Monkey3: Welcome to the Machine

How in the world had I never heard of this band before the release of Welcome to the Machine? I’ve spent many hours listening to it and the band’s back catalog. I have to say most of their output is great, in my opinion. Of course, it does hit the sweet spot for me: instrumental prog with some space rock and jazzy elements to it.

As the title of the album would suggest, it definitely has a Floyd vibe, but I don’t think it is as derivative as some claim, though I have to admit that the first track robs blatantly from “Shine on You Crazy Diamond.� Instead, I think most of the album stands on the shoulders of others who have gone before and builds on but doesn’t better them, of course.

When listening to it, I was reminded of a largely unnoticed album by an Israeli outfit, Telegraph. In 2018, they released the outstanding Mir. As far as I can tell, that’s the only thing they have done. It has vocals, but the feel is largely the same, though Monkey3 can get considerably heavier at times.

Welcome to the Machine will definitely make my top ten albums of the year. Highly recommended for fans of instrumental prog. Oh, and check out Mir while you’re at it.

Track Listing
1. Ignition (10:38)
2. Collision (6:03)
3. Kali Yuga (10:01)
4. Rackman (7:13)
5. Collapse (12:50)

Added: November 16th 2024
Reviewer: Aaron Steelman
Score:
Related Link: Band Website
Hits: 116
Language: english

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