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Progressive Rock CD Reviews

Lonny Ziblat

Dream Hunting

Review by Gary Hill

You might know Lonny Ziblat from his band Modest Midget. This set lands under progressive rock in part because of that connection. The truth is, the first half of the album (give or take) has a lot of progressive rock in it, really. There is a good variety here, and everything works pretty well. That said, it seems that the simplest, most sparsely arranged tunes are all grouped together at the end. I think that it might have worked a bit better if those had been split among the other songs a bit more, just to allow them to show more contrast. Still, it's a small point as this is solid as it's released.

This review is available in book (paperback and hardcover) in Music Street Journal: 2019  Volume 4. More information and purchase links can be found at: garyhillauthor.com/Music-Street-Journal-2019.

Track by Track Review
Healing
The acoustic guitar melodies on this bring a real dreamy quality. The vocals add to that texture. There is a prog folk element at play, even if a bit understated. There are some jazzy moments here. When the arrangement fills out a little more it lends another dimension to the piece. While this has a restful vibe, there seems to be an ominous presence sort of hiding in the backdrop at times. The guitar solo movement later in the piece makes me think of both King Crimson and California Guitar Trio to some degree. There is a real psychedelic rock edge here, but this is proggy, too.
Outta Sight
Starting with bass, there is a real jazzy texture on the opening section here. The cut moves out from there to something that has a retro electronic texture along with a more pure pop music vibe. It resolves to another dreamy kind of movement for the choruses, though. This is art rock at its best, while still managing to be oddly infectious. I can make out hints of Steely Dan on this, but with more of an electronic music edge.
Barby Q
There is a bouncy, playful texture to this. Old time rock and roll and pop music are the driving factors on this cut. Yet, there is still a proggy, electronic edge to it somehow. There are some Beach Boys hints on the number. This is an unusual, yet strangely compelling piece.
Lost and Found
The guitar that starts has some intriguing climbing melodies. This is more purely progressive rock based, but in a rather mellow, acoustic driven vein, at least early. The vocals bring more alternative pop to the mix.  The more rocking movement later makes me think of Klaatu in some ways. This quite a dynamic and expansive tune.
Another Day
Classy electronic prog pop is the order of business here. There is a dreamy quality to the number. It has some hints of jazzy elements, too.
Days of Peace
Magdalena Golebiowska guests here providing the lead vocals. This is a mellow and delicate piece with acoustic guitar serving as the backdrop for those vocals. The guitar melodies make me think of The Beatles at times. Other instrumentation is added further down the road, but more in the way of augmenting the arrangement than changing the song.
Lady Witch
The piano melody here is pretty, but also twisted. This cut qualifies as artsy music for sure. This is downright creepy in a cool way. The arrangement never fills out, instead remaining mellow and tastefully bizarre.
Phony Baits
Acoustic guitar and voice are the two elements that make this cut. The arrangement on this one remains in the stripped down mode.
A Little Secret
Based on acoustic guitar and voice, there is a jazz meets Beatles kind of vibe to this cut. It doesn't work as well as some of the others here. Still, it has its charms. It doesn't really move far from its origins, either.
Stuck
Starting on ukulele, this has a pretty, intimate vibe in the first sections. This does get a bit more in terms of added layers, but overall remains stripped back and mellow.
 
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