Songs from the Big Chair: 30 Years Ago

On By bradbirzerIn progressive rock music3 Comments
SONGS FROM THE BIG CHAIR, released February 1985.
SONGS FROM THE BIG CHAIR, released February 1985.

I shouldn’t be surprised, but I am.  February 2015 will mark the 30th anniversary of SONGS FROM THE BIG CHAIR by Tears for Fears.

30 years.

My debate colleague and great friend (then and now), Ron, and I listened to that album over and over and over again.  Our local Godfather’s Pizza even had the b-side, “Pharaohs,” and we played that song over and over and over again.  This, of course, was pre-internet, and it was difficult to obtain rarities in the middle of central Kansas.  Godfathers, strangely enough, provided the best place to hear that song.  So, to Godfathers we went.

When I saw that Tears for Fears would be releasing not just the Deluxe Edition of the album but the Super Deluxe Edition, I was pretty pumped.  The Super Deluxe Edition has now been released, it costs a fortune, and I’ve decided not to purchase it.

Granted, it’s pretty fun to listen to sixteen different versions of “Shout,” but, in the end, it seems to negate the integrity of the original album.  And, it’s great that Steven Wilson remixed the Super Deluxe Edition . . . but, the original was amazing in 1985, and it remains so, thirty years later.

I still listen to the album at least once a month.  A quick calculation tells me I’ve listened toSONGS FROM THE BIG CHAIR at least 360 times since 1985.

I’m sure, however, I’ve listened to it many, many more times than this.

And, P.S.: Thanks, Ron.  Incredible memories.

The Gentle Storm at PROG Magazine

On By bradbirzerIn progressive rock musicLeave a comment

Don’t miss the preview of The Gentle Storm’s first song released from the new album.

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As PROG writes:

Exclusive: View lyric video from Arjen Lucassen and Anneke van Giersbergen collaboration

Ayreon mastermind Arjen Lucassen and former The Gathering singer Anneke van Giersbergen and have premiered Endless Sea, the first track from their Gentle Storm project, with Prog and TeamRock.

It’s taken from their album The Diary, set for release on March 23 via InsideOut.

The launch will be supported with a European tour including three UK dates,although Lucassen won’t hit the road with van Giersbergen, backing vocalist Marcela Bovoi, guitarist Merel Bechtold, guitarist Ferry Duijsens, keyboardist Joost van der Broek, bassist Johan van Stratum and drummer Ed Warby.

The Diary is set in the 17th century and tells the story of a Dutch sailor and his wife, separated by his two-year voyage, and the letters they write to each other.

The leading duo say of Endless Sea: “The album opener serves as an introduction to our story-based album. Susanne, the main character, sings about her husband Joseph, who has just sailed out on another long voyage to the Far East. We are very excited to offer everybody a first taste – this is such a special album to the both of us.”

Lucassen guests with van Giersbergen on a run of acoustic shows next month, and takes part in the “unintentional supergroup’s” first show in the Netherlands on March 26.

THE GENTLE STORM UK DATES

Apr 23: London Garage

Apr 24: Leicester Musician

Apr 25: Manchester Roadhouse

To see the video, go here and scroll to the bottom of the page.  Enjoy!   http://prog.teamrock.com/news/2015-01-20/gentle-storm-lucassen-giersbergen-endless-sea-diary

Wish You Were Here: Muzak over Pop

On By bradbirzerIn gunk, Pink Floyd, pop, sap, sickeningly sweet Godsaveusfromourselves, sugar, sweet3 Comments

After a wonderful family day at the Denver Natural History and Science Museum, the Birzers stopped at a Barnes and Noble.  While perusing the new science fiction books, I realized I recognized the tune being played over the store sound system.  The voice was sickeningly sweet, sappy, gunky, sugary, and “preciously” pop.  Blah.  How could I know this song?  It’s rotten, corrupt, decadent.  Then, it hit me.  It’s a remake of Pink Floyd’s “Wish You Were Here.”  And, then, it hit me even harder.  Dear God, what have we done?  The Muzak version of the song is better than this pop sap.  Oh, great art–what has commerce done to thee???  Curse the remake artist, the record company that supports it, and the stores that promote it.

From fanpop.com.
From fanpop.com.

Remember 1985? Not bad.

On By bradbirzerIn progressive rock music4 Comments

I am son and heir. . . of nothing in particular. . .

Rush, POWER WINDOWS

Tears for Fear, SONGS FROM THE BIG CHAIR

Kate Bush, HOUNDS OF LOVE

New Order, LOW LIFE

The Cure, HEAD ON THE DOOR

The Smiths, MEAT IS MURDER

Bryan Ferry, BOYS AND GIRLS

Blancmange, BELIEVE YOU ME

Why can’t they leave things as they are?

What to Make of ‘Rush: Live at Electric Lady Studios 1974?’

On By bradbirzerIn progressive rock musicLeave a comment

rvkeeper's avatarrush vault

elec ladyAnother bootleg recording turned into a CD, this one from a show Rush played in 1974 at Electric Lady studios in New York City. The recording has been floating around for years in an unofficial CD, called Rush Hour, but about two years ago it was repackaged into an unofficial import CD, called Rush: Live at Electric Lady Studios and made available on Amazon.

The studio was built by Jimi Hendrix. He bought what was then the Generation Club in 1968 and two years later added a recording studio. He recorded “Snow Blues” there in 1970, but he didn’t get to use his space after that; he died in London a few weeks after making his recording. Hundreds of artists and bands have since played or recorded there, including The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, Stevie Wonder, David Bowie, and Patti Smith. In more recent years Lana Del Rey, Arcade Fire…

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Distorted Harmony: Calling Blackjack on 2014

On By Time LordIn ProgarchyLeave a comment


Why do I love all those “best of” lists at the end of the year?

Because I get to learn about so much great music that I somehow missed.

Then, I get to spend most of January catching up!

For this reason, I really love January. It’s always full of excellent discoveries!

Last year I gave my Top 20 of 2014, but now, after spending the first half of January listening to excellent discs that I missed, but learned about from others, I am calling “blackjack” on 2014.

Yes, that’s right: 21.

One of the very greatest albums of 2014 was Chain Reaction by Distorted Harmony.

I am officially adding it to my Top 21 list.

This January (2015), I find myself returning to Chain Reaction again and again.

I have playlists full of stuff to listen to, but then suddenly, at the last minute, I will push it all aside, because I want to hear Chain Reaction again!

I will post a review soon, but in the meantime, I recommend you check out this fine disc that deserves a place in the upper echelon of 2014’s very best prog metal.

If you’re a friend of liberty, and an enemy of ideology, perhaps you will find your way into this album through the quite excellent track “Children of Red.”

Prog on!

children-of-red