Much to the excitement of progressive rock fans around the globe, legendary Australian prog ensemble Unitopia have released a tribute album titled Covered Mirror.
Featuring songs by the band’s influences, including prog and rock giants Yes, Genesis, The Flower Kings, Led Zeppelin and Supertramp, as well as lesser-known groups such as Klaatu, the album is a lovingly crafted tribute to an era during which prog and long-form songs dominated the charts and touring circuit.
“Making a covers album is always a challenge,” confesses lead vocalist Mark Trueack, “and reproducing classic songs and making them ours was always going to be difficult. We spent a great deal of time coming up with ideas and we are very proud of the results. We wanted to take the listener on a journey.”
While based in Adelaide, South Australia, Unitopia have found their market overseas, selling repeated pressings over their back catalogue in Europe, and touring successfully. Despite a long and storied history dating back to the 1990s, the band only toured Australia for the first time in 2011.
Unitopia released their first album More Than a Dream in 2007 on the Canadian label Unicorn Digital. The band signed a three-album deal with InsideOut Music in Germany in 2008, the only Australian band to have signed with the label to this day. But it was Unitopia’s second album The Garden, released that year, that established the band as one of the premier progressive rock acts in the world. With the release of their critically acclaimed third CD Artificial and a subsequent successful tour of Europe in 2010, the band solidified their underground reputation as one of the most accomplished performers of modern prog.
The tribute record Covered Mirror precedes a busy year of releases for the band, with a live record and studio album to follow.
Tracks include:
1. Signs of Life (Prelude) Sean Timms
2. Calling Occupants (Klaatu)
3. Easter (Marillion)
4. Man of Colours (Icehouse)
5. Genesis Medley (Genesis)
• The Silent Sun
• Suppers Ready
• Dancing with the Moonlit knight
• Lamb Lies Down on Broadway
• Carpet Crawlers
6. Rain Song (Led Zeppelin)
7. Even in the Quietest Moments (Supertramp)
8. Can We Still be Friends (Todd Rundgren)
9. Speaking The Truth (Dan Burgess/Matt Williams)
10.Everybody’s Gotta learn Sometime (Korgies)
11.Yes Medley (Yes)
• And You and I
• Awaken
• Close to the Edge
• Soon
• Onward
• South Side of the Sky
• Owner of a lonely Heart
12.To one in Paradise (Alan Parsons)
13.The Way the Waters Moving (The Flower Kings) Bonus Track Remix 2012
Covered Mirror is out now through Bird’s Robe Records www.birdsrobe.bandcamp.com
