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Classic Rock: Prog SpawnVarious Artists, 2008, Compilation Familiarity: First listen An interesting collection of contemporary progressive rock with tracks of varying quality, a bunch of them being very, very good, fortunately, albeit perhaps a tad too melancholic at times. Art CinemaArt Cinema, 2008 Familiarity: Some listens Yet another amazing release courtesy of Danish
multi-instrumentalist, composer and workaholic Robin
Taylor.
Art Cinema is a project formed in 2007, after the recording of
the "Soundwall" album by Taylor's Universe. The collaboration
between Taylor and Denner was so good that it warranted a
project of its own, and thus Art Cinema was born.
The musical content will sound familiar to fans of Taylor's
previous outings; jazz and rock with symphonic influences;
spiced with warm, textured layers of keyboard and synth sounds,
organ and sax given much room to create and enhance moods, and
a detailed, round production that manage to soften the music
while retaining the finer details.
On this release extensive use of vocals in the tunes are a
brand new element, vocalists Jytte Lindberg and Louise Nipper
both providing excellent singing, and the compositions are less
complex in structure, while containing just as many detailed
complexities in the soundscapes as most other releases Taylor
is involved in.
Accessible tunes, strong on melody, mood and atmosphere - and
one of the top albums of 2008 so far. Inside OutFates Warning, 1994 Familiarity: First listen Importance: Major release A magnificent effort by FW containing some of their best songs. Highly recommendable to any prog metal fan. DisconnectedFates Warning, 2000 Familiarity: First listen Importance: Major release A great groovy yet progressive effort from Fates Warning, sporting both melody and "hard-hittingness". There are lots tricky and energetic of one-string riffs here as well as some strong power chord-based riffs. Some riffs are slightly reminiscent of "Perfect Symmetry" while others remind the listener of "A Pleasant Shade of Gray" - now, that's not a problem, because those are great albums. And, "Disconnected" goes beyond just being a clone of those albums, and it goes beyond just being a mixture of them. It is, in my opinion, like most other FW albums, quite original. Isolation Fear My Thoughts, 2008 Familiarity: First listen Musicianship: 9.0 (magnificent) Production: 9.0 (magnificent) A solid album ... but I'm not yet "digging" the songwriting. Take CoverQueensrÿche, 2007 Familiarity: Some listens Unlike many, I tend to enjoy cover songs and cover albums as a way of seeing how some of my favorite bands might sound doing another bands music and there are always a few song that I have never previously heard before so it might lead to new discoveries. That being said, while a fun listen, I would guess that this was done under label pressure and to fulfill contract obligations and won't appeal to those who frown upon these kind of albums. When Worlds Collide: Inside Out Music Sampler Vol. 2Various Artists, 2003, Compilation Familiarity: Many listens I received this sample with a copy of Progression magazine. It includes 14 songs from 14 different artists who released albums on the Inside Out Music label in 2003. This is a phenomenal lineup. Each of these songs is magnificent, and I was encouraged to purchase all of the related albums except for the Devin Townsend Band album, but this song sounds promising. Live: Sold OutVolbeat, 2008, DVDFamiliarity: Some listens Captures the energy of Vobeat's legendary (at least by local standards) live shows from all over Europe. One annyoing thing is the MTV-style cutting whose flurry of cuts becomes annoying at times. The MobThe Mob, 2005 Familiarity: Some listens King's X meets Winger. This supergroup's debut and only album to-date, brings Doug Pinnick from King's X together with Reb Beach of Winger fame to create a very enjoyable hard rock/hair metal album. The album was produced by Kip Winger and also includes Kelly Keagy from Night Ranger on drums and Timothy Drury from Whitesnake and formerly of The Eagles on keyboards. For fans of the aforementioned bands. Keeper of the Seven Keys - The Legacy - World Tour 2005/2006Helloween, 2007, DVDFamiliarity: Some listens A great live DVD, cementing how great a live band Helloween are, and documenting a handful of great live shows. It may take some getting used to as regards the songs from the old Keeper of the Seven Keys albums, as the vocals are very different here, but never mind that. The typical Helloween humor is there, both in the humorous songs and in the performances in general (for example, check out the hillarious drum solo/duet thing). WatershedOpeth, 2008 Familiarity: Very many listens Importance: Essential release Musicianship: 9.0 (magnificent) Production: 9.0 (magnificent) A strong follow up to Ghost Reveries, with the same tendencies to add more mellow passages between the extreme parts. In fact, it's the only album (except of course Damnation) that has more songs with only clean vocals than songs with growls. The music is also quite different from the Still Life - Deliverance era, with half of the band having been replaced and with the addition of a permanent keyboardist. Sounds like we have here a transitional album, but the transition seems almost complete... Missing PiecesAutograph (USA), 1996 Familiarity: Many listens Importance: Minor release I purchased this album solely for the purpose of owning a version of Turn Up The Radio, which was a hair metal anthem from my teenage years. Live in CopenhagenMew, 2006, DVDFamiliarity: Some listens Importance: Recommended for fans only Great live video from what seems to have been hell of a concert. There are some interesting variations on some of the songs, not found on any of the albums. Jonas does not always replicate the falsetto vocals of the studeo albums, but, interestingly enough sometimes uses a baritone voice in stead, which sounds rather good. The Spectre WithinFates Warning, 1985 Familiarity: Some listens Importance: Essential release "The Spectre Within" is a vast improvement since "Night on Bröcken". While the Iron Maiden influences are still pretty obvious, Fates Warning have nevertheless found their own sound and style on his album (which would come to fruition on "Awaken he Guardian"), and John Arch does some superb vocal performances on this album as well. Night on BröckenFates Warning, 1984 Familiarity: First listen Importance: Major release Quite reminiscent of Iron Maiden and Mercyful Fate and, less so, Judas Priest, "Night on Bröcken" contains a number of decent tunes, some of which are actually very good. It is obvious that Fates Warning haven't quite found their own sound yet, but they're certainly on the way, and "Night on Bröcken" is certainly worth buying if you like classic metal and progressive metal. It does seem, however, that the vocals get a bit out of hand from time to time. |
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