Tag: Progressive rock

Progstock 2017

On By bradbirzerIn progressive rock1 Comment

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Even before two lectures delivered on the cultural changes that accompanied America’s Great Depression, I had the great privilege of talking with Tom Palmieri, manager of Circuline and fountainhead behind Progstock 2017.

Though we only had about 30 minutes to talk, I found Tom quite engaging and incredibly entrepreneurial.

Progstock 2017–hopefully the first of many more to come–will be held October 13-15, this year, in Rahway, New Jersey, a part of larger New York City, just to the west of Staten Island.

The lineup is simply astounding, featuring Glass Hammer, Echolyn, The Tangent, Karmakanic, 3RDegree, Simon Godfrey, and even our own Jason Rubenstein.

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Cygnus Visits Local Record Store

On By bradbirzerIn progressive rock2 Comments

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It’s April 22. A huge day, as you all well know. It’s, after all, the Feast Day of St. Arwald of the Isle of Wight.

Oh, wait. Maybe that’s not what you’re thinking.

April 22???  Something, something. . .

Oh yes! Eart. . .

No, Record Store Day. That’s it. Record Store Day! No offense to St. Arwald. He was pretty cool.

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Checker Records, Hillsdale.  Photo courtesy of the Hillsdale Collegian.

But, Record Store Day is the day we celebrate the local record stores, owned by families, groups of friends, and entrepreneurs who struggle against the collosal entities of the box stores and the cyber corporations. If you do nothing else today, please buy something from your local record store. My local record store is Checker Records–run by wonderful people and serving excellent coffee as well as good conversation and good humor.

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Big Big Train News

On By bradbirzerIn progressive rock1 Comment

Featured Image -- 32441This just in from the band:

Hi everyone,
The new Big Big Train album is called Grimspound and will be released on April 28th 2017.

Here is a new promotional film made by Peter Callow for Experimental Gentlemen (Part Two). The full-length version of this song will feature on the Grimspound album:

https://youtu.be/lqlOm97Yh7U

And here is a promotional film made by Johan Reitsma for a song from the album called As the Crow Flies:

https://vimeo.com/212443344

Pre-orders of the Grimspound album are now available at our official stores:

Burning Shed (for vinyl and CDs):
https://www.burningshed.com/store/bigbigtrain/

The Merch Desk (for merchandise and CDs):
http://themerchdesk.com/merchdesk/index.php?route=product/category&path=87_115

Bandcamp (for hi-resolution 24/96 downloads):
https://bigbigtrain.bandcamp.com

There are two vinyl versions of the album. There is a limited edition frosted clear vinyl version alongside the standard black vinyl version. Both vinyl versions are gatefold releases featuring double heavy weight 180g vinyl and a 4 page booklet insert including the lyrics and the stories behind the songs. A complimentary code for a high-resolution download version of the album is provided with each vinyl order. Orders of the limited edition frosted clear vinyl will also include a postcard signed by all band members. A limited edition blue vinyl version of 2016’s Folklore album is also available at Burning Shed and includes a complimentary hi-resolution download code.

The CD edition of Grimspound is presented in a gloss laminated softpack and features a 24 page booklet with the lyrics and the stories behind the songs.

The hi-res download version available at Bandcamp includes a PDF of the CD booklet.

Grimspound is also available to pre-order on MP3 on Amazon and will be available on the iTunes store on the day of release. Spotify and other streaming and download sites will also feature the album from the 28th April.

A full range of new merchandise is available at http://themerchdesk.com/merchdesk/index.php?route=product/category&path=87_115

For the latest news on Big Big Train, please like our Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/bigbigtrain/

And for discussion about Big Big Train, progressive rock and other matters of interest, please join our forum at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/bigbigtrain/

Best wishes,
Andy, Danny, Dave, David, Greg, Nick, Rachel & Rikard

THE SOURCE: Ayreon’s Deeply Moving 9th Album

On By bradbirzerIn progressive rock2 Comments

A review of Ayreon, THE SOURCE (Mascot, 2017).  Summation: Arjen Lucassen climbs ever higher in the prog pantheon.

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On April 28, 2017, Arjen Lucassen releases the ninth studio album of his progressive rock space opera project, Ayreon.  Entitled THE SOURCE, Lucassen’s latest–to no one’s surprise–throws everything the great man possesses into it.  From heavy guitar riffs to Queen-inspired vocal melodies to Celtic folk, the album comes in at over 88 minutes long.  Quite an amazing feat, even for Arjen Anthony Lucassen.

After all, what can’t the man do?

If I tried to pretend objectivity, I’d be readily and truly accused of dishonesty.  Since I first listened to Ayreon–well over a decade ago–I was quite taken with it.  Since then, I have collected every thing that Lucassen has done–from Star One to Guilt Machine to The Gentle Storm to Ambeon to Stream of Passion to his solo work.

Continue reading “THE SOURCE: Ayreon’s Deeply Moving 9th Album” →

Wishing Tim Hall (Kaylr) the Best

On By bradbirzerIn progressive rock1 Comment

Some of you might know that our great friend and prog ally, Tim Hall (aka Kaylr), is experiencing some serious health issues.  I’m sure he would very much appreciate our good thoughts and prayers.

On facebook, Jane Armstrong wrote that he is in Lister Ward at Royal Berks Hospital, Reading.

Our absolute best to you, Tim!

For those of you interested, please be sure to check out Tim’s website: http://www.kalyr.com/weblog/

Birzer Bandana’s First Album Reviewed

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Mark Naida of Hillsdale College has written a beautiful review of Birzer Bandana’s first album, BECOMING ONE.  Thank you,  Mark!

Theology, intellectual rock, and the liberal arts — these are three main elements of the debut album by Birzer Bandana, a collaboration between progressive rock musician Dave Smith and Hillsdale College Professor of History Bradley Birzer.

Birzer provided the concept and lyrics, and Smith wrote the music for the seven-song progressive rock album “Becoming One,” which was released on Spotify, Bandcamp, and iTunes March 18.

Progressive rock seeks to combine the formal elements of classical music while also embracing the eclectic side of rock and roll music, according to music critic Lucas Biela of progarchives.com.

“Rock bands like the Rolling Stones wanted to show pure emotion in their music. Prog is a more intellectual genre that shares ideas,” Birzer said.

To read the full review, please go here: http://hillsdalecollegian.com/2017/04/birzer-bandana-ties-together-science-fiction-apocalyptic-poetry-british-prog-rock/

Forthcoming Bjorn Riis

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I had no idea (until a few moments ago) that Airbag’s Bjorn Riis had a forthcoming solo album.  The teaser sounds gorgeous.

Clockwork Lives Graphic Novel

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Well, in perusing Cygnus X1’s website just now, I found even more information about Rush.  Stuff that had totally eluded me.  Cygnus, what would we do without you???  Thank you!

Kevin J. Anderson has just announced that CLOCKWORK LIVES will be a graphic novel soon.  How very cool.

Here’s the Cygnus X1 link: http://news.cygnus-x1.net/2017/04/clockwork-lives-graphic-novel-coming.html

And, here’s the direct link to KJA’s website: http://kjablog.com/clockwork-lives-graphic-novel/

Cygnus X1 on Geddy Lee and YES tonight

On By bradbirzerIn progressive rock3 Comments

Amazing moment in rock history.  From Cygnus X1:

Ever since it was announced that the progressive rock band YES was to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, rumors abound regarding a possible involvement with the members of Rush, who are all self-proclaimed YES fans.

In January, the news many fans were waiting for arrived – both Geddy Lee & Alex Lifeson would induct YES into the Hall. However as of that writing, there was no indication as to whether or not Geddy and/or Alex would actually perform during the evening’s festivities. Fast-forward a few weeks, and a huge story coming out of Billboard was published which all but confirmed that Geddy Lee would, in fact, be performing with YES. Less than a few hours after the story broke, Billboard posted a retraction indicating that Geddy Lee would NOT be performing.

To read the full article at CYGNUS, go here: http://news.cygnus-x1.net/2017/04/geddy-lee-alex-lifeson-set-to-induct.html

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Photo taken from Cygnus X1.

Thanks to John at Cygnus and Brian Sullivan!

Burning Shed’s Latest Ad

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I’m not in the habit of advertising for a company so blatantly, but I’m really taken with this Burning Shed postcard that came with the Steve Hackett release, THE NIGHT SIREN.  Beautiful art.

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