When you think of progressive rock, or prog-rock, bands like Umphrey’s McGee and Dreadnaught come to mind here in the states. But there is a fairly healthy Prog-rock scene in Europe, and one band that consistently releases amazing records over there that should be recognized here is Taylor’s Universe.

The brainchild of multi-instrumentalist Robin Taylor, who hails from Copenhagen, Denmark, TU has released their 14th album, titled “Artificial Joy,” which is the latest of 27 total releases from Robin Taylor since 1991.

An absolutely astounding album, “Artificial Joy” is a diverse record that runs the gamut from delicate to grandiose. Taylor is a startlingly good composer, using counterpoint and syncopation masterfully, time signature changes tastefully, and inventive phrasing that sparks one’s imagination in a delightfully quirky way.

His music is powerful, evoking Stravinsky or Prokofiev, with the dramatic flair of Wagner, using extreme dynamic range and slowly-building crescendos to exquisitely manipulate the creation of tension and its subsequent release. A more contemporary comparison would be to King Crimson, Peter Gabriel’s Genesis, ‘70s Yes, or Gentle Giant, but make no mistake, Taylor’s Universe has their own distinct sound.

In addition to his well-honed compositional skills, Taylor is an accomplished guitarist who will take the listener on a musical roller-coaster ride with his solos. This is an exciting band I have been following for more than a decade, and have been constantly impressed and entertained by them over the years.

If you are a fan of progressive music, I most highly recommend you find Taylor’s Universe on CDBaby.com and order this album.

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