KING LAURIN AND HIS ROSEGARDEN

This was MAD PUPPET's third studio album from 1994. One of the earlier Neo Prog bands for sure with their debut being released in 1982. I haven't heard it though so I'm not sure if it was Neo or not. This band is a five piece out of Italy and I'd say that almost every person who has heard all four of their albums would rate this one the highest. This recording is all about the story, so yes a concept album that even goes as far as to have narration(in English) or spoken words on every track. Mostly to end the song but at other times too on that 20 plus minute opener. I'm not into the narration and I've never been big on concept albums so 3 stars fits given the music is well done and the vocals sound like you would expect from a Neo-Prog band.

Highlights for me include "The Rosegarden". I just like the sound as the vocals arrive around 1 1/2 minutes and they will become passionate. Some nice guitar after 3 minutes during an instrumental section. I like "The Meditation" as well and again it boils down to me just liking how this sounds. The bass is at it's best on this one. Check out the guitar before 3 minutes. The music is quite well done and so are the vocals so I would recommend this highly to Neo-Prog fans out there.