Mirthrandir - For You the Old Women (1976) [Reissue, 1992] Lossless

Mirthrandir biography (progarchives)
MIRTHRANDIR was an obscure progressive band from New Jersey formed in 1973 during the heyday of YES. This band played a complex and elaborated music based on breaks, contrasts and refinement. There are plenty of vintage Moog's and Hammond organs. The flute is also an interesting addition to the sound. The group subtly mixed influences of GENTLE GIANT, KING CRIMSON, UK, YES and EMERSON, LAKE & PALMER.

"For You The Old Women" is an album of progressive rock with flute, keyboards, long tracks and lots of rhythm changes. Led by keyboards and guitar, the compositions are all very much in the traditional "prog" style, with alternating moods, shifting time changes, and competent vocals that remind of Derek Shulman of GENTLE GIANT at times. This is an album that grows on you with each repeated listening. One of the best American progressive rock albums of the 70's.

(Jazzis)
Only album by US Prog group Mirthrandir, a rare lost gem from 1970s, brought back to life on this CD reissue. The band was a sextet comprising of two guitarists, a keyboards player, a bassist, who also played flute, a drummer and a vocalist, who also plays some trumpet parts. The music is typical Symphonic Prog, with good melodies and extensive instrumental passages. The lead singer's falsetto voice was often criticized as the group's only weakness, but in fact it is quite good and certainly not more annoying than other vocalists in Prog with similar voice characteristics. The music is overall excellent, with multi-part expanded lengthy tracks, one timing almost 15 minutes. Considering the fact that the US contribution to Prog was quite limited, this is definitely one of the better efforts of its kind. Prog fans will definitely love this album to bits.