Paatos - Timeloss Review by Josh Turner Like they say on Sesame Street, this is different, but the same. For those of you familiar with their sophomore release (that would be "Kallocain"), this is certainly what we've come to know as Paatos.
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Pain of Salvation - Entropia Review by Vivian Lee In 1984, a band named "Reality" took the Swedish music scene's attention with not just the members' young age but their musical talent as well. Since then the band has had a few personnel changes and a name change. More
Pallas - The Cross and the Crucible Review by Steve Alspach One of Scotland's finest, and longest running, progressive bands strikes again with this album. It's an ambitious effort, full of gothic choirs and grandiose themes involving theology and the origins of man.
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This double disc live set from Paradise 9 celebrates the 20 years of their musical career. The sound here is probably closest to the space rock of Hawkwind.
The blend of sounds on this album is intriguing. It is a near perfect mix of jazz, rock and fusion. It's also varied, with no two songs coming close to sounding the same.
Life has a strange way of aligning the stars for events to happen.Take for instance, I would not have even heard of Parallel Dimensions if it were not for the fact that Evergrey skipped Houston on their last tour.
I've landed this under progressive rock. I can see people disagreeing with that. Here's my reasoning. First, there is some prog on a number of the songs.
Alan Parsons - The Time Machine Review by Gary Hill This album, the latest release by Alan Parsons, finds him doing the blend of prog and pop that has been his forte for many years. It is an album that has peaks and valleys, but overall is entertaining and rather substantial. More
For those who have followed the career of Alan Parsons this disc may seem rather strange at first. Parsons here embraces electronic music, with that sound driving the album. It even wanders into techno at times.
Alan Parsons - Project - Tales of Mystery and Imagination Review by Steve Alspach In keeping with the theme of this issue of MSJ (Halloween), I hearken back to something truly frightening: Hurricane Smith. In 1972 former Pink Floyd producer Norman "Hurricane" Smith released an abhorrent piece of MOR saccharine called "Oh Babe, What Would You Say." More
These guys are considered a prog band, in the jazz rock end of that equation. Well, I have to admit that I have two albums by them to review, and this is the first I've heard.
I hadn't heard of this act until recently, but in the course of the last couple months I've reviewed a number of their discs, this one included. This act is often considered a jazz prog band.
This new album from Pavlov's Dog comes about eight years after the last one. This is most often folk prog, but there are other genre represented here and there throughout.
Pendragon - Believe Review by Josh Turner This was way more than I had anticipated. I had my hands full with this listening experience. Nick Barrett said that this would be more guitar-driven and I can certainly vouch for that.
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Pendragon - Not of This World Review by Josh Turner In times when a short list keeps getting shorter, it is a rare occurrence to encounter a band that is an instant addition. Pendragon is one of these exceptions to the rule.
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Pentwater - Out of the Abyss Review by Gary Hill Combining heavy helpings of Yes, Genesis and ELP with the some of the weirdness of Frank Zappa, Out of the Abyss, and Pentwater in general had some of the quirkiest and most unusual progressive rock ever created. More
Pentwater - Pentwater (Reissue) Review by Gary Hill Pentwater may well be the best progressive rock band whose name you have never heard. The Chicago area band released one record on their own label in 1970's, their unique, innovative and quirky blend of humor, weirdness and musical virtuosity earned them a definite cult following.
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What an intriguing instrumental album this is. This definitely rides the line between progressive rock and fusion, but more often than not lands on the prog rock side of the equation.
I've reviewed a couple other sets from Fernando Perdomo, and I always enjoy his stuff. This set, as you might guess from the title, features his acoustic guitar treatments of various King Crimson numbers.
It's always a bit tough to pin Fernando Perdomo down to one sound. I generally land him under progressive rock, but this one fits a lot more firmly under that heading than some others do.
I'm including this review under progressive rock largely because Dallas Perkins is billed as a prog artist. This album does have some definite proggy elements, though.
Petland - Miss Roboto Review by Gary Hill The boundaries of what is and what is not progressive rock are really quite subjective and changeable. With that in mind, I am including this album in the progressive rock section of MSJ. More
John Petrucci - Suspended Animation Review by Josh Turner I'm not one for instrumentals, but I'll make an exception for this one. John Petrucci is one of my favorite guitarists, and I'm curious whenever his name is on the credits.
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John Petrucci and Jordan Rudess - An Evening with John Petrucci and Jordan Rudess Review by Gary Hill This is actually a reissue of an out of print disc featuring Dream Theater's guitarist extraordinaire John Petrucci in duet with their keyboard wizard Jordan Rudess. There is, without any surprise, some great musicianship on show here.
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Premiata Forneria Marconi (or PFM) were the first Italian progressive rock act to gain a following in the US and England. This new four CD box set compiles their four albums that were released on Manticore between 1973 and 1977.
This double CD live album presents a classic concert from the 1976 incarnation of PFM. The recording quality is good for the time period, and the musicians really put in a potent performance.
Philharmonie - Le Dernier Mot - The Last Word Review by Gary Hill Released in 1999, this disc is sort of the swan song of French group Philharmonie. It is a fine prog album, and should stand as a great monument to the band. More
Featuring Anthony Phillips in collaboration with guitarist Harry Williamson, this is a mellow instrumental album that is in line with a lot of Phillips' solo catalog.
The first disc of this set was originally released in 1981, with a different mix. This is an instrumental album from former Genesis guitarist Anthony Phillips.
When I recently interviewed Anthony Phillips he mentioned his quirky catalog (my words not his precisely) and that it was caused by record label pressure.
Each album Anthony Phillips releases is quite different from the ones around it. This particular set is made up of atmospheric electronic music that calls to mind things like Tangerine Dream and Synergy.
The latest in an ever-growing string of Private Parts and Pieces albums from original Genesis guitarist Anthony Phillips, this release works very well.
This new reissue is quite an impressive set. While a two-CD version of this album has appeared before, this one has a third CD of previously unreleased music.
Simon Phillips - Another Lifetime Review by Gary Hill Although this album is more of a jazz album than anything else, it is included in the prog section because of Simon Phillips involvement in many assorted prog projects, most recently the ELP tribute album also reviewed this month. More
I reviewed an EP from this act in the past. I landed it under progressive rock, but made the point clear that it's a different type of prog than the 70s output of prog bands.
Pink Floyd - Meddle Review by Steve Alspach This album shows how well Pink Floyd was able to make the transition from experimental band to a song-based unit without losing any sense of musical adventure. More
Pink Floyd - Wish You Were Here Review by Josh Turner In the commercial world, two albums from Pink Floyd were hugely successful. Unless you've been a castaway on a remote island for the past couple of decades, you'd know I was talking about Dark Side of the Moon and The Wall.
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Pink Floyd - Animals Review by Gary Hill I know a lot of people really focus on Dark Side of the Moon, The Wall, and possibly Wish You Were Here as the highpoints of Pink Floyd's career. Personally, I will take Animals over any of those discs, although I appreciate all of those, as well.
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The various members of Pink Floyd all basically said that they regretted this album. I can sort of see why. It has a real wandering kind of feel to it.
Planet P Project - 1931 Review by Josh Turner Prepare yourself for some bold statements… This unknown commodity is one of my highlights from 2004 and deserves to be in any Top Ten Prog Album List for that year. More
Planet X - Live From Oz Review by Gary Hill Oz in this case is Australia, not the land of that fabled wizard or the prison show. The album was recorded live on June 13th, 2001 at the Corner Hotel, Richmond, Victoria, Australia.
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Planet X - Universe Review by Gary Hill Building on styles started on the first Planet X disc, this is a strong prog outing that includes a jazzy sort of texture. This one comes across a bit more hard rocking than the previous. More
I have to say that for my money Planet X was (and I say "was" because I doubt they'll ever do any music again, but I'd love to be proven wrong) one of the best instrumental acts ever.
Platypus - When Pus Comes To Shove Review by Gary Hill Combining elements of many `70`s styles, including prog, in a fresh mode, When Pus Comes To Shove is a strong work that should really hold up to the test of time. More
Platypus - Ice Cycles Review by Gary Hill The second release from Platypus, this is good fun prog with a classic rock edge. At times it is Floydish, at times Dregsish, but all with this particular group's style all over it. More
Point of Ares - Enemy Glory Review by Gary Hill You really will probably never hear another band that sounds like this. Taking art rock influences and a very strong literary basis, Point of Ares adds in elements typically not seen in this genre of music.
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Point of Ares - Sorrows of Young Apollo Review by Gary Hill Point of Ares` debut showcased an unusual sound which introduced punk textures into the progressive rock landscape. This CD continues in that musical direction, but seems much more refined, showing that the band is honing their craft.
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This is listed as "instrumental trip hop." Well, honestly, I don't see how this any less prog oriented than any number of electronic styles that get lumped under the prog heading.
Jean-Luc Ponty - Life Enigma Review by Gary Hill Jean-Luc Ponty's particular blend of fusion type music has always been intriguing and his violin work has always been top notch. I have included this review in the progressive rock category because I really feel that it fits the bill. More
I like this band's brand of progressive rock. It's unique, but calls to mind some things along the road. They are largely set in a more traditional progressive rock style.
The CD cover to this describes it as "remixed, remastered, partly rerecorded." I have not heard the original version of this album, so I can't compare the two.
Porcupine Tree - Deadwing Review by Steve Alspach Porcupine Tree may be strangers to these shores, but 2002's "In Absentia" made people stand up and take note, and with good measure. This outfit may have found the perfect balance of prog, metal, and gothic melancholia, and "In Absentia" was met with excellent reviews all around.
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Porcupine Tree - Staircase Infinities Review by Gary Hill This disc is made up of outtakes from the Up The Downstair album. It is a brief, but quite strong, nearly instrumental album. More
Porcupine Tree - In Absentia Review by Steve Alspach Steve Wilson's pet project (the group started as nothing more than just a fictional band several years ago) released their latest work, In Absentia, last year. The album is a thoughtful blend of melody, metal, and progressive.
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Mike Portnoy - Prime Cuts Review by Gary Hill Mike Portnoy now has his own entry in the Magna Carta Prime Cuts collection. This disc, as the rest of the series, features selected tracks from albums that the artist has contributed to, presented here as sort of a slice of some of the best of the work from him.
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This may not really be progressive rock, but it is clearly progressive music. Not only that, it has a lot in common with things like Porcupine Tree and RPWL.
This is a new single from an act I've not heard of before. Of course, the appearance of Annie Haslam brings this more toward familiar known commodities, though.
This is a new single from an act I've not heard of before. Of course, the appearance of Annie Haslam brings this more toward familiar known commodities, though.
This new single from Potter's Daughter is being released just in time for your winter holiday celebrations. I previously reviewed another single from this act.
Poverty's No Crime - The Chemical Chaos Review by Josh Turner You'd be hard-pressed to get these guys to admit it, but there are definitely some Dream Theater influences here. I'm thinking Scenes from a Memory era.
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This double CD set should appeal mostly to fans of Italian prog and those who really enjoy music from the Rock In Opposition music. It clearly has ties to both of those things.
Presto Ballet - Peace Among The Ruins Review by Gary Hill I have to say that there is a big buzz about this band. To hear many tell it these guys are the best new prog band to come out since the heyday of progressive rock in the 1970's.
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Procol Harum consisted of Gary Brooker, Chris Copping, Mick Grabham, Alan Cartwright, B. J. Wilson and Keith Reid on this disc. This is a solid live recording featuring some good prog sorts of music from this classic outfit.
This new version of the 1973 Procol Harum album has a lot of class. It includes the full album along with a number of bonus alternate versions as the CD.
This newly released version of a classic Procol Harum album is athree-CD set. The main album is included on the first disc, along with some bonus tracks (many of which are previously unreleased).
This new edition of Procol Harum's 1971 studio release is a 3-CD set. The first disc includes the main album with some un-released alternate takes as bonus tracks.
This new release from Procol Harum is essentially a single or an EP, depending on how you look at it. It has two songs with a radio edit of the first one taking up the third slot on the CD.
This new set from the ever-changing group of musicians recording under the name "The Prog Collective" does feel a little darker than some of the rest of their music.
There is a catch to categorizing Protest The Hero as prog, but it’s only because they come on so strong. Pacific Myth is a concept EP with fantastic story telling lyrics, containing only six tracks with an epic over eight-minute number at the end.
Proto-Kaw - Early Recordings from Kansas 1971-1973 Review by Gary Hill This disc is exactly what the title says, a collection of early demos and two live tracks from the band that would eventually take the rock world by storm under the name of Kansas. Much of the material is far closer to old King Crimson than to the sound that we all know of as that Midwestern group.
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Proto-Kaw - Before Became After Review by Gary Hill Proto-Kaw was one of the early groupings of the band that was later known as Kansas. When Cuneiform records released an album of their old material in 2002 it got the creative juices in Kansas/Proto-Kaw man Kerry Livgren.
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