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Progressive Rock CD Reviews

Monica Laplante Compression (digital single) Review by Gary Hill This single from Minneapolis artist Monica Laplante is pretty amazing stuff. I've put this under progressive rock because it's very much art music, and it has a lot of prog vibes going on. This feels like something from David Bowie's most artsy, proggy era in a lot of ways. It's a real powerhouse song that's unique. I am anxious to hear more from this artist because she has definitely piqued my interest with this calling card. 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

Compression Percussion leads things off here. Then the bass joins, and we're in a cool groove. The vocals eventually come over the top, bringing a cool poetic vibe with them. After the first vocal movement this dense and rich psychedelic sound comes over the top. That drops back before the vocals return, but the arrangement is definitely filled out for the next singing. This has a real artsy kind of groove to it. Some of the angular guitar lines later make me think of something King Crimson might do. This song is just so cool. It has a pop rock vibe to it, but also plenty of proggy and psychedelic angles. I'm also reminded of David Bowie in some ways on this.

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