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| Progressive Rock CD Reviews |
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After... - No Attachments
Review by Larry Toering
After... are an outfit from Poland formed in 2002.
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Alien Parachute Man - Heat of the Land
Review by Gary Hill
Heat of the Land is a deceptively unique album. At first glance, Tool is probably the most obvious reference.
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Also Eden - Think Of The Children
Review by Alison Reijman
It is nigh on short of a miracle that this album by English prog rockers Also Eden was ever completed.
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Jon Anderson and Rick Wakeman - The Living Tree In Concert: Part One
Review by Gary Hill
Whenever a live album (or any album from that matter) comes out featuring two of the most charismatic and popular former members of a band like Yes comparisons to that group are obvious.
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Ayscobe - Beside Yourself
Review by Gary Hill
There are probably those who will argue with placing this review under progressive rock.
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Bandless Abandon - End of the End
Review by Gary Hill
Combining progressive rock with psychedelia, alternative rock, metal and other sounds, “End of the End” is a cool release.
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Beyond the Bridge - The Old Man and The Spirit
Review by Gary Hill
I know that it’s just the first month of the year, but here’s a disc that might well make my “best of 2012” list.
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Caravan - Cunning Stunts
Review by Scott Prinzing
There have been a number of albums I purchased over the years based solely on album covers.
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Billy Cobham - Palindrome
Review by Larry Toering
Billy Cobham is usually referred to as contemporary jazz or jazz/fusion artist, but he also crossed over into prog territory and it appears it has not left him after all these years.
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Clark Colborn - Again
Review by Larry Toering
Guitarist virtuoso and general music extraordinaire Clark Colborn, (aka “Clark Plays Guitar”) is back after a long delay between albums.
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Keith Emerson - Band - Featuring Marc Bonilla – Moscow
Review by Larry Toering
I've seen my share of Keith Emerson live. Based on the performance captured here, I would would say I haven't seen his best.
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FeedForward - Upstream
Review by Gary Hill
Some might suggest this album land in the heavy metal category. Yes, it has a lot in common with epic metal, and some sections fall into that zone.
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River Guerguerian - Grooves for Odd Times
Review by Gary Hill
OK, this might not fit into the category of progressive rock.
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The Gun and Doll Show - American Radio Two
Review by Gary Hill
American Radio Two by The Gun and Doll Show is an album unlike any other.
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Henderson/Oken - Dream Theory in the IE
Review by Gary Hill
Mike Henderson and Chuck Oken are both members of Djam Karet, so one might expect this to sound like that band.
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Hillmen - Blue Mountain Session
Review by Gary Hill
Here’s an intriguing disc of instrumental music.
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Lazuli - [4603 battements]
Review by Alison Reijman
This French quintet was formed in 1998 with two brothers, Dominique and Claude Leonetti very much at its helm.
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Pat Mastelotto - Recidivate
Review by Grant Hill
This double CD compilation is an interesting and unique collage of multiple percussive styles given to a wide palette of genres and colors therein.
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Mr. Hunter - The First Chapter
Review by Gary Hill
This group talks about their sound being extremely groove oriented.
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Candice Night - Reflections
Review by Gary Hill
This is a solo album from Candice Night.
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Oceans of Night - Domain
Review by Gary Hill
Some might call this heavy metal, and others, like myself, will put it under progressive rock.
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Michelle Renia - Captured Moments
Review by Gary Hill
Instrumental albums can be a difficult task.
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Saga - Saga
Review by Scott Prinzing
I was first introduced to Saga by seeing their video of “Don't Be Late (Chapter 2)” from their sophomore release, Silent Knight, on MTV of all places!
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Jeremy Schonfeld - Iron and Coal
Review by Gary Hill
What an intriguing disc this is!
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The Skys - Colors of the Desert
Review by Gary Hill
While the references seem to run the gamut between Pink Floyd, Nektar, Yes, Hawkwind and more AOR oriented varieties, the style of prog that The Skys play is modern with a lot of classic elements in place.
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Kevin M. Thomas - Essentials
Review by Gary Hill
The music here should appeal to fans of classically tinged progressive rock.
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TouchStone - The City Sleeps
Review by Gary Hill
With various sections feeling a bit like different acts, this is music that sits pretty well along the fence between progressive rock and heavy metal.
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The Void’s Last Stand - Rakash
Review by Gary Hill
The blend of sounds Void’s Last Stand produces isn’t for everyone.
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Wishbone Ash - Elegant Stealth
Review by Gary Hill
Wishbone Ash is a unique band.
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Yes - In the Present: Live from Lyon
Review by Gary Hill
While any Yes album is better than the music of a lot of other bands, this is probably the group’s weakest live album.
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Yes - Union: Live
Review by Gary Hill
I remember seeing Yes on the Union tour. It was an amazing show.
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| Metal/Prog Metal CD Reviews |
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Black Haze - DNA
Review by Larry Toering
This is one of a few bands of the sort of power pop variety I've been given the opportunity to review in this issue and, it's coincidentally one of two from Portland, Oregon.
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Burlinson Whitten Trio - Running Through Museums
Review by Gary Hill
With Running Through Museums Burlinson Whitten Trio have released an album that should please fans of indie rock, but also those whose tastes run closer to classic rock.
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Meghan Cary - Building this House
Review by Gary Hill
Based in a very classic rock styled motif, this album is quite entertaining.
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Charity Chapman - Gordon the Northern EP
Review by Gary Hill
Although there are only three songs on this EP, it really shows a true pop talent.
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Adam Cross - Sirens
Review by Gary Hill
Adam Cross’ music occupies a space somewhere around the three way intersection of pop, rock and AOR.
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Peter Daltrey - King of Thieves: The Best of Peter Daltrey Volume 2
Review by Gary Hill
Apparently Peter Daltrey was part of the 1960s psychedelic group Kaleidoscope.
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Drunken Prayer - Into The Missionfield
Review by Larry Toering
Drunken Prayer are a unique band with a sound that has been described as a “holy blues,” but on their second release they go even further into blues and even some rock, as well.
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The Fall - Ersatz G.B.
Review by Gary Hill
I reviewed the recent live album from The Fall and noted that there were musical links to Hawkwind at some points.
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Haikaa - Work of Art
Review by Gary Hill
Electronic music, progressive rock, pop and a lot of other sounds are blended together on this album.
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The Lucy Hammond Band - Proof
Review by Gary Hill
One of so many treasures from Portland, Oregon, The Lucy Hammond Band is a mature and contemporary soulful rocking blues act, with a focus on Hammond’s outstandingly powerful, yet sublime vocal prowess.
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Emily Hurd - Long Lost Ghosts
Review by Gary Hill
I hate to admit it, but I’ve never heard Emily Hurd before.
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Leningrad Cowboys - Buena Vodka Social Club
Review by Gary Hill
Anyone who reads a lot of my reviews will know that music that combines seemingly unrelated styles earns a special place in my heart.
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Nils Lofgren - Old School
Review by Gary Hill
I remember Nils Lofgren from the 1970s, and it’s a safe bet that if you are reading this review, so do you.
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Joe Matera - Slave To The Fingers EP
Review by Bruce Stringer
Australian rock journalist and guitar player, Joe Matera, combines his love of straight out, balls-to-the-wall rock 'n' roll with a laid back Satriani-esque bluesiness that manages to capture a nostalgic bygone era of rock that was.
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Motortrain - Straight Six
Review by Gary Hill
If you like your rock raw and without frills, you’ll love Motortrain.
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Bill Mumy - Until the Big Bang Whimpers
Review by Gary Hill
Bill Mumy is a very consistent artist in terms of delivering one quality album after another.
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Powerman 5000 - Copies Clones & Replicants
Review by Gary Hill
Albums of covers are not uncommon.
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Lila Rose - Heart Machine
Review by Gary Hill
This is an interesting album that sort of defies classification.
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Slash - Made in Stoke 24/7/11
Review by Gary Hill
I’ve always liked Guns N Roses.
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Neal Smith - Killsmith Two
Review by Gary Hill
Some albums seem better suited for the modern era where people just download the songs they like than do others.
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Sweet - Live: Are You Ready?
Review by Larry Toering
Recorded on August 30th, 2008, at the Morongo in California, by the Westwood One Mobile Recording Unit, this was a major undertaking for them which could not have been done better if you really love Sweet.
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Throwback Suburbia - Shotglass Souvenir
Review by Larry Toering
Throwback a shot and enjoy the Suburbia sounds of one of, if not the northwest's finest power pop band’s latest offering.
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UB40 - Labour Of Love IV
Review by Larry Toering
More than twenty-five years since the release UB40s first Labour Of Love and, the arrival of another chapter in this best selling series is still an event.
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Various Artists - Adam Lambert & Steve Cooke - The Paramount Sessions
Review by Gary Hill
Whenever an artist gets a big name, old recordings (if they exist) show up on offer.
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Vintage Blue - Strike the Mics
Review by Gary Hill
Based mostly on a pop rock sound, this is the kind of thing that should please both fans of modern rock and those whose tastes run more towards classic sounds.
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Wall of Voodoo - Lost Weekend: The Best Of Wall Of Voodoo: The IRS Years
Review by Larry Toering
Wall Of Voodoo are primarily considered an 80s band but started in the late 70s and went through two line-ups.
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Jack Wilson - Jack Wilson
Review by Larry Toering
Jack Wilson is one of two northwest artists I'm reviewing on the Fluff & Gravy label.
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Stevie Zee - Caballero
Review by Larry Toering
This is what you would call one long awaited follow up, as the incomparable Stevie Zee went from his debut Wail in 1995, (although later reissued with a different sleeve) until into the twenty first century, before recording this equally fine follow up.
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Al Di Meola - Morocco Fantasia DVD
Review by Gary Hill
Al Di Meola is, without question, one of the greatest living guitarists.
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The Doors - Mr. Mojo Risin': The Story of L.A. Woman BluRay
Review by Gary Hill
Certainly the Doors were an important and highly influential band.
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Peter Gabriel - New Blood – Live In London – BluRay
Review by Larry Toering
Even though his previous release Scratch My Back was excellent, Peter Gabriel has outdone himself once again with this follow up video that also comes in 3D as well as a 2 CD special edition package.
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Paul McCartney - The Love We Make DVD
Review by Gary Hill
I guess a lot of how you’ll feel about this DVD is about what you think of the whole concept behind it, a sort of solidarity concert after the World Trade Center attacks.
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Queen - Days of Our Lives BluRay
Review by Gary Hill
This is an incredible documentary. It goes very much in depth into the Queen story, from the beginnings through Freddie Mercury’s death and beyond.
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Rush - Time Machine – Live in Cleveland 2011 DVD
Review by Greg Olma
If you saw Beyond The Lighted Stage (the Rush documentary) then you already knew Rush has a bit of history with the city of Cleveland.
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Styx - Grand Illusion / Pieces of Eight – Live BluRay
Review by Gary Hill
Looking at this BluRay, there are a number of levels on which to comment.
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The Richard Thompson Band - Live at Celtic Connections BluRay
Review by Gary Hill
So, I’ll be the first to admit it, I had not really heard Richard Thompson before this.
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Various Artists - From Straight to Bizarre-Zappa, Beefheart, Alice Cooper, and LA's Lunatic Fringe DVD
Review by Gary Hill
Frank Zappa might not have been the first or last artist to form his own record label and sign new acts.
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X - Unheard Music DVD
Review by Gary Hill
Here’s a fascinating documentary about a unique band. X is one of those groups with devoted followers and others who find them to be visionary and revolutionary.
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