Week of Sept 2, 2023

  Jazz flavored rock and just plain jazz makes a long awaited return in a couple of this month’s selections. Above average week.

Best of the Week

Amplifier - Hologram

2023  6 tracks  (36:18)

With the maniacal offerings in a good portion of this week, this is a breath of fresh air. The clean structures and sturdy vocals provide a sense of Flying Colors. “Sweet Perfume” is a little different, a grinding ride through twisted guitar notes. I also liked “Hologram” a lot. In fact, there is nothing to not like and is quite the gem. A

The Necks - Travel 

2023  4 tracks  (1:16:58)

The Necks play “an abstract improvised jazzy mood” type of music. Long lingering passages dominated by drums, double bass, and usually piano but sometimes other keyboard variants. This could have easily fit in with the ECM catalog of stark jazz releases. The cut “Signal” is amazing. Very good listening. A-

Black Orchid Empire - Tempus Veritas

2023  11 tracks  (37:32)

A solid effort by this UK band. They play a powerful form of dense rock, not too dissimilar to Haken. If fact, if I heard one of these tracks without knowing who the artist is, I would guess it’s Haken. And it’s not that they are a poor copycat of Haken by any imagination. I’ll take a good copycat any day. A-

Interesting Finds

Djabe & Steve Hackett - Live in Gyor

2023  21 tracks (2:11:23)

Lovely jazz rock fusion. Wonderful recording quality. Steve Hackett makes this lean a little more toward the prog rock zone and the use of horns in the main band set leans it toward the jazz side. Regardless of the balance, it’s a nice outing.  As the whole album has two volumes of material, only the first volume was listened to for this report. It’s clear the whole effort is worthy of listening, probably best in its entirety rather than broken up in chunks. B

Orchestra of the Upper Atmosphere - Theta Six

2023  12 tracks   (1:15:18)

Maybe Orchestra from Outer Space would be more appropriate? If Edgar Varese was a modern day composer, he might have come up with this given the amount of unusual noises thrown in with a wide range of musical instruments. Melody in some instances is optional. A few of the tracks are a little too chaotic, but the longer pieces do get into a groove. B  

Fates Warning - Long Day Good Night

2020  13 tracks  (1:12:22)

I really enjoy Jim Matteos’ work as head of the band OSI, so it made sense to check out his main band he doesn’t sing in. As it turns out, OSI and Fates Warning aren’t kissing cousins - they aren’t related much at all. FW seems to be a nice run-of-the-mill heavy metal band with decent songs. C+

The Fierce & The Dead - News From the Invisible World

2023  8 tracks  (42:09)

Okay prog rock with psychedelic overtones. Most of the ‘delic sounds emanate from the use of a lot of echo. Otherwise, it’s dressed up as throwback hard rock. In the end, there wasn’t much for keepers.  C

Jason Bieler and the Baron Von Bielski Orchestra - 

Postcards From the Asylum

2023  15 tracks  (1:12:37)

Metal prog rock with a few loose nuts that can be enjoyed by other metal heads. Not simple by any means. Odd time signatures and quirky changes are often interesting with the harder edged guitars. Then a melody like “Birds of Prey” comes along with catchy hooks, acoustic piano, and harmonized vocals. So it may be all over the place, but still very enjoyable. B+

Blackfield - Blackfield

2005  10 tracks  (37:29)

Somehow the collaboration work of Steve Wilson and Aviv Geffen, the artists that make up Blackfield, never made it on my radar. A recent compilation release suggested the first two albums (this one and Blackfield II) are the heart of their work. Wilson’s impact is unmistakable. In the pantheon of Wilson’s work, this sounds more like his sound from the 1990’s or more recent “The Raven That Refused To Sing” with more ethereal soundscapes and less edge. Which is fine, all of his releases have had value during any of what he’s done for thirty-odd years. B

Seven Impale - Summit

2023  4 tracks  (43:57)

Are horns making a resurgence in rock, even hard rock? It’s not that the idea is new, King Crimson started using saxophone early on. But when the song “Hydra” kicked in, the liberal use of saxophone with a strong guitar based hard rock wasn’t out of place at all. It has jam space, some sounded like the second coming of Deep Purple. “Hunter”, on the other hand, is more like the Larks’ Tongue in Aspic” days of King Crimson. And, of course, they are from Bergen, Norway; the current home for eclectic prog music. That alone makes it worth a listen.  B-

Week of August 22, 2023

 Weeks like this are ones to savor and enjoy. Several made the Best list because they were strong outings. Those that didn’t make it had some incredible moments even if they didn’t reach the A list. A couple of jazz influenced numbers appeared which is great to see. Even one from an old time favorite record label, ECM.  

Best of the Week

Kavus Torabi, Richard Wileman - Heaven’s Sun

2023   2 tracks  (38:50)

Yep. Two tracks, that’s it. Both pieces feature multi-layer combinations of keyboard sounds and rhythms not unlike some of Eno’s great work (including just barely tolerable vocals Eno projected). Not one for staying on an idea very long, the songs morph and detour gently down a zig zag path. In the end, it is all very enjoyable and great music to just sit back with a glass of beer in your hand and let the days’ weary effects wash out of your fatigued body. To me, that is what makes prog music the best - long extended ideas well performed and savored into the evening.A-

They Watch Us From The Moon -

Cosmic Chronicles: Act 1, The Ascension

2023  5 tracks  (43:07)

Yes, Rush lives in the hearts of rockers all over and this space rock adventure has many of its components. A unique blend of power chords, catch melodies, and mysticism brings an intoxicating blend of music to the table. I started off with the first and last tracks (“On the Fields of the Moon” and “Return to Earth”) and both had me reaching for the volume knob to turn it up. The band is from Kansas and apparently has limited reach. Hopefully they are able to get some traction and start touring further out. A 

eMolecule - The Architect

2023  11 tracks  (1:09:54)

If Haken had a little brother, this might be it. Predominantly, that is the norm in this set, though they are capable of a couple of ballad type numbers. “Mastermind” is a singularly interesting song, weaving procession music, dramatic movie music, and hard rock that commands your attention. Many of the songs have crafty mechanisms to elevate the interest of a song from good to really good. I find myself getting into many of them. This appears to be a debut effort and I’m looking forward to what steps they take next. A

Haken - Fauna

2023  9 tracks  (1:02:11)

Brilliant song craftwork is on display. Listening to “Elephants Never Forget” is very much a Gentle Giant experience, which nobody does or has ever done. It’s fantastic. “Eyes of Ebony” is an emotional roller coaster that was dedicated to Henshall’s father who had recently passed (the ending verse is the key). There is a non-trivial sophistication to Haken’s work exhibited by most of the songs on the album, especially the odd time signatures used in the drumming and chord progressions. One of the best this year. A+

Interesting Finds

Elder - Omens

2020  5 tracks  (55:02)

I love how Elder builds a song - it always has a definitive beginning, middle, and end using similar styles to project through it all. With all five tracks at or exceeding the ten-minute mark, why not give more shape to a song? Elder has a recognizable signature which is a double-edged sword. It can appear to be ideas that are a little too similar and thus grow tiring. Sprinkle them in a playlist and that problem is solved. B 

Teramaze - Dalla Volta

2023  11 tracks  (1:01:47)

From the schools of Breaking Benjamin and Chevelle, Teramaze doesn’t make complicated songs, just straight rockers with compelling melodies and easy hooks. One of the reviews noted they have produced a lot of content, six albums in four years, to the point they are stretching new material on the thin side. Maybe, but even with bringing a couple of prior released songs with alternate takes, there is plenty to chew on. I liked the 2017 demo version of “Weight of Humanity” and “From Saviour to Assassin” because they are new to me. Of the new stuff, “Navigate In Solitude” is a fine song, utilizing Linkin Park-esque melodies and growls. There are two piano versions of songs offering a gentler kinder mix. Overall, this rocks. B+ 

Graveyard - Hisingen Blues

2011  10 tracks  (42:39)

I’m surprised there aren't more blues based rock ala Led Zeppelin in existence, but for now we have the Swedish band Graveyard. The song “No Good, Mr. Holden” clearly had LZ in mind. When mixed with a playlist of contemporary prog artists, the basic blues beat and fuzzy coarse guitars stand out as a different animal. There are a few good cuts mixed in with a number of mediocre songs, though nothing stinks. The recording has that Texas bar band feel. It’s a better singer away from The Fabulous Thunderbirds. B-  

Mystery - Redemption

2023  8 tracks  (1:14:04)

Long time proggers Mystery issues classic prog tunes with the usual assortment of extended songs, lofty melodies, and strong steady vocals all done with high engineering standards. It sounds great except it is hard to find that bit of magic that raises this kind of music to the upper echelons. Like Neal Morse, it gets ponderous at times. C

SHRVL - Limbus

2023  5 tracks  (45:41)

If the album cover looks very similar to The Ocean’s Holocene cover, it’s because this is a solo effort by their keyboardist, Peter Voightmann. In addition, it takes some of the same themes of Holcene and extends them into a deeper darker context. The final track, “Recurrence” is about half the album. It is a luscious piece of a few different movements, sort of in the style of new age music - it’s hypnotic and mind bending. B+

Dominic Miller - Vagabond

2023  8 tracks  (32:25)

Given Miller’s history as an American born in Argentina, who studied and played in England, vagabond is apt description. The ex-Sting guitarist plays accessible jazz with a deft touch. The pianist interplay is reminiscent of the Pat Metheny/Lyle Mays days at a gentler level. The bass work is gentle and the drumming is straight from the school of Jack DeJohnette. Of course the ECM production is equally light and airy, adding greatly to the soft timbre. Lovely to listen to when a more relaxing tone is called for. B

Forgettable

Week of August 8, 2023

 I started assigning letter grades to albums a while back. To formalize their meaning, here is how I feel about each grade:

A is a truly fine album that is worthy of returning to in the future

B is a good album or has a mix of great songs with not-so-great songs

C is generally listenable, but unexceptional. It may have a good tune here or there.

D is not good, probably means not following any future (or past) efforts

F means it just plain sucks. Since pre-screening rules these out, there shouldn’t be many. 

Obviously pluses and minuses means it is close to the next letter grade. 

Best of the Week

Black Moon Circle - Leave the Ghost Behind

2023  7 tracks  (1:25:08)

Black Moon Circle hails from Trondheim Norway and plays a mean earthy style of jam rock with a little Osric Tentacles flavor thrown in. It makes for a beastly turn-it-up-to-10 performance that may find a regular part of my playlist. “Radiant Sun” clocks in at 22 minutes and it smokes. It’s a live set, probably the best quality of any live set I’ve heard. It grinds in a good way. A

Laura Loriga - Vever

2022  9 tracks  (37:04)

Possessing a gorgeous angelic voice and terrific song craftwork raises this above the regular singer-songwriter crowd. The instrumentation is a little slow and sparse, but it is presented in a way that adds a great amount of texture in tandem with Loriga’s voice. The result is a hypnotically tranquil work that doesn’t fade from song to song. Wonderful. A

Interesting Finds

The Ocean - Holocene

2023  8 tracks  (52:29)

Excellent progressive metal rock from this German band, their sixth album. Combining the guttural punch of metal with prog rock dramatics makes the whole album work. Occasionally, some of the scream vocals appear, but it is limited. The song “Unconformities”, featuring female singer Karin Park, is a standout piece. B+

M-Opus - Origins

2020  28 tracks  (2:16:49)

For instance, “A Perfect Day For Flight” is a throwback to the early days where Genesis and Yes ruled. It is well done. Then there is the odd cut called “2048 Numbers” that sounds more like a play than a song. “Midnight on the White Rose” starts off like a good well-produced prog rock number before evolving into - more dialog. So you get this blend throughout the album and its 28 tracks. The music is fine but it isn’t playlist material. It isn’t radio material. It isn’t streaming material. The only way to really enjoy it is to start at the beginning and play it until you are tired of listening to it. B for music, C- for general listening.

Creep Show - Yawning Abyss

2023  9 tracks  (41:16)

Songs about Yahtzee

Notable for its use of electronic based music in the style of mid-70’s symphonic rock with EDM rhythms. It has its moments. C

Cairo - Nemesis

2023  10 tracks  (57:49)

Nifty prog rock band from the U.K. features better than average songs and production values. It has all the features you would expect - timely song shifts, well song vocals, songs given a chance to develop - all well done. Despite that, every time I reached to click a song for future transfer to a playlist, I held back, deciding that the song didn’t quite make the cut. It was missing the ‘it’ factor. Nothing really wrong with the album as a whole, just collectively missing a little something to make it really good. B-

Rick Armstrong - Chromosphere

2023  5 tracks  (1:07:06)

A good space rock album is hard to find. This has a mashup of influences, hearing Vangelis, Tangerine Dream, Klaus Schultze, sometimes all at once. With only five tracks and being over an hour long, time is given to set up a theme. This a sultry style, or New Age as it was called back in the early days of electronic music. Very listenable, but be careful of being pulled into a slumber in total relaxment. B-

Sleep Token - Take Me Back to Eden

2023  12 tracks  (1:03:31)

From MOR hip-hop to full throated doom metal, this covers an obscene range of music. Maybe too much. That said, the first cut “Chokehold” with the special guitar treatments and dynamic power chords really demonstrates the chills they can send down your spine. Same goes for “Ascensionism” as it starts with an R&B feel before ripping into full Linkin Park mode (which, when you think about it, the rap in LP is not far off from these vocals). It is an odd mix, but one that can offer a different take on modern rock. B-  

Arjen Luccasson’s Supersonic Revolution - Golden Age of Music

2023  15 tracks  (1:07:51)

So the first song I hear is “The Glamattack” and I swear I’m listening to Kansas or Deep Purple. Hammond organ and lightning fast finger tapping guitar abounds. The multi-talented Dutchman from Aryeon knows how to nail it. Luccasson and his band of time travelers do complete justice to genre, but to what end? Sonically, it's great, very little lacking. The songs are spot on, the vocals are perfect, so it’s hard to be critical. I’m all for a tribute to an earlier style that is well done and with fresh material. But, been-there done-that. Still, I added a few of the cuts to my playlist which automatically makes it a better than average offering. B

The National - First Two Pages of Frankenstein

2023  11 tracks  (47:40)

Stylistically opposite from the prog metal doom music genre, The National offers a serene dream-like form of prog rock. The J.J. Cale type vocals add to the softer soundscapes. The song “The Alcott” features Taylor Swift, which the band has a connection to and has played for her performances. It does occasionally suffer from what I call the “prog rock chord progression trap” which is a music crutch using a similar series of chord changes on several tunes. It’s nice and easy to listen to until you realize you’ve heard it on the last song. Still, it’s likable enough. B-

Forgettable

August 3, 2023

 

Best of the Week

Diablo Swing Orchestra - Pacifisticuffs

2017  13 tracks  (44:25)

This album has no reason to have any success at reaching a significant audience given how the base format includes a cellist, bossa nova rhythms, a songbird of a vocalist, and a brass section along with a few assorted “normal” instruments from prog rock bands, but it works, damnit! The production is off the charts, the meshing and mixing of these disparate sounds, and flat out coolness of each song is phenomenal. They may never find a regular following, but that’s their loss. Each song is a piece of art. The closest thing I can think of is when Frank Zappa went into full tilt esoteric mode and even he wouldn’t hold a candle to the bizarro nature of DSO. Given DSO has five or six albums and have been around for 20 years suggests there is enough of a following to expect more to come. That is great news. A-

OSI - Free 

2006  20 tracks  (1:33:38)

More smart progressive electronica from this side project group. The two principals, guitarist Matheos and keyboardist Moore get help from drummer Mike Portney and bassist Vera to round out the band. Comparisons to Nine Inch Nails would be appropriate. Matheos is the vocalist and there have been criticisms on his lack of range, but I like it. Besides, the strength in the songs is how the are crafted and played in an engaging manner. I put a lot of the cuts on my playlist because they consistently deliver. A-

Interesting Finds

Queens of the Stone Age - In Times New Roman…

2023  10 tracks  (47:39)

It may have started in Seattle, but it doesn’t sound like Seattle grunge. It is about as bare bones of a rock band as you can get. Their success depends completely on how the songs can carry the vibe, sometimes yes and sometimes no. One of the more interesting cuts is “Straight Jacket Fitting” that moves through a few different ideas. Okay to mix in a few of these cuts to a playlist. B

Rishloo - Living as Ghosts With Buildings as Teeth

2014  8 tracks  (50:31)

The theatrical nature of this rock band clearly was influenced by Queen. Clearly not a copycat of Queen, they have their own style and manner closer to a hard rock genre. They are just on the edge of being really interesting. B-

Isole - Anesidora 

2023  7 tracks  (46:09)

Dark progressive doom metal from Sweden that has its moments. What it does have in its favor is the ability to integrate tuneful elements and enjoyable vocals while maintaining a dark timbre, “Twisted Games” is a fine example of this. Despite the positives, you really have to be in the mood to listen to this genre and most likely in small doses. It’s just hard on the senses. C

Sermon - Of Golden Verse

2023  10 tracks  (48:42)

Of mysterious origin, it apparently is a one-person effort helped by others, all of which want to remain anonymous. That’s crazy, because within the vast number of bands that play a dark simpler version of progressive rock, they deserve recognition. Songs like “The Distance” will make you boogie in your seat despite the dark undertones. Yes, it’s dark, but it’s an enjoyable darkness in most respects. B+ 

Bendik - No gar det over (Now it’s Over)

2014  9 tracks  (34:01)

Bendik isn’t her name, she’s Halstensen from Bergen Norway. She has a lovely voice with presentable modern rock. Normally music sung in a language other than English is difficult for me to connect to (my Anglo centric bias shines through). But her voice is the key to making it work. Probably the only thing that makes this a record unappealing is the regular 3-4 minute pop song structure. It’s too limiting to get full engagement. C

Blood Command - Praise Armageddonism

2022  10 tracks  (36:49)

If you are missing the days of high energy punk rock of the 80’s, this band from Bergen will cure your ills. How the almost 8 minute “Last Call for Heaven’s Gate” is able to keep going for the duration of the song is amazing. There are other moments, not nearly as satisfying that results in scream rock. So choosing the right song is important. C

Viagra Boys - Cave World

2022  12 tracks  (40:31)

Normally, a band with a throw away name like Viagra Boys doesn’t have much of a chance at musical satisfaction. The rock has a basic sound and rhythm that the White Stripes would embrace. The Clash comes to mind, at least the vocals and overall vibe. It’s not too shabby, but lacking killer tunes numbs the interest. C

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