by Mark Monforti | May 12, 2018 | News, Reviews
River Utopia the sophomore album from Robert Richardson’s band Cell15 has made it this way and it has to be very good to match their debut album and which won 2014’s best debut album and best opening track. I have seen this some of this album performed live which gives me a little more insight into the album than most people reviewing the album.
Though it doesn’t quite match the debut album in my opinion this album is very good. Robert put out a solid 6 song album. Maybe no song as good as Chapter One or The Messenger from the debut but this is chalk full of soothing melodies and wonderful arrangements. This might be a decent gateway album as it is super accessible which may actually be off putting for some.
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 Mark Monforti | Mar 29, 2018 | News, Reviews
Solo guitar’s Jon Durant sent us his album, Parting Is last month and we gave it a few spins.
After checking it out I don’t believe that I can recommend this album. I typically like polyphonic huge sounds and this is really just soundscapes and pleasant guitar sounds.
If I was in a band I could certainly see how I might think I really like Jon’s tone and I would like to work with him. But as a cohesive 50 minute album it seems a bit too mellow and lacking any drama.
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 Mark Monforti | Mar 28, 2018 | News, Reviews
Royal Architects sent me a vinyl edition of their album to review. Which is a real attention getter I will say. Their debut album comes to us from Baltimore home of the often visited Orion Studios.
This album is a great debut. Its a bit uneven in quality possibly, but as far as debuts go its fairly good. There is some nice drama the mix is decent and the song writing is above average.
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 Mark Monforti | Mar 27, 2018 | News, Reviews
France’s Shob has released an album called Karma Obscur. This is a tough album for me to review in some respects. I find that albums featuring bass players are appreciated more by people that play the bass or any instrument rather than a simple consumer of music.
This album is no different for me. When I listen to it I like it but only as background music. Not something that would ever give me goosebumps.
Shob is full of talent and the album is interesting would never be a go to album for me, but if you are a musician especially a bass player I would suggest that you give it a try.
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 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 | Prog Report, Reviews
Concert: Between the Buried and Me, The Dear Hunter, Leprous
Venue: Revolution, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 3-24-18
Rare is the night in South Florida where a prog band comes to town. Even more rare is a great bill with more than one band. When the tour was announced for prog metal stalwarts Between the Buried along with The Dear Hunter and Leprous, the immediate thought as someone who lives in Florida was ‘well, would’ve been nice to see that show.’ Luckily, a stop was already scheduled for Ft. Lauderdale at the rock club Revolution. In fact, BTBAM, have played this venue before, so kudos to them to coming back to a fan base thirsty for metal bands.
Upon entering the venue around 7pm, the first thing that was noticeable was a cello player on stage performing alone. He was clearly skilled, but could he be at the wrong place? A few minutes later, the members of Leprous took to the stage and the cello player stayed on. The band tore through songs mostly from their last 2 albums, The Congregation, and their latest, Malina. The band are a tight, in synch, machine. Vocalist and keyboard player, Einar Solberg, exudes passion and intensity with every note, hitting impressive falsettos throughout. Their singles “From the Flame” and “The Price” definitely struck a chord with the anxious audience, who showed up early to see this band as well. The set concluded with the epic “Mirage,” a tour de force, power-prog track.
A band that is difficult to place in any category, The Dear Hunter, took the stage next. Casey Crescezno and the gang went straight into the opening number “The Old Haunt” and sounded as pristine as their gloriously recorded albums. Playing tracks mostly from Acts 3, 4 and 5, with one new song from their recent EP, the band displayed their diversity with tracks like the metal-tinged “Wait” to the Supertramp-esque “Bitter Suite IV & V”. “The Revival” from Act V saw the most engagement from the audience as many seemed to know every word. Having seen the band before on headlining shows, their was a noticeable lack of banter from the band to the audience, except for a couple of times when they played some smooth jazz while tuning their guitars. But the band was in fine form and closed with a heavenly version of “The Moon/Awake” from Act V. While they share similar audiences with bands like Leprous and BTBAM, it was a bit strange as they ended their set, to imagine the thunderous metal that was about the hit us; quite a contrast in styles indeed.
Without wasting too much time, BTBAM hit the stage and began playing “Condemned to the Gallows” from their latest release Automata. Immediately, the bombastic drums, razor like guitars, and guttural vocals from Tommy Rogers, decimated the crowd. It was going to be an intense set right from the start. The band sounded brilliant and like a fine-tuned machine. Next came a pair of songs from Coma Ecliptic, followed by a string of songs from Automata. Having played the entire Colors album recently on their 10th anniversary tour of the album. there were no songs played from that album. Nevertheless, BTBAM delivered as only they know how to do. And the audience did not seem to mind in the least, as evidence by the ever-expanding mosh pit.
This was everything a prog rock show in 2018 can be: diverse, melodic, intense, powerful, and creative. You leave knowing that this music is in good hands with an offering for any type of fan. More combined bills like this is what this genre needs.
https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/between-the-buried-and-me/2018/revolution-fort-lauderdale-fl-63ef1693.html
https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/the-dear-hunter/2018/revolution-fort-lauderdale-fl-7bef1690.html
