Saturday, November 19, 2016

2015, Part 4: Other albums worth checking out for yourselves

Below you will find albums from the hundreds of 2015 releases that I happened to hear that impressed me enough to collect them for possible future review but which, ultimately, failed to hold enough interest for me to want to invest the extra time and effort necessary to write a proper review. Meritorious music should be shared--even if it is not to my own personal stylistic liking. I understand that everyone else has unique and differing likes and preferences to those of mine, thus I "unleash" these albums to the general public with the recommendation that you check them out for yourselves. Good luck! and Happy listening! I hope you find some gems here for your own music listening pleasure!





GODSPEED YOU! BLACK EMPEROR Asunder, Sweet and Other Distress

Is a powerful and engaging album that unfortunately requires full attention in order to truly enjoy and appreciate it. As with many GY!BE albums, this one is really one piece, start to finish--which can also be taxing upon the listener. The payoff is, however, quite rewarding as the album seems to get stronger and build in its power the further you go into it. The opener, "Peasantry or 'Light! Inside of Light'" (10:28) is strong but plods along without seeming to go anywhere new or exciting (8/10), while the atmospheric 2. "Lambs' Breath" (9:53) is mostly disturbing hypnotic background music (7/10)--which gets more disturbing with the third song, "Asunder Sweet" (6:13) but at least develops into something interesting in a SWANS-like way (8/10). The finale, "Piss Crowns Are Trebled" (13:50) fulfills and completes expectations for a GY!BE album with some interesting layers, multiple themes and melodies going on at multiple levels all working into an interesting and intricate weave of top-notch Post Rock (29.25/30).

This is a dark but powerful album with a wonderful finale but fails to hook one into coming back for more on a regular basis. 3.5 star album rated up for maturity and flow.







KARDA ESTRA Strange Relations





TOM DONCOURT The Moon Will Rise





LOOMINGS Everyday Mythology

In Strasbourg-based band, LOOMINGS, AltrOck Productions has taken into its fold another band with adventurous and unusual musical ideas and expressions--certainly one of the oddest excepting Argentinian band FACTOR BURZACO. I am intrigued and seeing a lot of potential here--which makes me put this band on my "bands to watch" list for future contributions.





YAK Quest for the Stones

Yak seems to have captured some of the essence of late 1970s GENESIS and CAMEL--melody and sound, not necessarily musical complexity. As a matter of fact, some of the foundational music sounds so rudimentary as if it was constructed purely to serve as a vehicle upon which melody and guitar and keyboard soli can shine (which they do fairly well). This is, for me, a treacherous slope, as I want my progressive rock music to to feel as if all instrumentalists are equal contributors to both composition and exposition. Even iconic instrumental virtuosi like John McLaughlin, Jean-Luc Ponty or Al Di Meola surround themselves with near equals and compose for the exposure and exploitation of the full talents of their sidemen. (Usually.) Perhaps I am wrong to try to put Martin MORGAN on that level (Is he ONLY a keyboardist as listed above? If so, how does he make all those keyboards sound like guitars?), but I find myself bored and disappointed in the simplicity of the four-chord foundations to each of the suites' multiple sections (which often drag on a bit too long, IMHO) as well as the simplicity of the work load demanded of his rhythm section. Martin has managed to create some wonderful, engaging melodies over these simple foundations, but, it's kind of like listening to TONY BANKS or GENESIS with all of the lyrics removed or the watered down version of CAMEL after Doug FERGUSON and Pete BARDENS had left. 

In my opinion, this band (or its leader) has some growing to do before it produces masterpieces of the quality and caliber of the other five star albums in PA's Top 100. This is a very good album, a very pleasant listen that takes one on a nice fantasy ride (or two), but no more. The second song, "Vale of Æternum" (19:26) is, to my ears, much more enjoyable than the first. (36/40)

3.5 stars, rated down for lack of anything truly new or innovative.





SPOCK’S BEARD The Oblivion Particle





T Fragmentropy

I have been intrigued by the music of Thomas Thielen since I first purchased his excellent album, Anti-Matter Poetry back in 2010. His music has gotten more complex, more enigmatic, and, unfortunately, more inaccessible to me since that time. His album themes are quite complex and imaginative, conceptually speaking, perhaps a bit too cerebral for me. Or perhaps his music is too dependent on his lyrics--which I am not one to necessarily tune into. What has confounded me about this album and his last, Psychoanorexia, is how foreign his melodic and harmonic sensibilities are to me. Listening to T for me is a bit like listening to Schoenberg or Stravinsky or Bartok: the structures and flow are confusing and not engaging. In fact, I rarely feel connected or familiar with ANY melody, rhythmic flow, or chordal harmony during any of his songs! And yet I am fascinated by them! I KNOW they are well thought out, well composed, and, of course, very personal. Perhaps that is where Thomas' growth is yet to come: connecting his mental and musical genius with a larger audience (at least, larger than himself). I know there are many others who love Thomas' music and rate him very highly for it. I rate him highly for his skill and production value. I would have trouble rating his music higher than four stars until I can connect with it, remember it, feel compelled to return to it. Not since "Phantom Pain Scars" have I felt this way (though "The Irrelevant Love Song" and the first part of The Cure-ish "The Aftermath of Silence" were pretty good, too). It was upon my fourth or fifth run through Fragmentropy that I was finally able to put some words to my frustration with "getting INTO" Thomas fine work. Also, I think that his vocals are often muddied by the way they are mixed into the thick of his often busy and multi-directional instrumental tracks. Still this is an amazing set of compositions that will probably bring a lot of joy and interest to a lot of progressive rock lovers. Check it out for yourself to find out if T clicks for you. 





BEARDFISH +4626 - Comfortzone

A band that I can never figure out, never seem to connect with despite many, many tries on several of their albums. This one is no different for me: somewhat melodic, somewhat interesting, but ultimately unengaging music. Much like Echolyn. Or Uriah Heep.





IOEARTH New World

Line-up / Musicians:
- Linda Odinsen / lead & backing vocals
- Dave Cureton / lead & rhythm & acoustic guitars, keyboards, programming, lead & choir vocals
- Adam Gough / keyboards, rhythm & acoustic guitars, Theremin, programming, lead & choir vocals
- Luke Shingler / soprano & tenor saxophones, flute, Electronic Wind Instrument, choir vocals
- Jez King / violin, mandolin
- Christian Nokes / bass, choir vocals
- Christian Jerromes / drums, percussion, choir vocals
With:
- Ed Mann (Frank Zappa) / marimba, bass drum, glockenspiel, hammer dulcimer, cymbal, timpani, gong, tubular chimes, percussion arrangement (6)
- Jennie Appleyard / cello
- Steve Trigg / trumpet, flugelhorn
- Miguel Seco / keyboards, mixing
- Wendy Vissers-Hegenbeek / choir vocals
- James Tolly / choir vocals
- Ruel McQueen / narrator voice

CD1 (49:36)
1. Move As One (3:22)
2. Redemption (5:55)
3. Journey To Discovery (4:32)
4. Trance (5:10)
5. Morning (8:37)
6. Collision (5:39)
7. Fade To Grey (9:05)
8. New World Suite (7:16)

CD2 (54:37)
9. Insomnia (9:43)
10. Red Smoke (6:09)
11. The Rising (7:23)
12. Body And Soul (7:04)
13. Colours (4:52)
14. Follow (4:39)
15. Dreams (5:49)
16. New World (8:58)

Total time 104:13

This is an album that grates as much as it impresses. IOEarth seem like the heirs apparent to bands that heavy prog bands that seem to have peaked about a decade ago--like MAGENTA, IONA, EPICA, WITHIN TEMPTATION, and NIGHTWISH (though all four of the afore-mentioned bands continue to produce high quality albums). What grates me is the frequent use of sudden Jeckyll and Hyde transformations. Sultry, hypnotic melodic passages suddenly become loud, abrasive, over-the-top head-banging sections and then just as quickly fall back to beautiful passages full of interesting nuance and subtlety. The opening song is the perfect illustration of this: wonderful singing by Linda Odinsen and sensitive, delicate sax/reed play by Luke Shingler are offset by power metal shredding and Norse chanting. The Jeckyllish Magenta/Iona comparisons are not far out of line but, then, neither are the Hyde Epica/Within Temptation/Nightwish ones. For me, this is frustrating. I really don't enjoy the pendulous swings back and forth between tender and in-your-face. Are the compositions good? Are the performances top caliber? Yes, by all means they are. I cannot fault any of the musicians--they are a great band. The compositional style is just not my cup of tea. As with all IOEarth albums I own so far (the first and third--I rated the second "Moments" from its progstreaming appearance), I rarely connect with an entire song. I am more prone to like parts and passages or individual performances in each. Such is still the case with New World "Trance" (5:10) (8/10), "New World Suite" (7:16) (8/10), "Body and Soul" (7:04) (8/10), "Morning" (8:38) (8/10), and "New World" (8:59) (8/10) are all strong four star songs. "Fade to Grey" (9:06) (9/10) and "Dreams" are a step above--though, like the song "Smoky Wood" on their debut release, the seductive song, "Dreams" (5:49) (9/10), doesn't even feel like it's the same band.

Another "problem" I have with IOEarth releases is that they are so long! Another two-disc release makes for a long and arduous task to actually hear and get to know all of the music (which is only fair when reviewing an album, right?) I think my brain and butt are conditioned to 45-50 minute listening tolerances.

Four stars for another wildly enigmatic album from IOEarth. Check it out so you can decide for yourself.





THE DEAR HUNTER Act IV: Rebirth and Reprise

Like contemporaries Phideaux, Seven Steps from the Green Door, and Seven Reizh, the music released by these guys sounds as if it should be rendered on stage with a full Broadway production. It's definitely progressive rock but truly best sequestered in the "Crossover" or even "Theatric/Cabaret" sub-genres.

Line-up / Musicians:
- Casey Crescenzo / lead vocals, piano, organ, Rhodes, synth, electric & acoustic guitars, orchestrations, producer
- Rob Parr / electric & acoustic guitars, piano, organ, vocals
- Maxwell Tousseau / guitar, synth
- Nick Sollecito / bass
- Nick Crescenzo / drums, percussion
With:
- Judy Crescenzo / vocals
- Tivoli Breckenridge / vocals
- Brian Adam McCune / orchestrations
- Awesöme Orchestra / winds, strings, harp, percussion
- David Möschler / conductor/music director

1. "Rebirth" (2:51) very polished Broadway overture. (4.25/5)
2. "The Old Haunt" (4:36) a lot in common with the music and sound of American band 3RDEGREE. (8.5/10)
3. "Waves" (4:12) very close to contemporary pop (COLDPLAY) (8.5/10)
4. "At the End of the Earth" (5:16) (/10)
5. "Remembered (3:50) (/10)
6. "A Night on the Town (9:00) (/20)
7. "Is There Anybody Here? (6:42) (/10) 
8. "The Squeaky Wheel (4:35) (/10)
9. "The Bitter Suite IV and V: The Congregation and the Sermon in the Silt (5:40)
10. "The Bitter Suite VI: Abandon (5:32) (/10)
11. "King of Swords (Reversed) (5:07) (/10)
12. "If All Goes Well (4:41) (/10)
13. "The Line (3:37)
14. "Wait (3:20)
15. "Ouroboros (5:25)

Total Time: 74:24

A collection of very well-nurtured and -refined compositions that collectively tell another theatrical story; songs that might well be (better) served as a fully-staged musical before a live audience.




DAVE KERZNER New World

Though there is a lot of new music here, I did a fairly detailed review of the the original single CD version of New World the year before; I see no reason to do it again.

 



A FOREST OF STARS Beware the Sword You Cannot See





NIGHTWISH Endless Forms Most Beautiful

Nightwish being Nightwish: the usual high quality, the usual orchestrated versions, the same music being performed over and over.





ØRESUND SPACE COLLECTIVE Different Creatures

A double CD of quite diverse songs, all jamming in the space/psychedelic/Kosmische styles, of which the 30-minute Indian-tinged "Digestive Raga" (54/60) is the crown jewel.





TELERGY Hypatia

A talented composer of sumptuously cast music with a vast cast of all-stars to accompany his work. I find the music very engaging and bombastic with a slight bent toward the heavy/almost metal music in the same vein as Arjen Lucassen’s ARYEON and STAR projects and many of the KARFAGEN. The musical landscapes are surprisingly diverse, with 6. “Mathematician” (4:23) (8/10) taking the form of a keyboard-generated “orchestra” concerto or film score; 8. “Teacher” (6:57) (8/10) taking the form of an East-meets-West Arab/Indian song á la DARRYL WAY or even FROMUZ because of the way it becomes Heavy Metal for the final third of the song, and 16. “Martyr” (3:11) (8/10) taking the form a string quartet chamber piece. The violin, electric guitar, and keyboard soli are quite impressive and dynamic throughout as is the composer’s ability to mix styles and ethnicities into the heavy prog/metal style. The story and narration/audioplay used as interludes between the songs is a little hokey—especially when placed side by side with the heavy music.





LEAP DAY From the Days of Deucalion, Chapter 2

While I do not quite agree with those reviewers willing to vault this album into the echelons of prog Valhalla, I do not think it a wasted listen. Melodies and good musicianship abound. Some of the "tricks" are familiar but still manage to feel fresh enough to be enjoyable without sounding too redundant (though there were a lot of times that I found myself thinking to myself, "This sounds so much like Unitopia"). Still, there is a lot of derivative and cliched musical gimmicks, the sound mixing is not great, the singer's pitch is suspect, and the individual songs' musical foundations are often quite simple. Also, I can't help but find it sad that "...nothing but a fart in a windstorm..." plays a significant role in the lyrics of the chorus of a song here (2. "Amathia" [Homo Ignoramus]"). The lyricist is obviously mad at the stupidity of humans--whose choices have propelled its species onto a course of extermination. Usually I love messages like this. But this one is served up in a bit too much syrup and cake.

Line-up / Musicians:
- Jos Harteveld / lead vocals, acoustic guitar
- Eddie Mulder / electric & acoustic guitars, backing vocals
- Derk Evert Waalkens / keyboards, percussion, backing vocals, arrangements, producer
- Gert van Engelenburg / keyboards, backing vocals
- Peter Stel / bass
- Koen Roozen / drums

1. "Pseudo Science" (3:00) instrumental intro to a concept album? (8/10)
2. "Amathia (Homo Ignoramus)" (4:50) see above. Some rather nice music in a pleasant Neo Prog sound palette. (8.25/10)
3. "Taurus Appearance" (7:28) instrumental prog-by-numbers. Probably fun to play but does not deserve to be on an album. At 5:23 a simply stunningly gorgeous passage of Roye Albrighton/"Entangled"-like beauty begins and plays out to the end. (13/15)
4. "Phaeton" (7:29) as this opens, I can't help but think that I'm listening to Mark Trueack's UNITOPIA. Nice segue into pretty fullness with excellent lead guitar play/hooks from Eddie Mulder. Interesting bass play. Quite a broad palette of instrumental sounds and musical styles crammed into this one in short, intermittent bursts peppered all over the place. It kind of works, though the vocals and lyrics leave me a little mystified (not unlike Spock's Beard compositions). (12.5/15)
5. "Ya-Who" (8:45) here trying for an Chinese feel, the music doesn't quite match up with the female narrator's perfect Chinese; it's more Christmas with Ryuichi Sakamoto in the spirit of Eric Satie--until the three minute mark when the prog with English lyrics takes over. Quite relaxed in a Andrew Lloyd Weber "aria" kind of way. At 5:30 we return to a tribal Oriental kind of sound for a minute before returning to the ALW motif until the circus-like finish. Not sure what I was just listening to. (15.5/20)
6. "God of Wars" (7:06) interesting shift in style--to a more mystery science theater/sci-fi B movie mood. I get the story here but not the choices in musical styles to support it. The finish saves it from being a total waste of my time. (11/15)
7. "Deucalion" (10:53) what happened? Weirdness (in the sound and stylistic choices) all around. Once again, the constant bouncing around from familiar styles, riffs, and motifs leaves me feeling as if I've been passing through the Fun House at the amusement park. (14/20)
8. "In the Shadow of Death (9:19) (14/20)
9. "Ancient Times (Reprise) (5:05) fair enough slow blues-rocker to finish. (8/10)

Total Time 63:35

Overall, this is a competent if inconsistent representation of Neo Prog. Not nearly up to the impact of 2015 releases from bands like Sylvan, Mystery, Seven Steps to the Green Door, Perfect Beings, or even, Barock Project or Comedy of Errors, but decent.

77.22 on the Fishscales = C-/2.5 stars; a display of mediocre quality prog that some will like, others will find unacceptable. 

Albums that Are, In My Humble Opinion, Over-Rated




POND Man It Feels Like Space Again

Other than the HAPPY MONDAYS/TOM TOM CLUB song 7, "Outside Is the Right Side," this feels just like a group of OMD/FLAMING LIPS/THE CLIENTELE/TAME IMPALA wannabees.





SYMPHONY X Underworld

Sounds like the same ole Symphony X to me! Nothing's changed; nothing new. I'm sorry to go against the grain, but I did like a couple of Symphony X's earlier albums and, to my ears, this album sounds like outtakes to those albums, or like covers of "vanilla" Metal music--that is, there is nothing new or innovative here; the band sounds like they are suspended in a time warp around 1989. They remind me of an aging KISS. At times they sound like a 80s power ballad hair band (e.g. Whitesnake, Bon Jovi, Poison) and others like a heavy metal-on-the-verge-of doom metal. Nothing like the still-evolving, still adventurous IRON MAIDEN.

Musically there a few songs that get the blood boiling ("Kiss of Fire," "Charon," and "In My Darkest Hour" come to mind) but they are inevitably taken down by a Tom JONES-like quality in the vocals--especially in the choruses. What's happening to Symphony X? Maybe they need to get out of New Jersey.

3 stars. Recommended only to die hard 80s & 90s metal heads.





ECHOLYN I Heard You Listening

1. "Messenger of All's Right" (6:23) opens with a brilliant use of space and pace with no over-the top melodies or incongruous changes. At least for the first three minutes. Guitar solo at 3:00 sucks. The quiet gap of whispered vocal after is also odd but okay. Another odd guitar solo--very odd choice of guitar sound--almost like Dave Gregory's (XTC, Big Big Train). "--there is one who'll pull me out" ?!?!?!? WTF?! (8/10)

2. "Warjazz" (5:16) sounds like an Echolyn attempt at heavier rock. Again, the choices of guitar sounds are not at all to my liking. Odd lyrical message. Nice coda at the end of the third minute leading into a nice section of harmonized vocals. This is followed by an abrasive section of guitar and screeching voice before the song pauses and winds up for the closing minute. (6/10)

3. "Empyrean Views" (9:18) starts out sounding so familiar Echolyn--like a total rehashing of the music from their last album's "Past Gravity." The switch at 3:13 tries to move away from this, but then they get into their older, early STEELY DAN "Country-Jazz" sound. This is acceptable, sometimes enjoyable, thought the choral shout "calls for a destination" is odd and completely lost on me, lyrical deaf-mute that I am. The dreamy waltz arpeggios at 6:40 are engaging, but then just as soon they are gone. A decent Jeff Baxter-Like guitar solo fills the eighth minute before synths take over and start a friendly duel with the guitarist. This could definitely be an early DOOBIE BROTHERS or STEELY DAN song! (8/10)

4. "Different Ways" (7:47) opens like an attempt at a YES song (Drama/90120) before settling into a true STEELY DAN sound. ("Any Major Dude" comes to mind.) The chorus returns to the YES "Changes"-sounding form. Really odd bridge at 3:20 leads into heavy section before things quiet down and Fagen sing-talks one of his signature stories. A little early AMBROSIA sound is recognizable in this one as the song gets into its final third. (7/10)

5. "Carried Home" (5:10) opens with a gorgeous sound, like a classic hit song from the late 60s--from the CLASSICS IV ("Stormy"), THE BEATLES or even The Association. An awesome, aweome song. I love the female background vocals at 2:40 followed by a truly great electric guitar solo. The best singing I've ever heard from this band. Great AMERICA-like harmony at 3:25--which leads into a nice section of great lead and harmony vocals to the end. (9/10)

6. "Once I Get Mine" (5:40) plays like a song from the early 80s--like THE TUBES meet THE KNACK to play XTC. A complete throw away song for me. Even the jazz-rock section at 2:40 can't bring me back. (5/10)

7. "Sound of Bees" (6:57) is built over a nice weave of arpeggios--from guitar, piano, and bass--which are then intermittently added to by different instruments throughout the course of the song. The lyric or vocalist's melody line are not interesting enough to lure me in. Nice solo guitar work over organ from 3:10 on. (8/10)

8. "All This Time We're Given" (7:59) opens with a guitar sound going way back to the 50s or 60s over which a gorgeous CROSBY, STILLS & NASH like voice sings plaintively. Great shift at 1:42. I'm really loving this vocal! I might even try to go into the lyric to try to figure out what he's singing about! AT 3:10 there is a shift into more aggressive rock--very much in keeping with a late 60s CROSBY, STILLS & NASH song. It's working! Even the more aggressive singing voice and harmonies. AT 4:58 there's another shift into some very delicate solo electric guitar picking before the vocal and the rest of the band returns to rehash the A and B sections. I love the NEIL YOUNG-like stand-up piano solos in the seventh minute! Nice job! (8/10)

9. "Vanishing Sun" (7:32) opens with some distorted walking bass lines and raunchy electric guitar chord strums. Drums eventually establish a rhythm which the heavy bass settles into and then organ joins in. At the two minute mark an odd new song begins with a nondescript aggressive vocal performance scringing his way into a better chorus section. And swear words! "Kill me now!" he says. Now I can't help but hear some of the words: "Anger is the root," "...set the room ablaze," "What a wasted life," "What a lonely life." The band as a whole seems to try to express anger through their increasingly aggressive and loud instrumental play before settling into a DAVID BOWIE "Suffragette City" kind of jam to the end. (6/10)

These guys are obviously talented and knowledgable and intelligent but their music just never connects with me. I appreciate it and I play it--always giving it another chance, trying to figure out what I'm missing--but I leave it in dismay and never seek it out. Even my favorite song of theirs, "The End Is Beautiful" I rarely play. I try Cowboy Poems Free three or four times a year. No luck. Inconsistency and a little too much obscure quirk keep me at a distance. What impresses me most is their use of odd--very odd--chords--sometimes just one single chord--thrown into songs at the oddest of places--chords that feel as if they were saving from a tremendous wealth of collected chords from a tremendously deep knowledge and familiarity with the vast history of rock'n'roll and music in general. But, like an inside joke or a family's private language, I seem to be left on the outside. Maybe as "All This Time We're Given" and "Carried Home" make there rounds on my "new music" playlist I'll snap into it. It took me 35 years to "get" and fall head over heels in love with Gentle Giant. Maybe it'll be the same for Echolyn. Until then this is a three star album for me--3.5 at best.




WILLIAM D. DRAKE Revere Reach

Without doubt an album in the Cardiacs' vaudevillian tradition. The music is as interesting as Cardiacs' stuff though the Drake's vocals are a bit scratchy. The album starts off with such promise--much like the sound and feel of NORTH SEA RADIO ORCHESTRA's 2011 masterpiece, I a Moon, but seems to run out of steam or stray from the feel and confidence of its opening by the fifth song, "A Husk" (5:41) (7/10) in which William seems to really be straining to sing in key and across the vast and demanding range set forth by the song. In the very next song William sounds like he has a horrible cold. Is this a joke?! Are we supposed to laugh or feel sorry for this man who can't afford to wait until he's healthy to sing these otherwise potentially strong Van Morrison-like songs? By the time we get through "Heart of Oak" and "The Catford Clown" I am totally bored and annoyed. "Liferaft" and the female sung piano lounge torch song, "Castaway," do nothing to improve the situation. By the time I've made it to the title song I feel as if I'd been present at free concert in the leaky old vicarage in Hevingham, County Norfolk! The fact that some listeners are naming this their album of the year boggles my mind!





COMEDY OF ERRORS Spirit

Well-composed, cleanly-performed, crisply engineered prog of the Neo kind. Not unlike Big Big Train or Spock's Beard. Where the music suffers a bit, in my opinion, is from overly banal or cliche lyrics, inferior lead vocals, and use and repetition of tried and true prog riffs and hooks. Also, sound production is not of the highest caliber or quality. This is a great example of what I call "second tier" prog. The crossover simplicity, cheap instrumentation and lack of finish or polish make this sound like the 1980s.





TIGER MOTH TALES Story Tellers, Part One

Nice retro prog in the GENESIS style





BAROCK PROJECT Skyline

This is a well-made album with complex compositions and very competent performances on all instruments but, like Dan Brittan’s various highly regarded projects, the music of Skyline simply fails to lure me in. I do like it that Barock's songs have a distinct if sightly JTULL sound to them, but, like last year's impressive FREDDEGREDDE album, complexity does not always make for enjoyable or engaging listening. The problem here with Skyline is that even with repeated listens over months none of the songs are making their way into my brain, none of these songs are songs that I want to seek out or push repeat for. Once again: Maybe if I were more lyric oriented . . . .

3.5 stars rated up for impressive composition, performance, and production.





VESPERO Fitful Slumber Until 5 A.M.

With this album Russian jammers Vespero have chosen a direction that incorporates more prominently the element of folk or world instrumentation. Guitarist Alexander Kuzovlev has introduced more traditional instruments (mostly mandolin) into lead or foundational roles in virtually every song. Keyboard wizard Alexey Klabukov has chosen either edgy-weird space/computer sounds or retro/70s sounds to be featured in his palette here. Drummer Ivan Fedotov has been asked to perform more straightforward role as rhythm keeper instead of the adventurous free-flowing improvisateur I fell in love with on By the Waters of Tomorrow. As a matter of fact, this 2010 release had me so excited exactly because this drummer and group were so free-form and adventurous--like the Krautrock bands of old. I fear that the band as a whole has reined in and contained their sound considerably since those formative days of the Naughties. It feels to me as if only bass player Arkady Fedotov has been able to really keep his groove on from the days of "old."

Don't get me wrong: There are good songs here--songs that I like to hear once in a while (though, I have to admit, there is not a single song that I love the whole way through)--but nothing that sucks me in and hypnotizes me the way By the Waters of Tomorrow and the "Liventure" series did.

Favorite songs: "Vision 2: Outer Planting (4:02:16 - 4:10:30)" (8:15) (9/10); "Vision 5: Ezel (4:30:00 - 4:36:55)" (6:56) (8/10); "Vision 1: Ogni Fuoco (3:50:18 - 4:02:15)" (11:53) (8/10), and; the Arabian feeling "Vision 6: Atil (4:36:46 - 4:51:14)" (14:18) (8/10).

A well-performed set of songs that are, unfortunately, a little disappointing to me. It is hard to discern this album's value as it is not, in my opinion, "an excellent addition to any prog rock music collection" nor is it merely "Good." It is a 3.5 star album that I am going to rate down for failing to live up to both my expectations and the band's potential.





PANDORA SNAIL War and Peace





GENTLE KNIFE Gentle Knife

Gentle Knife is a new band from Norway delighting in promoting the fact that they have ten members, all interested in contributing to a progressive rock format. The album is intended as a concept album expressing the overwhelming confusion as an urbanite wanders and gets lost in a vast forest. Musically, the band seem to draw major influences from the classic prog artists of the 1970s, specifically, KING CRIMSON, VAN DER GRAAF GENERATOR and GENESIS.

The opening song, “Our Quiet Footsteps” (12:35) (8/10) definitely is a “suite” of four distinctive parts: the four-minute instrumental intro, the verbal story telling, the instrumental development of said story, and then an odd fourth part that seems to go off on its own before tying back into the original sections. Like most of the album, this song gives me impressions of an ambitious band that is still as yet unpolished in its collaboration, performance, and engineering. The use of two lead vocalists, a male and female, with sometimes alternating storytelling, sometimes one harmonizing with the other slightly in the background is nice but, like on song #2, “Remnants of Pride” (7:58) (8/10), the timing of the two vocalists is just enough off kilter to be distractive. I like it much better when each voice is given center stage, alone—though the alternating style works well, too. Often the songs are saved, for me, by the interesting inputs of the brass/woodwind instruments. 
 
Two electric guitarists seems a delightful prospect yet one of the guitarists style is so raw with his fast picking over sustained notes that it feels as though he needs a few more months of practice to really master this technique. The other style of soloing used predominantly through the course of the album is much more pleasing and integrated—kind of a Robert FRIPP style and sound. Keyboards and rhythm section are good though song rhythmic foundations are often very basic, repetitive, and toilsome. This works well for the soloists to noodle over and the vocalists to sing over, but the “lead” instruments are rarely as fiery or flamboyant enough to take the music to a different level.

Favorite songs: the strongest, most complete, energetic, emotional and mature sounding song on the album, “Tear Away the Cords that Bind” (4:53) (9/10); the synth/electronica founded instrumental, 7. “Epilogue Locus Amoenus” (8:03) (9/10), and; the woodwind-dominated instrumental, “Beneath the Waning Moon” (4:35) (8/10).

Should this new band rise up to the potential exhibited on “Tear Away the Cords that Bind” they will become a great band that many prog rock lovers will scramble to see and hear. For now they are mostly interesting for their ambition, rawness, and potential.





AGUSA Tvá





IZZ Everlasting Instant





STEVE HACKETT Wolflight





ARENA The Unquiet Sky





ENSLAVED In Times





ROZ VITALIS Lavoro d’amore





ARGOS A Seasonal Affair

While I loved the eclectic retro prog-pop of Argos' 2010 album, Circles, with this release the band seems to have committed even more footing to the sounds and stylings of the 1980s. There are a lot of pleasant, pleasing sounds and melodies but very little edge or discord--that is, the music and lyrics are missing the kind of angst and tension that sucks one in until there is either resolution or reprieve. All attempts at 'abrasive' sound or tension seem to miss the mark. And the blatant imitation of PETER HAMMILL are off-the-mark as well: too clean, too polished, too contrived, too computerized. Too bad! Such talent! Such a voice! But alas! Thomas Kalrmann is no Peter Hammill.

3.5 stars rated down for disappoint and lack of engaging tunes.




GRAND TOUR Heavy on the Beach

Dated, soporific neo-prog is not my bag. The vocals are rather weak and uninspired--especially melodically--and the lyrics are lacking conviction. I didn't like COMEDY OF ERRORs much and only liked ABEL GANZ moderately well, so I had no high expectations for this one. Listening to it I find myself thinking that I'm listening to lost demo albums from the 80s from the likes of STYX, LOVERBOY, AMBROSIA, ASIA, YES or ALAN PARSONS PROJECT. The drums and lead guitar work are quite competent but there's just nothing new here to bring me back for receptive listens. 

Album highlight is the instrumental "Little Boy and Fat Man" (8/10) with "On the Radio" coming in a not-so-close second.

3.5 stars rated down for lack of originality.





DRIFTING SUN Trip the Light Fantastic

This album is actually a step above the stale, cheesy or otherwise redundant Neo-Prog coming out this year. There is something fresh, creative, and original to it--even if it is still not ground-breaking or innovative. (It is, after all, Neo Prog.) Unusual recording of the grand piano (it sounds like it actually is a grand piano!) and raspy vocals conjure up artists of the 70s and 80s. Excellent acoustic guitar work throughout and I like a band that is not so heavily reliant on a drum kit for its rhythm and meter. The recording and stylings sound very much like current bands from South America like AISLES, Hominido





STATE URGE Confrontation

Another bombastic Neo Prog band sullied by their computer cleanliness and their use of prog-by-numbers sounds and formulae. The production of the voice is very poor. Some the foundational riffs and chord sequences--not to mention the sound and instrument choices--are so cheesy and irritating as to make me cringe! It's all I can do to sit through a full song much less give it my "open-minded" attention.
"Cold as Lie" is a decent song and "Before the Dawn" brings to mind country-mates SATELLITE.

Three stars, no more.





RIVERSIDE Love, Fear and the Time Machine

2016, Part 4: Other albums worth checking out for yourselves

Below you will find albums from the hundreds of 2016 releases that I happened to hear that impressed me enough to collect them for possible future review but which, ultimately, failed to hold enough interest for me to want to invest the extra time and effort necessary to write a proper review. Meritorious music should be shared--even if it is not to my own personal stylistic liking. I understand that everyone else has unique and differing likes and preferences to those of mine, thus I "unleash" these albums to the general public with the recommendation that you check them out for yourselves. Good luck! and Happy listening! I hope you find some gems here for your own music listening pleasure!




RANTAMA TRIO Catching The Mystery Train

Nice bluesy guitar-led jazz fusion from this trio from Finland. Not far from some of AL DI MEOLA's early stuff. Good guitar, great fretless bass, and solid drums. Pretty cool sound used for that lead guitar.




KAIPA DA KAPO D˚arskapens Monotoni

If you like the modern symphonic music of The Flower Kings, you will probably like this.

Line-up
Ingemar Bergman (Kaipa): Drums & percussion
Tomas Eriksson (Kaipa): Bass
Roine Stolt (The Flower Kings, Kaipa, Agents of Mercy): Guitars, Vocal, LapSteel, Ukulele, Portougise Guitar, Grand Piano
Michael Stolt: Lead Vocal, Guitars, Moog
Max Lorentz: Hammond B 3 organ,Yamaha Grand Piano, Vocal, Minimoog, Mellotron, Rhodes piano, Pipe Organl, Flute, Tuba, Sitar, Percussion

1. Dårskapens Monotoni(10:30)
2. När Jag Var En Pojk (10:40)
3. Vi Lever Här (6:20)
4. Det Tysta Guldet (10:20)
5. Spår Av Vår Tid (5:40)
6. Tonerna (17:20)
7. Monoliten (5:45)

Total Time 66:35


NINETEEN TWELVE New World Order

NeoProg on the order of BIG BIG TRAIN, NINE STONES CLOSE, and MYSTERY though not quite reaching the heights of these aforementioned bands.

Line-up / Musicians:
Gary Sheridan - vocals, guitar, keyboards
Dave Sutheran - drums, vocals
Gavin Saunders - guitars
John Pierpoint - bass, mandolin
Alex Theay - keyboards, guitar, vocals

1. New World Order (16:26)
2. The Eagle (4:13)
3. The Last Train (4:03)
4. World Of Change (2:45)
5. Broken Stones (6:19)
6. Everything We Have Lost (6:12)
7. The Hand That Feeds (4:24)

Total time 44:22

CD 2
1. Log 1: The Mourning (8:06)
2. Log 2, Day 1: The Tides, Pt. 1 (3:54)
3. Log 3, Day 4: Fighting For Life (On Film) (4:16)
4. The Tides, Pt. 2 (3:40)
5. Log 4, Day 6: Give Me The Heart (8:45)

Total time 28:41



THE ROME PRO(G)JECT II Of Fate and Glory

Vincent RICCIO puts together some highly polished, bombastic instrumental prog while enlisting the help of prog virtuosi Steve HACKETT, Billy SHERWOOD, David JACKSON on a few tracks.




KNIFEWORLD Bottled Out of Eden

Kavus Torabi has learned a lot through his work with SPIDER STACEY (The POGUES), Tim SMITH (The CARDIACS) and DAEVID ALLEN (GONG) as well as British Zeuhl band, GUAPO, but the effect of these widely diverse musical styles may have caused a kind of mistaken or lost identity--a kind of chamelonic "Zelig" effect (to steal Woody Allen's idea). In each of the songs and even the layers of sounds and stylings used in the songs on Bottled Out of Eden seems so disparate and splintered as to cause an internal tension to me, the listener--it's as if I'm being torn apart by the different directions in which the drums, bass, guitars, keyboards, horns, folk instruments, multiple vocals, and tempos are each trying to take me.

Five star songs: the XTC-like 3. "I Am Lost" (7:14) (9/10) and the slower, piano-based micro-drama, 9. "A Dream About a Dream" (5:43) (9/10).

Four star songs: the simple and pretty, 5. "Foul Temple" (2:38) (8.5/10); 1. "High-Aflame" (6:29 (8.5/10); the simple and straightforward, 10. "Secret Words" (3:12) (8/10); the most integrated multi-layered song on the album (which ends up, ultimately, disappointing), 11. "Feel the Sorcery" (3:50) (8/10); 2. "The Germ Inside" (4:48) (7.5/10), and; the jazzy King Crimson-like and mostly instrumental, 7. "I Must Set Fire to Your Portrait" (5:37) (7/10).

Three star songs: the boring, drab, 4. "The Deathless" (5:26) (6.5/10) and the torturous, atonal hodgepodge that is 8. "Lowered into Necromancy" (4:04) (6/10).

If everything Kavus writes sounds like him, then this is one dude that I would not be able to hang around with very very long--his multi-directional freneticism is beyond my capacity or interest to tolerate.

82.0 on the Fishscales = four stars; B-; an album worth checking out for your self.




FAR FROM THE SUN In the Beginning . . . Was the Emotion

Heavy prog in the style of the most ominous, deeply bass-dominated music of RIVERSIDE and with the melodic and vocal sensibilities of NICE BEAVER. One of the album's few flaws is that it's first three songs blend together too well--start to sound like the same music only differing in their lyrics. The opener, it's title song, sets an awesome tone, but then nothing changes for the next 26 minutes. The fourth song presents a nice IAN ANDERSON change of pace and style. The other flaw is that each song proceeds in one gear, one speed only, with little or now change in mood or feel from start to finish. Over the course of the album this works out okay, but over the course of six, seven, nine and 12-minute songs, it can get a little stale.

Favorite songs: 7. "On the path (of the hanged men)" (9:17) (9/10) and 4. "Life" (7:37) (9/10).





LARGE BODIES Shade

TOBY DRIVER-influenced one man experimental/post metal progressive rock a notch or two down in terms of sophistication from Toby's work. At times I find myself thinking BAUHAUS, DIF JUZ, TALKING HEADS, Shoegaze, Kosmische Musik and Electronica like Tangerine Dream, but far more often, Toby Driver. Still, interesting and listenable.




I WAS AWAKE Facade

Out of Cambridge, Mass, comes this heavy metal group. They sound to me like an odd combination of RUSH and BLACK SABBATH. Available on Bandcamp.

Line-up / Musicians: 
Chris Bouchard - Drums
Justin Demko - Guitar
Dan Goodhue - Guitar
Chris Harvey - Vocals, Guitar, Piano, Percussion
Kyle Paradis - Bass Guitar, Piano, Percussion, additional Guitar
With:
Sean Cahalin - Additional Percussion

1. Facade (1:39)
2. Erasing (5:12)
3. Confidant (4:08)
4. The Messenger (3:39)
5. The Frightened One (5:19)
6. Killers, Thieves, Deceivers (5:51)
7. As Within... (3:02)
8. The End (4:55)
9. Gravity (4:12)
10. ...so Without (3:18)
11. Seek To Hide (8:06)

Total Time 49:21



MONDO DRAG The Occultation of Light

Straightforward if mature and polished psychedelic rock from Oakland, California. Sounds a lot like a clean version of the self-titled debut album from DIAGONAL or HYPNOS 69's Legacy--music in the vein of SPIRIT, BLACK SABBATH, and early KING CRIMSON (sans Mellotron). 2016 is looking like the year of rise of the organ Phoenix!

1. "Initiation -
2. "Out Of Sight - sounds very like KING CRIMSON's "21st Century Schizoid Man"
3. "Rising Omen - instrumental
4. "Incendiary oProcession
5. "The Eye
6. "In Your Head
7. "Dying Light
8. "Ride The Sky



OVER THE EARTH The Sun Is Much too Bright

Well produced prog lite from France. Nice use of effects and subtleties but nothing terribly new or exciting here.

Line-up / Musicians: 
Rémi Generoso : Bass, Vocals
Pierre-Michel Planchon : Guitar
Nicolas Macassian : Guitar
Guillaume Salsedo : Drums
Jocelyn Larue : Keyboards

1. The Sun Is Much Too Bright (7:04)
2. Weeping Willow (6:51)
3. Irony Inside (5:18)
4. The Rope (6:17)
5. Disconnection (6:46)
6. She Dances Around the Clock (6:06)

Total Time: 38:22



ANGEL GRAVE The Archivists' Tragedy

True rockin' psychedelia sound just as raw and distorted as the hard blues-rock coming out of the late 1960s.

1. Cosmos Weaver (7:04)
2. Archivists Of The Universe (9:56) (16.25/20)
3. Shattered Continuum (6:52)
4. Isle Of Awakening Slumber (11:02) ((15.75/20)
5. Fall Of The Artificers (6:31)
6. The Calculatory Waning (7:49)
7. Serpentine Maelstrom (12:27) (21/25)
8. The Transformative Lens (2:20)
9. Sea God's Plight (9:19) (16.6667/20)
10. Geocentrism (15:20) (24/30)

Unusual Post Rock-ish psychedelic rock--like a heavier version of Arthur Brown's from the 60s. Interesting and unusual but gets old fast.

Despite good intentions and some noticeable variety, this is nothing more than a three star album, no more.   



DIVJE JEZERO Mestni Vrvez

Lively, diverse if a little simplistic jazz fusion from sLOVEnia. The artist has much room for growth but puts out a great first effort--which is more appreciated for its great drumming and diverse delivery mechanisms for lead melody maker (mostly keys and woodwinds).






AFENGINN Opus

Interesting and unusual orchestra-based progressive rock from Denmark. This is Afenginn's sixth studio album but the first that I have ever heard. The music here reminds me of vastly slowed down Eastern European folk music as if the typical songs of ARANIS, RATIONAL DIET or FARMER'S MARKET were slowed down by half speed. Nothing extraordinary or Earth-shattering here but very nice.




ØRESUND SPACE COLLECTIVE Visions of . . . 

Line-up / Musicians:
Alex - Drums and Percussion
Dr Space - Analog Synthesizers
Hasse - Bass
Jonas - Hammond, Synthesizer, Electric Piano
Jonathan - Guitar
Mattias - Guitar, Pedal Steel
Mats - Guitar

1. Visions of ... (42:11)
2. Above the Corner (16:17)
3. Piece of Seven (8:35)
4. Around the Corner (11:02)

Total Time 78:05




FUNGAL ABYSS Karma Suture

Instrumental stoner rock album with two long jams.




NIECHEC Niechec

Nice, smooth, sometimes atmospheric jazz fusion from Poland. Sometimes a bit simplistic, but melodic and listenable.




HUIS Neither in Heaven

Heavy Neo Prog from Canada. Great sound engineering of wonderful Neo Prog soundscapes. A lot of ballad-like formats but, otherwise, nothing new here.

Line-up / Musicians:
- Sylvain Descôteaux / vocals, keyboards, piano, vocal arrangements 
- Michel St-Père / guitar, keyboards, mixing
- Michel Joncas / bass, bass pedals, keyboards, backing vocals
- William Régnier / drums, percussion, keyboards & acoustic guitar (10)
With:
- Nathan Vanheuverzwijn / piano (1,10)
- Johnny Maz / synth solo (2)
- Gerben Klazinga / synth solo (3)
- Benoit Dupuis / keyboards (4)
- Johanne Laplante / flute (5)

1. Neither In Heaven (2:40)
2. "Synesthesia" (13:09) nice climax/final two minutes. (21/25) 
3. "Insane" (5:47) a hard-rocking instrumental that shows off a lot of the individual band members' skills but offers nothing really new or exciting. (7.25/10)
4. "Even Angels Sometimes Fall" (5:28) pretty with an AMBROSIA ballad feel to it. (8.75/10)
5. "Entering The Gallery" (3:41) bombastic opening before things calm down for Sylvain's vocal. Supported by piano and a very bluesy-slide guitar. (7.75/10) Bleeds directly into: 
6. "The Man On The Hill" (7:44) heavy, angular melodic and chord progressions set up a quiet section in which Sylvain Dexcôteaux sings in a power metal voice like he's in a 1980s metal band. Even the ensuing instrumental support is so 1980s metal (reminding me most of Hagar-era VAN HALEN)! (12/15)
7. "The Red Gypsy" (6:25) intro of Spanish guitar supported by synth washes is joined by piano and vocal before the end of the first minute. Full band joins in around 1:20, giving it a kind of mysterious pop feel (think The Eagles). Then synth and guitars lead in a gear shift into more classic 1980s hairband rock territory (Van Halen et al.). (7.75/10)
8. "Memories" (8:43) very touching first 2:20. Once fullness of music is engaged the band successfully maintains the feeling and emotional spectrum of the opening. Absolutely perfect use of Mellotron in the choruses. Masterful electric guitar soloing in the seventh minute (should we expect less?) (18/20)
9. I Held (3:35) 
10. Nor On Earth (11:41) sounds like a good STEVEN WILSON/PORCUPINE TREE song ("Dark Matter"). Really! Very nice composition with perfect sound engineering. A little too derivative, though. And then there is the weird ending and spacious gap before two minute piano outro. (18/20) 

Total time 68:53

83.75 on the Fishscales = B-/low four stars; an album worth checking out for yourselves.




BARADJ Divlar  

Retro Psychedelic Rock from Russia. Nice.




DELIRIUM IPG (International Progressive Group) L'era della Menzogna

Italian prog masters DELIRIUM are back with another collection of solid progressive rock/RPI songs. Diversity is again the name of the game with this band as one can find female operatic voices (on "L'Angelo el Fango") along side the gravelly voice of lead singer Alessandro Corvaglia, nice keyboard work through out and the nice touch of flute throughout. This is seasoned, well-constructed, nice to listen to prog, Delirium's music is actually quite difficult to place--though it does have that theatric presence common to so much of Italian progressive rock music--but their mix of old, retro and modern keyboards with unusual recording, engineering and mixing choices is quite distinctive and . . . unique.

Favorite songs: 1. "L'inganno del potere" (6:26); the emotional Gregorian-chant presence in 8. "Basta" (5:17); 5. "La deriva" (3:54); the beautiful "L'angelo della fango" (3:45) and the Latin-tinged "La voce dell'anima" (3:31).

Not as strong as 2009's Il nome del vento, but a decent, enjoyable collection of well-constructed songs.



NO MORE PAIN The Spader

Bombastic Neo-Heavy Metal concept album from New Jersey.

1. "I: Paging Mr. Spader" (6:13) (6/10)
2. "II: Spader's Lullaby" (4:11) starts out beautifully, very saccharine piano solo, then bursts into well-crafted heavy metal jam with impressive lead guitar skills and engaging background choir vocalise. (8.75/10)
3. "III: Spader's Dream" (3:59) slow-play guitar pregnant with ambiguous potential. I like this! (9/10)
4. "IV: Wake Up, Mr. Spader!" (6:54) Stevie Ray Vaughan? (12/15)
5. "V: Spader?" (9:59) more prog-like before turning prog metal and and then classic blues rock. Part Nektar, part Blue Öyster Cult, part Nine Stones Close. (17.25/20)

81.54 on the Fishscales = C+/three stars but worth checking out for yourselves.




MERRY GO ROUND Merry Go Round

An nice musical journey that takes me back to the San Francisco Bay Area type of psychedelic rock. A little URIAH HEEP, a little JEFFERSON AIRPLANE, I love the raunchy female lead vocalist and the prominent organs.

Favorite songs: the organ-wild rocker, 8. "Indian Rope Man" (3:23); the nostalgic, "Brand New Day"-like 9. "Mesmerized Worlds" (5:40); 2. "After" (6:02), and; the DOORS-like "Free Ride" (4:19).




KASHGAR Kashgar

Melodic, bluesy, Indo-Prog-oriented jazz from talented Canadian guitarist-songwriter Marcus TAYLOR. If you think you'd like a simplified, more Westernized, Al DiMeola-styled version of John McLaughlin's SHAKTI music from the 1970s then this might be your cup of tea.



KHAN TENGRI Aeons

A nice effort to express some beautiful and important concepts but the album's music suffers from poor recording/engineering/mixing and, at times, underdeveloped song structures and flows. I really, really, really wanted to like/love this album. But I don't. If there's one album I've heard from this year that should/could be remade, reworked, à la Walt Whitman's Leaves of Grass, or all things Mike OLDFIELD (Tubular Bells), it'd be this one. SO much potential!



SUNGAZERS Eye Can't Act

An interesting techno-metallic post-rock album from Hungary's Gergő Géczi and friends that would probably go under the radar were it to be released later in the year. Nice professional recording and engineering, the music is given a little different slant on the songs that have Debbie Harry/Terry Nunn-like vocalist Mária Molnár. I found myself most drawn in by the bass work (of Máté Fazekas?)




DASPUTNIK Psyjhixplosion

Nice, hard-drivin' psych rock from Finland.

1. Kryptozookeeper (8:30)
2. Skitsovision (7:42)
3. Moons Left Eye (6:13)
4. Dark Side Of The Barsoom (8:37)
5. Wormhat Blues (4:17)
6. Fat Moses (8:36)



7 OCEAN Son of Sun

Finally an Eastern European/Slavic prog band with the courage to sing in their native language! The recording/engineering are a little raw/amateurish/low budget, but the music is pretty and well intended--which counts for something in my books.
  



JOHN DEMARKIS Imagine That

Interesting sound production on a collection of pop-prog songs that have a very explicitly targeted social-politically commentary. A little too rock-poppy for my tastes but I like and appreciate the lyrical intentions.


TIM BURNESS Whose Dream Are You Living?

Eminently listenable prog pop from a master of melodic hooks, Tim's music seems rooted in some of the sounds and styles of the 1980s and, unfortunately, still suffers from a lack of technological polish (poor engineering and production) and Tim's poor singing voice.




BIG HOGG Big Hogg

Simplisitc horn-infused folk rock in the vein of some of the mid- to late-60s folk bands that were experimenting with rock formats, this band has potential but needs more experience; they need to learn variation, complexity, dexterity, confidence and instrumental prowess.

Favorite songs: two instrumentals, the pastoral flute-centered "Duke of Shakespeare Street" (3:59) (9/10), the MANNA/MIRAGE-like horn section-centered "Bad Salad Boogie" (4:06) (8/10), and; the Robert Wyatt tribute "For R.W." (6:12) (8/10).



THE SYN Trustworks

In the "so much potential but such a letdown" category comes Steve Nardelli's The Syn project in which he enlists the creative and instrumental support of the entire band MOON SAFARI. Too bad.



Highly Rated Albums that Are Disappointing to Me:





SHAMALL History Book

Line-up / Musicians:
Norbert Krueler / Everything
Matthias Mehrtens / Lead Guitar

1. Turning Point
2. Journey To A Nightmare
3. Nothing To Say
4. Physical Visions
5. Moments Of Illusion
6. Light In the Night
7. Theme Of A Rainy Day
8. Snowfall
9. Pong Tscha
10. Caligula 2009 (edit 2016)




THE NEAL MORSE BAND The Similitude of a Dream

What we have here is solid progressive rock, as always, from Neal Morse. What's different from recent albums is the level of experience and virtuosity of Neal's band mates. Mike Portnoy is great. Guitarist Eric Gilette is amazing. Randy George is rock solid. Neal's writing is as mature and melodic (and bombastic) as ever. The vocals (shared!) are very good. The lyrics and subject matter are very, very good. The sound and production is excellent. What has yet to be proven is whether or not this is 'new' 'fresh' or innovative enough to earn it unequivocal praise and recommendation from me and the rest of Prog World.


(Two weeks later:)  I have now been listening to parts of this double album (I can't sit or drive long enough to hear the whole thing--it's nearly two hours long!) for a couple of weeks now. The DREAM THEATER comparisons are not unwarranted. The splitting of lead vocal duties among three (and terrific multi-voice harmonies) are a definite plus. The quality of the music and musicians' performances are truly top notch (which is the norm for any Neal Morse-involved project). My 'criticism' comes from the 'sameness' of the sound and music here:  I strive to hear something really new and exciting (other than new words used for the melodies) and I fail. This music, to me, sounds the same as previous albums by previous bands. Let's call it the "Haken Syndrome"--though Neal himself could just as easily and deservedly receive the award of this dubious assignation. Like the British band HAKEN, the song construction, sound production, musicianship and dynamic complexity here is of the highest caliber; also like the albums and music of the British band HAKEN, The Similitude of a Dream presents to me music that is impressive and praise-worthy and yet nothing that I feel compelled or drawn in even the slightest way to ever hear again. I am sad to say that this is one of those brilliant albums that I have absolutely no interest in ever listening to again. (And yet, I will. Just as I do with Haken and Steven Wilson albums.) So, let's be real here:  How does one rate such an album? Sheer perfection that has no attraction or endearment to a listener's heart and soul

Line-up:
Neal Morse: Vocals, Guitar and Keyboards
Mike Portnoy: Drums
Randy George: Bass
Eric Gillette: Guitar and Vocals
Bill Hubauer: Keyboards and Vocals

Disc 1
1.    Long Day
2.    Overture
3.    The Dream
4.    City Of Destruction
5.    We Have Got To Go
6.    Makes No Sense
7.    Draw The Line
8.    The Slough
9.    Back To The City
10.  The Ways Of A Fool
11.   So Far Gone
12.   Breath Of Angels        

TOTAL CD 1 TIME: 51:59

Disc 2
1.   Slave To Your Mind        
2.   Shortcut To Salvation    
3.   The Man In The Iron Cage    
4.   The Road Called Home        
5.   Sloth                                      
6.   Freedom Song                      
7.   I'm Running                            
8.   The Mask                                
9.   Confrontation                          
10. The Battle                                
11. Broken Sky/Long Day Reprise

TOTAL CD 2 TIME: 54:36


A 4.5 star album that I choose to rate down for lack of enduring interest. To me it is "Good, but not essential" but it is certainly well-worthy of others giving it their own listen. I compromise.




HEMINA Venus

Not unlike the sounds and quick-change tempos of AN ENDLESS SPORADIC, this is over-processed, artifice in which manual performance or virtuosity seems to be virtually eliminated by computer programming, sequencing and editing. Horrible treatment of sound, voice and music. The heavily treated, digitally truncated and manipulated sound here grates my nerves and ears like the music of KANSAS, RUSH or HAKEN. I'm tired of being duped by modern production technologies. I can't tell if these musicians are accomplished or not because their sound is so manipulated. Give me the real thing, please!

Best songs:  the diverse and interesting, 5. "Venus" (11:12) (9/10); the djenty, melodic, 8. "Starbreeze" (3:24) (9/10), and; the Jem Godfrey/FROST*-like 11. "Down Will Come Baby" (12:10) (8/10).

74.54 on the Fishscales = solid three star album; C; good but non-essential.



THE GIFT Why The Sea Is Salt

The world does not really need a rebirth of 1970s BLUE ÖYSTER CULT, but here we have it, and they're getting a lot of attention. I don't get it--this longing or need for repeat or replication of old bands. I want something new and refreshing and inventive and creative and different. 

Best songs:  the MIKE RUTHERFORD/NOEL MACALLA-sounding, "At Sea" (Reprise) (5:15) (8/10); the slower, more melody-oriented Southern Rock, 3. "Tuesday's Child" (9:44) (8/10); the bland ANT PHILLIPS-sounding, 4. "The Tallest Tree" (6:14) with its guest performances from Anthony Phillips (12-string guitar), Steve Hackett (lead guitar), and Peter Jones (Irish whistle) (8/10), and; the cheesy and second-rate instrument choices (and embarrassingly poor singing) of the album's melodramatic epic, 5. "All These Things" (22:43) (7/10).

75.0 on the Fishscales = a solid three star album; C; good, but definitely not anything special.




OPETH Sorceress

Nothing Opeth does wows me. It's all competent, straightforward, standard progressive rock that sounds very dull and ordinary to me--though their recent and gradual move away from metal and into more symphonic and folk styles keeps me coming back to at least hear the music. I just never, ever come away feeling ast if I've been changed, affected, or that I would ever want much less need to come back to this music. Not one song.

Line-up / Musicians:
- Mikael Åkerfeldt / lead & backing vocals, acoustic & electric guitars, producer
- Fredrik Åkesson / acoustic & electric guitars
- Joakim Svalberg / grand piano, Fender Rhodes 88, harpsichord, Moog, Mellotron, Hammond C3, percussion, backing vocals
- Martín Méndez / bass
- Martin Axenrot / drums, percussion
With:
- Pascale Marie Vickery / spoken word (11)
- Will Malone / string arrangements
- Orchestra Of State Opera Plovdiv (live tracks)
- Rodna Pesen Choir (live tracks)
- George Miltiyadoff / symphony arrangements (live tracks)
- Levon Manukyan / symphony arrangements & conducting (live tracks)

1. Persephone (1:53)
2. Sorceress (5:49)
3. The Wilde Flowers (6:49)
4. Will O the Wisp (5:08)
5. Chrysalis (7:17)
6. Sorceress 2 (3:49)
7. The Seventh Sojourn (5:29)
8. Strange Brew (8:45)
9. A Fleeting Glance (5:07)
10. Era (5:42)
11. Persephone (Slight Return) (0:54)

Total Time 56:42




DEVIN TOWNSEND PROJECT Transcendence

Sounds like Devy. Feels like Devy. It is Devy! 

Line-up / Musicians:
- Devin Townsend / vocals, guitar, keyboards, synths, producer
- Dave Young / guitar
- Mike St-Jean / keyboards, synths, programming
- Brian 'Beav' Waddell / bass
- Ryan Van Poederooyen / drums
With:
- Niels Bye Nielsen / orchestration & programming
- Anneke van Giersbergen / vocals
- Ché Aimee Dorval / vocals
- Katrina Natale / vocals
- Eric Severinson / chorus vocals & Tigers In A Tank Choir conductor
- Eric Wettstein / chorus vocals
- Juhli Conlinn / chorus vocals
- Julie Nadalini / chorus vocals
- Marina Bennett / chorus vocals
- Mattias Eklund / sounds

No matter how many times I hear pleas of Devin Townsend's "variation" and "eclectic" or "chameleonic" sound experimentations I always hear . . . Devin Townsend. With each song, on each album I struggle to hear Devy's murky though often beautiful vocals (and interesting lyrics) among the ubiquitous walls of guitar sound--or else I'm faced with his screaming approach which always makes me wonder why he has to scream:  Is his screaming so necessary for the effective delivery of his subject matter?
     This album is, to my ears, no different. The songs' chord progressions are as constant and monotonous as ever. The existence of any other instrument other than guitar (and drums) is, as usual, completely drowned out (by the guitars). (And people actually like this!) I don't get it. With each song I open my ears, my mind, my heart--I find myself thinking, "This has been getting great reviews--great praise--maybe this is the album that will turn me," or "This might turn out to be great!" or "This might get better" or "He's singing about something important" or "He's so intelligent!" but each time I am only let down; each time I find that I'm just making excuses. "Other people love this so I must be missing something! What is it? What is the key to accessing the joy, love, admiration, and respect for Devin Townsend's music?" 'cuz, try as I do--over and over and over again--I'm not getting it.
     If I were writing songs to accompany these lyrical messages I would be choosing music of a very different nature. If I were singing the lyrics of these relevant and 'important' messages that I want to get out to large audiences I would not be choosing such an abrasive delivery style. But that's just me.
     People also go to great lengths to extoll the engineering and production of Devin's albums. I'm just not sure how the delivery of song after song of hazy, murky, fuzzy, affrontery constitutes great production. As I've mused before:  I wonder what happens to water molecules (Emoto), plants (Thomkins and Bird), and human brains (Tomatis, Monroe, Gass, et al.) with repeated or constant exposure to this type of music.
     Another album gets dumped into my "Devin Townsend--try again later" pile.  

1. Truth (4:47) 
2. Stormbending (5:22) 
3. Failure (6:02) 
4. Secret Sciences (7:28) 
5. Higher (9:40) 
6. Stars (4:18) 
7. Transcendence (5:55) 
8. Offer Your Light (3:58) 
9. From The Heart (8:23) 
10. Transdermal Celebration (8:26) 



VOTUM :Ktonik:

Good, solid heavy prog music but nothing moving the band into new or innovative territory.



HAKEN Affinity

The drums sound and are mixed horribly! Are they real or computerized?!?!?




ANIMA MUNDI  I Me Myself

Another quality offering from these symphonic prog rockers from Cuba.



LAZULI Nos âmes saoules

Sorely disappointing for its one-dimensionality.

1. Le Temps Est A La Rage (7:00)
2. Le Lierre (5:54)
3. Vita Est Circus (5:23)
4. (Fanfare Lente) (1:01)
5. Chaussures A Nos Pieds (5:55)
6. Le Mar Du Passe (4:17)
7. (Le Labour D’un Surin) (1:19)
8. Les Sutures (6:08)
9. Nos Ames Saoules (5:12)
10. (Un Oeil Jete Par La Fenetre) (2:04)





MOTORPSYCHO Here Be Monsters

The Norwegian prog chameleons are back with another contribution to the psychedelic rock form that they've been working within for the past several albums.

01 Sleepwalking (0:57)
02 Lacuna/Sunrise (9:46) (18.25/20)
03 Running With Scissors (5:39)
04 I. M. S. (7:05)
05 Spin, Spin, Spin (4:07)
06 Sleepwalking (0:56)
07 Big Black Dog (17:42) Great song on an otherwise unimpressive (backwards moving) album. (31/35)

B/Four stars; an excellent addition to any prog lover's music collection--especially if you love jamming to those long, soothing psychedelic grooves.




COSMIC GROUND III

Kosmische electronic keyboard wizard Dirk Jan Müller is back with his third solo offering, this one of his now-usual format: as a double album of four instrumental epics, this time very much of the Berlin School form.

Line-up / Musicians:
- Dirk Jan Müller / composer, performer (analogue modular synths, Elka, Solina, Arp Odyssey, Farfisa Compact, Mellotron, clavinet, Rhodes) & producer

1. "Ground Control" (16:05) (26/30)
2. "Crumbling Darkness" (16:41) (25/30)
3. "Keep Us In Space" (18:44) (34/40)
4. "Monochrome Ritual" (19:26) the best song on the album for the emotional spacescape it creates. Classic TD at its very best. (36/40) 

Total time: 70:56

If you like classic Berlin School electronic music, just as it used to sound, you'll like this.

86.43 on the Fishscales = B/four stars; a solid contribution of very pleasant Berlin School prog electronic music.




NINE STONES CLOSE Leaves

I must admit that I like the new musical direction (and sound quality) of Nine Stones Close despite my dislike of the sound and stylings of the new vocalist, Adrian 'Aio' O'Shaughnessy. I am quite attached and loyal to their previous effort, 2012's One Eye on the Sunrise, and the vocalist there, MARC ATKINSON (RIVERSEA). Guitarist-composer Adrian Jones continues to grow, to not get too stuck in any one style or sound, which serves the band well. I just miss the smooth, awesome voice of Marc Atkinson.

Line-up / Musicians:
- Adrian 'Aio' O'Shaughnessy / vocals 
- Adrian Jones / guitars, guitar synth, composer, co-producer
- Christiaan Bruin / keyboards
- Peter Groen / bass, Chapman stick 
- Pieter van Hoorn / drums, percussion
With:
- Ruben van Kruistrum / cello
- Annelise Rijk / violin
- Bas Immerzeel / rhythm guitar (5) 

1. "Complicated" (5:00) heavy rock from the 1970s/80s. (8/10)
2. "Goldfish" (12:47) impressive sound and musicianship on an underwhelming song. (20/25) 
3. "Lie" (9:58) Ozzie Van Halen. (16/20)
4. "Spoils" (16:35) long intro and then full on Metal before trying some Led Zeppelin. (25/30)
5. "Leaves" (13:45) pretentious psychedelic blues rock that never amounts to anything. (20/30)

Total time 58:05

The band has definitely turned back to express it's 1970s and 1980s rock loyalties. I hear more Blue Öyster Cult, Ozzie Osborne, Van Halen, and Iron Maiden than anything from the Genesis or other classic prog band sounds.

75.65 on the Fishscales = D+/2.5 stars; for collectors and completionists only. 




ZANOV Open Worlds

French electronica artist Pierre Zalkazanov is staging a comeback with two albums in the last three years after an absence of 30 years. Though hailed as "the French answer to the legendary Berlin Kosmische scene" I find his slowed down scaled down soundscapes to be more akin to the spacey, melody-oriented music of 1970s-to-Blade Runner-era VANGELIS and even Oxygène-era JEAN-MICHEL JARRE. The themes, melodies and layers feel almost too simple, syrupy, and slow. It's almost New Age massage/meditation music! I feel that Zanov's music here lacks originality and freshness.

Favorite song:  2. "Next Trip" (5:30) (9/10)

Good songs: 5. "Robot Valley" (4:17) (8/10); "Remote Impact" (6:03) (8/10)

1. Electric Dust Field (4:10) (7/10)
2. Next Trip (5:30) (9/10)
3. Magical Area (5:53) (7/10)
4. Strange World (6:49) (6/10)
5. Robot Valley (4:17) (8/10)
6. Signal From Diamond Desert (4:17) (7/10)
7. Vital Obscurity (4:27) (7/10)
8. Last Secret Time (4:35) (6/10)
9. Remote Impact (6:03) (8/10)


73.33 on the Fishscales = a solid three star album; good but not exceptional.