Album Review: Unitopia - Covered Mirror Vol 1: Smooth As Silk

Any album that starts with theremin-style sustained tones and a sampled “With at least two billion stars in our universe…” quote is certainly not afraid of having the often maligned labels of 'prog rock' and 'space rock' applied to it. This is Unitopia. The Australian underground progressive rock stalwarts have now, apparently, been ingrained enough in the scene to warrant a covers album of the songs that shaped their own musical approach.

Again, kicking off the album proper with a song titled Calling Occupants Of Interplanetary Craft from relatively known prog rockers Klaatu shows how unafraid this group are of fitting a mould. And fit they do. The song moves from Yes and Genesis-style poppy vocal segments to groovy and bass-driven breakdowns. Easter, a little known Marillion single, is a pastoral effort that really showcases the band's British influence, something that's inescapable when paying tribute to classic prog. Noodling guitar solos are de rigueur when it comes to progressive rock, and who are Unitopia (or us for that matter) to argue. The vocals are equally competent and note perfect for the music. The selections, obscure to mainstream (Yes, Genesis and Zeppelin all receive plays), are pleasant enough, but like most covers, they never quite reach the original beauty, poetry or majesty. And when you cover Zeppelin's Rain Song, you're setting a high bar for yourself.

The question that is inevitable for all cover albums is: why? Why would Unitopia do this? Well, for them, it's fun. Slightly bending songs you adore gives comfort and pleasure to the player; it's just a shame that the average listener won't derive half as much.