Looking-Glass Lantern

Prog Head

Member
Prog Head said:
New album coming soon!
Click to expand...


My overview.

Following up two prior, quite ambitious albums ('A Tapestry Of Tales' - 2013 & 'The Hound Of The Baskervilles' - 2014), LOOKING GLASS LANTERN return with a new offering 'Candlelight and Empire' which is another testament of classic progressive rock in a modern execution. To put my review into the right context, I wanna say that some closest musical cognates for LGL are such pillars of the genre as Genesis, Alan Parsons Project and Barclay James Harvest. There're many other reasons to be enthralled. This 'one person group' always offers their listeners lots of Sympho-tinged splendour, and the brand new CD is no exception. Four years back now, Graham Dunnington created the solo project to accomplish his own goals. Having the ability to play in a variety of different roles as the keyboardist, guitarist, drummer and bassist, Graham gives LGL a special depth - which majority of contemporary bands often lack. Sure, mister Dunnington is an incredibly gifted instrumentalist. He also possesses a heartfelt and recognizable voice, another trademark that helps to provide Looking Glass Lantern an extra stamp of quality. Well-written, composed, arranged, fully performed and produced by Graham Dunnington, CD 'Candlelight and Empire' is saturated with authentic progressive rock sound featuring the elegant compositions, melodical gusto, majestic soundscapes, divine keyboard textures, synth signatures, the polished guitar performance and dense rhythmic backbone. Certainly, the ethereal mode still prevails in material, yet this time around - together with a gorgeous suite 'An Evening Soiree' (30+ min. long) which stands out. There's a lot of detail and nuances to the songs that should reward repeat listens. Alongside the great music, you can hear the relevant lyrics with a special scenario. It's quite obvious, Graham Dunnington remains loyal to his source of historical inspiration, that seems really interesing. The new LGL record presents (once again) the storyline to contemplate a late XIX century's time to-the-point. Creating a slightly mysterious atmosphere of Victorian England is the important factor here. As far as the concept is concerned, descriptive lyrics are telling about one day in the life of typical middle-class family. There's a genuine feel of theatrics, a life-mirroring with emotional experiences. Involved songs are strived to maintain the general thread that should connect all pieces of this 'conceptual work'. The album grabs you from the initial theme 'The Maid', setting the scene. Overture-like chapter develops into a magnificent track 'The Girl Nobody Knows', which brings dazzling splashes of colour. The subtlety in build-up and plethora of hypnotising components are demonstrated on 'The Cook'. Afterwards, superlative 'The Governess and the Children' follows. (The utilized complementary instruments are Mellotron and accordion). It moves to the next song 'The Angel of the Home', drawing from the melodic and tying to the gentle piano. Supremely memorable piece with Hammond organ, 'The Husband' is much affected by classic Genesis style. Expanding the musical spectrum, the multi-layered epic 'An Evening Soiree' has embraced six parts ( 'A Shrine to Consumption', 'The March of Progress', 'A Civilised Nation', 'The Benefits of Empire', 'In Honour of St Cecilia', 'An Englishman's Home is his Empire', respectively). Being essential for the full story, 'The Maid' (reprise) sounds like a farewell to personages. Ultimately, when the last track finishes, you feel like you've listened to something wonderful, in the traditions of old-school progressive rock. In short, this release is delightful and if you have now a grave interest in Looking Glass Lantern, then you need to get it... RECOMMENDED!

 
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Prog Head

Member
Out of the blue, great information reached me that there'll be the brand new Looking-Glass Lantern album, to be released in 2019. :cool:
 

Prog Head

Member
Prog Head said:
Out of the blue, great information reached me that there'll be the brand new Looking-Glass Lantern album, to be released in 2019. :cool:
Click to expand...

The music will be featuring a stronger Baroque influence (harpsichord, pipe organ, J S Bach etc). The lyrics describe some Victorian inventions as photography, the bicycle, the department store, the newspaper (to name only a few). What else? Graham Dunnington has a working title of 'A World of Great Invention'...
 

Prog Head

Member
Just a quick update on how things are going. Graham Dunnington is finishing up some new songs and working on putting them together. No dates are set yet but will be announced when ready to go. :)
 

Prog Head

Member
The recording of the next Looking Glass Lantern album is all finished. And now Graham has to be waiting for the graphic designer to do his thing with a booklet.
 

Prog Head

Member
Prog Head said:
Watch this space.
Click to expand...

Below you can see the artwork for a new album by Graham Dunnington and his LGL project.

LGL - A World Of Great Invention.jpg

Full tracklisting is as follows:

1. The World Came Into The Home.
2. The Letter.
3. A New Freedom.
4. Inside A World Of Wonder.
5. A Moment Captured.
6. The Great Tea Race Of 1866.
7. The Old Ways And The New Ways.
8. The Meaning Of The Light.
 

Prog Head

Member
Prog Head said:
Below you can see the artwork for a new album by Graham Dunnington and his LGL project.

View attachment 4456

Full tracklisting is as follows:

1. The World Came Into The Home.
2. The Letter.
3. A New Freedom.
4. Inside A World Of Wonder.
5. A Moment Captured.
6. The Great Tea Race Of 1866.
7. The Old Ways And The New Ways.
8. The Meaning Of The Light.
Click to expand...

It was officially released on October 26th.
 

Prog Head

Member
My thoughts, after the run-through... :cool:

Being a fan of LOOKING GLASS LANTERN for 7 years now, I was eager to compare the brand new album 'A World of Great Invention ' with its predecessors. Well. Today I am able to describe some aspects of this stylish record. One statement can be derived immediately - Graham Dunnington continues to mature and his project stands alone like an undertaking of quality. Sure, you can hear the well-crafted progressive rock with a symphonic feel, depth and melodic panache, marvelous orchestration, vocal prowness, plus a quite unique storyline to complement everything. The sound environment is full of hypnotic bliss featuring Hammond, pipe organ, string synthesizer, 'choir', piano, harpsichord, accordion, concertina, guitar ingredients, various bell and tuned percussions. Mainly, LGL stays true to the generic approach, yet CD 'A World of Great Invention ' unveils the musical paradigm on its own terms. To create an intrigue, the lyrical screenplay affords a distinctive subject matter for exploration here: the eight-track set is dedicated to the inventions and new technologies at the end of the Victorian era such like daily newspaper, the postage stamp, indoor domestic lighting, the department store, portrait photography, the bicycle, the advent of steamships, the industrialization of farming. It may be fair to lable this CD a concept album as much as the thematic work, since all the material possesses a type of adaptation to really do the story justice. Each chapter segues into the next one, creating a cohesive feel, bookened by the poetic writing and flawless delivery which make this LGL message a deeply emotional experience. The internal balance has been accomplished, showing a variety of landscapes and tempos during the given time length. Wonderful atmosphere washes over listener, encircling, pulling closer to its core. There is a lot for the brain and the ear to absorb. It may take some time to sink in... Either way I can't see any sense to spend the whole hour with talking about the final outcome, since the sheer prog rock 'connoisseurs' should find their own meanings and favorite tracks on this remarkable album. So folks. Take a walk down CD 'A World Of Great Invention ' by Looking Glass Lantern for yourself.
 
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Prog Head

Member
Just my description.

'A Victorian Christmas Compendium' is the sixth album by Graham Dunnington under his musical moniker of LOOKING-GLASS LANTERN. So, what have we got here? This offering contains 10 tracks and each miniature contributes to the general tapestry, producing a specific aura of this mesmerizing release. There's impression of comprising several parts of one longer script which nods us to the old-time Christmases existed in the pre-urban sprawl past (sleigh rides, ice skating on rural rivers, carolers moving from house to house). Excellent idea, even if you never actually experienced that yourself, and even if that's no longer exist in same way anymore (aside from on tree ornaments or in the television specials)... The music grabs from the outset, without loosing sight of a lyrical message. Graham Dunnington unveils his songs rather succinct (nothing extends over nine minutes) but infusing the tunes with great craftsmanship which makes the vintage sound easy to assimilate. Everything is perfectly played in the progressive symphonic rock field with pleasant vocal delivery. Hence, a heady mix featuring poise, precision and subtlety. As a whole, Looking-Glass Lantern have got their message across and do it quite spectacularly. While there is a sheer nostalgic cast to the compositions, you know what you're thinking about - the late Victorian epoch featuring exquisite charm. Definitely, best when heard with headphones, also plays well during a dinner party or during an early morning with breakfast. I consider, this album can rightly be labelled a Festive season gift. :cool:
 
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