by Mark Monforti | Mar 26, 2018 | News, Reviews
Travis Woyen’s – Echos in the Dark showed up in our in box a few months ago. This Minnesotan who has been inspired by 70’s prog rock. Produced and and played all the instruments on this recording.
I think maybe this album would have benefited from other people’s input. For instance, the sound is not melodic, its dreary. Something is not right with the vocals. I can’t put my finger on what my problem is either they are screamed instead of sung, maybe its an effect. I think it would have made a huge difference if a less dirty sound and the vocals could carry above of the really interesting guitar work.
Click above to purchase at Amazon US or Amazon UK and we’ll get a little referral bonus on your whole order. Even if you don’t order this album
If you have never read the key for my ratings below please do so one time. I feel my ratings are tougher than my peers. Also Check my last.fm link to see how compatible our music tasts are.
https://www.last.fm/user/mon40/library/artists
Key:
These ratings are just attributes and may not have correlation to the most important: OVERALL RATING
PREVIOUS BAND RATING
0: Never heard of them or debut album.
2: Someone recommended. I give them another shot.
4: Some good moments in the past but never put together an album I really liked.
6: Some 4 or 5 star songs but albums can be hit or miss for me.
8: I like 80% of their songs and probably went to see them live.
10: I would, and probably have gone on a plane to see them live.
ACCESSIBILITY EXAMPLES
2: Weather Report
4: Zappa
6: Genesis – Selling England by the Pound,
8: Marillion – F.E.A.R
10: Kino – Picture
HEAVINESS EXAMPLES
2: IQ – Seventh House
4: Discipline – Unfold Like a Staircase
6: Porcupine Tree – In Abstentia, Shadow Gallery – Tyranny
8: Vanden Plas – Chirst 0, Dream Theater – Scenes From a Memory
10: Opeth – Black Water Park
MELODIC EXAMPLES:
2: Opeth – Black Water Park
4: Vanden Plas – Chirst 0, Dream Theater – Scenes From a Memory
6: Porcupine Tree – In Abstentia, Shadow Gallery – Tyranny
8: Discipline – Unfold Like a Staircase
10: IQ – Seventh House
OVERALL RATING:
2: Will Never listen to again and deleted under no circumstances should you buy this
4: Not my thing maybe one redeeming song.
6: I like parts of this and I would check them out if they were near me.
8: I would get in the car and road trip to see this album live
10: I would get on a plane to see this performed live
See if our likes are similar See my Last.fm Page
by progrock.com | Mar 26, 2018 | News, Prog Report
YES, one of the biggest bands in prog rock history and true pioneers of the genre, today (March 26) revealed the dates and details for this summer’s 50th Anniversary North American tour titled #YES50: Celebrating 50 Years of YES. Tickets for the 30-plus date outing, which kicks off June 5 and 6 with a two-night engagement at the Arcada Theatre in St. Charles, IL, will go on sale to the public beginning this Friday, March 30 or Saturday, March 31, with select shows going on sale in early April. A handful of additional dates will be announced soon.
“Much has changed since I joined Yes in 1970, but the core elements of the band have remained consistent,” shares guitarist Steve Howe. “We want to mark this anniversary with a tour that encompasses some of our best-loved work and revisit a few classic pieces that have been lost for a while. We look forward to sharing the 50th anniversary with the fanbase, playing classic songs that celebrate the broad musical style of Yes.”
“I have been blessed to be a member of this amazing band’s rhythm section for the past 46 years, mostly in the company of my great friend Chris Squire, and latterly alongside Chris’ chosen successor, Billy Sherwood, who is receiving recognition for stepping into Chris’ pre-eminent bass and vocals,” says drummer Alan White. “Each night we are pausing to reflect on Chris’ importance to Yes, his desire that we should continue to share Yes music on stages worldwide, and the specific dedication of ‘Onward’ to his huge memory. I’m so grateful to continue to be performing on stages for our dedicated fans and look forward to celebrating our 50th Anniversary in America. It has been a great ride!”
“Being a member of the band during its 50th anniversary is a privilege and honor,” adds Geoff Downes (keys). “It is awe-inspiring to reflect on the caliber and invention of the musicians who have forged the legacy of Yes since 1968, always pushing the boundaries. Playing on stage with founder member Tony Kaye to launch the 50th anniversary [on this year’s Cruise to the Edge] was a wonderful experience for the band and our fans, to whom we dedicate this special tour.”
During this summer’s “Evening with YES” shows, YES–Steve Howe (guitar since 1970), Alan White (drums since 1972), Geoff Downes (keyboards; first joined in 1980), Jon Davison (vocals since 2011) and Billy Sherwood (guitar/keyboards in the 1990s and the late Chris Squire’s choice to take over bass/vocals in 2015)–will perform a special classic hits concert to commemorate the landmark occasion.
The cross-country trek will take the 2017 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees to Kansas City, Denver, Los Angeles (June 19 at the Ford Theater), San Jose, Detroit, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Boston, Staten Island, Philadelphia, Washington, DC and Orlando, among many other cities, before wrapping July 28 in Atlanta. See below for full list of tour dates and go to www.yesworld.com for ticketing information.
DATE CITY VENUE
Tue 6/5 St. Charles, IL Arcada Theatre
Wed 6/6 St. Charles, IL Arcada Theatre
^Fri 6/8 New Buffalo, MI Four Winds Casino Ballroom
^Sun 6/10 Kansas City, MO Midland Theatre
^Mon 6/11 Denver, CO Paramount Theatre
^Wed 6/13 Boise, ID CenturyLink Arena
~Thu 6/14 Woodinville, WA Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery
-Sat 6/16 Bakersfield, CA Spectrum Amphitheater
-Sun 6/17 Anaheim, CA City National Grove of Anaheim
-Tue 6/19 Los Angeles, CA Ford Theatre
-Wed 6/20 San Jose, CA City National Civic
+Fri 6/22 Wendover, NV Peppermill Casino Hall
Sat 6/23 Laughlin, NV Edgewater Hotel & Casino
^Sun 6/24 Temecula, CA Pechanga Resort & Casino
*Thu 6/28 Interlochen, MI Kresge Auditorium
Fri 6/29 Grand Rapids, MI 20 Monroe Live
-Sat 6/30 Detroit, MI Fox Theatre
^Mon 7/2 Cincinnati, OH PNC Pavilion at Riverbend Music Center
Thu 7/5 Pittsburgh, PA Carnegie of Homestead Music Hall
~Fri 7/6 Jim Thorpe, PA Penn’s Peak
Sat 7/7 Montclair, NJ The Wellmont Theater
^Tue 7/10 Boston, MA The Wilbur Theatre
^Wed 7/11 Hampton Beach, NH Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom
^Sat 7/14 Atlantic City, NJ Tropicana Casino
^Sun 7/15 Staten Island, NY St. George Theatre
Tue 7/17 Peekskill, NY Paramount Hudson Valley
^Wed 7/18 Westbury, NY Theatre at Westbury
^Fri 7/20 Philadelphia, PA The Fillmore
^Sat 7/21 Philadelphia, PA The Fillmore
Mon 7/23 Washington, DC Warner Theatre
Thu 7/26 Clearwater, FL Capitol Theatre
Fri 7/27 Orlando, FL The Plaza Live
^Sat 7/28 Atlanta, GA Atlanta Symphony Hall
Ticket on sale dates:
^ Friday, March 30
~ Saturday, March 31
+ Tuesday, April 3
– Friday, April 6
* Friday, April 27
by Mark Monforti | Mar 25, 2018 | News, Reviews
I was glad to receive this sophomore album from Italy’s Red Morris as Italy has been on a real streak of great albums lately.
This album never really “spoke” to me. Are the styles of each song varied or does it lack cohesiveness?
Their playing is all wonderful but the song writing never engaged me.
There are some nice passages on this album but the artist describes his music as rock from Italy’s Brescia.
I suggest that this album is a pass for Progressive Rock fans.
If you have never read the key for my ratings below please do so one time. I feel my ratings are tougher than my peers. Also Check my last.fm link to see how compatible our music tasts are.
https://www.last.fm/user/mon40/library/artists
Key:
These ratings are just attributes and may not have correlation to the most important: OVERALL RATING
PREVIOUS BAND RATING
0: Never heard of them or debut album.
2: Someone recommended. I give them another shot.
4: Some good moments in the past but never put together an album I really liked.
6: Some 4 or 5 star songs but albums can be hit or miss for me.
8: I like 80% of their songs and probably went to see them live.
10: I would, and probably have gone on a plane to see them live.
ACCESSIBILITY EXAMPLES
2: Weather Report
4: Zappa
6: Genesis – Selling England by the Pound,
8: Marillion – F.E.A.R
10: Kino – Picture
HEAVINESS EXAMPLES
2: IQ – Seventh House
4: Discipline – Unfold Like a Staircase
6: Porcupine Tree – In Abstentia, Shadow Gallery – Tyranny
8: Vanden Plas – Chirst 0, Dream Theater – Scenes From a Memory
10: Opeth – Black Water Park
MELODIC EXAMPLES:
2: Opeth – Black Water Park
4: Vanden Plas – Chirst 0, Dream Theater – Scenes From a Memory
6: Porcupine Tree – In Abstentia, Shadow Gallery – Tyranny
8: Discipline – Unfold Like a Staircase
10: IQ – Seventh House
OVERALL RATING:
2: Will Never listen to again and deleted under no circumstances should you buy this
4: Not my thing maybe one redeeming song.
6: I like parts of this and I would check them out if they were near me.
8: I would get in the car and road trip to see this album live
10: I would get on a plane to see this performed live
See if our likes are similar See my Last.fm Page
by Mark Monforti | Mar 24, 2018 | News, Reviews
I had never heard of this Lebanese band prior to listening to this Ostura album. According to their marketing, Ostura have changed their approach to writing songs between this album and the last. This became even more apparent to me as I took a look at the number of likes on Ostura’s Facebook fan page. Of their 12,000 likes, only 6 were friends.
I don’t know what Ostura’s first album sounds like, but if it’s anything like this one, I have been missing out on an amazing band. This album includes a guest appearance by Arjen Lucassen, a choir and symphony. The vocalists are wonderful and the drama is off-the-chart for this album.
In keeping in accordance with my philosophy on rating an album 10 stars I reached out to Ostura to see how I could get them to Chicago. Good news, looks like it might be doable.
Click above to purchase at Amazon US or Amazon UK and we’ll get a little referral bonus on your whole order. Even if you don’t order this album
Key:
These ratings are just attributes and may not have correlation to the most important: OVERALL RATING
PREVIOUS BAND RATING
0: Never heard of them or debut album.
2: Someone recommended. I give them another shot.
4: Some good moments in the past but never put together an album I really liked.
6: Some 4 or 5 star songs but albums can be hit or miss for me.
8: I like 80% of their songs and probably went to see them live.
10: I would, and probably have gone on a plane to see them live.
ACCESSIBILITY EXAMPLES
2: Weather Report
4: Zappa
6: Genesis – Selling England by the Pound,
8: Marillion – F.E.A.R
10: Kino – Picture
HEAVINESS EXAMPLES
2: IQ – Seventh House
4: Discipline – Unfold Like a Staircase
6: Porcupine Tree – In Abstentia, Shadow Gallery – Tyranny
8: Vanden Plas – Chirst 0, Dream Theater – Scenes From a Memory
10: Opeth – Black Water Park
MELODIC EXAMPLES:
2: Opeth – Black Water Park
4: Vanden Plas – Chirst 0, Dream Theater – Scenes From a Memory
6: Porcupine Tree – In Abstentia, Shadow Gallery – Tyranny
8: Discipline – Unfold Like a Staircase
10: IQ – Seventh House
OVERALL RATING:
2: Will Never listen to again and deleted under no circumstances should you buy this
4: Not my thing maybe one redeeming song.
6: I like parts of this and I would check them out if they were near me.
8: I would get in the car and road trip to see this album live
10: I would get on a plane to see this performed live
See if our likes are similar See my Last.fm Page
by progrock.com | Mar 21, 2018 | News, Prog Report
American musician, songwriter, producer, sound designer, co-founder of the band Sound of Contact and lauded progressive-rock artist Dave Kerzner, has announced the birth of a new progressive rock super-group named “In Continuum”. The band consists of Kerzner at the helm as the main songwriter and keyboardist, sharing lead vocal duties with Gabriel Agudo (Steve Rothery Band / Bad Dreams).
Joining Kerzner and Agudo on the debut album – set for release later in 2018 – are top multi-instrumentalists Matt Dorsey (Sound of Contact) and Randy McStine (Sound of Contact, The Fringe), former Porcupine Tree and Sound of Contact touring guitarist John Wesley, drummers Nick D’Virgilio (Big Big Train, Spock’s Beard) and Derek Cintron along with guitarist Fernando Perdomo from the Dave Kerzner Band. Special guests on the album will include singer Jon Davison (Yes) and guitarist Steve Rothery (Marillion).
“In Continuum will have a similar approach that Alan Parsons Project or King Crimson has had in that it will feature multiple singers and musicians” says Kerzner “Each album will have a cast of players best suited for the material.”
The music of “In Continuum” is described as “sci-fi-themed space rock” and stylistically it’s a cross-over blend of progressive rock and mainstream alt rock.
Kerzner says “My role in Sound of Contact writing lyrics and music for keyboard-driven progressive rock music is similar to Tony Banks’ role in one of my favorite bands, Genesis. I’ve created ‘In Continuum’ as a new vehicle and outlet for that musical side of me to continue while I explore other areas in my solo work”.
In Continuum will be performing on Cruise To The Edge, Feb 4-9, 2019. More shows and further details regarding the album release date will be announced at a later time on http://incontinuumband.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/incontinuumband
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/incontinuumband
by progrock.com | Mar 21, 2018 | News, Prog Report
During the 1970s David Cross was a member of King Crimson and David Jackson was a member of Van der Graaf Generator. Now much to the excitement of music aficionados worldwide, the duo have teamed up for an amazing new album titled “Another Day”!
Released via Cherry Red Records, the 12 new tracks on this album showcase the talents of Cross & Jackson and will appeal to the fanbases of both artists and the bands they have been in. It’s an innovative meeting of minds. This new studio album also features Mick Paul on bass, Craig Blundell on drums and was produced by Jake Jackson.
“From the first notes we ever played together David Jackson and I realised that we were driving in the same direction, free to play anything from fierce avant-garde cadenzas to haunting melodies and rocking riffs. ‘Another Day’ is the culmination of our ambition to date and has been realised as a quartet album through extraordinary instinctive performances from our collaborators, Mick Paul and Craig Blundell. The icing on the cake was the incisive, original vision which emerged in the mixing stage from our producer Jake Jackson. I love it.” – David Cross March 2nd 2018
“I am thrilled and very proud of this album with David Cross. It’s the best thing I’ve done in many years! We met at a Festival in Italy in 2010 and emergency improvised our way into a special kind of exciting harmony – and friendship too. Enjoying the space between two soloists, we soon discovered new ways of writing and arranging. Add in our legendary rhythm section of Mick Paul and Craig Blundell and I can guarantee you haven’t heard anything quite like this album before!” – David Jackson (26th February 2018)
Watch the new promotional video: https://youtu.be/paaTO6Oo0X8
In support of the album David Cross & David Jackson plan to tour mid-2018!
Track list:
1. PREDATOR
2. BUSHIDO
3. LAST RIDE
4. GOING NOWHERE
5. TRANE TO KIEV
6. MILLENNIUM TOLL
7. ARRIVAL
8. COME AGAIN
9. BREAKING BAD
10. MR. MOROSE
11. ANTHEM FOR ANOTHER DAY
12. TIME GENTLEMEN, PLEASE
Released March 16, 2018
To purchase David Cross & David Jackson’s “Another Day”:
Amazon: http://geni.us/ADay
iTunes: http://geni.us/ADayDig
