I HAVE LITTLE TO NO MEMORY OF THESE MEMORIES

Line-up / Musicians: - Mike Mills / everything

1. "The Hoarder" (single version) (3:13) reminds me of The Psychedelic Ensemble's sound used to put together a "Bohemian Rhapsody"-inspired Queen song. (9/10)

2. "I Have Little to No Memory of These Memories" (47:47) What starts out sounding like a more-manically re-invisioned MOON SAFARI's Blomljud turns into Devy TOWNSEND's Ziltoid the Omniscient 3.0 via the instrumental sounds used by Berklee College's NATIVE CONSTRUCT on their 2015 revelatory Quiet World. Later familiar themes, styles, and sounds come in the form of early and classic RUSH, THE BUGGLES' The Age of Plastic, AC/DC, QUEEN, IRON MAIDEN, POISON, STYX, THE POLICE, BON JOVI, QUEENSR?CHE, OPETH, ARJEN LUCASSEN, PAIN OF SALVATION, and so many more. The instrumental sounds so often bring me back to The Psychedelic Ensemble. Unfortunately, the way Mike has strung together so many seemingly unrelated musical styles into this one compact homage to musicians past reminds me of one of my most detested musical products of all-time: Edge of Sanity's (highly-acclaimed) release from 1996, Crimson. I do think it a bit misleading that the very-clearly delineated musical motifs aren't individuated and given separate titles as they so easily could. Heck, there's even dead-air space between many of the songs! Some of the ideas are so derivative that I can't help but think "why?" And the linking of such divergently different motifs (or what I'd call "songs") is quite a bold and, frankly, odd decision--despite the story's (supposed) continuity. The music is very well-composed and "performed" despite it all having been "performed" by one lone artist on one single track. (Just kidding. We must assume that Mike used some kind of computer program to create and/or record each individual instrument's track.) The sound engineering and final mix is quite well-executed. (Again, we must assume that the engineering and mixing also occurred on a computer.) Impressive skills (at least compositionally if not instrumentally). On YouTube most everything you find about Mike/Michael make note of his extraordinary vocal talents/abilities. I have to agree: the man is quite talented and has obviously worked hard to hone his skills; his voice (and stylistic choices) seem quite adaptable to many styles and ways of expressing his emotions and lyrics. (89/95)

Total Time 51:00

An album that draws together many different sound themes from many bands through history (many of whom I have cited above). I highly commend the collection of styles Mike has so lovingly (and accurately) imitated in this, a composition that is very much his own. The sound and production are both excellent with clear delineation between instruments yet blended seemlessly together to make "complete"-sounding "songs" all. Also, the humorous lyrics and storyline are enjoyable (especially as they are delivered by such a gifted vocalist), even if the ideas they're based on are not so very original. As mentioned above, I am not so confident commending the musicianship of the sound we hear due to the question of how much of the instrumental performances are computer generated and how much were actually played by Mike. Also, noting how I've never been a big fan of music that strings together motifs from other historically significant (or recognizable) songs and artists, despite how serious and well done are the tributes, I am naturally inclined to want to not like these kinds of "homage" projects. Despite all of this, I cannot deny the fact that I like this album: I walk away with its sounds and ideas reverberating in my head; I find that I very much enjoy each time I return to the album. Also, I cannot, and will not, deny the genius of the man who pulled all of this together. Mike, you deserve all the accolades the critics are willing to throw your way. The bottom line: this is good music; this is an enjoyable, fun listen.

A/five stars: a masterpiece of progressive rock music; an album worthy of inclusion in any and every prog lover's music collection. I have a feeling that as this album gains traction (as more people hear it) it will eventually establish itself as one of prog's all-time classics.