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With the glut of side-projects overpopulating the Progressive culture, it gets increasingly hard to keep up, not to mention distinguish those that are legitimate threats as opposed to the, quick get the kinks out approach, and let's return to our safe haven. Now granted the trio that makes up Planet X has logged an impressive track record for themselves by catering to other musicians and lending out their studio talents. 

Planet X was at the root of Derek Sherinian's quest to develop a solid working band built for longevity rather than an intermittent offshoot with a dodgy work history. "MoonBabies" is their second studio release and also features world-class guitarist Tony Macalpine and drummer Virgil Donati. Less "Metal" than one might expect considering, "MoonBabies" ventures deep into the night with a lush landscape of sounds that incorporate a mild mixture of Prog Rock, Jazz, and New Age in an exemplary instrumental soundtrack that needs no word to illustrate the wondrous thoughts taking place within. Generally of a gentle tone, there do lie unexpectedly forceful, intermittent guitar runs and drum rolls to make for an extra yard of listening challenge amidst an otherwise clear landscape. Opening with "MoonBabies," we're immediately lifted to the center of a mountain and invited to ascend its summit; "Ataraxia" employs a more spiritual mechanism for much of the time before edgy guitar riffing and bewildering key work initiates lift off for one of the more climactic and difficult to reach titles. 

Not to be overlooked is the bass work, shared by names like Kennedy, Johnson and Sheehan, who's work on track five, the compelling and percussive "Micronesia," drives a surging beat for some intricate rhythmic interplay with Sherinian. The Dream Theater  connection does not prevail but maintains a loosely based presence over and again, particularly where we happen upon "Ignotus Per Ignotium," the nine minute (though really six-plus with a brief instrumental darting cutting through two minutes of dead space) closer, here's where everything comes together in a bold unification of fluidly functioning parts, for a six in one epic set for show stopping drama. 

Whether Planet X achieves the "Sickest instrumental band in the world status," as Sherinian hopes, still remains to be seen with so many lately entering the quest. "MoonBabies," which follows 2000's "Universe" and '01's live follow up, sets them well on their way to that achievement by bringing a touch of interstellar madness to their respective fingertips and the necessary cohesion to the songs that make for a more serious-minded effort geared up for a long journey.