42. Lonely Robot - "A Model Life"

John Mitchell is one of Modern Prog’s journeymen. He is the current frontman of long-standing Progioneers It Bites and he also turns up in Arena, Frost* and Kino. Basically, where luscious eighties-esque Prog to be found he’s probably got his hand in it. Not content with all of that, he also has a side project entitled Lonely Robot. This is album number five and whilst it is distinctly a one-man band affair, it does still have a sumptuous and expansive feel. 

All the way through, his voice is very indicative of solo era Peter Gabriel but backing a distinctly 80s-tinged Genesis. The whole thing is a throwback to the days of shoulder pads and slacks, but it manages to recall the “brilliance” of early 80s prog without actually feeling dated or derivative. 

Instead, it comes across as a warm and heartfelt tribute to the music that obviously hugely influenced him. The term inoffensive can be used in a negative connotation, but this is exactly what this is and it revels and excels in its inoffensiveness. It is essentially a wonderful throwback to the way things once were and to be honest in this uncertain world I can’t think of a better way to spend an hour.