K’mono: “Mind Out Of Mind” (2023) – Album Review

Summary

Drawing influence from classic eclectic and symphonic prog bands. shaped by a blend of hard and space rock, and filtered through a lens of contemporary neo-prog, Mind Out Of Mind by K’mono is one of the most thrilling and engaging albums of the year. Take an extended dip into the waters of this tonal oasis.

Album Info

Hot-Take Review

K’mono’s sophomore album, Mind Out Of Mind, has been generating quite the buzz. While I have no doubt I would have listened to the album eventually, I will straight out admit the album cover helped solidify my decision. I mean, just look at it. It’s as if a Christ came to Pepperland as a Blue Meanie, somehow. Salvation takes many forms, man.

Indeed, salvation seems to be a recurring theme in Mind Out Of Mind. The album is conceptual, about a title character (a king) exiled from his kingdom (his mind), only to reclaim it once more as a transformed being. To manifest this theme, K’mono brought their progressive rock stylings to bear, drawing influence from classic eclectic and symphonic prog bands. Their sound is further shaped by a blend of hard and space rock, all filtered through a lens of contemporary neo-prog. The result is one of the most thrilling and engaging albums of the year.

The album commences boldly with its near ten-minute title track. The longest track on the record, “Mind Out of Mind” proudly proclaims its prog identity, with punchy basslines, swirling atmospheric keys, and dynamic drumwork. The song navigates the territories of classic prog and psychedelic/space rock, with echoes of Yes, Rush, and Hawkwind but refracted through contemporary proclivities. The haunting keyboard solo around the 5:30 mark is a standout, a desperate wild animal howl crying for a human touch

“Good Looking” has been described as the “album single”, and at 3:57 it certainly has that radio-friendly length. Undoubtedly, it retains a soulful slinkiness, with a grooving bassline, sparkling guitar tones, and some Alan Parsons Project-reminiscent vocals. The song is undeniable catchy, albeit with a sudden time-shift almost three minutes in that leads into a jazzier instrumental outro. While I adore both sections, their amalgamation here doesn’t entirely satisfy me.

“In The Lost & Found” could be my favorite track on the album. Intrinsically, the track serves as an emblem of the entire album. Comprised of multiple stylistic elements and musical motifs, it holds together as a singular cohesive and enthralling piece. There’s a bit of funk, jazz, and deeply satisfying yacht rock touches, yet never straying too far from its prog roots. The band experiments with vocal sounds and modulations, weaving a more intricate and captivating sonic tapestry.

“Time Will Tell…” is the album’s shortest track. At nearly two minutes in length, there’s a bit of Beatlesque pop that meets 70s symphonic prog grandiosity. The outcome is a sweet symphony of epic melody that segues into the folksy “Tell Me The Lore”. This track erupts into a charming, uplifting piece. Every note exudes exuberance, from the warmth of the interlocking keyboard lines, the lush vocal harmonies, and the incredible bass and drum work locking the tune down.

In “Millipede Man,” the narrator undertakes a march back to reclaim their mind’s fortress, a funky track, symbolizing strength and determination through the analogy of growing multiple limbs.. Or something. The 70s-styled keyboards evoke insectoid movements (reinforced by the vocal performance, which deliberately feels more foreign and staccato, at least for the first half of the song). It’s an intriguing yet welcome track.

The narrative comes to a conclusion with “Answers In The Glass”. The song opens with an uptempo bassline and some sweet vocal harmonies. The battle has completed, the villains conquered, and the hero has reconquered his mind:

Stay the saint you are
Revel in your finest hour – it could have been your last
The past serves the future now
You are the archetype

Whatever might be happening in the narrative, the track maintains the musical flow entirely with an epic closer. Everything comes to a point here, with moments of freewheeling Supertramp ecstasy circling around a tune driven by gleeful joy and a hint of menace. Despite oscillating between prog, funk, rock, and melodic pop, the song never feels disjointed.

Reinforcing the ‘album single’ notion mentioned earlier, the album concludes with ‘Good Looking (Radio Version). The only significant difference is that it lacks the jazzy time-shifted section of the previous version of the track. As a result the song probably flows better overall and makes for a more singular listening experience. But I can never be truly happy, can I? I found myself missing the jazzy outro!

However, that’s merely a nitpick on what is otherwise a stellar record. K’mono assembled a fantastic release with Mind Out Of Mind, weaving strands of progressive and rock music into an inventive and compelling album. The album enters into a tonal oasis from the get-go and stays there throughout, which works only when that vibe is worth the extended visit. I assure you: it is. Take a long, cool dip into Mind Out Of Mind.

What similar albums does ChatGPT recommend?

While it behooves me to remind my readers that everything you just read is 100% Mills, let’s ask our friendly neighborhood AI for some similar album recommendations.

Based on the analysis of your review and the sonic landscape you’ve described, here are five album recommendations for fans of K’mono’s “Mind Out Of Mind”:

Steven Wilson – “The Raven That Refused to Sing (And Other Stories)” (2013)
As the former frontman of Porcupine Tree and a prominent figure in modern progressive rock, Steven Wilson’s third solo album is a masterpiece of contemporary prog. With a conceptual narrative and richly layered instrumentals, it’s a great choice for fans of K’mono.

The Dear Hunter – “Act V: Hymns with the Devil in Confessional” (2016)
The Dear Hunter’s music is a genre-defying mix of progressive rock, indie, and post-hardcore. Their album “Act V” is part of an ambitious six-album concept series, and its blend of narrative storytelling and diverse musical influences make it a good match for fans of K’mono’s conceptual approach.

Haken – “Vector” (2018)
Known for their complex compositions and technical prowess, Haken is a British progressive metal band that often experiments with other genres. Their fifth studio album “Vector” offers a balance of heavy riffs, atmospheric elements, and intricate melodies that could appeal to fans of K’mono’s more hard rock-inspired moments.

Big Big Train – “Grimspound” (2017)
Big Big Train has a neo-prog style with a pastoral and nostalgic edge, filled with strong melodies and intricate musical passages. Their album “Grimspound” is celebrated for its lush arrangements, storytelling lyrics, and mixture of prog, folk, and pop influences.

Tame Impala – “Currents” (2015)
If fans of K’mono are drawn to their more psychedelic and space rock influences, they might enjoy Tame Impala’s “Currents”. This album marked a shift towards more synth-driven and dance-oriented music for the Australian band, but maintained their psychedelic roots, resulting in a blend of sounds that could intrigue K’mono fans.

Output from ChatGPT, OpenAI to Mills, 3 July 2023.