Nothing compares to ChrisPrinceO’ConnorCornell!

On By carleolsonIn progressive rockLeave a comment

As a longtime admirer of the musical magic of Soundgarden and Chris Cornell, I had high hopes for Cornell’s new solo album “Higher Truth”. I was not disappointed. On the contrary, the album exceeded my expectations; I think that TimeLord is right on the mark in giving the album 5 stars. I’ve listened to the album some 30 times or so now, and keep finding new aural delights, whether in the abundance of fabulous melodies, or the subtleties (yes, subtleties!) of the vocals and harmonies (all of them by Cornell), or the fabulous production.

On top of that embarrassment of riches, SiriusXM radio recently released a video, now going viral, of Cornell performing “Nothing Compares To U”, which was a major hit for Sinead O’Connor a quarter century ago (was it really that long ago? Yep.). Many folks apparently think O’Connor wrote the song, but it was actually written by Prince for his side project, The Family, and it appears on one of his hits compilations. Cornell, as he did with Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean”, employs a more bluesy sound, augmented by cello and additional acoustic guitar. The result is dynamite:

Apologies and An Explanation

On By bradbirzerIn progressive rock3 Comments

progarchy a

Dear Progarchists,

First, let me apologize for all of the changes to progarchy.  I did my best to upgrade the site, but I, frankly, bit (byte?) off more than I could chew.

Second, I have returned us to the site as it was on September 29, 2015.  All links and credits are working again. Perfectly, from what I can tell.

Just to let you know, I had hired a third party to host the site rather than WordPress.  We are now back with WordPress, and I don’t anticipate leaving again.

I hope and trust you all approve, and, again, my apologies for the craziness.

Yours, humbled, Brad

P.S.  Today is the 3rd anniversary of Progarchy!!!!

The Eclectic Pop of Halloween, Alaska’s “Champagne Downtown”

On By Kevin WilliamsIn progressive rock musicLeave a comment

alaska

From the “Everyone needs to have heard them at least once” department – and given their name, just in time for the All Hallows Eve season – I bring you a group that none other Sir Jem of Godfrey from the fabulous Frost* turned me (and hopefully many others) on to a few years back.

The band: Halloween, Alaska.
The album: “Champagne Downtown.”

Released in 2009, this Minnesota-based group won’t ever be mistaken for a Mellotron-heavy prog band writing album side-length epics, but give “Champagne Downtown” a few spins and let their vivid blend of pop and rock (with a dose of electronica) serve as your rainy-day and/or road trip soundtrack, and hopefully you’ll be hooked on this album.

Hardcore progheads should be impressed at their time sense; they can seemingly be playing a straight 4 and then shake things up with an additional few beats or extra measure, just to keep you on your ties.

It’s a brilliant, lovely album. Give these tracks a spin!

Halloween, Alaska – Champagne Downtown

Halloween, Alaska – In Order

Who Were the Inklings: A Primer

On By bradbirzerIn progressive rock musicLeave a comment

While anyone who knows anything about C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, Charles Williams, or Owen Barfield knows of the existence of the Inklings, The post Who Were the Inklings: A Primer appeared first on The Imaginative Conservative.

http://www.theimaginativeconservative.org/2015/09/who-were-the-inklings-a-primer.html

Prospective – Chronosphere

On By bradbirzerIn progressive rock musicLeave a comment

Bologna is not the first place that will pop on your mind when it comes to djent, but now we know that this Italian city has incepted at least one band that falls upon the djent tag. Originally project of multi-instrumentalist Flavio Cacciari, Prospective transformed to a full-time band with Cacciari focusing on drums, and…

http://www.prog-sphere.com/reviews/prospective-chronosphere/

Top 15 DAVID GILMOUR Guitar Solos in PINK FLOYD

On By bradbirzerIn progressive rock musicLeave a comment

Pink Floyd are undeniably the most influential rock band of the past 40-odd years. That fact can be perceived simply by looking at the numbers. They are on the exclusive list of music artists who have sold more than 250 million records (by 2013), and each of their albums has enjoyed multi-Platinum, Gold or Diamond…

http://www.prog-sphere.com/specials/top-15-david-gilmour-guitar-solos-pink-floyd/