The Brainiac 5

Much of the material on this album came out of the same sessions for ‘Journey To X’ (reviewed here in December last year) and it carries forward their signature sound – heavily driven and highly melodic psych/prog with hints of the Canterbury sound and some of the jazz touches of Soft Machine.

Vocalist Charlie Taylor has a memorable voice and their liberal use of mellotron gives a strong nod to their origins in the mid-70’s but the music is as relevant today as any of the other prog bands plying the boards at the moment.

Every play of the album leaves the listener with something new to get their ears around. Whether it is the strong guitar lines from Duncan Kerr (Mad Dog) and his screaming solo on ‘The Holy Tangible’ (a new version of one of their classics with new lyrics based on a poem by Elizabeth Jennings) or the Hawkwind-esque driving rhythms of ‘Wave’.
One of their earliest numbers ‘Trotsky’ gets a fresh airing under the guise of ‘She’s Free (A.K.A. Trotsky)’ with a wonderful vocal from guest Jessie Pie over a reggae backing and powerful riffage in the break.

My favourite track here is actually one of the shortest; ‘My Time’ is a superb piece of psych-pop, very much in the manner of The Len Price 3, a perfect song to pogo to and you rapidly find yourself swirling around the room like a loon.

The album closes with ‘Space Is The Place (For Sun Ra)’ with superb guitar from Taylor and some sumptuous harmonies. A track so good you find yourself setting the whole album up to play again – every time.

The Brainiac 5 Are a remarkable modern band with hints in the past as well a future leaning view in their music. They are also one of the most listenable bands around at the moment.