Black Sabbath meets Pink Floyd, in other words it’s heavy metal, but quite psychedelic, atmospheric and drawn-out. Kraków’s Minus exhibits significant post metal and stoner hues too. The album actually progresses from stoner straight into post rock territory. From a three minute album opener to nine minute compositions essentially reflects that trend. From fractious Soundgarden like textures to introspective drone riffs – the journey couldn’t be more seamless.
Talk Talk LAUGHING STOCK 3CD Singles
Let me just admit, I’ve been jealous of my excellent friend, Kevin McCormick (and fellow progarchy editor), for years. He’s been the proud owner of an original edition of Talk Talk’s special box set of b-sides from LAUGHING STOCK for some time. The set goes under a variety of names including LAUGHING STOCK CD SINGLES as well as AFTER THE FLOOD set. I’m guessing that Verve wanted it to be somewhat mysterious.
The cool thing–and remember, CDs were pretty new when this thing first came out 27 ago–is that the three CDs form a complete James Marsh picture.
Mini Moogs: Micro Reviews, Part II
Yesterday, I had the chance to offer smallish reviews of a number of physical CDs that have arrived at progarchy HQ. Today, I continue with part II.
First up, Krakow’s MINUS. I must note, there’s nothing that Norway’s Karisma label releases that doesn’t interest me. The label is one of the best up-and-coming labels out there, offering everything from shoe-gaze prog to black metal. As far as I know, Krakow fits into something more akin to black metal than it does into shoe-gaze prog. I’ve asked metal master, Mahesh, to review this, as I’m simply not capable of understanding what’s going on. I like what I hear, but I have no reference for it. it just seems impenetrably dark to me. Not in a bad way. In fact, I like it. But, listening to it is akin to me listening to Hindi. I like the sounds, I just don’t have a clue what’s going on.
Atrocity – Okkult II – Album Review —
Artist: Atrocity Album Title: Okkult II Label: Massacre Records Date of Release: 6 July 2018 What is ‘success’ in a heavy metal context? Is it being as popular as Metallica, with the ability to sell out arenas on each and every tour? Or is it a career of hard work, consistency of quality and a […]
Next MESHUGGAH Album Won’t Come Before 2020 — Prog Sphere
Meshuggah drummer Tomas Haake shared an update on the band’s new album and future plans in general, telling Hayley Leggs during a recent interview: “We’ll do a few more shows now in the summer, and then we’ll do probably South America in the fall. And apart from that, we don’t really know at this point. “We’re…
via Next MESHUGGAH Album Won’t Come Before 2020 — Prog Sphere
Fan Life – Reflections by Cindy P. — Tears and Kooks International (Tears for Fears Travel Fans)
Planning to travel is an emotional, physical and financial commitment to drop your life and go out to these healing ceremonies aka Tears for Fears concerts for long stretches at a time. The comforting twist in this year’s plans were the postponed shows were already re-booked and online with lightening speed while many pondered and […]
via Fan Life – Reflections by Cindy P. — Tears and Kooks International (Tears for Fears Travel Fans)
Mascot’s Massive Independence Day Sale
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Mini Moogs: Micro Reviews, Part I
Mini Moogs: Micro Reviews, Part I
Some rather extraordinary physical CDs have arrived at progarchy HQ recently. Here’s a run-down of each, listed in no particular order—except how they’re stacked on my desk.
The top of the stack is from Estonia, Põhja Konn (meaning, in English, “The Dragon (or, strangely, enough “frog”) of the North”). This is pretty amazing prog, though I have no clue what the lyrics or the CD-booklet state. Embarrassingly enough, I thought the language was Finnish at first, only to realize—after some searching—that it’s Estonian. I must admit, I love the art of the packaging—a cross between an Phish’s JUNTA and Big Big Train’s THE UNDERFALL YARD. The music itself is unapologetically 1970s prog—with Squire-like bass, Howe-like guitar, and Banks-like keyboards. That I don’t understand the lyrics actually makes this release even more interesting, as it adds more than an element of mystery to this whole thing. Highly recommended.
Burning Shed News (July 2, 2018)
The Doors
Hello, I Love You 50th Anniversary Limited 7” (vinyl pre-order)
On the 50th anniversary of The Doors’ classic Hello, I Love You, comes a 7” vinyl version of the single with its b-side Love Street.
This edition includes the mono radio mixes of the songs that were given exclusively to radio stations in 1968.
Pre-order for 3rd August release.
In Concert: #Yes50
Yes at 20 Monroe Live, Grand Rapids Michigan, June 29, 2018
Before this past Friday, I’d seen Yes live three times: back in 1984 on the second leg of the 90125 tour; twenty years later on their 35th anniversary tour, which featured Rick Wakeman on keyboards and culminated with the recording of the Songs from Tsongas video; and at a 2011 club show with Benoit David singing that started rough, then picked up steam to become a genuinely thrilling night.
It was great to join fellow Progarchist Bryan Morey at Grand Rapids’ hot new club, where I’ve recently heard Marillion and Utopia, to catch Yes barnstorming through “Mitchigan” (Steve Howe’s onstage pronunciation) on their 50th anniversary tour. As Bryan mentioned in his review, they brought an excellent show to town — well structured and paced, showing off each band member to best advantage, wowing listeners with great ensemble playing and building to an encore that was tons of fun. My personal impressions follow:
Progarchy 