John Mitchell (Arena, Frost*, Kino, It Bites), the prestigious musician and producer working under the name LONELY ROBOT, has written a tapestry of songs that weave a narrative that's lush and cinematic. For those new to LONELY ROBOT, imagine Phil Collins and Peter Gabriel decided to make a progressive rock album in with a hint of DREAM THEATER. These are of course loose comparisons, as John Mitchell's hand has been an influence in many records not his own for many years. Filled with subtle modulation and clever key changes, the lyrical content in this record, A Model Life, is just as rich as the instrumental.
With this being the fifth LONELY ROBOT offering, the precedent has been set and thankfully matched on A Model Life. There's plenty of synth throughout the record, as on previous albums, but the return of the guitar solo is a big draw here. John Mitchell is at his best when expressing himself through dramatic six-string sentences that tell as much of the story as any lyric. The sombre Species In Transition has a bitter sweet tension, a highlight of which might be between the bass and the leading keys and guitars. There's so much to pick apart and delve into, repeat listens really are a must. Smooth is the word of the day when it comes to A Model Life; nothing feels forced or constructed, as big and intricate as the album is.
The Island Of Misfit Toys is a proper treat, full of whirring synth and bouncing guitars, not to mention the many effects that completely change the dynamic of the vocals. While there's room to interpret these ever-moving elements as a representation for the unsettled people in the world, it's a great demonstration of how playful LONELY ROBOT can be, a dizzying expression of ideas all cooked together into one beautiful end product.
That's not to say that this is a whimsical record; on the contrary, the record is an eloquent representation of emotions and experiences. Frustration throughout the opening Recalibrating rings of real hurt after a relationship ends, and Rain Kings plays around with bright, tinkering synth while analysing the overpowering modern fixation with picking up and carrying on, while inside all we really need is to recognise our need to outwardly express in order to heal and move forward.
Duty Of Care is a dreamlike, otherworldly experience, a haunting tale of parental failure and joyful adoptive family. The playoff between the memories of what's been and the future is really well handled, with an expert understanding of how to balance themes and vocals. No song is like another on this record, while all combined are bigger than the sum if their parts.
A Model Life is both a well-crafted personal introspective and masterfully objective look at the world. With it's masterful use of progressive ideas, LONELY ROBOT has managed to construct a natural feeling, immersive experience with this record.
A Model Life is set for release on August 26th via InsideOut Music
LONELY ROBOT BIOGRAPHY John Mitchell is a man with a rich musical heritage and history - from musician and vocalist, to songwriter and producer. With bands like Arena, Frost*, Kino, It Bites and Lonely Robot, to name but a few, Mitchell has left his mark on the current progressive rock scene and has been involved in dozens of recordings. He is also a respected producer & mixer, running Outhouse Studios in the UK and working with artists as diverse as You Me At Six, Enter Shikari, Alter Bridge, Asia, Don Broco, Funeral For A Friend, McFly & much more.
