CITY OF THE SUN

Heliopolis must be the most retro-est proggy band of them all, bringing back the "happy Yes" sound with its tinkling keyboards, high-register vocals and guitars and uplifting lyrics. Despite the King Crimsonian angry-sounding opening to the first song and some lyrics about deceased friends, this album mostly translates the "I was sad, but then I listened to some prog and now I'm happy" vibe. Songs are generally long and jam-like, slowing down only to happily pick up the pace again. Curiously, because of the brisk pace and the way the vocals and instruments sound I caught myself thinking, while listening to this in my car when I drove for baby supplies, as if someone pushed the fast- forward button on a cassette player while still on play. And then I laughed. This is completely, 100% percent retro, but see how happy this made me?