Now that I am back in the reviewing saddle again, after a sensational 3 week European holiday, I have all the proof I need now to boldly state without any hint of error, that both Dave Allen and Colin Powell are insomniacs, who sleep perhaps a few hours a day, spending the rest of the 20 hours at their disposal continuously recording between occasional helpings of curry or fish and chips. Retired life, wot? Being educated in common law, here is the crucial and uncontested evidence: Spirergy is mister Allen’s project and since 2023 he has released 3 albums (all magnificent). A Multitude of One is mister Powell’s venture and in 2015 produced 3 recordings and from 2017 to last year, pumped out 5 albums. TOGETHER with Riffstone , the two have blasted two 2025 albums and a trio in 2026 . My first refutation: if they claim innocence, circumstance or happenstance, my first rebuttal straight out of the Genesis catalog, quoting some barrel called Harold : “You must be joking, take a running jump!” All five are stellar monuments to the horn of plenty with “Sanctuary Sky” and “Great Journeys” being absolute jewels. Well, the 12 signs of the Zodiac have propelled this duo even higher into the rarefied air of Prog genius with this sizzling (and unannounced) release that landed only recently into my overtaxed inbox. And the cover art is sumptuous, a real gem, one of the few things AI can get right when properly prompted.
The grandiloquent “Aries” finds our two cosmic travellers kicking off the astral promenade in full form as expected. In fact, I could not help noticing a distinct 70s Steve Hillage sensibility, evident in the forceful up-front bass virtuosity, the angelic vocalizations and the resonating electric guitar overlays. Adorned with swirling “cynthia size a” swaths, the powerful ram locks his horns into a warp 3 vortex and blasts straight into the blackest void. Toss in a clever Yes-ism crescendo and presto, your future fate is now sealed.
Combining both a Venusian romantic swoon as well as resolute patience that is characteristic of this sign, “Taurus” (my celestial home), the arrangement manages to represent both lyrically and musically the attributes of this cosmic creature, throwing in narration in contrast to the velvety guitar weavings, the bulbous bass and the percussive hooves scratching the emerald sands of time.
“Gemini” is surely the most controversial of all the horoscope sectors as it represents the closeness of extremities and the duality of creativity, as if divided by one. As such, the basic presentation is interestingly linear at first glance, yet suffused within a myriad of sonic detail, elevated by the lyrics and an acoustic slant. The vocals are softly silky, almost like a child looking up from a crib into the star-lined galaxy.
It should not come as any revelation that “Cancer” cooks up quite the frenzy, it’s a rather ebullient sign by nature, and the duo waste little time in getting the throttle into full gear. An abundance of slippery synths swerve within the high-pitched vocalizations (oooh, those high notes!), liberating the intricate guitar experimentation to boldly set a course far into the golden void. There is a smooth Rush-ness to this piece, highlighted by a bass rumbling along like a crab on a sandy beach. The dual voices are masterfully concocted, lead and harmony in synch, with perhaps even a bit of vocoded additions.
Proud are the electronic synthesizers on the majestic “Leo”, the pulsating rhythmic ignition domineering as it is imposing its will. The lion king will come once again to show who is boss and worthy of respect. The electric guitar mane is noble in its efficiency, the vocals definitely off the charts, a soft and passionate roar set within a grandiose melodic construct that defies any challengers. A masterful combination of grace and power.
A certain calmness awaits on “Virgo”, the initial virgin piano making its first appearance, eventually seducing a more forceful electric guitar streak that sets the melody into the foundation. Fluffy clouds of sound within a blue sky and bright sunshine, a reflective universe of purity and peaceful nature. For a while, I could even imagine Jon Anderson singing, as it has that astral delicacy made famous by the Yes man.
Back to balancing the karma between two extremes, “Libra” suggests a typically complex progressive foundation, the bass ripping like a deranged zipper, opening up folds of musical equilibrium, which begin with imposing choir work, ‘where the darkness meets the light’ .
No surprise that “Scorpio” would seek to advance the heavier sound, an asteroid away from something Hawkwind may have written back in their 80s catalogue, a cosmorock tune with both synth and guitar solos to add some boosters to the rising phoenix with an over-the-top vocal screech for the ages. A musical eight-legged arachnid with pincers and one hell of a stinging tail to inject some venom into the mix.
Acoustically pastoral and folky, “Sagittarius” settles into a dreamier realm, that nevertheless proposes another fine example of how the duo have really brushed up their already proficient vocal deliveries, with atmospheric backing voices that interweave with impeccable precision and overpowering effect. A modern-day Moody Blues/Barclay James Harvest touch is most welcome.
“Capricorn” selects a nearly medieval feel as preformed on their earlier albums, some pumping organ adding quite the touch, a lilting voice telling the story of the solstice light, the keeper of years and the winter sun beginning to turn . The apotheosis comes on a glorified mellotron /electric guitar elevation that shoves the mood straight into a distant exploding supernova.
There is a natural fluidity to “Aquarius”, once again steered by a flowing bass guitar ‘squire’ that easily recollects visions of cascading torrents as depicted by the Roger Dean covers for the classic Yes albums. The stinging guitars show ‘howe’ its done, the keyboards ‘awakeman’, the percussive maintenance of ‘white’ thunder, all combining to ‘break the chains that hold us down’. Gloriously, only the voice stands alone as it should. In the wake of Poseidon, ‘ancient promises are kept’ on the lilting “Pisces”, a floating melody that seeks no quarrel with complexity or even strangeness, just a faithful siren song , ‘like the ocean, wild and free’.
Seemingly, I am not the only rogue in Prog land as these two lads are certifiably bonkers, just like me ! Since every listener/reader will find their representative track that corresponds to their sign, this is quite the marketing coup LOL. Clever lads, these! Next album, what? …perhaps by early 2027, eh?
5 rubber dinghies