Big Big Train’s FOLKLORE Arrives in Michigan

It’s not everyday that a Big Big Train album appears in my mailbox.  An immense thanks to Kathy Spawton and Greg Spawton for sending it, and to the band for signing it!

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Veronica Rose celebrates with SONGS FROM THE BIG CHAIR, BBT style.

Continue reading “Big Big Train’s FOLKLORE Arrives in Michigan”

Hackett’s Clip: Lamb Lies Down

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Steve Hackett by Anne-Catherine de Froidmont

MAY 31ST, 2016

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WORLD-RENOWNED GUITARIST/COMPOSER STEVE HACKETT  REVEALS “THE LAMB LIES DOWN ON BROADWAY” CLIP
 
VIDEO TAKEN FROM 2CD/2DVD, BLU-RAY “THE TOTAL EXPERIENCE LIVE 
IN LIVERPOOL,” DUE OUT WORLDWIDE JUNE 24TH VIA INSIDEOUT MUSIC
 
(New York, NY) – World-renowned guitarist/composer Steve Hackett has just revealed the first clip from his forthcoming 2 CD/2 DVD, Blu-Ray package THE TOTAL EXPERIENCE LIVE IN LIVERPOOL.  The video for “The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway” can be viewed here.  THE TOTAL EXPERIENCE LIVE IN LIVERPOOL will be released worldwide on June 24th via InsideOut Music and was filmed during Hackett‘s Acolyte To Wolflight With Genesis Revisited tour last year.  Celebrating the 40th anniversary of his first solo album VOYAGE OF THE ACOLYTEand following his latest album WOLFLIGHT, the Acolyte To Wolflight With Genesis Revisited Tour was Hackett‘s effort to represent the many chapters of his career. Featuring two sets – one highlighting his solo work, the second paying tribute to Genesis – the two hour performance was greeted with enthusiasm by both fans and critics.  A trailer for the release can be seen here.

Continue reading “Hackett’s Clip: Lamb Lies Down”

Airbag’s DISCONNECTED: The Spirit of Mark Hollis and Rick Wright

Review of Airbag, DISCONNECTED (Karisma, 2016).  Tracks: Killer; Broken; Slave; Sleepwalker; Disconnected; Returned.

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Airbag, DISCONNECTED (Karisma, 2016).
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IDENTITY (2009).  It could be none-more-Talk Talk.

 

When Airbag first appeared on the prog scene with their extraordinary album, IDENTITY (2008-2009), they seemed a fascinating cross between Pink Floyd and Talk Talk, at least in their influences.  Or more accurately, perhaps, imagine Pink Floyd performing Talk Talk songs.  Even the cover of IDENTITY looked like something James Marsh would’ve painted.  The atmosphere the band created—at least in the studio—was nothing short of astounding.  Moody, driven, and meaningful.  One might be tempted to call their music prog shoe-gaze.

Their first and only (as far as I know) live release, LIVE IN OSLO, proved just how amazingly talented the four members of Airbag are.  After hearing them live, no one could dismiss them as a studio band merely.  As much as I liked IDENTITY, it was the 24 minutes of LIVE IN OSLO that utterly blew me away.  Upon my first listen to this short album, I knew this band was something special.

Continue reading “Airbag’s DISCONNECTED: The Spirit of Mark Hollis and Rick Wright”

Concert Review: Portland Finds The Cure in Ridgefield — Drew’s Reviews

Their last trip to the Portland, OR area came more than a decade ago and it’s been nearly as long since they released an album of new material but regardless the 15,000 strong who packed the Sunlight Supply Amphitheater in Ridgefield, WA on Saturday definitely know the Cure. The Robert Smith fronted group played 34 […]

via Concert Review: Portland Finds The Cure in Ridgefield — Drew’s Reviews

Free Big Big Train Folklore Booklet Download

The members of BBT have graciously made the CD/vinyl booklet available for free.

Link to BBT’s dropbox: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/zdn1hnnqmme9s26/AAAKvUmF4PfxSfkGIMQXmaIYa/Folklore%20album%20booklet.pdf?dl=0

Or, a direct down load here: Folklore album booklet

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Releases Today: BBT and Frost*

So, today is a big day–the first studio album from Big Big Train in three years and the first studio album from Frost* in eight.  Amazing.  Enjoy!

 

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Big Big Train, FOLKLORE.
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Frost*, FALLING SATELLITES.

Have You Pledged Yet? Fire Garden.

I have!  Proudly.

http://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/firegardenmusic

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Big Big Train – Folklore – Album Review — The Blog of Much Metal

Artist: Big Big Train Album Title: Folklore Label: English Electric Recordings Date Of Release: 27 May 2016 Albums like this need to be consumed for some time before any thoughts are committed to paper or PC. However, I was desperate to review ‘Folklore’ by Big Big Train before it was officially released and so, after […]

via Big Big Train – Folklore – Album Review — The Blog of Much Metal

The Wall Street Journal on BENT KNEE

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The brand new album from Bent Knee, SAY SO!

 

One of America’s two finest print sources has a great writeup on BENT KNEE.  And, well deserved.  By Jim Fusilli.

Bent Knee, whose latest album, “Say So” (Cuneiform), arrived on Friday, has been classified as a proponent of art rock, which is only a little more helpful than saying it makes music. Across the span of its three full-length discs, the silo-smashing, Boston-based sextet taps into cabaret, ’70s piano-based folk, chamber pop, industrial rock, metal and prog rock—with the snap of funk and hip-hop in some of its rhythms. Featuring the versatile, ever-appealing voice of Courtney Swain on top, Bent Knee’s unique mix is equal parts ingenuity and deliciousness.

Bent Knee may begin and end a track near the same sonic place, but in between it offers a journey filled with fruitful detours. The initial listening experience is to wonder what’s next; later, it’s a matter of catching up with what was missed the earlier times around. On “Say So,” the track “Counselor” features bouncy allusions to show tunes; punchy funk; wailing metal; and a sing-along worthy of a protest rally. A cocktail-lounge piano and a theatrical vocal by Ms. Swain introduce “Nakami,” but soon comes Gavin Wallace-Ailsworth’s booming drums, a stinging guitar and sweet strings; Ms. Swain, who also plays keyboards, sings the stirring outro in Japanese. “Eve” has two bludgeoning interludes right out of sludge metal, but there are also little bits on plucked violin and accordion, with some jazzy chording on electric guitar. For all that’s happening on this album, there’s little bloat or self-indulgence, and even the longest tracks feel like concise statements.

To read it all, and you should, go here: http://www.wsj.com/articles/say-so-by-bent-knee-review-1464125585

Thanks to Stephen Humphries for pointing this out to me this morning.