Week of Oct 7, 2023

 This is the Garden Party set, so a little explanation is in order.

After listening to the Garden Party album by Rose City Band, it was obvious I had a hole in my repertoire of music that featured the singer-songwriter with the sounds of Americana, blues, folk, and, yes, even country. It seemed this needed to be addressed. The only question was how. Garden Party had such a nice blend of earnest vocals, catchy tunes, well-played instruments - especially the pedal steel guitar - that this was going to be the target.

After listening to it on Tidal, Tidal does what it normally does, it comes up with a bunch of tracks by artists in a similar vein. So, why not? Lay it on me, Tidal, show me what you got. The results were beyond my wildest expectations. Anything that sounded interesting was put into a check-it-out list to come up with 15-18 possible artists and albums. I set aside a few mainly because that was a boatload to check out and so it was whittled down to the ten or so listed below. Nothing is the same and yet they are all connected. There is country. There is folk. There are ballads. There are ensembles. There is baroque pop. Seemingly boundless forms of presentation, yet still focused on a simpler and less raucous form of pop. Even the worst of the group is presentable. 

Two things surprised me outside of the content. One of these is how each one is a 2023 release. The other is almost every release has a FLAC/MQA quality level. Wow, Tidal, you are really on your game. 

Best of the Week

Natalie Merchant - Keep Your Courage

2023  10 tracks  (54:43)

Merchant’s pedigree needs no introduction. Her voice is still strong and resonant, maybe now with a bit more impact than her early days. The compositional skills are still vibrant and nuanced. Leaving behind the pounding guitars for a sparse selection strings, woodwinds, and piano turns normal song structures into captivating art. A

Drayton Farley - Twenty on High

2023  10 tracks  (37:53)

Quality music. Somebody plays a mean slide guitar. Farley has a strong steady voice to couple with the equally strong songwriting and musicianship. Overall, it’s a little pop oriented with a hint of Americana. A

Ruston Kelly - The Weakness

2023  12 tracks  (40:54)

The first tune that popped up was “Let Only Love Remain”, a slow heartfelt song with mostly simple instruments (until towards the end) with Kelly’s earthy vocals. For the most part, he has meaningful accompaniment to augment his well-crafted song writing. A

Ryan Adams - Morning Glory

2023  14 tracks  (1:04:22)

Did Neil Young have a son he didn’t let anyone know about? It isn’t only the voice (which is better than Neil’s), but the almost Crazy Horse like backing instruments. The worst you can say is that once in a while, the song is only average. Another feature is the different features in the arrangements that avoids the problem of sameness that is easy to occur with a lone singer’s output. Very exciting talent and looking forward to more. A

Interesting Finds

Logan Halstead - Dark Black Coal

2023  11 tracks  (43:58)

Great sound quality gives this Loudan Wainwright facsimile an up front in your face directness. Of all these artists, this is the one that is a prototypical solo singer with only he/she playing a guitar. The songs are nice, his voice is pleasant, and there is an ease about his work. C 

Margo Price - Strays

2023  10 tracks  (46:22)

Not sure who did Margo Price wrong, but she puts out some mean lyrics to do bad things to them. That said, her craftsmanship is first rate and mostly delicious. B

Peter One - Come Back To Me

2023  10 tracks  (41:23)

Peter One is an amazing person and story. Hailing from the Ivory Coast, he becomes a Nashville figure some thirty years ago. Now in his late sixties, he’s back in Nashville making Americana music with a West African flair. The results are impressive. If you can get by the older person’s vocals which aren’t pitch perfect, there is a warmth and genuineness that is real. B

Lukas Nelson and Promise of the Real - Sticks and Stones

2023  12 tracks  (35:48)

Lukas is a chip off the ol’ block from father Willie. His voice is a dead ringer of dad’s from an earlier day. The music isn’t far off either which means get ready for a heaping dose of country infused music. It is well done crossover music even if you aren’t in the mood for country. B

Josh Ritter - Spectral Lines

2023  10 tracks  (37:25)

Ritter incorporates a variety of rhythms, choruses, and special sounds to add depth to his tracks. He might have learned this from the Paul Simon school of production and it pays off. His music is often simple with minimalist background synthesizers. He does have the annoying habit of using the spoken word as an adjunct to his music. C

The New Pornographers - Continue as a Guest

2023  10 tracks  (41:03)

This six or seven member group of singer songwriters from Vancouver B.C. have a preppy pop approach to music. Featuring multilayered harmonies and pithy melodies, these songs bounce and flow with energy and panache. With so many involved, it’s no wonder the arrangements are full and expansive. Really fine effort. B

Tiny Ruins - Ceremony

2023  11 tracks  (40:18)

This New Zealand band keeps things clean and simple. Singer Fullbrook has a capable voice to carry the tunes. Because of the careful restrained nature of many of the songs, it’s a delicate album for simpler moments. B

Nick Waterhouse - The Fooler

2023  12 tracks  (42:29)

Waterhouse’s voice isn’t pretty, sort of like if Lou Reed could carry a tune but still range limited. His songs are quirky with a hint of nostalgia, a little rockabilly note as well. The only problem with this style is that it seems like he doesn’t take himself seriously, which begs the question; why should we? B

Forgettable

Personal Notes:

This is a special mix created by Tidal based on the idea of finding similar artists to the Rose City Band. After listening to a tune to be judged worthy of investigating further, the “winners” were put into a mix of these albums. All of the artists were previously unknown to me at the time. 

Week of Oct 3, 2023

 Honestly, this would have been out a lot sooner, but we took a trip to Boise and Bend that left out the chance to post. 

Best of the Week

Sonar - Three Movements

2023  3 tracks  (42:28)

David Torn had some ECM releases using spacey elements with his guitar to perform the classic ECM austere sound. As a part of a band whose work I’m not familiar with, he augments the band’s more prog rock leanings to a good effect. Electronics artist Schwalm rounds out the sounds to make these three long pieces a cut above the others. It all flows nicely with not a lot of ups and downs. For those who like their rock flavored with parts Tangerine Dream, Brian Eno, and Klaus Schulze, this will appeal to you. A-

Interesting Finds

Anna von Hausswolff - Dead Magic

2018  5 tracks  (47:10)

The massive organ Hausswolff uses provides darkness already, but this is definitely more spooky than normal. Plus, look at the cover! Regardless, she has tremendous compositional skills and a riveting voice, when she chooses to use it, that could pierce metal. The cut “Kallans ateruppstandelse” (I’m missing several Swedish lettering marks) sounds a little like the main theme of the Robert Langdon movies; that’s a compliment, by the way. The 16-minute “Ugly and Vengeful” (another cheery title) takes a while to build up but then she releases full power through pounding drums and intricate guitars and keyboards. Moody and brooding, it isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. But, if you’re in the mood for it, she is something special and uncommonly unique. A-

Envy Of None - That Was Then, This Is Now

2023  5 tracks  (21:25)

This EP has a couple of redone numbers along with a few new ones. A nice continuation of the first outing. B

Vulkan - Technatura

2020  12 tracks  (1:04:11)

Another Swedish prog band (they don’t run out of them, do they?) with decent chops. Described as heavy metal in most posts, this album features a lighter touch akin to Opeth in their more accessible form. One song is sung in their original language, but everything else is in English. The only reservation is a few growls from the singer, but very limited. It’s good stuff. B

Daniel Tompkins - Ruins

2020  8 tracks  (38:09)

One of the more metal artists on the KScope label, Tompkins could match up well with Breaking Benjamin. The first cut, “Wounded Wings” featuring Plini, is an excellent restrained use of the power normally delivered. They may be relegated to the four-minute song, they do so in a manner that is remarkably interesting. B

HamaSaari - Ineffable

2023  7 tracks  (38:39)

HamaSaari is a French prog band showing off the more delicate side of prog. Trading in the power chords and staccato drumming for jangly guitars and harmonized voices, it still has characteristics of interesting rock. It’s a bit of a mash up between Genesis and The Pineapple Thief. That doesn’t mean it can’t bring the power as the Haken-esque “White Pinnacles” demonstrates. But that isn’t the general tone, just quality prog rock. B

Hypno5e - Sheol

2023  8 tracks  (1:03:51)

Combining moments of Haken-like power chords and rhythms with easier moments of a Porcupine Tree or The Pineapple Thief, there are some things to like here. The real shame is that when they bring the heat and scream unintelligible lyrics, it’s just noise. Honestly, if there was a way to edit the song in a manner to reduce or eliminate to growl parts, it would be a hell of an album. C-

Kanaan - Downpour

2023  7 tracks  (40:50)

I call this crude rock because Kanaan likes to load a bunch of their songs with fuzzy guitars and yummy licks. But hidden in this Norwegian band’s effort is a knack for subtly changing the song structure instead of sitting on a regular timing pattern. There is a certain amount of freedom and recklessness, in a compelling way, to some of their jams. The track “Downpour” sounds like a straightforward instrumental until towards the end when they thrash with wild abandon. Rock on an acid trip. B+

Silver Moth - Black Bay

2023  6 tracks  (44:27)

Moody esoteric Gothic rock. I like dark themed music as much as anyone, but it does have to have a little feeling and complexity beyond incessant droning. It isn’t unpleasant to listen to, but the level of sameness in the compositions leaves us wanting for something more. C

Les Dunes - Les Dunes

2023  8 tracks  (41:34)

My first experience with this French prog rock band mainstay, and it’s a good one. They have elements of Russian Circles and Radiohead thrown together with a haunting backdrop. B

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