Reviews Archives - Page 36 of 41

Mark’s Quick Review: Anubis’s – Hitchhiking to Byzantium

by Mark Monforti | Jul 24, 2017 | News, Reviews

So I apparently missed their first 2 studio releases and never heard of this band until I heard our Monday night DJ spin this album on his Music Unframed show.

I was immediately taken with this album. It ticks three boxes for me, Melodic, Accessible, and Concept album. The lyrics are interesting and the vocals are clear. This album which is best suited for fans of Pink Floyd is really wonderful, dripping with drama and wonderfully multi layered. I have seriously tried to get my friends with UPF to do a double bill with this artist.

I wouldn’t fly to Australia to see this band, but I don’t think I could go to Australia without a show of theirs to see.

PREVIOUS BAND RATING:	(0.0 / 5)
ACCESSIBILITY:	(4.0 / 5)
HEAVINESS:	(2.0 / 5)
MELODIC:	(5.0 / 5)
ARTWORK & PACKAGING:	(4.0 / 5)
DRAMA:	(4.5 / 5)
OVERALL RATING:	(5.0 / 5)

Click Below 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.
1: Someone recommended. I give them another shot.
2: Some good moments in the past but never put together an album I really liked.
3: Some 4 or 5 star songs but albums can be hit or miss for me.
4: I like 80% of their songs and probably went to see them live.
5: I would, and probably have gone on a plane to see them live.

ACCESSIBILITY EXAMPLES
1: Weather Report
2: Zappa
3: Genesis – Selling England by the Pound,
4: Marillion – F.E.A.R
5: Kino – Picture

HEAVINESS EXAMPLES
1: IQ – Seventh House
2: Discipline – Unfold Like a Staircase
3: Porcupine Tree – In Abstentia, Shadow Gallery – Tyranny
4: Vanden Plas – Chirst 0, Dream Theater – Scenes From a Memory
5: Opeth – Black Water Park

MELODIC EXAMPLES:
1: Opeth – Black Water Park
2: Vanden Plas – Chirst 0, Dream Theater – Scenes From a Memory
3: Porcupine Tree – In Abstentia, Shadow Gallery – Tyranny
4: Discipline – Unfold Like a Staircase
5: IQ – Seventh House

OVERALL RATING:
1: Will Never listen to again and deleted under no circumstances should you buy this
2: Not my thing maybe one redeeming song.
3: I like parts of this and I would check them out if they were near me.
4: I would get in the car and road trip to see this album live
5: I would get on a plane to see this performed live

See if our likes are similar See my Last.fm Page

https://www.last.fm/user/mon40/library/artists

Mark’s Quick Review: Scenariot – Scenariot

by Mark Monforti | Jul 23, 2017 | News, Reviews

Sorry guys the album really does nothing for me. I am underwhelmed with the recording quality seems like a very low fidelity recording. I don’t know what key the lead singer is in but I wish it was a different one. Let’s be clear these guys have much more talent that I could ever hope to have but in a world where there are literally 100’s of progressive rock releases a year this is by no means anything you should spend your time on.

PREVIOUS BAND RATING:	(0.0 / 5)
ACCESSIBILITY:	(1.0 / 5)
HEAVINESS:	(2.0 / 5)
MELODIC:	(3.0 / 5)
DRAMA:	(2.0 / 5)
OVERALL RATING:	(1.0 / 5)

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.
1: Someone recommended. I give them another shot.
2: Some good moments in the past but never put together an album I really liked.
3: Some 4 or 5 star songs but albums can be hit or miss for me.
4: I like 80% of their songs and probably went to see them live.
5: I would, and probably have gone on a plane to see them live.

ACCESSIBILITY EXAMPLES
1: Weather Report
2: Zappa
3: Genesis – Selling England by the Pound,
4: Marillion – F.E.A.R
5: Kino – Picture

HEAVINESS EXAMPLES
1: IQ – Seventh House
2: Discipline – Unfold Like a Staircase
3: Porcupine Tree – In Abstentia, Shadow Gallery – Tyranny
4: Vanden Plas – Chirst 0, Dream Theater – Scenes From a Memory
5: Opeth – Black Water Park

MELODIC EXAMPLES:
1: Opeth – Black Water Park
2: Vanden Plas – Chirst 0, Dream Theater – Scenes From a Memory
3: Porcupine Tree – In Abstentia, Shadow Gallery – Tyranny
4: Discipline – Unfold Like a Staircase
5: IQ – Seventh House

OVERALL RATING:
1: Will Never listen to again and deleted under no circumstances should you buy this
2: Not my thing maybe one redeeming song.
3: I like parts of this and I would check them out if they were near me.
4: I would get in the car and road trip to see this album live
5: I would get on a plane to see this performed live

See if our likes are similar See my Last.fm Page

https://www.last.fm/user/mon40/library/artists

Mark’s Quick Review: Barock Project’s – Detachment

by Mark Monforti | Jul 22, 2017 | News, Reviews

So this album starts out very strong. Again the haunting piano opening I have an affinity for. Lead vocals at times sound like Paul Carrack other time harmonies are very strong almost as strong as Moon Safari. The strong opening leads to an average middle of the album then a very strong finish.

Their announcement at RosFest already makes the 2018 lineup stronger than the 2017 lineup.

I would say give this album a listen and you will be happy you did.

Peter Jones – Lead vocals on “Broken” and “Alone”

ALBUM HIGHLIGHTS: Driving Rain, Promises, One Day, A New tomorrow.

PREVIOUS BAND RATING:	(3.5 / 5)
ACCESSIBILITY:	(4.0 / 5)
HEAVINESS:	(2.0 / 5)
MELODIC:	(3.5 / 5)
DRAMA:	(3.5 / 5)
OVERALL RATING:	(4.0 / 5)

Click Below 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.
1: Someone recommended. I give them another shot.
2: Some good moments in the past but never put together an album I really liked.
3: Some 4 or 5 star songs but albums can be hit or miss for me.
4: I like 80% of their songs and probably went to see them live.
5: I would, and probably have gone on a plane to see them live.

ACCESSIBILITY EXAMPLES
1: Weather Report
2: Zappa
3: Genesis – Selling England by the Pound,
4: Marillion – F.E.A.R
5: Kino – Picture

HEAVINESS EXAMPLES
1: IQ – Seventh House
2: Discipline – Unfold Like a Staircase
3: Porcupine Tree – In Abstentia, Shadow Gallery – Tyranny
4: Vanden Plas – Chirst 0, Dream Theater – Scenes From a Memory
5: Opeth – Black Water Park

MELODIC EXAMPLES:
1: Opeth – Black Water Park
2: Vanden Plas – Chirst 0, Dream Theater – Scenes From a Memory
3: Porcupine Tree – In Abstentia, Shadow Gallery – Tyranny
4: Discipline – Unfold Like a Staircase
5: IQ – Seventh House

OVERALL RATING:
1: Will Never listen to again and deleted under no circumstances should you buy this
2: Not my thing maybe one redeeming song.
3: I like parts of this and I would check them out if they were near me.
4: I would get in the car and road trip to see this album live
5: I would get on a plane to see this performed live

See if our likes are similar See my Last.fm Page

https://www.last.fm/user/mon40/library/artists

Mark’s Quick Review: Amarok’s – Hunt

by Mark Monforti | Jul 21, 2017 | News, Reviews

So when I head that Mariusz Duda was a guest on this album I knew I had to check it out. This album may not measure up to a riverside album to me but its a very good album. An album I was happy to spin a few times for this review. Mariusz Duda’s track is the highlight of this album. One wonders if they saved the best song for him or if he made it the best song. That being said the album is solid and each track is above average.

The begining of this album is a highlight of the album and the epic title track is a wonderful way to end this album

Album Highlights: ścieżka 01, ścieżka 02, In Closeness, Unreal , Hunt

PREVIOUS BAND RATING:	(0.0 / 5)
ACCESSIBILITY:	(4.0 / 5)
HEAVINESS:	(2.0 / 5)
MELODIC:	(4.5 / 5)
DRAMA:	(4.0 / 5)
OVERALL RATING:	(4.0 / 5)

Click Below 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.
1: Someone recommended. I give them another shot.
2: Some good moments in the past but never put together an album I really liked.
3: Some 4 or 5 star songs but albums can be hit or miss for me.
4: I like 80% of their songs and probably went to see them live.
5: I would, and probably have gone on a plane to see them live.

ACCESSIBILITY EXAMPLES
1: Weather Report
2: Zappa
3: Genesis – Selling England by the Pound,
4: Marillion – F.E.A.R
5: Kino – Picture

HEAVINESS EXAMPLES
1: IQ – Seventh House
2: Discipline – Unfold Like a Staircase
3: Porcupine Tree – In Abstentia, Shadow Gallery – Tyranny
4: Vanden Plas – Chirst 0, Dream Theater – Scenes From a Memory
5: Opeth – Black Water Park

MELODIC EXAMPLES:
1: Opeth – Black Water Park
2: Vanden Plas – Chirst 0, Dream Theater – Scenes From a Memory
3: Porcupine Tree – In Abstentia, Shadow Gallery – Tyranny
4: Discipline – Unfold Like a Staircase
5: IQ – Seventh House

OVERALL RATING:
1: Will Never listen to again and deleted under no circumstances should you buy this
2: Not my thing maybe one redeeming song.
3: I like parts of this and I would check them out if they were near me.
4: I would get in the car and road trip to see this album live
5: I would get on a plane to see this performed live

See if our likes are similar See my Last.fm Page

https://www.last.fm/user/mon40/library/artists

Mark’s Quick Review – Cell 15’s – Chapter One

by Mark Monforti | Jul 20, 2017 | News, Reviews

Where did these guys come from? Wonderful album out of no where from Robert Richardson. The first 20 measures or so of the title track were a bit off putting because of how much is sounded like Spock’s Beard but it quickly diverges into their own sound.

This album was our pick for best debut album of the year but it not only was the best debut but one of the best releases of the whole year.

This is for any fan of crossover prog.

Album Highlights: Chapter One, Man With a Gun, Long Way Down, Faith Without Works, The Messenger

PREVIOUS BAND RATING:	(0.0 / 5)
ACCESSIBILITY:	(5.0 / 5)
HEAVINESS:	(2.5 / 5)
MELODIC:	(3.5 / 5)
ARTWORK & PACKAGING:	(1.0 / 5)
DRAMA:	(4.5 / 5)
OVERALL RATING:	(4.5 / 5)

Click Below 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.
1: Someone recommended. I give them another shot.
2: Some good moments in the past but never put together an album I really liked.
3: Some 4 or 5 star songs but albums can be hit or miss for me.
4: I like 80% of their songs and probably went to see them live.
5: I would, and probably have gone on a plane to see them live.

ACCESSIBILITY EXAMPLES
1: Weather Report
2: Zappa
3: Genesis – Selling England by the Pound,
4: Marillion – F.E.A.R
5: Kino – Picture

HEAVINESS EXAMPLES
1: IQ – Seventh House
2: Discipline – Unfold Like a Staircase
3: Porcupine Tree – In Abstentia, Shadow Gallery – Tyranny
4: Vanden Plas – Chirst 0, Dream Theater – Scenes From a Memory
5: Opeth – Black Water Park

MELODIC EXAMPLES:
1: Opeth – Black Water Park
2: Vanden Plas – Chirst 0, Dream Theater – Scenes From a Memory
3: Porcupine Tree – In Abstentia, Shadow Gallery – Tyranny
4: Discipline – Unfold Like a Staircase
5: IQ – Seventh House

OVERALL RATING:
1: Will Never listen to again and deleted under no circumstances should you buy this
2: Not my thing maybe one redeeming song.
3: I like parts of this and I would check them out if they were near me.
4: I would get in the car and road trip to see this album live
5: I would get on a plane to see this performed live

See if our likes are similar See my Last.fm Page

https://www.last.fm/user/mon40/library/artists

Mark’s Quick Review: Brother Ape’s – Karma

by Mark Monforti | Jul 19, 2017 | News, Reviews

So here is a band that I have always hoped that their next album would be the one that I really like how ever again this album is hit or miss for me. If you like the same music I like I would suggest you give it a listen. There are three decent songs on here, but the ones I don’t like leave me puzzled and disappointed.

Album Highlights: Sixteen, Hina Saruwa, Karma

PREVIOUS BAND RATING:	(2.0 / 5)
ACCESSIBILITY:	(2.0 / 5)
HEAVINESS:	(2.0 / 5)
MELODIC:	(3.5 / 5)
DRAMA:	(2.5 / 5)
OVERALL RATING:	(2.5 / 5)

Click Below 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.
1: Someone recommended. I give them another shot.
2: Some good moments in the past but never put together an album I really liked.
3: Some 4 or 5 star songs but albums can be hit or miss for me.
4: I like 80% of their songs and probably went to see them live.
5: I would, and probably have gone on a plane to see them live.

ACCESSIBILITY EXAMPLES
1: Weather Report
2: Zappa
3: Genesis – Selling England by the Pound,
4: Marillion – F.E.A.R
5: Kino – Picture

HEAVINESS EXAMPLES
1: IQ – Seventh House
2: Discipline – Unfold Like a Staircase
3: Porcupine Tree – In Abstentia, Shadow Gallery – Tyranny
4: Vanden Plas – Chirst 0, Dream Theater – Scenes From a Memory
5: Opeth – Black Water Park

MELODIC EXAMPLES:
1: Opeth – Black Water Park
2: Vanden Plas – Chirst 0, Dream Theater – Scenes From a Memory
3: Porcupine Tree – In Abstentia, Shadow Gallery – Tyranny
4: Discipline – Unfold Like a Staircase
5: IQ – Seventh House

OVERALL RATING:
1: Will Never listen to again and deleted under no circumstances should you buy this
2: Not my thing maybe one redeeming song.
3: I like parts of this and I would check them out if they were near me.
4: I would get in the car and road trip to see this album live
5: I would get on a plane to see this performed live

See if our likes are similar See my Last.fm Page

https://www.last.fm/user/mon40/library/artists

Mark’s Quick Review: Anubis’s – Hitchhiking to Byzantium

Mark’s Quick Review: Scenariot – Scenariot

Mark’s Quick Review: Barock Project’s – Detachment

Mark’s Quick Review: Amarok’s – Hunt

Mark’s Quick Review – Cell 15’s – Chapter One

Mark’s Quick Review: Brother Ape’s – Karma

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