10 Years Old: FEAR OF A BLANK PLANET, Porcupine Tree

On By bradbirzerIn progressive rock1 Comment

Ten years ago this month, Porcupine Tree released its magnum opus, FEAR OF A BLANK PLANET.  I’m sure that many of you in the progarchy community would respectfully (or otherwise) disagree with my belief that this was PT’s finest moment.  Is it really the magnum opus of the band?

foabp
PT, FOABP, 2007

Or, maybe to put it differently, is it the finest moment of Steven Wilson, version 1.0?

Well, this might be the subject of a much longer post. . . .  But, for now, let’s stick with FEAR.

Though much heavier than the albums prior to IN ABSENTIA, FEAR has everything that a prog fan would want.  The lyrics are top notch, the album is a concept, and the playing is flawless and immaculate.

Continue reading “10 Years Old: FEAR OF A BLANK PLANET, Porcupine Tree” →

soundstreamsunday: “Rudie Can’t Fail” by the Clash

On By Craig BreadenIn post punk, ska2 Comments

theclashFor the Clash there was no leaving politics off-record or offstage, and more than any of the mainstream punk or post-punk bands, except for maybe Gang of Four, they worked the seam in rock’s goldmine that pitted the disempowered and disenfranchised against authority, entitlement, and impunity.  No mistake their hit cover of Bobby Fuller’s “I Fought the Law.”  They gave punk a much-needed edge that went beyond simple nihilism, stoking it with purposeful aggression that, even as an act that in part it was, absolutely rocked.  The Clash were also a band in the way the British loved their bands, from the Beatles to the Faces — laddish, swaggering, a drama of excess unfolding — a story of their empire in microcosm.

I’m a latecomer to the Clash’s London Calling (1979), but I’ve been listening to it on and off over the last 20 years or so, and in terms of British rock I think it’s the natural next step after the Stones’ Exile on Main Street — like that record it is a glorious, sprawling double album by a band so at the top of their game that they became a cultural filter.  Rather than American blues, though, the Clash relied heavily on Jamaican music as a launchpad, investing the songs with an utterly contemporary feel that at once gave the finger to the British post-colonial Man while celebrating the multicultural consequences of empire.  Ironies abound.

For years I honestly thought that the “Rudie” in “Rudie Can’t Fail” was just the name of the song’s central character.  This is because I’m generally uneducated in Jamaican music, where the “rude boy” as anti-hero has been kicking around since the 60s.  It just goes to show what a great song this is, with it’s big undertow of a riff and the back-and-forth singing of Joe Strummer and Mick Jones.  It’s an ebullient shout-fest with horns, a big-hearted victory lap for punk.

soundstreamsunday presents one song or live set by an artist each week, and in theory wants to be an infinite linear mix tape where the songs relate and progress as a whole. For the complete playlist, go here: soundstreamsunday archive and playlist, or check related articles by clicking on”soundstreamsunday” in the tags section above.

BBT: “Meadowland” (performed live at Real World studios in April 2017) @bigbigtrain

On By Time LordIn progressive rockLeave a comment

This is a magnificent live performance of a song from the new Big Big Train album, Grimspound:

And here is more of the most recent video excellence from BBT:

Prog on, gentlemen!

Album Review: Big Big Train — Grimspound ★★★★★ @bigbigtrain

On By Time LordIn progressive rock1 Comment

Big Big Train (BBT) blew me away with the double LP of Folklore. (And yes, that is how you have to think of this band: in terms of the analog experience they engender.)

Folklore is such a toweringly great album, how do you follow it up? Perhaps the only thing you can do is assemble Folklore outtakes or B-sides, which is what Grimspound purports to offer us.

But that is not quite accurate: Folklore was the outcome of such a supernova explosion of creativity, that what BBT had was simply an overabundant creative surplus to draw from, in order to issue in a sequel.

As I heard the first track, “Brave Captain,” I was thrilled. It ranks with the most exciting of BBT’s songs. But then, on first listen, the rest of the album settled into a series of songs that sounded like nothing new, but rather more of the same thing that BBT has become good at.

Continue reading “Album Review: Big Big Train — Grimspound ★★★★★ @bigbigtrain” →

THE SOURCE Understandably Delayed in North America

On By bradbirzerIn progressive rockLeave a comment

This from Mascot and Arjen–for which I say, no worries!  Eager for the final product when it arrives.

ed81c31d-3dd9-4133-a357-115dea3b416c

Dear Ayreonauts,

Here’s some important news about your Ayreon-The Source pre-order.

There is a delay in processing the orders from US and Canadian addresses. A few weeks ago, Arjen visited the Mascot warehouse in the Netherlands to sign thousands and thousands of Earbooks, vinyl, CDs, and what-have-you. After that, everything had to be shipped to our new fulfillment center in Albany, NY. Usually we process mailorder from our cozy New York office, but Ayreon is such a big project, there’s simply no room for that… 🙂

The shipment took a very long time to be processed by US customs, longer than usual. This delay is beyond our control, but we apologize for it anyway.

Everything has now been processed by US customs, and is now on its way to the MerchNow fulfillment center, where all your orders will be packed and sent out. Our order system is not linked to them, so you will receive 2 shipping notifications: One from MerchNow, one from MLG.

Of course, all these delays mean that you will not receive The Source on the release day, April 28. We are very sorry about this, but the logistics around this album ran into a few more bumps than expected. We really, really, really appreciate your support for Ayreon, and we thank you for your patience while you wait for your Source-goodies to arrive.

Until MerchNow has processed your order, we are not able to give you a status update. Please don’t ask us where your order is, or if it has been shipped. We simply have to wait until MerchNow gets back to us with an update. It’s also not possible anymore to update your order, t-shirt size or address.

Again, our sincere apologies for the delay. We hope you like… No, you WILL like The Source!

Kind regards,
The friendly folks of the MLG Webstore

Mew in North America!

On By bradbirzerIn progressive rock1 Comment

Holy Schnikees!  Wouldn’t have imagined this would happen.  Wonderful.

***

DANISH ART/ROCK BAND MEW
ANNOUNCES “VISUALS” NORTH AMERICAN TOUR

L-R:  Jonas Bjerre, Silas Utke Graae Jorgensen, Johan Wohlert

Photo credit:  Sasha Ryabina
LOS ANGELES, CA – (Friday, April 28, 2017) — To support and celebrate today’s release of Visuals, the band’s seventh album (Play It Again Sam), Denmark’s biggest export, the indie-art-rockers MEW, announces an 18-date North American major-market tour that kicks off August 3 at the Bowery Ballroom in New York, and wraps in Los Angeles on August 26 at the El Rey Theatre.  Confirmed dates are below; tickets go on sale next Friday, May 5 at 10AM local time.  For all ticketing information, log onto www.mewsite.com
Additionally last week, Mew’s new single, “Twist Quest,” “a fascinating beast of a track,” according to
Stereogum, catapulted to the #2 position on FMQB’s SubModern Report chart with spins at Alternative and Triple A major and secondary market radio stations across the country.  Check the track’s lyric video out here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHIEEvJMZBI&t=1s
Said vocalist Jonas Bjerre, “One of the big questions on the minds of everyone in the band since we were close to finishing the new record has been, ‘When are we going to tour North America again?’ The last time was one of the greatest touring experiences we’ve had so far, and we’re longing to come back.  Well, we are confirmed for August 2017, we are super thrilled with these new Summer plans, and are currently working on making this tour really special, to live up to the title of the album!”
Indeed, Bjerre, who creates the visuals for all of the band’s art work and merchandise and has directed several Mew videos, has conceived and designed the stage production for the North American dates. Based around the concept of “visuals,” projections and videos, produced expressly for this tour, along with special lighting and other effects, will set the stage for Mew’s captivating and majestic music.  Fans can expect the band’s set list to draw from all points of their career, including selections from the new release.
For these dates, Mew’s line up – vocalist Bjerre, bassist Johan Wohlert and drummer Silas Utke Graae Jorgensen, will be joined by guitarist Mads Wegner and keyboardist Nick Watts.
Confirmed dates for Mew’s “Visuals” North American tour are as follows:
AUGUST
 3    Bowery Ballroom, New York, NY
 4    Music Hall of Williamsburg, Brooklyn, NY
 5    9:30 Club, Washington, D.C.
 7    The Foundry at The Fillmore, Philadelphia, PA
 8    The Sinclair, Boston, MA
10   Mod Club, Toronto, ON
11   Magic Stick, Detroit, MI
12   Park West, Chicago, IL
13   Turf Club, St. Paul, MN
15   Bluebird Theatre, Denver, CO
16   The State Room, Salt Lake City, UT
18   Rickshaw Theatre, Vancouver, BC
19   Neumos, Seattle, WA
20   Hawthorne Theatre, Portland, OR
22   The Fillmore, San Francisco, CA
24   The Observatory North Park, San Diego, CA
25   The Observatory, Santa Ana, CA
26   El Rey Theatre, Los Angeles, CA

Continue reading “Mew in North America!” →

THE ONION: Canada’s Healthcare for Aging Proggers

On By bradbirzerIn progressive rock3 Comments

Hilarious.  Time Lord?  Thoughts?

http://www.theonion.com/article/justin-trudeau-unveils-plan-meet-healthcare-needs–55878

The Revenge of the Analog: BBT’s Grimspound @saxdavid @rushkoff

On By Time LordIn progressive rock2 Comments


Perhaps you’ll want to purchase Big Big Train’s magnificent new album, Grimspound, in a vinyl version:

There are two vinyl versions of the album. There is a limited edition frosted clear vinyl version alongside the standard black vinyl version. Both vinyl versions are gatefold releases featuring double heavy weight 180g vinyl and a 4 page booklet insert including the lyrics and the stories behind the songs. A complimentary code for a high-resolution download version of the album is provided with each vinyl order. Orders of the limited edition frosted clear vinyl will also include a postcard signed by all band members. A limited edition blue vinyl version of 2016’s Folklore album is also available at Burning Shed and includes a complimentary hi-resolution download code.

What is it that people are seeking when they deliberately and consciously go against the digital grain and cultivate an analog experience? Don’t worry, it’s not merely indulging in nostalgia. If you want to obtain a truly insightful perspective on the human need for the analog (a connection that the music of Big Big Train excels in establishing), then you’ll want to check out David Sax’s new book, The Revenge of the Analog: Real Things and Why They Matter.

Continue reading “The Revenge of the Analog: BBT’s Grimspound @saxdavid @rushkoff” →

The Pillars of Prog, Part 1 – We Are All 21st Century Schizoid Men

On By Bryan MoreyIn progressive rock10 Comments

Welcome to the first in a new series about some of the most important/influential songs in the history of progressive rock. I’ve been trying to come up with a new idea for a series or regular column here at Progarchy, and last week, while enjoying the vast beauty of northern Michigan for a week, I was struck with this idea while standing in an antique shop (which was taking my money for my very first, and probably last, vinyl purchase).

I’m beginning this series with King Crimson’s “21st Century Schizoid Man” because I honestly believe this song is what started the genre. Feel free to let me know in the comments what songs you think I should talk about in the future. I’ve got ideas ranging from Dream Theater to Yes to Jethro Tull and everything in between, and your ideas will be helpful in rounding out my ideas.

Without further ado…

Continue reading “The Pillars of Prog, Part 1 – We Are All 21st Century Schizoid Men” →

Burnt City’s Aydin Zahedi Talks About “Resurgence” EP

On By NickIn progressive rockLeave a comment

Aydin Zahedi

“Resurgence” is a debut EP by Australian Prog-Power Metal project Burnt City, a brainchild of guitarist Aydin Zahedi, who worked with singer Gus Monsanto, keyboardist Bob Katsionis, bassist Mike Lepond of Symphony X fame, and drummer extraordinaire George Kollias. With such line-up on board you can definitely expect some high-class musicianship and performance.

Hey Aydin. How are you doing?

Hi, thanks for asking, I am good, thank you for having me.

You released “Resurgence” on the January 1st. How do you feel about the release?

I am very happy and excited, I had a really good feedbacks which makes me wanna continue, because it took a lot of effort for me to finish it and I gave up once, when it came out I said to myself; “yes, I finally did it” so I feel extremely good.

Continue reading “Burnt City’s Aydin Zahedi Talks About “Resurgence” EP” →