Album Review – The Catch – Excuses For Kings

On By Bryan MoreyIn Progressive rockLeave a comment

The Catch Excuses For KingsThe Catch, Excuses For Kings, 2021
Tracks: Daedalus And The Angel (3:14), Circus (3:19), Riches To Rags (6:03), Real Love In The Modern World (2:55), What In The World (3:59), Leviathan (7:49), Find Another Way (5:10), Excuses For Kings (8:05), Last One To Leave (2:01)

First off, I’ve been sitting on the debut album from UK band The Catch for too long, so my sincere apologies to the band, who graciously sent me their CD Excuses For Kings for review quite a while ago. I have been listening to and enjoying it ever since I received it. It has an aesthetic that reminds me of some of the music on the Bad Elephant Music label or music from Cosmograf (Robin Armstrong) and his new label, Gravity Dream Music. The vocals even remind me of Progarchy’s very own Dave Bandana. 

The music might best be described as a combination of the dominant progressive sounds of both the 1970s and the 1980s. There are synth overtones, but the electric guitar plays a primary role along with upbeat drums playing a steady rock rhythm. The band is a two person group made up of singer-songwriter Robert Williams and guitarist Donovan Baine.

Williams provides vocals, guitars, bass, and programming – presumably synths and drums. If the drums really are all programmed, then they are some of the better sounding programmed drums I’ve heard in a while. I’m not usually a big fan of programmed drums, but these didn’t stick out to me at all. They have a natural sound. With that said, I’ll always encourage a band to find a real drummer if at all possible. 

The combination of prog technicality with excellent songwriting make this an enjoyable record on repeated listens. The lyrics are dense, telling a stories that reflect on our crumbling society. Williams packs a lot into each song, and he often (but not always) sings rather rapidly, so there will always be more to uncover on repeated listens. Perusing the lyrics in the booklet will help in that regard. 

Real love in the modern world
Freedom from the cursed career of Albion
To live in the mortal realm
To feel the air and bless the ground we walk upon

An on, moving into the sun, seekers of the permanent one

 – “Real Love In The Modern World”

https://youtu.be/lWBenn7ECDY

The highly poetic lyrics are not only well-written, but they are also rather profound. There is a lot of religious, historical, and mythological imagery. We’re forced to consider how we think we’ve come so far, when in reality we’ve fallen from great heights:

Once we ferried stone
From Memphis to Cairo
Now we sit in traffic instead
Moving by stars and trash spewed from cars
Strewn up and down this highway tonight

– “Excuses For Kings”

This is just a taste of what you can expect in the musical and lyrical journey in Excuses For Kings. The fast-paced music whisks the listener away on this voyage, with upbeat rhythms and smooth guitars keeping your interest along the way. It’s a enjoyable listen from start to finish, and I highly recommend you check it out. 

The best place to buy the record is from their website, where you can buy a CD-quality download or pick up the CD. The CD comes in a nice digipack with a bit of a mystical album cover showing ancient or medieval ruins morphing into the horrid-looking high-rise condos that desecrate modern cities. The disc also comes with a booklet featuring all the lyrics.

https://the-catch-music.com/home
https://www.facebook.com/TheCatchProg/

https://youtu.be/KpXWYlw82Xc

Friday Night Progressive – 10th Anniversary Show

On By Bryan MoreyIn jazz, Progressive rock13 Comments

The Friday Night Progressive online radio show is celebrating its tenth anniversary tomorrow night (June 25, 2021) starting at 9PM EST. The show is hosted by Ron Marquiss, and it celebrates the best in independent progressive rock, instrumental, and fusion. The free show focuses on the more complex and technical side of the genre rather than the poppier stuff. You can find links to all the places you can listen to the show live over at their website: https://fridaynightprogressive.com.

Drive In Movie Band Cover (1)In addition to the tenth anniversary show, Ron is releasing a short album called Lines & Circles under the band name, Drive In Movie Band. The group features musicians from all around the world. This just under a half-hour album is all instrumental, highlighting the complex and jazz side of the genre. The first track even has a bit of an early King Crimson vibe. 

Lines & Circles has the following lineup: 

  • Ron Marquiss – Composition, Keys, Guitar, Bass
  • Jordan Marquiss – Drums
  • Joe Compagna – Bass
  • Nathan Ames – Guitar
  • Adrianne Simioni – Violin
  • Astraea Antal – Flute
  • Bret Harold Hart – Guitar and other instruments
  • Brent McDonald – Guitar and Keys
  • David Leiter – ELP sound FX

The albums are a way for Marquiss to cover the costs of running the free Friday Night Progressive radio show. You can check them out at the following links:

Melodic Revolution Records: https://mrrmusic.com/project/drive-in-movie-band/
https://driveinmovieband.bandcamp.com

The Best Prog Bands You’ve Never Heard Of (Part Fourteen): Circus

On By Connor MullinIn Progressive rock2 Comments

This Circus closed after a brief tour in 1969 – our loss, in my humble opinion. Formed by Mel Collins (of King Crimson fame) in the late ’60s, Circus produced only one eponymous album in their brief existence, but it’s a gem. Collins takes centerstage here on sax and flute, but fellow bandmates Ian Jelfs (vocals and guitar), Kirk Riddle (bass), and Chris Burrows (drums) more than hold their own.

The majority of the songs (five out of eight, to be exact) are covers – but dull and uninspired they are not. And the three original songs (all penned by Collins) would be worthy additions to an early Soft Machine or Giles, Giles, and Fripp album. Here are (more than) a few highlights:

Circus opens up with a cover of the Beatles’ classic “Norwegian Wood,” and it is one of the better interpretations of any Beatles song I have ever heard. Rather than relying on melodic vocals (although Jelfs does sound somewhat Beatle-esque in his singing), the band members allow their instruments to do most of the work for them. Collins is absolutely superb on the sax, and the middle of this lengthy cover includes some fun interplay between the drums and guitar.

“Pleasures of a Lifetime” – Collins’s first contribution to the album – opens with a gentle acoustic melody, but picks up the pace about halfway through thanks to Burrows’s deft handling of the sticks.

The cover of Henry Rollins’s “St. Thomas” is a great upbeat tune, featuring top notch work from Jelfs on guitar and Collins on flute.

“Goodnight John Morgan” is another original tune and, alas, an all too brief one. I suggest listening to this one as you sit at a smoky bar late at night with a scotch in your hand while the rain pelts the roof above you. Collins’s sax will put you into that kind of mood.

“II B. S.” (a cover of a Charlie Mingus classic) opens with a funky bass riff that doesn’t let up. Percussion anchors this tune, but Collins once again shines through on the saxophone.

The last two songs – a cover of The Mamas & the Papas’ “Monday Monday” and a cover of Tim Hardin’s “Don’t Make Promises” – feature masterful work on the flute courtesy of Collins.

Sadly, Circus couldn’t deliver the same quality of material for a second album, and they split up, Collins going on to replace Ian McDonald in King Crimson. But at least we can enjoy this hidden gem, which sounds as fresh and as lively as it did when it was released over fifty years ago. For those who enjoy jazz fusion mixed with a healthy dose of psychedelic rock, you will not want to miss this under-appreciated effort.

Stay tuned for number fifteen!

Metal Mondays: The Warrior (with Shawna Potter)

On By Time LordIn Progressive rock1 Comment

Happy Metal Monday! Here’s an 80s classic filtered through multiple musicians playing it in their multiple quarantined bedrooms. And the metal edge has been amped up for your maximum enjoyment! Rock on, Shawna Potter…

Almost 50 Years In, Kansas Still Carries On

On By Bryan MoreyIn Progressive rock3 Comments

kansas_point-of-know-return_2cdRecently legendary prog band Kansas released their latest live album, Point of Know Return Live & Beyond. The album features performances taken from various shows during their 2019 and 2020 fortieth anniversary tour of Point of Know Return, one of the finest albums in rock history.

I’ve seen Kansas live only once, and that was back around 2008 or so. It was a free show at my town’s annual week-long Independence Day festival. The lineup featured Steve Walsh on keyboards and vocals, Phil Ehart on drums, Rich Williams on guitar, David Ragsdale on violin, and Billy Greer on bass and vocals. I enjoyed the show, and in fact that show launched me into Kansas’ music. But there was no denying that at the point Walsh’s voice was long past its prime, and it was no surprise when he decided to retire from Kansas in 2014. 

Kansas’ new lineup formed, and they have since taken the world by storm with their 2016 album The Prelude Implicit and 2020’s The Absence of Presence. Their recent live lineup (as heard on this live record) features Ronnie Platt on vocals. His voice has its own sound, but he’s absolutely phenomenal singing this music, kind of like Nad Sylvan singing for Steve Hackett’s Genesis Revisited shows. The band’s rendition of “Nobody’s Home” sounds almost identical to the original record.

Combine Platt’s voice with the winning combo of Phil Ehart on drums, Rich Williams and Zak Rizvi on guitars, David Ragsdale on violin, Billy Greer on bass, and Tom Brislin on keyboards, and you’ve got an unstoppable prog rock powerhouse. The energy levels on this live record remind me of the energy Kansas had in the 70s. I imagine Platt isn’t dancing like a maniac at the keyboards the way Walsh used to, but the audio has that same intensity. 

In addition to playing all of Point of Know Return, the band include a few newer tracks as well as some other hits and deep cuts. It’s great to hear “Song For America” and “People of the South Wind” (Monlith is an underrated album). “Two Cents Worth” was a surprise, but it’s cool to hear that blues element that appeared in Kansas’ early work. From beginning to end this live record is a must-listen. I’m so glad the band continues to carry on and bring this music to old and new fans. Kerry Livgren’s lyrics are some of the best out there, and they deserve to be heard for years to come. 

Order the album: https://kansas.lnk.to/PointofKnowReturn-LiveBeyond

CD1
1. Cold Grey Morning
2. Two Cents Worth
3. The Wall
4. Song for America
5. Summer
6. Musicatto
7. Taking in the View
8. Miracles Out of Nowhere

CD2
1. Point of Know Return
2. Paradox
3. The Spider
4. Portrait (He Knew)
5. Closet Chronicles
6. Lightning’s Hand
7. Dust in the Wind
8. Sparks of the Tempest
9. Nobody’s Home
10. Hopelessly Human
11. Carry On Wayward Son
12. People of the South Wind
13.Refugee
14. Lonely Wind

https://youtu.be/D3S-1p18_So

Neal Morse Band Release Track Off Upcoming Album

On By Bryan MoreyIn Progressive rockLeave a comment

The Neal Morse Band just released a just under nine-minute single, “Do It All Again,” from their upcoming album, Innocence & Danger. It’ll be another double album, but the songs aren’t related. This track is the first song the band wrote when they got together to record. The album is out August 27. Enjoy!

https://youtu.be/PiNt_kQvoag

Press release: 

Mike Portnoy says about the track,

This was the first song we wrote when we reconvened for the sessions for this album. It rooted from an idea Bill Hubauer brought in and we built off it from there. Like most NMB songs, I love the sharing of lead vocals…Neal Morse on the verses, Bill on the B section and an amazingly catchy 3-part harmony chorus with Eric Gillette taking the lead.

Innocence & Danger, featuring artwork by Thomas Ewerhard (Transatlantic), will be available as:
• Limited 2CD+DVD Digipak (featuring a Making Of documentary)
• 3LP+2CD Boxset
• Standard 2CD Jewelcase
• Digital Album

NMB are also happy to announce tour dates for ‘An Evening of Innocence & Danger’ across US and Europe.

Continue reading “Neal Morse Band Release Track Off Upcoming Album” →

The Best Prog Bands You’ve Never Heard Of (Part Thirteen): Samurai

On By Connor MullinIn Progressive rock2 Comments

Originally known as Web, Samurai were another one of those unfortunate What if? bands that were lost in the shuffle of the early days of progressive rock.

Web released three albums in the late 1960s and early 1970s, including the well-received but commercially unsuccessful I Spider (which is on my list of future reviews). By 1971, however, band leader and keyboardist Dave Lawson (later of Greenslade fame) changed the name to Samurai, hoping, perhaps, that the change of name might result in a change of fortune. Alas, that was not to be. Yet we do have their sole eponymous album as a result of that name change, and it’s a true hidden gem. Samurai features the talents of Lawson on vocals and keyboards, Don Fay and Tony Roberts on winds, Lennie Wright and Kenny Beveridge on percussion, Tony Edwards on guitars, and John Eaton on bass. Part of the Canterbury/jazz-fusion movement of the early ’70s, Samurai relied on drums and woodwinds to drive their unique sound, although the keys and guitars are given their chances to shine. Here are a few of the highlights from the album:

“Saving It Up For So Long,” the first track, could have made a good single. It opens with a jazzy guitar riff and drum beat, making it as close to radio-friendly as a progressive band was likely to get. The saxes, courtesy of Fay and Roberts, are also a nice touch.

Edwards is given another chance to showcase his talents on the fifth track, “Give a Little Love.” His riff is both catchy and distorted, giving the song an early King Crimson feel (think Lizard-era).

Lawson, whose nimble fingers on the keys anchor the sound of every song on the album, really shines forth on the last and longest track, “As I Dried the Tears Away.” His Hammond organ solo in the middle is especially satisfying to the ear.

If you are the type of fellow who enjoys a daily or weekly pilgrimage to the Canterbury sound, in particular to Soft Machine (Robert Wyatt era in particular), early King Crimson, or Caravan, this album will be a pleasant surprise for your wandering ears. Even those less inclined to walk that path will nevertheless appreciate the top-notch musicianship of this solid but under-appreciated album.

Stay tuned for number fourteen!

Album Review: Frame 42 — “Undercroft” (EP)

On By Time LordIn Progressive rock3 Comments
Frame 42 proves it’s always a good life choice to cut class and jam with your band. Send us to detention? Nay, we shall be avenged sevenfold! Verily, here’s our seven-track EP…

Every now and then we get an album submission over here at Progarchy that blows our minds. This month it is the hot new EP from Frame 42.

When Bryan told me to check this disc out, I was skeptical. I looked at the promo photos as I loaded the audio files onto my computer. These cats looked so young! I was prepared for some kind of amateur-hour, cringeworthy poseur nonsense. But was I ever wrong!

Frame 42 has a very cool and unique sound. I don’t know how to describe it, because it’s a wild blend of hard rock heaviness and often country radio-style vocal harmonies.

Ava Morris and Arianna Smith lead the pack with a dual female vocal assault that has to be heard to be believed. So much raw power, it’s a real thrill to hear them! I get why people compare this band to early Heart or Fleetwood Mac. These two are such a killer duo.

Michael Farmer has a really sweet guitar tone that totally stands out on his lead guitar work. I’m always in search of bands that unleash the full power of the electric guitar, and trust me it’s hard to find satisfaction these days. But Frame 42 satisfies, because Ben Delgleish adds his rhythm guitar work to perfectly complement Michael’s work. Just as the doubling-up of female vocalists gives the band an up-front unique sound, Michael and Ben leave their stereo stamp on the band’s unique wall-of-power sound with rockin’ riffs that inspire instant air guitar play-alongs.

Brock Morris on bass and Lucas Jacobs on drums add to the huge heavy rocking vibe of this band by laying a solid foundation that grooves with unexpected energy. Everything on this album goes beyond tasteful and restrained and competent into the rare realm of upper echelon hard rock madness. You gotta love it!

It’s hard to pick a favorite track because there are seven songs on this EP, and it’s over in 26 minutes, leaving you wanting to play it again. This debut rocks so hard and strong, it truly makes me happy to be part of this Web site where we continually get exposed to amazing new talent. Frame 42 has been playing together for four years, and it shows. We’re so happy to finally meet them. They play so tight and awesome, we look forward to whatever they do next. But get this EP now, because it rips apart the room and slays!

Big Big Train Release Instrumental Track Off Upcoming Album

On By Bryan MoreyIn Progressive rockLeave a comment

Ah, this is more like it. Great stuff from the mighty Big Big Train:

https://youtu.be/88HHhbD1vFE

Press release:

Big Big Train Apollo“Apollo” is the second track to be taken from Big Big Train’s forthcoming album ‘Common Ground’ due out on July 30th, 2021 on English Electric Recordings. The new album, recorded during the worldwide pandemic, sees the band continue their tradition of dramatic narratives but also tackles issues much closer to home, such as the Covid lockdowns, the separation of loved ones, the passage of time, deaths of people close to the band and the hope that springs from a new love.

“Apollo” is a seven-minute plus instrumental written by Big Big Train drummer Nick D’Virgilio and will be an undoubted highlight when the band tour in 2022.

When the time came to start coming up with ideas for the next BBT album, I felt very strongly that we should include a quintessential instrumental track. I wanted to write the band’s version of Genesis’s Los Endos and to make a track that really showed off the talent of all the amazing musicians in this band. I knew that the team could totally play anything I threw at them, and boy, did they prove me right! I thought about the unique instrumentation of BBT. We have so many wonderful ‘voices’ to play with and I wanted every one of them in this song. In the big end bit, I can totally envisage the crowd with their hands in the air going back n forth, all of the lights and haze on the stage, the band just absolutely slamming, the crowd singing along with the melody the BBT brass ensemble is playing, until we reach a glorious end.

Watch the video for “Apollo” here:
https://youtu.be/88HHhbD1vFE

Tracklisting:

1. The Strangest Times
2. All The Love We Can Give
3. Black With Ink
4. Dandelion Clock
5. Headwaters
6. Apollo
7. Common Ground
8. Atlantic Cable
9. Endnotes

‘Common Ground’ is available for pre-order now as Double Vinyl, CD, and Bandcamp Download at these sites:
https://burningshed.com/store/bigbigtrain
https://bigbigtrain.bandcamp.com

‘Common Ground’ sees the band taking in wider musical and lyrical inspiration from artists such as Elbow, Pete Townshend, Tears For Fears, Elton John and XTC, as well as acknowledging their more progressive roots. As ever, Big Big Train will take listeners on a journey, be it waiting for the UK 5pm pandemic press conferences (’The Strangest Times’) to the library of Alexandria (‘Black With Ink’) to the bottom of the ocean (‘Atlantic Cable’).

For the ‘Common Ground’ tour, which will be their most extensive to date and which will culminate in the UK with a show at the prestigious London Palladium, Greg Spawton (bass), David Longdon (lead vocals, flute), Nick D’Virgilio (drums, vocals) and Rikard Sjöblom (guitars, keyboards, vocals) will be joined by Carly Bryant (keyboards, guitars, vocals), who contributes vocals to ‘Common Ground’, Dave Foster (guitars), who plays on two tracks on the new album, Clare Lindley (violin, vocals) and by a five piece brass ensemble. The band expect to announce North American tour dates shortly.

BIG BIG TRAIN UK TOUR 2022

TUE, MARCH 15TH – YORK, BARBICAN
WED, MARCH 16TH – CAMBRIDGE, CORN EXCHANGE
FRI, MARCH 18TH – BIRMINGHAM, SYMPHONY HALL
SAT, MARCH 19TH – BATH, FORUM
MON, MARCH 21ST – GLASGOW, ROYAL CONCERT HALL
TUE, MARCH 22ND – MANCHESTER, BRIDGEWATER HALL
WED, MARCH 23RD – LONDON, PALLADIUM

TICKETS ON SALE HERE:
https://myticket.co.uk/artists/big-big-train

A Review On The Front Page Review

On By Reyna McCainIn Progressive rock, psychedelic rock6 Comments

Front Page Review is the type of hidden gem that perfectly illustrates the vibrancy of ‘60s rock. They were a psychedelic, indie rock band that was part of the “Bosstown Sound.” The “Bosstown Sound” was a term used for New England bands that emerged from the San Francisco music scene. These bands were not taken seriously because they were perceived as only concerned with money and fame. The band never really gained popularity and their only album ever recorded, Mystic Soldiers, was not released until 30 years later. Steve Cataldo is the man behind this excellent album; he is the lead guitarist, singer, and songwriter. Each song is an audible display of Cataldo’s talent and hard work. He seemed to perfectly capture his own psychedelic and dreamy sound of the time. Every song off the album takes you on a musical quest, which makes the album so special.

Despite their lack of recognition and discography, Front Page Review’s Mystic Soldiers is worth hearing. This exquisite album is a must listen for all fans of ‘60s psychedelic rock. It will get you dancing and feeling groovy.

I first came across Front Page Review randomly. My Apple Music subscription offers a radio station that caters to the type of music I frequently listen to. My love for all types of ‘60s rock made it only sensible for Front Page Review to be recommended to me. The song titled Prophecies/Morning Blue was the first song I ever heard by the band. It was love at first listen. I knew that through the rough mix of the distorted sounds added to that first song off the album, I had found something worth listening to. Prophecies/Morning Blue opens up with some manipulated sounds of children playing in the background and ends with a swooping and loud swirl of pure, psychedelic goodness. Not to mention the smooth and clever change of rhythm in the middle of the song, which leads up to the peak: an illustrious organ playing done by Joseph Santangelo. Listening to that brief organ solo is a moment I could stay in forever— it gives me chills every time!

As I went through the album, I noticed how every song made me want to stop everything I was doing and just start dancing! The overall catchiness of the instrumentals in all of the songs took me by surprise—I was not used to hearing that consistently in one album.

I will briefly note three other songs off the album. The first song is titled Silver Children. This song is truly a ‘60s dream through Santangelo’s organ playing. It creates a sort of dazed and peaceful atmosphere, allowing the listener to get lost in it. This song feels like the warmth of the sun beaming down on your face on a spring day; all it can do is make you smile.

The next song is called Valley of Eyes. There is so much intensity in this song that it leaves you thinking about what exactly Steve is writing about. The obvious political undertones of this song are conjoined with powerful guitar playing and simple lyrics. When I hear this song it feels as though I am on a journey and I have reached an important part of it that can not be ignored. Valley of Eyes is an epically told quest to find answers because there is far too much violence in the world. The narrater is losing hope, but hopefully someone will listen.

I have saved my absolute favorite song for last. For the Best Offer is personally one of my favorite songs of all time. Cataldo’ s vocals on this song are beautiful! Not to mention the instrumental portion of the chorus. All of the instruments coming together in this song work together wonderfully to create this mysterious and, for lack of a better word, groovy tune. It hits the listener out of nowhere, a sudden burst of energy driven by a frenetic guitar. This song may first seem playful and trivial, but as it goes on, it puts its foot down and demands respect. This song has the best offer for your ears.

The short lived music endeavors from the Front Page Review will continue to live on for ‘60s music lovers. This album is such a treat that can not be resisted. I’d like to give a huge thank you to all the musicians involved in the making of it. It’s truly a lost treasure from the past.

Steve Cataldo: Singer/Songwriter, Guitar

Richard Bartlett: Guitar

David Weber: Drums

David Christiansen: Guitar

Thomas Belliveau: Bass

Joseph Santangelo: Organ, Piano

Continue reading “A Review On The Front Page Review” →