Sunday 13 September 2015

TPA CD Review: King Crimson - The Elements 2015 Tour Box

King Crimson - The Elements 2015 Tour Box

You can read the full TPA Review here

...Over 140 minutes, this really is a stunning listen from start to finish, the familiar mixed with alternative versions and new material, all presented in sound of the highest clarity. All of the various eras of the band are represented and the choices made for inclusion are fully vindicated by the quality of the material. The rarities included are fascinating and the integration of the current band throughout the set is very well done indeed with the bonus of one of the new pieces that is now in the live set.

Clearly aimed at the hardened fan there will also be much to enjoy for the uninitiated listener but there are certainly easier ways to start ones devotion at the altar of the King. Once the current run of touring is completed you’ll still be able to pick up a copy from various outlets and I can’t recommend it highly enough if you have any interest in alternative goings on within the KC universe.

Saturday 12 September 2015

TPA CD Review: Agent Fresco - Destrier

Agent Fresco - Destrier

You can read the full TPA Review here

...Agent Fresco combine a keen pop sensibility with alternative sounds from art rock, metal and math-rock which makes their music both accessible and complex. I’d not come upon them before but Destrier is their third album and it has certainly sparked my interest to seek out the other two. As reference points the likes of Mew, A-Ha, Opeth and Leprous come to mind to a greater or lesser extent and, no doubt a result of their Icelandic heritage, there also seems to be a touch of Björk swirling about. All this makes for an enigmatic and unexpected listen, a collision of styles that really shouldn’t go together but are realised supremely well, dense when it needs to be, sparse and cold elsewhere but always an emotional ride.

Sunday 6 September 2015

TPA Live Review: King Crimson, St. David's Hall, Cardiff - 3rd September 2015

King Crimson - 3rd September 2015

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



[Image of King Crimson in rehearsal courtesy of Sid Smith/DGM]

And then there’s Robert Fripp. Whenever I’ve seen him play previously I just couldn’t take my eyes off him, the minimalist, precise movements almost hypnotic, but here he was producing sounds of cathartic anger and otherworldly uniqueness as the Crimson King requires. The guitarists guitarist, Fripp seems to be “including” himself more than for many years, almost impervious to emotion but cracking a small smile now and again. There’s no real reason for him to be doing this at the age of 69, I can’t imagine how demanding it all is to take this band somewhere new once again, but here he is, the only things moving his eyes and his hands. From being shrouded in the shadows in 2000, he has emerged and is clearly enjoying himself within the music he has created and to finally see him play some of these things – Epitaph, Sailor’s Tale, Schizoid Man, The Court of the Crimson King, Starless – was a dream that I never believed could come true. The dexterity in his playing, the sustain, the wonderful choices. A complete honour to watch such an enigmatic master craftsman and unique talent at work. At the end the house lights were put on so the band could connect with the audience. Fripp stood at his position and slowly scanned every part of the hall as the storm of applause washed over the band, as if thanking everyone individually for their attention. No emotion, no acknowledgement, simply an almost one-to-one thank you and a look of quiet satisfaction.

And then they were gone.

No interaction during the performance, no words from the stage, no movement to speak of. Nothing more than a captivating performance that completely absorbed me from start to finish.

All afternoon I’d been suffering the beginnings of a migraine which got worse immediately before the show. By the end of the show I was completely cured and bouncing up and down like an idiot, fully energised and ready to go again. Proof positive that King Crimson is a miraculous cure-all that should be available on prescription. Much better than paracetamol!

God bless you Mr Fripp for the cure and also for your vision and fortitude in allowing this miraculous event to happen.

Monday 31 August 2015

TPA CD Review: echolyn - i heard you listening

echolyn - i heard you listening

You can read the full TPA Review here

...As intensely interesting as anything they have released previously but, like their last album, showing a more subtle sophistication, the older references are now absent with the corruscating imagination of As The World (one of my favourites by anyone) now developed through time into an idiosyncratic style of songwriting that is an engrossing experience. This is not prog for prog’s sake, the songs take on a unique vision based on the personalities and interactions of the players involved.

i heard you listening is a great modern prog album that even towers above triumphs like echolyn’s 2012 release, the kind of collection that in a better world would be a crossover success and open the band up to a wider audience. As it is we lucky few get to bask in its glory. A long time after they originally came together echolyn are in the midst of a rich vein of form that you’d be foolish to ignore. An essential purchase for anyone who values true talent and a spankingly good song.

Saturday 29 August 2015

TPA CD Review: The Bob Lazar Story - Self-Loathing Joe EP

The Bob Lazar Story - Self-Loathing Joe EP

You can read the full TPA Review here

...So what do you get for your 20 minutes? An endearing and wildly entertaining slice of Different is what. Bookended by the tracks Harmonics and Scinomrah, the eagle-eyed amongst you will notice the cunning relationship between these two titles, again indicative of both the mind at work and how the pieces sound. The biggest mystery however, and a question that still needs answering, is why one is a second shorter than the other. Matt?

This conundrum aside we’ve still got another 19 and a half minutes left, so what do we get from that? Five fully formed pieces making a tasty cake of dribbly madness, odd sounds and sparkling intricacy, all Deacon/Jago co-writes. The enigmatic cover image both nails it and strays as far away as humanly possible from giving us the full picture, which is quite a trick in itself. If I can return to the Bandcamp page for a moment where it is said:-

“Self-Loathing Joe is the 5th release from The Bob Lazar Story. It sounds like two small bands having a fight on some stairs.”

So there you go. Brilliant.

TPA CD Review: Karda Estra - The Seas and the Stars EP

Karda Estra - The Seas and the Stars EP

You can read the full TPA Review here

...Given the premise you’d be forgiven for expecting epic but The Seas and the Stars is certainly not all cataclysmic end of everythingness. Wileman has constructed a suite that looks at the event as a somewhat detached observer rather than someone wrapped up in the whole thing, as if watching it all happen in microcosm within the confines of a bell jar. This is unimaginable force on a finite scale with intricacy, beauty and detail taking the place of bewildering destruction. Let’s face it, the event would be a wonderful thing to watch as a spectacle if you could remove yourself from thoughts of those consumed within but Wileman has managed to imbue the scene with an emotional touch that makes the experience all the more human.

TPA CD Review: Ciro Manna - XY

Ciro Manna - XY

You can read the full TPA Review here

...Surrounding himself with quality sideman has done Ciro no harm at all on this release and having them aboard underlines the esteem with which he is held by his fellow musicians. He would certainly shine in whatever setting and this set of hard-edged pieces with jazzy elements here and there should appeal to anyone with an open mind for high quality guitar instrumentals that don’t venture down the treacherous road marked “pastiche”.

The quality is undeniable and the skills on show testament to the ability of Ciro Manna, not just in his playing but in the writing too. Well worth a listen.

Wednesday 19 August 2015

TPA Live Review: Big Big Train, Kings Place, London - 14th Aug 2015

Big Big Train - Kings Place, London - 14th August 2015

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



So there it was. A brilliant evening that exceeded expectations in many ways and was a quite extraordinary event of fun and friendship. A huge thanks to the band for managing to pull it off so spectacularly well and to the audience for making for such a wonderfully supportive atmosphere. These are songs that deserve to be heard and it was an honour to be present for their first public airing on stage. In venues such as this with the necessary attention to detail in the delivery it all works fantastically well. A superb evening.

Monday 17 August 2015

TPA CD Review: Trey Gunn - The Waters, They Are Rising

Trey Gunn - The Waters, They Are Rising

You can read the full TPA Review here

...This is hypnotically beautiful music that you can really lose yourself in. Emotionally resonant and as deep as the flood waters it sets out to portray this is not and should never be regarded as background music, the variety of the material blending throughout with the watery theme.



19.8.2015 - A lovely comment about my review from Trey Gunn on his Facebook page:-

"Fantastic review of 'The Waters, They Are Rising' recordings. Probably the best one yet. It is incredibly satisfying when someone (especially a reviewer):
1. actually eats the food
2. tastes the food
3. digests the food
4. contemplates the experience
5. revisits it again"

Thursday 13 August 2015

TPA CD Review: Umphrey's McGee - The London Session

Umphrey's McGee - The London Session

You can read the full TPA Review here

...The London Session is a very enjoyable listen that demonstrates the quality and skills to be found under the UM banner. It doesn’t venture far from highly melodic and catchy but there are flashes of anarchy and otherworldliness to be had during the longer tracks. Certainly worthy of investigation.

Saturday 1 August 2015

TPA CD Review: Godsticks - Emergence

Godsticks - Emergence

You can read the full TPA Review here

...It would be fantastic and completely justified if Emergence were to see Godsticks make a breakthrough, maybe with a slightly different audience given the added heaviness of this release. The more metallic elements will no doubt put off some listeners but that is a shame as this is not a prog metal album. It uses some of the same mindset and dynamics but with a quite breathtaking melodic capability, the heaviness and power additional colours in the palette that Godsticks use to fine effect. Personally, while metal does not have the appeal for me that it once did I thoroughly enjoy the heavy moments and Godsticks have developed it into their sound with a skill that certainly benefits their writing. It isn't all ‘smack the listener over the head as hard as possible’, the melodic delivery remaining central to what Godsticks are out to achieve.

The music is not an immediately easy listen but once you acclimatise you’re in for one hell of a ride with stellar musicianship built into a captivating set of songs. Nothing short of brilliant.

Friday 24 July 2015

TPA CD Review: Montresor - Entelechy

Montresor - Entelechy

You can read the full TPA Review here

...Entelechy is the kind of release that should make people sit up and take notice. I’d not heard of Montresor before this release and gave it a punt. I’m glad I did and maybe you will too. With the full album available on Bandcamp there’s no reason not to try it out.

Tuesday 21 July 2015

TPA CD Reviews: Jan - July 2015

Ozric Tentacles - Technicians of the Sacred

You can read the full TPA Review here

...There are times when only the music of Ozric Tentacles will do. The cleansing properties and positive waves are like a tonic and so there’ll always be a warm and fluffy place for them within my listening habits. And they’re a blast live, go and see them.


Vennart - The Demon Joke

You can read the full TPA Review here

...The feel is often quite bare and stripped back, padded out by a fuzziness to the guitars, layering and deftly deployed keys within which MV conjures up his killer hooks. He is also adept at keeping what surrounds them interesting and compelling. The band create a tight and controlled sound, less epic than Oceansize but capable of offering expansiveness within lean songs. There are no fiddly extended instrumental workouts, these are songs plain and simple, an album of short sharp shocks that benefits from the brevity to give expansiveness without undue length. Fans of Mike Vennart are sure to love this and hopefully there’ll be a few more of those around after hearing this one.


William D. Drake - Revere Reach

You can read the full TPA Review here

...Like a series of country walks through time and space Revere Reach is a joy to the senses, an album of plaintive melodies and organic sounds that will continue to delight and surprise. Drake is not only one hell of a pianist who knows what makes a great song but he also has the balls to stick to his own way of doing things. The results are quite spectacular. An alternative world of pastoral delights.


Sky - Sky 3 / Sky 4: Forthcoming / Sky Five Live / Cadmium / The Great Balloon Race / Mozart

You can read the full TPA Review here

...Sky were a fine bunch of musicians, successfully assembled from disparate areas, who produced many fantastic moments over a recording career that crammed in a great deal despite probably going on slightly longer than it needed to. That said, all of the albums have something to commend them. The skill and attention to detail in the remastering and repackaging, the additions from Sid Smith (based around interviews with Herbie Flowers and Tristan Fry) and additional extra tracks and DVDs certainly make these Esoteric releases the definitive editions and a fine reminder of what a great band Sky were. These albums are not simply an exercise in nostalgia and well worth your attention.


The Aristocrats – Tres Caballeros

You can read the full TPA Review here

...Tres Caballeros is extraordinary. In fact, almost every single note is extraordinary. Individually these guys are astonishing, together this is the stuff of dreams and with all three being so far beyond the competition that they’re practically out of sight there are no stand out performances – they all stand out! God bless them every one and if you have the opportunity to see them this year and are even thinking of not going then you’d better be dead. Or in jail.


Glass Hammer – The Breaking of the World

You can read the full TPA Review here

...If none of the influences existed this would no doubt be seen as a work of genius. However they do and some listeners are sure to baulk at all the references and similarities to familiar music and bands. Glass Hammer wear their influences all too visibly on their sleeves, and that’s fine whilst being slightly annoying as there is talent and ingenuity here in abundance and I’d love to hear it all come together to produce something truly groundbreaking and unexpected. Some days nostalgia fuelled sounds suit me down to the ground – the quality of the music here is certainly a huge plus – but at other times I just need something new and less derivative. This is a listen of two halves that, for me, depends on my mood. There is in no way anything terrible here, no skippers and nothing that should never have seen the light of day but the volume of references make The Breaking of the World rather unbalanced.


The Nerve Institute – Fictions

You can read the full TPA Review here

...Mike Judge is to be applauded for going down his own route and producing such an idiosyncratic release that, like the first album, just ticks all of the boxes for me. Excellent stuff and a massive ‘well done’ from me Mike! Not for everyone but give it a listen, you may well like it and hopefully it will also drag you in, like the proverbial bridge-dwelling troll.


Anekdoten – Until All The Ghosts Are Gone

You can read the full TPA Review here

...With the words of Jan Erik Liljeström and music of Niklas Barker, all of the band play a collective blinder and should be hugely congratulated. They deserve to have legions of “We’re not worthy!” audients lying prostrate at their feet. The world being what it is though they’ll probably have to make do with a few pats on the back plus some very warm handshakes and garbled words of thanks from we happy few...Human music for humans, creatures of emotion, rage, fear and exhilaration. This may all come across as the wide-eyed rantings of a serious fanboy but it isn’t meant to be. Until All The Ghosts Are Gone has really touched my soul, much more than I ever thought it would. Isn’t it great when a band you really love completely delivers?


The Tangent – A Spark In The Aether: The Music That Died Alone, Volume II

You can read the full TPA Review here

...This is a wonderfully organic recording that has once again reinvented The Tangent. The playing throughout is, as you’d expect, top notch and this is certainly an album to immerse yourself in. As a band – and I’ve said this before! – I hope they stay together and see where they can take things next. The Tangent has always been a hell of a journey – sometimes frustrating but always fascinating – and they’re back on top form with this one, doing what they do best whilst spicing things up with the unexpected.


The Samurai of Prog – The Imperial Hotel

You can read the full TPA Review here

...The Imperial Hotel is a quite beautifully crafted work that deserves to be heard more widely. Some of the passages are simply breathtaking and the title track is a wonderfully conceived extended work in the grand traditions of High Prog to which The Samurai have added their own stamp.


Mabel Greer’s Toyshop – New Way of Life

You can read the full TPA Review here

...Overall New Way of Life succeeds in its attempt to deliver a “vibrant, energised and occasionally otherworldly sound”, an eclectic mix of old and new. Something of a curio (maybe they should have renamed the project as ‘Mabel Greer’s Old Curiosity Shop’?!) it is certainly a worthwhile if not essential release that finally gives something concrete to support the MGT legacy.


Karda Estra – Strange Relations

You can read the full TPA Review here

...Albums of this beauty and depth are rare. No doubt it will be surprising and revealing itself to ardent fans for years to come and hopefully Richard Wileman has now been convinced that his recent brief retirement was an unnecessary blip!


Kalle Vilpuu – Silver Lining

You can read the full TPA Review here

...Kalle Vilpuu is comfortable enough in his skin to do his own thing and defy preconceptions or expectations. Energy and vitality pervades all of the pieces on Silver Lining and I really can’t recommend it enough, an album at times beautiful and fragile, at others hard and edgy but always interesting and entertaining. Well worth your time.


Saul Blease – Daybreak

You can read the full TPA Review here

...Daybreak is an entertaining listen from a young man who will hopefully get the opportunity to fully blossom and show us what he can do, perhaps leading a band capable of doing justice to his ideas and playing to his strengths next time.


The Aristocrats – Culture Clash Live!

You can read the full TPA Review here

...All in all a great release that keeps fun at the forefront and makes me smile a lot. Excellent work and here’s to more of the same in 2015 and beyond.

Saturday 3 January 2015

TPA Live Reviews Sep to Dec 2014

Lazuli / Moon Safari - The Globe, Cardiff - 27th November 2014

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



Lazuli is just so special and I urge everyone who is yet to be charmed by them to give them a listen. If the music industry wasn't so screwed up stadiums would beckon but for now those of us who have already discovered them get the opportunity to enjoy them at close quarters in tiny clubs. I know which I'd rather but I wouldn't begrudge them the success that they so richly deserve. A support slot with a major band would be great for them but I doubt anyone would be too keen to go on last after seeing what they are capable of; the intensity and depth of sound is almost overwhelming.

A superb evening and a huge thank you to the bands and all those involved in pulling it together. All this for £15? I'd call that a bargain. Hope you didn't miss it as who knows when it'll happen again.


Steve Hackett - St. David's Hall, Cardiff - 30th October 2014

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



A great night out and different enough from last year's show to make it a no brainer. I had considered giving this show a miss as it wasn't long since I'd seen the band. I'm glad I didn't. The changes to 50% of the set, the differences in presentation and the addition of Nick Beggs made it another stunning evening, complementary to the 2013 show rather than a re-run. Hopefully this isn't the last time that these songs get a show all to themselves.


Opeth - O2 Academy, Bristol - 10th October 2014

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



Where they go from here is anyone’s guess but Opeth have been on a roll for some years now and with this tour they appear to be completely reinvigorated, reclaiming the whole of their catalogue in a way that other bands that have taken the stylistic leap of faith have failed to do. There is much here for both the metal head and the prog enthusiast to enjoy so hopefully the audience for this magnificent band will continue to increase as they astound us further in the future.


Summer's End Festival 2014 - Chepstow - 26th to 28th September 2014

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



Featuring: Argos, Colourflow, Curved Air, DeeExpus, Frequency Drift, Guy Manning, Lifesigns, Magenta, Matt Stevens, Neo Deals, New Trolls, Saul Blease, Summer's End Festival, The United Progressive Fraternity, Tin Spirits, Tom Slatter, Touchstone, Unto Us, Verbal Delirium.

Summer’s End is a very special festival for an awful lot of people. It has real heart and all those involved in putting it on every year do so because they really care about the music. There is always a really good vibe and everyone present enjoys each others company, as well as the wonderful sounds made by all the musicians, whether familiar or not. Prog being prog, there are as many opinions on the bands as there are people in attendance, but that's fine, and the beauty of Summer's End is that more often that not the bands selected to play are a revelation. For that reason you can happily take the ones that aren't to your taste in your stride and I for one am more than happy to let Huw and Lambsie decide if a band is worth listening to, I’ll still turn up whoever it is as the event now transcends the line-up.

CD Reviews Sep to Dec 2014

Sky - Sky / Sky 2

You can read the full TPA Review here

...As instrumental albums go these two show what can be achieved; dazzling musicianship brought to bear on original material and reinterpreted covers that underline what an important group Sky were. These remastered Esoteric reissues, with Sid Smith's as always excellent liner notes drawn from an interview with Tristan Fry to add a first hand account, sound superb and are well worth acquiring to reacquaint yourself or hear afresh the wonderful music produced by this unexpected confluence of talents.

Emmett Elvin - Bloody Marvels

You can read the full TPA Review here

...It has taken me far too long to write this review. Initially I just couldn't figure out where to start, there was just too much going on at its own pace and for its own enjoyment, but as I've lived with Bloody Marvels the true skill and beauty has emerged and it has become a real treat to listen to, images conjured in the mind as the musical journey progresses. The images you see may be different to mine but I have no doubt that you will see something!

Luna Rossa - Secrets & Lies

You can read the full TPA Review here

...A lovely listening experience, this album comes highly recommended to anyone who enjoys songs of real quality performed by talented musicians who know what they are doing. The results are compelling.

iamthemorning - Belighted

You can read the full DPRP Review here

...This album is a joy, a complete pleasure from start to finish. It may take you a couple of spins to acclimatise to the expansion of the iamthemorning sound but this is no bad thing and is a sign that the music has legs: I just couldn't get a handle on it first time. Second time was a revelation. Third time I fell in love with it. This is simply a wonderfully composed and executed collection of songs and it doesn't matter what genre you want to slot it into. At the core it is the piano and vocals of Gleb and Marjana that hold the attention, the additional instrumentation just adding to what is already an extraordinarily appealing sound.

Kaipa - Sattyg

You can read the full TPA Review here

...Sattyg is simply wonderful throughout, a fascinating addition to the now extensive Kaipa catalogue. They really don’t put a foot wrong here in an exhilarating display of invention and musical celebration. If you've been previously smitten with the works of this brilliant band you know what to expect already. If you are not familiar then this would be a great place for you to start.

Opeth - Pale Communion

You can read the full TPA Review here

...Those hoping for a return to the old Opeth (are there really any people with genuine hope of that still around?) will unsurprisingly be disappointed. Anyone with an appreciation of the band’s previous work and an open mind will be enthralled. This is truly interesting and enjoyable music in the true progressive style that doesn't get anywhere near to prog metal territory. It roams around doing what it wants to do in whatever style suits whilst retaining an Opeth feel that is to be commended, staying true to itself while building on Heritage and pushing the boundaries just enough. There is nothing staid or re-heated about this release and as such the quality of the listening experience is testament to the hard work that has gone into its creation. This is uplifting music of real quality and surely that is what a progressive album is supposed to be.