Thursday 25 September 2014

TPA Interview: Tony Levin

An Interview with Tony Levin

[Click here to read the full interview at TheProgressiveAspect.net]

TPA Gig Review: Kate Bush - Before The Dawn, live in London

Kate Bush - Before The Dawn - Eventim Apollo, Hammersmith, London - 9th September 2014

[Click here to read the full review at TheProgressiveAspect.net]



At no point in the show was the sound balance anything less than perfection and the lighting and visuals just superb. Despite having watched transfixed by her every movement for the last three hours Kate Bush has successfully maintained an enigmatic facade whilst involving and engaging her audience with a warmth that was unexpected. Her vocal is beyond reproach, richer and with more depth than you might expect but more than up to the task of delivering these wonderful songs. She has involved the right people to produce a show that defies expectations. It may not be the populist crowd-pleaser but for true fans who love her and her work this show couldn't get any better. I don’t need to hear a carbon copy of Wuthering Heights or see her leaping around in a leotard any more. As an artist she has developed over the intervening three decades and is now comfortable enough to almost effortlessly produce a show of this magnitude. Amazing. I hope that one day she will revisit some of her older work in order to reimagine it from her current perspective. That would be a very different but no less fascinating show.

TPA Gig Review: Acid Mothers Temple and the Melting Paraiso UFO, Them Squirrels, Fist Of The First Man, His Naked Torso live in Cardiff

Acid Mothers Temple and the Melting Paraiso UFO / Them Squirrels / Fist Of The First Man / His Naked Torso - Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff - 29th August 2014

[Click here to read the full review at TheProgressiveAspect.net]



His Naked Torso
...certainly a name that conjures images but none that are likely to describe the music that the duo produce, unless the torso in question is bloodied and battered at the bottom of a particularly tricky staircase. Featuring guitar with drums and keys (often played concurrently by the drummer, both drumsticks in one hand) they make a semi-improvised and squally noise that is very entertaining. Tunes they don't have in abundance but they were certainly the most experimental band on the bill and some of the ideas are very good. With lashings of youthful energy behind the cathartic music they were well worth seeing.

Fist Of The First Man
...The guitars made a fine racket, speedy picking in unison a speciality, but the bass is what made it for me. I spent much of the set watching full pints of beer on the table next to me bounce merrily towards the edge and certain oblivion with each pounding bass note. There were times where I thought I might soil myself, the notes pitched perfectly to render bowel control useless, but fortunately I managed to retain a semblance of decency as the bass continued to rattle the ribcage and thump the gut in a most enjoyable way – this makes me sound like some kind of masochist but, honestly, it isn't like that... A great take on the noise genre delivered with style, confidence and plenty of variety within the ideas, Fist Of The First Men were probably my favourite non-Japanese band of the evening.

Them Squirrels
...as twinkling twin guitars and occasional violin made an impression, the sound often morphing from quaint melody into thrashing noise. There appears to be more Alt to this band than the others but another entertaining and energetic performance that was enthusiastically received by a now packed Clwb audience.

Acid Mothers Temple and the Melting Paraiso UFO
...Most of the set was solid in-yer-face Spacerock but they also worked through some Blues orientated pieces and some manifestly Japanese material including throat singing and recorder from bassist Atsushi. Throughout the mostly instrumental set were songs sung in I’m not sure what language but it didn't really matter anyway as most built gradually through repetitive mantras to deafening crescendos, from simple beginnings of pleasant phrases and melodies to howling cacophony and back, sometimes a number of times within each song. The control was extraordinary and the way the songs shifted gear took the breath away. At times, as noted, the intensity was such that I could see drummer Shimura Koji flailing away pounding his kit but couldn't actually hear what he played, the all-encompassing and visceral shitstorm around it rendering it indiscernible.

TPA CD Review: Levin Brothers - Levin Brothers

Levin Brothers - Levin Brothers

You can read the full TPA Review here

...The one cover on the album is King Crimson's Matte Kudasai and this is a truly lovely version of a track that will no doubt be familiar to most people reading this. Here it is recast with Tony's bass taking on the Belew vocal melody, a sweeping backdrop laid down on piano that lets the beauty of this piece shine anew. Pete steps up for a solo as the brothers switch roles as smoothly as if they’d been playing together for decades. Oh...

I like jazz but am certainly no expert, having started with fusion and made tentative forays into what it developed from, and don't have a real depth of knowledge on the genre as I haven't spent enough time listening to the originals from the period that this release celebrates but this recording could well open the door to that world. For any fan of quality music played with real enthusiasm and passion by truly skilled artists you can't ask for more and I'm really glad I've had the opportunity to review Levin Brothers.

TPA CD Review: Richard Pinhas & Yoshida Tatsuya - Welcome In The Void

Richard Pinhas & Yoshida Tatsuya - Welcome In The Void

You can read the full TPA Review here

...Welcome In the Void is the second album of Pinhas' 'Devolution Trilogy' which started with Desolation Row in 2013. As Pinhas explains:-

"It is about the historical-political effect of machines and neo-liberalism, and their attempts to put people back into slavery. It is a cry to revolt against slavery. The trilogy is concerned with the devolution of mankind, of civilization, capitalism's devolution, and mainly the devolution of human/biological faculties – and how all this is related to the rise of machines."

It's his album and it can mean whatever he wants it to but for me it is simply a fascinating work full of breathtaking and brilliant moments from both men. I often struggle with disc long electronica that meanders without any real point. This album is different. There is purpose and excitement to be had and the journey is quite ride.

Ever wondered what it would sound like if a million guitarists seemingly play what they like whilst an army of giants beat on oil tankers with tree stumps? Well now we know. And it's good.

TPA CD Review: The Bob Lazar Story - Ghost Of Foodstool

The Bob Lazar Story - Ghost Of Foodstool

You can read the full TPA Review here

...Predominantly a guitar/bass/drums trio with bits of keys thrown in, throughout this release the recording is excellent, Chris Jago’s drums being particularly noteworthy as the sound is beautifully delivered to give the tracks the required momentum and sparkle. There’s a cheeky grin and twinkle in the eye about everything in Matt’s catalogue and it makes me smile. You can’t say fairer than that.

There is only one thing wrong with Ghost Of Foodstool – it’s about half an hour too short. It’s a sort of EP but is gone before you know it which is a shame as this stuff warrants the longer format to really immerse yourself into. As a whole it is fragmented and scattershot but that is one of the strengths as it remains fresh as a listening experience, the quality of the work overcoming the miniscule running time. Full credit is due to Matt Deacon for the accomplishment on this one which is certainly a polishing and improvement from Space Roots. Here’s to the next full length release. Let’s try and get at least 40 minutes next time Matt, if it isn't too much trouble of course!!

Thursday 4 September 2014

TPA CD Review: Stars In Battledress - In Droplet Form

Stars In Battledress - In Droplet Form

You can read the full TPA Review here

...The way that phrases change and merge organically into new ideas without being overused keeps the shifting landscape intact. The listener cannot just sit back and tap their feet to this, concentration is required – if not demanded – to allow the music to truly speak to you. And make no mistake, it has plenty to say. The extended instrumental coda brings the minimalism and repetition of Erik Satie and Phillip Glass to mind and underlines the quality inherent within In Droplet Form, a striking conclusion to a wonderfully conceived album.

To sum up, In Droplet Form is an album for those who do not have a fixed idea of what prog needs to be. For listeners who pride eclectic above electric it is an intriguing experience that comes very highly recommended.

TPA CD Review: Homínido – Estirpe Lítica

Homínido – Estirpe Lítica

You can read the full TPA Review here

...Intensity and enthusiasm remains at the heart of the music. There is true energy and all of the performances are noteworthy yet not allowed to overshadow or take away from the importance of the songs as a whole. The almost angry parts are offset by the fragility of other elements to produce real depth; kick drums can hit you in the throat whilst the bass growls around but soon a violin part or soothing vocal will sail over the top to calm things down. The whole is beautifully rendered.

This is a fantastically satisfying collection of songs from a distant corner of the globe that deserves to be heard; these are quality musicians who have produced a quite brilliant listening experience. You can currently get copies of the CD directly from the band (bandahominido@gmail.com) or download it from their Bandcamp page where you can hear Estirpe Lítica in full.