Regal Worm is a progressive rock project by Jarrod Gosling of Sheffield, England based electronic pop psych outfit I Monster and maverick Jazz influenced proggers Henry Fool. Regal Worm sees Jarrod striking out on his own and is the fulfillment of a lifelong dream ever since he listened to his dad’s cassettes of Pink Floyd, Genesis, Yes, Mike Oldfield and Rick Wakeman. The debut ‘Use and Ornament’ was recorded in Jarrod’s “Pig View” studio utilising dangerous vintage machinery (including his prized Mellotron M400). What I find really interesting about this album is that many ways it is pronk mixed with psychedelia which is not what one would expect given the list of artist he says inspired him.
The music is quite jangly, with sharp edges, and it is obvious that Cardiacs and Poisoned Electrick Head have been listened to by Jarrod, as he has incorporated some of their quirkiness into an album that seems more rooted in the Eighties than the Seventies.As I played this album for the first time I wasn’t really sure to make of it, as the music shifts back and forth, twisting and changing as it goes. It is mostly instrumental, but “Confession From a Deep and Warm Hibernaculum” is a delicate number with some wonderful female vocals (sorry – no idea who the singer is). But, it is “6:17 PM The Aunt Turns into an Ant” that grabs the attention. It is the best part of 30 minutes long, and it incorporates countless styles as it moves through the piece, somehow always keeping the listeners’ attention, whether it is some gentle harp, or jangly melodies. It finished with a musical box, which immediately made me think of Genesis – maybe I am reading too much into it, but that to me was a wonderful homage at the end of a prog epic.
Definitely from left field, this is an album that rewards those prepared to spend some time with it. Very British, angular and pronk, it is great fun.
