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Progressive Rock CD Reviews

Big Paul Ferguson Remote Viewing – Reboot Review by Gary Hill Big Paul Ferguson is probably best known as the drummer from Killing Joke. I've previously reviewed one of his solo albums, and I landed it under progressive rock, largely because of the art rock angle to it. I think the same holds true here. This is actually re-release of his first solo album with one brand-new track and several remixes. I love the space rock meets industrial sound that permeates so much of this. The beat-poetry angle is a real bonus, too. No matter what you call this, it's entertaining and high quality. This review is available in book (paperback and hardcover) form in Music Street Journal: 2022 Volume 3. More information and purchase links can be found at: garyhillauthor.com/Music-Street-Journal-2022.

Track by Track Review

Hungry Ghosts This is such a cool piece. Percussion is the main musical construct here, but there are layers of other things here and there. That concept holds the music from about the first minute. The vocals are more of a beat poetry spoken element. The cut shifts to a driving hard rocking jamming later. There are some hints of stoner metal like Black Sabbath. There is almost a Rob Zombie kind of thing brought in later, but it's delivered with a bit of a space rock edge.

Reboot I really dig the industrial kind of edge to this piece. That's merged with plenty of both space rock and art rock concept. The song is particularly effective and cool.

The Great Motivator The same mix of sounds seems in control here. This is a driving and particularly classy tune. The spacey edges are all over of this thing.

Terrible Warriors Another cut from much the same cloth, this is equally potent. I dig the poetry reading type of vibe to this thing. The cut has a lot of artsy vibes.

X-Box This is one of my favorite pieces here. The lyrics (which earn a parental advisory) are so powerful and poignant. The driving groove does a great job of combining techno music with space rock and more. This is art music at its best.

I Am War Fierce, driving and so classy, the space rock on this has a real edgy vibe to it.

Will To Survive I can make out more of an 80s vibe on this, calling to mind acts like Depeche Mode and The Cure in some ways. Still, it has plenty of space rock in the mix, too.

Zarzal A mellower, slower moving cut, this is more keyboard dominated.

Fear (DJ Mont Montstrosity Mix) The driving vibe on this seems intensified from the other version. It has more space sound, but also more distorted techno or industrial texture. This works really well.

I Am War (Youth Rubber Mix) This remix doesn't work as well for me. It's still got its charms, though. It's a bit more stripped back and has a less rich arrangement.

The Great Motivator (MGT Mix) This remix is another that I don't think works as well as the original. It has a more "in your face" and less artsy vibe. Of course, that's relative as this does still rock. It's a good tune. I just don't think the remix is an improvement at all.

I Am War (Youth Industry Mix) Another that loses a little via the remix, at least for me, this is still reasonably effective here.

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