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Progressive Rock CD Reviews

Gazpacho Fireworker Review by Gary Hill You really can't go wrong with Gazpacho when it comes to modern progressive rock. This new set is no exception. It showcases their brand of neo-prog really well. There is a good range and variety of sounds and modes here. I love the fact that it opens and closes with the two epics, too. The book-like packaging on the digi-pack is classy enough to earn it one of our MSJ Youtube video showcases. You will find bonus video footage of this release is available at the Music Street Journal Youtube channel here: .youtube.com/watch?v=ulqf2x2-GdE This review is available in book (paperback and hardcover) form in Music Street Journal: 2020 Volume 6. More information and purchase links can be found at: garyhillauthor.com/Music-Street-Journal-2020.

Track by Track Review

Space Cowboy If you come here expecting a cover of the Steve Miller song, you will be disappointed - or more likely pleasantly surprised. This is an epic piece that runs nearly twenty minutes. It starts with just vocals, and then mellower prog concepts join in a rather melancholy and quite beautiful arrangement. As this makes its way forward it gets very powerful at times. Lush symphonic prog elements emerge. Yet, it drops back down to the mellower zones, too. The cut keeps reinventing itself. It's very dynamic and very powerful. It gets bombastic at times, and there is a dramatic chorale vocal movement, too. This even rises up into seriously hard rocking zones at times. This even gets into some seriously metallic zones. It ends with a powerful symphonic rock movement. This is a masterpiece, really.

Hourglass Mellower, melodic progressive rock is at the heart of this piece. The number has a moody vibe. Synthesizer bring a great flavor to the track. It is a classy song.

Fireworker Street sounds open this. Percussive elements and world music bring it into being from there. This gets down-right hard rocking and nearly metallic at times.

Antique Percussive and classy electronic textures are at the heart of this moody number. It is along the lines of the kind of thing you expect from Porcupine Tree, but Gazpacho is usually set in similar zones musically. It gets more intense and powerful as it marches onward.

Sapien More moody modern progressive rock is on the menu here as this starts. The tune works through quite a few mood and modes and really makes plenty of changes, getting into some stomping hot zones before it's over. This is another epic piece, weighing in at over 15-minutes of music. It is very dynamic, has recurring themes, and is generally a strong song. I like how they put the two best songs (which are also the two epics) in the opening and closing slots. It lends a book-end quality to the release.

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Progressive Rock

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