Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
Kenny Norton
http://kenoalbumreview.blogspot.com
Table of Contents
Welcome All!
Hibernal - Replacements
Eloy - Performance
Pink Floyd - Meddle
The Dear Hunter - Act III: Life and Death
The Moody Blues - Days of Future Passed
Silversun Pickups - Neck of the Woods
Top 5 Greatest Concerts I've Ever Seen List
Coheed and Cambria - Good Apollo, I'm Burning Star IV, Vol. I
The Sunpilots - King of the Sugarcoated Tongues
The Smashing Pumpkins - Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness
Mastodon - Once More 'Round the Sun
Fire Garden - Sound of Majestic Colors
Tides of Man - Young and Courageous
Rush - Caress of Steel
Rush - Clockwork Angels
Dream Theater - Awake
I Was Awake - I Was Awake
Yes - Heaven and Earth
State of Illusion - Aphelion
Welcome all!
Congratulations! Of the seemingly endless supply of entertainment on
the Internet, you have happened to stumble upon my blog! Lucky you!
My name is Kenny, but from now on I will be referring to myself as
"Keno." Hence the name: Keno's Album Review.
Before we get to business, I thought I would give an introduction to my
blog. For those of you who do not know me, music is my biggest
hobby. It is something that is always on my mind, from the moment I
wake up to the moment I fall asleep. It gives me a great source of joy
and entertainment. I cannot imagine a day where I cannot listen to my
favorite artist or album. As an aspiring yet struggling musician myself,
I also make a hobby of playing, learning, and understanding music.
Through my experiences, I have seen myself fall into a particular
niche: rock music. Throughout this blog you will see me heavily
leaning towards rock music, but not towards any specific genre. The
greatness of rock music is its vast number of genres and even more
subgenres. From progressive rock, to heavy metal, to industrial rock,
my ears have heard a lot over the years. I continue to look for the best
rock music released, and to expand my taste in music.
Now to the good part. What is the purpose of this blog? Why are you
reading this in the first place?
My goal is to provide a new listening experience to my readers. Every
week, I will post a new artist or album that I have found throughout my
life and feel that I must share with my audience. The possibility of
artists are endless: popular ones, obscure ones, underground ones,
unknown ones, new ones, old ones, and maybe even ones that you'll
mispronounce. I'll help you all with a little background behind the
band, along with a description of why this album or artist is worth
mentioning. I might tell which situation to listen to them to in, what
instrument to pay the most attention to, which lyrics to listen to, and
more. I hope to encourage you all to drop whatever you are doing,
even to stop what you are listening to, and to take a chance with my
suggestions. I hope to not only make new fans of these artists, but to
help artists make new fans out of you.
If you do not have them already in your music library, you can find
them using Spotify, iTunes Radio or Bandcamp. If you end up sharing
the same feelings towards them as I do, I encourage you to buy their
album on iTunes or other music purchasing websites. If they are
coming to a city near you, I encourage you to go to their concert, to
purchase their merchandise, and to thank them by being there for
them.
I hope you all share the same love of music as I do. I also hope you
will take a little time out of your week to read my blog, and to give a try
towards something new.
Until my first official post, I thank you all, and welcome you all to
Keno's Album Review!
Hibernal - Replacements
To start off my very first review on my blog, I felt I had to stray away
from the norm. I didnt want to review my personal favorite album first,
or review an artist that everyone has heard of and has listened to
lately. Im trying to make this blog unique people! I hope for my blog to
give equal opportunity to all rock bands out there, old or new, popular
or not. Thats why I am starting my first review on a little unknown (at
least in the United States) band from Australia called Hibernal.
For those of you who dont know, I believe only two good things have
come out of Australia: Crocodile Dundee, and rock bands. From
bands like Karnivool and Closure in Moscow, to bands like AC/DC and
Wolfmother, Australia is packed with bands that grab my attention.
One of those bands is Hibernal.
Hibernal is solo project fronted by Mark Healy, who performs all
instruments on the album. I can only describe their sound as
The greatest thing about their music? The stories are really
interesting! As an advocate for concept albums, I have heard many
statements made against the use of a concept in music. A common
clich for concept albums are that they involve windy, over-told stories
that make little to no sense in the end. Not Hibernal. Their stories are
simple, yet complete. Imagination is needed to fill the gaps, but they
guide you not only through word, but through song. Their newest
album Replacements can be summed up on their Bandcamp page:
Replacements opens a window into the future of mankinds
technology where our mastery of robotics creates endless
possibilities, both great and terrible. It asks the question is
everything replaceable? (source)
For those who are not interested in following a story, and would
instead like an instrumental piece, Hibernal offers an option for
Replacements without the spoken word, to give the listener a
different experience.
I urge anyone who is a lover of science fiction, prog rock, movie
soundtracks, or are suckers for concept albums like myself to take a
listen to Hibernals Replacements.
Bandcamp
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Eloy - Performance
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Eloy website
Facebook
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The album I will be reviewing today comes from a band that I'm sure
everyone has heard of. The band I am talking about is none other than
Pink Floyd.
Whether you know of the band's history or not, all you need to know is
this foursome has produced some of the most influential albums in
rock history. From albums like "Dark Side of the Moon," "The Wall,"
and "Wish You Were Here," Pink Floyd has rocked over several
decades, and has evolved their style over that same span. For Pink
Floyd to reach such a height of popularity, several albums needed to
have been made prior to help launch their career. I believe that
without their album "Meddle," Pink Floyd might be a different band
today.
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"Fearless" and "A Pillow of Winds" use clean guitar and a slow tempo
to help continue the theme of easy listening. The simple styles of
classic rock are affluent in these songs, as David Gilmour and Roger
Waters turn to a more acoustic sound.
By far, the best song on this album is their signature track "Echoes."
For those of you who still own record players, "Echoes" takes up the
entire second side with their 23 minute track, summing up the various
styles used throughout the album. Part easy listening, part
psychedelic, part progressive, the song is separated into different
sections. Using various sound effects from the keyboard and guitar,
Pink Floyd uses improvisation techniques to create another garagelike atmosphere. Adding to the great music is the lyrics that can be
interpreted in so many ways. Does it follow a concept? Is it simply
about the human experience? It's up to the listener.
I love to hear the evolution of Pink Floyd through their music. I feel
that most of their older albums are too scattered and unfocused, while
some of their newer albums are too focused and follow to much of a
concept, which limits the listener's imagination and creativity. I believe
"Meddle" is the perfect balance between these two sides of Pink
Floyd, and is worth a listen, especially among fans who are more
familiar with their more popular albums.
Pink Floyd
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The next album I'll review comes from a band that I have neglected for
some time until this week. That band is The Dear Hunter.
The Dear Hunter is the brainchild of singer/songwriter Casey
Crescenzo. A talented artist, Crescenzo performs the majority of
instruments during his recordings, and having had the opportunity to
see him live, performs vocals, guitar, and the keyboard on stage.
This band has lived in my iTunes Library for a couple years, and I
have managed to skip over them throughout this time. Even though I
have had a positive experience seeing this band live when they toured
with Coheed and Cambria and Porcupine Tree, I have only managed
to listen to a couple songs this whole time. As of this week, though, I
finally told myself I had to stop looking over The Dear Hunter and give
them an honest try. Boy, am I glad I did! I have listened to their first
three albums, falling in love with their album "Act III: Life and Death."
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The album "Act III: Life and Death" is the third of a six album concept.
The concept takes place in the past (from the sound and song titles,
my guess is the late 1800's), and revolves around the protagonist, the
Dear Hunter, as he seeks to learn more about his deceased mother.
As an advocate for concept albums, I love the intricacy and detail
behind the story. Over the three albums that have been released so
far, the listener has learned about the Dear Hunter's history, starting
with his birth and as of now end with the death of his father. Although
the band is temporarily stepping away from their concept, I am excited
to hear what they have in store next.
What I love the most about this album is the unique sound they have.
The Dear Hunter cannot be classified as one particular genre. The
band can be described mainly as a progressive rock band, apparent in
songs like "In Cauda Venemum" ("The sting is in its tail" in Latin),
which happens to be my favorite song on the album. The song
transitions from the screaming vocals that are apparent in posthardcore bands, to a verse with a prog-rock bass line, and with horn
instruments in the background throughout. I can also argue that the
band has influences of indie rock (some bands they remind me of
include Portugal. The Man and Circa Survive). Some songs that
remind me of these influences include "The Tank" and "This Beautiful
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Life." I can also hear influences of folk rock (such as the Decemberists
and City and Colour) in the songs "The Poison Woman" and "Go Get
Your Gun". The constant change in rock styles keeps the listener on
their toes, and helps describe the concept in greater detail.
I recommend this album to lovers of progressive rock, post-hardcore
rock, indie rock, folk rock, or to those just looking for a new, unique
sound. The Dear Hunter has released three albums total following the
concept of the character "The Dear Hunter," but has also released two
albums on the side, called "The Color Spectrum" and "Migrant." "The
Color Spectrum" continues the trend of unique music, as it changes
music style from song to song. Finally, Casey Crescenzo has also
recently created a symphony called "Amour & Attrition." That's right, a
symphony. Take a listen for yourself!
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finally ending with the first single off their album Nights in White
Satin.
Nights in White Satin is by far my favorite song by The Moody Blues.
I believe it is one of the best love songs ever written, as the narrator
struggles with his feelings of love towards another. I picture someone
lying in bed, struggling to fall asleep, thinking about someone they
love who is not there with them. I feel this way when my wife is away,
and I cant help but feel for the narrator in this album. As the narrator
slowly drifts to sleep, the album closes the way it began with a soft
harmony by the orchestra.
As I write this post, I am realizing that Days of Future Passed is one
of my favorite albums in my iTunes library. It is a perfect, relatable
story. It has an awesome sound brought to you not only by The Moody
Blues, but also by the London Festival Orchestra. I highly recommend
this album to those who love classic rock, and especially to those who
love orchestras and symphonies.
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percussion, along with the darker lyrics, brings more of that feeling of
nostalgia.
Even though I have mainly talked about Brian Aubert, this is in no way
Brian Auberts band. I encourage, no, plead for anyone reading this
article to see Silversun Pickups live! I have seen them twice, their
second time being in my Top 5 Greatest Concerts Ive Ever Seen
list. Each member of the band plays a vital role in each song, and the
stage performance is phenomenal. The second time I saw them was
at Soma San Diego, and was filled with an array of colors, lights, and
sounds. Please see this band live; I guarantee it will make your own
Greatest Concerts Ive Ever Seen list.
I urge everyone to see this up-and-coming, if not, already arrived rock
band. If you are a fan of 90s grunge, shoegaze, dream pop, and indie
music, I guarantee youll fall in love with Neck of the Woods.
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This next album is a definite must listen to all who read this post. It is
by my all time favorite band: Coheed and Cambria.
As I was driving through the wilderness over the weekend, I came
across a thought. I couldnt help but think that Coheed and Cambria
has the best following than any other rock band today. I cannot think
of many friends or acquaintances of mine who could answer this
ridiculously easy questions: Whos your favorite band/artist? So
many times Ive heard Well, I like bands A, B, and C, but I also like
bands X, Y, and Z. The fan base that follows Coheed and Cambria is
so strong and unique that their response to my question would simply
be laughter. Coheed and Cambria are not only a band to these fans,
but a way of life. There are webpages among webpages (like here and
here) strictly related to Coheed and Cambrias music, story, comics,
and fandom. Heck, fans have even nicknamed themselves based on a
lyric in the bands songs and story: Children of the Fence. There is
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What I love the most about this album is the vocals. Raj Siva-Rajah's
range is incredible; his vocals alone are a reason to listen to this
album. His voice sounds like a mix between many well known rock
singers, from Brandon Boyd to Matthew Bellamy to Jeff Buckley.
Vocals are highlighted in songs like "3 Minutes to Midnight" and "The
Captain." His range in vocals, along with the varying styles of guitar
make this album stand out among others.
For fans of progressive rock, and bands like Incubus, Radiohead and
The Mars Volta, I suggest you give this band a listen. This album is
fun to listen to, as you can follow a different instrument each time and
come out in the end with a different experience. Please visit this band
here, where you can download a free copy of this album. That's right:
free! What's better than free music?! In addition, they are touring the
United States shortly, so please support this band in these multiple
ways!
Bandcamp
Facebook
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Is)", I couldn't believe how many songs I've heard from them that I
only consciously recognized. After a recommendation from my friends,
I decided that I had to focus on their album "Mellon Collie and the
Infinite Sadness."
Loosely based on the concept of day and night, Corgan further states
that this album conveys "the human condition of mortal sorrow." He
goes on to relate this album to all the feelings he experienced as a
youth, but couldn't express until he was older. Being compared to
albums like The Beatles "White Album" and Pink Floyd's "The Wall" in
concept, this album was meant to be the voice of the 90's teenage
generation. (source) As I listen to this album, I can hear Billy's
frustration and sorrow in every song, which reminds me of my own
teenage angst. The majority of the songs on the album redirect the
listener to their teenage years, where love was lost, and when others
couldn't understand our problems. The song "In the Arms of Sleep"
relates to that awful feeling of unrequited love. The song "Zero"
reminds me of different disorders we can experience especially in our
youth. Fortunately, other songs on this album deliver messages and
lessons to the audience. Songs like "Tonight Tonight" teach us to
believe in ourselves. "1979" brings a sense of nostalgia, but also
teaches us to live each day at its fullest.
The heavy guitar is reminiscent of bands like Soundgarden, Nirvana,
and Stone Temple Pilots. Besides the few ballads on the album, each
song contains overdriven guitars with a plethora of sound effects. Like
most albums I listen to, I love picking a different instrument to focus on
each time, to hear the direction of where they're going, and to
understand why each band member uses the chords and scales that
they use.
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The best thing about this album is Corgan's vocals. Despite being one
of those voices that you either love or hate, one cannot disagree that
Corgan's vocals are perfect for this album. His youthful screams in
songs like "Tales of a Scorched Earth" bring out that anxiety we
experience from time to time, yet his vocals in songs like "1979" are
spoken as an adult reflecting on his past. As someone who has only
recently heard this album for the first time, I love to sit back and wait
for which vocal style Corgan will bring on the next song.
As I sit back and listen to this album, I am brought back to my middle
school and high school years. Feeling similar to how Corgan felt in
those days (but not to that extent), this album is a great reminder of
who I was then and how it's helped me grow into the person I am
today. In the end, I wouldn't be who I am without those experiences in
the past, and just like this album, I bring a message of hope and
optimism to those younger than I who have similar experiences.
These feelings are best summed up in the lyrics of their last song
"Farewell and Goodnight," my favorite lyric being:
Goodnight, my love, to every hour in every day
Goodnight, always to all that's pure that's in your heart
For those who are fans of popular 90's rock bands like Soundgarden,
Nirvana, and Stone Temple Pilots, or those who want to experience
an emotional roller coaster as they did in their youth, I highly
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After looking over the different bands Ive reviewed thus far, I thought I
would change things up for this post. I decided I wanted to review an
album that was in the hard rock/metal genre, so I thought itd be
perfect to review the band Mastodon, which is one of my favorite
metal bands out there.
Mastodon is a four-piece from Atlanta, with Brent Hinds on lead vocals
and guitar, Troy Sanders on bass and vocals, Brann Dailor on drums,
and Bill Kelliher on guitar. Although the band has claimed in the past
that they do not consider themselves metal, I like to think that
Mastodon contains some of the harder songs in my iTunes Library. A
mix of hard rock, metal, progressive metal and grindcore, Mastodon is
one of the most interesting bands Ive listened to. I was introduced to
them during a music festival in San Diego a few years back, and have
seen them two times since, each one better than the last. Their stage
performance is terrific, consisting of dueling guitar, a variety of vocal
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ranges, and one of the best drummers Ive ever seen live. Mastodon
has just played over the weekend at Sonisphere, supporting their
newest album Once More Round the Sun, which happens to be
todays review.
When I first heard this album, I immediately felt that this album could
be classified as The Hunter, Part 2, since so many of their songs
have the same music style and influences as their last album. As all
their albums, I love the different vocal styles that Hinds and Sanders
brings, one being more of a traditional metal growl, and the other
hitting the higher notes. They complement each other perfectly, as if
two different people are telling a story in multiple voices. The bass
guitar grooves along to the rhythm guitar, acting as a lower octave that
cannot be reached by electric guitar alone. As mentioned earlier, I feel
the drums are performed with more passion than many of my favorite
bands.
My favorite thing about this album is the lead and rhythm guitars. I
love the different techniques that Brent Hinds and guitarist Bill Kelliher
use throughout their songs. Whats unique about their songs is the
use of bango-like finger-picking styles. Evident in songs like Aunt
Lisa and Diamond in The Witch House, it brings a new flavor of
guitar that isnt easily found in rock or metal. Mastodon also use a
wide variety of guitar scales in this album. From harmonic to
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Mastodon website
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This next band is another one that I've found since I started my Twitter
account. When I first started my account, I was scrolling through my
list of followers and noticed how many bands were following my page.
I felt impelled to go through them and start sampling each band, a
ritual I still do. I came across the band Fire Garden, and was
immediately drawn to their music.
Fire Garden is a five-piece band from Chicago, consisting of Kevin
Pollack on vocals, Zee on guitar, Frank Lucas on the keyboard, Chuck
White on drums, and Barry Kleiber on bass. When listening to their
recent album, you can hear the many bands that have influenced
them throughout this album, which is one of the main reasons I love
listening to them. On their Bandcamp page, production notes are
given, where key sound figures in rock music are noted in working on
this album. From bands like Dream Theater, to Rush, to Porcupine
Tree, the influences are heard in their most recent album "Sound of
Majestic Colors."
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The opening song "The Joker" immediately draws the listener in, with
a narration of what seems to be one twisted joker speaking to the
audience. Once the joker ceases speaking, you are punched in the
ears with deep heavy guitar riffs, reminiscent of songs like "As I Am"
and "The Enemy Inside" by Dream Theater. This track is loud and
heavy, a great way to open any progressive metal album.
Despite the heaviness of the opening track, the entire album isn't
necessarily the same intensity. In fact, some of my favorite songs off
this album are the "slower" songs on the album, being "Alone" and
"Far from Grace." The lead guitar towards the end of "Alone" is
reminiscent of Porcupine Tree, being one of my personal favorite
bands. The clean rhythm guitar in "Far From Grace" is a great change
of pace, and is beautiful when backing the lead guitar and vocals. The
end of this song is absolutely beautiful, when Kevin Pollack sings his
heart out. The keyboards in other songs are also fun to separate from
the rest of the band, as Frank Lucas reminds me of my favorite
keyboarder Jordan Rudess. In the songs "The Last Step" and "Time
Machine" I feel they are particularly written around the keys, as Lucas
steals the show with his solos and other effects. Chuck White and
Barry Kleiber are a perfect complement to the band as a whole, as
they help drive each song to another level with their groovy bass lines
and passionate drumming.
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My favorite thing about this album is the musicianship and quality that
is evident in each song. Just by listening, you can easily tell the
amount of detail and effort that was put into this album. This is not an
album that was slapped together by a band in a bind. The use of
different guitars, the multitude of sound effects, the frequent time
signature changes, and the well thought out solos make this album
stand out among the others. The production behind this album is
fantastic, thanks to band member Zee.
I highly recommend this album to those who love any form of
progressive music. The influences of key bands in the progressive
rock and metal industry are clear in this album, but Fire Garden is not
afraid to differentiate from them. Their sound is a tip of the cap to
those in the past and present, but is also a fearless step forward into
uncharted waters. Please support "Sound of Majestic Colors" by Fire
Garden.
Bandcamp
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For this next band, I can't remember how I stumbled upon their
albums, but I'm glad I did. Probably using recommendation websites,
or playing what I like to call "the iTunes game," I eventually came
upon an album they released in 2008, one that I couldn't stop playing.
This band I'm referring to is Tides of Man.
From Tampa, Florida, Tides of Man is currently a five-piece
instrumental rock band. At one point, it was headed by lead singer
Tilian Pearson, whom I consider one of the best lesser-known singers
in modern rock. Since his departure from the band, though, Tides of
Man has shifted their strategy and has now become a purely
instrumental rock band. Using flavors of post-rock and elements of
progressive rock, Tides of Man has successfully put together their
latest album, "Young and Courageous."
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particular is their self titled song "Young and Courageous." The guitar
work is absolutely beautiful, thanks to the talents of Spencer Gill.
The best thing about this album? The production quality! From basic
research, I found out the band used support from their fan base in
order to record and produce this album. (source) Fearing that the
band may have flaked out on production quality to save money, I was
skeptical at first. Boy, was I amazed when I find out how great the
production quality was for this album. The rise and fall of each track is
mastered beautifully, and each instrument is tracked perfectly
throughout the entire album.
For a band that has experienced major loss and has gone through an
identity crisis, I believe Tides of Man has found its way back to the
music scene. With many adjustments made along the way, this band
has produced another great album in "Young and Courageous." They
have clearly shown how great they were from the start, even without
the voice of the band. I highly recommend this album to those who
love post-rock, instrumental rock, or just need some background
music to help them through their day. For a more lyrical experience, I
highly recommend their prior albums "Empire Theory" and
"Dreamhouse," featuring the amazing vocals of Tilian Pearson.
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Bandcamp
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past, all I heard were negative remarks, which I quickly bought into.
Basically skipping over this album, I would always listen from Fly By
Night, then to 2112. After some time, I decided to give this album a
second chance, which I am glad I did.
Like Meddle is to Dark Side of the Moon, Rush could not have
released 2112 without releasing Caress of Steel first. The opening
track is a continuation of their bluesy old selves, influenced by bands
like Led Zeppelin. The wild shriek of Geddy Lee, powerful drums of
Neil Peart, and guitar doodling of Alex Lifeson are prominent in this
song, and is easily the song that most fans relate to off this album.
Following this song are two other shorter songs I Think Im Going
Bald and Lakeside Park, which I feel are also influenced by their two
previous albums, but are less significant. As great as the first three
tracks are, what I love the most about this album are the final two
tracks, containing their most controversial songs The Necromancer
and The Fountain of Lamneth.
So many considered the drastic shift in musical style from the first half
of the album to the second to be detrimental to the band, and the
reason why Rush almost fell apart. The first half is traditional Rush, a
mix of blues, punk, classic rock, and even hints of classic metal. The
second half, on the other hand, was considered entirely revolutionary
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during this time, and to some ahead of its time. Taking on a more
progressive, psychedelic, and experimental approach, these two
songs totaling over 30 minutes in length sound like a mixture of early
Genesis, early Yes, and King Crimson. Known for biting off more than
they can chew, Rush attempted the next Close to the Edge, using
prolonged chord progressions, odd time signatures, and improvisation.
Overall, I felt like Rush in their youth made an excellent attempt at
progressive rock after taking this shot in the dark.
While both songs lyrics may be hard to understand (a topic that would
take another post in itself to discuss), and are challenging to the
listener in multiple ways, one can appreciate the musical knowledge
behind the band. I love to listen to the chord progression and time
signature changes in both The Necromancer and The Fountain of
Lamneth, traits that are still lacking in some of the most popular and
most knowledgeable of rock bands. Being based on two separate
concepts or stories, I love the use of each instrument in helping tell the
story. The slower sections reminds me of journeying across the land,
while the harder and faster sections help me picture a battle scene, or
an intense action sequence. Lees vocals are moving, especially in the
beginning and end of The Fountain of Lamneth, which help the
listener to understand the feelings behind the characters in each song.
While to some these songs may be considered excessive, to hear
these attributes coming out of kids from Canada is absolutely
astounding. With the time and effort put into these songs, it is
absolutely necessary for the length of the second half of the album to
take over part of your day.
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Rush website
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The songs "The Anarchist" and "Seven Cities of Gold" show the
talented Geddy Lee at his prime. In prior albums, the bass guitar has
been downplayed to make way for more synthesizers and an
expanded vocal role. This album completely reverses the trend, giving
the bass more face-time, and making it much more apparent. The use
of Lee's bass lines over Lifeson's guitar and between Peart's drum
work gives an added texture in each song, something that was lacking
for several albums in Rush's repertoire. On top of the bass guitar, Lee
provides some of the most complex and controlled vocals than any of
their albums. The quality of his voice is apparent in songs like "The
Garden," a song that always gives me goosebumps every time I listen.
I can feel his passion in his voice when he sings, and with a much
cleaner, lower, and controlled voice, the impact is much greater.
The best thing about this album? As is with every Rush album, I
cannot get enough Neil Peart. Being my favorite member of the "Holy
Trinity", Peart steals the show yet again, both on stage and in the
writing process. Being both drummer and key songwriter is a task in
itself, a dual role that I feel is only shared among few others. The
album "Clockwork Angels," like much of Rush's prior work, is based
around a complex concept or story. Here is a quote taken from an
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interview with Kevin Anderson, who has cooperated with Neil Peart on
the novelization of this album:
"In a young man's quest to follow his dreams, he is caught between
the grandiose forces of order and chaos. He travels across a lavish
and colorful world of steampunk and alchemy, with lost cities, pirates,
anarchists, exotic carnivals, and a rigid Watchmaker who imposes
precision on every aspect of daily life." (source)
With the same lyrical style as albums like "2112" and "Fly By Night,"
Peart takes this album one step further. A complex storyline with
characters, themes, and morals, the lyrics can be read as a book in
itself. Thinking the lyrics alone are reason to read Rush, the music can
only be considered as one awesome bonus. Peart rocks the drumset
in songs like "Headlong Flight" and "Caravan," using one of the most
ridiculously diverse and expansive drumsets I've ever seen.
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This next album comes from a band that has a long track record.
Since the mid-80's, this band has put out some of the most influential
progressive metal album in rock music history. The band I'm referring
to is Dream Theater.
This five-piece from Boston consists of some of the most influential
musicians in their respective instruments. With twelve albums
released, Dream Theater has sold millions of albums over their
lifetime. Varying in styles from progressive rock, to progressive metal,
to even glam rock, each album differs in some way from the rest, as
you can hear many unique sounds from album to album. I believe of
all the albums they have released, one of my favorites has to be their
album "Awake."
Earlier this year, I had the opportunity to see this band for the first time
in Riverside, CA. When previewing the setlist from their European tour
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earlier this year, I noticed that a sizeable chunk of their sets were
dedicated to their album "Awake" in celebration of the 20th year
anniversary of its release. Not having heard much of their older
albums, I decided I needed to catch up on this album. After several
consecutive listens, I found this album to be among one of my
favorites.
I noticed immediately that this album was a step in a different direction
from their last album "Images and Words." Feeling more metaloriented, songs like "Caught in a Web" and "The Mirror" are guitardriven, featuring some of the bands heaviest riffs at the time. Guitarist
John Petrucci is showcased in songs like "Erotomania" and "Lie," with
his flawless execution of sweep and tremolo picking. Although
Petrucci has sections of each song devoted to soloing, they are much
more toned-down than previous albums, but are not over-technical,
and when they do occur, it is more enjoyable for the listener. Besides
such heavy riffs lies songs like "The Silent Man" and "Space-Dyed
Vest," in which clean guitar is used and takes a back seat to other
members of the band.
The vocals and lyrics are also fantastic in this album thanks to singer
James LaBrie. Although he did not write the lyrics for every song on
this album, his vocals give a distinct charm. LaBrie's voice is much
more controlled in this album, and can be considered much more
rugged than high-pitched. His voice is displayed beautifully in voices
like "Lifting Shadows Off A Dream," "The Silent Man," and "Voices,"
which proves the range and quality of his voice.
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Both the bass and keyboards help complement each song off the
album. Bassist John Myung and keyboarder Kevin Moore have their
own sections in this album dedicated specifically to their instrument,
being "Lifting Shadows Off A Dream" and "Space-Dyed Vest"
respectively. Coincidentally, these two songs happen to be my two
favorite songs off this album, containing some of the best overall
workmanship by the band as a whole. The darker and more
melancholic themes that are so greatly expressed in this album are
greatly increased with help from Myung and Moore.
As most of Dream Theater's other albums, I cannot help but focus on
the drum track for every song Dream Theater releases. Mike Portnoy,
the drummer during the time of this album's release, is magnificent.
His flawless hits on the snare, the ease of his time signature changes,
and the quality of sound off this album proves Portnoy to be one of the
best drummers in progressive metal. His presence is known in songs
like "6:00" and "Scarred," where Portnoy relies on other percussion.
Overall, "Awake" is an album that does not give too much focus on
one instrument, and equally displays the abilities of each band
member. It is one of their darkest albums they've released, but in a
way that is much more subtle than other albums like "Train of
Thought." Each instrument is flawless, yet restrained. The album
contains some of each band member's most memorable moments,
but is still more-controlled than other albums. Because of all these
factors, though, Dream Theater is able to create their most emotional
and powerful album, one that is inspiring and sets a standard for
modern progressive rock. I highly recommend this album to those who
enjoy listening to progressive rock or metal.
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Over the past several weeks, I've had the chance to interact with
some bands on Twitter, and have discovered some great music during
the time. This next band I have found over the last week, and truly
love the music they have put out so far. With an interesting mix of
indie rock, progressive rock and metal, the band I Was Awake has
definitely caught my attention.
Residing in Boston, this five-piece consists of Chris Harvey on vocals,
Justin Demko and Dan Goodhue on guitars, Kyle Paradis on bass
guitar, and Chris Bouchard on drums, with a slew of support from
other musicians in the recording process, including a three-piece
string section. With two EPs currently out, I would like to give a shout
out to their self titled debut "I Was Awake."
Consisting of six songs spanning close to 30 minutes, each song has
a different vibe and appeal. Both Demko and Goodhue use dual
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excellent control and range in the songs, I love the strength that he
provides in this album, developing that added vigor into the songs.
I Was Awake is said to be a result of experienced musicians trying to
create a new and eclectic sound. I feel they have succeeded in their
goals of providing an interesting listening experience. I love to hear
what this band has developed, and am interested in finding out where
this band is going. I highly recommend this album for those who like
an interesting combination of different styles of rock, and for those
who like bands like 3, Coheed and Cambria, Staind, and Circa
Survive. Please support this band by visiting their Bandcamp page,
where you can get a free listen of this album. I Was Awake also has
an additional EP on their page called "Revenants," which I also highly
recommend giving a listen.
Bandcamp
Facebook
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The next band Id like to review has been in the music industry for
almost 50 years, and has just recently released a new album.
Containing some of the most renowned members in the classic rock
community, the band Yes has made its footprint in history of rock
music. With a varying sound throughout their lifetime, Yes has
dabbled in the fields of progressive rock, pop rock, and synth rock.
Even today, their music is a collaborative influence of everything they
have learned from the past. The band Yes is definitely one of my
favorite bands, one that has inspired my taste in music.
Though Yes has been through several lineup changes, the most
consistent members comprise of guitarist Steve Howe and bassist
Chris Squire. Additional support is given from longtime members
Geoff Downes and Alan White on keyboards and drums respectively.
The newest addition to the band is Jon Davison, lead singer of the
band Glass Hammer, who replaces the talented and iconic Jon
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Anderson. Only recently has this lineup been created, but has already
produced Yes newest album Heaven and Earth.
Before I begin this review, I have had the chance to read what others
have said about this album. I was very disappointed to see mostly
negative reviews of this album, criticizing the direction of the band
while comparing this lineup and their musical style to Yes of the past.
I would like to respond to those critiques that this lineup of Yes simply
cannot be likened to Yes of the past. The Yes that has produced
fantastic albums like Fragile and Close to the Edge has passed,
even back in the 80s when that lineup produced the album 90125.
Any argument over musical style is long overdue, because decades
have passed since their dramatic shift in genre. With over forty years
gone by since their inception, creating some great memories from
Yes prior work, it is unfair to make a comparison between who they
are now to who they arent. Comparing Heaven and Earth with
albums like Fragile is like comparing apples with oranges; it simply
doesnt make sense to do so.
With that said, I first listened to Heaven and Earth without bias, as if
this were the first album released by a new band. In doing so, I have
thoroughly enjoyed this album. Considering this album to be a poppier
version of progressive rock, the rhythm and beat is very catchy and
gets stuck in my head very easily. The songs may be less complex
than Yes prior work, but is easier to listen to, and can be more
appealing to a wider audience. Remember, even Yes' prior work
contains songs that are less complex than others (ex. "Onward" and
"Sweetness") Using a groovy drum rhythm, White helps lay the
groundwork throughout the album for each member of the band. He is
best featured in In A World Of Our Own and Light of the Ages, with
precise hits and harmony. The bass guitar, provided by Chris Squire,
also complements the drum work and guitars, employing bass lines
that act as a signature over the entire album. Although less complex
as albums in the past, I feel the bass help set the stage for his band
mates.
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spanned one album, I wondered how this would affect the band and
the album. Even more, I wondered if Davison would even come close
to the legendary Anderson in vocal and lyrical talent. After listening to
this album, I believe strongly that if Anderson had to be replaced,
Davison was a great choice to do so. His high falsetto voice is
comparable to Anderson in his youth, but doesnt necessarily mimic
him. Davisons writing style is unique, and even surpasses their
previous singer Benoit David in ability. I enjoy listening to Davisons
vocals, especially in the songs in the ballad To Ascend and another
one of my personal favorites The Game. I cannot help singing to
The Game because of the catchy lyrics and range of vocals.
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Yes website
Facebook
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Another Twitter find, the band State of Illusion is one I have found
while searching my followers a few weeks ago. After hearing some of
their singles off their Soundcloud page, I was deeply impressed with
what they released, and felt compelled to mention them in this blog.
State of Illusion is collaboration between Jacob Porter on
vocals/guitar/piano and Josh Breland on bass/drums/guitar. This band
from Greenville, South Carolina is a mixture of many styles of
contemporary rock and post-grunge, with hints of progressive rock
and nu-metal. On July 22nd, State of Illusion released their newest
album Aphelion, which I have anticipated for weeks. After several
listens, I am more than happy with the result.
Consisting of 13 songs clocking in over an hour long, Aphelion has
its share of harder and slower songs. The overall vibe is comparable
to Stainds albums Chapter V and Break the Cycle, Breaking
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Porters stunning voice and lyrical ability gives me goose bumps every
time I listen to Aphelion.
Bandcamp
Facebook
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This next album features a band that was included in this years
Sonisphere lineup in the UK. After scrolling through the long list of
bands in attendance, I came upon the band TesseracT. Before
Sonisphere, I had never heard of them. After some basic research, I
found out how renowned the band was in other countries, how they
have been together for many years, and have released two albums.
Being compared to bands like Periphery and Between the Buried and
Me on other websites, I thought Id give this band a shot.
This five-piece from Britain has recently released their newest album
titled Altered State, their only album featuring vocalist Ashe OHara.
Spanning close to an hour, this album features 10 songs broken down
into 4 total movements. I can describe this album as progressive
metal, but the sound that envelopes this entire album could help
expand the genre into ambient or space rock. The vibe throughout the
album is very interesting, and goes almost unnoticed between songs if
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one pays little attention to it. Over top this ambiance is the brilliant
musicianship of the band as they perform one of my favorite albums
Ive listened to recently.
The guitar work is phenomenal, using djent guitar work for both bass
and electric guitars. Acie Kahney and James Monteith on guitar, and
Amos Williams on bass guitar do a brilliant job, mixing different styles
of progressive metal throughout the entire album. The range of sound
shifts dramatically, from deeper, palm-muted riffs in the song Of
Matter to a much softer, delicate, and more ambient tone in the song
Of Energy. Although featuring less solos than a typical progressive
metal album, these guitarists more than make up for it in the beautiful
sound they create, ranging from sounds like Animals as Leaders to
Pink Floyd. Using effects like reverb and delay, the guitars are key
components to the overall production, and become the driving force of
the entire album, like violins to a symphony.
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Having only sung on this album, Ashe OHara adds Altered State as
a highlight to his musical resume. OHara can truly belt out the lyrics
with his talented voice, and easily proves his strength early in the
album. His voice is best represented in the song Of Mind Nocturne,
as his range dives from lows to soaring highs. Unlike their last album,
there is no scream or growl vocals, proving that metal can be just as
great without it. Vocals would be pointless without meaningful lyrics,
which TesseracT is able to surprise me with their complexity and
significance. The chorus of the song Of Mind Nocturne displays
one of the most colorful and interesting of lyrics in the album:
Youre the plague within my dreams / Soaring through an atmosphere
of an adequate lack of strength (and were responsible) / The truth is
that it will end here / Denials an impairment of your fear / Can we
save us from ourselves? / Can we save us from ourselves? (This is
the savior and its form) (source)
Thats coming from the chorus. Touching on aspects of love, loss, and
self-realization, one can only imagine the imagery of all that OHara
sings throughout the rest of the album.
The one thing that stood out most to me in this album is its
composition. When I listen to Altered State, I feel like Im listening to
two different albums at once. The first album is a progressive metal
vibe, one with deep guitar rhythm, complex drumbeats, and vocals
that set the overall mood and tone of the song. The other album I can
hear is more of a musical score, featuring guest musician Chris
Barretto on saxophone, and is full of ambient tones and spacey sound
effects that layer below the instruments. As stated earlier, it is almost
unnoticeable if you arent paying full attention to the album, meaning
you lose an entire layer of what makes this album so great. Unlike
their first album One, Altered State shows the band expanding into
new territory, providing a much more ambitious and intricate album.
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Altered State is an album that you must clear your schedule in order
to not only hear the album, but fully feel the album. One has to
carefully listen to the album through over-the-ear headphones to trap
out external noise that could interfere. I also recommend increasing
the bass, which is necessary for this album due to their djent-like
sound. Unlike typical progressive metal albums, this album is not one
to mosh to or jump around to. I cannot use a statement equivalent to
if you like ___, then youll love Altered State because of the
uniqueness behind the overall sound. Attempting to make
comparisons of other albums or bands to this album would only be
suggesting contradicting styles of music. This album truly is a listening
experience. So sit back in your favorite seat, get comfortable, click
play, and enjoy your one hour musical experience! Please support this
band on their website as they tour across the globe.
TesseracT website
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Marathon - Marathon
This next album has more of an indie rock vibe compared to my other
reviews. I found out about this band during the week as I was looking
for some new material to write about. I stumbled across the band
Marathon, and instantly felt a connection. Residing in Pennsylvania,
Marathon consists of Zach and Erich Wagner on guitars and vocals,
Ricky Kreiser on drums, Paul Winter on keys, and Robert Battle on the
bass guitar. The sound they create is very expansive, showing their
musical knowledge despite their youth. I can easily describe the genre
of music as indie rock, but much of the album also falls into different
musical genres, from ambient rock, to alternative rock, to progressive
rock. Reminding me of bands like Slow Runner and Lydia, I enjoyed
listening to them as I played their self-titled album Marathon multiple
times a day.
From the beginning, the listener is hooked on the snare-driven
drumbeats and effect-heavy keyboard in the song Off White. Kreiser,
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The guitar work that both Wagners provide is brilliant, using a mix of
simple chord progressions with effect-driven melodies and dominant
guitar solos. Songs like Of Bloom and Symbaline show the lead
guitar at its finest, with memorable solos that I cant help but rewind
and replay. The ambient nature of this album makes it harder for the
listener to predict how album will progress, and when the next strum of
a distorted guitar will begin. In addition to the ambient feeling, the
songs on Marathon also flow into each other, leaving the listener
with a proggy experience as well. The atmosphere of this album
leaves the listener more focused than on any other album.
The vocals are very subtle and clean throughout the album, almost as
if the listener is dreaming instead of hearing. The dreamlike affect that
Wagners vocals has on his audience lasts through the entire album,
but is best displayed in the song Mountaineering. With the use of
dual vocals, the Wagners create the most memorable vocal moment
on the album. This trance that is created by the band makes the
album appear much shorter than it is, but in fact clocks in at 47
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checking out their Bandcamp page and checking out their self-titled
album Marathon.
Bandcamp
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This next band comes straight from my Twitter account. After sifting
through the list of unsigned rock bands on the internet, I came across
the band Machines Dream. Advertising their influences of Pink Floyd,
Genesis, Marillion, King Crimson and Tool on their website, I
immediately listened to their self-titled debut album "Machines
Dream." I have to say, they are dead on with their influences.
This five-piece from Ontario, Canada consists of Ken Coulter on
drums, Brian Holmes on keyboards, Craig West on vocals/guitar/bass,
Rob Coleman on lead guitar, and Jake Rendell as a supporting
musician. One can hear the many influences of past and current rock
bands in this album, which ranges in the many generations and styles
of progressive rock. The sound is vast on this album, generating a
different vibe on every song.
Coulter, Holmes, and West carry the rhythm well on their respective
instruments from the first song on the album "Boundaries." Using
groovy bass sections and drum styles, they are able to carry the band
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towards their destination song after song. The bass line in "London By
Night" is spot on, and takes authority on the song, while "Stop Waiting
for Miracles" shows the drums at its finest. I love the keyboard solo
halfway through the song "Colder Rain," along with the its overall
presence in the song "The Session."
Besides the guitar and bass, West also contributes to "Machines
Dream" with his great voice. Using simple yet colorful lyrics, one can
imagine the scene he portrays. I almost hear great voices like Roger
Waters, mixed with contemporary voices like Corey Taylor from Stone
Sour and even Mark Tremonti from Alter Bridge in his voice. This
familiarity is evident in the song "Unarmed at Sea," which happens to
be my favorite songs on this album. The power behind his voice is
unleashed, and his passion moves the listener from the clean guitar in
the intro, through the powerful chorus and bridge, back to the clean
guitar in the outro. A terrific song all around.
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For being a band thats been around for almost 20 years and has
released 6 albums, I am surprised at how little I am able to find about
them. Whats even more surprising is that despite this timeframe, their
brilliant musicianship has gone seemingly unnoticed. Even with the
fame associated with Joey Eppard being the brother of Coheed and
Cambrias drummer Josh Eppard, I have not found much publicity for
this band or any of their albums. Their most recent album The Ghost
You Gave to Me (released in 2011) in my opinion should have been
considered one of the greatest progressive rock albums of the year,
released by one of the greatest progressive rock bands of the decade.
The overall quality of this album is remarkable, comparable to major
productions by some of rock musics greatest artists.
Riker, Gartmann and Grimsland provide a perfect foundation to
frontman Eppard throughout the album on their respective
instruments. The drum beats are complex, yet groovy. The song
React shows great use of the bass pedal mixed with powerful hits of
the cymbals. The bass guitar is simple, yet balances well with the lead
and rhythm guitars. Numbers and Only Child contains some of the
funkiest bass riffs Ive heard since listening to anything with Flea in it.
The rhythm guitar shines in providing deep and heavy riffs, especially
in the songs Afterglow and Sparrow.
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3 website
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I found this next band again off the website Progarchives.com. At the
time, their album was newly released, and was one of the most talked
about albums on the entire site. I immediately felt like I had to listen to
them since so many of my peers felt so strongly about this album.
After a search on Google, and sifting through many other artists with
the same name, I finally found the band Anubis.
To my pleasure, I found out that Anubis is a progressive rock band
from Sydney, yet another Australian rock band to add to my repertoire.
The band consists of Robert James Moulding on vocals and bass
guitar, David Eaton on keyboards and guitar, Douglas Skene and
Dean Bennison on guitar, and Steven Eaton on drums, along with a
several additional artists to support. Falling into the genre of
progressive rock, Anubis has released three albums, their newest
album being Hitchhiking to Byzantium.
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As much as the instruments help tell the story, the lyrics and overall
composition add to it. Unlike their previous records, Hitchhiking to
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Bandcamp
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If you click the link that says "similar artists," it will take you to a page
of all artists ranked in similarity to the band you searched, from super
similarity, to medium similarity, to lower similarity. You can repeat the
steps if you like.
3. Music-map.com
A unique and artsy method of finding new music, Music-map.com
does just as it says in its title, creating a map of your favorite bands.
All you have to do is type a band into the search engine, and upon
searching, many bands will appear. Those bands closest to the band
you searched are closer in similarity than those that are farther away.
It's fun to click on some of the other bands that are generated, as they
will generate entirely new maps for the new band. Use this to expand
your taste!
4. Bandcamp.com
Bandcamp is a great site to find those unsigned, up-and-coming
bands. I have used this site numerous times since starting this blog,
and have found some great bands along the way, some which I have
mentioned in my blog! Search by genre, band, and popularity.
5. Social Networking Sites
This last one's easy. Using Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc., you
can find your favorite band. Then, search their friends or followers for
some other bands that have friendships or similarities with the band
you searched. Simple as that.
There are obviously countless more ways you can find new music.
What's most important is when you do find that new band that you've
been searching for all your life, support them! Find out if they have a
new album, or are touring near you. These bands spend their time
trying to create beautiful pieces of art for the world; it is our duty to
thank them!
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This next band is fronted by a man that I have tremendous respect for.
Through all the hardships he has faced in his life, he was still able to
pick himself up and continue doing what he loves. My wife and I have
seen him live only once, but he blew us away, putting on one of the
most amazing vocal performances we have ever seen. Fronting his
new band Slaves, Jonny Craig has yet again shown those who
support him and those who hate him that he is not going anywhere.
Slaves is a four-piece band from Sacramento, CA. The band consists
of lead singer Jonny Craig, Alex Lyman on lead guitar, Christopher
Kim on rhythm guitar/percussion, and Tai Wright on
drums/percussion. Slaves also uses many guest musicians on this
album, including Tyler Carter, Natalie Craig, Kyle Lucas, and Vic
Fuentes from Pierce the Veil. The band definitely falls into the
category of post-hardcore, as each member of the band has history in
the genre. Besides the obvious genre, though, their newest album
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Through Art We Are All Equals also falls into a more experimental
and perhaps progressive rock genre.
Lyman, Kim, and Wright collectively do an awesome job on this
record. They provide a perfect instrumental section to back Craigs
vocals. I believe their style is comparable to material they have
released in the past on their previous bands, but is much more
experimental and expansive. Moments of metal and hardcore leak into
the song, especially in the songs The King and the Army That Stands
Behind Him and The Upgrade Part II, which contains some of the
deepest and intense riffs on the entire album. Besides these harder
songs are softer songs like Those Who Stand For Nothing Fall For
Everything and There Is Only One Goad and His Name Is Death,
using cleaner acoustic guitars to get the job done. The drum work
Wright provides is very understated, using a barrage of bass pedals
and floor toms to accentuate Craigs vocals. I thoroughly enjoy
listening to the instrumentals of this album.
When one purchases an album that has Jonny Craig on vocals, one
can expect that Craig will steal the show. Jonny Craig never fails to
amaze me with every album he produces, and Through Art We Are
All Equals doesnt disappoint. Using past experiences, Craig reaches
into his soul and pours out his heart throughout this album. His vocal
style is reminiscent of many greats, including Michael Jackson,
Christina Aguilera, and many singers in soul music. By far my favorite
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vocal performances on this album are Starving for Friends and The
Young and Beyond Restless. His range flutters around throughout
every song, and is used more like an instrument than most other
vocalists. What amazes me most about his voice is his ability to
recreate his sound achieved in a studio while onstage. You cannot tell
the difference when you see him live, and could be argued that he
performs better when singing in front of his many fans.
Not only is Jonny Craig able to use his voice as an instrument, but
also as a tool to produce some meaningful and profound lyrics. His
lyrics are like an open diary as he spills out the pain and love he has
experienced throughout his life. My favorite song off the album
contains the theme of apology and closure, being the song Starving
for Friends. Perfectly inserted is his friend Vic Fuentes, who sings on
this song, and who has had a difficult past with Jonny Craig. The lyrics
in the songs chorus is a heartfelt apology to his friends of the past:
Dont make me wait for a falling star / Ive been afraid that the blood
in my heart / Wont sing for me a melody thats ours / Drown me in the
rain, Id swim and sink for you / You were the only, you were the only
saving grace I ever had / You were the only, you were the only saving
grace I ever had (source)
An in depth interview with Jonny Craig reveals the production and
thoughts he had in making this album, and can be seen here.
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Slaves website
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a unique and original sound at the same time. Their latest album
"Phases" is a great example of a combination of rock's greatest
resources, with a unique sound.
The percussion section of each song flows so well with the overall
progressive vibe of the album. It is able to groove with the other
instruments, but it also able to shine in the spotlight in different
sections of the album. Songs like "Imagination" and "Restlessness"
contain the heaviest drum fills and beats, reminiscent of such
influences like Marco Minnemann, Gavin Harrison, and Neil Peart.
The crash of the cymbals thunders throughout the songs, generating
those classic head-bobbing moments. Burgess nails each song with
his precision, and is a driving force on this album.
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I also have to give a tip of the hat to the synths and keyboards in this
album. Without taking away from the band, the presence of synths
helps guide each song and acts as a change of pace during intro and
bridge sections. Most noticeably heard in the song "The Stars Unfold,"
it is the perfect backing to each instrument, from the groovy drums, to
the hard hitting bass sections, to the guitar solo near the end of the
song. Reminding me of the sections in the songs "Stop Swimming"
and "Collapse The Light Into Earth" from Porcupine Tree, the synths
and keys are absolutely necessary to the album, and without it would
result in an entirely different album.
Playing guitar and singing in this album, Elliot shines in several songs.
His voice is a mix between Maynard James-Keenan of Tool, Peter
Gabriel of Genesis, and Jon Courtney from Pure Reason Revolution,
putting him in some great company. I love his vocals in the songs
"Hope You're Happy" and "First Phase," showing great moments of
range and quality. His overall guitar playing is fantastic as well, adding
to his greatness. Using different styles of play, he genre-jumps from
bluesy guitar in "First Phase," to hard rock in "Hallucinogen," to classic
rock sound in "Imagination." The excellence of his abilities should be
heard by everyone who listens to rock music.
My favorite song on this album happens to be the first song I heard
from them, being their song "Elgon." It is a great mix of many genres
all packed into one song, containing highlights of greatness from each
member of the band. It has clean guitar in the beginning of the song,
time signature changes throughout the song, heavy riffs mixed with
hard drum beats, and absolutely astounding singing that always grabs
my attention. The lyrics has such great depth and meaning, causing
myself to even ponder and think about my own life. I love the lyrics
within this song's bridge:
"You can think, You can feel / Surpass that suppression, / All those
superficial obsessions, / You can think, You can feel, / Seek and you
will find, / Ask and you shall receive, / The door will be opened up to
you." (source)
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Bandcamp
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I found this next band using one of my five methods of finding new
music. After searching Coheed and Cambrias homepage a year ago,
I noticed they were touring with two special guest bands as their
openers, one of them whom I instantly fell in love with. Although I did
not have the chance to see this band live, I was instantly hooked on
their new album. After several listens came a long period of time
without hearing their album. Only recently have I put Arcane Roots
newest album back on my iPhone, and Ive realized how much Ive
missed it.
Arcane Roots is a three-piece band from England, consisting of
Andrew Groves on vocals/guitar, Adam Burton on bass/vocals, and
Daryl Atkins on drums. This band definitely falls into the genre of
alternative rock, but can even be considered in the genres posthardcore, indie rock, progressive rock/metal, and math rock. With
such a unique sound that varies between soft melodies to dirty vocals
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and heavy riffs, their newest album Blood & Chemistry is definitely
worth a listen.
The drums and bass guitar that Atkins and Burton provide in this
album contain some seriously heavy and adrenaline-laden riffs
throughout the album. Songs like Resolve and Sacred Shapes are
by far the hardest tracks on the album, using a mixture of crashing
cymbals and bass pedals on the drums. They perfectly complement
both singers, generating a beat matching their tempo. Even in softer
songs like Hell & High Water, Atkins does an amazing job of creating
powerful yet simple drum beats to add character to the song. The
drum work is fascinating because Atkins is able to add so much to the
atmosphere without taking away from his bandmates.
The best thing about this album is the guitar riffs of Andrew Groves,
along with the vocals provided by Groves and Burton. When I listen to
this album, I feel as if Im listening to two different albums: one with a
more math-rock and post-hardcore style, the other a more indie rock
and progressive rock/metal style. Using complex riffs with varying time
signatures, Groves sound generates that complicated yet fascinating
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style of math rock, similar to bands like Fall of Troy and The Dillinger
Escape Plan. The most complicated song, Triptych, contains great
tapping during the chorus, and a bridge section that is difficult to headbang to because of its time signature changes. Other songs like
Second Breath and Resolve follow this same pattern, using softer
tones to change the pace during the verse and chorus. In addition to
this harder style of guitar work, Groves also changes his style to a
more softer side. Songs like Belief, Hell & High Water, and Held
Like Kites use a clean guitar (in some cases an acoustic guitar),
helping to bring the listener down from the high generated on the
previous song. The mix of clean and dirty guitars makes this album an
interesting listen.
On top of the wide variety of sound the band provides, Groves and
Burton provide a mix of clean and dirty vocals. Switching between
singers, the dirty vocals are interspersed through the album, and do
not make up a majority of the vocals on this album. Groves vocal
range is controlled, yet surprising. Ranging between mid and high
notes, his voice is reminiscent of Caleb Followill of the band Kings of
Leon. Although not necessarily the strongest voice in my iTunes
Library, the meaning and passion behind Groves vocals are easily felt
by the listener. My favorite song on this album happens to be the song
containing Groves most powerful performance, You Keep Me Here.
Closing the album is a song mixed with heavy riffs in the beginning
and dreamlike atmosphere in the end. My favorite lyric is within the
songs chorus:
So save me lady / Open up and give it with some grace / hold on to
me / give me one good reason to be here
The ending of the song reminds me of lost love, and is beautifully
portrayed in the end of the song with a repetition of the words with
such a passionate instrumental:
Love, youre better for me (source)
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This past week, I was able to see two bands whom Ive listened to for
some time, but have never seen live: Soundgarden and Nine Inch
Nails. I found both of them long after their most celebrated albums, but
have enjoyed listening to both their older works and newer releases.
When I found out that this concert would be held at Sleep Train
Amphitheater (AKA Cricket Amphitheater, AKA Coors Amphitheater), I
was a little worried. Only attending one prior concert there, I was not a
fan of the seating arrangement, as the closest seats are still far away
from the stage. Nevertheless, I was excited to go with my good friend
Jules (from 2 Nerds and a Dude) and his family, who happened to be
major Nine Inch Nails and Soundgarden fans.
The opening act was a duo called Cold Cave. Having learned that the
prior opening act disbanded months before the tour started, I was not
expecting anything great out of this band, thinking both headliners
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were eager to just fill the spot with anyone willing. Hanging outside the
theater, my friends and I started hearing decent music come from the
stage. Thinking it was just the pre-concert music that every venue
plays, we slowly made our way to our seats, only to find out the
opening band actually started. Overall, I was quite pleased with the
band. Having never heard of them before, they performed very well,
and had some pretty cool video effects behind them. The sound was
more synth-pop and indie than I imagined, but could easily be used as
background music at work. An unexpected surprise to the start of this
concert.
Just as nightfall started, Soundgarden graced the stage. Playing to a
nearly sold-out crowd, I was more impressed with the crowd reaction
to Soundgarden than I was with Nine Inch Nails. Many fans around
me screamed the lyrics to favorites like Black Hole Sun and Jesus
Christ Pose, while more of the fans were in a stupor when watching
Nine Inch Nails and not moving from their seats. Chris Cornell had an
amazing voice as always, Kim Thayil played tremendous solos
throughout the set, while Matt Cameron and Ben Shepherd were
amazing on drums and bass. There was a variety of effects, ranging
from different types of lighting to a large video screen displaying some
socio-political and religious emblems. The set was much more proggy
than I expected, since I dont consider Soundgarden a progressive
rock band by any means. Several songs contained extended solos
and bridge sections, while the last song was drawn out an extra few
minutes, as each member left the stage one by one. I loved their stage
presence and performance, and enjoyed listening to their greatest
hits.
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After some time, the crowd started to scream again. Looking at the
stage, I saw Trent Reznor come onto the stage by himself with one
light focused on him. For some time prior to this concert, Jules, being
the ultimate Nine Inch Nails fan, had told me all the crazy effects and
stage performances they have done. I was surprised to see such a
simple start to their set, but was not disappointed in the end. The
remaining members slowly trickled into their first song Copy of A,
and only then did the vibe feel right. Nine Inch Nails went on to play
many songs, mostly from their earlier records like Pretty Hate
Machine and Broken (the only part of their discography that I dont
know too well). Nevertheless, I thoroughly enjoyed this concert. What I
liked most about their set was the member of the band that I least
expected: their drummer Ilan Rubin, who happens to be a San
Diegan. His performance was simply outstanding. I have never seen a
drummer so technical, yet so accurate live. I would love to see them
again just to see that drummer again. In the encore, the band came
back to perform one of my favorite songs by them, Hurt. With such a
depressing video display behind them, I nearly cried as he sang the
chorus:
And you could have it all / My empire of dirt / I will let you down / I will
make you hurt.
This concert was a lot of fun. While both bands celebrated their 20 th
anniversaries of their greatest albums, each band was able to mix in
some other material. The opening act was listenable, which has
become a rarity nowadays. There were many special effects during
each performance despite the outdoor venue. Sleep Train
Amphitheater redeemed itself in this concert, and now I am willing to
give the venue another chance.
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When I purchased my tickets to see Coheed and Cambria for the 8th
time earlier this year, I saw who would be opening for them. As I
always do, I checked out their material online to see what I was in for.
Sadly, most opening acts go seemingly unnoticed when touring with
bigger bands. For the first time in a while, though, I am genuinely
excited to see Coheeds opening act, Thank You Scientist.
Hailing from New Jersey, Thank You Scientist consists of Salvatore
Marrano on vocals, Tom Monda on guitar, Greg Colacino on bass
guitar, and Odin Alvarez on drums. Standing out amongst other rock
bands in my iTunes Library, these guys go one step further, adding
Ben Karas on violin, Ellis Jasenovic on saxophone, and Andrew
Digrius on trumpet. Having formal training in classical and jazz music,
one can easily hear the musicality and genius in their work. Using
elements of progressive rock, math rock, funk, jazz, and folk rock,
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The drumbeats are loud and technical throughout Maps of NonExistent Places. Alvarez does an amazing job creating intricate
drumbeats to add to the uniqueness of the bands sound. Relying on
the deeper sounds of bass pedals and the snare drum, the beats in
Blood on the Radio are my favorite on this album. With the math rock
like sound that the band generates, Alvarez is able to perfectly
complement the remaining instruments.
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Greg Colacino does a great job on the bass guitar. The first few times
I listened to this album, I was so awestruck with the brass instruments
that I entirely neglected listening to the other instruments. As I do with
most albums I listen to, I decided to focus in on one instrument, the
first being the bass guitar. I was stunned when I heard Colacinos
ability to create some really funky bass lines. The song Concrete
Swan Dive shows him at his best, creating an added element to the
already insane atmosphere.
Marrano provides amazing vocals and lyrics on this album, using a
wide range and delivery. Songs like Carnival are interesting to hear
his voice jump around from deep lows to souring highs. His voice is so
unique that Im having a hard time comparing it to anyone else.
Comment below if you can think of anyone!
The guitar work provided by Monda is eclectic, ranging from sounds
like Fall of Troy to Circa Survive. Monda uses a variety of sound
throughout the album, ranging from clean guitar patterns in intros, to
deep palm-muted riffs in choruses, to tapping in solos. I love the use
of guitar in the entire song My Famed Disappearing Act, which
shows the use of all three previously mentioned. Added in with the
numerous instruments in this band, Monda is able to shine without
taking away too much of the spotlight from the other members of the
band.
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What obviously makes this album different than any other progressive
rock albums is the use of a brass section and violin. Thank You
Scientist is able to incorporate such unique and different instruments
into their album without making it stand out like a sore thumb. In fact,
the songs where they are most prevalent happen to be some of my
favorite songs on the album. The songs Suspicious Waveforms and
Absentee display Karas, Jasenovic, and Digrius at their finest,
especially the alternating solos in Suspicious Waveforms. This song
is a highlight of the album, showing the musicianship and technicality
of this band as a whole.
Moral of the story: this album is insane. I understand that my
breakdown of each instrument is limited due to time and length
restraints, and doesnt do this album the justice it deserves. This
album is best understood when listened to instead of when read
about. With a wide range of musical influences, along with extremely
intricate and technical time signature changes, Maps of Non-Existent
Places is an interesting addition to any progressive rock catalog. I
highly recommend this album to anyone who listens to rock music in
general, as Thank You Scientist covers their bases when it comes to
style. I have no doubts that this band has a bright future ahead of
them, and Im eager to await any future releases they have in store.
Please support this band as they tour across North America with
Coheed and Cambria. In a related note, please support their album
under their new record label Evil Ink Records, created by Coheed
frontman Claudio Sanchez.
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I may not speak Spanish, but I have a strange fascination with Latin
and South American music. The beats are always very catchy, and
the lyrics feel like they are sung with more passion than many
American songs. After asking Reddit followers for music suggestions, I
was introduced to a entirely different band than something I would
ordinarily review. Coming from Brazil, Farol Cego was able to catch
my attention from such a vast distance. Thank you Internet for linking
us together!
Farol Cego (Portuguese for Blind Lighthouse) consists of Henrique
Neves, Leonardo Gumiero, Lucas Leite, and Thomas Berti. I was able
to read some translated lyrics and was pleased to hear what they
created. The band has influences in many genres of rock,
considerably alternative rock, indie rock, and even progressive rock.
Their newest EP Zenite (Portuguese for Zenith) may be hard to find
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for those who arent looking for it, but by happenstance it fell into my
lap well, onto my computer screen.
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Cegos Zenite. You can check them out on their Facebook and
Soundcloud pages.
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Hemina - Nebulae
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there are no massive time signature changes that disrupt the flow of
the song. There is no dominant instrument in the band, but each
member performs passionately and with purpose. I enjoyed the
camaraderie felt in the making of this album, where the listener can
easily picture each band member playing off each other, and queuing
each other up for the next section. Instead of five individual performers
working separately, Hemina is a team working perfectly in harmony.
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Miroist - Curve
I have always felt that instrumental albums are hit and miss. It is very
difficult to tell between a good instrumental album and a bad one. I
can only determine a good instrumental album to be one that I play
as much as any other album, while a bad one becomes lost and
forgotten in my iTunes Library. This next album obviously falls into the
good section (I wouldnt be writing about it otherwise!). After
searching Bandcamp for new material, I came across the band
Miroist, a solo project from London. Spanning from progressive metal,
to djent, ambient rock, post-metal, and even electronica, their latest
album Curve is different from many of the albums Ive already
reviewed.
Although this album obviously uses programmed drum patterns, the
drum beat can not only be recreated in a live setting, but expanded
upon. The simplicity of using drum machines is somewhat felt in
listening to this album, but does not cause the listener to lose attention
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"Acquiring the Taste" falls under the progressive rock genre, with a
unique influence of psychedelic rock and neo-classical rock. The
range of instrumentation that defines neo-classical rock is evident
throughout the entire album, most notably in the song "The House,
The Street, The Room" during the solo towards the middle of the
song. With so many band members with knowledge of different
instruments, one can hear the range of sound that each member
brings. Because each band member plays multiple instruments
throughout the album, it is hard to pinpoint when one band member
excels above the others. Because of this, I have to review this album
solely as a whole, and not as a sum of its parts.
With the range of instruments including guitar, bass guitar, drums,
violin, piano, clavichord, cello, mandolin, saxophone, clarinet, and
more, each song has its own experimentation. The songs "The House,
The Street, The Room" and "Plain Truth" use more string instruments
than the other songs, while songs like "Wreck" and "The Moon Is
Down" uses more percussion instruments. Accompanying classical
instruments are more modern instruments and effects like a Moog
synthesizer and guitar effect pedals, best represented in the songs
"Pantagruel's Nativity" and "Black Cat." The use of all these
instruments makes "Acquiring the Taste" one of the most interesting
and unique albums in my iTunes library.
At the first time hearing this album, it may be hard to listen and follow
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Having only released their album a couple months ago, The Mercury
Tree has already found much support from Progarchives. I am happy
to be among the many in support of their third LP. The amount of
creativity is apparent, since each song seems to have its own musical
influence, while at the same time flowing perfectly into each other.
Spees' work on the guitar ranges from jazzy, to spacey, to folksy, to
downright dark. The song "The Ellsberg Cycle" is a perfect example of
all these styles combined.
Two instrumentals make the album, being "Mazz Jathy" and "Jazz
Hands of Doom." If you guessed that these two songs have jazz
influences, then you are correct! The bass presence is amazing in
these two songs, and makes me want to crank it up (with no treble)!
The combination of Campbell and Clark is my favorite thing about this
album, which brings that deeper and darker sound that is forgotten in
most albums nowadays.
If you're a fan of bands like The Album Leaf, Radiohead, Porcupine
Tree, King Crimson, and your favorite jazz band, then you'll love
"Countenance" by The Mercury Tree. It's experimentation alone is
worth the listen, as the album genre-jumps from song to song. It is
impossible to be bored through this album because of the
musicianship and orchestration that this band provides. Please
support this band by visiting their Bandcamp site and checking out
their music.
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Contact Me
Blog: http://kenoalbumreview.blogspot.com
Email: kenoalbumreview@gmail.com