I always dig the electronic music of Mythos. This album is no exception. It’s a set that serves as a tribute to the writer Jules Verne (arguably the first science fiction writer). This might be my favorite album from Mythos, really.
This review is available in book format (hardcover and paperback) in Music Street Journal: 2015 Volume 6 at lulu.com/strangesound.
Track by Track Review
The Mysterious Island
The keyboards that start this really do feel mysterious. The cut works out from there to something a bit like Vangelis meets Kraftwerk with some space music in the mix. It really turns more symphonic and lush in a lot of ways. This is beautiful and powerful.
Mighty Orinoco This electronic piece is much more like pure Vangelis in a lot of ways. It also makes me think a bit of some of Rush’s keyboard based moments. There is a symphonic air to it, though. There are some cool rhythmic moments here, too.
Eight Hundred Leagues on the Amazon
The electronic prog elements are powerful here. Some hummed sounds lend a great air to this. The whole piece has a cool processional vibe in some ways. The mellower section mid-track that feels like theremin is cool.
All Around the Moon Starting with a tolling bell, this works out to something akin to Kraftwerk mixed with space music. It’s another solid piece.
Southern Star Mystery Mellower, but somehow more dramatic, this is quite beautiful and lush. There are some chorale styled vocals here.
A Drama in the Air I like the melodies on this piece and the energized rhythmic elements. This isn’t a big change, but it is effective.
Off on a Comet This really might be my favorite piece on this disc. It’s the same in terms of general territory. It just has some great dramatic moments, melodies and textures. It is really extremely effective.
The Ice Sphinx Adventure Really, this does feel a bit like an adventure. It’s dramatic and energized. It’s also rather fun.
Jules Verne Forever With some synthesized vocals, this really does call to mind Kraftwerk quite a bit.
Five Weeks in a Balloon
Rather gentle and bouncy, this has an airy quality to it. It has some great melodies, too.
