
Mike Barnes
Mike Barnes is the author of Captain Beefheart - The Biography (Omnibus Press, 2011) and A New Day Yesterday: UK Progressive Rock & the 1970s (2020). He was a regular contributor to Select magazine and his work regularly appears in Prog, Mojo and Wire. He also plays the drums.
Latest articles by Mike Barnes

Tim Blake - Crystal Machine/Blake’s New Jerusalem album reviews
By Mike Barnes published
Not yet ratedThe first two solo albums – with substantial extras – by Hi T Moonweed.

Ulan Bator - Stereolith album review
By Mike Barnes published
Not yet ratedBeguiling and minimal eleventh album by the long-serving Faust collaborators.

Steve Hauschildt - Strands album review
By Mike Barnes published
Not yet ratedSong cycle about creation and destruction myths from former Emeralds man

Flaming Lips - Oczy Mlody album review
By Mike Barnes published
Not yet ratedThe Oklahoman adventurers are back. And Miley Cyrus guests

Steeleye Span - Dodgy Bastards album review
By Mike Barnes published
Not yet ratedThe group’s first album with new guitarist Andrew ‘Spud’ Sinclair

Jean-Michel Jarre - Oxygène 3 album review
By Mike Barnes published
Not yet ratedThe third instalment of the electronic trilogy that dates back to 1977

King Crimson - Beat/Three Of A Perfect Pair album review
By Mike Barnes published
Not yet ratedWhen Kerouac and electronic art-funk-pop collide, remixed by King Crimson's Robert Fripp and Steven Wilson…

Syd Arthur - Apricity album review
By Mike Barnes published
Not yet ratedA surging fourth LP from Syd Arthur who step out from Canterbury to California.

Gryphon live review - Talking Heads, Southampton
By Mike Barnes published
Not yet ratedThe recently-reformed Gryphon head back on the road

Barclay James Harvest: the British pioneers who led prog to glory
By Mike Barnes published
Multimillion-selling albums, sold-out UK tours and legendary status in, er, Germany: John Lees reveals how Barclay James Harvest spearheaded the prog scene

North Sea Radio Orchestra - Dronne album review
By Mike Barnes published
Not yet ratedFourth album by the chamber ensemble, well worth the five-year wait

Jherek Bischoff - Cistern album review
By Mike Barnes published
Not yet ratedLos Angeles-based composer and multi-instrumentalist Jherek Bischoff plumbs Eno-like depths

Andrew Keeling - Spiritus album review
By Mike Barnes published
Not yet ratedA four-track classical round-up from Crimson composer Andrew Keeling.

Robert Reed - Sanctuary II album review
By Mike Barnes published
Not yet ratedSecond chapter in multi-instrumentalist Robert Reed’s Oldfield Variations.

Hypnopazuzu - Create Christ, Sailor Boy album review
By Mike Barnes published
Not yet ratedInaugural release by the duo of David Tibet and Youth.

David Cross Band - Sign Of The Crow album review
By Mike Barnes published
Not yet ratedThe ex-King Crimson violinist’s most powerful band album to date.

Cross & Quinn - Cold Sky Blue Album Review
By Mike Barnes published
Not yet ratedCrimson violinist David Cross and Dubh Chapter keysman Sean Quinn create a rarefied atmosphere.

King Gizzard And The Lizard Wizard - Nonagon Infinity Album Review
By Mike Barnes published
Not yet ratedThe hyperactive Geelong septet’s fourth LP in 18 months.

The Move - Move/Shazam Album Reviews
By Mike Barnes published
Not yet ratedSongs from the Wood, remastered and expanded.

This Is Not This Heat live in London
By Mike Barnes published
Not yet ratedProg reviews This Is Not This Heat live in London.

Caravan's Geoffrey Richardson on sobriety and going solo
By Mike Barnes published
While he may be best known as a multi‑instrumentalist for Caravan, after many musical collaborations on a road paved by addiction, Geoffrey Richardson is finally stepping into a spotlight all

Heron Oblivion: Heron Oblivion
By Mike Barnes published
Not yet ratedThe psych-folk quartet’s debut album.

Anthony Phillips: Wise After The Event
By Mike Barnes published
Not yet ratedDeluxe four-disc edition of the guitarist’s 1978 solo album.
Get the Louder Newsletter
Select the newsletters you’d like to receive. Then, add your email to sign up.