Week of July 24, 2023

 This was the week of Covid. It finally got me. Oddly, the start of the week and the beginning of the illness felt like a chest cold. It hit pretty hard. On Monday, I tested and the test was negative. By Thursday, things were improving except that I couldn't taste anything. Uh oh. Sure enough, the test came back positive. 

Of course that means isolating - not only from the public but also the rest of the family. Plus, food is no longer pleasurable. What to do? Watch TV, read, and listen to lots of music. 

On the good side, this is probably the best group of new music I've had in a while. Really good stuff. 

 

Best of the Week

Frost* - Day and Age

2021  17 tracks  (1:51:12)

Outstanding sophisticated prog rock from this supergroup of art prog rock artists. This deluxe edition includes instrumentals of the original set which isn’t necessary. But, what a set. It’s vibrant dynamic stuff that puts them in the forefront with other great bands like Flying Colors, Dream Theater, and Spock’s Beard. It starts with the eleven minute masterpiece “Day and Age” and doesn’t let up. This group could easily become my newest obsession.  A+

Suns of the Tundra - The Only Equation

2023  9 tracks  (55:24)

A new artist with a great debut. First impressions reminded me of Placebo (particularly the singing), but with a little more thrust and power. Highlights include “Run Boy Run”, “The World is Wide”, and “The Rot”. Terrific. A-

Egor Lappo - Abandoned Corners

2023  10 tracks  (40:40)

Several of these tasty tracks have an XTC feel about it, not something you would expect from a St. Petersburg (Russia) artist. Songs often had enjoyable hooks without sounding cheesy. The notable emphasis on electronic keyboards gives it an 80’s feel. Songs are great. What a surprise. A-

Interesting Finds

Unifaun - Unifaun

2008  12 tracks  (1:15:55)

This Norwegian band has an incredible knack of sounding like classic Genesis work during the Gabriel and Hackett period while singing like Phil Collins. Of course, copying a band’s style only works if it is well done; this is well done! It’s all here, the fabulous intense bass lines that Rutherford played, quick theme changes but always returning to the core riff, occasional non-sequitur element, and bouncy playful interludes. The songs are nearly (not quite) Genesis quality, all very listenable. I know I’m going to play one of these songs down the road and think, “which Genesis album is this from…oh, wait, it isn’t.” A commendable achievement! B+

Roger Waters - The Lockdown Sessions

2022  6 tracks  (39:32)

Beautifully understated reissues of songs from The Wall and The Final Cut are captivating. Waters still sings some of the songs despite his advanced age, but he fortunately has help with a couple of background singers. For the most part, it’s their voices, a gentle strumming of acoustic guitar, a few keyboards and simple drumming, all done to a heartfelt and effective level. They all improve on the originals, especially “Comfortably Numb”, the hit from “The Wall”. I would have never expected this. B+

AVKRVST - The Approbation

2023  7 tracks  (48:47)

I love adventurous prog rock and this has it all. Starting with a quick intro, the next four cuts are regular length songs followed by two songs totaling 24 minutes. The last two cuts allows them to stretch out their ideas with long involved segments. This borders on the edge of prog metal and only resorts to vocal growls for brief stints, thankfully. It’s still solid. B

Anchor and Burden - Kosmonautik Pilgrimage

2023  9 tracks  (1:04:25)

Listening to “Self Assembly” and “Royal Augmentation” evoked a very King Crimson like feel with its heavy use of a thin melody line punctuated by abrupt guitar threads, complicated Bruford style rhythms and energized climaxes. KC was a master at creating songs with an abstract idea to the point one asked, is this music or noise? Anchor and Burden has the same feel. Not all of it works; “Crown Hive” is highly dissonant sounding like a lot of random noise. Still, more to like than not like, bonus points for making some really involved stuff. B+

Forgettable

Week of July 19, 2023

 

Best of the Week

Mammatus - Expanding Majesty

2023  4 tracks  (1:09:33)

Long dreamy post-rock prog music with lots of change-ups and delicious segments to lose your mind. Two brothers from Santa Cruz anchor this group but don’t expect surf music. The long songs aren’t jams either, they are meaty and powerful with the use of multiple guitars and keyboards. When groups make long songs, they either need to conjoin a few ideas together or find a way to make an idea flow without sounding repetitive. The latter is how they make this album work. The 22 minute “Foreveriff” does a wonderful job of making small shifts without sounding the same. That also goes for the title cut, “Expanding Majesty”. Excellent.  A+

Interesting Finds

Dommengang - Wished Eye

2023  9 tracks  (40:53)

These guys have a basic rock style with a bit of soul as if they were Savoy Browns grittier cousin. Grit works, especially on a cut like “Last Card”, where to slow tempo guitar has an earthy feel supported by low key vocals. With swirling guitars and a drum kit set to a very live micing, just relax and listen to the groove.  B

Sound of Strangers - Crossing Borders

2023  7 tracks  (44:41)

This Netherlands based band is fine, but I didn’t need to hear a part of a Trump speech talking about the need for borders (“Endless Night”). It doesn’t matter they are ridiculing the far right immigration point of view, if you can’t work it in the lyrics, don’t taint your music this way. Outside of that, the music is fine, having some of that European prog elements as heard through RPWL and Riverside.  B

Penguin Cafe - Rain Before Seven…

2023  10 tracks  (49:10)

Like the multitude of Irish bands, the catchy violin rhythms draw you in. It isn’t folk music though, it’s more like Phillip Glass if he could write a song without sounding like it's on an infinite loop. You listen to a cut like “No One Really Leaves…” with its unremarkable beginning and soon find yourself enjoying how it has blossomed into a lovely song. The songs are bouncy and rhythmic, cute, and beautifully played, but part of me thinks this kind of music helps psychiatric centers keep the attendees in line. A steady diet of this record could do real damage. One really good cut is “Goldfinch Yodel”. Why couldn’t more of them be like that?  C-

Solstein - Solstein

2023  8 tracks  (36:11)

This group plays a music style closer to jazz fusion than prog rock. Definitely similar to Pat Methany’s period of rock influenced jazz, though these guys don’t have the technical mastery. Still, the airy recording and general playing sounds like it would fit in ECM’s catalog. It’s a nice listen.  B-

Immaterial Possession - Mercy of the Crane Folk

2023  10 tracks  (37:51)

An artsy prog rock group from Athens, GA, the group uses many different pieces of instrumentation like clarinet and flutes to the standard rock band setups. The female vocalist sounds a lot like Grace Slick, but this is no Jefferson Airplane. Elements of their fellow Athens band scene The B52’s comes through with some retro keyboard sounds (thankfully not Rick Scneider’s vocals). B

Redshift - Laws of Entropy

2023  6 tracks  (59:53)

Sporting a power chord rock with Geddy Lee type vocals, you’d think they would be compared to Rush. I don’t think Rush ever had a 21 minute anthem like the song “Blueshift”. Rush doesn’t growl either, but these guys do. A few of the songs are ruined by the death metal growl which is too bad. They have a basic sound set that would otherwise be enjoyed. C-

Forgettable

Week of July 12, 2023

 Best of the Week

King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard - PetroDragonic Apocalypse

2023  7 tracks  (48:41)

Well, it wins for the longest band name and album name title, the full title being “PetroDragonic Apocalypse; or, Dawn of Eternal Night: An Annihilation of Planet Earth and the Beginning of Merciless Damnation”. The uplifting (sic) title should be a clue that the music will be of death/doom/goth metal music which, fortunately, is one of the best versions of this type. Surprisingly, some of the cuts are of extended length, unusual considering the high energy format. For example, “Flamethrower” starts off in a typical thrash metal song before pivoting into an extended shift. It makes a huge difference. Sparkling. A-

Interesting Finds

The Anchoret - It All Began With Loneliness

2023  9 tracks  (58.45)

Prog metal often tries to be more metal than prog, but the group The Anchoret manages to avoid throwing out the overly growling vocals and thumping drumming while throwing in a sax or synth fabricated strings. The Opeth comparison comes up, particularly looking at the doom releases. B+

Grip-Like Vice - Place//Circumstance

2023  7 tracks  (27:29)

With The Pineapple Thief frontman Beren Matthews, Grip-Like Vice sounds a little XTC-ish with its sophisticated word play and intricate pop structures. At just over 27 minutes, it’s too long to be an EP, but there is plenty to like about it. Where else are you going to get smart pop? (For weird smart pop, see the comments on the Henge album below)  B

5th Season - 5th Season

2023  10 tracks  (1:03:53)

Some throwback prog from Finnish guitarist Tapio Ylinen who also has a lovely soft voice to go with his Clapton-esque guitar. A number of the selections, like “Don’t Wanna Sing Your Blues” are clearly blues driven and it’s done pretty well. This is more rocking and less traditional than Thorbjorn Risager, but no less enjoyable. It’s not all blues based as heard in the cuts “On The Dark Side Of The Moon” Pt 1 and Pt 2 and “In Memoriam…” where the Hammond organ and wailing guitar solos bring back an earlier time in progressive rock. Yes, it’s a little all over the place, but it works.  B

Motorpsycho - Yay!

2023  10 tracks  (42:08)

Quality psychedelic prog rock from Norway. 

Ray Alder - II

2023  10 tracks  (57:14)

Known for his work as vocalist for Fates Warning, Alder has released a decent “power metal” rock album. With a little of the lyrical Breaking Benjamin sound, he tries to get the most out of the limited tools, even though it is difficult to prevent repetition. At times, it’s okay and other times, pretty good.  B-

Forgettable

Echo Us - Inland Empire

2023  10 tracks  (59:01)

Portland’s Echo Us knows how to put the chill in aggressive music streams. Lots of detail production awashed in synth and process voices. Call it new age rock or meditative rock. The singer’s almost childlike voice isn’t appealing with the lackluster music it enjoins. When you are waiting for the song to end, it’s never a good sign. D

Week of July 7, 2023

 Best of the Week

The White Stripes - Elephant

2003  14 tracks  (50:54)

I never paid much attention to The White Stripes when they were a thing, which is sad because it looks like I missed out. The simple well-crafted tunes with equally simple direct recording is a lesson of less is more. I’m sad about Meg White and her battle with stage anxiety that made her retire from music after only ten brilliant years. This is at the peak of their powers and thankfully they kept it in the raw form they started as a band and didn’t gussy it up with the excesses of success.  A-

Jadudah - Strangers

2015  9 tracks  (38:48)

The first song I heard was “One Last Song”, a soaring tune by this Norwegian band. I wish I could find out the name of the female vocalist because she deserves a mention for her beautiful powerful vocals. The songs have a post-rock feel with guitars that jangle more than growl and more pop than doom. Not a stinker on the album at all. If they wanted to take it to the next level, it would just require a little more meat on the bone. Even so, it’s damn good. A-

Interesting Finds

Ugress - Boulevard of Broken Dystopias

2023  12 tracks  (44:10)

Another Bergen Norway project with kick ass rock using an assortment of keyboards, brass, guitars and whatnot. Every song is a compelling, insistent, magical ride without vocals most of the time. Titles like “This track is no longer available” shows a mischievous side. It’s a bouncy  funky tune that is kind of fun. The head maestro is Gisle Martens Mayer, a musician specializing in electronic music who has an infectious way of melding music. Lot’s to like about it.  B+

Lost in Kiev - Rupture

2022  9 tracks  (51:39)

This band aligns well with Russian Circles in tone with strong material and good production. If there is such a thing as soft death metal, this might qualify with its use of power guitar chords to sustain a melody. In “Dichotomy”, the altered vocals are effective with the somber driving beat. The moody rock is good to listen to on a cold damp gray day.  B

Major Parkinson - Valesa Chapter 1 Velvet Prison

2022  17 tracks  (1:00:16)

Is this a show tune set? It could be. There is a story here if you want to piece it together. But MP has shown to be one of the inventive stylists of the prog world. They continue to put out intricate well-produced soundscapes with the six or seven members and don’t have much for boundaries. They are good and can get away with it. That said, I would have liked it a lot more if they had done a standard album set rather than a concept piece centered around whatever story they are trying to project. Plus, Jon Ivar Kollbotn’s rasping tuneless vocals is wearing thin, which is frustrating because everyone else can carry a tune.  B-

The Fjords - Ladders

2018  9 tracks  (34:38)

My first impression was the band being a post-rock version of Sting and The Police. Then a couple of short songs erased that evaluation and replaced it with simplistic pop sung by a male vocalist with a pretty voice. With the easy relaxed keyboards, gentle guitar, and basic rhythms, this is wine-sipping music. C

The Butterfly Effect - IV

2022  10 tracks  (41:17)

Somewhat typical heavy metal alt rock band similar in vein with Tool, just not as good. That doesn’t mean it is without merit as there are some good moments. “Visiting Hours” has a nice line and strong vocals. Pretty much a standard heavy metal band album. All the songs are capable filler for the really good songs in your playlist, but it isn’t going to send chills down your spine.  C

Velvet Acid Christ - Lust For Blood

2006  14 tracks  (1:09:28) 

With this band name, the album title, and the first cut you listen to is “Ghost In The Circuit”, what would you expect? Probably not the dreamy enjoyable music that it is. Some of the vocals like the ones in the cut “Wound” sounds like the snake language parsel-tougue in Harry Potter. With an emphasis on electronic keyboards and dance rhythm, it does have an EDM taste that is done reasonably well (listen to “Disconnected Nightmare” as an example).  B

Forgettable

Week of July 4, 2023

 Best of the Week

Dead Soul - The Sheltering Sky

2015  10 tracks  (47:38)

They describe themselves as a dark electronic industrial doom blues band from Sweden. For the most part, it has good solid moments where some of the soul shines through the moody contemplative band work. “Shattered Dreams” is a crushing cut, filled with strong moments. The doom part comes through with the cut “Abyss”, as one would expect. The more balanced “Until the Last Breath” will send chills down your spine with each mounting crescendo. The lead singer’s voice takes a little getting used to with the heavy vibrato but it is a surprisingly fulfilling work. A-

Interesting Finds

SONOIO - Fine

2018  9 tracks  (36:01)

Spacey electronic music with solid vocals and tuneful songs. Some are a touch haunting (“Vitamin D”), or stark (“Under the Sea”) or blistering (“Thanks for Calling”) or a combination of all three. The tron-like electronic keyboards get a little repetitive, but the remaining production masks the plain nature. B-

Neil Young - Toast

2022  7 tracks  (52:03)

Surprisingly, Neil Young has continued to be productive over the years with some 45 albums to his credit just as an individual. This was recorded in 2001 but not released until 2022. Backed by Crazy Horse, it reminds us of the stellar artisan he is. A lot of rockers as you would expect, but songs like “How Ya Doin?”, a slow tempo ballad, and the mid-tempo “Goin’ Home” demonstrates the raw emotion he can bring. The brooding sound may have something to do with the difficulty he was going through at the time. Some excellent cuts, one or two substandard ones makes this a solid listen. B

Owel - Dear Me

2016  12 tracks  (1:05:28)

There is some lovely songwriting in this release by this post-rock indie pop band. Theme-wise, this would fit well with a band like Death Cab For Cutie with the structured four to five minute pop tune. “Ocean Legs” is the perfect example of how they make a light-hearted tune without sounding syrupy. An album like this could grow tired, but they have a knack for making each song a good listen. B-

Black Light Burns - Cruel Melody

2006  13 tracks  (1:02:38)

The album starts off with “Mesopotamia”, using the barest of melodies but still invoking a fun vibe to listen to. Wes Borland is the mastermind of this project group and closely aligns with his individual work. Songs like “I Have a Need” with its high energy fast beat action is guaranteed to get you moving. The other end of the spectrum is “Iodine Sky”, a moody long slow tune with no vocals. So, you never get to know what Wes is going to throw at you. If you are dexterous enough, you’ll still get a kick out of it. B

Forgettable

Big Dumb Face - Where is Duke Lion? He’s Dead…

2017  14 tracks  (1:02:34)

Manic disturbing rock, and using the term rock loosely. Rap metal? This is miles away from Wes Borland’s individual work. “Whipping The Hodeus” is 18 minutes of tortured vocals electronically altered to sound like a dream from under water and other sound artifacts that don’t sound like music. Finally, 12 minutes into the song, a hard death metal “song” appears. Pink Floyd’s “Alan’s Psychedelic Breakfast” at least had a song structure. I mean, who would want to buy this shit? Then comes “My Girl Daisy” as some kind of faux island music madness. It was as if any random style of music was selected to be tortured, and us through the process. F

Week of June 30, 2023

 Best of the Week

OSI - Office of Strategic Influence

2002  13 tracks  (1:16:02)

Engaging rock by this essentially one-person band with a supporting cast. Jim Matheos of Fates Warning was going to make this studio album a one-off, but produced three more with a rotating group of session players. Compares favorably with Chroma Key, Frost*, and Soen, though it isn’t the death metal Soen is. The cut “OSI” could have come from Riverside with its catchy driving guitars and easy vocals. Tough to pigeonhole, think of them as The Pineapple Thief and Nine Inch Nails thrown in a blender. Good stuff. A-

MCC (Magna Carta Cartel) - The Dying Option

2022  10 tracks  (48:34)

Calling it melodic may seem like a slam for progressive rock, but it isn’t. Somewhat bleak, it is so in a beautiful way. Led by Tobias Forge, lead member of Ghost, MCC has very strong connections despite Ghost’s heavy metal influence. “Arrows” is a tasty track featuring over-echoed guitars and keyboards and tempered voices. Similarly wrapped in guitars, “Savantgarde” starts a compelling rock groove and doesn’t let up. There are so many good songs on this album, it deserves to be a staple. A

Interesting Finds

Manes - Slow Motion Death Sequence

2018  9 tracks  (44:12)

One of the many groups out of Norway (particularly Bergen) that have pushed the envelope of avant-garde progressive rock. More metal than most, cuts like “Therapism” blend hard rock elements with Ozzy Black Sabbath vocals while throwing in synth rock beats. Some of the blended elements is similar to North Atlantic Oscillation, but with a more industrial rock edge. It’s interesting. B

Wes Borland - Mutiny on the Starbarge

2023  9 tracks  (40:48)

Wes Borland, who was once part of Limp Bizkit, has a connection to Nine Inch Nails as well and it shows. Some of the techno-rock side of NIN comes through, but it still is more restrained than Reznor’s band. More layers, too, as evident in the cut “Your Very Own Harpoon”. For a completely different experience, “The Flagship Obliteron” sounds like a string quartet playing space music. I loved it. B+

Maybeshewill - Fair Youth

2014  11 tracks  (49:56)

Full ensemble rock music in the style of God Is An Astronaut, this mainly instrumental album is quite pleasant. The post-rock electronica sounds are evident in cuts like “In Amber”, but “Fair Youth” is more horn driven with simple song structure. The one downside is that the songs don’t move much and tend to be easy going. There isn’t a bad cut, but there isn’t a whole lot that makes you beg for more. B-

Ulver - The Assassination of Julius Caesar

2017  13 tracks  (1:12:55)

Described by one critic as “moody 80’s synth pop”, it clearly is much more than that. This Norwegian group set aside the early black metal phase and embraced a more experimental form of synth band music with a lot of creativity and heart. “Rolling Stone” is a riveting work that starts in a groove and ends in cacophony. To be fair, cuts like “Transverberation” sounds like it could have come from an earlier Tears For Fears album. For the most part, a fun listen. B+