A brilliant piece of pop (“prog pop” would go too far; but more than mere pop; pop in a SKYLARKING kind of way), EVERYBODY LOVES A HAPPY ENDING, came out 10 years ago on September 14.
Roland, where art thou? Please write something more. And, soon. The world needs your infectious progressive pop.
Well, at least, I need it.
Tears for Fears, EVERYBODY LOVES A HAPPY ENDING.
What else to title this post? What a wonderfully crazy few days of music.
Here’s The Cure performing Hello Goodbye:
Is it just me, or does Robert Smith look a bit like Neil Peart crossed with the Joker? [Thanks, by the way, to Paul Watson for pointing out the new song on FB]
Robert Plant has an incredible new album out.
Phish has an interesting new album out.
And, U2 released a full album, free, today, courtesy of Tim Cook.
Oh, and Haken is releasing an EP.
Am I missing anything? Should I head to the Fallout Shelter? Are the gods done?
September 9th, 2014, Miami, Florida – Dave Kerzner, former member of the Progressive Rock band “Sound of Contact”, is gearing up for a late October release of his debut solo concept album, “New World”. The first single off the album, “Stranded”, has just been released as a digital download from iTunes®, Amazon®, Google Play® and other on line stores. “Stranded” is a 10 minute “rock opera” comprised of 5 parts. It features Kerzner on vocals and keyboards with special guests Steve Hackett of Genesis, Durga McBroom of Pink Floyd, Nick D’Virgilio of Spocks Beard, Jason Scheff of Chicago and it was mixed by legendary engineer Tom Lord-Alge.
A shorter edited version called “Stranded Part 1 – Isolation” has been made as a “mainstream radio-friendly single” and will be available as a free download to anyone who signs up on the mailing list at davekerzner.com this month. Additionally, the full length album version will be made available through Kerzner’s bandcamp page: http://sonicelements.bandcamp.com/
Stream Stranded (Single) On Sound Cloud.
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Keith Emerson is your DJ…
“Stranded” is the first release from Dave Kerzner, former member of the progressive rock band Sound of Contact and co-writer/producer of “Dimensionaut”. The song is a 5-part “rock opera” that starts off Dave’s forthcoming concept album called “New World” (Expected to be released in October through his independent RecPlay label). It features special guests Steve Hackett (Genesis) and Fernando Perdomo on guitars, Durga McBroom (Pink Floyd, Jason Scheff (Chicago) and Ana Cristina on backing vocals, Nick D’Virgilio (Tears for Fears, Genesis) on drums with Dave Kerzner on lead vocals and keys. The song was mixed by Tom Lord-Alge and mastered at Lurssen Mastering.
All lyrics and music by Dave Kerzner. Lyric video created by Christine Leakey. Produced by Dave Kerzner.“Stranded” is now available as a single on iTunes https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/stranded-single/id916951355?ls=1 , Amazon, Google Play and other download sites. The full-length album version, instrumental mix and more is available as a downloadable “single/EP” in mp3 and FLAC from Dave’s Sonic Elements Bandcamp:https://sonicelements.bandcamp.com/
Whoa!
Sloan goes prog on their new album, Commonwealth, with “Forty-Eight Portraits” clocking in at 17:49 — to take up the entire fourth side of the double LP space!
Awesome.
The record company has the details:
The 15- song collection sees Sloan creating one of the most unique and ambitious recordings of their two-decade-plus career.
The Toronto-based rock quartet is perhaps the most truly democratic group in the annals of pop, with Jay Ferguson, Chris Murphy, Patrick Pentland, and Andrew Scott all contributing original compositions to each record, equal partners with equal say over every aspect of their work. Where in the past creative lines have been blurred to create the multi-faceted Sloan sound, Commonwealth sees the four bandmates disassociating ever so slightly to create an old-school double album sequenced with each member staking out a single side as their own artistic dominion.
Designated by the four playing card suits, the essentially solo sides allow for all four members’ work to at last be heard through the prism of individual identity. Ferguson’s opening “Diamond” side showcases his remarkable knack for symphonic pop, Pentland’s “Shamrock” offers a substantial helping of pedal-hoppin’ psych rock, and Murphy’s “Heart” is fit to burst with wit, jangle, and eclectic energy. As if the four-sided concept weren’t challenge enough, Commonwealth finishes with “Forty Eight Portraits,” an ingenious 18-minute pop suite that fills the entirely of Scott’s closing “Spade” side. Ultimately, what makes Commonwealth so special – and so distinctly Sloan – is how the fragmented approach in fact only serves to underscore the veteran band’s extraordinary strengths, showcasing the particular ingredients without ever losing sight of the sum of their parts.
Song cycles and concept-driven albums are nothing new to Sloan. Over the course of 10 albums and more than 30 singles – not to mention multiple EPs, hits and rarities collections, live albums and official bootlegs released, like all the band’s work, on their own independent label, Murderecords – the band has tackled countless creative conceits while ever forwarding a sonic palette that blends pure pop and radio rock into what is now a truly trademark sound, all big melodies and power hooks, cheeky charm and tearjerking introspection, rich harmonies and idiosyncratic personality.
Commonwealth follows 2011’s The Double Cross, which earned Sloan some of the most glowing notices of their acclaimed career. “(Sloan’s) impeccable power pop has often felt like the apotheosis of the genre,” wrote SPIN. “The hooks and harmonies rarely disappoint.” “An unapologetic celebration of Sloandom,” praised AV Club, “and a safe place for those who believe good dual-guitar breaks are the reason why we’re here on Earth.” Pitchfork summed it up best: “20 years in, they’ve made one of their best albums…That (Sloan) sound this creatively fresh this deep into their career is a real treat for people who’ve stuck with them through the years. If you’ve never given them a chance before, this is a great time to get to know them.”
Diamond Side (Jay):
1) We’ve Come This Far
2) You’ve Got A Lot On Your Mind
3) Three Sisters
4) Cleopatra
5) Neither Here Nor There
Heart Side (Chris):
6) Carried Away
7) So Far So Good
8) Get Out
9) Misty’s Beside Herself
10) You Don’t Need Excuses To Be Good
Shamrock Side (Patrick):
11) 13 (Under A Bad Sign)
12) Take It Easy
13) What’s Inside
14) Keep Swinging (Downtown)
Spade Side (Andrew):
15) Forty-Eight Portraits
I devoured Morse’s autobiography a few years ago. It’s excellent. This week, Radiant is offering it in a variety of formats for very reasonable prices.
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To order it, go here: http://www.radiantrecords.com/products/314-testimony-the-book.aspx
A trailer for the forthcoming Threshold album, FOR THE JOURNEY.
You can order albums from the Threshold official store: http://thresh.net/store.htm
Carl and I both gives two thumbs up to anything Threshold does!
In August 2010, Prog Sphere released its first ever Progstravaganza compilation. After four years, twenty compilations, over 460 bands showcased, and more than 65,000 downloads, Prog Sphere Promotions is ready to release its first physical compilation CD. Progstravaganza: Beyond Frontiers, is ready for pre-order Progify store, and will be released on October 14th, 2014. This new compilation includes twelve progressive rock and metal bands from all around the world who are itching to show their talent to global audience
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From the very beginning, Prog Sphere Promotions has sought to bring the very best upcoming progressive rock and metal bands to its audience, while also offering a presentation that the discerning prog lover has come to expect from his or her collection. To this end they have enlisted the talent of Frank Gingeleit of Living Tunes Mastering to master the newest compilation. For those with an eye for beautiful album covers, Prog Sphere Promotions have retained the services of the talented Chris van der Linden of LindenArtwork for the artwork and six-page digipak.
In addition to being the first physical release of the Progstravaganza series, Beyond Frontiers will also be accompanied by Prog Sphere’s first printed magazine. All of the artists from Progstravaganza: Beyond Frontiers will be featured in this issue with reviews and interviews. All of the artists will also be featured in an upcoming documentary about Progstravaganza: Beyond Frontiers.
Naturally, the first physical release of a Progstravaganza compilation is only the beginning! Prog Sphere plans to continue releasing Progstravaganza compilations into the far future. Interested artists can get in touch with Prog Sphere for inclusion in future editions. In addition to be included on a future compilation, interested parties will receive a six month PR campaign through Prog Sphere Promotions.
The track list for Progstravaganza: Beyond Frontiers, is as follows:
01. Seconds Before Landing – I’m All Alone (USA)
02. Fughu – Quirk of Fate (feat. Damian Wilson) (Argentina)
03. Traffic Experiment – The Weight of the World (UK)
04. Machines Dream – Broken Door (Canada)
05. The Moonling – Backstage (Switzerland)
06. Rolf Remlinger – Corrosive Exponent Too (USA)
07. Riccardo Sandri – Campi Verdi (Italy)
08. Cea Serin – The Victim Cult (USA)
09. Overhaul – Three Judges (The Netherlands)
10. Celluloid Winter – Feigning Insanity (Part I) (USA)
11. The Amber Herd – Tin Man (UK)
12. Fred Colombo – Midgar (France)
Progstravaganza: Beyond Frontiers is out on October 14th, 2014 and is available for pre-order from Progify Store.
Det Skandaløse Orkester (The Scandalous Orchestra), is at satirical music group from Bergen, Norway. Since 2011 they have garnered a reputation for being an exeptional live band with a lot of energi, humour and antics. This spring they have played at lot of concert, one of them being “Nattjazz”, one of the biggest jazz festivals in Norway.
In June 2014 they released their debutalbum “NO HAR DE LAGET SKANDALE IGJEN!”, an albumtitle which is based on a typical catchphrase in the norwegian media and tabloids. An english translation of this would be something like “Yet another scandal!”
Their main influence is the music of Frank Zappa, something which becomes clear when you hear this exotic blend of musical madness and inappropriate blending of genres. Other important referances are Yes, Pink Floyd and music from cartoons, all of which reveals the ambitions of the music itself and the level of musicianship within the band.
More about the lyrics and concepts behind “NO HAR DE LAGET SKANDALE IGJEN”:
The album functions as a sosial commentary on how the media and the society we live in perceive and react to people who don’t fit into the mainstream. The lyrics make a point on how easily we transform a small and seemingly insignificant event into a scandal of epic proportions in the media. This is exemplified in stories about various public figures that in some way or another have felt the mercilessness of being scrutinized in the media. If you want more information about the lyrics let us know.
Download or stream the album here: https://skandalose.bandcamp.com/album/no-har-de-laget-skandale-igjen
Music video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-YPCvSVrnpc&index=1&list=PLKI2ATKv8-UuTkeL7yC5kWyEvP_iJjF1d
Love in concert: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jgj-xHyx9o&list=PLKI2ATKv8-UuTkeL7yC5kWyEvP_iJjF1d&index=4
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Press foto: Thomas Owren
Cover Art: Sondre Jørgensen
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Contact info:
Sondre_jorgensen@hotmail.com
Det Skandaløse Orkester
New Dodson and Fogg video, from upcoming album…
And, COMING SOON… Chris Wade’s acclaimed recording project continues with ‘In A Strange Slumber’. the sixth release by Dodson and Fogg. The album centres around the concept of dreams and death, and the connections between both subjects. At times a collage of nightmarish and dream-like imagery, the songs weave around colourfully, mixed in with short stories narrated by acclaimed British actor Nigel Planer (young Ones, Comic Strip), as if to give the listener a bed time story crackling away on an old record player. Surreal, varied and mixing numerous musical styles, including folk, rock, prog, blues and more. The album features Canadian musician Kevin Scott on piano and other instruments, Ricky Romain returns on the sitar, and appearances are made by Trees’ legend Celia Humphris and Mellow Candle’s Alison O’Donnell.
For info visit: wisdomtwinsbooks.weebly.com
Email at: wisdomtwinsbooks@hotmail.com
Progarchy 