Tag: Progressive rock

Hackett’s Clip: Lamb Lies Down

On By bradbirzerIn progressive rockLeave a comment
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Steve Hackett by Anne-Catherine de Froidmont

MAY 31ST, 2016

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WORLD-RENOWNED GUITARIST/COMPOSER STEVE HACKETT  REVEALS “THE LAMB LIES DOWN ON BROADWAY” CLIP
 
VIDEO TAKEN FROM 2CD/2DVD, BLU-RAY “THE TOTAL EXPERIENCE LIVE 
IN LIVERPOOL,” DUE OUT WORLDWIDE JUNE 24TH VIA INSIDEOUT MUSIC
 
(New York, NY) – World-renowned guitarist/composer Steve Hackett has just revealed the first clip from his forthcoming 2 CD/2 DVD, Blu-Ray package THE TOTAL EXPERIENCE LIVE IN LIVERPOOL.  The video for “The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway” can be viewed here.  THE TOTAL EXPERIENCE LIVE IN LIVERPOOL will be released worldwide on June 24th via InsideOut Music and was filmed during Hackett‘s Acolyte To Wolflight With Genesis Revisited tour last year.  Celebrating the 40th anniversary of his first solo album VOYAGE OF THE ACOLYTEand following his latest album WOLFLIGHT, the Acolyte To Wolflight With Genesis Revisited Tour was Hackett‘s effort to represent the many chapters of his career. Featuring two sets – one highlighting his solo work, the second paying tribute to Genesis – the two hour performance was greeted with enthusiasm by both fans and critics.  A trailer for the release can be seen here.

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Airbag’s DISCONNECTED: The Spirit of Mark Hollis and Rick Wright

On By bradbirzerIn progressive rockLeave a comment

Review of Airbag, DISCONNECTED (Karisma, 2016).  Tracks: Killer; Broken; Slave; Sleepwalker; Disconnected; Returned.

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Airbag, DISCONNECTED (Karisma, 2016).
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IDENTITY (2009).  It could be none-more-Talk Talk.

 

When Airbag first appeared on the prog scene with their extraordinary album, IDENTITY (2008-2009), they seemed a fascinating cross between Pink Floyd and Talk Talk, at least in their influences.  Or more accurately, perhaps, imagine Pink Floyd performing Talk Talk songs.  Even the cover of IDENTITY looked like something James Marsh would’ve painted.  The atmosphere the band created—at least in the studio—was nothing short of astounding.  Moody, driven, and meaningful.  One might be tempted to call their music prog shoe-gaze.

Their first and only (as far as I know) live release, LIVE IN OSLO, proved just how amazingly talented the four members of Airbag are.  After hearing them live, no one could dismiss them as a studio band merely.  As much as I liked IDENTITY, it was the 24 minutes of LIVE IN OSLO that utterly blew me away.  Upon my first listen to this short album, I knew this band was something special.

Continue reading “Airbag’s DISCONNECTED: The Spirit of Mark Hollis and Rick Wright” →

Free Big Big Train Folklore Booklet Download

On By bradbirzerIn progressive rock1 Comment

The members of BBT have graciously made the CD/vinyl booklet available for free.

Link to BBT’s dropbox: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/zdn1hnnqmme9s26/AAAKvUmF4PfxSfkGIMQXmaIYa/Folklore%20album%20booklet.pdf?dl=0

Or, a direct down load here: Folklore album booklet

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Have You Pledged Yet? Fire Garden.

On By bradbirzerIn progressive rockLeave a comment

I have!  Proudly.

http://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/firegardenmusic

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The Wall Street Journal on BENT KNEE

On By bradbirzerIn progressive rock1 Comment
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The brand new album from Bent Knee, SAY SO!

 

One of America’s two finest print sources has a great writeup on BENT KNEE.  And, well deserved.  By Jim Fusilli.

Bent Knee, whose latest album, “Say So” (Cuneiform), arrived on Friday, has been classified as a proponent of art rock, which is only a little more helpful than saying it makes music. Across the span of its three full-length discs, the silo-smashing, Boston-based sextet taps into cabaret, ’70s piano-based folk, chamber pop, industrial rock, metal and prog rock—with the snap of funk and hip-hop in some of its rhythms. Featuring the versatile, ever-appealing voice of Courtney Swain on top, Bent Knee’s unique mix is equal parts ingenuity and deliciousness.

Bent Knee may begin and end a track near the same sonic place, but in between it offers a journey filled with fruitful detours. The initial listening experience is to wonder what’s next; later, it’s a matter of catching up with what was missed the earlier times around. On “Say So,” the track “Counselor” features bouncy allusions to show tunes; punchy funk; wailing metal; and a sing-along worthy of a protest rally. A cocktail-lounge piano and a theatrical vocal by Ms. Swain introduce “Nakami,” but soon comes Gavin Wallace-Ailsworth’s booming drums, a stinging guitar and sweet strings; Ms. Swain, who also plays keyboards, sings the stirring outro in Japanese. “Eve” has two bludgeoning interludes right out of sludge metal, but there are also little bits on plucked violin and accordion, with some jazzy chording on electric guitar. For all that’s happening on this album, there’s little bloat or self-indulgence, and even the longest tracks feel like concise statements.

To read it all, and you should, go here: http://www.wsj.com/articles/say-so-by-bent-knee-review-1464125585

Thanks to Stephen Humphries for pointing this out to me this morning.

Steven Wilson Newsletter

On By bradbirzerIn progressive rockLeave a comment

Reading through the excellent blog of Stephen Humphries, I found that the great man is now editing the newsletter of another great man, Steven Wilson.

Sign up here: http://stevenwilsonhq.com/sw/subscribe-to-steven-wilsons-newsletter-and-receive-a-free-download/

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Review: Frost* – “Falling Satellites”

On By Kevin WilliamsIn progressive rock2 Comments

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No matter their level of activity, all’s right in the prog world when the on again/off again ensemble known as Frost* is in “On” mode.  Many of us have closely – and happily – followed the twists and turns of writer/keyboardist/vocalist Jem Godfrey’s group since they released the landmark album “Milliontown” back in 2006.

For those who may not have been exposed to the band back then, “Milliontown” was something altogether new, or at least sounded altogether new – an accessible, expertly-produced, keyboard-heavy, dense, dynamic, and at times industrial-sounding blend of prog rock not for the faint of speaker cones. It was not to be mistaken for yet another prog band channeling the 70’s with all the cliches that go with that era (band names withheld to protect the guilty). As a fan of modern prog, “Milliontown” easily became one of two of my favorite albums of the last 15 years – the other being It Bites’ “The Tall Ships” – and not a week has gone by in the last decade when I haven’t given at least some of “Milliontown” a listen (no, really).

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Radiant Records: Kristoffer Gildenlöw

On By bradbirzerIn progressive rockLeave a comment
This week’s Monday Spotlight is
Kristoffer Gildenlöw’s newly released album
 
The Rain
Born in Eskilstuna, Sweden, Gildenlöw made a name for himself in the progressive rock scene during his eleven year career (1995- 2006) as bass player for world-renowned Swedish band, Pain of Salvation. His skill as a bass guitarist granted him the endorsement by Mayones guitars for more than a decade. In addition to bass guitar, Gildenlöw studied: piano, drums, double bass, guitar, classical vocals and music design; all of which have served the artist well in his transition to a solo career. He left Sweden and PoS to move to the Netherlands, but remained very active working as a session musician in live performances, touring, and recording bass lines on over thirty prominent albums for various artists all over the world. Gildenlöw’s solo career took flight with release of his debut album, RUST (2013). He released charity single, Pass The Torch (2014) and critic’s response to previews of The Rain (2016) have been very positive.
The deep tones of how the mind fights against itself resonate throughout this powerful and poignant work by Kristoffer Gildenlöw. A brilliant effort after his highly acclaimed first solo release: Rust (2013); a thematic album which delved into the realities of aging and one’s perspectives on past, future and ultimately reconciliation with life choices. Again, Gildenlöw has chosen a heavy subject for the theme of The Rain; which is a concept album that examines the life of a man in later stages of dementia who struggles with his own reality, perceived through the metaphor of rain and clouds.
The gentleness of the piano passages oppose the angst and turmoil which lie beneath. The gentle pace at which the album progresses is reflective of the destructive force of the disease upon the man, and you find yourself at the tipping point with the track, ‘Breath In, Breath Out’. It is through this lyrically beautiful song that the realization of the end becomes apparent; leaving the listener grasping for the beauty captured in the mind’s eye.
Never have I been so moved by an album. Put your phone on silent, so you will not be disturbed. It is best to listen with good headphones. Then you hear every detail and is the album the best advantage.
Esther Kessel-Tamerus – Rock Musizn
It’s a beautiful album which rewards further with repeat listening.
Kevin Thompson – Progradar

It is one of those albums that come along once in a generation and has such profound effect on the lives of the listener. It would not surprise me that this shows up as a Top 5 album of 2016
Robert Brady – Power of Prog
Get your copy of this AMAZING album here!

The Whimsy of Frost*

On By bradbirzerIn progressive rock3 Comments

Review of Frost*, FALLING SATELLITES (Insideout Music, 2016).  Release date: May 27, 2016.  Tracks: First Day; Numbers; Towerblock; Signs; Lights Out; Heart-strings; Closer to the Sun; The Raging Against the Dying of the Light Blues in 7/8; Nice Day for It; Hypoventilate; and Last Day.

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Our name is Frost*

How do you do?

We’re here today to play for you.

We’ve come all this way.

We came on a plane.

We’re from the U.K., where it always rains.

Apart from Nick and his beautiful locks—but he’s only on loan from his friends in Spock’s.

 

To play some songs.

That is why we are here.

Although we plan to also drink your beer.

 

Any fan of Frost* knows this full glorious intro by heart.  In the Birzer household, it’s one of those little things that helped me convince my wife and kids that prog was not just a brilliant genre of music, but also a rather hilarious one.  For years, we began every car trip (whether local and just around town or on one of our insane three-week odysseys into the American West) by playing this song.  Of course, being rather silly, we changed every instance of Frost* to Birzer*.

A little bit of familial pride, I suppose, but also always resulting in immense and prolonged laughter.

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