SPACE STORM

Swiss quintet Nautilus was not a great band, and among the progressive mess of the late 1970s, perhaps not even a very good one. Space Storm is abruptly performed and gravely recorded and the vocals are, well, rough. It's one of those records so late to the party (and without any wine) that no one cared. Nor should they have.

But there is something here, something offered with affection for the recessive gene known as progressive rock at a risky moment for such nonsense, and this squeaky band remind of a time when music was still in the hands of the people, for better or worse. Almost naive in sound, Nautilus took their shot and I gotta respect 'em for it. If it weren't for guys like these the overgrown insignificance of obscure Prog would barely exist. Go-Go-like 'NYC Lights' is almost there but not quite; 'Poseidon' is dragged through the mud, has a 'Let it Be' styled guitar part and could be an early Spinal Tap demo that even they rejected; Inexcusably out-of-tune 'King of a Thousand Worlds' isn't a half-bad arrangement and though it is execution that plagues this band, the cut ain't bad, maybe even a highpoint here in its Beggars Opera-style innocence; And bumper 'Street Life' backward echoes the melodic symph-metal that was right around the corner. 'Out from the Sky' meanders when it should move but promising 'Illusions' is fusiony in the right ways and 'Saturday Night' is more high-booted, suede-fringed 60s raveup.

To be looked in to but avoided generally, like an island retreat that appears charming online but all too dire when seen up close and in person. Is that arterial spray on the Ottoman? And what exactly is that smell?