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.