Author: bradbirzer

By day, I'm a father of seven and husband of one. By night, I'm an author, a biographer, and a prog rocker. Interests: Rush, progressive rock, cultural criticisms, the Rocky Mountains, individual liberty, history, hiking, and science fiction.

Anne-Catherine de Froidmont: Prog Artist

On By bradbirzerIn progressive rock2 Comments
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Anne-Catherine de Froidmont, famed Belgian artist, exploring the wilds of America.

One of the finest illustrators and artists of third-wave prog, the well-beloved Anne-Catherine de Froidmont of Belgium, has a birthday today.  What better way to celebrate the very expansiveness and wholesomeness of third-wave prog than by celebrating the life and art of de Froidmont!

She is, simply put, an incredible talent.  I know of no other current sketch artist who captures the real essence of a person so perfectly.  I’m guessing this is because her soul is immensely generous, and she sees the best in all around her.

Here’s just a small sampling of her excellence:

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Nick Beggs and Steven Wilson
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Steve Hackett
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John Young (second from left) and Lifesigns

Thank you for adding so much beauty to the world, Anne-Catherine.  It’s an honor beyond measure to walk this insane world together with you.

Forthcoming: The 10th Anniversary Review of PARADOX HOTEL

On By bradbirzerIn progressive rockLeave a comment
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Insideout Music, 2006.

On April 4, 2006, the Flower Kings released PARADOX HOTEL, not just a seminal album for the band, but a seminal album for third-wave prog.

At the time of its release, Roine Stolt expressed some reluctance with the album, noting that it had not been as complicated, complex, or nuanced as the previous release, ADAM AND EVE (2004).  PARADOX HOTEL, he sighed (or, so I’ve interpreted the interview he gave to/with DPRP.net), was just another release of a prog album, but not as progressive as the 2004 album.

While everything the Flower Kings does is excellent, it’s hard not to rate PARADOX HOTEL as extraordinary, even for an extraordinary band.  In hindsight, PARADOX HOTEL is probably regarded as a much stronger album than ADAM AND EVE.

Regardless, we’ll be giving PARADOX HOTEL close scrutiny as we celebrate its tenth birthday.

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Glass Hammer, LIVE AT THE TIVOLI (2006)

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Glass Hammer Live at the Tivoli (Sound Resources, 2008)

Recorded at Lee University, October 17, 2006

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Sound Resources, 2008.

Tracks: Eiger Dreams (intro music); Run Lisette; A Cup of Trembling; Lirazel; Heroes and Dragons; Longer; Knight of the North; Beati Quorum Via; Having Caught a Glimpse; and South Side of the Sky)

Call it being a loyal fan, call it being more than a bit OCD, or call it being a bit of both. . . . LIVE AT THE TIVOLI was the last Glass Hammer release I needed to become a full-fledged, more than honorable, Glass Hammer completest.  I can now rather proudly state that I own every single album and DVD Glass Hammer has released.  This is not small feat given 1) how much the band has produced in its glorious history; and 2) given just how hard it is to find a few of their DVDs.  But, I’ve done it.

Continue reading “Glass Hammer, LIVE AT THE TIVOLI (2006)” →

Concert Alert: Tears for Fears at Promo West (Ohio)

On By bradbirzerIn Uncategorized2 Comments

Tears for Fears are listed to play Promo West summer 2016. This concert takes place in Columbus Ohio. This is separate from the Bunbury festival to take place in June. Promo West is a new festival with scheduled show dates of 15 – 17 July. The festival promises to be a big deal as the […]

http://tearsandkooksintl.com/2016/03/17/concert-alert-tears-for-fears-at-promo-west-ohio/

Sonus Corona – Sonus Corona

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Just when I thought all of the fresh talent in prog metal was hiding towards the more extreme side of the spectrum, I am introduced to this band, the Finnish quintet Sonus Corona. Although I was expecting Sonus Corona to fall into the same rut of Dream Theater or Symphony X that so many melodic […]

http://www.prog-sphere.com/reviews/sonus-corona-sonus-corona/

DIFFERENT LIGHT: Finding Freedom

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Prague based progressive rock band with Maltese roots, Different Light returned this year with the release of their new album titled “The Burden of Paradise,” and Prog Sphere conducted an interview with keyboardist and singer Trevor Tabone. Define the mission of Different Light. It’s basically to make our music known to as many people as […]

http://www.prog-sphere.com/interviews/different-light-interview/

Andy Tillison Solo News: Durch

On By bradbirzerIn Andy Tillison, art rock, progressive rockLeave a comment

[This (below the graphic) from Sally Collyer–the wonderful and incredible Sally Collyer, progarchy’s previous PROG HUMAN OF THE YEAR.  I will admit, I’m secretly hoping that Andy’s new album, DURCH, is really a tribute of some kind to Geddy Lee–BB]

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Anglo-Germanic code for Dirk?

NEW MUSIC NEWS from Andy Tillison – you can still pre-order DURCH from www.thetangent.org and get an hour’s worth of new music from the album emailed to you personally by Andy ~ see Andy’s message below, he will be sending out the new tracks tomorrow evening (Thursday).

Just a bit of “DURCH” Info here… tomorrow I will be writing to everyone who pre-ordered the album with news of its status – (don’t worry. we’re late but not that far off!). Everyone who’s bought the album so far will have music to listen to – around an hour’s worth of this album which has turned out very different to that foreseen… My apologies for lack of presence here on FB of late, this is a personal choice – to make me concentrate on work!!

If you have ordered DURCH please check the email you used to place the order tomorrow evening. If you haven’t received a mail from me by Thursday, then please PM me here on Facebook.


On a different note (a lot of different notes) I have been asked by Progzilla to do a Keith Emerson tribute broadcast which I have of course graciously accepted. News of that shortly.


Very best to all
Andy

Negativity and Keith Emerson

On By bradbirzerIn progressive rock4 Comments

Two things that confuse, perplex, and worry me in this world: depression and suicide.  In no way would I ever consider myself above such things or not harassed by such demons.  But, obviously, I’ve never allowed (the right word?) either to plague me enough so that I’m not typing this at the moment.

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Rest in Peace, Keith.

Ray Bradbury—who probably felt almost nothing but highs most of his life—once claimed that the worst thing an artist can do after experiencing a strong emotion is express it verbally.  Instead, the artist should allow it to become the inspiration for whatever art he/she is at the moment creating.

Continue reading “Negativity and Keith Emerson” →

Spiritual Beggars – Sunrise To Sundown – Album Review

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Artist: Spiritual Beggars Album Title: Sunrise To Sundown Label: Inside Out Records Date of Release: 18 March 2016 If you’re looking for a musical experience to surprise you and offer something completely different from what has gone before, I wouldn’t recommend Spiritual Beggars to you. Theirs is not a blueprint that seeks to challenge listeners […]

https://manofmuchmetal.wordpress.com/2016/03/04/spiritual-beggars-sunrise-to-sundown-album-review/

InnerWish – InnerWish – Album Review

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Artist: InnerWish Album Title: InnerWish Label: Ulterium Records Date Of Release: 18 March 2016 I’m going to begin this review by stating that I know nothing of InnerWish. Or at least, I didn’t until I decided to give this album a try having been sent the promo. I mean, it would be rude not to […]

https://manofmuchmetal.wordpress.com/2016/03/12/innerwish-innerwish-album-review/