Prog rock band Kinetic Element's second album Travelog has just been released by Melodic Revolution Records. The follow-up to their 2009 debut Powered By Light, it features five (5) tracks and has been described by its own label as "an opulent collection of ear-candy."

Well, that's as may be, but this journalist found it to be an incredible, in-depth, fluid, emotionally raw near-70 minute long opus to Prog rock; and one that I have not heard quite the passion for in many, oh so many years.

Recorded at The Garage in Richmond, Virginia, with classic rock style drummer Michael Murray, Travelog is just that - an album of pure, unadulterated and profound Prog work that remains from the opening, distant lands vibe of 'War Song' (20:29) through into the beautiful acoustic guitar passages of the title track itself, 'Travelog' (9:51), through to the majestic keyboards and bass lines contained within 'Vision Of A New Dawn' (18:29).

It's the kind of album that you could just sit with a loved in front of, as a live, on stage band entity, close your eyes, and allow to absorb each and every crafted beat, swirl, and instrumental brilliance within you. Indeed, one of the stand out tracks, for me, is the vocal wonderment of 'Into the Lair' (10:08), for not only does it feature the aforementioned Murray, and also keyboardist Mike Visaggio, guitarist Todd Russell, and bassist Mark Tupko, but the vocal styling of Michelle Schrotz also.

With both Dimetrius LaFavors and Mike Florio - also well known in the prog rock world - featured heavily on the album, listening to Travelog it's as if one minute you are marching into war alongside a thousand foot soldiers, the next buried deeply within a late-night jazz club, the next flying on the wings of a stunningly graceful, high-cruising winged wonder not of our time ('Her' - 11:19). Travelog is a collection of beautiful percussive elements and showcases Kinetic Element as a band in full control of their own soon-to-be highly recognized future.