LONELY ROBOT is the latest outfit from John Mitchell, a English song writer and producer within the Prog Rock field.  To be honest, I had never heard his name before but I'm definitely going to check out his numerous other projects-based upon LONELY ROBOT's second album, this man is indeed a Prog mastermind.  This newest album features a character called THE ASTRONAUT, someone that was in the first LONELY ROBOT album.  I haven't heard that album so I cannot comment on the story connections but "The Big Dream," features that character waking up from cryosleep, finding himself in the woods while happening across people with animal heads.  Yeah, try not to shake your head, I'm sure it makes sense but the important thing is the album never sounds too out there, despite what I just wrote.

It's progressive in the sense of overall atmospheric leanings and the variety contained within the songs-there is very little focus on technical abilities so if you are expecting some Prog shred then you might be disappointed. However, don't let that fool you; Mitchell, who plays everything except drums on this album, is a damn good musician and does his fair share of rocking here. "Awakenings" features some awesome metal guitar riffs, spacey keyboards, and some really excellent drumming by BLUNDELL.  This song is a bit heavier than the rest of the album, but it does have a spacey mid- section with a bad ass guitar solo.  If this story line involves an astronaut out from space exploring a new land, then the music really captures that feeling of wonderment and adventure. "Sigma" opens up with some more keyboards tinged with an "outer space" feel and a groovy riff. Mitchell's vocals during the stanza are ran through a filter but open up to a nice, clean chorus.  His vocal performance throughout the album is very clean, precise, and he definitely has a killer tone.

"Symbolic" is perhaps the best example of the album's overall sound.  It features some catchy and well played bass, more of those epic, spacey keyboards, and Mitchell's voice riding upon the guitar riffs.  Blundell's drums are rather intense for such an atmospheric song but it somehow compliments it without overpowering.  Actually, the drumming, along with the wonderful melodic and exciting guitar solos, really help keep the rather progressive music grounded and help anchor the somewhat odd story line from becoming a little too thin.  I usually prefer my Prog with more edge and heaviness but there isn't denying the interesting concept the impeccably well played music presents on this release.  Fans of progressive rock will find a lot to love here.