Founded nearly a decade ago, Richmond, VA quartet Kinetic Element is a symphonic progressive rock act spearheaded by keyboardist/vocalist Mike Visaggio. Influenced by genre staples like ELP, Genesis, Yes, and Rush, the band is quite adept at channeling classic trademarks and timbres into an original amalgam, which is why their 2009 debut, Powered by Light, received plenty of praise from all over the world. Fortunately, its follow-up, Travelog, is quite a worthy successor, as its highly ambitious, intriguing, and tasteful, with a vintage tinge and DIY quality that makes it both accessible and remarkable (despite some redundancy and histrionic singing).

In addition to Visaggio, the current line-up of Kinetic Element also includes guitarist Todd Russell, bassist Mark Tupko, and drummer/vocalist Michael Murray. Aside from them, Travelog also features three guest vocalists: Dimetrius LaFavors, Michelle Schrotz, and Mike Florio. As for its contents, Visaggio says that the record is inspired by current events, adding that the lyrics stand up for liberty. Lastly, the disc was mixed by Fred Schendel and Steve Babb of Glass Hammer.

The album consists of five epic tracks ranging in duration from roughly ten to twenty minutes. Opener “War Song” begins dramatically, with a dense atmosphere revealing simple syncopation, thick bass notes, and plenty of interplay between keyboard and guitar. There’s a lot of momentum too, with the central melody appearing through different instruments as the rest of the arrangement evolves. Unfortunately, the vocals are a bit too piercing and theatrical to complement the warmth of the music; in fact, they’re a bit unnerving. Luckily, though, the composition itself remains interesting throughout the lengthy sequence, including some clear nods to ELP and Jethro Tull throughout, as well as some nice piano work near the end. The track isn’t quite as varied as it could be either, so its length isn’t entirely warranted, but overall it’s still quite enjoyable and impressive, and it’s definitely a great way to start Travelog.

The title track is folksier and more straightforward, with acoustic guitar arpeggios and synthesized woodwinds providing an earthly air during the first half. During the latter portion, tribal percussion blends with elaborate guitar picking, evoking the more tranquil moments of Yes and Renaissance. In contrast, “Into the Lair” utilizes the singing talents of Schrotz to add a feminine coding, which helps it feel unique. She does a great job matching the energized structure, which are quite dynamic and engrossing, with tense keyboard strikes that would’ve fit perfectly on ELP’s Tarkus. Melodically, the song is definitely more enjoyable that its two predecessors as well.

“Her” begins with a wonderfully sorrowful piano motif before transforming into a marvel of tense rhythmic shifts and heavenly choral harmonies. Unfortunately, the male vocals still feel a bit too exaggerated and feigned, which prevents the enjoyably Genesis-esque constructions from being as gripping as they could be. The same is true for the epic closure, “Vision of a New Dawn,” which mirrors the opening track closely. Its dynamic shifts are arresting and seamless, which is commendable, but like its introductory sibling, it feels extraneous and repetitive by the end. In other words, it’d be a lot stronger if it were condensed.

All in all, Travelog is a worthwhile entry into both the catalog of Kinetic Element and the realm of progressive rock in general. While it’s influences are very clear and its vocals/melodies don’t always work as well as they could, there’s no denying how spectacular the album is during its best moments. There’s plenty of keyboard wizardry, guitar solo frenzy, intricate percussion, and regal atmosphere to keep prog rock fans entertained, so their musicianship is spot on. If Kinetic Element can focus on incorporating better melodies, lyrics, and singing for the next release, they’ll truly be an up-and-coming act worth watching.