Tag: The Pineapple Thief

The Big 2019 Fall Prog (Plus) Preview!

On By kruekuttIn art rock, pop, Progressive rock, Rock and Roll2 Comments

What new music, live albums, reissues (regular, deluxe or super-deluxe) and tours are heading our way between now and All Hallows Eve?  Check out the exhaustive (and potentially exhausting) sampling of promised progressive goodies — along with other personal priorities — below.  Click on the titles for pre-order links — whenever possible, you’ll wind up at the online store that gets as much money as possible directly to the musicians.

 

 

  • August:
    • Dave Kerzner, Static Live Extended Edition: recorded at the 2017 Progstock festival.  Kerzner’s complete Static album in concert, plus selected live highlights & new studio tracks.  Pre-orders ship in late August.
  • August 30:
    • Sons of Apollo, Live with the Plovdiv Psychotic Symphony: recorded at Plovdiv, Bulgaria’s Roman amphitheatre (the site of previous live efforts from Anathema and Devin Townsend).  Available in Blu-Ray, 3 CD + Blu-Ray, and 3 CD + DVD + Blu Ray versions.
    • Tool, Fear Inoculum: Tool’s first album in 13 years.  Available via digital download, as well as “a deluxe, limited-edition CD version (which) features a 4” HD rechargeable screen with exclusive video footage, charging cable, 2 watt speaker, a 36-page booklet and a digital download card.”  Really. 

Continue reading “The Big 2019 Fall Prog (Plus) Preview!” →

Bryan’s Best of 2018

On By Bryan MoreyIn Progressive rock2 Comments

Earlier this year, I questioned whether or not 2018 was going to be a poor year for prog. It seemed like the the progressive rock community took a few months to stop and take a collective breath… but that was only the breath before the plunge. The second half of the year saw many excellent new releases. The following are some of my favorites from 2018, in no particular order (my top two at the bottom of this list are tied for first place).

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The Pineapple Thief’s Dissolution — Coming Soon!

On By kruekuttIn Progressive rockLeave a comment

From Kscope:

Dissolution is the follow-up album to 2016’s Your Wilderness, and is the band’s second album to feature King Crimson and Porcupine Tree drummer Gavin Harrison. Due for release on 31st August.

The new material establishes The Pineapple Thief’s intent to elevate themselves to new heights, with a desire to develop their songwriting and technical capabilities, and with artwork created by iconic design agency Stylorouge, whose previous work includes Pink Floyd, David Bowie, Blur and British film Trainspotting. The album concept tells of the often dark consequences of living in a society in which everything is played out on a public stage, a theme paralleled in the cover art, which was created by ‘glitching’ the original photographs.

Songwriter Bruce Soord explains “broadly speaking the title reflects the disintegration of relationships and the undoing of our social fabric. In a time when we are supposed to be bound closer together than ever, I have never felt so apart from the world.  We are living through a revolution and right now I am not sure it’s a good one. Lyrically this is the most vivid I have been.”

Burning Shed now has Dissolution available to pre-order in multiple formats (CD, BluRay, deluxe CD/DVD/BluRay set, regular and crystal clear vinyl), along with supporting swag (tshirt, hoodie, tote bag).  The Pineapple Thief have also announced European tour dates for September-October 2018 and March 2019.  When I talked with Bruce Soord at last year’s Progtoberfest, he was hoping the band could also play the US this time around — fingers crossed.  Based on the evidence from the Thief’s Where We Stood live video, the upcoming tour could be one to remember!

In the meantime, here’s the first song released from Dissolution, “Far Below” — an eerie, desperate breakneck stomp in 5/8.  Soord, Harrison and the rest of The Pineapple Thief definitely feel like a winning combination here.  Dig it!

— Rick Krueger

 

 

Progtoberfest: Day 2 Report

On By kruekuttIn blues, jazz, Progressive rock, Rock and Roll, The Tangent4 Comments

by Rick Krueger

The sun shone warmly again on the south side of Chicago as Progtoberfest III kicked off its second day.  Taking in the view as I exited the ‘L’, it was amusing and welcoming to see a familiar screaming face painted on the exterior of Reggie’s:

IMG_4097

Hoping to get Alphonso Johnson’s and Chester Thompson’s autographs in the VIP Lounge the night before, I’d struck up a delightful conversation with members of the North Carolina Genesis tribute band ABACAB.  In 2016, festival organizer Kevin Pollack had given them “homework” for this year: to play all of Genesis’ live album Seconds Out on the 40th anniversary of its release.  You could tell the band was nervous (they focus on 1980s Genesis to get bookings, so they had to learn half the album in the past year) but also absolutely thrilled to bring it to the Rock Club stage.  And on Saturday afternoon, they nailed it, to the joy of an enthusiastic, supportive crowd and rave reviews from other acts.  They’re already planning to return to Reggie’s in April as a headliner, and for Progtoberfest IV next October.  Check out why below:

Continue reading “Progtoberfest: Day 2 Report” →

(Belated) Best of 2016

On By Connor MullinIn Progressive rockLeave a comment

Please forgive my late entry, for I did not listen to as many new albums as I should have in 2016; I suppose I still have an affinity for the “classics.” Anyway, here is my all too brief list (in no particular order) of the best albums of 2016:moonpool

A Moon Shaped Pool (Radiohead): This was my first exposure to Radiohead, and I was impressed. The atmospheric, almost hypnotic vocals of Thom Yorke, supported by Jonny Greenwood’s haunting string arrangements, make this a work of eerie beauty. Burn the Witch and Daydreaming are the two stand out pieces, but the album overall is excellent.

Say So (Bent Knee): Not as well-known as the other two, but a gem nonetheless. This innovative band from Boston features the inbentkneecredible vocals of Courtney Swain, whose range will impress prog and non-prog lovers alike. You can check out my review of their first album here.


Your Wilderness (The Pineapple Thief): I must admit that I enjoy just about anything created by Bruce Soord. The man is quite the talent – as a songwriter, vocalist, and guitarist. His latest effort is no exception; it is filled with well-crafted and accessible songs. Overall, it is a great followup to 2014’s Magnolia. your-wilderness

 

Bryan’s Best of 2016

On By Bryan MoreyIn Progressive rock4 Comments

2016 has been a pretty horrible year: terrorism, deaths of way too many musical heroes, the recent loss of Prog magazine and the total screwing of all Team Rock employees, personal inability to find a job… Yeah, this year has sucked.

Thankfully, despite these trials, progressive rock has continued to be the most creative and innovative genre in the music business. I always enjoy writing a “best of” list, mainly because it gives me a chance to look over the best music of the year. We prog fans really are spoiled.

Like last year, my 2016 list will be pretty big, and the order is completely arbitrary. I have a numbered top 4, but my top 3 picks for this year are essentially tied for first place. Without further ado, my favorite albums of 2016:

Continue reading “Bryan’s Best of 2016” →

Confidence Within a Sphere of Creativity: FIRE GARDEN

On By bradbirzerIn Progressive rockLeave a comment

Fire Garden, FAR AND NEAR (2016).  Tracks: Far and Near; There’s Something; A New Day; Life of a Drifter; A Thousand Lost Souls; War and Peace; Faint Shadows; Whitelight; and Diary of a Blood Moon.

far-and-near
Fire Garden’s second release, FAR AND NEAR.  A must own.
www.firegardenmusic.com

One of the single best things about being a hyperfan of progressive rock music is always dealing with the most interesting of people.  When it comes to prog—the musicians, the engineers, and the fans—we’re all basically a bunch of OCD perfectionists.  And, I think we understand each other in ways non proggers simply cannot (as in, not constitutionally equipped to do so).  In the nearly ten years I’ve been reviewing music online, I’ve met a number of absolutely fascinating people.  None less so than Chicago’s young master of all that is melodic metal prog, Zee Baig.

The moment I first found Zee’s music—as first sold through his ep, aptly titled THE PRELUDE—I knew I had to reach out to him.  I did, he was responsive, and we pretty quickly established a friendship through email.  We talked about war, tradition, music, kids, art.  You name it, and Zee and I talked about it.  Even though we’re only a three-hours drive from one another, we’ve never actually met in person.  Strange, but true.  And, here’s hoping, someday soon this will be rectified.

zee
Zee Baig
Until that glorious moment, I’m more than content listening to Zee’s astounding music.  It, in and of itself, has become a close friend.  The band’s first album, SOUNDS OF MAJESTIC COLORS, has remained in my constant listening rotation since it first appeared in 2014.  There’s no mistaking that the best of Dream Theater influenced and inspired much of the first album, but Fire Garden takes chances that Dream Theater never would.  This is especially true in lyrical content.  To be sure, Fire Garden is no clone of DT.

FAR AND NEAR, Fire Garden’s second full-length album, has just appeared on the market, and it’s a stunner, as strong and as good as anything else that has come out this year.  This is no small praise when one considers how many greats have come out: from Frost* to Glass Hammer to Big Big Train.  FAR AND NEAR stands with those at the very top.

Continue reading “Confidence Within a Sphere of Creativity: FIRE GARDEN” →

That Blasted Pineapple Thief! YOUR WILDERNESS

On By bradbirzerIn Progressive rock3 Comments

Here I sit, totally spoiled.  I’m drinking a cup of coffee, listening to the wind whisper the many names of the Aspen, and watching the absurdly beautiful dance of the humming birds.  It’s already a perfect day, and I’ve not even gone to Mass yet.

But, I’m here to write about the latest release from The Pineapple Thief, YOUR WILDERNESS (Kscope; out officially on August 12, 2016).

YOUR WILDERNESS
A return to Soordian perfection.

One would be foolish to dismiss the talent of Bruce Soord.  The man is an audiophilic genius, and, when he produces or engineers an album, he’s every bit as good as Trevor Horn, Phill Brown, Rob Aubrey, and Steven Wilson.  He definitely brings his own sound to whatever it is he does, as distinct and yet as beautiful as any of the producers mentioned above.  His imprint on the first release of Matt Cohen’s Ghost Community is quite clear, and I’m presuming the same will be true for the second release of Zee Baig’s Fire Garden.

Continue reading “That Blasted Pineapple Thief! YOUR WILDERNESS” →

RochaNews: Pineapple Thief Free Download of New Track

On By bradbirzerIn UncategorizedLeave a comment
Gorgeous artwork for the forthcoming TPT album, Magnolia.
Gorgeous artwork for the forthcoming TPT album, Magnolia.

THE PINEAPPLE THIEF OFFERS FREE DOWNLOAD OF NEW TRACK “SIMPLE AS THAT”

10th studio album “Magnolia” out September 16 via Kscope

ENGLAND – The Pineapple Thief is offering fans a free download of the new track “Simple as That” from the band’s upcoming 10th studio album Magnolia at:http://emailunlock.com/kscope-burningshed/the-pineapple-thief-simple-as-that#. Magnoliais set for a September 16 North American release via Kscope.

“Here’s the opening track from the new album for you, the beginning of a deep and varied journey,” said songwriter and guitarist Bruce Soord. “I hope you get as much from our new music as we do. Thanks for your support!”

Additionally, a Magnolia instrumental teaser video is streaming on YouTube at:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HJrVo9BkURQ.

Fans can also pre-order Magnolia via the following links:

Magnolia follows the acclaimed 2012 album All The Wars and marks an important turning point for The Pineapple Thief, as it expands its musical horizons beyond the progressive sphere. Recorded at Snap Studios and mixed at Strongroom Studios in London, Magnoliarepresents the ultimate culmination of Soord’s ongoing quest to raise spirits and connect. A devastating yet uplifting collection of 12 beautifully crafted songs, it showcases the band’s intuitive chemistry and soulful demeanor, cramming a vast array of emotional shades and inspirational ideas into its 47 mesmerizing minutes. Veering from the strident opening assault of “Simple as That,” due to be the first single, through to the cinematic sweep of the closing track “Bond,” it marks an important step in the band’s story, while skillfully encapsulating everything that has made its musical journey such a relentlessly fascinating one. 

“All I ever wanted was to write catchy songs that stay with people,” commented Soord, explaining how this record represents an important evolutionary phase for The Pineapple Thief. “The striking thing is that there are no long tunes… all I care about now is writing a good song. I don’t think about whether it’s rock or progressive or commercial or anything like that. As time went on, I discovered I could say everything I wanted to say within a shorter period of time.” 

New drummer Dan Osborne, also heavily involved in the production of Magnolia, brought fresh energy and ideas to The Pineapple Thief, strongly contributing to steer the band in a new direction. Completing the line-up are solid bassist Jon Sykes and keyboard maestro Steve Kitch. While string arrangements are courtesy of regular collaborator Andrew Skeet of The Divine Comedy, the stunning final mix was crafted by mix engineer Adam Noble, who has previously worked on albums from the likes of Placebo, Guillemots, Paul McCartney, Robbie Williams and Belgium alt rock band dEUS. The artwork for Magnoliawas created by French artist Patrick Gonzales (http://www.patrickgonzales.net).

1. Simple as That (04:01)

2. Alone at Sea (05:21)

3. Don’t Tell Me (03:35)

4. Magnolia (03:47)

5. Seasons Past (04:14)

6. Coming Home (03:06)

7. The One You Left to Die (04:19)

8. Breathe (02:35)

9. From Me (04:31)

10. Sense of Fear (04:31)

11. A Loneliness (03:22)

12. Bond (04:31)

Formed in 1999 by founder and chief songwriter Bruce Soord as an experimental bedroom project, The Pineapple Thief has since continued to evolve and refine its sound. The group is seen by many as one of the most interesting and innovative rock bands the U.K. has produced in recent years. Previous albums like Someone Here Is Missing (2010) and All The Wars (2012) have made The Pineapple Thief’s reputation and fan base stronger, resulting in interest from a wider audience. Bruce Soord also collaborates with other Kscope artists, joining forces with Jonas Renkse of Swedish band Katatonia on their critically acclaimed Wisdom Of Crowds project. Along with this collaboration, we saw Soord join Katatonia on their recent “Dethroned & Uncrowned – Unplugged & Reworked” acoustic European tour.   

With a new, blossoming sound, Magnolia has all the potential to bring The Pineapple Thief to the masses. This, the band’s 10th record, could not only be a milestone, but also a mainstream breakthrough for the band. With Magnolia, The Pineapple Thief has created 12 musical gems that defy all classifications – anthemic, catchy, intense, honest and straight from the heart.

Stay tuned for more information on The Pineapple Thief and Magnolia.

 

The Pineapple Thief online…

 

The Pineapple Thief is… 

  • Bruce Soord – vocals, guitar
  • Dan Osborne – drums
  • Jon Sykes – bass
  • Steve Kitch – keyboards

 

A huge thanks to our friend Brian Rocha and Fresno Media for reaching out to us–ed., progarchy.com

Works Of Art

On By Dr NickIn progressive rock music2 Comments

First there was the announcement of the new Flying Colors album, then the upcoming release from The Pineapple Thief was revealed, then Brad posted about this little beauty from North Atlantic Oscillation heading our way.

Did I miss something? Has 2014 been declared Year Of Gorgeous Album Artwork without me noticing?

FC_second nature cover   tpt   10592666_10202415830749256_6791635059324291711_n