Artists | Issues | CD Reviews | Interviews | Concert Reviews | DVD/Video Reviews | Book Reviews | Who We Are | Staff | Home
 
June 2021 - Issue 148
Progressive Rock CD Reviews
Jon Anderson - Animation: Remastered & Expanded Edition
Review by Gary Hill
This new edition of Jon Anderson's Animation album is so much better than the version I first bought. That one was apparently just created by copying a vinyl copy of the album.
Jon Anderson - Olias of Sunhillow: 2 Disc Remastered & Expanded Edition
Review by Gary Hill
Olias of Sunhillow was Jon Anderson's first solo album. It's gotten several releases over the years, but this might be the real deal - the best of the bunch.
Rick Armstrong - Infinite Corridors
Review by Gary Hill
I feel like I'm really late to the party on this artist. I have to admit that I've not heard of him before.
Babyflow - Oblivious (vinyl)
Review by Gary Hill
I previously reviewed a set from Anthony W. Rogers. This release is from him, but this time under a band name.
Richard Barbieri - Under a Spell
Review by Gary Hill
Richard Barbieri is probably best known for his work in the bands Japan and Porcupine Tree. His keyboard skills definitely bring a lot to both acts.
Be-Bop Deluxe - Drastic Plastic - Deluxe Edition
Review by Gary Hill
Drastic Plastic was the final album from Be Bop Deluxe. It was released in 1978.
Alex Carpani - L’orizzonte degli eventi
Review by Gary Hill
I have previously reviewed three other albums from Alex Carpani. Two of them were contenders for my "best of" list the years they were released.
Chest Rockwell - The Existentialist
Review by Gary Hill
I reviewed an earlier set from this act a couple issues ago. I liked that one a lot, and found it to be very inventive.
Crack the Sky - Tribes
Review by Gary Hill
Crack the Sky is a progressive rock band, but their brand of prog is not what you might expect. This is quirky, hard-edged and unusual.
DarWin - DarWin 3: Unplugged
Review by Gary Hill
This album is an interesting and quite effective one. It gathers up instrumental and unplugged versions of several tracks from the previous two DarWin albums.
Dwiki Dharmawan - Hari Ketiga: (The Third Day) - A Musical Quantum Entanglement In Nine Acts
Review by Gary Hill
I've reviewed quite a bit of music from Dwiki Dharmawan, but this might be his most intriguing album. I'd consider it to be one of the most unique.
District 97 - Screenplay
Review by Gary Hill
This new live set from District 97 is pretty strong. The band is a unique one, combining fusion, traditional prog, metal and more.
Dr. Space - Dr. Space's Cosmic Alliances: Volume One - Deep Space Day Trip
Review by Gary Hill
Dr. Space is otherwise known as Scott Heller, and he's the main guy behind Øresund Space Collective. He's always been involved in other projects, too.
Downes Braide Association - Halcyon Hymns
Review by Gary Hill
You really can't go wrong with Downes Braide Association. This new album is a great example of that fact.
Eternal Return - Once Only
Review by Gary Hill
This album is largely understated, but also quite powerful. The last few songs on the disc feel like part of a longer epic.
Jane Getter Premonition - Anomalia
Review by Gary Hill
I'd say that there is a good chance this album will make my "best of 2021" list. It's a strong album in general, but it's also very creative and inventive.
Gerald Gradwohl Group - Episode 6
Review by Gary Hill
This is an intriguing release. It would be easy to just label it as fusion, but that's not descriptive enough.
Ken Hensley - My Book Of Answers
Review by Gary Hill
Ken Hensley is probably best known for his work with Uriah Heep. With that band he played several instruments, wrote a lot of the music during his tenure and leant his voice to a lot of the music.
Bob Holz - A Vision Forward
Review by Gary Hill
This is a fusion album that leans on the mainstream jazz end of the equation. We generally land fusion under prog, though, so that's where this goes.
Intelligent Music Project VI - The Creation
Review by Gary Hill
As more and more of these projects come out, I wish I had organized the first ones differently. Each successive album from this act gets a higher number.
Srdjan Ivanovic Blazin' Quartet - Sleeping Beauty
Review by Gary Hill
With a healthy helping of experimental jazz built into it, this is an intriguing set.
Robert Jürjendal - Water Finds a Way
Review by Gary Hill
I previously reviewed another set from this artist. I landed that under prog, and I'm going to do the same with this one.
Kali Trio - Loom
Review by Gary Hill
The sound of this act is pretty unique. There is a real experimental angle to all of this music.
Machine Mass Sextet - Intrusion
Review by Gary Hill
Machine Mass, in various formations, produces unusual music time and time again. This new album is no exception.
Joe Macre - Bullet Train
Review by Gary Hill
When I'm getting ready to do a new issue of Music Street Journal, I listen to some short snippets of songs from each CD to decide where they fit (prog, metal and non-prog).
Mythos - Berliner Schule Sequencing
Review by Gary Hill
I've reviewed quite a few releases from this act over the years. This latest continues the electronic music concepts of recent albums.
Øresund Space Collective - Universal Travels
Review by Gary Hill
I've always enjoyed the music Øresund Space Collective creates. It's space rock that's always improvised.
Marcelo Paganini - Identity Crisis
Review by Gary Hill
The latest album from multi-instrumentalist Marcelo Paganini, this is a powerhouse progressive rock album.
The Pink Dust - Dark Seas
Review by Gary Hill
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.
Dennis Rea - Giant Steppes
Review by Gary Hill
I've reviewed several things featuring Dennis Rea in the past, from his work with the band Moraine to his solo catalog. This new album is quite an intriguing and unusual one.
Renaissance - 50th Anniversary Ashes Are Burning – An Anthology – Live In Concert, 2-CD, DVD & Blu Ray Box Set
Review by Gary Hill
This new set is such a classy release. It includes a two-CD set of a 50th anniversary concert from Renaissance, but that's just the beginning.
The Residents - Freak Show - 3cd Preserved Edition
Review by Gary Hill
In 1990 The Residents released an album called "Freak Show." That album is the bulk of the first disc of this new set.
Soft Works - Abracadabra In Osaka
Review by Gary Hill
There is a real history behind this project. It's a lot more complicated and extensive story than I have space to fully convey in the space of this review.
Natsuki Tamura, Satoko Fujii - Keshin
Review by Gary Hill
This is an unusual release. It's under progressive rock at MSJ because of it's experimental nature.
Natsuki Tamura, Satoko Fujii & Ramon Lopez - Mantle
Review by Gary Hill
This makes it under the heading of prog because that's where we put fusion, and that is probably the closest fit here. Then again, much of this isn't far removed from Rock in Opposition, either.
3.2 - Third Impression
Review by Gary Hill
The history of this act is well-known to some, but perhaps not to others. It should be of interest to all fans of progressive rock, though.
Trippy Hearts - Lacewing
Review by Gary Hill
I've debated and gone back and forth on where to land this. Psychedelia and alternative rock are big parts of the sound of this release.
Unquiet Music Ltd - In The Name Of... (A Prayer For Our Times)
Review by Gary Hill
It would be really hard to slap a label on this album, other than just lumping it in as progressive rock. Much of it is freeform, largely instrumental, weirdness.
Carl Verheyen - Sundial
Review by Gary Hill
Let me just say at the start that this is landed under progressive rock because Carl Verheyen, through his work with Supertramp and other projects is considered a prog artist, not because of the music here.
Mark Wingfield, Jane Chapman, Adriano Adewale - Zoji
Review by Gary Hill
This new release features a trio of musicians in a somewhat unusual configuration in terms of their chosen instrumentation.
Lyle Workman - Uncommon Measures
Review by Gary Hill
This instrumental album is one focused largely on guitar. Lyle Workman's guitar, though, is accompanied by an orchestra.
Metal/Prog Metal CD Reviews
Agent Steel - No Other Godz Before Me
Review by Gary Hill
This new set from L.A. thrashers finds lead singer Johnny Cyriis as the only member from the 80s lineup. The music here is intense.
Metallica - Ride the Lightning
Review by Gary Hill
I know Metallica gets a lot of flack for a lot of things. I'll be the first to admit that their later output is largely inconsistent.
No Terror in the Bang - Eclosion
Review by Gary Hill
I almost put this set under progressive rock. I'm not positive metal is the proper place for it, but the band is billed as a cinematic metal band.
Skold - Dies Irae
Review by Gary Hill
I previously reviewed another set from this act and said that it had a tendency to be samey. Well, I don't think that's the case this time around.
Non-Prog CD Reviews
Jack Barksdale - Live From Niles City
Review by Gary Hill
What an intriguing album this is. Some background, both on Music Street Journal and this artist, is in order.
Because Villains - Yes
Review by Gary Hill
This three-song EP is exceptionally effective. I'm not even a huge fan of this kind of music, but this works so well that it makes a believer out of me.
Beyond Here - New Dangers
Review by Gary Hill
This is a new EP from a band out of Nashville. They've been around for a couple years, but this is their first release.
Chalwa - NewRootz
Review by Gary Hill
I previously reviewed another set from this act. I think I liked that one better, but that's because it was less focused in one direction.
Lee Curtis & The All Stars - Let's Stomp: The Brits Are Rocking 5
Review by Gary Hill
Apparently this outfit was a short-lived group that were around Liverpool at the same time The Beatles were getting together. There is a definite Beatles-type element to a lot of the music here.
Peppino D'Agostino - ConneXion
Review by Gary Hill
I reviewed a previous set from Peppino D'Agostino. Like that disc, this is made up of instrumental guitar pieces.
Steve Drizos - Axiom
Review by Gary Hill
As I've noted in other reviews, when I'm lining up music for a new issue of MSJ, I tend to scan a little bit of a song or two to decide what category it lands in.
Wyatt Edmondson - If I Don't Try
Review by Gary Hill
There is a modern angle to the sound of this set. Yet it's also rooted in classic rock.
Steve Eulberg - Between The Tracks
Review by Gary Hill
This release is an acoustic guitar solo album. As such it seems like it might be limited.
Georgia Satellites - Ultimate Georgia Satellites
Review by Gary Hill
I, like a lot of people, probably knew of Georgia Satellites because of two songs, "Keep Your Hands to Yourself" and "Battleship Chains."
Colin Hicks - Sexy Rock - The Brits Are Rocking Vol.4
Review by Gary Hill
The British rock and roll scene was a lively one, even if they didn't get the same level of attention state-side as the American acts.
Jamaica Johnny and His Milagro Boys - Trinidad The Land Of Calypso
Review by Gary Hill
This calypso collection is a lot of fun. While it does have a tendency to get a little samey, it's entertaining enough for that to never become a problem.
Brianna Kocka - Let it Stay
Review by Gary Hill
This set has sort of a split personality. Some of it comes in closer to an art music, almost prog genre heading. Other songs, though, are more like pure folk rock.
Lost Leaders - Promises Promises
Review by Gary Hill
This is an intriguing album. While there is nothing really Earth-shattering about the sound of this act, they do what they do pretty well.
Lynyrd Skynyrd - Nothing Comes Easy 1991-2012 (box set)
Review by Gary Hill
This new box set of Lynyrd Skynryd music post-plane-crash has some great music on it. There are five discs here, one of which is an EP.
Sandy McKnight - W/ Fernando Perdomo - San Fernando Blitz
Review by Gary Hill
This short EP contains some effective music. There is a real mainstream pop rock vibe to all of it, but there is a decent range within that heading.
Sandy McKnight - with Fernando Perdomo - San Fernando Beat
Review by Gary Hill
I have two reviews of this duo in this issue of Music Street Journal. The other one, the newer of the two, is definitely the better release.
Colin Roy Monette - Lucky*
Review by Gary Hill

There is a lot of good music here. None of this lands in the category of weak, either.

New Chums - Shruggin' Off The Feelings
Review by Gary Hill
This Arizona based trio delivers a great sampling of high energy and catchy pop rock on this EP.
Salim Nourallah - Jesus of Sad
Review by Gary Hill
I previously reviewed a longer set from Salim Nourallah.
Rosetta Stone - Cryptology
Review by Gary Hill
I have to admit that this is the first time I heard of this act. Apparently they were big in the Goth scene in the UK in the 1980s, but broke up in 1998.
Ray Scott - Nowhere Near Done
Review by Gary Hill
I know a lot of people these days really like the country music that is more closely tied to rock music or pop. You know what I'm talking about, right?
Greg Smith - Redemption Road
Review by Gary Hill
This is a collection of well-written music and strong performances of those songs. The music is generally in the folk rock territory, with some variation in terms of the style within that concept.
Spirit - Son of America - Expanded Edition
Review by Gary Hill
This new three-CD box set is very cool. It is made up of a lot of unreleased songs, demos and such.
Sugar Addikt - Phoenix
Review by Gary Hill
This is an intriguing outfit. It's a mother and son from the Seattle area.
Ugly Runner - Romanticizer
Review by Gary Hill
A North Carolina based band, I would have guessed them as British from their sound.
Kiki Valera - Vivencias En Clave Cubana
Review by Gary Hill
If you are familiar with Latin party music, you'll have a good idea what this sounds like. Here's the thing. That type of music is generally a lot of fun, and this is a classic example.
Various Artists - Austin Boogie Crew Records: 5 Years Of Modern Funk
Review by Gary Hill
You get a pretty good idea of what you get here when you read the title of this album. That said, while this is modern funk, you might not know it by listening to the disc.
Various Artists - Destination Lust 2: Chicksville U.S.A.! The World Of Love, Sex And Violence - 33 Erotic Fantasies from the Vaults
Review by Gary Hill
I recently reviewed the first installment of "Destination Lust." I think this is the more consistent set of the two, but both have a lot of shining moments.
Various Artists - Gonna Shake This Shack Tonight: From Vaults Of Decca & Coral Records
Review by Gary Hill
This collection from Bear Family records gathers up a heaping helping of roots music. The sound varies from early rock and roll to country, bluegrass and even jazz.
Various Artists - Lockdown Sessions: An International Down Home Blues Revue
Review by Gary Hill
Half of each issue of Music Street Journal is progressive rock. That means that things that don't fit that category can get delayed, particularly when we get a lot of expedited review orders.
Various Artists - We Shall All Be Reunited: Revisiting Bristol Sessions 1927-1928
Review by Gary Hill
Bear Family is really one of the best companies for putting out these archival releases. This set is a reissue of an older set with new re-mastering.
Junior Wells - Blues Brothers
Review by Gary Hill
If you are a fan of the blues, you have to know who Junior Wells was. He was blues royalty.
West Side Joe & The Men Of Soul - Keep On Climbin'
Review by Gary Hill
This act out of Colorado really has crafted a sound that has its roots and textures set in old-school, classic, musical zones. Yet, they bring a freshness and vitality to it.
DVD/Video Reviews
AC/DC - No Bull – The Directors Cut DVD
Review by Greg Olma
AC/DC is one of those bands that is legendary, but if we were to really dig into their album releases stating in the mid-80s through the 90s, we would find a number of records that don’t stand up to previous material. 
Blue Öyster Cult - A Long Day’s Night DVD
Review by Greg Olma
There are certain bands that have such a catalogue and legacy but haven’t really released a lot of visual material. 
Marillion - Marbles In The Park DVD
Review by Greg Olma
The great thing about Marillion is that they are rewriting the way a band interacts with their fan base.  They were the first (to the best of my knowledge) to use crowd-sourcing to put out music and fund tours. 
Queensrÿche - Live Evolution DVD
Review by Greg Olma
Queensrÿche has always been a favorite of mine since hearing the first EP way back in 1983. 
Interviews
Omenopus
Interview by Gary Hill
Interview with Omenopus from 2021
 
More Issues
March 2024 - Issue 163
December 2023 - Issue 162
October 2023 - Issue 161
July 2023 - Issue 160
April 2023 - Issue 159
February 2023 - Issue 158
December 2022 - Issue 157
October 2022 - Issue 156
August 2022 - Issue 155
June 2022 - Issue 154
April 2022 - Issue 153
February 2022 - Issue 152
December 2021 - Issue 151
October 2021 - Issue 150
August 2021 - Issue 149
June 2021 - Issue 148
April 2021 - Issue 147
February 2021 - Issue 146
December 2020 - Issue 145
October 2020 - Issue 144
August 2020 - Issue 143
June 2020 - Issue 142
April 2020 - Issue 141
February 2020 - Issue 140
December 2019 - Issue 139
October 2019 - Issue 138
August 2019 - Issue 137
June 2019 - Issue 136
April 2019 - Issue 135
February 2019 - Issue 134
December 2018 - Issue 133
October 2018 - Issue 132
August 2018 - Issue 131
June 2018 - Issue 130
April 2018 - Issue 129
February 2018 - Issue 128
December 2017 - Issue 127
October 2017 - Issue 126
August 2017 - Issue 125
June 2017 - Issue 124
April 2017 - Issue 123
February 2017 - Issue 122
December 2016 - Issue 121
October 2016 - Issue 120
August 2016 - Issue 119
June 2016 - Issue 118
April 2016 - Issue 117
February 2016 - Issue 116
December 2015 - Issue 115
October 2015 - Issue 114
August 2015 - Issue 113
June 2015 - Issue 112
April 2015 - Issue 111
February 2015 - Issue 110
December 2014 - Issue 109
October 2014 - Issue 108
August 2014 - Issue 107
June 2014 - Issue 106
April 2014 - Issue 105
February 2014 - Issue 104
December 2013 - Issue 103
October 2013 - Issue 102
August 2013 - Issue 101
June 2013 - Issue 100
April 2013 - Issue 99
February 2013 - Issue 98
December 2012 - Issue 97
October 2012 - Issue 96
August 2012 - Issue 95
June 2012 - Issue 94
April 2012 - Issue 93
February 2012 - Issue 92
December 2011 - Issue 91
October 2011 - Issue 90
August 2011 - Issue 89
June 2011 - Issue 88
April 2011 - Issue 87
February 2011 - Issue 86
December 2010 - Issue 85
October 2010 - Issue 84
August 2010 - Issue 83
June 2010 - Issue 82
April 2010 - Issue 81
February 2010 - Issue 80
December 2009 - Issue 79
October 2009 - Issue 78
August 2009 - Issue 77
June 2009 - Issue 76
April 2009 - Issue 75
February 2009 - Issue 74
December 2008 - Issue 73
October 2008 - Issue 72
August 2008 - Issue 71
June 2008 - Issue 70
April 2008 - Issue 69
February 2008 - Issue 68
December 2007 - Issue 67
October 2007 - Issue 66
August 2007 - Issue 65
June 2007 - Issue 64
April 2007 - Issue 63
February 2007 - Issue 62
December 2006 - Issue 61
October 2006 - Issue 60
August 2006 - Issue 59
June 2006 - Issue 58
April 2006 - Issue 57
February 2006 - Issue 56
December 2005 - Issue 5
December 2004 - Issue 4
December 2003 - Issue 3
December 2002 - Issue 2
December 2001 - Issue 1
December 2000 - Issue 0
August 2025 - Issue 0
 
Google

   Creative Commons License
   This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 United States License.

    © 2024 Music Street Journal                                                                           Site design and programming by Studio Fyra, Inc./Beetcafe.com