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Anthony W. Rogers

High Five (vinyl)

Review by Gary Hill

I generally put Anthony W. Rogers under progressive rock, as I did this release. That's because of the experimental, sonically challenging aspect of the music. This is unique and yet strangely compelling. There are times that make me think of various artists, but overall it showcases things ranging from pop rock to jazz, psychedelia and more.

This review is available in book (paperback and hardcover) form in Music Street Journal: 2023  Volume 5 More information and purchase links can be found at: garyhillauthor.com/Music-Street-Journal-2023.

Track by Track Review
Side A
                              
Whether You Get Me

This has a cool psychedelia meets pop rock groove to it. It's got a quirky, DIY edge to it.

Missed It
More of a hard rock angle is heard here. I really dig the guitar soloing on the track. There is an almost space rock edge to this at times.
Frog Eyes
A bit slower, this is no less psychedelic and DIY. It's also no less unusual. There are some almost jazz-like things at play at times.
Slow Boat Ride
Not a big change, this is another weird psychedelic DIY number that is unique and oddly compelling.
Kensington
After some more typical, but particularly strange, stuff at the beginning, this one takes us into space rock zones, jazzy textures and more. It's one of the oddest and most interesting pieces here. This gets into some really freeform, almost proggy zones late.
Side B
                     
All Saints

While this still shows off a lot of the kinds of sounds we expect here, this elevates things. I can make out hints of both The Beatles and Todd Rundgren on this.

The Sky King Of Georgetown
This has jazz and space rock built into it. It's another that's on the more intriguing end of the spectrum.
West Virginia
Todd Rundgren, Steely Dan and more merge with the usual suspects here. It's another unusual piece of music.
Slava Ukraini
Rundgren is on the menu at times here. This gets into some trippy, spacey zones later. It has a cool psychedelic meets jazz and prog vibe at times.
Not Waiting
This is more of a pop rock based number. It has the usual left-of-center DIY angle at play. There are hints of that Steely Dan sort of thing in the mix.
  
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