Tag: Progressive rock

PET SOUNDS, 1966-2016: Fifty Years of Prog

On By bradbirzerIn progressive rock1 Comment
pet-sounds
Arguably, the very first prog album.

Though I’m sure someone could make the case for either REVOLVER or SGT. PEPPER’s being the first prog album, I’ve always turned to PET SOUNDS by the Beach Boys.  I’m sure there’s a bit of the American in me that desires this to be so, so I can’t completely claim to be unbiased.  I know English proggers–understandably–think of Prog as one of their many national gifts to the world, somewhere above the Magna Carta.  And, it is!  Still, it’s conceivable that it came about in California but then was perfected by the English.  Maybe.  Maybe not.

 

As Brian Wilson has noted, he found his own inspiration for the album in RUBBER SOUL by the Beatles.  Is it possible the influence went both directions across the Atlantic?  Most certainly.

Regardless, PET SOUNDS is fifty years old.  And, what an extraordinary achievement it is.  Though one might regard it somewhat probably as a Brian Wilson solo album, it came out under the name of the Beach Boys, and it carries with it many of the trademark Beach Boy sounds and touches.

Continue reading “PET SOUNDS, 1966-2016: Fifty Years of Prog” →

Fire Garden’s second album now available!

On By bradbirzerIn progressive rockLeave a comment
fire-garden-2
FAR AND NEAR, now available.

For those of us who love everything Zee Baig and Fire Garden, REJOICE!  Album no. 2, FAR AND NEAR, is now available for those of us wise enough to have pledged our undying love, support, and devotion to this amazing band through PLEDGEMUSIC.  Reviews and others cool things to follow. . . .

9 songs, 55 minutes, featuring the work and talents of Zee Baig, Jordan Rudess, Jimmy Keegan, and Bruce Soord.  I get the feeling everyONE wants to hang out with Zee.

pledgegarden

Susie Bogdanowicz Live Today: 3PM EST

On By bradbirzerIn progressive rockLeave a comment

Make sure you check out the live feed this afternoon with the ever amazing, incredibly-talented, and equally kind and personable Susie Bogdanowicz of Glass Hammer, this afternoon at 3pm EST.

The live feed will be available on Glass Hammer’s main Facebook page.  This should be the link (apologies if not!): https://www.facebook.com/glasshammerband/?fref=ts

Anyway, don’t pass up this chance to talk with the best voice in rock.

 

I Know What I Like: Fidelia and Marillion

On By bradbirzerIn progressive rock3 Comments
fear-marillion
Marillion Album No. 18, FEAR.

Well, it finally arrived.

At least officially.

At exactly 7:00 this evening, I received an email from PledgeMusic notifying me that the new Marillion album, FEAR, was ready for download.  Thanks to the very kind people at BWR PR (yes, Kim!), I’ve had a review copy for a bit.  And, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it.  Unlike a number of my allies in the prog world, I actually prefer Hogarth-era Marillion to Fish-era Marillion, though I prefer either to most other music.

As to my Marillion street cred. . . I have friends who love the band more than I do, but not many.  I proudly own all studio albums (usually the special editions) and the live albums as well, and I even have Hogarth’s two diaries.  So, I guess I’m in kind of deep when it comes to my Marillion loyalty and devotion.  No corner shrine yet.  That is still reserved for St. Rose of Lima and St. Maximillian Kolbe.  St. Hogarth?   I’ve had the privilege of writing extensively about BRAVE, AFRAID OF SUNLIGHT, and MARBLES before, but I could definitely devote a bit more of my writing time to Marillion.

Continue reading “I Know What I Like: Fidelia and Marillion” →

2112: The Uncompromising Integrity of Neil Peart’s Individualism

On By bradbirzerIn progressive rock3 Comments

Happy Fortieth Anniversary, 2112!

2112
The fourth studio album by Rush, 2112 (1976).

While Caress of Steel ended on an organic, open and free-spirited note, their fourth album, 2112, began with discordant and spacey computer noises and swatches of sound.  The contrast in mood and sound could not have been greater.  2112 even inverted the structure of Caress, placing the epic side-long track on side one of the album, with the shorter songs on side two.

Again, it’s worth remembering that if they were going to end, they were going to do so on their own terms.  If Rush was going “down the tubes,” they were going to go down with a serious statement and a very, very loud thud.  No whimper.  Only a bang.  “We talked about how we would rather go down fighting rather than try to make the kind of record they wanted us to make,” Lee remembers.  “We made 2112 figuring everyone would hate it, but we were going to go out in a blaze of glory.”[i]  Alex feels the same.  “2112 is all about fighting the man,” he states.  “Fortunately for us, that became a marker. That was also the first time that we really started to sound like ourselves.”[ii]  It is hard to judge whether or not this anti-authoritarian streak in Rush came from the group as a whole or from each of the three individuals who made up the band.  Perhaps the distinction is a false or a super-fine one.

Continue reading “2112: The Uncompromising Integrity of Neil Peart’s Individualism” →

After 15 Years, RADIOHEAD is Back!

On By bradbirzerIn progressive rock3 Comments
moonshapedpool
Radiohead’s best album since 2001.

I remember very well the day I bought Radiohead’s OK COMPUTER.  I was living in Helena, Montana, for the year, and I made a not atypical trip down to my favorite weirdo store, Hastings, to get some comics.  You know, the usual batch of Batman and sci-fi titles.

While there, I spotted a stack of CDs labeled something like “prog for a new era.”  Intrigued, I had to check them out.  They turned out to be the Radiohead cd, OK COMPUTER.  Money was rather tight in those days, so I decided to get the cd rather than the stack of comics (I bought just two comics on that weekly trip—such restraint!).

As with almost every other American my age, I had heard Radiohead all of the time during their “Creep” days.  Not only had American alternative radio played the G-verion of “Creep” nonstop, but then Tears for Fears did a cover of it.  It was everywhere in the early 90s, a defining song for the alternative rock movement.

Continue reading “After 15 Years, RADIOHEAD is Back!” →

Big Big Train Live Tickets, 2017

On By bradbirzerIn progressive rockLeave a comment
big_big_train_band_members_november_2014_hi_res
The most recent incarnation of the band.

This just came from the home offices of Big Big Train:

Hello everyone

LONDON GIGS, SEPTEMBER 2017

We can confirm that the band will be playing two gigs at Cadogan Hall, London, on Fri 29th and Sat 30th September 2017. (Note: next year, not this!)

You can buy tickets now for the Friday at:
https://secure.cadoganhall.com/event/big-big-train-2016/book/?performance=2794
and for the Saturday at:
https://secure.cadoganhall.com/event/big-big-train-2016/book/?performance=2795

These links are “exclusive” to BBT fans for the next few hours (although we can’t guarantee that nobody will leak them, of course).
They will be made public on the web at 6.00pm today (Friday).
The BBT gig dates will be fully listed / publicly searchable on the Cadogan Hall website from 10.00am on Monday.

There’s a useful seating plan where you can check the view from any seat:
http://www.cadoganhall.com/your-visit/booking-information/seating-plans/
(Note that the seat price banding on this page is an example only, and not the one for tbe BBT shows.)

Ticket prices for the BBT gigs range from £36 to £42, and there is a maximum of 10 tickets per order and a booking fee of £3 per order (not per ticket).

If you live outside the UK tickets will be held at the box office for collection on the day rather than posted to you.

“TELLING THE BEES” VIDEO

We’ve released a video of another song, “Telling The Bees”, from our recent “Foklore” album. Enjoy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OGXbOiiaI24

PROGRESSIVE MUSIC AWARDS 2016

We were delighted to win both Best Live Event and Band Of The Year at this year’s Progressive Music Awards held at the Underglobe in London. You can watch the live stream here:
https://www.facebook.com/prog/videos/1134593059913329/
Best Live Event is at 18:40 and Band Of The Year at 32:05.
Many thanks to everyone who voted for us.

The Trilogy Complete: Kevin J. Anderson’s ETERNITY’S MIND

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kja-eternitys-mind
Out today, and available from Amazon.

I wish I had a review ready, but I just received the book today!  So, sadly, no review yet.  Just a notice.  This, however, is the conclusion to Anderson’s brilliant, Saga of Shadows trilogy.

For those of you who don’t know, Anderson is not only one of Neil Peart’s closest friends, but he’s also the co-author of Clockwork Angels and Clockwork Lives with Peart.  Much to celebrate in the prog world.

What else to write about Kevin?  I mentioned he’s brilliant, but did I mention he also writes lyrics for Roswell Six, is a great guy, has an equally great wife, and has been nominated for the Hugo?

To order Anderson’s’s latest, please go here: https://www.amazon.com/Eternitys-Mind-Kevin-J-Anderson/dp/0765333015/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1473789535&sr=8-1&keywords=eternity%27s+mind

Justin Hayward LIVE

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
 
Justin Hayward “Live In Concert At The Capitol Theatre”
coming to DVD and digital formats on September 23rd
An intimate performance from the legendary Moody Blues vocalist
Justin Hayward “Live In Concert at the Capitol Theatre” is the latest DVD release from the legendary Moody Blues vocalist, guitarist, and composer.
This intimate performance from October 20, 2014 (Clearwater, FL) has been expertly captured by award winning filmmaker & composer David Minasian. It is truly one of Hayward’s finest solo performances.
The DVD, which includes the epic bonus music video The Wind of Heaven, can be pre-ordered now at the MVD Shop
Track Listing
Tuesday Afternoon
It’s Up To You / Lovely To See You
In Your Blue Eyes
The Western Sky
You Can Never Go Home
Watching And Waiting
I Dreamed Last Night
One Day, Someday
The Eastern Sun
December Snow
What You Resist Persists
Your Wildest Dreams
Forever Autumn
Question
Nights In White Satin
I Know You’re Out There Somewhere
Blue Guitar (bonus track)
Who Are You Now (bonus track)
The Wind of Heaven (bonus track)

Get ready to Pre-Order the new Neal Morse Band album

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Pre-orders begin at 10am Friday Sept. 9!
 
You Must Be Registered at www.radiantrecords.com to receive the free downloads that will come with your pre-order! Register now so you’re ready! 
(We suggest that you go to www.radiantrecords.com  

now to make sure your username and password 

 

work correctly)
 
The first 200 preorders of the SE or Vinyl versions will receive a 5″ 7″ exclusive framable photo of an actual lyric sheet signed by Neal Morse. And free downloads of 2 tracks from the album!
This is gonna be great!
Thanks,
The Radiant Records Team