Jun 16 2013

Nektar – Time Machine

Here’s an announcement from Nektar. When the album is released next week, I’ll embed a media player for sampling.

UK Prog Legends Nektar To Release Highly Anticipated New Studio Album ‘Time Machine’ – June 18 , 2013

Los Angeles, CA – Prog legends Nektar return with their triumphant 13th album ‘Time Machine’ on June 18, 2013 on Purple Pyramid Records – the first album of new material in over 4 years – that band leader and founding member Roye Albrighton is calling “The best album Nektar has ever made!” ‘Time Machine’ showcases a new depth of songwriting, melodic complexity and musical exploration that hearkens back to early Nektar releases such as ‘Remember The Future’ and ‘A Tab In The Ocean’.

Nektar, featuring Albrighton, founding drummer Ron Howden, keyboardist Klaus Hentasch and bassist Lux Vibratus, is British, but was formed in Hamburg, Germany in 1970. Their early albums featured a heady, exhilarating mix of progressive, experimental rock sounds that soon caught on worldwide at the height of the international prog-rock boom. Touring the world behind numerous album releases throughout the ‘70s and ‘80s helped to cement the band’s reputation as an influential prog-rock legend. Having undergone a variety of personnel changes over the past decade or so, the band now boasts its strongest lineup in years and is ready to prove so yet again to its many fans throughout North America. In celebration of the 40th anniversary of the original release date of the band’s classic album, ‘Remember the Future’, Nektar is looking to perform in its entirety this most heralded release from its vast catalog, a rarity in that the band has not performed the entire album live in years.

Jun 2 2013

Spock’s Beard: Brief Nocturnes and Dreamless Sleep

Spock’s Beard was one of the few accessible prog bands that brought a reaction of, “wow, that’s really different!” I was a fan as soon as I heard The Light for the first time back in the 90s. When Neal Morse left the band after the Snow album, I unable to retain the same level of interest though it was still quality work. Now the Beard returns for mark 3, with new vocalist Ted Leonard (formerly of Enchant) and drummer Jimmy Keegan replacing Nick D’Virgilio. So far, I like what I hear. Many of the signature sounds remain, but there is a bit more of a sweeping, epic tone to the arrangements. Also kudos for offering 96k/24 bit audio on the Bandcamp site.

May 14 2013

Nightwish – Once

Finland’s Nightwish is certainly one of the more influential (and imitated) symphonic metal bands. When it falls short, this style of music can be sterile and self-important. On the other hand, it can be downright stirring, as I discovered when I first heard Once almost ten years ago now. I approach Nightwish the way I do a big blockbuster movie. If I’m not too critical, I can be swept away.

May 5 2013

Session 606

This is an obscure find submitted from the Recommend link above.

Started by Anthony Masington in 2005, Session 606 was a collection of acoustic demos waiting to see the light of day. In 2009 Anthony joined a band called Mours with drummer Josh Eppard of Coheed and Cambria and became a live guitarist for his hip-hop project Weerd Science. The 606 project came to with Josh Eppard on drums in early full band demos, and later in 2011 with drummer Bryan Mills. Session 606 pushes on in 2013 as a fully solo effort.

I do hear some Coheed and Cambria influences here, along with a modern sound tagged as “progrtonica” on the bandcamp site.

Apr 28 2013

Lifesigns – Self-Titled

Here is a press release that was submitted on behalf of Lifesigns, a new release that’s getting a lot of attention.

London, UK – Esoteric Recordings are pleased to announce the latest release on new front-line label, Esoteric Antenna, dedicated to new releases by both new acts and established artists. Lifesign’s eponymous release has the hallmarks of being one of the finest progressive rock albums of 2013! Making the album even more impressive is the guest appearances from such respected figures in progressive music as Steve Hackett, Thijs Van Leer (focus), Jakko Jakszyk (King Crimson), and Robin Boult (John Young Band).

Lifesigns features John Young (keyboards, lead vocals), Nick Beggs (bassist, Chapman Stick player, backing vocals) and Frosty Beedle (drums). The material reflects the excellence of the musicians who perform on the album. John Young is a classically trained composer, keyboardist and vocalist, who has worked with the likes of Asia, the Strawbs, Greenslade, Fish, Uli Jon Roth and his own John Young Band. He also tours with Bonnie Tyler. Bassist/Stick player Nick Beggs was the founding member of 80s group Kajagoogoo and has worked with artists like Alphaville, Belinda Carlise, John Paul Jones, Gary Numan, Steve Hackett, Steve Howe, Tina Turner and many others. He is currently on tour with Steven Wilson. Drummer Frosty Beedle has worked with the likes of the Cutting Crew, Sarah Brightman, Russell Watson and Zucchero.

Here’s what the press have been raving about Lifesign’s debut album:

“’Lifesigns’ is a tremendous listening experience… It’s extremely well written, the playing is superbly engaging, tones are tweaked to perfection, and the vocals are just amazing!” – Tony Conley, Rock Guitar Daily

“This is a stunning example of when Prog gets it right!” – Music-News.com

“These fine musicians have created quite their own ‘voice’, a fresh new leaf on the solid old progtree and what a leaf!!” – Prog Planet

“There have been precious few modern British bands making albums on the same level as the classic symphonic bands, you know, the ones who invented progressive rock. Which makes Lifesigns a nearly a national treasure. You’ll hear similarities to Peter Gabriel, YES, Genesis, National Health, Happy The Man, Bruford, and a couple others we’re overlooking, but it doesn’t sound retro or derivative. We don’t often write ‘must have’ but there, we’ve done it!” – Kenesis

Working with engineer Steve Rispin (Asia, Uriah Heep, Dave Kilminster, Snakecharmer), ‘Lifesigns’ is a tuneful, innovative and hugely impressive debut album certain to appeal to those who appreciate the finer aspects of modern Progressive Rock.

To purchase Lifesigns -’Lifesigns’ CD: http://www.cherryred.co.uk/shopexd.asp?id=3965

For more information: http://www.lifesigns.me
http://www.esotericrecordings.com