| The first release from Quella Vecchia Locanda and in my opinion one of the all time Italian prog greats. This excellent debut album has a strong PFM-like attitude with loads of violin and classical themes. Songs are delicate and exceptionally well performed with warm precision. Imagine great 70's sounding keyboard work layered with flute, violin and great guitar work and you have got QVL. As you listen to this album four toes will be tapping and you hands will be moving as this music captivates your motor reflexes. QVL draw on some pretty heavy classical interludes to build their music on. Along the way we are treated to many thematic mood swings and tempo changes. This album has many standout tracks which combine the classical underground 70's Italian sound with a solid blend of tranquility and beauty. Vocals are very expressive and are full of harmonic textures. | |||
| A Salty Dog was Procol Harum's 3rd release and continued their highly classical progressive exploration in music. Title track "A Salty Dog" remains to this day one of my all-time favorite songs which was very influential to young bands like Genesis and Yes. This is truly a mighty album and in many rivals Shine On Brightly and their debut release for both beauty and character in song and performance. For those not all that familiar with Procol Harum's music it is really their first 3 albums which are essential in my opinion with A Salty Dog being perhaps the most complete and versatile album hitting heavy Blues and progressive elements throughout. This is an essential album and remains one of my most treasured albums of all time. | |||
| Stupid dream is anything but a stupid dream ! The lads from Porcupine Tree have unveiled a real beauty here showing why they are quickly becoming one of the most celebrated progressive rock acts today. Careful delicate execution with their unmistakable Porcupine Tree-atmosphere -like imagery. Stupid Dream contains the standards. . . . soaring guitar, brilliant musicianship, background effects and soft vocals. Stupid Dream paints a very serene space texture on which Porcupine Tree layers on sophisticated and highly technical instrumentation. Songs are very accessible and although not likely to hit the local radio dials, will appeal to all prog heads. All in all Stupid Dream is yet another solid chapter in the discography for Porcupine Tree. . . go get it!!!! | |||
| For most of us this album really does not need a review as it has been so widely adopted as a classic. Led by Fish, this is Marillion in top form playing some of their most progressive pieces of all time. Music is complex and yet very dark and delicate aided by the intellectual thoughts of Derek Dick(aka Fish). Songs are excpetionally well written and presented with amazing musicianship. If there is anyone out there who does not have this album then get yourself into a record store immediately! Absolutely essential progressive rock. | |||
| After hearing a few numbers from a tape I received (Thanks Richard!), I had to run out and buy the entire album. Based solely around Richie Blackmore's acoustic guitar and Candice Night's beautiful voice, Shadow Of The Moon will take you deep into the dream-like Renaissance age of castles and dragons. Most of the album moves very slowly and is a great album to just sit and relax to. Along the way we are treated to some real beautiful melodies carried with angelic harmonies of Night's voice. Blackmore touches our soul with a classic ode to "Renaissance" with their classic tune "Ocean Gypsy" and a great number called Play Minstrel Play which features Ian Anderson (Jethro Tull) who plays his heart out on the flute. This is a great concept album really and offers some real nice touches which will appeal to those who want to explore some different worldly parts and musical horizons. | |||
| Another real heavy prog gem from Italy stepping away from tradition. Ricordi D'Infanzia is dominated with awesome riffs of raging guitar, and amazing keyboard work with lots of hammond driven passages. At times the sound does meld somewhere in the Rare Bird/Atomic Rooster world of progressive rock. Beneath the covers on this one is a real prog classic with thoughtful song writing and instrumental performances. Some of the more pastoral moments are absolutely stunning and the more you listen to this album the more you will treasure its grandeur. Excellent discovery . . . | |||
| Those familiar with perhaps Ayreon's Into The Electric Castle, Landmarq or Threshold will almost certainly recognize the name Damian Wilson. Mr Wilson has one of the best voices in all of rock today and after a listen to Cosmas you will certainly be amazed. Cosmas is an acoustic, slow and very self-reflective album with a real sincere delivery. Most songs of Cosmos are centered around the guitar, symphonic keyboard and voice in structure. I am not too sure that this album would be categorized in a Progressive Rock section but is just the same a wicked album worthy of your ears attention. Don't worry my friends, Cosmas is not one of those solo-synthetic self indulgent pieces of work . I actually find this album to be very folky in nature and full of life and energy. | |||
| One of my first and all-time progressive rock loves . . Shine On Brightly my friends. Released back in '68, this was Procol Harum's second release digging deeper and certainly darker than their highly talked about debut release with the monster hit "A Whiter Shade Of Pale". This is the classic line up with Robin Tower on guitar, David Knight (Bass) , Matthew Fisher (Organ) and Gary Brooker (Piano). Songs are highly sophisticated and progressive in structure, with some of the genres best musical passages. Stand-out track is the classic 17 min epic "In Held Twas In I" which cleared the way for others to approach in a similar vein. Songs are very symphonic and memorable with solid musicianship throughout. Robin Tower adds some scrumptious lead guitar throughout and some of the extended jams are siomply breathtaking. A Desert Island pick for me........ | |||
| A rather inventive recording which is based around the concept of the rise and fall of man. Infinity is a mostly instrumental piece of work which contains some great progressive movements. Infinity is full of sound bites which are very well done considering the age of this recording. Planetarium focus on creating a wide range of themes ..from heavy progressive instrumental to strong classically influenced passages. For those looking to explore a rather obscure 70's progressive rock album may want to check into Planetarium's Hotel for the night. | |||
| For the Marillion completists out there may I strongly suggest you pick up this little treasure. Live at the Walls is another fine product from the fan club based Racket Records label which has put out some real tasty treats. This is a 2 CD set which recreates this very unusual and "atypical" approach by Marillion who go unplugged and intimate! What makes this so special of a recording is based around its simplicity in both song delivery and reproduction. As you listen to this concert you get a feeling that you are live in the small Welsh restaurant with these fanatical fans watching and interacting with Marillion throughout. Marillion re-worked each song on the album individually and the results are actually quite amazing??Being a big Marillion fan I always get squeamish when they re-touch their music in anyway, but Live At The Walls offers some nice musical adaptations to their songs. Many songs delve into Jazz and Blues structures which actually work quite well. Along the way we are treated to some real surprises including Radiohead's Fake Plastic Trees, Beatles - Blackbird and a new blues based tune Abraham, Martin & John. After sampling a few tracks from their website, I had to order this CD immediately and am very glad that I did so . . . get you orders in kids!!!
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| The Fox Lies Down is really just a collection of some old greats from the "best-era" Genesis performed by some of today's top progressive rock influenced acts. The nice thing about this Genesis tribute album is that it does not attempt to simply re-create the original tune instead offer some nifty re-interpretations. Contributions to the tribute album are made by John Wetton, Sweden's The Flowerkings, Brand X, Patrick Moraz, Mother Gong, Daevid Allen and Architectural Metaphor to name a few. Standout tracks for me are Brand X's version of Can Utility & The Coastliners, Darxtar's version of Dancing With The Moonlit Knight and The Flowerking's rendition of Cinema Show. If you are looking for a nice re-visit to an old place then you will probably enjoy this offering. Not essential, but a great audio spin . . . . | |||
| Zippos is yet another great installment in the musical life of the man we affectionately call Fish. Once again Fish is joined by Steve Wilson (Porcupine Tree) who adds some of absolutely amazing guitar solos and expressions. Zippos is very much in the same vein as "Sunsets" but perhaps just a bit more relaxed sounding. Fish seems to be able to time after time come up with new fresh ideas. Zippos is superb music and has not been off my CD Player in some time. Standout track for me is Fish's epic (24 mins) "Plague Of Ghosts" which moves through many different mood swings making some real haunting impressions. Throughout Fish commands the attention of the listener and as always has lots to day about human nature. In a lot of ways Zippos is a self-reflective album which creates massive nostalgia attacks. | |||
| Spock's Beard have been on the leading edge of today's progressive rock revival for a few years now and have quickly made their way into the collection of many prog heads worldwide. I am a big Beard fan and dig all of their albums including Day For Night which another excellent step in their history. Ripe after his tour with Genesis Nick D'Virgilio sounds just so superb on this album and proves he is certainly one of today's most versatile and competent drummers around. Day For Night contains all the typical Beard touches with vocal harmonization and wicked instrumental syncopation. Day For Night has some real tasty songs which will keep your feet tapping and your fingers and toes curling! Excellent music full of energy and positive light . . . | |||
| Niadem's Ghost probably fits better on someone's alternative music website but because I am such a Peter Nicholls fan, I had to give it a plug. For those out there like me who love the voice of Mr. Nicholls would adore this recording. Niadem's Ghost was a short lived project that Peter spearheaded after leaving IQ for a wee while. This music although has many sounds does fit somewhere in the vein of Numan, Japan and Psychedelic Furs with the real twist being the voice of Peter Nicholls. It is importanat to note that this is not IQ , although at times their sound mostly due to his voice does remind you of IQ. Overall I like this CD a lot for some strange reason and amongst all of the prog recordings I have, I still make room for a little Niadem's Ghost.
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| For those who love to experiment with real different musical forms and landscapes will be thoroughly pleased with Northside's complilation delivering some of Scandinavia's leading folk/prog musicians. Contributions include Scandinavia's well respected Vasen and Den Fule and long time prog outfit Groupa. Nordic Roots contains loads of violin, fiddles, acoustic guitars, percussion and many other traditional Scandinavian instruments. As the CD suggests this is really an ideal introduction to the vibrant traditional folk music scene across Scandinavia today with incredible playing, catchy tunes, brilliant arrangements and strange instrumentation playing pre medieval as well as modern compositions. This is a real snag that really keeps you musical collection progressing along nicely . | |||
| In 1976 Yes lead singer Jon Anderson took us on an incredible journey into the fantasy land of Olias Of Sunhillow. In my humble opinion, this is one of the best solo projects from the members of Yes and is an absolute fine piece of work. Surrounding this whole album is a great concept story line which Anderson fills in with some amazing and memorable songs which are performed as you would expect with great care, feeling and precision. Olias explores many different moods and atmospheres which helps make this a real treasure. Anderson's vocals are angelic throughout and contain some amazing harmonies and choir passages. Olias is a very delicate album actually and is a perfect Sunday morning plug-in. Like a great artist Anderson paints his musical magic through your speakers and will take you into another world for 45 minutes. Highly recommended and although is overused is a masterpiece in my humble opinion. | |||
| So here is a zero cheese factor release which I am sure will fill the bill if you are into heavy classic rock affiliated prog. To best describe Masque Of Shadows you must imagine loads of analog synths, organ and piano drenched with deep , complex and precise drumming littered with acid laced guitars and dark bass rhythms. Songs are excellent and seem to never stand still taking on many different identities. Yoke Shire are a highly inventive band who deliver a high energy ever-changing crafted progressive music. One of Yoke Shire's greatest attributes lies in their originality, attempting to always bring out their own colors and character into the music. Vocals are deep and dark and in many ways haunting ! To give you an idea as to how wide and range Yoke Shire play let me acknowledge some of the musical allusions one may derive such as Hendrix, ZZ Top, Rush, Celtic influences, The Psychedelia and even Deep Purple. Overall this album is fine enough to serve in the worlds finest restaurants. | |||
| Forever Times is a new prog act out of Holland who are making some real noise in the prog community. Forever Times debut release is full of both crashing and banging prog/metal instrumentation with long somber touches and the sweet vocals of Laura van Driel. Forever Times are actually quite inventive in their approach and although border on the harder side of prog seems to work very effectively for me. It is always nice to see an epic track which clocks in at 19 minutes and is handled without being forced or contrived. It is important to reinforce the hard side of this first release which may not appeal to all fans but if you do enjoy some of the better prog metal acts out there today then you should definitely check out Forever Times. Forever Times are a 5 piece band who have a great deal of understanding and respect of the progressive genre and this debut album seems to really work within this bubble but does puncture it in its rather harder edge throughout | |||
| After much debate, financial and health jeopardies Rick Wakeman has finally revisited the Centre Of The Earth. Joined with the London Symphony Orchestra, Justin Hayward (Moody Blues), Trevor Rabin (Yes), Ozzy Osbourne and 80's pop sensation Bonnie Tyler Wakeman takes us on perhaps the most magical journey of all time. The entire album is kindly pitted by the soft and distinctive voice of Patrick Stewart (Star Trek's Cap't. Jean Luc Picard). Return To The Centre Of The Earth is of course also heavily impacted by the magical piano touch of Rick Wakeman who is at his best. Wakeman used the $ 3 Million working budget of this masterpiece to draw on the vocal support of the English Chamber Choir and the London Symphony Orchestra to magnify sonic impact. Rick also surrounded himself with a strong compliment of young talented musicians to work with on this 77 minute epic journey. This is absolute perfect music which has many different moods and atmospheres and is guaranteed to take the listener into a different world. Return To The Centre offers picture perfect sound (no holes barred on this recording) and was recorded using today's most dynamic recording machines, recorded for a pure digital experience. This is an absolute essential recording and works like pure magic for me....brilliant all the way through. | |||
| For those Galafans out there I need not say any more than "Sleepers" to summon a cheer, but for the uninitiated let me elaborate on this excellent recording. After several excellent recordings Galahad hit their most creative in Sleepers which combines the mysticism Genesis captured back in the early 70's and the sheer power in early Marillion. Don't worry my friend, Sleepers has its own character all the way through but is greatly rooted in the progressive genre. Songs range from the complex and powerful opening track "Sleepers" to the humorous ditty The Dentist Song which is also one of the standout tracks on this album for me. Stuart Nicholson's vocals are at the height of his career and combines with the musical strength of this band, we are treated to a stunning display of sheer talent , power and creativity. Sleepers would be one of the top prog releases of 1995 in my opinion. | |||
| Solo release from Porcupine Tree's leader Steven Wilson who delivers one of the 90's greatest space-psych rock releases yet. IEM is designed to scatter your brain and most certainly after repeated lisitens can cause permanent cerebral damage. IEM does sound like the spacier sections of Porcupine Tree's work at times and is actually very symphonic. Tracks range in mood swings from the very slow and electronic suburbs to the crashing spaced out progressive rock numbers. The opening tracks (13 mins) The Gospel According To The I.E.M. is one of the standout tracks for me which really kicks into some wicked grooves. This is really an instrumental album which has some background noise and spoken words but I think you must be in la la land to really understand them. I.E.M. 's packaging is weirdly nostalgic in that being void of any liner notes, has a handsome packaging. Throughout the fold out booklet are sepia colored photographs of some family snapshots which will keep you entertained for a mere 2 seconds. Instrumentation used by Wilson includes the Mellotron, Organ, Electric and acoustic Guitar, drum, bass guitar, piano, tamboura, tape recorder, sewing machine etc…….. If you are a fan of Porcupine Tree's material then IEM is essential to add into your collection….Get ready to have your brain waves scattered though and don't tell them I sent you….
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| Inget Nytt Under Solen was Kaipa's 2nd release and is another wonderful release which must be heard. Inget Nytt Under Solen has all the elements you would want in a progressive rock band…..beautiful captivating songs with superb musicianship. Ronie Stolt's (FlowerKings) impregnates this album with his accurate and lively guitar work, Tomas Eriksson handles most of the vocals and adds some real solid punchy bass lines, Hans Lundin brings his analog keyboard wizardry while Ingemar Bergman delivers some solid percussion throughout. All the songs as very well constructed and are given lots of space the breathe and create some lovely atmospheres. This album opens with an epic 21 minute suite Skenet Bedrar which is simply brilliant (must be heard!!!). Vocals are in Swedish except for the bonus numbers which introduce the world to English lyrics in an attempt to attract the world to Kaipa's talents. Overall I love Kaipa's music and Inget Nytt Under Solen is a solid offering which fans of FlowerKings, Anyone's Daughter etc… will love and treasure…
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| For those who love both a musical and a magical journey will freak out after hearing Bilbo. Bilbo is a wonderful and creative album full of grandeur and character. Led by top prog musicians Par Lindh who contributes Percussion and Keyboards and Bjorn Johansson on bass and guitars, Bilbo will take you deep into Tolkiens world of demons, trolls and dwarves. Lindh and Johansson find some real tasty moods and sounds which seem to fit perfectly into this little dream, without sounding forced or rushed. This is a very delicate piece really and yet offers some wonderful sound reproduction and volume variety. Vocals are handled effortlessly by Magdalena Hagberg who has an enchanting little voice which seems to really fit snuggly onto this album. Interesting that they should also add real flute and oboe throughout this album (not synth created!) which really adds an authentic breath to this album. Perhaps masterpiece is going too far (a debate only for your ears!) but Bilbo is wonderful music which is essential in your collection. | |||
