MIND OUT OF MIND

Apollon Records sent me this promo copy towards the end of 2023 or early 2024 and I just assumed it was some kooky Norwegian band as this is where that record label resides, so I was very surprised to read this trio are from Minneapolis. I mean check out the cover art and the back cover, both are hilarious. I honestly thought this was a parody of our music at first, it's humerous and extremely well played with many bands coming to mind over the 41 1/2 minutes. So many different styles with the 80's coming to mind a lot early on. A lot of my feeling have to do with the fact that they channel many vocals styles as well over this album.

Without question one of the most exciting and bizarre records I've heard in a while. I don't have their debut but the band was placed here under Neo Prog based on it, this one sounds more like a Crossover record to me. The art work inside is so well done as this is apparently a recording about a deposed king. Unique artwork even on the physical cd itself. The band lists CAMEL, KING CRIMSON and YES as big influences and of those I did think of YES the most.

That opening title track at almost 10 minutes really had my attention the first time I heard it. Sounds like Jonas Renske from KATATONIA singing in his mono-toned way but the music is far from his band. Synths, beats and mellotron lead early then it turns more powerful.I'm thinking KING GZZARD during the calm with vocals then PT-like around 7 minutes this is an incredible start. The bass pops throughout this recording and I like the keyboards a lot as well. Drumming top notch while guitar is mostly not in the style I like.

"Good Looking" is so 80's sounding I mean come on! Catchy and kind of cool I suppose. I did think of THE CHURCH here with the twangy guitar and vocals. "In The Lost & Found" has more of that guitar I was just talking about and this is a long one at over 8 minutes. Piano here for a change. Hit and miss overall but I like the synths here. "Tell Me The Lore" is the closest to being a Neo track but I would also suggest this has YES written all over it. I like the chorus a lot. "Millipede Man" is intricate and punchy early and is another track drawing on the 80's. THE BOX especially with those deeper vocals. The closer "Answers In The Glass" opens with electronics as drums and bass join in. High pitched distant vocals too and they will become the focus. There's some treated spoken words in a powerful instrumental section that is repeated that I really like on this one.

So refreshing this recording even if it sounds familiar from the beginning to the end. This is one of those rare records that stands out from the pack. A lot of fun and a solid 4 stars..