The Ultimate Mellotron Recording ListNovember 2004; Andy ThompsonAttack
of the Martians is a great little album I was introduced to earlier
this year (2004), probably not long after its release. Instrumental
progressive rock that pulls no punches, has integrity and refuses to
compromise; why can't more bands be like this? The band consists of
bassist Bill Noland, his wife Madeleine on wind-controller and keys,
Derek Roebuck on more keys and drummer Mark Cella (from Pye Fyte), with
no guitar. Five lengthy and involved compositions, with plenty of
(remember this one?) MELODY, although there are a few moments where you
think "Haven't I heard that bit somewhere before?". That's being
churlish, though; this is an excellent album that I can recommend to
anyone into inventive progressive rock.
A quick e-mail was enough
to confirm that the album's 'Mellotron' use is definitely fake (OK, so
that's one compromise), although the strings are extremely convincing.
The album opens with a solo string part, reprised later in the track,
and there are several male-voice choir interjections later in the album,
although those samples are less successful. Bill tells me they're
hoping to use a friend's 'Tron on the next album. Go on, you know you
want to... Anyway; buy now.
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