At the beginning of this year, I had a chat with Tom Powell (aka def.fo) as he released his debut album Eternal. This album became a constant on my turntable for a long time. Recently, Tom sent me a copy of his second long player, Music for Dinosaurs, and it's another amazing album.

Tom Powell's Musical Journey from Mars to Earth

Album Concept and Inspiration

Music for Dinosaurs was originally recorded as a double album but was split into two records, Eternity and Music for Dinosaurs. The fictional settings and concepts in both albums create a yin and yang kind of thing, with a dark to light / dystopia to utopia journey. As the cross-over of recording sessions and personnel for the music and artwork, they feel like a pair of albums that coexist in the same ether.Tom explained, "This ambitious concept album takes audiences to a howling, dystopian nightmare set on Mars. A troubled civilisation teeters on the edge of extinction, and they must embark on a daring interstellar quest to find hope on planet Earth."

Stylistic Influences

Stylistically, the album still has a distinct Liverpool sound. This time, it leans even closer to Pink Floyd flourishes, especially in the production work of Tom and his Dad, Steve Powell. "Out of this World" is almost anthemic and has echoing dreamy vocals and blossoming instrumentation, giving it a Floyd feel.Tom's sound also recalls the overlooked Liverpool band "The Fernweh." Listening to Music for Dinosaurs led me to buy their hidden classic second album, 'Torschlusspanik!', showing how everything is connected in this city.

Album Tracks and Features

The "fun" dinosaur-themed artwork by Daria Kupets hides a brooding journey into the unknown. Side Two opener, "Exile to Eden," a spoken word piece by Shantaram author Gregory David Roberts, takes the listener from dark to light. It segues into "This New World," giving an immediate sense of familiarity.Tom explained, "Recorded in 2021-22, the core demos and many parts were recorded at home on a basic setup (DIY style) and then taken to the studio to record drums and vocals 'properly'. This gives a good equilibrium between a more garage band rough and ready approach and the formality of recording in a studio."It's an achievement as Tom continues to play with Michael Head's Red Elastic Band and the album is a five-star release that deserves a wide audience. My only criticism is that it ends too soon.The track listing of Music for Dinosaurs includes: 1. Let it go 2. Mind can you hear me 3. Out of this world 4. Mayday 5. The brightest lights 6. When the sun is gone 7. Exile to Eden 8. This new world 9. We are the aliens 10. I’m moving up 11. Pebbles to boulders. The run time is 34:11 and the release date is December 6, 2024 on Def.fo music.