REACT TO: The PROG Report - Top 5 NON-PROG Artists (ft. Mike Portnoy)

So here's yet another REACT TO entry to a podcast/youtube video, this time it's from The Prog Report and includes host Roie Avin, Mike Portnoy and Kyle Fagala who moderates Mike Portnoy's Forum Facebook Group .

And this is definitely related (although not identical) to the lists, and I suppose my REACT TO to 2 other previous entries:

Notes Reviews Modern and Alternative Prog
Radical Research's GINNCORE

So in going through their picks, the large chunk of them I know well (Kevin Gilbert of course is the 1 I am happiest to hear about since he's my favorite).  And many I know for the most part how I stand about (The Flaming Lips and obviously Radiohead).

But the ones I don't know or know well, that I mean to now checkout:

The Grays - Ro Sham Bo
Chris Cornell - Euphoria Morning
My Chemical Romance - Welcome to the Black Parade
Bill Hubauer - We Came From Space
Once and Future Band - Once and Future Band
Dire Straits - Love Over Gold
Tears for Fears - Raoul and the Kings of Spain, Everybody Loves a Happy Ending (which I'm surprised Roie didn't mention how they have a new album coming out soon).

The Grays I'm sort of Guilty-of per my love of Jellyfish, and I 1st and foremost think of  the video Beavis and Butthead tore to shreds of them (they also had a Jellyfish video on their show, which I don't think they loved either, but did not hate-on as much). But I also recall checking samples of The Grays and Imperial Drag and being underwhelmed. Imperial Drag especially, on more than 1 occasion.

However, at least that 1st sampling was many years ago. In fact it may have been in 1 of those Red Dot Net listening stations at Cheapo in the early 2000's. So it's been awhile. I do enjoy some of Jason Falkner's solo work, although not to the point of addiction.

The lists make a lot of sense. Even Wilco of late I have started to wonder if I would like reading comments about them. My wife actually even likes some of their music. And at the Michael Nesmith show back in January, Circe Link actually mentioned them to myself and John while waiting in line. How Wilco in some ways are a descendant to Nez's solo stuff (that is, despite my wife and I'm  sure many fans, would call Mike's solo work "progressive country rock" which i guess maybe Wilco could be referred to as as well).

I could nitpick a bit though, probably not as much as I could. But for one, Roie's comments about Mutemath, while somewhat accurate, didn't really explain the story. Darren King was on and contributed to the writing as far as I recall, to ALL OF THEIR ALBUMS. And their latest album, Play Dead, while his and Roy Cardenas last, is NOT totally electronic the way Vitals was.

Also he didn't mention Odd Soul which again, wasn't so electronic. Saying their debut is their best I'm fine with. Also he probably never saw it, but Darren King in an interview in some magazine, around the time of Armistice I think it was, mentioned Dream Theater. Now it would help to find the article and quote, etc. But I remember that distinctly and felt they obviously have some prog in them at least Darren knowing DT and likely Portnoy.

Glad they played some from St.Vincent's debut album Marry Me. My feeling about her hasn't changed sadly, as I enjoy that debut record, but the records since she has lost me more and more (and also became a Hipster darling more and more, which doesn't help if that means anything). The noise kills her music for me. And she doesn't sound all that much like Annie Haslam singing for King Crimson anymore.

I like that Mike brought up I Mother Earth, and I don't recall if I actually have heard their new songs (since 2015). Rateyourmusic shows 3 new songs there anyway, which I definitely need to hear. But I will post below my own 5 picks (and some Honorable Mentions). And The Tea Party are an obvious one to include, but for some reason don't always get mentioned when seeing people talk about Big Wreck and in this case, I Mother Earth. Those were the Big 3 90's Canadian bands who while not overtly progressive rock, were progressive certainly.

Almost like the Texas 3 of King's X, Galactic Cowboys and Atomic Opera.

The Tea Party still need more love among progressive rock fans. Their last album The Ocean at the End, from 2014 is exceptional and yet it seems to have flown far too much under the radar other than among fans in Canada and in Australia where I think some of the band have residence.

from The Prog Report's Podcast Page




Mike Portnoy
Kevin Gilbert
The Grays - Ro Sham Bo
Chris Cornell - Euphoria Morning (1999 album)
The Flaming Lips - The Soft Bulletin, Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robot, At War with the Mystics ("Pompei am Gotterdammerung".."What is the Light....")
Biffy Clyro - Puzzle, Opposites

Kyle
David Bowie
St.Vincent
Radiohead
Muse - Absolution, Black Holes and Revelation, Origin of Symmetry
Wilco - Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, Sky Blue Sky.. "Art of Almost" track

Roie
Mutemath
Fair to Midland
Tears for Fears (Seeds of Love, Elemental, Raoul and the Kings of Spain, Everybody Loves a Happy Ending)
Big Wreck
Umphrey's McGee - Mantis, Similar Skin ("Bridgeless") It's Not Us ("Remind Me")


Mike Portnoy's Honorable Mentions/Mentions
Jellyfish (+ Imperial Drag, and Beck.."Watching the Rain" a b-side from Jellyfish)
Weezer - Blue, Pinkerton
Ben Folds Five/Ben Folds
Eleven
Oceansize
Big Elf - Cheat the Gallows
Endochine
I Mother Earth
Karmic Juggernaut . reminds Mike of Umphrey's McGee
Bill Hubauer - We Came From Space
Once and Future Band
The Lemon Twigs
Trigger Finger
Mr.Bungle

Roie's Honorable Mentions/Mentions
The Struts (not proggy)
The Dear Hunter
My Chemical Romance - Welcome to the Black Parade
Extreme - III Sides to Every Story
Silverchair - Young Modern
Frank Zappa
Soundgarden - Superunknown

Kyle's Honorable Mentions/Mentions
Dire Straits - Love Over Gold
The Who - Quadrophenia
Tool - Lateralus
Green Day - American Idiot ("Homecoming," "Jesus of Suburbia")
Alter Bridge - Fortress ("Cry of Achilles"
Avenged Sevenfold - The Stage
Matthew Sweet/Superdrag/The Posies (XTC-style)
The Polyphonic Spree
Sufjan Stevens
Them Crooked Vultures



--------------------------------------------------------

My Top 5 (if I were participating).

I am going to intentionally not pick anything that was picked because I could easily just go
Kevin Gilbert, Jellyfish, and some others that they named (Fair to Midland and The Dear Hunter if they actually would qualify).

But just to think of 5 names not brought up..and of course many honorable mentions

1. Jeff Buckley
2. Ours
3. Apes and Androids/Call Florence Pow
4. Pepe Deluxe
5. Cloud Cult

Fjokra
Foals
Kimbra
Janelle Monae
The Tea Party
Imogen Heap
Saigon Kick
Menomena/Ramona Falls
Neverending White Lights
Everything Everything
sElf
House of Fools
Small Leaks Sink Ships
Godspeed You Black Emperor
Sigur Ros
Wolf Parade - At Mt, Zoomer
The Velvet Teen - Elysium
The Spent Poets - The Spent Poets
The Dissociatives - The Dissociatives

Most if not all of these artists don't consider them self "Prog" or "progressive rock" even really for the most part, but every one of them is (or the albums I included) progressive or artsy in a lot of ways certainly.

I mean sure there are the long list of progressive college rock (or "modern heavy art rock") bands in those other 2 entries I included that were not mentioned on this podcast. But in just coming up with a list of bands I enjoy that while I consider them progressive, the strongest base of their sound and themselves and most of their fans do not label them as "prog." But I would argue they are progressive, and maybe more importantly, they can and have appealed to fans of Yes, Genesis, Pink Floyd and Dream Theater.

Now just thinking about this Podcast and depending on Roie's taste (which I am kind of skeptical about), he should now do an Experimental/Art Metal episode. Aka Metal bands/albums for prog metal fans, that are not traditional progressive metal.

Aka. an Extreme Metal episode. So no Dream Theater or Fates Warning or Rush or Queensryche (or Savatage actually). And no HAKEN of course, and no Symphony X really either.

I'm talking about stuff like Cynic, maudlin of the Well, unexpect, SikTh etc...There's a lot of it out there, and progressive rock/progressive metal fans do like it, but also many either don't know it (or know they would like it), or often DISMISS it like Kyle mentioned with Muse and Radiohead (or Wilco).

Sort of more Metal like Opeth, but not Opeth obviously, in a vague sense. Metal for the prog fans who enjoy Opeth, but who don't know other names that well.

I'm sure stuff like Meshuggah and Periphery would show up, which is fine, but like anything, there are artists in genres/subgenres you love, who often don't do a lot for you as an exception.

Who Cares About the Rock Hall PODCAST

 Not a lot of time of course, but I also feel like just shouting-out and passing along this relatively new podcast almost strictly about the Rock Hall.

The podcasts are not short (90 mins+) but the topics and process they use warrant that length.

It has 2 comedians who are the hosts, and usually 1 guest who often also is a comedian. Sometimes music person or a few times, former members of the Rock Hall nomination committee.

I have only taken-in parts of 3 or 4 podcasts, and 1 full one (the one on Whitney Houston).

I like their discussion and analysis overall, but at the same time, I agree with my wife to a point in that they don't always have all the data/info before commenting (something I am guilty of myself).

But it does seem the 2 hosts have somewhat of a broad spectrum on music, and at least are more in the line of thinking of some fans like myself, that there are a ton of issues that could and should be changed/fixed/corrected with The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

I don't like their criticism of The Moody Blues though, but I have yet to hear the episode they focused on them. But the female host Kristen seems to not care about The Moodies influence and how early they were to a genre that found so many others soon after (prog and psych rock).

Anyway, I likely will follow-up about this soon, but in the mean time, if you want an in-depth discussion about the Rock Hall, this is a good place to look beyond the assortment of Blogs and of course Future Rock Legends.

Twitter

http://rockhallpod.libsyn.com/
iTunes

A Dying Planet - Facing the Incurable (2017-2018)

8/23/18


Yeah, some good shit here,


some of it reminds me of Zero Hour or Cynthesis, but some a little of The Contortionist and Anathema. The melancholy moods at points.

Surprised and impressed. This and Mals Totem among my playlist, have been the most enjoyable of late.






1. Resist 14:06
2. Facing The Incurable 10:22
3. Human Obsolescence 07:43
4. Poison The Well 08:08
5. Missing 08:59
6. Separation Anxiety 03:23


6/30/18 12:10PM
Article

A DYING PLANET’s Facing The Incurable will see independent release through the band’s own CynNormal Lab Recordings on CD and digital platforms on August 17th; watch for preorders and additional audio and video samples from the album to be issued preceding its release date.

Teaser on FB

A new project from the Tipton brothers of Zero Hour and Cynthesis (and Abnormal Thought Patterns). Per the article posted above, this band/project does not include Troy Tipton on bass per an an unfortunate injury to his arm. But he was involved with the song writing and actually Vocals.

Also from the article, it mentions how singer Erik Rosvold of Cynthesis (ex-Zero Hour as well) and Bill Jenkins of Enchant as well.

The trailers and teaser clips sound good, and August 17th is not too far away,.

Albums from the Past (August 2018?)

Sorry, I posted this last night as I was multi-tasking,

But I have been off and on checking older albums or bands/artists who I have meant to, but never did.

Actually I always have, but maybe I'll try and post a list like this every month or every week or 2 of what I am checking out.

Mind you, I have not checked any of these out YET, but they are Queued-Up so to speak and I hope to in the coming days/weeks. And many others from the artists here and others (10cc and Crack the Sky are others, who slipped my mind but now I'm remembering).

Bee Gees - Bee Gees 1st (1967)
Budgie - In for the Kill (1974)
Budgie - Never Turn Your Back on a Friend (1973)
Chicago - Chicago Transit Authority (1969)
Depeche Mode - Violator (1990)
Depeche Mode - Music for the Masses (1987)
Roxy Music - Roxy Music (1972)
Spandau Ballet - True (1983)
Talking Heads - Remain in Light (1980)

edit:
10cc - Sheet Music (1974)
10cc - The Original Soundtrack (1975)
ABC - The Lexicon of Love Vol 1 and 2 (1982)
Crack the Sky - Crack the Sky (1975)
INXS - Kick (1987)

also some newer records like the King Gizzard album Notes Reviews mentioned, and many on that list I didn't know.

Mals Totem - Mals Totem EP (2012)
A Dying Planet - Facing the Incurable (2018)

REACT TO: Notes Reviews YouTube Vids "Modern/Alternative Prog"+"Contemporary Prog"

So this is a bit related to the recent RADICAL RESEARCH Podcast about "GINNCORE."

So some of this is almost a rehash or a similar REACT TO entry, like that last one.

I guess 1st off to actually take these 2 videos separately, when the lines get blurry, and Notes Reviews kind of mentions that at the start of the "Contemporary Prog" Starter Pack video.

I guess Porcupine Tree and Steven Wilson I would always put into either or both categories (or my desired label, progressive college rock).

Pain of Salvation, really other than the Road Salt albums, has always been a Prog Metal band. It's just they don't resemble Dream Theater or many of the bands with the Prog Metal tag/style exactly. But I am kind of with Notes Reviews in that in recent years, even citing beyond the Road Salt albums and a lot of Be I suppose, for some reason their sound is heard now almost more "Hard Rock" than Metal. But perhaps when they came up in the 90's and 2000's, their sound, sounded heavy enough, they fit in more with Metal and Prog Metal than Hard Rock.

That kind of opens up the can of worms about Hard Rock vs Metal, etc..more blurry lines, etc. I mean Porcupine Tree at times were pretty heavy, they could be called Metal. And by contrast, Opeth's recent records don't really sound all that Metal either.

So the other point that I can kind of see how these 2 videos differ is the perception I and I think many others have about differing between what the progressive rock community looks for in sound, format, and such within Festivals/Cruises, the small record labels for what is "prog" and what isn't. Or HOW MUCH, etc.

1 way to illustrate this is just take The Mars Volta and compare them to Spock's Beard. They are both modern bands doing a form of progressive rock, but while The Mars Volta are more "out there" and experiment a lot, Spock's draw from the 70's bands more clearly. Also just on textures and influences, I guess it seems more clear that the influences The Mars Volta take are outside of progressive rock artists, whereas Spock's and the hordes of other bands, especially the last 20+ years haven't.

Now the "Contemporary Prog" list almost seems to carry a lot of the KScope style of "Post-Prog" as KScope has said, and I think a high percentage of the artists on that label and on that Starter Pack below draw strong influence from Porcupine Tree and Steven Wilson specifically (or Radiohead and Post Rock sound/artists too I suppose).

Other than maybe Phideaux and perhaps Anglagard, who are kind of an outlier in this "Contemporary" or "Modern" list as the album Notes Reviews chose is from 1992, and their history is actually a bit older than every other artist included on either list.



So that all being said, I do agree or at least like a lot of the picks, especially on the "Modern Alternative" Starter Pack.

I would probably pick a few different albums just with those artists
-The Dear Hunter, Act II at least as a recommendation,
-The Mars Volta...as much as I find it flawed, a prog fan who enjoys Frances would probably be good to hear Deloused AND Amputechture
-Coheed Good Apollo 1 is perfect and In Keeping Secrets makes sense. I might go with 1 or both of the Afterman records instead of The Color Before the Sun, even as much as the narrative parts bug me on those Afterman albums.
-Pain of Salvation I agree with Remedy Lane and TPE. Be? I might still suggest Entropia and/or In the Passing Light of Day actually.

-Thank You Scientist- not a bad band, other than how much their singer sounds exactly like Claudio Sanchez from Coheed. I would look towards the band THREE instead actually (Wakepig or any of their last 3 albums)

-Closure in Moscow unfortunately sounds way too much like a The Mars Volta copycat for me.
-Dream the Electric Sleep is a good suggestion, but I would 1st recommend their album Heretics over Beneath the Dark Wide Sky
-I haven't heard Sky Architect nor Barock Project but now want to
-King Gizzard as Notes Reviews mentions, they seem to be about releasing quantity maybe over quality. The 1 record among the 5 or whatever they released in 2017 I have yet to hear, but probably will check out now on his suggestion and as the rating on rym is maybe the highest among those 5 records.


"Modern Alternative Prog"



-Pain of Salvation: Remedy Lane (2002)
(The Perfect Element I (2000), Be (2004))

-Coheed and Cambria: Good Apollo 1: I'm Burning Star IV: From Fear Through the Eyes of Madness (2005)
(In Keeping Secrets of Silent Earth: 3 (2003), The Color Before the Sun (2015))

-The Mars Volta: Frances the Mute (2005)
(Deloused in the Comatorium (2003), Octahedron (2009))

-The Dear Hunter: Act V: Hymns with the Devil in Confessional (2016)
(Act III: Life and Death (2009), The Color Spectrum (2011))

-Thank You Scientist: Stranger Heads Prevail (2016)
(Maps of Non-Existent Places (2012)

Honorable Mentions:
Sky Architect - Nomad (2017)
Barock Project - Detachment (2017)
Closure in Moscow - Pink Lemonade (2014)
Dream the Electric Sleep - Beneath the Dark Wide Sky (2016)
King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard - Polygonwandaland (2017)


Among the "Contemporary Prog" starter pack:

-Steven Wilson/Porcupine Tree: I agree with The Raven as I find it my favorite and SW's best. Hand.Cannot.Erase is okay, although I find To the Bone probably slightly better, but that also has a lot to do with I like the poppier tracks Steven Wilson has done. But it's pretty close.
PT, I absolutely do not agree with Fear of a Blank Planet other than how popular that record is. But I find it way too much of a downer and the lyrics hurt the music (and I find the Nil Recurring EP actually better). I would suggest In Absentia or Deadwing as a 1st PT album instead. And Lightbulb Sun at some point. I guess Sky Moves Sideways is fine for the Spacier period, although I can't say I prefer it over some of the others like Voyage 34 or Up the Downstair or even Signify.

-Anathema, both of those albums are good suggestions for anyone who finds his channel especially. I enjoy Distant Satellites and The Optimist about as much as those other 2. WBWH is my favorite, but I find them all pretty close.

-Gazpacho have never done much for me to be honest. They are just bland rock really, although I get why they are on KScope, I keep waiting for them to cover and then make music highly like the song from Marillion.

-Riverside, ADHD is actually the 1 record I quite like from them. Although it's hardly an all-time favorite, but after hearing many albums from and since, it still seems to be the 1 and only album with balls and punch. The riffs are heavy and in your face. And the vocals don't sound too David Gilmour-wannabe-like and airy, like so many of their others. The 2 recommendations, honestly I follow as they are popular, but are unlikely 2 records I desire to check out soon again myself. I suppose 1 suggested album could be the last record with their late guitarist Pietr was on, Love Fear and the Time Machine as I kind of enjoyed that 1 more and I know their fans loved it. I think many new fans were made from it.

-Phideaux. That album is the 1 and only record from him I have spent a good chunk of time with, but the truth it, I recall it was last in 2007 when it came out. But it's a good pick, and honestly 1 I mean to revisit soon as he may be an artist I've slept on a bit too much.

The HM's:
-Motorpsycho are a band I have checked out a bit, but never found the praise many others give them. Notes Reviews comments have me curious about that record though, which is one I don't think I've even heard or read about much. So I may want to check it out.

-The Pineapple Thief have been praised for ages on the forums. I honestly find them WAY too Radiohead-like to ever get into them. They have 1 good song or rather 1 song I like "The World I Always Dreamed Of," the chord progression is nice. Otherwise, I might as well listen to Radiohead except I can't stand Thom Yorke's voice either.

-Ephrat I've never heard of. But I wishlisted that album on rym,

-iamthemorning is a good suggestion, and I know Lighthouse got them a bunch of awards (and I bought the vinyl) but I would still look to Belighted over it by a lot actually.

-Anglagard (An-glah-gahhrrrd) Hybris is often considered their best and I have listened to some of it, but it was years ago. The prog scene love them and that album immensely, and I can't really disagree given my limited experience with their whole catalog.

"Contemporary Prog"



- Porcupine Tree / Steven Wilson: Fear of a Blank Planet (2007) /  The Raven that Refused to Sing (2013)
 (Hand.Cannot.Erase (2015), The Sky Moves Sideways (1995))

-Anathema: Weather Systems (2012)
(We're Here Because We're Here (2010))

-Gazpacho: Night (2007), Tick Tock (2009)
(Demon, (2014), March of Ghosts (2012))

-Riverside: Anno Domini High Definition (2009)
(Second Life Syndrome (2005) , Rapid Eye Movement (2007))

-Phideaux: Doomsday Afternoon (2007)
(Snowtorch (2011), Ghost Story (2004))

Honorable Mentions:
-Motorpsycho - The Death Defying Unicorn (2012)
-The Pineapple Thief - Variations on a Dream (2004)
-Ephrat - No One's Words (2008)
-iamthemorning - Lighthouse (2016)
-Anglagard - Hybris (1992)


That all being said, I would look towards those names I mentioned below and in the REACT TO GINNCORE entry below. And then just consider how many artists Notes Reviews chose (10, 5 from each).

Here's MY STARTER PACK (Novel) for progressive college rock. Now mind you, these all are NOT MY FAVORITES necessarily, but more what albums I would suggest 1st (and 2nd+3rd) to someone who doesn't know these artists.

-dredg - The Pariah, the Parrot, the Delusion (2009) 
(El Cielo (2002), Catch Without Arms (2005))

-The Mars Volta - Frances the Mute (2005)
(Deloused in the Comatorium (2003), Amputechture (2006))

-The Dear Hunter - Act V: Hymns with the Devil in Confessional (2016)
(Act II: The Meaning of and All Things Regarding Ms.Leading (2007), The Color Spectrum (2011)

-Porcupine Tree/Steven Wilson - In Absentia (2002), The Raven that Refused to Sing (2013)
(Deadwing (2005) and Signify (1996), To the Bone (2017) and Hand.Cannot. Erase (2015))

-Oceansize - Frames (2007)
(Everyone Into Position (2005), Effloresce (2003))

-Three - Wakepig (2004)
(The End is Begun (2007), The Ghost You Gave to Me (2011)

-Anathema - Weather Systems (2012)
(We're Here Because We're Here (2010), Distant Satellites (2014)

-Mew - And the Glass Handed Kites... (2005)
(Frengers (2003), No More Stories...(2009))

-Kaddisfly - Set Sail the Prairie (2007)
(Horses Galloping on Sailboats (2015), Buy Our Intention, We'll Buy You a Unicorn (2005))

-The Reign of Kindo/Kindo - Rhythm, Chord and Melody (2008)
(Play with Fire (2013), Happy However After (2018))


Honorable Mentions:
Fair to Midland - Fables from a Mayfly: What I Tell You Three Times is True (2007)
Coheed and Cambria - Good Apollo 1 (2005)
Anathallo - Floating~World (2006)
Apes and Androids/Call Florence Pow - Blood Moon (2008)
Godspeed You Black Emperor - Lift Up Your Skinny Fists Like Antennas to Heaven (2000)
Kiss Kiss - Reality vs. The Optimist (2007)
Muse - Absolution (2003)
Ours - Mercy (Dancing for the Death of an Imaginary Enemy) (2008)
Pure Reason Revolution - The Dark Third (2006)

Bend Sinister - Stories of Brothers, Tales of Lovers (2008)
Bent Knee - Shiny Eyed Babies (2014)
The Family Crest - The War: Act I (2018)
Foals - Total Life Forever (2010)
Kimbra - Vows (2011)
Major Parkinson - Twilight Cinema (2014)
Pepe Deluxe - Queen of the Wave (2012)
Janelle Monae - The ArchAndroid (2010)
The River Empires - Epilogue (2010)
Small Leaks Sink Ships - Face Yourself and Remove Your Sandals (2015)



From (Among) Radical Research's Picks
The Mars Volta
Coheed and Cambria
dredg
Three
Fair to Midland
Mew

2000's (Two Thousands)
Anathallo
Apes and Androids/Call Florence Pow
Godspeed You Black Emperor
Kaddisfly
Kiss Kiss
Muse
Oceansize
Ours
Porcupine Tree
Pure Reason Revolution

2010's (Twenty-Tens)
Anathema
Bend Sinister
Bent Knee
The Family Crest
Foals
Kimbra
Major Parkinson
Pepe Deluxe
Janelle Monae
The Reign of Kindo/Kindo
The River Empires
Small Leaks Sink Ships
Steven Wilson 

Arch / Matheos New Album Coming in 2019

Yes Yes Yes Yes....fuck to the Yes!!!!!!!!!!!

2019: Ours (2 albums) dredg, Pepe Deluxe and this and of course a ton more.

and THAT LIST OF GUESTS holy fuck!

all those Fates people again WITH ARCH..for that matter ZONDER WITH ARCH!!!

like Sympathetic Resonance, but also DIFFERENT!



From Facebook

Metal Blade Records
54 mins ·

Arch / Matheos re-signs with Metal Blade Records; begins work on new album

Photo credit: Mark Cubbedge

Metal Blade Records has proudly re-signed Arch/Matheos for a worldwide deal!

Arch/Matheos began as a reunion between founding Fates Warning members John Arch (vocals) and Jim Matheos (guitar), who hadn't collaborated since John Arch's solo EP, A Twist Of Fate (2003) - and hadn't fully collaborated for a whole album since Fates Warning's Awaken the Guardian (1986). In 2010, the duo began working on a record together and brought along three Fates Warning members to the fold. The five members would in turn release their debut album Sympathetic Resonance in 2011, under the name Arch/Matheos.

Since then, John Arch and Jim Matheos have kept busy with their other projects - but now the time has come for them to join forces once again, for a new Arch/Matheos release, due out 2019 via Metal Blade Records.

John Arch comments: "The desire and commitment from both of us is first and foremost, but the impetus to move forward with another A/M project fell in good part on how well 'Sympathetic Resonance' was received, and how the fans have continued to show their support through a variety of mediums, stating they would like a follow-up effort. The timing for Jim and I seems to be right and things are coming along nicely. We look forward to sharing the results with you soon!"

Jim Matheos adds: "It's great to be working with my old friend John Arch again. We push each other creatively in ways that brings out the best in both of us, I think. We've come up with what I hope is a worthy successor to 'Sympathetic Resonance', and a great lineup of musicians to help us bring it to fruition."

Already featuring special guests Thomas Lang, Bobby Jarzombek, Baard Kolstad, Mark Zonder, Matt Lynch, Steve Di Giorgio, Joey Vera, Sean Malone, Joe DiBiase, and Frank Aresti - with more to come! - this upcoming Arch/Matheos album is currently being tracked, with Jens Bogren (Fates Warning, Opeth, Devin Townsend, etc.) handling mixing duties in November. Stay tuned for more news coming soon!

To purchase Sympathetic Resonance, please visit: https://www.indiemerch.com/metalbladereco…/band/arch-matheos. To watch the video for the album track "Midnight Serenade" (directed by David Brodsky / www.davidsbrodsky.com), head over to: https://youtu.be/IwcL04CYews

Arch/Matheos online:
https://www.facebook.com/archmatheos/
https://twitter.com/archmatheos

OT: Wills

A Death occurred in my wife's family late last week. An Aunt of hers who among the many siblings of her mothers, she was probably closes (and her mother was as well).

It's not been simple or easy in some ways, etc.

1 of the things is what she may have left my wife. And her Aunt had 2 Wills, not just 1.

The 1st one has been looked at, etc. But the 2nd one not yet, so my wife is wondering what it may say still.

So while I am relatively young still, it got me thinking a bit today about a Will.

All my crap. Who does it go to, if anyone? And I guess it is something people update semi-regularly.

My record/music collection? it'll likely end up at a Thrift Store or in a landfill. It's so fucking niche, most vendors probably wouldn't take half of it.

And I also wonder if there is an online site for this stuff, just to catalog/list it, etc.

It's something I may try and look into at least in the coming years if not months even.

I honestly would not be surprised if my health may not be highly perfect given my family history and the crap I've dealt with just in the last 5 years especially with constant kidney stones and more recently reoccurring hemorrhoids (although it is genetic in some ways, it also is thought of being dietary in a lot of ways).

Wills..jeez. Not that like I have much other than the a small retirement sum currently I have built up being at the same company for almost 14 years.

Ours - Spectacular Sight (2017-2018)

8/14/18

👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

It's good to be an Ours/Jimmy Gnecco fan. I just wonder/hope he is able to release these albums as he wishes and distribute them, while retaining the rights.

2019:
-2 Ours albums
-dredg
-Pepe Deluxe

a 7-9 track release of some kind (Spectacular Sight or something else) in the next few weeks,

2 albums in 2019

Songs written with/for Hannah Gernand.

A Post on the killtheband message board

So, news!

Jimmy is trying to figure out how to release the records and still keep the rights to the songs, so the two finished albums are going to be released sometime in 2019.

But, he also said that he was gonna release 7-9 songs for free in a couple of weeks. This being mainly sad piano songs that he didn't want dragging down the full Ours records.

Oh and he has also given a bunch of songs to Hannah Gernand and recorded them with her.

Jimmy explains:


5/14/18
So nothing is really been posted officially that I have seen (but I haven't looked everywhere). But on the Killtheband message someone shared this, which I am wondering if they got it at 1 of Jimmy's recent shows.

Also it was posted there as well, the 1st single in June and the album August.

Possible Track List to Spectacular Sight:

Intro
Bring It On
See The Light
Don’t Lose Yourself
Razor In My Heart
You Are The Answer
Across The Clouds
Media Age
Eternally
Pain Aside
Kids (ADD to the BPM)
Miles Away
Believe
Eyes
Your Man

The album was pushed back for various reasons that haven't really been explained except for the fact the guy who was to mix it, Jason Corsaro, passed away very sadly last Summer after a battle with Cancer. How much of this album he worked on? I dunno, and I'm pretty sure all the music was recorded before his passing. But I wonder if the influence/inspiration on parts of it could have changed after that.

Anyway, when more of the details come, of course I'll pass them along.

Oh and 'Made to Love" which I think has been played live a lot recently, I guess will be coming on the next album. I hope that is sooner than 5 years from now, although I still am for Jimmy the band taking their time. But as I posted below, some 40 songs were considered for this album. Recorded I guess which goes back to the fact they and Jimmy specifically have a ton of songs still unreleased. I question if/when many of the older ones will get released, but who knows.

Us fans would be happy just to have them put up online, at least if they have been recorded and properly mixed and mastered.

I should repost a list sometime soon. But in the mean time, June and August are likely 2 times to get excited as an Ours fan.

6/13/17 12:20PM

bumping this as this album is only a couple of weeks away.

And lucky enough for me, being a Black Card Holder, they were kind enough to send a sampler of 3 songs to download yesterday.

Slipping Away
Don't Lose Yourself
Across the Clouds

Love them all, "Across the Clouds" is mesmerizing and maybe my favorite among them.

We may not get a ton of information about this album until release day on the 27th per that sampler came from bandcamp and some artists have done the whole little-to-no-info with a Bandcamp release. Not even a preorder.

I'm cool with that, but still totally anxious to hear the rest of this. The reasoning behind the sampler was in the email the CD Release show on June 17th (in NJ) was supposed to have the album for sale, but I guess it won't be. But the sampler is not a band alternative.

edit: just got an Updated email.

the album is being pushed back for reasons beyond the band's control I guess. Some 40 songs were considered initially, 20 are still in the running.

So it won't be released on June 27th I guess.

This sampler certainly helps. Very excited still, it may just not come out for a few more months. No biggie.

And I do plan on buying it even for the fact as a Black Card holder, they are going to send it to me for free. I just want to give the band money regardless. Plus hardcopy, vinyl of course, etc.


 
1/25/17 7:18PM

http://www.jimmygnecco.com/jgnews/ours-record-release-party/

OURS record release party for their upcoming new record Spectacular Sight will be on Saturday, June 24th at Mexicali Live in Teaneck, NJ.  Click HERE for tickets.

OURS will perform and sign copies of their upcoming new record.  Special performances by Intrepid, Ronnie Shingelo and Hannah Gernand.  Doors 6pm.  All Ages.



11/12/16 11:18AM
Below is from the latest newsletter.

Ours new album III drops next Spring! A free download of a new song for those going to the show in NYC 1-week from tonight at the Bowery Ballroom. Hopefully that track will be streaming on their FB/Website and YouTube/Soundcloud, etc soon after.

Why the title III? Not Ballet the Boxer Part 2, etc..I can only guess it may sort of be like a 3rd Chapter (Chapter 3: Money, lol) sort of in the history of the band.

Or maybe the III symbolizes a number of things.

I also can't help but think of the band Three as well and what seems like a lot of parallels and similar fanbase in some ways.

At any case, as a huge fan of Ours, I can't wait to hear this album of course.

FREE New OURS Song Download, from Ours Forthcoming Record III,
to everyone who attends the Bowery Ballroom show on 11.19.16!

Capital Cities - Solarize (2017-2018)

8/10/18
Nice cover art. This seems to be a mix of the recent singles which are all great, and the Swimming Pool Summer EP which I also like a lot of. And it looks like 5 new tracks.

Epic record, unsure though if this will be the standard or most thought-of version. And I ain't touching the entry on rateyourmusic per I would think the plan is to release this in some physical formats (maybe some info/sites show it, but I haven't seen it yet). Vinyl, cd, etc.

https://capitalcities.lnk.to/SolarizeFp 


1 Space 3:04    
2 Swimming Pool Summer [Explicit] 3:33    
3 My Name Is Mars    3:11    
4 Venus and River 3:04    
5 Levitate 3:10    
6 Drop Everything 3:10    
7 Just Say When 3:11    
8 Girl Friday 3:05    
9 Gatekeeper Julie [feat. Jim Svejda] 2:53    
10 Only If You Want It 3:32    
11 Drifting 3:16    
12 Sunburn Surrender 3:11    
13 Vowels 3:04    
14 Good Enough 2:18    
15 Girl Friday [Clean] [feat. Rick Ross] 3:07    
16 Swimming Pool Summer [Explicit] (THCSRS Remix) 3:58

8/3/18

FB

Our new song "Space" is out now and our new album "Solarize" drops Friday August 10th.

It seems these 6 tracks will be included:

Vowels
My Name is Mars
Venus and River
Just Say When (I always think of the Fair to Midland track when seeing this title)
Levitate
Space

Will any of the tracks from the Swimming Pool Summer EP be on Solarize? unlikely.

I do find it odd that it comes out next Friday, and yet there's no cover art or an official track list yet. Or even press releases or blogs with reviews, etc. I suppose in some ways I am glad as I am pretty sick and tired of so many of these other sites getting "early reviews" access for really no justified reason over even this blog of mine.

Also the fact 5 or 6 of the tracks are already available in some ways sucks since not that many of the tracks will be new. On the other hand, every track they've released recently is excellent. "Venus and River" maybe being my favorite.

Also no Spencer Ludwig I'll presume, which is unfortunate, but I'm sure it's for the best. There still is trumpet though which matters.

Anyway, I'll have to bump+edit this entry of course when that stuff shows up of course (maybe this weekend).

The Family Crest @ The Turf Club in St.Paul 8/8/18

So this was what I count the 4th time I've seen The Family Crest and possible 5th or 6th time they played in Minnesota that I recall (there was 1 show scheduled at least at The Varsity Theater I think in 2016 that they opened for someone, but I'm not sure if that even happened per The Varsity's issues at the time).

The below set list is like 93% accurate as I did finally get a set list sheet after the show, but there's 1 song that I'm lost about "Name"? or "Nonce"?..anyway

edit: someone (I think Anthony, TFC's drummer, in The Family Crest DISCORD page pointed out "Name" refers to "She Knows My Name" (thanks!) I guess I didn't have enough time to spend jogging my memory when reading and copying the set list earlier today (although I SHOULD have known still).

Fantastic show overall. Among the 4 shows, probably the best, and I would guess the longest as they played around 70 minutes I think.

There was even a point Laura asked the crowd about Michael McDonald, if anyone knows him/his music and the song "Keep Forgetting" and I guess she has many other times this tour and often barely anyone knows him/his name.

But of course myself and a handful of others cheered and Liam even went into a Michael McDonald-rendition of "Mirror Love" which I think is online or on 1 of the BAND TOGETHER podcasts they've done.

It was cool, funny, and smooth. And the wife whose only take on TFC is "Never Gonna Stop" hears Liam say "Never Gonna SCHTOP" lol..but she might have appreciated the Michael McDonald dialog at least had she come. Although they covered Hall and Oates once and I played the tune for her and she rolled her eyes of course, lol.

But yeah, they obviously have more material to choose from live with The War: Act I now released along with their previous albums. We did get to hear "Rest" which may be the 1st time this tour (or ever) for them to play it. I was totally getting goosebumps during the keys/xylophone section about midway through that is 1 of many highlights on my favorite record of this year.

It's just so bloody DREAMY and surreal. A  bit like the uplifting keyboard part towards the end of "Love Don't Go"..it's just so magical and special.

Also Never Gonna Stop is totally epic live. Liam wailed on that one, more than the studio version. It may be one of the best epic songs live with the title track to Beneath the Brine, which still remains their biggest showstopper. And they played it live last night, which they may not have the last few shows given Liam was under the weather a bit.

Beneath the Brine is just fucking passionate and big. I would love to hear them do it with a full-scale orchestra someday. It's so fucking Majestic.

Also the sax parts on "Mirror Love" and "Never Gonna Stop" and maybe 1 other they played on Flute (Laura) Trombone (George) and I want to say the cello (Charly) and violin (Owen).

Anyway, I think these guys keep getting better and better live just as their records do. And it was great to see a bunch of fans of The Dear Hunter there, 1 guy i chatted with in particular named Eric, saw them with TDH twice back in December. And he traveled from here to other markets (Colorado and I forget the other city..maybe Chicago).

I can't help but be giddy to see so many fans of The Dear Hunter catch on to The Family Crest. They should tour again someday (and have Dirt Poor Robins along too by some miracle..or any number of the still-active bands that I posted in Music RECOMMENDED FOR FANS OF THE DEAR HUNTER ENTRY).



Set List:
The World
Take Tonight
Sparks
Waiting Still
Mirror Love
Rest
She Knows My Name
Never Gonna Stop
Beneath the Brine
Howl
Love Don't Go
Marry Me
Keeps Us Dancing

Encore
As We Move Forward

Childish Japes and Dave Vives - Salamander (2017-2018)

This kind of came out of nowhere to impress me quite a lot, just being released on Friday August 4th.

Childish Japes released an EP After You're Born, I enjoyed a bit last year. If I recall, Courtney Swain from Bent Knee even sings on 1 track.

Childish Japes is the latest project drummer JP Bouvet has worked on, ever since the end I guess of The Super Pilots. He has/had a band called Helicopria who have I guess 3 eps I have still yet to checkout (but will), that were active in the early 2010's.

But this new album Salamander is not only Childish Japes but is a full release with singer Dave Vives who had a band called Mals Totem a few years ago who put out on EP with the guitarist Asher Kurtz whose with Childish Japes.

So this record I enjoy many facets about, namely the 1st 7 tracks, but I think the biggest thing about it is Dave Vives vocals. he sounds like Jeff Buckley at times or Judah Nagler from The Velvet Teen, or even Petter Carlsen whose vocals stood out on Long Distance Calling's album Trips.

He can really wail like a banshee on many of these tracks.

The production style reminds me a lot of Bent Knee's albums. With space and clarity. It almost sounds recorded live at times.

"Something Else," "Float," "Old Yeller," and "Lying to Us" among the rest of those tracks standout. The dynamics, and emotion shows up often. I even am reminded at times of the Neverending White Lights.

The guitar tones from Kurtz and Bouvet's crisp drum work are among the best stuff I've heard from him.

I'm not ready to say this is an Album of the Year candidate, but I enjoyed it more than I expected certainly.

And Dave Vives I want to hear more from now, starting with that Mals Totem EP.



1. California 04:04
2. Something Else 03:58
3. Please Explain 03:43
4. Lying To Us 03:59
5. Float 04:36
6. Well Done 03:40
7. Old Yeller 05:51
8. Rosanne 02:11

2017-2018 3/4-Year Albums Rankings + Anticipation

So this is the 3/4-year 2017-2018 albums list. Never done one of these before, but wtf.

Not a ton of changes from the Midseason at the end of April, but a few titles showed up and moved up and down.

Also below is the anticipation/speculation until Halloween. Many of those may not come out until after Halloween, thus they'll be on next year's list.

More to add perhaps, or a podcast?..mayyy beee. Dunno, time of course has to be available.

1. The Family Crest - The War: Act I
2. Kindo - Happy However After
3. Grimus - Unmanageable Species
4. The Gloomcatcher - Blade in the Belfry [EP]
5. Long Distance Calling - Boundless
6. Fjokra - Evening Lights [4-track Vinyl, 1B]
7. Galactic Cowboys - Long Way Back to the Moon
8. Kimbra - Primal Heart
9. Orphaned Land - Unsung Prophets and Dead Messiahs
10. In Vain - Currents
11. Bend Sinister - Foolish Games
12. Typhoon - Offerings
13. The Dear Hunter - All Is as All Should Be [EP]
14. Esperanza Spalding - Exposure
15. Between the Buried and Me - Automata I/II [EP]
16. Diablo Swing Orchestra - Pacifisticuffs
17. Journal - Chrysalis Ordalias
18. The Faceless - In Becoming a Ghost
19. The Sea Within - The Sea Within
20. Punch Brothers - All Ashore
21. U2 - Songs of Experience
22. Tax the Heat - Change Your Position
23. Kai Danzberg - Pop-Up Radio
24, StellaRoma - Revel and Ritual
25. Inferi - Revenant
26. The Mercury Tree - Cryptic Tree [EP]
27. Spock's Beard - Noise Floor
28. Janelle Monáe - Dirty Computer
29. Field Music - Open Here
30. Josh Rouse - Love in the Modern Age
31. Chromeo - Head Over Heels
32. God is an Astronaut - Epitaph
33. Umbrellaman - Volcano Beach [EP]
34. Harakiri - Alchemy Choir
35. Umphrey's McGee - It's Not Us
36. Nicholas Krgovich - In an Open Field

edit:
Added Punch Brothers and The Mercury Tree



Haven't Listened
The Dang Ol' Tri'ole - Dang!
Gleb Kolyadin - Gleb Kolyadin
Jeremy Messersmith - Late Stage Capitalism
The Decemberists - I'll Be Your Girl
Yossi Sassi and the Oriental Rock Orchestra - Illusion of Choice
Ihsahn - Ámr 
Dream the Electric Sleep - The Giants’ Newground
Phideaux - We Only Have Eyes For You [EP]
The Night Flight Orchestra - Sometimes The World Ain't Enough
Dog Fashion Disco - Experiments in Embryos


Anticipation:
August
4: Childish Japes and David Vives - Salamander
10: Capital Cities - Solarize
17: Josh King - Into the Blue
24: White Denim - Performance
Ours - Spectacular Sight

September
14: Chic - It's About Time
14: Crippled Black Phoenix - The Great Escape
14: Dreams - No One Defeats Us
14: Lawrence - Living Room
14: Vennart - To Cure A Blizzard Upon A Plastic Sea
21: Dead Letter Circus - Dead Letter Circus
26: Small Leaks Sink Ships - Polaroid People [EP]

October
5: Coheed and Cambria - Vaxis - Act I: The Unheavenly Creatures
19: iamthemorning - Ocean Sounds (DVD / BlueRay)



Confirmed/Tentative Titles:

Jon Anderson - 1000 Hands 
Enchant - Beauty and Sadness
Joey Eppard - Word to the Wise
Fish - Weltschmerz 
Morph - Incontrovertible
Phideaux - Infernal (Summer)
Sculptured - The Liminal Phase
Tears for Fears - The Tipping Point
3rdegree - Ones and Zeros: Vol. 0

Confirmed/Likely to be Released (but no Title or Release Date Yet)

East of the Wall
Foals
For the Imperium
Genders
Gotye
Imogen Heap
Lehto and Wright
Live
Local Natives
Metal Allegiance
Moron Police
Native Construct
Neverending White Lights
Queensryche
Shelter Red
Shun
Sound and Shape
Tiny Giant


------------------------------

*speculation/hope (2018-2019?)*
Bruce Peninsula
Chroma Key
Disillusion
dredg
Extreme
Fjokra
Flying Colors
Jazzkamikaze
Karnivool
King's X
Northern Abbey [EP]
Spencer Ludwig
Pepe Deluxe
Protest the Hero
Red Paintings, The
Jessy Ribordy new band/project
Sigur Rós
System of a Down

November (2018-2019)
Muse - Simulation Theory