RETURNED TO THE EARTH

Stalagmite Steeple GIANT ELECTRIC PEA Sublimely produced collision of melodic art-rock and existential reflections. Returned To The Earth may have flown under the radar for many people. Yet the Warwickshire band – centred around singer and guitarist Robin Peachey – have released a steady stream of quality albums, Stalagmite Steeple being their fifth in eight years, and their second for the fiercely independent prog-friendly Giant Electric Pea label. Staunchly unhurried, often atmospheric and melancholic, occasionally dark and sombre and with a consistently dreamy undercurrent, Stalagmite Steeple’s six tracks weave together studied, smooth instrumentation and the warm, yearning intonation of Peachy’s voice. Although the music paints suggestive sonic portraits, Peachy does much of the heavy lifting in terms of tone and emotional impact with a voice that sits somewhere between Steven…