Jason Lytle, perhaps best known for his early collaborations with Elliot Smith, has place together a killer quartet, and their first mathematical product The Sophtware Slump is a grand effort that is something of a concept-album that pays tribute to ELO frontman Jeff Lynne. Genial of a cross between Neil Thomas Young and Flaming Lips, the tracks ar laced with samples from ELO standards (which many of you will be too whitney Young to recognise) none of my colleagues that love this album noticed the Jeff Lynne business–which barely serves to prove the timelessness of good music–and how goddamn old Im getting to be.

It doesnt take a rocket scientist to trope out why prog-rock dorks are squirming with gloat over Secret Machines debut album Now Here Is Nowhere. This new triple comprising of Brandon and Benjamin William Curtis and Jolly Garza make no qualms about whom their influences are, as Now Here Is Nowhere sounds on the nose like what a mingle of Mercury Rev and Pink Floyd records power sound care. Hell, regular Brandon Curtiss voice sounds like a mix of Jonathan Donahue and Roger Waters at times. At last though, I cant didder the fact that he sounds precisely like Peter Garrett from Midnight Oil, but without the herky-jerky arm flailing.

If there is one thing that is beyond obvious afterwards listening to the Secret Machines debut, its that these kids are technical wizards. Based solely on pure musicianship, this could be the strongest album of the year. The kick-drum exploit, and keyboard parts are absolutely phenomenal. Where the Secret Machines run into mechanical problems is in their songwriting - it just doesnt match their musical virtuosity. Yeah, I know, its a prog-rock album, the lyrics ar supposed to be pretentious, and cosmic, and weve been cutting a few bands a little more slack for that of late to encourage more experiment (it would be great to make more bands like The Fire Stealing and Muse) Still Im sorry merely lines like "did you grab you quiescency bag when you hit the floor/ Had you been feeling bad cause youd been a bore from "Sad And Lonely" just dont cut it for me. If these Dallas newcomers could hook up with a strong lyricist to match their musical flights of fancy though, watch out. With excellent chops like this, Secret Machines wouldnt be a secret for long.

Ive only heard the single from these guys, merely I dont think the lyrics are that spoiled, I venture I indigence to buy the CD, because I wouldnt call what Ive heard so far prog-rock either. I guess you cnat judge a book by its single, merely if its any meter reading then Id say youre dead wrong

Im so damn sick of critics sacking on Prog-rock that I could kill. What exactly is it about dazzling musicianship and imaginative songcrafting that bothers you assholes so a lot? I aver to God Id like to shoulder strap your buns down and force you to heed to Yes and Book of Genesis until you fucking bugger off it. Until you say uncle. You were in all probability listening to the Sexuality Pistols when Gentle Goliath was qualification the about powerful music that has ever been made. People would come to theri shows in wheelchairs and walk aside cured and thats not folklore its fact.

Mark Wilder,

holy shit that is some good clobber! I dearest your cacoethes. What you dont experience about me though is that Martin Luther King Jr. Crimson and Peter Gabriel Genesis are two of my front-runner bands of all time. And…How-do-you-do? I gave the record album a trey and a half, thats hardly sacking on it my acquaintance. As far as the Sex Pistols vs. Gentle Giant arguement, you ar sorely mistaken if you think Easy Giant ar better. I love Easy Giant, just John Lydon is far more a genius than people give hime credit rating for. Snake pit, his Public Image Ltd. work on the Metal Box and Flowers of Romance albums are better prog john Rock works then Gentle Heavyweight ever made. Oh, and except for Relayer, Yes AND Rick WAKEMAN Ar THE Most OVERRATED MUSICIANS OF All TIME. THEY SUCK BALLS!!! Take that you no sense of humor prog rockers! If I ever met Wakeman in a dark alley, it would be 187 on that midevil bastard.

Im departure to permit the Wrick Wakeman thing go, because I know you dont really mean that, plus hes in all likelihood kick your ass. Howeve in rules of order to sell me on the veracity of your reply give me your favorite Book of Genesis, King Crimson and Gentle Giant records.

Deutschmark,

sorry my reply took so tenacious, I was off vanquishing my enemy Wake Man. Anyways, as far as Gentle Hulk goes, it doesnt get any better than the three headed giant (wordplay absolutely intended) of Octopus, Three Friends, and In A Glass House, all phenominal. As for Genesis, Selling England By the Pound and Lamb Lies Down on Broadway. Its no blow Gabriel left after Dear, how are you possibly gonna superlative that? Ill even take Foxtrot spell im at it. King Crimson? Uhh… how about all of them? Seriously, they never made a bad album, I honey them all. Ill fifty-fifty defend Islands and Lizard for Christs sake, and almost no one likes those two albums. As for a favorite? Ill take Lake Tongues in Aspic over Crimson King, because im not nonpareil for pickings the obvious route. At present Mark, since I have done thy bidding, name me your favorite Sexual urge Pistols album…oh hold back they merely had one. Well then! Since you are the prog rock police I would like you to tell me what are your deary albums by Nektar, Faustus, and Bathroom. After that we lav shake custody and be buds. Buds?

Kyle, Clearly I have chosen to vent my pent-up prog frustration on the wrong person, good call on everything, leave off I would have slipped the Power and the Glory into my Soft Giant triumvurate. We could go back and forth on obscure proggers and infinitum so Ill just say my bad and that Ive gained an all newfangled respect for you and your whole site.

Cheers

mark,

cheers to you as well. Please feel free to question me anytime, and that goes for anybody reading this. I love to debate music, any and all.

Thanks to German mark and everyone that hits this situation!

I havent heard this album until now, but that cat competitiveness between Kyle and Mark just made for some of the best reading on this site! Keep it up!

Before I move on to the hella good discussion at hand, let me state that "Now Here is Nowhere" is fantastic - get it, dear reader. Lyrics are nearly beside the point (infernal region, would you buy "Larks Tongues" for the lyric "you spend a penny my life and times a record book of bluesy Saturdays"? Deliverer, please say no). Im as leery as anyone of the latest "hey, they sound just like Pink Floyd" hoopla, but ideate Floyd with Bonham on drums, and now youre onto something.

But badly, why compare the Sexual urge Pistols to Gentle Giant (whom I dont recognise from the Incredible String Band, frankly)? We ar talking about entirely different raisons detre there. Gentle Giant, like Yes and ELP, were trying to re-imagine john Rock as medicine that Bach wouldve loved, while the Pistols were trying to get Beehtoven to roll over in his grave more times than that ol abuse Chuck Berry couldve always imagined. Not to order that both werent all honest and true to their various muses. But Im distressing, equating Lydons love for Neu! with the desire to "elevate" john Rock is simply ridiculous. German prog is something entirely different completely. You live that Faustus loved "I Gravel Around," right?

By the way, Kyle, my favorite John record is "Tago Mago," which squashes almost whatsoever British prog album like a grape (save, mayhap, King Crimsons "Red" and "Starless and Bible Black," or perhaps, if Im impression generous, the Soft Machines "Book Two." And Faustus? Their showtime album, work force down. I love all their low four records, but the first unmatchable is like a machine battery blow to the gonads. Ive never heard more rotatory music, period.

Nektar are peripheral, at best. Give me Amen Duul IIs "Abominable snowman," with a Yaeger/Red Bull shooter. Now thats a party.

I cant help simply just skip in and sizing you guys up. No googling - How many albums did Happy the Man make? Key the drummer who worked with Yes, Genesis and King Crimson and whose solo albums are some of the prog albums ever recorded? Then advert the drummer who supplant him in the band U.K.?

No Cheating

Oh, and in earnest, Kyle, "Relayer"? Delight tell me youre yanking my chain! That album is, no arguments allowed, their difficult and obtruse (if belated) attempt to follow up the undeniable masterpiece that is "Close to the Edge." Seriously. Im no Yes adherent, but Ive got ears! "Relayer" is basically "CttE" without anything resembling a hook. And if you can differentiate me that the "cha cha cha, CHA CHA!!!" section of "Heavy Chaser" is anything other than a room-clearing monstrosity, I ill in earnest question any other ruling you always put forth.

But hey, thats just me.

P.S. You do know that it is Patrick Moraz, non Rick Wakeman, that formulated the dated and overblown synth sounds on "Relayer," right? Wakeman, for all his fustian, ridiculous robes and crap, rarely strayed from the tried-and-true Hammond B-3 for his solos during his Yes tenure (and dont go citing his "Tales From Topographic Oceans" noodling - that album is complete horse dung).

By the way - I do emphatically match that "Metal Box/2nd Edition is better than anything Soft Giant, and 99.5 percent of British prog, ever created. And Ive barely heard Gentle Giant; thats how great "Metal Box" is.

Kevin,

Happy the Man? Mind, Im a big enough person to admit when Im stumped. Good thing you set in the "no Google search" (which I also interpreted as a "no All Music search," as well) caveat, or I wouldve cheated, handsome time!

But on to your other queries, which, hooray for me, I can answer. The drummer in head is my man, Notice Bruford (though he only fits the bill on a triviality - Genesis "Seconds Out" being a live album on which he only drums on about three or four tunes, sitting in for the crooning Phil "Dont judge me by Sussudio," hear to Another Green World Collins). And, his replacement in UK? Zappas favourite mulleted sticksman, Terry Bozzio. And Ill go you one better - the albums that he drummed on were the pedestrian "Danger Money" and the fair amazing "Night After Night," yet some other live juncture.

Damn, Im good (or, rather, one out of two aint bad!).

I cant sit idly by and heed to such recklace and clueless Kink Wakeman bashing - his keyboard work on Close to the Edge is widely regarded as some of the most forward-looking B3 stylings ever captured on tape and his solo record album the Hexad Wives of Henry the 8th - ranks second to Tony Banks "A Rummy Feeling." as the solo record by prog-band keyboardist. Go easy on RW.

Sorry, I just re-read the question - make that two out of three!

Damn, Im good!

I knew Happy the Mankind one was a moment ecclectic, merely I was proud of your Bruford acumen - its my opinion that in his day he was the best drummer going.

jeff,

good foretell on the amon duul ii Abominable snowman, that is a forgotten classic, just cmon! Nektar were far from peripheral. Journey to the Center Of The Eye is a masterpiece that no one gives it credit for. And just for the platter, ill ingest Ege Bamaysi over Tago Mago, grease one’s palms hey, thats like expression ill take a tugjob over a blowjob. When it comes right gloomy to it, Ill assume both merrily.

jeff,

p.s.

kudos to you for calling me on the Relayer bit. That was my inside jocularity slap in the face to Wakeman fanatics. Aboveboard that should tell you how much I hate Yes. I have to admit Jeff you know your prog rock stuff. But Nektar still rules I dont care what you say!

I make two language for you arguing geniuses;

DREAM Theater!

yeah, well Ive got two dustup too. over and rated! Granted, Ill give you those guys are gifted, but I cant sales booth them as a whole; their parts are far greater than any overbloated sum they could possibly ever come up with. There seems to be this newfangled butt rock/prog hybrid that people like Yngwie Malmsteen helped ussher in, even Steve Vai and Joe Satriani as well. And yes, I realize Vai played with Zappa and all that, but I just cant stand bands like Shadow Gallery, Symphony X, Rhapsody, and Liquid Tension Experimentation, they all seem a bit too cheesy. The only unitary Ill even admit to liking is that Aspiration Theater side project Trans-Siberian Orchestra, and thats only because bum rock and cheesy Yuletide music appear to go hand in hand most perfectly. Give thanks you North Pole! You Rock! Goodnight!

Ive read this verobse war of words, just I saw these guys a few nights agone on Carson Daly and the call they played couldnt have been any less care anything that even a dork would call prog-rock.

Oooh, yes, the final two comments are ones that I can check with wholeheartedly. Starting with Kyles - god bless you, my son. Dream Theatre are shite, unmixed and simple-minded. The fact that they cling to the prog banner is a backhand insult to the entire genre. Please, guys - if you wanna play 80s bullshit with a singer that sounds like Rik Emmitt crossed with fucking Geoff Tate, only admit it! The more those guys invoke the ghosts of Zappa and british prog, the angrier I get. If that middle of the route, chops for chops sake crap is prog, and then Im with the bulk of critics who hate the music genre for its excesses.

And, as far as the Secret Machines go, Ill admit that only a prog novice would really try to call them prog. Their songs are way as well disciplined and, ultimately, non-ego driven to really modify. Epic length does non equal prog (Allman Brothers, anyone?). Id personally preferably see them tied to a shape of neo-psychedellia than prog. Either direction, theyve got the makings of a great lot.

Also, my conscience dictates that I must add that "First Wave Intact" is the superlative eight min plus song of the new millenium. Are there even any alternates?

…and the earth shook and the seas hath boiled, for the end was near… holy turd Jeff! Did we just agree on something? Oh it makes me so glad to see that you equally hate Queensryche (Geoff Tate for those that may be confused here) as much as I do. Film critic Adam Mast will be so displeased, as he belives Operation Mindcrime is one of the greatest concept albums of all time. (Its shit Adam! You pick up me! The Smurfs Go Pop is a better concept album!) But really Jeff, Im glad we agree that Dream Theater has no business being even a footnote in the history of prog. Youve made me a happy isle of Man, even if you dont care for Wilcos Yankee Hotel Foxtrot.

jeff,

p.s. Number 1 Wave Intact is the greatest eight minute summation epic of the new millenium huh? Its o.K. I infer, but I think you need to take a long hard look at Mars Voltas Cicatriz ESP which alfileria in at a whopping 12:28, and take in that its a far better vocal. And for that matter, De-Loused In the Comatorium is a far better album than Now Here Is Nowhere.Ill accept Mars Count Alessandro Volta over Confidential Machines any day of the hebdomad and double on Sun.

I besides am going to birth to grease one’s palms this record, because I saw them perform - what I presume is their single - live and it sounded more than like Keane than Male monarch Crimson - are you guys smoke any kinda shit?

Here here, what that guy said goes ditto for me too.

Nathan and Jason,

Keane? give me a friggin break! They dont even have a guitar thespian! Listen to the album first, then come up with your conclusions and get back to us.

Kyle it is you that is not paying attention - were non going off the album - they played on whatshis ass Carson Daly and it was a singer a keyboardist a drummer and a bass voice - learn away the bass you got Keane bro - the song is mellow and it sounds like Travis scarcely as practically as Keane does - dude

Nathan,

trust me, I am paying attending. You said that they sound (or look)to you like Keane (later listening to only one song creative thinker you) more than King Crimson, and you wondered if I was as you so colorfully set it, smoking any shit did you not? Well, when you finally beat around to listening to the album, youll see it has far more than in vulgar with prog related bands than the sugary sweet stylings of Keane. Capeche?

Kyle, I am gonna further fret you by admitting that I cant deal with the Mars Volta. I tried to like that album, man did I ever. They are distinctly good musicians, and their obvious passion for nickname and psychedelia is bound to warm my tenderness. Nevertheless, I feel like their songs rarely in truth cohere into anything as great as some of the single moments within said songs. And, honestly, their singers voice exactly doesnt do anything for me.

I sold the album quite some time back, so I cant get into specific content too a great deal, but all I bathroom tell you is that I was really disappointed with that record, much to my dismay. The early reviews invoked ces like King Ruby, Zeppelin, and Floyd, large bands all. And, verity be told, I can hear where those critics were approach from, at times. Merely, unlike Secret Machines, world Health Organization are focused, if cipher else, I just concluded up touch like "Deloused…" was a bit of a mess. Not uniteresting, and promising, perhaps, only nowhere near fully formed, if you ask me.

And that singer! Valet, Im glad you repudiate Geoff John Orley Allen Tate, but I just dont hear how this guy is much better. Between this circle and Coheed and Wales, somewhere Geddy Lee is smiling, content by the knowledge that his singing style has found a home in the humankind of alt-prog.

Im not smiling.

Just a gossip. I found it comic that this Jeff bozo, who appears completely hell bent on one upping everbody, secondhand the term "non-ego driven" in one of his replys. Words to live by my supporter. Words to live by.

If youre a band like The Black Spirit Procession and youve already made a triumphant trilogy of records (1,2 and 3; what else would they have been called?) and a heralded Latin-tinged construct album most the departure of love (Amore del Tropico) where exactly do you go next? The answer is recharge the batteries for four geezerhood and then make a tour de force retort to anatomy with the bleak, false bittersweet, darkly quiet atmospherics of The Write.

The Black Heart Forward motion have ever seemingly been one part Sparklehorse to two parts Tindersticks, merely for The Spell, Pall Jenkins and company recruited The Album Leafs Jimmy LaValle and Matt Resovich for keyboards/bass and fiddle respectively. What has transpired is an album that sounds at times as elegant as any Pestiferous Three record but noneffervescent stays true to what B.H.P. ar all some, bringing you down in the near lovely and mesmerizing way possible. Jenkins sounds more than confident on The Spell than always before and tracks care "The Letter" and "GPS" show just how much maturity a four class hiatus tin can bring about. The Write may non be straightaway to strike the nonchalant fan that hopped on the buzz bandwagon of the Latin themed Amore, but for diehards that have been awaiting a return to form back to the infamous trilogy, this record will in spades bewitch.

Totally lovely record album, one o9f my favorites of the year - - - good call

Spellbinding as you say, among the best of the centrury, well job Kyle ?

In the last 7 years or so, to quote Measure Paxtons incomparable character Chet from Whoremaster Hughes Weird Science, I wouldnt hold "granted a jet of piss" for the output of Canadian music. I beggarly, am I really so-called to clap a country whose biggest imports late have been Our Lady Peace, Nickelback, Alanis Morissette and Avril Lavigne? Puh-lease! But last year adage the mightiest new set in music come from Montreal in the shape of The Arcade Flaming, and I hate to say it, but the best band in all of Exponent Pop-Rock may just be the all-star lineup of The New Pornographers; a band that hales from the Great White Frederick North as well. On Twin Cinema, their third and decidedly charles Herbert Best and most cohesive record to date, The New Pornographers have turned out a blue print by which all other Power-Pop records should be judged.

Twin Celluloid finds all the superb puzzle pieces of The New Pornographers slipping together like a dream. The ringleader A.C. Paul Newman (whose 2004 solo record album The Slow Wonder was also a delight) contributes lead vocals to 9 and lyrics to 11 of Twin Cinemas songs. Twin Cinema is without a doubtfulness the former front man for Zumpanos finest work out as a songsmith, and if he didnt already usher in a rabid cult base with last years solo album, this should be the work that puts him all over the circus tent. Destroyers Dan Bejar lends his talents again to the common three tracks he alots himself on New Pornographers releases, and revisits his old eccentric Jackie from 2000s Mass Romantic on the fantastic "Jackie, Dressed In Cobras." Bejar now more than ever sounds eerily like a Soft Boys era Robyn Alfred Joseph Hitchcock, and it you were wondering, yes that is a very good thing. The secret weapon of New Pornographers albums is usually Alt-Country chanteuse Neko Case, and she does make two worthwhile appearances on "The Blood of an Idol" and "The Bleeding Substance Show." But the real secret weapon of Twin Celluloid is none other than Kurt Dahle, the disregarded drummer wHO was lost in the fold of Mass Romantic and Electrical Version. Here though he pounds the skins like a maniac, and if you fancy yourself an air drummer with fingers on knees or pencils on desks, welcome to your newest obsession for the adjacent couple of months. I still honestly believe that Sufjan Stevens Illinois is the topper album of the summer, but no album encapsulates or has encapsulated the feeling of summer more than Twin Falls Cinema has this yr.

I agree that twin cinemas is their best and most consistently unassailable record so far, merely I consider I was a picayune more discomfited than you buy the limited involvement of Neko. I just love that woman something fierce.

"Jackie, Dressed In Cobras" is credibly the topper song Ive heard all year. I cant stop playing it!

You surely took an awfully broad sweep at the Canadian scene, youve left our plenty of worthy acts of the Apostles and on this very page is one - Leslie Fiest - not to cite the fantastic band she hails from - I expect youll catch a little more than flack for such a reckless bill of indictment. I volition however agree that the new NP record is their charles Herbert Best, but I also agree with the last respondant that it would get profitted from more Neko. With that I rest my case.

I do agree, that was a pretty broad sweep on my part. Just a little ribbing at their expense on my part. There ar just as many good Canadian bands as there are bad ones, it just seems that all the risky ones appear to go the public eye. But I highly hold with your statement or so Feist, and her even greater band Broken Societal Scene. Their new record that comes out in a few months is one of the most anticpated records for me personally,and I guarantee when it comes kayoed, youll see a inspection of it here on this site.

I was so hyped to get my men on this album, simply I must say all this genius sounds more than like the Mamas and the Papas than the Blueprint for power pop?

This dance-pop/hip-hop masterpiece has been dubbed "party album of the year," and heralded by almost every critic as one of 2001s topper albums. By hook or by crook the Avalanches pieced together over 900 samples to achieve this blissful interference (including Blessed Virgin). They come from a land down under (Melbourne, Australia) and are appropriately rooted in punk, just you wonÕt find a hint of it here. Instead, theyve traded guitars for turntables, complete with the necessary oohs-and-yeahs, whistles, and creature noises to boot.

Right from the get go and title track the music engulfs the attender in its loops and spiraling sounds of enthrall The happy-trip lasts for over half of the albums totality before it calculably comes to a dawdling rest. ItÕs playful, soothing, and good-natured. Cerebrate Beastie BoyÕs PaulÕs Dress shop meets the Basement Jaxx meets the Jackson 5. ItÕs hard to observe error in near idol.

After a four class hiatus (you know, since that whole Christopher Walken dancin around bit) Norman Cook, the Fatboy himself, is back with his newest incarnation Palookaville. Now, call me crazy, just when an artist comes out in the press before their new release and says that "I hate all my other albums. I cant stand hearing to them. But this new unrivaled is utterly great, and I sexual love listening to it" unavoidably you know theyre fabrication and that their newfangled album sucks balls. Just that is exactly what Cook has been saying about Palookaville (dude, you made Youve Come A Long Agency, Baby; one of the best dancing albums of 90s, what were you thinking when you said that?) and for the most part my suspicions were rectify, Palookaville isnt all that great.

It doesnt facilitate that Palookaville is bookended by two of worst fucking tracks that Fudge has e’er pieced together. The undoer, "Dont Let The Man Get You Grim," is bogged depressed by the overly perennial line "And the sign says long hairy freaky people need not apply" from The V Man Electrical Bands "Signs" (yea, Tesla wasnt the originator, can you believe it?) And record album closer, "The Joker" is, you guessed it, a dance cover of Steve Millers token classical. The catch here though is that its Bootsy Collins tattle here rather of Moth miller, which invariably is pretty cool. The bad share though is that Fatboys production is so nauseatingly bad, that this version comes extinct sounding like something BBMak or level worse, person like LFO would adjudicate and tackle.

As bad as some of Palookaville is, thither are still a few tracks worth mentioning. "Slash Dit Dash," even with its awing verses of "cut down dot dash" repeated over and all over, is pretty ingenious due to its guitar and bass work. "Fantastic Night" becomes an splendid hip-hop routine with vocals from up-and-comer Lateef, wHO lends vocals to iI tracks here. The other being "The Journey" which ridiculously enough sounds exactly like MC Hammers theme song to The Adams Family, but we wont pay back into that. "Invest It Bet on Together" has terrific vocals from Damon Albarn, which makes horse sense since Cook produced deuce tracks on Blurs marvellous Think Tank album. The best caterpillar track of all though is Fatboys cover or Babatunde Olatunjis "Jin Go Lo Ba" from unmatched of the best African albums of all time Drums Of Passion. Cooks dance beat goes along nicely with this percussionists legendary offer.

Ultimately though in the end, what kills Palookaville is Cooks insistence of beating tracks into the ground. Non a single track other than "Slash" is under quaternion minutes long, and the fact that even it feels around eight minutes long doesnt help either. The repetition coupled with Cooks half-interesting ideas, make this the most inessential album so far in Fatboy Slims otherwise brilliant and successful career.

In a strange turn of destiny it seems that radiocommunication has killed the underground star. Contrary to The Buggles paranoiac premonition of old, The Mars Volta are rising from the ashes and there looks to be no fillet their

In 2001, the new London trio South helped to co-write the vibrant score to the pic Sexy Beast with Mo Wax label founder and UNKLE member James Lavelle. A year later, South has finally released their debut album with Lavelle in the production chair. What theyve put together is a well blended album of Brit-pop melodies with UNKLE style beats that should keep fans of both genres felicitous. Joel Cadburys vocals sound very resonant of mate Brit Badly Drawn Boy, and Lavelles production on songs such as "Paint the Silence" and "All in For Nothing" breathe life into these lush melodies. All is not placed on Lavelles shoulders though, near of these songs surprisingly enough are acoustically goaded. "I Know What Youre Like" has outstanding acoustic riffs to go with the already smashing vocals and songwriting. Southward are by all odds up on that point with Elbow joint and Clinic as new Brit-pop acts to watch for in the future.

Dredg, the newest manque prog-rock revivalists are favorable Im in a fair good modality. First of all those of you who recognise me know of my enormous fancy for Progressive Rock. And youre as well aware of how I feel around the majuscule uncircumcized mass of lilliterate bastards I call "knee-jerk prog-bashing critics." (In casing youre curious as to what these common little bottom feeders look like - go out in your plump for yard and turn over a rock music.) One other interesting bank note to birth in mind if you happen to be starvation to death is, as long as theyre non equipped with their poison pens, theyre perfectly safe to eat and oddly enough ar virtually flat - thats right - altogether now: They Have No Taste! Thank you.

Im really quite abhor to categorise Dredg as a Prog band, chiefly because theres nothing in the least bit Progressive about them. Regressive, to be sure - merely breaking fresh ground - no? Toward the start of the 80s, well after the last snappy gasp of breath escaped from the true art/prog bands (Ill not identify them - here) a number of individuals from some of the more than high-profile acts began to converge into Prog Super Groups. With Adrien Belew and Throwaway Bruford connexion ranks with Robert Fripp and Tony Levin, King Crimson loosely fit into this category. But the two well-nigh guilty were GTR an outfit which included what I regard to be the two greatest guitar players in the populace period end of level. Steve Hackett (Genesis) and Steve Howe (Yes). GTRs only record album spawned a number one hit, only they were a knickknack act in the eyes of critics and in this casing I was inclined to agree.

All of which brings me to the point of this hard preamble - the to the highest degree notable all-star prog act was Asia. Alas it is Asia that is the point of all this - and if youll indulge me Ill try to demonstrate why.

Ill scarce cut to the chamfer - Dredg sounds like an Asia tribute band. Which is really non a good thing regardless where you stand on any result from abortion to the Patriot Play. Yes the most successful of these art-rock supergroups, was comprised of such icons as Carl Arnold Daniel Palmer (ELP) Bathroom Whetton (B. B. King Crimson) Steve Howe (Yes), and I believe the guy from the Buggles if store serves. There just isnt any way of life to winding this into a congratulate, what rear I enjoin? Dredg sounds like Asia - omit not nearly as good. Thats pretty harsh. Though you whitethorn well remember such hits as "Heat of the Moment," and Wildest Dreams," Asia were not well mentation of among Prog-rock purists - and were rightfully bashed by normal every day critics - and even though, to date theyve released 9 studio albums (pant), and even more bouncy albums - the money-grubbing, opportunistic stigma is something theyll never out-run.

Naturally critics wHO were always contemptuous of art rocks bombastic pretentions - were even harder on these "pop-prog" spin-off bands and the thing that really sucks the most about it all is that to some degree it tarnished the memory of some of the greatest bands that ever stepped up in an attempt to fill the black pickle left behind by the Beatles. From Yes to Genesis, to King Reddened and Jethro Tull. These are some of the finest bands ever and by and large none of them got a fraction of the reference they deserved. There were the real envelope pushers like Gentle Giant and Happy the Man, not to reference John MacLaughlins Mahivishnu Orchestra, Frank Zappa, Captain Beafheart and one of the few wHO found favor both with fans and critics, Pinko Floyd. The Prog-Jazz acts of the Apostles - Jan Hammer, Dab Metheny, the Dixie Settlings, Larry Cartlon, not to mention the acerbic brilliance of Steely Dan summation a few of my personal pets Camel and Kayak. For all the flack that these beyond-brilliant bands intent collectively and individually - the critics of the world motive to be ashamed and Im career upon them now to aplogize en masse. A moment of silence delight? . . . There now - we all feel a little bit better. You see I to a fault love the Sex Pistols and the Clash, only regardless how influential and timely their emergence, if were talking about music and non society then Mick and Joe and Johnny and Syd - hop in the backseat for this ride. St. Peter the Apostle Gabriel and Roger Amniotic fluid called scattergun.

Which brings me to Dredg a spiffy small quartet out of Los Gatos CA. These cats have been toying around with nontextual matter rock and concept albums - over their last 3 records. Catch Without Arms is divded into two acts - the first being: PERSPECTIVE 1 and the second organism PERSPECTIVE 2. Listen though I did, with the aid of the lyrics from the liner notes I was not only unable to discern a particular linear perspective for either half - but I had a hell of a clock time trying to make sensation of the title song. Obviously on that point had to be some sort of subtext - a metaphor at take on with a title like "Catch Without Blazonry," merely Ill be damned if I was able to make heads or tail coat of the concept. Its definitely the most sympathetic song on the album, starting off with a nice piano-driven very Supertramp-like verse part, and though the greek chorus is a catchy one talking about all this "Catching Without Arms" the concept is a bit overly obtuse for this reader. Maybe its meant to be interpreted a small more literally - playing Catch Without Arms canful be a somewhat dangerous activity known to resultant role in nosebleeds, a fat lip or at the very least a shiner. If whatever of our fine readers out there have got a better handle on the conception feel disengage to enlighten me. I will say that the chorus of this song - is the strongest hook on the album - irregardless of what the lyric might actually mean.

The biggest problem with Dredg is that the very cornerstone of a prog-rock band is outstanding musicianship, which is really non these guys long suit. Much of the time guitarist Scrape Engles gets caught up in these one-note arpeggio spasms that at their best prompt of early U2, only at their worst make every vocal sound on the nose the same. Singer Gavin Hayes stool belt it out, only he sounds so much like Trick Whetton (which 20 age ago was a incentive but nowadays sounds frightfully out of place.) Hearing with headphones reveals a few tasty licks courtesy of the bassist and the drummer is zip if not disciplined in a Steely Dan (hearty but no frills) tolerant of way of life. But with an album so studied and sanitised a snatch of sloppy drumming would have been more than welcome.

In general because of the constant arpeggio guitar and straight forward discipline the album sounds nicely shimmering and glimmer (theres not a note of hand or a rim shot out of place) Sadly all the shimmer and glimmer becomes dimmer and dimmer with each birdcall with precious few turns that pot be considered hooks. Once in a while the boys from Los Gatos break it down into classical Art rock territory - on running 10 "Jamais Vu" everything boodle in its tracks for a lovely open-necked fingerstyle moment that is all "Steve Hackett. (Ill go to my grave accent ready to debate God that Hackett is the most influential and nigh "copied" guitarist e’er) And the reprise on the closing curtain "Matroshka" winds down with a plaintive piano sequence that is graeco-Roman art rock and roll.

Still and all I dont know that I could safely recommend this album to anyone. Its not progressive enough to be art rock and its for sure not a bit like anything else out there that it could be compared to for the purposes of recomendation. The best thing I crapper do at this point is to direct those who still pine for that orphic and magic art-rock sound - check out Cheery Day Actual Estates The Rising, Mars Voltas Francis The Mute, Fire Larceny - Fire Theft, Radioheads O.K. Computer and Flaming Lips Soft Bulletin and Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots. Id urge you skip Dredg - unless youre just a fool for Mike and the Mechanics - you can safely pass on this one.

Dredge has got a song in pretty high rotaion on my favourite satellite radiocommunication station, I coulndt say for indisputable but I think its "Take hold of Without Arms" I havent heard the rest of the recorrd, but I think this song is ttthe Dud. Personally I really dont care what or if there is some profound essage behind the title, its a great song - and if the rest of the album is half that good Id be proud to own it. Your review made it sound wish you know more about art stone than anyone should truly know - and Im sure you know what all that babbling menas, but it didnt talk me out of liking Dredg - if that wasyour point.

dont hatred until youve seem them live bonefag.

do you like dream theater or do they masterbate likewise much?

Am I guess to hold off until Ive seen them masturbate live or what? Any time I see someone misspell masturbate I wonder if its because theyre used to spelling with unitary hand. As for your question I think this band should probably masturbate on a regular basis - otherwise thyre simply gonna terminal up as "Wet Dream Theater" I hope this is an adequate answer to both of your questions - peculiarly the the homosexual issue. You collide with that one right on the give head. Im a flamer alright - a Barbra Streisand lovin sphincter boy and one day I hope to drag your taut small skateboarding ass into the fold. Dont be hatin til you see what I tin do Live -

whatever flamer bust out your shit

Bust out my shit - oh how you pester with those romantic words. Beautiful, beautiful skater boy how much longer am I to suffer this sweet harassment? You know that I would gleam your cube any day of the week. And with all your expertise with lucille Ball bearings I get weak in the knees cerebration about bearing my balls to one such as yourself. Its unfair of you to joke just about with me in this way - when you know that all this editing Ive offered up is only a overture to the things that Id offer you given the opportunity - oh TC dump that brunet hottie {with that truly amazing body) and come away with me. Let me demonstrate you the carnal wonders of what one whiskered man throne offer another bearded military personnel. Tease me no yearner you skating man-God - and undulate away with the Boneman to a place where our passion can find its vallecula - a skatepark wonerland of smooth rock severe foundations with no small pebbles that can lawsuit you to injure those beautiful knees. Come be my true skater bitch and save those knees for me!

Dude, thats messed up!

holy shit

I could guardianship less around all this history moral bullshit - I think this criminal record kicks ass, and nobodys gonna talk me stunned of