VELVET CRUNCH

A disappointment. Checking the Prog Archives Top Albums of 2025 list last week (since we were now half-way thru the year), and having never heard of this band or album, I was surprised to see it listed at an eye-popping #5 for the year. Seeing that it had few, but very high ratings, and seemed to be something right up my alley, I was excited to check it out. Unfortunately, what unfolded was some competently played and arranged, but somewhat dull, bland, and lethargic atmospheric melodic prog. Closest comparison would be something along the lines of a heavily sedated Alan Parsons Project. Certainly not bad, and some nice gentle melodies. Pleasant, innocuous, safe, but nothing very interesting or exciting here. Pretty generic. Sure, it is probably relaxing, but maybe more sleep- or trance-inducing than relaxing. Sorry to be negative, but just can't see the high ratings for this (and had to write this review to counter some of that praise). It's fine if you like this style, but there's nothing very proggy about this, it's more mellow pop. Rating: 2.5

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