Lee Speaks About Music… #58

On By bradbirzerIn progressive rockLeave a comment

Lee Lucas's avatarLee Speaks About...

A Kingdom Of Colours 1995 – 2002 (Box Set) – The Flower Kings

27504084_1589792504433631_319029685190277943_o

Introduction…

Well I guess I have to thank Tom Fowler for posting his own purchase of this latest box set of The Flower Kings in the Prog Rock Group on Facebook. To be perfectly honest nothing inside this box set is new to me at all, but there was a reason I purchased it, and what it contains again. More about that in a bit in the my introduction to The Flower Kings section of my review here.

Because this is a box set I have very much chosen to review and because it contains quite a few albums, I am merely going to go through the highlights of each album, rather than take on every individual track on them. But first I shall give you a bit of history of the band, and also tell you…

View original post 7,952 more words

The Truth Will Set You Free: Flower Kings, A KINGDOM OF COLOURS

On By bradbirzerIn progressive rock9 Comments

The Flower Kings: THE KINGDOM OF COLOURS boxset (InsideOut, 2017).

Music: A

Physical Packaging: C/C+

Thanks to the great folks at LaserCD, my copy–no. 215 out 3000–of A KINGDOM OF COLOURS by the majestic FLOWER KINGS–arrived just this afternoon in the mail.

2018_03_24_12_10_31.pdf000
No. 215 of 3000.

Strangely enough, despite a 20-year love of the band, I didn’t realize this boxset had even come out until I received the advertisement for the second boxset, KINGDOM OF COLOURS 2.

The box is constructed well and quite attractive.  Inside, one finds the numbered certificate, a booklet, the first seven Flower King studio albums (no, The Flower King (1994), however), and an InsideOut advertisement.  Each of the studio albums, it should be noted, is packed in a very thin cardboard sleeve.

Continue reading “The Truth Will Set You Free: Flower Kings, A KINGDOM OF COLOURS” →

Album Review: Boarding House Reach, Jack White

On By Time LordIn progressive rockLeave a comment

jack-white-boarding-house-reach-artwork-1Jack White has released the most awesomely prog album of his career. You were probably expecting blues roots rock, but instead you get a wildly experimental mutation of rock and roll tropes with nutso synth sounds and drum loops.

The total experience is like a dream state: you have a dream that you are listening to the new Jack White album, and this is the bizarro world that you then move through. You only hope that when you wake up you will remember this amazing music, so that you can reconstruct it.

Thankfully, the entire wild dream has been recorded here, so you can enter musical crazyland again, whenever you wish. The blistering guitar leads on “Respect Commander” will melt the part of your brain that seeks such melting. Meanwhile, “Corporation” and “Abulia and Akrasia” and “Everything You’ve Ever Learned” and “Ezmerelda Steals the Show” and “Get in the Mind Shaft” all confirm that you are not in Kansas anymore.

There’s no point in talking about any of these songs, because they defy analysis with their mysterious storytelling.  The musical and poetic genius of Jack White invites you to go through the looking glass. Don’t miss the journey. It is rare for rock music to rise to the level of art, but this is the real deal, folks. I call it prog: i.e., music as it was meant to be. Challenging and thrilling and joyful and mysterious. Wow.

When Prog and Philanthropy Collide (Man of Much Metal)

On By bradbirzerIn progressive rockLeave a comment

This is a new one for me, but is arguably one of the most important posts I’ve published. Manofmuchmetal.com is not a site that descends into politics or social commentary. In fact, apart from the occasional poor joke or two, I rarely veer too far away from a solid diet of hard rock and heavy […]

via When prog and philanthropy collide… —

“CAPTURE LIGHT” REDUX

On By Paul WatsonIn progressive rock2 Comments

2CD Wallet with Spine (slot cut).pdf

Before we start….

You know, and I can’t speak for everyone here, we Prog scribblers strive to find our own voice, to make our mark among the many others who receive the same albums to review or even write columns about, and to, hopefully, make it interesting to read. So we’re a bit reluctant to go over the same ground that’s already been covered, and in my case, fellow Progarchy columnist and good friend, Alison has already  written a wonderful and informative piece for Progarchy on this album by JOHN HOLDEN titled, “CAPTURE LIGHT” to be released on the 23 MARCH 2018. Alison’s review hits the spot so if you haven’t already I suggest and encourage you to click on this link first before reading any further to get a rundown of each track and the artists involved

‘An enlightened musical journey: John Holden’ from Alison’s Column

See what I mean? A really good and informative review. Not sure how well I’ll do myself but in my own way to capture the light (did you see what I did there?) I spoke to John about his album via social media and asked him a few questions to which he kindly replied. Before I start I will say that John strongly suggested I listen to his new album through my headphones. More an insistence really. And rightly so. This album just adds new dimensions between the ears with its careful layering and placement of sounds thanks to the superb mixing on this album. Treat yourself.

Oh, and while we’re at it… before we start [part two] I also highly recommend you check out the always informative YES MUSIC PODCAST show this week where Kevin interviews John about his new album.

Interview Special – John Holden’s New Album, Capture Light – 326

john H

Continue reading ““CAPTURE LIGHT” REDUX” →

A BBT-Inspired Post: The Enchanted Childhood of Christopher Dawson (TIC)

On By bradbirzerIn progressive rock2 Comments

I’m breaking several rules by re-posting this at progarchy–including our rules that stress we should never write about 1) religion or 2) politics.

Apologies!

However, I wrote this piece about the incredible Anglo-Welsh Man of Letters, Christopher Dawson (1889-1970), while not only listening to Big Big Train but while also consciously trying to imitate Greg Spawton’s and David Longdon’s lyric-writing styles into straight prose.  I might have failed miserable, but I had a great time trying.

 

Stories of glass and stone—which told of the holy and sainted—convinced young Christopher Dawson that a saint was a saint not because of his or her individual talents, but as a continuation of the deepest longings and desires of the Church… 1,275 more words

via Etched in Glass and Stone: The Childhood of Christopher Dawson — The Imaginative Conservative

 

 

Skyclad – The Wayward Sons Of Mother Earth (Review)

On By bradbirzerIn progressive rockLeave a comment

Skyclad – The Wayward Sons Of Mother Earth (Review)

Skyclad – The Wayward Sons Of Mother Earth (Review)


— Read on heavymetaloverload.com/2018/03/20/skyclad-the-wayward-sons-of-mother-earth-review/

Trapped in Time: Porcupine Tree (Prog Sphere)

On By bradbirzerIn progressive rockLeave a comment

Steven Wilson said that not much has changed in terms of Porcupine Tree, now sharing a firm stance that a reunion is simply not on the cards. Directly asked by Eon – “What are the chances of a return for Porcupine Tree?” – Steven replied: “Well, honestly, I would say zero, because I’m just not…

via STEVEN WILSON: There are Zero Chances for PORCUPINE TREE Reunion — Prog Sphere

Rush on the Web: “Rush is a Band” and “Power Windows”

On By bradbirzerIn progressive rock1 Comment

If you’ve had a chance to look at our blog roll, you’ll see a couple of Rush sites.  In particular, I’d like to point out RUSHISABAND and POWERWINDOWS.  Let me just be blunt–I think the world of these sites.  I love the spirit they bring to the internet, and I deeply admire the men (Ed Stenger and Eric Hansen, respectively) who run each.

When we–Carl, Chris, and Kevin–founded progarchy back in 2012, I (Brad) really had three sites in mind to emulate: the Dutch Progressive Rock Page, Rush is a Band, and Power Windows.

Screen Shot 2018-03-19 at 8.20.51 PM
Rush is a Band

Frankly, I wanted to do for Big Big Train what the latter two have done for Rush.

Continue reading “Rush on the Web: “Rush is a Band” and “Power Windows”” →

Dave Kerzner’s Supergroup: In Continuum.

On By bradbirzerIn progressive rockLeave a comment

Received this excellent news from Dave today.  Very excited for Dave and all involved.  He’s on fire.  Run, Dave, run!–BB

kerzneragudolive3

Dave Kerzner Announces New Progressive Rock Supergroup, “In Continuum”

Monday, March 19th, 2018, Miami, Florida: 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).

Continue reading “Dave Kerzner’s Supergroup: In Continuum.” →