Staff picks

It's always nice when form follows function and the message dictates the medium of its expression. What starts out as a somewhat ordinary prog rock album soon turns heavier and blends space rock and stoner to support the narrative of a space exploring android. I've always found bands to be at their most imaginative when they cross over into genres outside their established conventions. If unwilling to explore the album in full make sure you at least listen to the (mostly instrumental) closing track "The Return of Daedalus." It's some great songwriting and theme development right there with exceptional bass-work to boot. It's not an all around perfect album but some of it is quite spectacular indeed.