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

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?!

Roger Dean 1680 x 1050 Wallpaper Pack

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

Magna Carta - Lord of the Ages [1974]

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