5.0/5.0

As the saying sometimes goes, Alan Parsons needs little introduction. Unless, of course, you been living under a rock. From The Beatles to The Hollies, McCartney ... [ Read More ]

Under Stars is a fine conclusion to John Mitchell's Lonely Robot trilogy, but hopefully not the end to the project or his ongoing personal exploration of melodic progressive rock. Easily recommended.

Alphabetical Index

Formed 23 years ago, Finland's Excalion has had a turbulent musical career. Before releasing a trio of albums between 2005 and 2010, they had personnel changes. Currently, only the drummer and keyboard ... [ Read More ]