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Progressive Rock CD Reviews

Vinyl Floor Funhouse Mirror Review by Gary Hill I've reviewed several albums from Vinyl Floor over the years. I generally land them under progressive rock, despite the fact that it's not what I'd consider a tight fit. Well, that's the case here, too. The earliest parts of the album have less prog in the mix, but the amount is never zero. The last couple songs really let the prog leanings shine through. However you classify this, though, it's an entertaining set that's a fine addition to the catalog. This review is available in book (paperback and hardcover) form in Music Street Journal: 2022 Volume 5. More information and purchase links can be found at: garyhillauthor.com/Music-Street-Journal-2022.

Track by Track Review

Anything You Want Energized and a little punky, this is fun. It has a real edgy vibe to it. It also has some pop hooks and a real power-pop angle. There are definitely Beatlesish vibes in the arrangement later. It does twist toward a soaring proggy arrangement later.

Clock With No Hands As this gets underway in a bouncy groove, I'm reminded of Jellyfish. There are some serious Beatlesish things here, and the cut gets a little jazzy before it's done.

Between Lines Undone I dig the psychedelic Beatles-like groove on this a lot. We get some jazzy moments later, and it takes on some dreamy proggy textures.

Dear Apollon A mellower groove is on the menu here. This is a jazzy sort of romp.

Ever, The Optimist I dig the proggy groove on this. It still has some Beatlesish tendencies, but the changes and general vibe here is more complex and decidedly prog-like. The instrumental break on this takes those prog-like things and adds some jam band elements and more. It's purely on fire.

Pretty Predictable Harder rocking, decidedly prog-like and rather dangerous, this has some great twists and turns. It's a real powerhouse number with a lot of drama and style to it. It still manages some Beatles-like elements at times. It's definitely one of my favorites here.

Funhouse Mirror The title track has some melodic prog vibes and plenty of Beatles-like moments. The vocal arrangement is rich, and the guitar solo is particularly tasty.

Death Of A Poet This slow moving, balladic number is very much art music. It has a lot of classical in the mix, but also turns toward pure world music later.

Stare, Scare Cool synthesizer and meaty guitar and more combine on this proggy jam as it comes out of the gate. It works to a section that has a prog meets alternative rock vibe for the entrance of the vocals. The classy instrumental break that follows that first vocal section is so cool and prog-based. While this might not be epic in terms of length, it definitely is from a scope point-of-view. This has so many twists and turns. From more rocking sections, to a mellower dropped down movement at the end, this has so much variety. It's all prog, though.

Days The closer comes in with a rather symphonic and bombastic opening, but drops to something closer to a ballad. for the entrance of the vocals. There is plenty of AOR prog in the mix on this thing. It's a melodic song that is very satisfying and effective. The song works to a crescendo that seems to end it. Instead piano rises up from there, and we're brought into a more powered up version of the melodies and concepts from there. This extended instrumental reprise gets symphonic, proggy and so powerful.

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