Sometime-World

I Have Sleepy Sun Fever!

2010-03-17T16:56:00.015+10:00

"Their first release on ATP records Embrace illuminated the golden path to Sleepy land—hard-riffing, delicate, dreamy and cultivated. The latest ATP release, Fever, is arrival at the palace the path promised."

Any regular reader(s) of this blog should be well familiar with this wonderful Californian group by now. They would also know just how much I personally love the band. I've told the story a few times already, but here it is again. I stumbled upon the band's debut 'Embrace' completely by chance, after learning of the bands working relationship with one of my other current favourites, Assemble Head in Sunburst Sound. In a desperate move to hold off and momentarily distract myself from my heightened anticipation & waiting of 2009's 'When Sweet Sleep Returned', I decided to pick up SS' 'Embrace'. Immediately, and i mean fucking INSTANTLY (as the wild drumming of 'New Age' kicked in) i was hooked. I must of played that record an even 50 times or more in the space of 2 or 3 months. It was an insane obsession that didn't let up, obviously.

I've been tracking the group for any news on the follow-up album over the last few months, and finally It's all starting to surface. Check out some of the descriptions and reviews I've found, hopefully they excite you as much as they do me. And finally, below are a few videos of the new tracks performed live by the band over the last year or so. I've listened to the youtube clips of 'Wild Machines' so many times the song hardly feels new to me. 'Marina' ain't bad either, that video of them playing it @ Primavera was incredible. The tribal breakdown at the end, and then when the jam kicks back in.. as well as Rachel's dancing haha, everything I love about the band right there. If pressed, I'd say those two are my favourite tunes from the band to date. I can't wait to hear how they sound from the studio-side, just another reason to be excited for record No. 2, 'Fever' - due out out 17th May (UK) & 6th June (US).

It's actually my birthday on the 4th of June, so i could very well have a nicely timed & tasty gift coming my way. This is going to be special folks!

The Band:
Myspace
Band Site
Blog
Twitter
Facebook

Other Links of Interest:
Stereogum - Track-list, Details + Mini Review & Tour Dates
ATP Recordings - Updated Sleepy Sun Bio
Uncut.co.uk - Very promising review!

David Axelrod - Song of Innocence [1968]

2010-03-17T11:10:00.007+10:00

What started out as a jazz/rock experiment throw-away, decades later reveals itself as a lost classic. Along with Miles' work at the time, this was a very early example of the sound that would later become Jazz Fusion. Producer, arranger, and engineer David Axelrod made his mark with Cannonball Adderley, Lou Rawls, and the Electric Prunes. Song of Innocence made critics turn their heads in its day, regarding it as a visionary curiosity piece; today it's simply a great, timeless work of pop art that continues to inspire over four decades after its initial release.

After forming a band with a couple of yer typical garage-rockers of the time, Axelrod signed with Capitol and this masterpiece was his very first release. An instrumental concerto based on the works of William Blake, 'Song of Innocence' is entirely unique: neither Rock, Jazz, Classical, nor Easy Listening, the album blends elements of all four into a richly layered whole. While this may sound like a potentially pretentious train-wreck waiting to happen, nothing could be further from the truth. This is simply one of the most unique musical efforts of the last several decades. Distorted guitars, funky bass lines and drums that were shockingly loud for 1968, blend with churchy organ and symphony-size orchestras on songs like 'Holy Thursday' and the epic closer 'The Mental Traveler.'

"Imagine if Brian Wilson had suddenly decided to turn SMILE into a prototype for Isaac Hayes's soundtrack to SHAFT, and you're halfway there."

Try It - Buy It

New Dead Meadow

2010-03-17T00:30:00.014+10:00

Check out one of the smokin' new songs from the band's latest effort, 'Three Kings' - dropping March 23. Epic Billy Ward-like drum fills, I fucking love it!

As great as the early Dead Meadow records are.. Personally I much prefer the tighter and more concise sound they introduced on the most recent 'Old Growth', and to a lesser extent, some of the sounds they were experimenting with on 2005's 'Feathers. If this new track is any indication, we're in for an even groovier Dead Meadow than ever before!

About the interesting 'Three Kings' Project:
"Feature-length Live movie with short vignettes (ala Led Zeppelin's Song Remains the Same) combined with the soundtrack of the movie in dual pack (both CD/DVD and LP/DVD). The performance captures the band at the height of the indie non-stop touring machine and gives fans the first official live album, almost a greatest hits worth of catalog. Also included is an ep's worth of new never-before heard material that gives a glimpse of a music career to come."

Gösta Berlings Saga - Detta Har Hänt [2009]

2010-03-12T12:34:00.006+10:00

This one comes as per the request of Anonymous Dave. (how's that for a sweet title?)

Yet another well-hidden gem from the country top-filled with Progressive Rock goodness, of course I'm speaking of Sweden. Three Years after GBS' first heralded release ('Tid Är Ljud') comes this, their sophomore effort. For those who don't know GBS, their sound "ranges from full-blown epic soundscapes via dissonant darkness to minimalistic powerful grooves without compromising when it comes to the strong melodies the band is known for". Strong quote eh? Accurate too.

A slight line-up change in the space between the times, as original guitarist Mathias Danielsson left the band, replaced by Einar Baldursson. Boy can this new guy really play! He has a real Fripp-inspired (Frippsired?) style of playing, often in a rather subtle manner but also in frantic yet sophisticated displays with layers of disharmonic, dissonant escapades. On a whole, this is just classic instrumental prog, awesomely produced and with a quirky RIO/Zeuhl flavour. While their influences are traceable, their sound is still very original and inspired.

To throw a few names out there, think Magma, Gentle Giant, Crimson, as well as modern day groups like Anekdoten & Anglagard. But really this is for most anyone with an interest in challenging, instrumental progressive rock. Recommended.

Try It - Buy It - Myspace

The Gun - The Gun [1968] (1989 Reissue)

2010-03-10T12:00:00.014+10:00

Back to it now! Here is one of my favourite ancients (or is it ancient favourites?). This is the debut album from the annoyingly-difficult-to-research band 'The Gun', a relatively obscure group from the U.K. (not to be confused with the other currently active 'Gun' from Scotland.) This one is special to me for a few reasons. Like many others I tracked it down for it's amazing cover art - another of Roger Dean's works, this being his first ever record project if i recall. I'm sure you wouldn't be alone in mistaking it for some mid-80s thrash metal album. It sure is a little darker than his popular later works, none the less, it's one of my favourites of his cover designs.

Little did i know just how incredible the album would actually be. It's a crushingly heavy rock/proto-metal sound (ala Sabbath/Leaf Hound/Iron Butterfly) mixed with a big-time brass backing and the occasionally typical flower-power-like melody (ala moments of 'Love - Forever Changes'). Recorded at just the right time blending both of these incredible sounds, like you could only do in '68. The band's one and only hit 'Race with the Devil' opens the record like a punch in the nose and immediately you know what you're in for. Is this "the" original metal album?

A lost gem for fans of the power trio format, check it out.

Try It - Buy It..Tell Me Where?!

Top #25 of 2009

2010-03-04T10:56:00.028+10:00

Hey folks! I'm back again after sitting out for quite a while. No real reason to my absence in particular, just mainly capped internet from time to time. I did manage to watch all 5 seasons of "The Wire" 3 or 4 times through in the last six months though.. quite an accomplishment eh? So let's put the blame of my absence on that excellent TV show. I have so many new amazing albums I'd like to put in your ear, so hopefully I'll start uploading again regularly soon.

In the mean time I thought I'd share my favourites of the year that's gone. I've already jerked around with my initial list (as seen on my last.fm page), I think I'll finally leave it as is for now. Please, feel free to comment on my list, or list some of your own favourites.

#25:
Serpent Throne
"The Battle of Old Crow"

#24:
Shrinebuilder
"Shrinebuilder"

#23:
Gösta Berlings Saga
"Detta Har Hänt"

#22:
Quest for Fire
"Quest for Fire"

#21:
Black Bonzo
"Guillotine Drama"

#20:
Greater California
"All The Colors"

#19:
Hopewell
"Good Good Desperation"

#18:
Black Math Horseman
"Wyllt"

#17:
Mouse on the Keys
"An Anxious Object"

#16:
Kings of Convenience
"Declaration of Dependence"

#15:
Truckfighters
"Mania"

#14:
A.A. Bondy
"When the Devil's Loose"

#13:
Stardeath and White Dwarfs
"The Birth"

#12:
Foreign Born
"Person To Person"

#11:
Balmorhea
"All Is Wild, All Is Silent"

#10:
Imaad Wasif
"The Voidist"

#09:
Alice in Chains
"Black Gives Way To Blue"

#08:
Grizzly Bear
"Veckatimest"

#07:
The Flaming Lips
"Embryonic"

#06:
Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros
"Up From Below"

#05:
The Decemberists
"The Hazards of Love"

#04:
Ancestors
"Of Sound Mind"

#03:
Assemble Head in Sunburst Sound
"When Sweet Sleep Returned"

#02:
Sleepy Sun
"Embrace"

#01:
Sholi
"Sholi"

-----
A few 2010 albums I'm enjoying at the moment:

Shearwater - The Golden Archipelago
Race Horses - Goodbye Falkenberg
Priestess - Prior To the Fire
Portugal. The Man - American Ghetto
Motorpsycho - Heavy Metal Fruit
Midlake - The Courage of Others
Kaki King - Junior
Jaga Jazzist - One-Armed Bandit
Fictionist - Lasting Echo
Citay - Dream Get Together
Beach House - Teen Dream
Balmorhea - Constellations
Asteroid - II

It's already shaping up to be another fantastic year!

Assemble Head in Sleepy Sun!

2009-11-30T11:08:00.006+10:00

Two of my favourite bands touring and hanging out together, sounds like good times! Can't wait to hear the next Sleepy Sun album. If i remember correctly they've mentioned that it's already complete. They're sitting on it while "Embrace" continues to buzz about, waiting for the right time to drop the new one i guess. Hoping for an early 2010 release myself, but who knows! I don't even know the name of my favourite SS song, what's up with that? Can't wait to hear this beast properly recorded in studio.

http://www.myspace.com/sleepysun
http://www.myspace.com/theassembleheadinsunburst

Earthless - Jull [Fuel TV]

2009-11-29T12:53:00.002+10:00

Ane Brun + Nina Kinert = Big Time Swoonage

2009-11-11T23:45:00.003+10:00

Imaad Wasif

2009-10-23T12:18:00.006+10:00

With thanks to my fully blown Tee Pee obsession i was lead to this amazing fello'. I've come to trust the label on music without hesitating or need for further research. Such is the case with the latest Imaad Wasif album. Hardly comparable to any other on the label roster at this moment, Imaad Wasif is more straight-forward rock with dashes of folk.. and the occasional acid-rock freakout (this is Tee Pee after all.)

Blown away as i was with 'The Voidist', i decided to check out his previous 2 albums - each very different from the other. The self titled was a suprise to me, with it's dark and folky atmosphere conjuring up images of Elliott Smith's sparse and haunting compositions. It's good stuff and if anything it displays the versatility of this promising musician. So i pushed forward and checked out his second album, 'Strange Hexes', backed by his band 'Two Part Beast'. Another right turn taken, this one was flat out rockin'. Thick and loud guitar tones painted all over bring to mind the sounds of a modern day Crazy Horse, if there were such a thing. It's rough, it's loud, it's rusty, it's sloppy, and it's totally fucking awesome. These songs could (and do) work very well in an acoustic setting as well, which is just a testament to the music i guess.

Which brings me to the latest release, 'The Voidist', released on Tee Pee Records earlier this month - This is most probably his strongest release to date. It's a really solid medium point balancing out the two previous albums, with some of his best quieter moments, as well as some of his rockiest. It's a great, great album and one of my favourites of the year.

Even though i dropped a few big names, just try give it a spin without being overly comparative. It's good stuff i think. Will be tracking him in the future. Enjoy.

Imaad Wasif - Imaad Wasif [2005]
Try It - Buy It

Imaad Wasif - Strange Hexes [2008]
Try It - Buy It

Imaad Wasif - The Voidist [2009]
Try It - Buy It

Rise of the Schizoids!

2009-10-19T19:54:00.000+10:00

Recently Purchased: 06/10/09

2009-10-06T17:00:00.003+10:00

Assemble Head - When Sweet Sleep Returned
Assemble Head - Ekranoplan
Sleepy Sun - Embrace
Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros - Up From Below
Rory Gallagher - Rory Gallagher
King Crimson - Islands
Nick Drake - Five Leaves Left

Ordered these from Amazon last week and they shipped all the way over to my Australia in just 4 or 5 nights. Finally got myself copies of both Assemble Head albums, as well as Sleepy Sun's awesome debut. Scored Rory Gallagher's eponymous debut for $6.00, as well as Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zero's 09' album for just under $10.00. The others were all pretty decently priced, and it's all stuff i've been meaning to snap up at one point or another. Happy with this.

Updates soon!

Marcus.

Strange Waves [A Psychedelicompilation] [SludgeSwamp Exclusive]

2009-09-28T18:30:00.009+10:00

Sorry for the lack of posts (again) folks.. but i've returned with something special for you! You all should be familiar with the mighty SludgeSwamp blog? Over the years i have discovered a hell of a lot of good tunes over that way. The regular fan base is pretty incredible, and the staff are always free for a chat. It's a really rewarding blog to frequent, that's fo' sho. Anyway, i couldn't help but notice they are now taking Reader Compilations for the Fall, and thought to myself what better way to begin giving back to their community than mixing my very own.

Here I've compiled a great mix of psych, post-rock, prog and doom, and mixed them in a unique way, editing track segueing and playing around with layers etc. I think you guys will really dig the diversity and how it all flows along nicely. This is basically my soundtrack while browsing the NASA picture of the day archive: (http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/archivepix.html) It's a really sweet place to kill some time and read up on all the incredible cosmic fuckery, while listening to the appropriate tunes of course. In turn, my cover designs were influenced by these images, hope you folks dig. Keep watching the skies! ;)

Link: http://sludgeswamp.blogspot.com/2009/09/freak-out.html
Alternative: http://sharebee.com/a2f6038d

Richard Wright - Wet Dream [1978]

2009-08-30T13:00:00.004+10:00

At this point obviously Richard needs no introduction, we're coming up to 1 year since his passing. Thinking on that got me listening to this amazing album again recently. I'm not usually one for over-comparisons but 'Wet Dream' certainly ranks high amongst the other solo member's own albums. Out of all of them it probably demonstrates the most accurate display of that good old "Floydian style", if there is such a thing.

The album is richly laden in deep textures of prog and jazz, and it's all spaced out so beautifully. Kind of a strange thing to say, but i think some of the direction that went into creating the score for the video game Super Mario Galaxy was based on Rick's playing, and perhaps some stuff from this record. Just a feelin', ya know! Besides Rick and his amazing-as-ever performance here, Mel Collins is on fire! Some of his best work i've heard. Snowy White chips in on both acoustic and electric guitars (the man behind the rare Pigs On The Wing solo) and does a fantastic job.

If you're a fan of the band or 'Dark Side' in particular, you should already have this. It's really amazing to learn just how much of Rick's style and direction contributed to the Floyd sound we all love. This record, trunk-filled with emotions is very telling of this. R.I.P.

Try It - Buy It

Sometime World & The Melting Paraiso U.F.O.

2009-08-26T20:07:00.005+10:00

Strange picture eh? Let me explain. Two or three times a year we get these bush fires throughout the hills surrounding our humble abode. Decided to snap some pictures of them while playing around with a few exposure and flash settings. Whatever that 'thing' is, it was invisible to the naked eye. Only did i discover it upon uploading the images to my pc. I'm pretty sure it was a bug that flew past my frame, 300mm or so away from my lens. Whatever that path line behind it is.. really sells it. Pretty cool isn't it? i actually have the President on hold while i fudge up this post. If the government want to sit on this at least my faithful readers will know!

So what else is new? Have not posted in a few weeks, coming soon. Black Bonzo released a teaser video for their upcoming album "Guillotine Drama", due out September 19th. Can't wait for that one! Elsewhere, i really hadn't ever heard anything from the Arctic Monkeys. Decided to give their new record a spin and was pleasantly surprised. Josh Homme produces, and boy.. is it obvious! Also been frequently playing the new Imaad Wasif album, amazing folk/psych rock. Label? Tee Pee, of course. And lastly, Rory Gallagher's debut album is so damn good. Had it heavily in the rotation last few weeks. A true classic!

That's all for now, i better go check on that fire before i burn up.

- Marcus

Assemble Head in Sleepy Sun! cont.

2009-08-10T12:47:00.007+10:00

Try It - Myspace

Try It - Buy It - Myspace

A week or so ago i mentioned the September tour Sleepy Sun & Assemble Head are about to set off on. Figured what better way to fire some of you up who might be deciding to go, than with these sweet live recordings from each band. I can't see either of them stepping foot over here in my native Australia any time soon, so sadly i gotta make do with this for now.

The Assemble Head here is an unofficial recording of their set at Roadburn last year. The quality sounds great, as they work through material spreading from all 3 albums. I quickly dodged up this horrible cover, using a photograph taken from the performance and a shitty res image of their band logo (feel free to dispose of it at your own will). These guys rock!

The Sleepy Sun iTunes Exclusive recording is most excellent. It has only been available from the iTunes store so i got myself a copy. They work through some 'Embrace' material, extended and even adding a new song ('Mating Season') to the end of 'New Age'. If you need a reason to get this, it's their amazing cover of Fleetwood's 'The Chain'. The harmonica used towards the end of 'White Dove' here sounds so much more powerful than on record, really really cool!

Enjoy. Go see them if you can!

Ancestors - Of Sound Mind [2009] [Review]

2009-08-06T12:29:00.013+10:00

Over the last few months I have briefly conversed with band guitarist Justin Maranga through blog comments and the odd email with regards to the band's first release, and this, their sophomore release - due out October the 6th on Tee Pee Records. Judging from his opinion and my own excitement, i had huge expectations for this record. I was lucky enough to score a full preview the other night.

I really enjoyed 'Neptune' last year. It was so different from everything else i'd heard at the time. I came into this one expecting to be surprised and certainly was. For starters the riffs are just as gigantic as Neptune, but we knew they would be! This time around they have tightened it all up.. adding and including all different sounds, dimensions and themes to keep it fresh. Structure wise, there are 4 monster tracks - each clocking in at around 15 minutes give or take - and a series of short and contrasting interludes.

The opening track 'From Nothing' is the shortest on the album and is filled with all kinds of bizarre fidgety sounds, as if the band were preparing to deliver the collective wallop you know is on it's way. It leads into the doomy beginning of 'Mother Animal', which after 3 minutes of slow thunder turns into a short funky desert-like groove you can't help but smile and nod along with. The song builds and builds with momentum. You think you're at the peak of it and bam! Things eventually simmer down as the vocals re-appear, returning us to the stable gravity pull we know - if only for a moment! The bass and percussion keep it driving slow and doomy throughout, while the mesmerizing guitar and haunting organ paint all over the open canvas.

'Not The Last Return' is the first of two short and great piano pieces, letting your ears adjust. You can be sure another ass-kicking is waiting for you in a few moments. 'Bounty of Age' is currently streaming on the Tee Pee site, check it. The bluesy guitar playing in the middle parts is absolutely breath taking. It actually kinda reminds me of something from Neil Young's 'On the Beach' album, one of my favourites. Again the organ is just pushing the entire thing along from the background, it seems to be a common theme throughout the record and works very well. 'A Friend' is a new and interesting dimension to the band, making use of electronics and synthesizers, sounding like a lost part to Jean Michel Jarre's 'Oxygene'.

It leads in to arguably the greatest song the band has created to date, 'The Trial'. The moment i heard the guitar come in i was amazed, the tones are just so damn powerful and majestic. This is clearly Justin's time to shine and he does as it slowly burns along. It's truly incredibly how these guys can turn the most sonically beautiful sound into such an evil, menacing beast. Such is the case as the song dips down into uncharted darkness, at which point Sera Timms of label-mates Black Math Horseman enters. I've been obsessed with their own album since it's release, and needless to say the Ancestors setting suits her to a tee! Never mind the fact i can't understand a word she says, she possesses one of the most distraught and powerful voices i have heard in a damn long while. She seems to be buried a little low in the mix, granted she still sounds great.. perhaps just a little quiet. I'm sure this was the sound they were going for though, and therefor is but only a minor quibble.

'Challenging', much like 'Not The Last Return' sees the return of the lonely piano as it's chord patterns pulsate throughout the quieter track - this time accompanied by some lovely acoustic guitar playing, which was a pleasant surprise. It serves as a great intro to stylistically, the most straight-forward of the longer pieces. Consider it the melodic ending to the insane trip, the rockin' journey back to our home planet! It moves quick, stays just long enough and kicks a great portion of ass before slowly coming to a close. This really sounds like all that 70's hard rock influence just gushing out. An outstanding closing to an outstanding album.

You can really tell the production has been amped up a few notches here. I absolutely love the keys spread all over this album, the bluesy guitar solo's are very tasty as well. Every track was firing on all cylinders, but if i had to I'd say 'The Trial' definitely blew me away the most. It's not very often you get that stunned in amazement feeling that this song left me with. Running in at just over an hour usually pushes it for me, but i still didn't want this one to end. I can tell i'll be revisiting it over and over again.

Be sure to pick this one up when it drops. Album of the year material for sure.

Tee Pee Records
Ancestors Myspace

Terje Rypdal - Whenever I Seem To Be Far Away [1974]

2009-08-04T12:08:00.003+10:00

Terje Rypdal is a marvelous, fluid guitar player, who manages to sound natural in every setting in which he appears. On this one we get a few radically different styles throughout. First up it's heavy and fuzzed, technically weaving in and out very sparingly and tastfully. Towards the end of the album though is some full-flight Gilmour-like playing, complete with the backing of the Sudfunk Symphony Orchestra.

Pete Knutsen (Electric keyboards and Mellotron) is amazing on this record, reminding me of Ian McDonald.. as if he had come straight out of 'In The Court'. Odd Ulleberg on the French horn also blows a whole lot of awesome! I'm not really familiar with these backing guys but i'm interested in seeking out some of their other works after hearing this.

It's an interesting mix of free jazz and the jazz fusion flavour of the time. The use of Mellotron gives it a unique European symphonic-proggy kinda sound, progressive jazz? I don't know.. tags are stupid but this is great, check it out.

Try It - Buy It

Sky Delights Over Sweden

2009-08-04T10:30:00.003+10:00

Hi-Res

"This night was a sky enthusiast's delight. Many a cosmic wonder was captured with a single snapshot. They are described here from near to far. In the foreground are nearby trees and more distant snow covered mountains. In silhouette, Clouds can be seen just above the horizon, and a careful eye can even discern the more distant green and red auroras which occur in Earth's upper atmosphere. Red emission nebulas dot the sky, including the Heart and Soul Nebulas, IC 1396 and the North America Nebula.

Running diagonally from the upper left to the lower right is the majestic glowing band of our Milky Way Galaxy's central plane.. More distant than everything else, appearing as it did over two million years ago, is the Andromeda galaxy, visible above the horizon toward on the lower left."

Titan - A Raining Sun of Light & Love, For You & You & You [2007]

2009-08-02T23:43:00.005+10:00

So we now have the incredible NASA astronomy images (seen below) to kill some time, now all we need is a suiting soundtrack to explore the cosmos! This excellent Tee Pee release will do the job just fine. I'll just put this right on out there for you. If you're a fan of the big-time, grandiose, space rock epics.. the extended track lengths, big ass bass, big ass riffs and one hell of an atmosphere then A Raining Sun of Light & Love.. is for you, & you, and yes.. even you! However if by some off chance this ain't your kinda thing.. drop it and walk away now. Come to think of it, what the f*** are you even doing here?

Serious, we're talking the big-time space rock influences here. Hawkwind obviously come to mind first, perhaps even mixed with a little bit of krautrocker's Can. The pounding bass and guitar is reminiscent of some of the desert scene stuff, which is certainly a plus! The production is a little bit murky throughout which might limit repeated listens.. but i guess it's just another one of those ass-kicking, brain-melting records you throw on at that perfect moment.

Another solid Tee Pee gem. These guys have been quiet for a few years now.. heres hoping some new material surfaces sooner rather than later.

Try It - Buy It - Myspace

Horsehead and Orion Nebulae

2009-08-02T13:19:00.006+10:00

Hi-Res

"Adrift 1,500 light-years away in one of the night sky's most recognizable constellations, the glowing Orion Nebula and the dark Horsehead Nebula are contrasting cosmic vistas. They appear in opposite corners of this stunning mosaic taken with a digital camera attached to a small telescope. The magnificent emission region, the Orion Nebula (aka M42), lies at the upper right of the picture.

Immediately to its left is a prominent bluish reflection nebula sometimes called the Running Man. The Horsehead nebula appears as a dark cloud, a small silhouette notched against the long red glow at the lower left. Alnitak is the easternmost star in Orion's belt and is seen as the brightest star to the left of the Horsehead. Below Alnitak is the Flame Nebula, with clouds of bright emission and dramatic dark dust lanes. Pervasive tendrils of glowing hydrogen gas are easily traced throughout the region in this deep field image of the same region."

Behind the Sun - Behind the Sun [2009] [Preview]

2009-08-01T11:30:00.005+10:00

First of all.. it's an interesting story, an unusual path of discovery for me. You see in the middle of all this blogger copyright nonsense it's nice to see some bands are still willing to turn to blogger to advertise their craft. If you regularly visit my blog you may recognize a few comments by a poster named Aaron Lieber, who i'm told has been a regular visitor here for years now. One afternoon a few months back Aaron sent me a link to his bands myspace page and i really dug a few of their tracks. Their sound really took me back to the Alternative 90s. I heard spices of AIC and Pearl Jam mostly, but the more i listened i started hearing some amazing guitar work in the style of Opeth's Mikael Åkerfeldt. Hell, Kyuss even come to mind in parts on the track "Running Water".

Don't get it twisted though, these Israelis have a sound that is still very much their own. The music and lyrics speak of their personal trials and tribulations living in their own heavenly but harsh land, says their myspace. It's heavy, electric, tube driven riffing, blended with progressive styles and sensibilities and their own skeptical, cynical, but in the end positive philosophy as written word and amplified sound.

Granted i looked through every blog i could for a download link, ultimately i found nothing. Since Aaron had been a regular visitor, and generally a nice enough dude to discuss music with, i decided to buy his band's album through Amazon. I gotta say i'm very happy i did so. The album kicks ass, and the entire situation has been very rewarding.

It's with Aaron Lieber's permission of course, i give to you the first half (6 songs) of the band's debut album. To be honest i actually enjoy the second half of the album, particularly the beatiful instrumental piece "October '77". Just another reason for you to purchase this scorcher! If you are into some of the bands i mentioned.. do Aaron and Behind the Sun the ultimate favour by picking this one up from Amazon, and even turning it onto a friend you know who might enjoy it.

Consider me a fan, can't wait to see what these guys do next!

Try It - Buy It - Myspace

Assemble Head in Sleepy Sun!

2009-07-30T22:23:00.002+10:00

Two of the finest bands to emerge from the 21st century San Francisco psychedelic renaissance—Assemble Head In Sunburst Sound and Sleepy Sun—will join forces this September for a three-week, coast-to-coast freakout. The tour, which officially kicks off in Providence, Rhode Island on September 17, will cover 17 dates in New England, Canada, and the Midwest before winding up October 4 in Portland, Oregon. Both bands will also play dates in New York City in the days leading up to the tour kickoff.

The cross-country caravan unites the two bands in performance for the first time outside of California. But they have already joined forces for several epic throwdowns in Northern California—including an upcoming July 31 Big Sur date with Dead Meadow—and worked together in the studio, with Bret Constantino and Evan Reiss of Sleepy Sun lending harmony vocals on the latest Assemble Head release When Sweet Sleep Returned. Heaven knows what mayhem will unfold on this road ramble.

Assemble Head in Sunburst Sound’s third LP—and second on Tee Pee Records—When Sweet Sleep Returned, has garnered its share of raves. And the new album finds the band moving outward from its foundation as a garage-and-Floyd-inflected heavy psych combo into sunnier, celestial, and soulful territory that conjures ghosts of Spiritualized and the Byrds while serving up molten slabs of wrecking ball, White Light scuzz n’ roll. And in performance, the band ranges from high-energy fuzz thuggery to delicate reveries peppered with flute, 12-string guitar, and boy-girl harmonies.

Tee Pee Records
Sleepy Sun - Embrace
Assemble Head - When Sweet Sleep Returned

Mouse on the Keys - An Anxious Object [2009]

2009-07-29T09:05:00.004+10:00

Once every few days i get in supreme blog trawl mode. One of my regular stop offs is TheSirensSound, which more times than not offers up something fresh for my liking. Last year some time i discovered Mouse on the Keys' Sezession EP and was instantly hooked. "An Anxious Object" has been one of the albums i've had my eye on for a while, big expectations. They've stepped it up even another notch here! The drumming throughout is phenomenal, but i knew that coming in. The second half of the album in particular is mind blowing. The funky 'Double Bind' has one of my favourite beats in a long long time. The drumming + bass here is just awesome. The next track 'Soil' cruises along at a nice pace before unleashing an absolutely incredible extended sax solo, the definitive highlight of the album for me.

One of the sleeper albums of the year for sure. It won't quite be top 5 material for me, but it will be up there somewhere. If you dig some of the other jazzy Japanese post-rock bands like Toe, this is for you.

Try It - Buy It - Myspace

Dave Liebman - Lookout Farm [1973]

2009-07-29T08:46:00.006+10:00

John Abercrombie is quickly becoming one of my favourite guitarists. Thus, i have been interested in hearing some of his other work splattered throughout the ECM catalogue. While on my hunt, i stumbled apon this little gem. Liebman himself, being new to me, blew me away with his beautiful saxa-ma-phone playing. On these three extended tribal themed jams, his playing is sparse, but very melodic. The tribal percussion is absolutely incredible. We got congas, bongos, tablas, tambourines and cowbells belting along into a wild fury! Particularly in the second track where they kick it into one hell of a funky jam, as Abercrombie takes the front and opens right up.

This is a wonderful record, another ECM gem.

Try It - Buy It

Will-o-the Wisp - A Gift For Your Dreams [2007]

2009-07-24T13:00:00.004+10:00

This was one of my favourites of 2007. New and old fans of Prog will find something to enjoy here, be it the classic song structures, or the superb modern day production. For such a relatively unknown group they have a remarkably mature and rich sound.

For those who may recall, i featured their instrumental track 'Serpent's Kiss' on my StW Mix 1.0 a year or two ago. That was a great example of what the band has to offer. Needless to say if you enjoyed that, check this out! Some of my favourite flute playing on any record to date. Not a lot is known of them but just trust me on this one, it's great! Enjoy. Let me know what you think.

Try It

Keith Jarrett & Jack DeJohnette - Ruta And Daitya [1973]

2009-07-24T12:52:00.004+10:00

This limited, overlooked, and incredibly rare album was recorded in early 1971 while both were playing with Miles Davis. Keith Jarrett and Jack DeJohnette created this set of seven pieces in a largely improvised context. These were Jarrett's last explorations with electric keyboards but though he was soon to become a staunch pro-acoustic advocate, his work here is inventive and bracing.

While not all electric (Jarrett plays standard piano, as well as bamboo flute), there's a wonderful funkiness to be heard. Elsewhere--such as on the title track--the gospel inclinations that would be a core element in his later pieces can be heard. DeJohnette's broad percussion palette foreshadows his own future work, which drew upon varied world musics. This set is varied and delightful--a hidden chapter in both men's discographies.

Try It - Buy It

Citay - Citay [2006]

2009-07-23T11:32:00.003+10:00

Citay's debut album has been spinning madly through my regular rotation lately. While it may be the middle of Winter over here in Australia, Citay unleash the feeling of the finest summer you could ever dream of. This was but another one of the fine San Fran' groups i discovered on the same bill as bands like Sleepy Sun, Assemble Head, etc. Don't get it twisted though, Citay's debut is a whole different animal to those mentioned. Gone is all the Fuzz, gone is all the heavy. Think the epic acoustic side of Zeppelin, maybe something from Zep III.

The sound is rounded out by the Byrds/Beach Boys-like vocal harmony, adding a blissed-out flavor to the blend, and the result is something entirely refreshing. Throw in some lovely flute-work, lush guitar leads and a pair of out of whack bongos - you're in for some pleasant summer listening, regardless of the actual season. Enjoy!

Try It - But It - Myspace

Supersonic Man!

2009-07-21T17:38:00.004+10:00

At last, some new music from the mighty Black Bonzo! Their new album has had a few set-backs, but word has it we will see a release late August/early September. I have but the highest expectations for it, can't wait! Enjoy Supersonic Man!

Recently Purchased

2009-07-07T14:01:00.005+10:00

A few of the goodies i picked up recently via cdwow australia & amazon.

Mad Season - Above
Black Mountain - In The Future
Organized Konfusion - Stress: The Extinction Agenda
Camel - The Snow Goose
Eloy - Dawn
Wishbone Ash - Argus
Negative Zone - s/t
Captain Beyond - s/t
Behind The Sun - s/t
Sholi - s/t
Dead Meadow - Old Growth
Graveyard - s/t
Ancestors - Neptune With Fire
Witch - s/t
Earthless - Rhythms From a Cosmic Sky

I'm pretty happy with this, all up about $230AU incl postage. Considering i can't find majority of this in my local stores, as well as the fact that if i could they'd be charging $30 each... i'd say this was a big time bargain. Behind The Sun was a complete impulse buy, after band member Aaron linked me to their myspace page. Really impressed with them. A little AIC, a little PJ and some of the lighter side of Opeth thrown in for good measure. Needless to say, the rest is all good stuff.

Updates soon.

Marcus.

Ancestors New Album, Out October 6th!

2009-07-02T19:18:00.006+10:00

At last, an update on one of my most anticipated releases of the year! The folks in the Ancestors camp recently had this to say:

"Ancestors have announced they will release the follow up their critically acclaimed debut album "Neptune With Fire" on October 6th. The brand new album will be titled "Of Sound Mind".

Recorded, mixed and mastered at Infra Sonic Sound by Pete Lyman, known for his diverse work with Mars Volta, Qui and No Age. Ancestors, including contributions by notable Los Angeles artists David Scott Stone (Melvins, Unwound, Slug), Sera Timms (Black Math Horsemen) and cellist Ramiro Zapata have created an album truly Of Sound Mind; a refreshing and aptly named experience of incredible proportions.

Lyrically and thematically, Of Sound Mind contemplates the quandaries of human psychology and its effect on and within the development of modern society. Although essentially conceptual in nature, the record is a blatant transition from the allegorical and mythological framework of their debut Neptune With Fire. The 8 part, 1-hour plus album lends meaning, while actively seeking answers, much like the work of Camus or Thoreau. Without absolution or authority, Ancestors insight a thought crusade with meaningful intent.

ANCESTORS - OF SOUND MIND Tracklisting
1. From Nothing
2. Mother Animal
3. Not The Last Return
4. Bounty Of Age
5. Friend
6. The Trial
7. Challenging
8. The Ambrose Law"

If that wasn't enough to get excited about, the band's very own guitarist, Justin, left a comment with regards to their new stuff a little while back:

"Hey, I play in Ancestors. Just wanted to say thanks for the kind words. Glad people dig the record. Keep your eyes peeled because we're going into the studio in 3 weeks to record our follow-up and if you ask me it's sooooo much better than Neptune. Anyway, the new album will be out in October, so spread the word!"

Cheers for the comment and visit Justin! One-upping Neptune sounds like a tough feet, and would be awesome. I'm sure you guys are up to it! I wonder if Arik Roper will be involved again. Can't wait to get my hands on this one!

Check them out: Tee Pee Records - Myspace

Astra - The Weirding [2009]

2009-07-02T17:28:00.004+10:00

Vintage space/prog-rock fans rejoice! Astra's debut record is an excellent throw-back to the wonderful time that was. The moment i seen the Arik Roper designed artwork i immediately knew what i was in for.

To lead you into what lies ahead, the opening track is five minutes of pure build-up. Spacey flutes simmer over some ridiculously rockin' Hawkwind-like guitar exploration. Like i said, build-up. It segues into argueably the absolute highlight of the album, the title track. It is in these next 15 minutes you really get a sense of what this band has to offer. First up is the 'Echoes' like vocal harmonies, as well as the melodic guitar work. Up until this point it all sounds like an early Floyd epic, that is however until the KC-like Mellotron, Brass & Sax take over and blow you the fuck away. Hell, throw in some early Iommi-like riffs in for good measure. The other high point for me is the short psych-folk piece, 'Broken Glass', making use of some nice acoustic Mediterranean-like guitar, which serves a great contrast to the rest of the ear-raping awesomeness.

If you're a fan of all the bands who did this kind of thing back in the day, you will really get a kick out of it. The production is a little dodgy, but i'm sure they've locked into this retro kind of sound and production on purpose. One can only wonder what this might of sounded like had it taken advantage of all the modern day crystal clear production techniques. Having said that, it most certainly kicks ass! I wouldn't have it any other way.

Try It - Buy It - Myspace

Sumner Mckane - Two If By Sea [2006]

2009-06-29T22:46:00.008+10:00

.. And I'm back again. Decided i would share one of my favourite hidden gems with you folks today. Sumner McKane, the incredibly talented guitarist/composer from Maine has very quietly put together an outstanding body of work over the years, which sadly will probably never receive the attention it truly deserves. His way of playing draws influence from various kinds of Country & Jazz, but he really has his own unique thing going on that i absolutely love!

It's kind of odd to say, but if i had to use a non-musical term to describe Mckane's music it would simply be "home". From the very first moment you hear his amazing chord progressions and layered guitar melodies you immediately feel that "homing" sense of nostalgia throughout. Does that even make sense or am i talking complete shit? Either way, it's incredibly powerful, and very relaxing. Each sound has been very carefully put together by McKane himself, hell he plays every instrument present except the bass.

The production is another one of the selling points here. The effect and reverb pedals are used sparingly, but always tastefully throughout the entire record and add to the wonderful ambience. Over-lapping the fine finger-picking guitar work is the various sounds of bells, waves gently crashing on the rocks and all kinds of things McKane himself likes to describe as "Ambient Americana".

It may take a few listens to sink in but once that lovely nostalgic pull has you, it will draw you in every time!

Try it - Buy it - Myspace

Update + Video

2009-05-24T22:03:00.008+10:00

What's happening bloggers!

First and foremost, i apologise for my recent absence. Unfortunately i have really been riding my download/upload cap lately and it has limited my uploading. Excuses aside, i guess it's a testament to my ridiculous laziness. Anyway, my cap should role over soon and i'll get back to updating on a more regular basis. The last couple of months i have really been digging that Sleepy Sun album. Due to various label switches and re-releases, i'm not sure if it counts as an 08 or 09 release... either way, it is easily one of my top 2 or 3 albums of the last 2 years! Some other stuff i have really been playing the hell out of is Nebula, made up of ex-Fu Manchu members. Their 1999 debut album is incredible!

Check out this rockin' Sleepy Sun video, playing what seems to be a new track live. I can only hope this one is on the next record, cause it sounds amazing!

The Assemble Head In Sunburst Sound - When Sweet Sleep Returned [2009]

2009-04-09T19:07:00.011+10:00

And it's finally here! Let me tell you, i was really amped to hear this for the first time and it certainly didn't dissapoint! It couldn't have come at a better time also, as i am going away over the Australian Easter weekend (April 10-13) and will give it plenty of time to sink in while i'm relaxing on the beautiful Lake Tinaroo.

If you're looking to compare it to 'Ekranoplan', you will first notice that it generally seems to be a whole lot more relaxed and spacey. Dare i say, it's "groovier". However don't let that fool you, there is still a whole lot of jam going on. This slight change in direction only adds to the awesome palette of sound that is The Assemble Head!

Right from the opening "Two Stage Rocket" you are smacked in the face with a deliciously funkified riff, starting things off on the best of notes. If you checked out that 'Sleepy Sun' album you will be interested to know that they actually add vocals on "Two Birds" here, and it is nothing short of spectacular. The entire record just breezes through unknowingly and beautifully. If i had to pinpoint a few highlights in particular i would mention "The Slumbering Ones" for it's powerfully ethereal vocal harmonies, "By The Rippling Green" for it's amazing guitar work and violin appearance. As well as the rocking "Clive & The Lyre", which is the most like anything on the previous album.

Just another fine addition to the ever-increasing Tee Pee Records catalogue. As i said, i'll be away for a few days but will be back to post soon enough. Feel free to support the label and pick up some of these killer albums i have touched on: Online Tee Pee Store

Try It - Buy It - Myspace

Sleepy Sun - Embrace [2008]

2009-04-05T17:57:00.004+10:00

First of all, this fantastic album is not on the Tee Pee label, nor is the band all together. I thought i would post it anyhow seeing as through Tee Pee and The Assemble Head in particular, i discovered their wonderful music. Just another reason i am itching to get my hands on the new Assemble Head is that these guys contributed on one of the new tracks titled "Two Birds".

Sleepy Sun is an apt title for this young San Francisco sextet, as their debut record, “Embrace”, is one of those rare slabs of rock and roll that will wake you up in the morning, and send you off to sleep at night. After honing their craft in the occult influenced creative community of Santa Cruz, the band has continued to grow, both creatively and in their loyal following, since their relocation to the city by the bay. With their throbbing rhythm section, swirling sea of guitars, and dreamy, haunting duet vocals, the word dynamic is a severe understatement.

Though the press is quick to rifle off a laundry list of rock’s greatest ghosts to describe their sound, one live show is all you need to know Sleepy Sun have stumbled upon something very much their own. Having performed their raw, high-energy show on stages shared with acts such as Howlin’ Rain, Earth, Dead Meadow, and Citay, they are quickly establishing themselves as a very tough act to follow. Fans at shows are known for shouting the band’s battle cry, “Let’s get weird”. If the group continues down their rapid road to success, things are about to get very weird indeed.

Enjoy!

Link removed as per request [ATP Recordings]
This is an excellent band folks, check them out here:
http://www.atpfestival.com
http://www.myspace.com/sleepysun

Witch - Witch [2006]

2009-04-04T16:55:00.002+10:00

The group Witch was born from a marriage of apparently contradictory influences. J Mascis of Dinosaur Jr. renown and his long time friend Dave Sweetapple were interested in forming a hard rock band. They found willing and able conspirators in Kyle Thomas and Asa Irons, members New England avant-folk outfit Feathers. On their eponymous debut album, this line-up mounts a mighty sonic tumult that harkens back to classic heavy metal sound of early 70's outfits while still sounding modern in it's assault.

In Witch, Mascis returns to his first love, drums, playing with an unbridled passion that recalls his work with Deep Wound, his early 80's hardcore band. Meanwhile, Kyle sings and writes the group's supernatural-oriented lyrics, exploring the juxtapositions between age and youth, the paradox of meeting yourself, and the dilemma of falling asleep on a mountaintop and waking up a hundred years year. Asa weaves a dense texture of rhythm and lead guitar lines that ebb and flow over the basic monolithic, trundling riff-rock song structure. Dave adds additional weight to Witch's sound with massive, crunching bass lines, returning this his instrument of choice when he played in Newfoundland punk bands back in the early 80s.

Witch headed into the studio and recorded their debut album for Tee Pee Records with engineer John Agnello, immediately following an extensive Dinosaur Jr. reunion tour this past Summer. Agnello had already recorded Dinosaur Jr., J Mascis + The Fog, Early Man, Son Volt and Screaming Trees to name a few.

Link: http://sharebee.com/0ffc91a4

Weird Owl - Ever The Silver Cord Be Loosed [2009]

2009-04-03T11:40:00.003+10:00

Weird Owl is a Brooklyn band that resides in the heaviness inherent in the convergence of imagination, poetry and sound. First formed in 2004 and through its odd mutations involving changes in approach and personnel, Weird Owl has arrived at the present day in its most solid and powerful formation yet. Weird Owl has crafted a sonic mindscape inspired by legendary acts such as the 13th Floor Elevators and Crazy Horse that states its relevance to modern-day masters Black Mountain, Dead Meadow and the Black Angels.

In its first release for Tee Pee Records, entitled Ever the Silver Cord Be Loosed, Weird Owl has gathered together a tour de force of its peculiar craft--hypnotic slithering guitar lines, the strange breathiness of cosmic synths, a dash of the punishing heaviness of the riff--all contained within phantasmagoric song structures and expressed with the language of a true visionary experience.

Link: http://sharebee.com/d4ad3211

Graveyard - Graveyard [2008]

2009-04-01T15:20:00.000+10:00

One listen to the self-titled debut from Sweden's Graveyard and you swear that this thing was recorded in 1971. Psychedelic, often times bluesy yet heavy guitar riffs, enchanting atmosphere, swirling drum patterns, and hazy vocals, all permeate this wildly seductive hard rock album. Think Cream, Black Sabbath, Blue Cheer, The Doors, Pentagram, Grand Funk Railroad, or newer acts like Witchcraft, Gentleman's Pistols, and Danzig.

Produced by Don Ahlsterberg, who did a fantastic job of really honing in on a classic vibe here, Graveyard just drips with psychedelic menace from start to finish, and everything from the guitar riffs to the vocals is so retro 70's that you gotta love it.

The people of tomorroooow, are the children of todaaaay! Obvious, and awesome.

Link: http://sharebee.com/4fe96e8c

Ancestors - Neptune With Fire [2008]

2009-04-01T13:30:00.004+10:00

What better way to rattle off some Tee Pee with Ancestors' debut album 'Neptune With Fire'. These guys came out of nowhere and eventually started making noise after signing with the label. However it seems it wasn't until they started gigging with the heavyweight label-mates (Earthless, Witch etc.) that they suddenly exploded. Take the magic of that delicious 70's spacey psyche sound, throw in some mammoth 90's stoner/doom riffage, ala Kyuss. Add in some Gilmour solo work (circa 'Atom Heart Mother') and wrap it all up with some superb modern day production.

The album consists of just two songs-- "Orcus' Avarice" is over 16 minutes, the title track is more than 20-- and both serve as launching pads for extended jams. It's the kind of lumbering meganess that easily turns on a dime. So by the time the drums have reeled in, and the guitars ascend into outer-space, it's hard to recall the tumult that came only moments before. Ancestors, able to do more than whip up a simple fervor, spend just enough time inspecting the same guitar scale and a slippery blues bassline that gradually builds to climax.

Their debut LP, Neptune With Fire — a conceptual, two track record with a title track that tells of a metaphorical character and his cosmic, psychological ordeal through war, celebration, remorse and revelation — was released in August 2008. Artwork for the record was delivered by psychedelic visionary Arik Roper, the artist behind such record covers as Sleep's Dopesmoker, and Earth's The Bee Made Honey in the Lion's Skull.

Can't wait to see what these guys do next.

Link: http://sharebee.com/5ac39e20

Tee Pee Week!

2009-03-31T18:26:00.004+10:00

We are down to about a week before The Assemble Head in Sunburst Sound release their highly anticipated sophomore album 'When Sweet Sleep Returned'. Although i have every intention of buying it, i find myself searching for an advanced leak almost every few hours.. with no results whatsoever. I know the review copy is floating around, maybe they have done an extra special job keeping it under wraps? Or maybe they still are just so criminally unknown that nobody gives a shit.

Either way, i have been trying to fill the void with all already-existing material on The Assemble Head's record label, Tee Pee Records. Needless to say, it's all fantastic. Thus, I thought i would spend this entire week only posting Tee Pee and Tee Pee associated bands for you folks. At the end of this time the new Assemble Head should drop, i will dance, and i'll pop it up here for you!

Now, where to begin..

http://www.teepeerecords.com/
http://www.myspace.com/teepeerecord

Assemble Head In Sunburst Sound, Fuck Yeah!

2009-03-29T17:41:00.013+10:00

Over the last few weeks, and even more so the last few nights, i have found myself itching for The Assemble Head's new record due to drop on the 7th of April. I absolutely adore this band, and to keep everyone at bay (including myself) i thought i would post this amazing video of the guys working out a few sections from 'Ekranoplan'. Check the song switch at 2:10ish.

Wheres the leak at?

Greater California - All The Colors [2009]

2009-03-29T14:42:00.003+10:00

I'm back with another uncovered 2009 gem that will probably be one of my favourites come years end. Hailing from the burghs of Long Beach, the band Greater California bring us a whole new distinct sound on their third album 'All The Colors'. It's a summertime landscape likened to the works of Brian Wilson, the Zombies, Harry Nilsson, the Velvet Underground and the Byrds, full of jangly 12-string guitars, rich vocal harmonies, a big bag of percussion, vibraphones and marimbas, a stray trumpet, and the ever inviting sounds of the hammond organ and wurlitzer electric piano.

On board as Producer is none other than Ikey Owens (The Mars Volta, Crystal Antlers.) Also included is an impressive list of guest musicians, most notably percussion genius Steven Hodges of Tom Waits. The new LP is a fixation of growing up from the stories told and listened to along the way, whether through the hills and valleys seen from past road trips or under the soft lights of a coastal downtown; 'All the Colors' can certainly usher in something to smile about.

My current favourite midnight album.

Link: http://sharebee.com/6168a863

Larry Coryell - Spaces [1970]

2009-03-27T12:54:00.004+10:00

Much like the Joe Farrell post the other week and perhaps even more so with this one, all i have to do is mention those involved and it should sell. We're talking Coryell, McLaughlin, Corea, Vitous and Cobham.

In fact, fuck it. Nothing more needs being said.

Absolutely phenomenal, enjoy!

Link: http://sharebee.com/8f82d26e

Gathiens - Nesh [2009]

2009-03-26T16:50:00.003+10:00

I recently discovered this little gem and have been playing it over and over lately. Probably one of my favourite newly discovered artists of the year thus far. Like i have discussed in previous post-rock related posts, it is a dangerous genre. While there are a handful of amazing groups, the genre is ultimately weighed down with a lot of crap. Such is not the case here though.

Originally intended as just a private release for friends and family, Gathiens‘ debut album was written way back in between the spring of 2005 and the summer of 2006, with the majority of it recorded over one weekend down by the beach. After being allowed to gather dust for quite some time, it has finally been brushed off and 2009 sees it receive the proper worldwide release that it so clearly deserves. It is an album that has been lovingly slotted piece by piece into place, like some kind of magnificent sonic jigsaw.

I enjoyed this very much, and if anything it is a little too short. I am itching to hear some new stuff from the band, and rumour has it that it won't be long so keep an eye out. This is one hell of an appetizer!

Link: http://sharebee.com/431735f1

Pamela Wyn Shannon - Courting Autumn [2007]

2009-03-11T09:39:00.005+10:00

This is the first of a series of four seasonal themed records by the lovely Pamela Wyn Shannon. It's that kind of melancholic folk that breathes with the musky scent of its Irish setting and influences, among them the likes of Nick Drake and Pentangle. Massachusetts-based musician, Pamela Wyn Shannon’s inventive and intricate guitar work has been described as “a tiny chamber orchestra working in unison at the end of her hands.” She has walked with the legends of British and Irish folk music, garnering respect and admiration wherever she goes.

The songs on this album have an elliptical quality which creates its own time frame, rules, and kingdoms, reminiscent of that magic found in UK ’60s psyche-folk artifacts. She recorded it largely on her own throughout New England and has created a rustic almanac of autumnal songs burnished with a melancholy mood, wistful vocals, delicate hand-spun guitar playing, weather-worn and windswept by plaintive string and recorder arrangements.

If you're a fan of Drake, Pentangle, Magna Carta or any of that wonderful early folk/psyche-folk, give this one a go!

Link: Removed as per Request
Purchase: http://www.cdbaby.com/pwshannon2

Wobbler - Afterglow [2009]

2009-03-09T09:15:00.006+10:00

Here's a special treat for all you classic prog fans. Wobbler formed at the end of the 20th Century in the land of Norway, made up of members from White Willow & Jagga Jazzist to name a few. "Afterglow" is the self released and self-financed sophomore album from the band. It includes their two (legendary) demos re-recorded, a track that they were working on at the time of their debut "Hinterland" but never completed and two other older, unrecorded tracks as well.

Although the album only clocks in at 35 minutes, you can expect a few long and complex tracks featuring lush, vintage keyboard sounds, extensive use of the mellotron, mini-moog, hammond C-3 and harpsichord, beautiful electric and acoustic guitar playing, complex rhythm sections, flutes, recorders, saxophones, mandolins and various other instruments providing a very tasty symphonic sound.

"Hinterland" was one of my favourites of 2005 and this is an excellent follow up effort. Think Genesis, think Gentle Giant, think Yes, think PFM, think Gryphon. Along with newer symphonic prog bands like Anglagard and Anekdoten as well as some Scandinavian folk and classical influences thrown into the mix, and there you have the awesome Norwegian five piece, known as Wobbler.

Link: Link Removed By Request
Purchase: termo.myshopify.com - theomegaorder.com - lasercd.com

Larry Coryell & The Eleventh House - Level One [1975]

2009-03-09T07:35:00.002+10:00

This is one of my favourite Jazz Fusion recordings, by one of my favourite Jazz Fusion groups. Imagine a cross between Ian Carr's Nucleus and early Mahavishnu and this is what you get. Coryell found his Jan Hammer- esque counterpart in amazing blind keyboardist Mike Mandel and Alphonse Mouzon is as close to a Cobham-style drummer as it is possible to find. Mike Lawrence on trumpet is just as electric and maybe even spacier than Jerry Goodman. His style mirrors that of Miles Davis during that period. Likewise bandleader Coryell really pushed the limits of both his playing and composing with this band configuration and subsequent release.

However, the individual who deserves special merit, and really propels this intensely awesome record in a super-mahavishnu way is unheralded-til-now bassist John Lee. His raucous thundering pushes Larry's sound in a very satisfying way, and Coryell's power here is a direct result of John's pulsing support. This is not Funk in any way, though this record has a certain funkiness to it, and that is mostly Lee's doing.

Every song stands strong with repeated listenings. The album is actually entitled Level One, but if you ask me this is one of the highest levels of fusion attainable. This is a must-have for any fan of furious fusion.

Link: http://sharebee.com/cf979655
Previous Album: Introducing The Eleventh House [1974]

Dead Meadow - Feathers [2005]

2009-03-05T11:23:00.003+10:00

These guys are probably one of my favourite modern day bands. They met in the DC punk/indie scene, though their music draws from more faraway sources. The band formed in the fall of 1998 from the ashes of local bands The Impossible Five and Colour, when singer-guitarist Jason Simon, bassist Steve Kille, and drummer Mark Laughlin set out to fuse their love of early 70’s hard rock and 60’s psychedelia with their love of writers J.R.R. Tolkien and H.P. Lovecraft.

Their sound fuller without losing its live essence, the band grew to encompass everything from ambient guitar drones to surging psych-funk sludge, blues-folk tunes to barbiturate space-rock, and some southern slow boogie thrown in for good measure.

Although all their studio releases are very good, this is my favourite. Enjoy!

Link: http://sharebee.com/b73092a3

Jean-Luc Ponty - Cosmic Messenger [1979]

2009-03-05T11:09:00.004+10:00

As music evolved throughout the 1970s alot of people took on the attitude of the Scientist; experimenting, testing, grafting, surgically recombining to create unique hybrids. Too often these creations were nothing more than ghastly Frankensteins - massive, lumbering assemblages, and all together not quite human. On Cosmic Messenger Jazz, Funk, Rock, and Classical are all expertly and elegantly fused in an amazingly fluid unity. It is a virtouso performance of what's best about music. Rhythm and percussion so tightly bound, laying down thunderous grooves over, around and through which Jean-Luc rockets, gallops, marches, bops, drifts, glides, and floats.

While JLP is clearly in another world when it comes to violinists, the bassist and guitarist heard here are no slouches themselves, and sometimes seemingly steal the show. Amazing album, a must have for your Jazz Fusion collection.

Link: http://sharebee.com/2ef0ad0f

Crystal Antlers - Tentacles [2009]

2009-03-02T11:33:00.005+10:00

I first took an interest in these guys after discovering their self titled EP from this fantastic blog. I was immediately intrigued. They have such a unique sound to them, which might not be to everyone's taste. It's noisy, it's chaotic, but would you expect anything less knowing it's produced from Ikey Owens of The Mars Volta?

Recorded and mixed on 2” tape at San Francisco’s Closer Studios in the span of one sleepless week, 'Tentacles' is a dоcument of the Antlers’ vigorous work ethic and breathless vitality. As hinted at on last year’s EP, many of the tracks here touch on the fragility of nature and its destruction by humankind, all under a cloudburst of epic sound and energy.

Beyond the sonic expansion, the band itself has grown: original guitarist Errol Davis returned to the fold for ‘Tentacles’, bringing the personnel tally to one bass, two guitars, two drummers, and an organ. Davis will also be a part of the Antlers’ manic and massive live show, joining them on the road for the North American tour in March.

The vocals might put a few people off, but i think they help add to the totally chaotic sound they got going. Check it out if you're looking for something new!

Link: http://sharebee.com/d44cfdda

Armaggedon - Armaggedon [1970]

2009-03-02T11:21:00.004+10:00

First things first, the spelling is correct. Do not get these guys mixed up with the similarly named 'Armageddon' band who came later on in the decade, which by the way is another excellent record featuring members of Captain Beyond, The Yardbirds and Colosseum. Back on topic of these Germans though.

Why didn't this group record more than just one album? Their self-titled album is a heavy progressive masterpiece with excellent, Hendrix-influenced guitar work and vocals by Frank Diez. Armageddon was the start of his long and impressive career. Their album had six tracks, and two of them were cover versions. Most impressive was the 10 minute version of Jeff Beck Group's "Rice Pudding". This track had some of the greatest heavy guitar riffing to appear on a German record.

Armaggedon's album has rocketed in price during recent years, due to the ever increasing interest. However, demand for the group was poor way back in 1970, and they soon broke up. Diez never played material with a similar energy again, his next step was to join the 'slightly-above-average' jazz-rockers Emergency.

With these six tunes, Armaggedon can cement themselves into your mind. The band as a whole is a unique voice that can raise eyebrows with ease, but has gone almost entirely unnoticed in the hard rock realm…unfortunately.

Link: http://sharebee.com/8f8ecc42

Pink Floyd - Welcome To The Machine [1977]

2009-02-21T11:55:00.005+10:00

So here is another one of my favourite Floyd boots/ROiOs. For ages i searched for a show that had a decent variety of tracks from both 'Wish You Were Here' and 'Animals'. Stumbled apon this beauty, which has both of those albums in their entireties, as well as 'Money', 'Us and Them' and 'Careful With That Axe, Eugene'. The quality is probably as good as you will find for any of the shows during the WYWH and Animals tours. It is not perfect however, the start is a little bit dodgy and might scare off a few but it does improve. There are also a few distracting bumps in Track 9 (Wish You Were Here) but other than those this is a very listenable and enjoyable bootleg.

For ROiO collectors note that this is in .mp3, how dissapointed you must be. The band was really rocking on this particular night. Dave in particular, seemed absolutely on fire pummeling out those solo's throughout the 'Animals' tracks. You can hear Dave and Roger fucking up at the start of 'Have a Cigar' and both share a laugh.

To thank the well-behaved crowd the band reward the audience with the extra encore "Careful With That Axe Eugene", the only time the song was played during the tour and the final time ever by the full band. It's a short version and the scream isn't as blood curdling as in the past. It is however very nice to hear the mature band pulls out this early classic.

Link P1: http://sharebee.com/9d75de96
Link P2: http://sharebee.com/384e2071

Sholi - Sholi [2009]

2009-02-19T11:42:00.005+10:00

Ah yes, this is exactly what i was looking for. Not in the sense of this exact album or band, but in the sense that some unheard of band like this would jump out and absolutely blow me away in the early stages of 2009. It's my favourite album of the year by a new band thus far. I assume they are relative unpopular simply because i don't read of any noise being made of them anywhere (as well as this obviously being their official debut.)

Some would carelessly tag this as indie garbage but that simply isn't the case. The musicianship and songwriting is very unique, with each song comes a lovely melody as well as an excellent aggressive drive. Their style is balanced, emotive, hypnotic and intelligently composed. It's not as if other indie artists never get it right like this, but rarely do you get a band that strips indie of its bombast and production gimmicks and replaces that with instrumental interplay and musicianship.

Clearly Sholi can't be cornered by their influences and similar artists, as their sound has incorporated a range of familiar instrumental tactics without any of the associated baggage. The songs are certainly ecstatic and enjoyable, but with a level-headedness and reserved quality that similar bands forget during epic wankfests or heart-on-the-sleeve vocal performances.

Oh, and i didn't even mention the drumming on this record. Good lord, just download and listen to the dude tear it up! This will be in my top 10 at the end of the year, for sure!

Link: http://sharebee.com/36b6d757

Schicke Führs & Fröhling - Symphonic Pictures [1976]

2009-02-19T11:25:00.002+10:00

I know what you're thinking and the answer is no, Al Pacino was not in this band. Stunning resemblance though isn't it? This album is very influential to say the least. If you've heard Anglagard's music, then listen to this record and i'm sure you will agree that SFF had to be a big influence on their sound. Frank Zappa himself was so enthusiastic about this bands sound that he was willing to produce their first album, but ultimately had to drop out to record his own album that was to be recorded at the same time.

Two members of this trio, Schicke and Fröhling, came right out from the ranks of Spektakel, joining forces in order to pursue a more focused kind of music, with one foot in the British symphonic melodic trend and the other in the cosmic realms of krautrock in a most stylish fashion. Once they casually met a young classically trained keyboardist named Gerhard Fürhs, the band was completed right after a common artistic goal had been properly agreed.

The music here is absolutely superb. Think of Novalis or 73-75 Floyd. Think of Moonmadness era Camel. There are also fusion elements, soaring synthetic experimentations and somber ambiences; just a few more ingredients in the band's magnificent sonic melting pot. Enjoy!

Link: http://sharebee.com/be82c4c3

Woven Hand - Ten Stones [2008]

2009-02-19T11:12:00.005+10:00

2008's 'Ten Stones' was my introduction to Woven Hand, as well as David Eugene Edwards all together. What can i say, it was long overdue cause these guys really do kick ass. For those who aren't familiar with him/them, you will find here ten untamed and mercy-drenched songs. From jarring folk to eerie bossa nova to fiery foot-stompers, the album forms a song-cycle that's singular in its breadth and eclecticism. The music of Wovenhand is utterly unique, dizzying those who encounter it, with turnings and lashings of shadow and light.

As for locking Woven Hand down to one single genre, it just can't be done. These guys have a very unique spin on all things folk, rock, experimental, dare i say Medieval Alt. Country haha. One of my favourites of the year that was. Looking forward to further exploring Edwards' previous work with 16 Horsepower.

Link: http://sharebee.com/c6be3d49

Pink Floyd - Wembley [1974]

2009-02-16T09:43:00.003+10:00

The interest in collecting and trading Floyd bootlegs all over the world is incredible to say the least. There are hundreds of message boards spread all over dedicated to just this. Of course there are a lot of horrible bootlegs, barely listenable but tolerable to the die hard fanatic. Every once in a while one RoiO will sneak through and sound absolutely amazing, making you wonder why it was never officially released. Such is the case with this, the Wembley Pre-FM master.

If your looking for a dsotm tracklist of great quality than this is the one you want. The quality is just amazing! Most tracks have been extended and they encore Echoes. This is easily my favourite Floyd ROiO. Check it out, you won't be dissapointed this time.

Link P1: http://sharebee.com/da117991
Link P2: http://sharebee.com/3d7a3a6c

Elephant9 - Dodovoodoo [2008]

2009-02-15T15:51:00.002+10:00

This is what i'm talking about! One of my many favourites from 2008 right here. This might be the Norwegian trio's debut disc, but we already know keyboardist Ståle Storløkken from his many years with Supersilent, and drummer Torstein Lofthus will be familiar to many as a member of Shining, those fellow purveyors of Gothic thrash-prog. It's only bassist Nikolai Haengsle who is unfamiliar outside Norway.

Subtlety is employed only occasionally, as the trio hurtles straight into the maelstrom that is the album's title cut. It's Emerson, Lake & Palmer territory, perhaps. The riffing is single-minded, but the structure is jerkily funky, or maybe funkily jerky. Recording live in the studio, Elephant9 careen along with spiny edges, knocking down any obstacles. Some numbers might begin sensitively, but their ultimate destiny lies in a thundering brawl. The only exception is Hymne, which remains in a creepy state.

I imagine their full damage is probably done during a live show, in front of a very worried audience. If you're up for a deranged session of acid prog headbanging, grab a hold of this!

Link: http://sharebee.com/acc52965

The God Machine - Scenes From The Second Storey [1993]

2009-02-14T15:56:00.005+10:00

This has been one of my favourite recent discoveries as of late. The God Machine, despite all it's Californian members, formed in England and were active for a short period of time in the early 90s. They released two albums in their career, both with their trademark dark and industrial-sounding alternative rock before Bassist Jimmy Fernandez suddenly died from a cancerous brain tumour. The remaining members then decided to split up and work on various other projects, which were never quite as good.

The debut is about as heavy and dark as AIC, but for one reason or another it winds up reminding me more of Jane's Addiction. The vocalist doesn't quite sing as high pitched as Perry Farrell, but give this a spin and you will see some similarities in various spots. This is an excellent mix of great metal riffs, lovely acoustic tracks and some crazy psych moments. Highly recommended for fans of the mentioned above bands.

Link: http://sharebee.com/174303fd

Taï Phong - Taï Phong [1975]

2009-02-14T09:31:00.004+10:00

I had a request the other day for some killer rare symphonic prog, Taï Phong jumped to mind. These guys' backgrounds are a little odd, in the sense that they are a French band founded by the Vietnamese brothers Kahn and Taï Ho Tong. The mystery here is not why this album was never very popular, but why it is not highly regarded among fans of the genre. This is truly a symphonic progressive masterwork, with plenty of good playing and writing, but mostly excelling in the arrangement category.

The music is an excellent mix of Yes, with added Floyd like atmospheres. Hell, lead singer Khanh has even has a higher vocal pitch than Jon Anderson and he is not afraid to let it rip! Be this good or bad it certainly is a thing to behold. The playing is absolutely first rate. These guys knew how to write and craft prog.

Link: http://sharebee.com/7a451e71

ChrisGoesRock Has Returned!

2009-02-12T20:08:00.005+10:00

http://chrisgoesrock.ucoz.com/

Phew! You can breathe easily now CGR fans, Chris is back and has jumped from the blogger service that seemingly shut him down. His blog has been one of my favourites for a while now, and it was interesting to witness the immediate wide-spread panic through our music blogosphere after the word got out.

I imagine it will be a slow process to get back on top, but we all know Chris has the backing to make it happen in no time. Some advantages to come out of all this is some of the handy new features, including a user message board, a guestbook and an easy to use calendar.

Best of luck on getting it all up and running again Chris, keep up the awesome work!

Naan - Dokusa [2007]

2009-02-11T10:11:00.006+10:00

Now to be honest with you, i don't know jack shit about Post-Rock. It's not as if i dismiss the genre as a whole, because there are a handful of bands i do enjoy (see Mono a few posts below.) But for the most part the middle is filled with too many uninspired, mediocre bands that i just find too boring. Maybe i don't get it? Am i so out of touch? All i know is i like what i like, and i damn sure like Japan's Naan, and their debut 'Dokusa'.

I took a chance on this Japanese band. Initially while not expecting much it turned out to be most excellent! It's more or less a fusion of Japanese and world sounds, loaded with lots of blaring sax and ethereal flute work. There are also the occasional falsetto vocals near the climax of the song but are used very sparingly and tastefully even though they remain a mostly instrumental band.

If you are like me and don't really get the whole Post-Rock thing, take a chance with this one. You will be pleasantly suprised.

Link: http://sharebee.com/509d5997

Jan Dukes de Grey - Mice And Rats In The Loft [1971]

2009-02-11T09:54:00.005+10:00

Jan Dukes De Grey are a forgotten relic of progressive music. Their brilliant free-form album "Mice And Rats In The Loft" was the pinnacle of their musical expression, a semi-improvised journey into madness.

The album opens with the awesome 'Sun Symphonica' which embodies everything that was excellent about this band. Starting rather lighthearted, bracing you for the sonic assault soon to be unleashed in your mind. Lots of clever instrumental work and 12 string strumming, Noy and Bairstow create a spiraling maelstrom with many different instruments including saxophones, flutes, trumpets, trombones, even a zelda chord. All made with the help of a backing orchestra, which gives the music a symphonic and epic feel. A more sinister atmosphere is revealed halfway through the song, describing the beheading of a young girl, made even more disturbing by Derek's theatric voice. An intense instrumental section kicks in after this, and we are taken on an incredible improvised journey. The song then reprises the beginning, but in a negative light.

The album never does return to the intensity of Sun Symphonica, but the last two tracks are still excellent. Highly recommended for fans of Jethro Tull, Spirogyra & Comus.

Link: http://sharebee.com/6e101065

Dead Man - Euphoria [2008]

2009-02-09T10:27:00.004+10:00

It seems i just keep stumbling apon excellent records from 2008, in 2009. This is another one i would have to include when i revisit my best of 08 list, without a doubt. With a name like Dead Man you could assume they are some ordinary death metal band, wrong. Their sound is an interesting mix of psych rock and folk, which is all brought together brilliantly. I first got a chance to hear them through their self titled ep which was available on the Melloboat cruise, i did not attend however.

These Swedes bring the same sort of organic psychedelic rock & roll that you would here from other modern bands like Howlin Rain and fellow Swedes, Dungen, but it's much easier to compare them to the founders of their sound. Granted it's not the most original thing out, but it's damn good.

Link: http://sharebee.com/16544ad6

Lotus - Lotus [1974]

2009-02-09T10:15:00.003+10:00

The style of this little-known Swedish quartet from the mid-70’s is hard to describe as it escapes most comparisons; the closest would be Finnforest, and perhaps Danish fusion band Secret Oyster. This is fusion at its best: energetic instrumental jazz-rock featuring dual guitars, electric piano/Hammond organ, bass and drums, and stunning musicianship all around. After the release of their second album in 1976, the band split up.

Although the tracks on their first album are rather short, each one is chock full of ideas and beautiful catchy melodies based on tight, 70ish-like jazzy grooves, all charmingly and distinctively Swedish

If you’re a fan of early Zappa or like bands such as Kebnekaise, Camel, Finnforest or Trettioariga Kriget, don’t let Lotus pass you by.

Link: http://sharebee.com/e41ed85a

Mono - Hymn To The Immortal Wind [2009]

2009-02-09T10:02:00.005+10:00

Ah, here we are. This is without a doubt one of the most anticipated albums of the year. Just in time for their 10 year anniversary, Mono return with their fifth studio album, the absolutely massive Hymn To The Immortal Wind.

After touring almost non-stop for five years, the band hibernated for over a year to focus solely on writing Hymn. The result is their most thoughtful and eclectic album to date. Written and arranged with a hopeful, romantic narrative in mind, the songs string together like chapters in an epic love story. The music is naturally majestic, with Mono's trademark wall of noise crashing beautifully against the largest chamber orchestra the band has ever enlisted. The instrumentation is vast, incorporating strings, flutes, organ, piano, glockenspiel and tympani into their standard face melting set-up.

Recorded to analog tape with long time friend and producer Steve Albini, there is an intimacy captured here that is at once beautiful and a little terrifying. The creaking of old wooden chairs as the orchestra rocks in their seats (both literally and figuratively), puckered lips rolling along flutes, and even the conductor's opening cue can be heard during the hauntingly quiet opening moments.

This is pretty much the finest example of all things epic, check it out.

Link: http://sharebee.com/6ed8b104

Pure Reason Revolution - Amor Vincit Omnia [2009]

2009-02-03T14:50:00.005+10:00

This one has been one of my most anticipated releases of the year. I've already expressed how much i enjoy this band in the past, and was very interested to see how they would follow up after their amazing debut. After a fair few listens i am a little dissapointed. It seems they have dimmed down the spacey Floyd influence and upped the modern day IDM glitchy disco sound. I'm not sure whether or not this direction was taken for more mainstream media attention, but i would of much rathered to see them build and expand apon that modern day prog-rock approach they had going.

All is not lost though. What is gone in delicious spacey interludes is made up with a tight flowing piece that ultimate packs a harder, and quicker punch. The multi-vocal harmonies are still as pleasant as ever. We previously got a glimpse at a few of the tracks on the live Nearfest recording, it's interesting to hear how they have been slightly tinkered with since then.

It will be interesting to see where PRR go next in the future. All in all a decent record, but truth be told i was hoping for something else.

Link: http://sharebee.com/d2d27c4f

Clear Blue Sky - Clear Blue Sky [1970]

2009-02-03T14:45:00.003+10:00

The debut album from Clear Blue Sky was released at a time when the rock world was undergoing a number of radical changes. The psychedelic era was coming to a close with progressive rock taking over the mantle of rocks' leading genre. However, not all bands followed the modus operandi of progressive rock bands, using classical music and jazz music as the platform for their musical trip. Some bands, most notably those within the hard rock genre, used a form of heavy blues as their launching pad.

Clear Blue Sky were just one of these bands that have a most definite blues influence. However, their ability to introduce a number of variations within their musical structure such as subtle classical influences as well as a degree of complexity that went beyond the average band enabled their music to be appreciated by a wider range of audiences.

Highly recommended stuff. Dig that Roger Dean cover, dude.

Link: http://sharebee.com/7e5c30cd

Zombi - Spirit Animal [2009]

2009-02-03T14:25:00.005+10:00

So here we go, the first 09 post from what i personally expect to be a fantastic year in music. For years now this Pittsburgh instrumental twosome (collectively known as Zombi) has put out a mesmerizing brand of synth-happy, goblin-esque prog. 'Spirit Animal' for the most part is the same, this time delivering warmer textures and ever more cosmic soundscapes. It all makes up for some delicious retro 70s stuff. With an outpouring of genuine emotion and melody, 'Spirit Animal' gives instrumental music the punch in the gut it needed by blending a genuine sense of warmth and emotion with the darkness the band is heralded for.

The drumming is also great here, as is the elephant on the cover, seemingly bounding through the cosmos. Check this out if you dig Jean Michel Jarre, Novalis or Goblin, or if you're just interested in exploring some great new instrumental stuff.

Link: http://sharebee.com/bd7e5dcf

Isotope - Illusion [1975]

2009-01-28T11:05:00.002+10:00

This is the second album by the British based jazz fusion quartet Isotope. While the recorded sound is a bit on the murky side, the performances more than compensate for it. Guitarist Gary Boyle really shines here, bringing together elements of Indian music (he was born in India originally), jazz, Hendrix and John McLaughlin with a tart, biting tone yet still having a unique warmth.

Former Soft Machine bassist Hugh Hopper lends his distinct fuzz-bass sound to the proceedings and gives the songs a lot of extra bite and grit as well as being quite melodic in his own unique way. Drummer Nigel Morris seems to have found a precarious balance of technique and soul as he propels the tunes at a brisk pace, really listening to the other musicians as opposed to just showing how fast he could play. Lawrence Scott provides understated keyboard support (mainly on Fender Rhodes) but doesn't seem to feel comfortable going out on the edge as much as the other musicians do.

If you enjoy a well balanced diet of melody, dense harmonies and fiery instrumental work, give this a spin!

Link: http://sharebee.com/063c9a4a

Hush Arbors - Hush Arbors [2008]

2009-01-22T12:45:00.004+10:00

One of the shitty things about doing a best of year list is that you will always discover other fantastic stuff from that year in the following years, such is this. Seeing as groups such as Fleet Foxes, Bon Iver, and Yeasayer helped shape the sound of summertime with their popular psych-washed acoustic folk, it's unsurprising that similar sounding acts have begun to show up in the spaces between.

Hush Arbors, a duo consisting of songwriter Keith Wood (contributor to records by Current 93 and Six Organs Of Admittance, along with many others) and his long-time collaborator Leon Dufficy, have actually been performing a lot longer than any of those acts-- almost a decade, in fact. So it's an ironic yet familiar tale that this recent wave of new music might help bring them belated attention. For those who haven't yet heard the band's delicate, experimental free-folk compositions, Hush Arbors is a great place to start and adroitly encompasses all of the Virginia based duo's most engaging qualities.

Water, mountains, light, and mysterious women give weight to every track, brought to life by the ethereal, unpredictable cascade of sounds that take their place among them. This is a great psych-folk release and when i can be bothered to redo my list, these guys will be there somewhere.

Link: http://sharebee.com/c520127c

Atlantis Philharmonic - Atlantis Philharmonic [1974]

2009-01-22T12:33:00.002+10:00

This USA duo was formed in Cleveland during the early mid 70’s by Royce Gibson on drums and the multi instrumentalist Joe DiFazio on everything else.Their style is mostly the blending of Symphonic influences like Camel, ELP etc. with some fusion and a bit of hard rocky Moody Blues in moments. Their first and only LP is the 1974 self titled album released by the label “Deutsche Harmonia Mundi”.

The eclectic sound of this album has very characteristic features like the excellent vocals close to a blend of Psyche and Pop plus a hard edged guitar that reminds of Early ELP or The Nice. In tracks like "Friends" we can hear some heavy rock influence similar to Uriah Heep or Deep Purple, and "Atlantis" sounding more like the stuff Atomic Rooster was putting out. There is also some atmospheric touches like in the incredible "Woodsman" that also blends some Jazzy leanings.

This super rare, eclectic album with a clear classical orientation (As their name clearly suggests) is considered one of the earliest examples of USA Progressive rock. You won't be dissapointed.

Link: http://sharebee.com/c6ebbcdd

Neil Young - On The Beach [1974]

2009-01-22T12:15:00.004+10:00

Released in 1974, 'On The Beach' found Young at his most vituperative. His guitarist Danny Whitten and roadie Bruce Berry had overdosed on heroin, his marriage had disintegrated and his son had been diagnosed with cerebral palsy. Most pointedly, there was a black disillusion with the hippy idealism and rewards of superstardom which had sustained him previously.

It's a nasty piece of work. "Good times are coming, but they're sure coming slow," he growls on 'Vampire Blues', one of a clutch of stunted 12-bars where Young's defeatist mood is matched by the torpid, sloppy brilliance of his playing. On the mighty 'Revolution Blues' he assumes the role of a Manson figure, slaying his fellow stars in their canyons. It's the one time on the record he sounds remotely happy.

Initially fans and critics were shocked with this release, as this was the long-awaited studio follow-up to the commercially and critically successful Harvest. Over time it has become one of his most respected works, and with good reason. The bleakness and crude production make for an amazing listening, one of my favourites!

Link: http://sharebee.com/3d3632ee

Scientist - Scientist Rids The World Of The Evil Curse Of The Vampires [1981]

2009-01-13T10:13:00.005+10:00

Hidden behind the corny and yet awesome album cover is some pretty groovin' stuff here. Scientist (born Overton Brown in Kingston, Jamaica) came to prominence in the early 1980s and produced many albums, his mixes featuring on many releases in the first part of the decade.

Many fans came to know his music due to half of this album being used on the soundtrack for the popular videogame Grand Theft Auto III. However, Scientist received no royalties for this and sued Rockstar Games unsuccessfully in a US court. The court ruled that according to precedent a recording mixer was not considered the author of a musical work, and so Rockstar were correct to treat the producer Henry "Junjo" Lawes as the copyright holder of the album. It can, however, be argued that Scientist was introduced to a much larger audience as a result of the licensing of his album to Rockstar, in which case he may have sold more records.

In a genre i'm relatively unfamiliar with, Scientist kicks ass!

Link: http://sharebee.com/4cd90cb6

Mammatus - Mammatus [2006]

2009-01-13T10:02:00.003+10:00

Taking their name from one of the coolest looking cloud forms on planet Earth, this four-piece Santa Cruz band cites Sabbath and Hawkwind as their biggest influences, like most bands of the Stoner Rock genre. They were formed in early 2005 and started playing in pubs and living rooms. They then recorded their debut in their own garage with no money and little resources. Their sound caught the attention of several record companies and released their self titled debut in 2006.

With an album out people around the world got a taste of what Mammatus has to deliver. Heavy guitar riffs, improvisations, psychedelic passages, forest, dragons ie. Check this stuff out, if you can handle it.

Link: http://sharebee.com/a870b878

Larry Coryell - Introducing The Eleventh House [1974]

2009-01-13T09:54:00.003+10:00

Larry Coryell stands on equal footing with John McLaughlin as one of the premier jazz fusion guitarists and this probably represents his finest achievement. Many people consider his earlier work with McLaughlin, 'Spaces' as writing the textbook for fusion style guitarwork, but to me, this is his greatest overall musical achievement. Comparisons to the original Mahavishnu Orchestra may seem to be inevitable considering the power and attack of the band's performance, but stylistically, the band plays much closer to the fusion/funk style of Herbie Hancock's Headhunters.

Their is not as much of an eastern influence as the Mahavishnu Orchestra and there seems to be a wider variety of tempo and stylistic diversity on this recording. The synthesizer runs and Randy Brecker's trumpet keep pace rather well with Coryell's intensity and the compositional framework is elaborate and melodically sophisticated. But the highlight, of course, is the blitzkrieg of notes being pummelled out of Coryell's guitar mostly trading with synthesizer and trumpet, intermingled with more mid tempo improvisations; but the dynamics and interaction feature not just beautifully intricate work, but ingenious melodic and harmonic scales befitting musicians of the highest technical accomplishment.

This is probably one of the most technically perfect fusion recordings out there; a joyous and awesome performance!

Link: http://sharebee.com/b96be80f

Sumner McKane - North [2005]

2009-01-12T10:14:00.006+10:00

McKane is one of those guitarists who makes it seem simple, but his easy-going fingerstyle on electric and acoustic guitars is deceptive. He's an orchestrator of guitar, creating lush filigree and sometimes searing leads.

For "North", he's assembled a small, sympathetic ensemble of drums, bass and occasionally violin. "Careful it Doesn't Look Safe Yet" is typical, with double acoustic guitars laying down rivulets of sound while McKane's electric fades in and out in phantom sustains. McKane's "day job" is playing in a Country & Western band(don't let that scare you off) and you can hear that influence here in the plaintive fingerstyle picking and pedal-steel-like sustains and bends he brings to his electric guitar.

A friend put me onto this and it has become of my favourites. The music is quiet, slow, lingering and at times almost haunting. Amazing stuff.

Link: http://sharebee.com/2035d5fd

King Crimson - Live at Summit Studios [1972]

2009-01-12T09:59:00.010+10:00

You can always rely on King Crimson to challenge your expectations, even in a 30-year old archive recording from arguably the least popular lineup of the band. If you only know this Crimson from their 1971 album "Islands", prepare to have your eyes and ears belatedly opened, and better late than never.

At this point in the band’s history the signature KC spirit of “energy, intensity, and eclecticism” (quoting Mr. Fripp himself) had been all but reduced to just the eclecticism. But this live-in-the-station radio broadcast, recorded in Colorado during their final U.S. tour, offers a candid and surprisingly playful portrait of a group supposedly in disarray, and as a welcome bonus it sounds a heck of a lot better than the sub-bootleg concert tapes on the posthumous "Earthbound" album.

Arguably the finest quality on any of the existing King Crimson Collector's Club releases, with an exceptional amount of delicious improv.

Link P1: http://sharebee.com/0280855e
Link P2: http://sharebee.com/514ed175

Panzerballett - Panzerballett [2005]

2009-01-09T16:45:00.005+10:00

Panzerballett is a heavy jazz-fusion band from Germany who play an exciting brand of instrumental music that is sure to tickle the fancy of prog, metal, and jazz fans alike. Featuring Jan Zehrfeld on guitars, Gregor Bürger on sax, Florian Schmidt on bass, and drummer Max Bucher, this combo lays down some funky grooves littered with wild solo spots and complex, often times metallic arrangements.

Many of the songs steamroll ahead with mean intentions, led by Zehrfeld's intricate guitar riffs and melodies and the squonking sax of Bürger. The constant battle between funk, jazz, and metal is what makes these songs so interesting and so enjoyable.

Check it out, you will most probably agree that these guys are going to be big amongst the prog/fusion scene of today, keep your ears open!

Link: http://sharebee.com/d6347055

The Assemble Head In Sunburst Sound - Ekranoplan [2007]

2009-01-09T15:51:00.013+10:00

Anyone interested in the retro/heavy rock releases from the awesome Tee Pee record label (Earthless, Ancestors, Witch, Graveyard, Titan) should get their hands on this little scorcher as soon as possible! With roots clearly in the psychedelic rock scene and influences such as Pink Floyd, Crazy Horse, Sabbath, Iron Butterfly, The 13th Floor Elevators & Blue Cheer, The Assemble Head is a band that might have better fit in the music scene in 60s.

This major label debut successfully merges the styles of some of the mentioned bands above into one ass-kicking experience. "Mosquito Lantern" for instance, is built around an Iron Butterfly-ish hard rock riff while "A Bourbon for Rudy" is even more blues-based, and bleeds straight out of the brighter "The Corner Zombies". In contrast comes the darker "Occult Roots" a song that slips right into Sabbath's satanic realms, while the blistering "D Brown" boasts Hendrixs-esque guitars early in, but swiftly settles into a delicious Creamy jam!

As with such groups as Comets on Fire or Dead Meadow, the individual elements of the Assemble Head's onslaught are less important than the music's overall cumulative wallop. It’s the kind of music that asks you to just sit back and let it all wash over you. Highly recommended stuff, god bless Tee Pee!

Link: http://sharebee.com/6aea7335

Pure Reason Revolution - The Dark Third [2006] + NEARfest [2007 Live]

2009-01-07T10:17:00.011+10:00

Pure Reason Revolution is probably one of the most interesting prog related bands of today. On one hand they are a modern day rock band with lovely vocal harmonies, on the flip side they smack you in the face with their mesmerizing brand of Floyd-style space rock! Take The Beach Boys poppish tunes for example, and mix it all up with some heavy guitar riffs, complex song structures and otherworldly concepts. The result is a beautifully flowing record produced by Paul Northfield, who also worked with Rush, Porcupine Tree & Gentle Giant.

It seems there has been a different tracklist for every country this was released in. The version i am posting is the Euro release, which is actually the entire US release as well as 5 bonus tracks.

Link P1: http://sharebee.com/e00623f1
Link P2: http://sharebee.com/03ba9d27

Two years after the release of "The Dark Third", PRR offers a livesession recorded at the NEARfest festival in 2007. The sound quality is absolutely amazing. They play majority of their material from "The Dark Third" as well as a few new tracks. These sound somewhat heavier and even a little more electronic, perhaps this is an early example of what their future work will sound like?

The melodic and atmospheric passages somehow find their way between the sonic guitar explosions, sounding like something Steven Wilson would be happy to call his own. Their highly anticipated sophomore album is expected to drop sometime in March this year. Keep your eyes out for that one!

Link: http://sharebee.com/9acd8a8b

Roger Dean 1680 x 1050 Wallpaper Pack

2009-01-06T10:59:00.006+10:00

Over the last year or so i have had people asking me about the images on the right hand side of my blog, as well as the various banners i have used. They are all Roger Dean pieces. Over the years he has designed record covers for Osibisa, Yes, Budgie, Uriah Heep, Gentle Giant, Steve Howe, Greenslade, Asia, Earth & Fire, Billy Cox and Babe Ruth, just to name a few. In more recent years Dean began designing video game covers, the new tetris logo being one of the bigger ones.

It's kind of a shame all these wallpapers are rather hard to track down in good quality. A few years ago i had been trawling through the deep end of blogsearch and managed to snag this little gem. Here are 60 of Roger's finest works in full size and colour.

Consider this my late xmas present to you all ;)

Link: http://sharebee.com/7e697125

Eloy - Power and The Passion [1975]

2009-01-05T10:26:00.009+10:00

I think i'm kind of alone on this one, but "Power and The Passion" stands as my favourite Eloy album. This is the album where the band thought they needed to do away with the then limited hard rock style and focus on a more symphonic prog sound. Although they would go on to further develop this new sound on albums to come, "Power and The Passion" still mixes in some of their earlier psych hard rock beginnings which gives it a very unique balance. 1973's "Inside" might just be my second favourite, as you can tell i prefer that early lineup.

Unfortunetly this would be the final album from this band lineup thanks to difficulties with the the producer, Jay Partridge. The album wasn't selling too great but was still enjoying moderate success in Germany. The record company decided to give band leader Frank Bornemann a second chance. He went on to ressurect the band with new members and perfect the sound he was playing around with here.

"Power and The Passion" is an excellent mix of slowly moving space rock and full on hammond/guitar hard rock. It's a concept about time travel, society and romance, the playing is absolutely phenomenal and dare i say it again, it is the finest album in the Eloy catalogue.

Link: http://sharebee.com/ecbbd796

Brightblack Morning Light - Motion To Rejoin [2008]

2009-01-03T11:09:00.006+10:00

Naybob Shineywater and partner Rachael Hughes of New Mexico churn out a lovely brand of mellow psychedelic rock under the name Brightblack Morning Light. This is their second release and suprisingly enough went right under the radar in 08. Backlit by those awesome sounding muted 70s keyboard noodles, wafty woodwinds and layers of hazy vocals, Motion To Rejoin burns slow from start to finish.

Naybob and Rachael (who has taken on the nickname Raybob) recorded this entire piece in their own solar powered place, meaning the duo could only record when the sun was out. What they have created is nothing short of an amazing and relaxing atmosphere filled with flutters of lazy saxaphone exhalants and lightly swung beats all beautifully layered over the incredibly spiritual and new-agey lyrics.

Give in to this gem, and you'll never know where the time went.

Link: http://sharebee.com/83d847f6

Ardo Dombec - Ardo Dombec [1971]

2009-01-02T18:35:00.005+10:00

Anyone who picked up the "Heavy Christmas" compilation last week might recognise this fantastic Bluesy/Jazz Prog German group. Unfortunetly enough not much is known about them. Their arrangements are upbeat and bright, yet the lyrics are rather dark and cynical in contrast. They differ from other folk-blues-fusion-hard rock bands of the same era by the presence of the saxophone arrangements which remain pretty structured, sometimes sounding like Out of Focus or even the Dutch fusion band Solution.

The drums and bass are often very fast, rhythmic and complex, flirting with fusion elements. Many flute parts a la Jethro Tull add some interesting variety; the track with the very pleasant visceral harmonica exhibition also shows how versatile the members can be. The music is quite addictive, disciplined and structured.

A welcomed German oddity!

Link: http://sharebee.com/f2ee4169

Octopus - The Boat of Thoughts [1976]

2009-01-02T17:31:00.004+10:00

Who likes Camel in nyar?

First of all, don't get confused. There are a bunch of shitty metal bands with the same name. These Germans however, are amazing. The mellotron and guitar work on this album is fantastic, and even sounds incredibly similar to Camel at times. Lead vocalist Jennifer Hensel does have a rather gruff alto voice that won’t be to all tastes, but it does suit the music very well. For comparisons sake, imagine a cross between Janis Joplin (without the grit) and Jennie Hahn from Babe Ruth.

Consider this a warning: if you don't "do" female vocals you might want to look elsewhere. If however, you "do" high energy prog with a mean hard rock edge, look no further! The instrumental passages are the high points here, and believe you me, they are oh so tasty!

Link: http://sharebee.com/51b23903

Happy New Year + Favourites of 2008!

2009-01-02T14:29:00.007+10:00

First of all, i hope all my readers had a fantastic christmas & new year break. 2009.. damn, it's like 1999 but.. ten years later. Oh boy how time flies. Unlike a lot of other people, i actually thought 2008 was a damn fine year in music. It introduced me to a handful of great new groups and artists including Fleet Foxes, Black Mountain, Crystal Antlers, Bon Iver & Ancestors, just to name a few. Below you will find a list of my favourite albums (in no particular order) from the year that was, i might even get around to uploading some of them soon.

Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes
Black Mountain - In The Future
Opeth - Watershed
East of the Wall - Farmers Almanac
Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago
Equus - Eutheria
Hush Arbors - Hush Arbors
Wolf Parade - At Mount Zoomer
Elephant9 - Dodovoodoo
Woven Hand - Ten Stones
The Mars Volta - The Bedlam in Goliath
Witch - Paralyzed
Earth - The Bees Made Honey In The Lion's Skull
Crystal Antlers - Crystal Antlers EP
Enslaved - Vertebrae
Brightblack Morning Light - Motion To Rejoin
Dead Meadow - Old Growth
Sahg - II
Ane Brun - Changing of the Seasons
Steven Wilson - Insurgentes
Dungen - 4
Ebu Gogo - Worlds
Ancestors - Neptune With Fire
The Big Sleep - Sleep Forever
One Day As A Lion - One Day As A Lion
Birds and Buildings - Bantom To Behemoth
Beck - Modern Guilt
Sumner Mckane - What A Great Place To Be
Ocoai - Breatherman
The American Dollar - A Memory Stream
Anna Ternheim - Leaving On a Mayday
Balmorhea - Rivers Arms
Mogwai - The Hawk is Howling
Bar Kokhba - Lucifer: Book of Angels Volume I

Bring on 2009! I can't wait to hear the new Black Bonzo, and i'm also very curious to see what the new Alice in Chains record will be like with that butt pipe Duvall taking over lead vocals. Jerry is the man, and i trust he won't sell us short!

Yonin Bayashi - Isshoku Sokuhatsu [1974]

2008-12-27T08:09:00.008+10:00

I'm going away for a few nights so i thought i'd leave you with this brilliant, semi-obscure, Japanese prog gem. The dudes were only 20 years old apon recording this and while they would go on to be huge in Japan, they never really seen the light of day elsewhere. Although they had developed their own fantastic sound, you can definitely notice the influence from some of the bigger British bands at the time. It's hard to name similarities but i would probably throw Camel, Nektar and maybe even a little Floyd into the mix. There is also some fantastic hard rock moments ala Captain Beyond, which really sound great.

Highly recommended if you can deal with the Japanese vocals, amazing stuff this!

Link: http://sharebee.com/ee4971e1

Various Artists - Heavy Christmas [1971]

2008-12-23T23:41:00.007+10:00

What we have here is a rare Brain label compilation release from 71 featuring bands playing christmas material. Don't let that put you off though, this is a collection of mind blowing acid rock and progressive mayhem. Some of the fantastic festival groups here include, Dies Irae, Joy Unlimited, Virus, and one of my favourite obscure german groups, Ardo Dombec.

Quite a potent dose, Merry Christmas!

Link: http://sharebee.com/9926d3b9
Alternative Link: RAPIDSHARE

Sufjan Stevens - Songs For Christmas [2006]

2008-12-23T19:25:00.011+10:00

If you're like me you never really enjoy the typical christmas tunes. Sure, they are fun little tracks that are most appropriate throughout the closing December weeks, but never really see the light of day throughout the rest of the following year.. why should they? Sufjan Stevens is a great folk singer/songwriter i have admired for a while now and what he has released here is a collection of xmas covers (as well as his own original input) that can do no wrong this time of year.

The tracks here were compiled as various EPs over the years and given as gifts to friends and family of Stevens. Most of the tracks are versions of traditional Christmas songs, with a number of original compositions such as "Sister Winter" and "Star of Wonder" included. Sufjan Stevens has developed a reputation for being a devoted Christian and many of the songs he chose for inclusion on Songs for Christmas are religious in nature, including his original compositions.

This is a great record that is just really nice to listen to this time of year, and maybe even beyond. A welcomed change from the typical campy stuff. Merry Christmas bloggers!

Link P1: http://sharebee.com/ee21c80a
Link P2: http://sharebee.com/cab0c76c

UFO - UFO1 [1970]

2008-12-14T15:01:00.010+10:00

When people think of these British rock superstars they tend to forget the incredibly underrated original lineup, and focus on the Schenker years. Rather than the straight-up hard rock that would bring the band fame later on, this early face of the band had a really cool psychedelic, heavy blues rock sound. Phil Mogg has one of the best rock voices ever in my opinion, and Bolton was no slouch on the axe.

UFO's first two albums are easily two of my favourite hard rock albums of all time, with the second record ("Flying") even unleashing the full on lunacy of all things space rock! If only we got a few more records from this lineup.

Link: http://sharebee.com/a2dbc49b
Alternative Link: Rapidshare

Spiritual Beggars - Another Way To Shine [1996]

2008-12-12T18:46:00.005+10:00

Spiritual Beggars was formed in 1994 by Michael Amott, the band was started as a side project after Michael left the British death metal band Carcass (He is also the founder and full time member of the melodic death metal band Arch Enemy.) What we have here is some great stoner rock from the ever fruitful Sweden. Everything you are looking for in a good typical album of the genre is here, slow sludgy riffs, solid drumming, dark lyrics and a rad vocalist. For those who don't know, Per Wiberg (currently with Opeth) is also the man on keys for Spiritual Beggars.

If hard stoner rock is your thing this won't disappoint.

Link: http://sharebee.com/a4ec2689
Alternative Link: Rapidshare

Illegal-Cloaking-Devices

2008-12-12T11:39:00.011+10:00

www.illegal-cloaking-devices.blogspot.com

So after months and months of discussion between two of my friends and myself, we have decided to start up this blog and all contribute. Many of my posts here will end up there, as well as some additional stuff you won't find here. The kind of criteria we are posting is anything heavy and hard, or in simpler terms, anything that kicks a certain amount of ass!

It could be hard to get off the ground so hopefully you guys can bookmark us over there!

Spread the word!

Wishbone Ash - First Light [1970]

2008-12-11T21:23:00.006+10:00

When it comes down to it, Wishbone Ash is really 'the' band for me. 'The' band being the one that opened my ears to all of the stuff i listen to today. 'The' band that interested me in wanting to hear more and more, and collect more and more. But most notably Wishbone Ash is to me, 'the' band that epitomized the blending of blues based heavy rock with the common elements found in Progressive Rock.

"First Light" is what very well could of been WA's debut album. The recording was made with only one purpose in mind, to get a record deal. But as the band signed with MCA Records (with the support of Ritchie Blackmore of Deep Purple fame) they decided to re-record most of them. While perhaps less polished than the first MCA recordings, one can hear the experimentation here that led to that later work. The sound quality is suprisingly good, with a certain raw energy that gives the music a very fresh sound. The album as a whole represents the band in their first stages of their creation.

In 2007 this seemingly forgotten Wishbone demo was discovered and released. It is an excellent little gem for Wishbone fans, and i would probably even recommend it as a starting place for newcomers.

Link: http://sharebee.com/3b85d986
Alternative Link: RAPIDSHARE

October Equus - October Equus [2006]

2008-12-11T11:34:00.008+10:00

Now get this.. they took their name from a pagan festival celebrated in ancient Rome in the middle of October. During the festival, the two groups of people who lived in the city would go to another city and have a chariot race, two horses per chariot. The winning team's fastest horse was then beheaded, and the head put on a pole. The two sides would then violently fight each other to try to get the head. The winning side would go back to the city victoriously and mount the head in the tower or palace, where the skull would remain until they started the festival over the following year. Essential information right?

This is an awesome debut album by a Spanish band that reveals itself as a mature avant-garde prog force. The repertoire is full of sinister motifs and moods, usually with the guitar taking center stage while the keys lay disturbing orchestrations and ambiences (mixing the likes of Univers Zero, Gentle Giant, KC & VDGG.) It is all held together by a rhythm section that moves proficiently through the complex dynamics of all ten tracks.

This group has their second album out this year and i can't actually find it. If anyone could post it in the chatbox or in the comments section for me i'd gladly post it for everyone. Very interested in hearing it after this amazing debut!

Link: http://sharebee.com/31deea93

Magna Carta - Lord of the Ages [1974]

2008-12-11T10:57:00.008+10:00

Ah, now this is a fantastic folk-rock record. Magna Carta’s music is largely inspired and influenced by the folk of Simon & Garfunkel, focussing on soft and gentle acoustic music, often with a traditional feel and great vocal harmonies. They were part of the early progressive wave, but without actually fully stepping into the progressive realm. I'd say people only add that prog folk tag after seeing the totally awesome Roger Dean cover (See the pictures on the right hand side of my blog) as well as the nature of some of the lyrics.

"Two Old Friends" is one of my all time favourite songs, you just have to hear it - great writing and absolutely stunning. The title track "Lord of the Ages" is truly Magna Carta's epic. It starts off as soft acoustic piece as the verses are spoken over a beautiful melody, with a haunting sung refrain. The theme is vaguely theological, being based on the Book of Revelations and the musings of Nostrodamus. Book of Revelations? Nostrodamus? How is this not prog!? As the track develops, the serene atmosphere is suddenly broken by a lead guitar burst. This introduces a much harder, rock based section that actually sounds quite like The Beatles at times.

They have another good record called "Seasons", but other than that they would never really reach the high point they hit with "Lord of the Ages". Any lover of folk will appreciate those tracks i mentioned, check it out!

"GATHERING IN THE HARVEST."

Link: http://sharebee.com/7512f9f0

Ocoai - Breatherman [2008]

2008-12-10T11:01:00.006+10:00

So we all know instrumental post-rock is kind of a dangerous topic right? In my opinion a good percentage of anything described as such a thing usually ends up sounding kinda tedious and "samey". In this case, however is a great young band who admittedly, wear their influences on their sleeve, still manage to come up with something very fresh, dark and beautiful. Each track differs in mood and groove, showcasing some pretty amazing stuff. Delayed guitars, ambient sections, even a pretty rad trumpet at one stage. Add all that with the sometimes genre-typical in your face post-metal brutality, and you're in for a real treat.

There were some big time post-rock bands releasing records this year, Ocoai has outdone most of them.

Link: http://sharebee.com/b50118db

Possessed - Exploration [1971]

2008-12-09T21:11:00.005+10:00

This fantastic record was actually one of the first true early 70s hard rock/early metal albums i obsessively enjoyed. There are quite a few doomy riff based tracks here that any early Sabbath fan will instantly appreciate. The vocals, to some can be kind of a let down as they are a little over the top, but i like what they add to the record. Unfortunetly enough, tragedy struck in '76 when the band's tour bus slammed into a stationary tanker, killing 3 members.

Pretty sad, these guys really deserved a bigger label...what could have been.

Link: http://sharebee.com/09b88cee
Alternative Link: Rapidshare

SometimeWorld Has Returned!

2008-12-09T12:41:00.001+10:00

Well hello there bloggers!

You have reached the new sometimeworld blog! At first glance the only difference might be the hyphen in the domain name (now sometime-world.blogspot, instead of sometimeworld.blogspot) however, this time i aims to keep it more simplistic, and post more often. I'm also going to be adding a little more variety of music this time around... proggers fear not, i will continue to post the same great stuff you have become accustomed too.

Some of my regular readers will probably remember me wanting to change blog services a few months ago. A few of my posts had been removed and i had just generally been too lazy to keep it running. I've always noticed i seem to get quite a few visits (almost 200 thousand on the first StW blog) and realised i should probably keep with it. So i decided not to give up on blogger after all, and now i'm here.

You can find every single album i have uploaded in the past below this post. A more regular alternative however, is the Album Archive button on the right hand side of this blog. It will link you back to that post to easily discover my collection of goodies.

In other news, i got around to creating a last.fm group dedicated to this blog and its many readers. I't'd be grand to see a few more members :] - Last.fm group

I ask anyone who has my original blog linked somewhere to please update the links!

Marcus | sometime-world