Magellan were a band who was praised but never got the same level of cult following like contemporaries Shadow Gallery and Enchant did in the mid-late 90's.
But they were a Magna Carta band, making the sort of post-Rush or even post-Dream Theater influenced 90's/heavy "neo prog" rock. Although I think I associated them most with Jethro Tull.
They used trombone among some other non-traditional instruments.
Test of Wills was the album that I bought from them, however a few years later, I came to appreciate it more than I did initially.
I probably would go for listening to other records of theirs (both for the 1st time and again, as I may have 1 or 2 others). The earlier albums probably more so.
I remember they were given a feature in Sea of Tranquility's magazine and that kind of made me re-asses my feeling about them and especially just that album Test of Wills.
Rest in Peace both Trent and Wayne Gardner.
Saturday, November 30, 2019
A-Z: 100Ft Snowman
This band came on my radar I think in 2008 or maybe 2009.
They definitely go into the category of "what could have been."
A label offered them a deal, but the label would have taken like 80% of the revenue.
The 2 EPs they made are both really good. Excellent melodic, PCR. Prog sort of in the vein of The Mars Volta or Minus the Bear.
I dunno if there's been any chance of a reunion. I know 1 of the guys formed a band called "Zookeeper's Palace" (big Mew fans) if I recall correctly, they released at least 1 album that the guy kindly sent me a copy of (or maybe a d/l link? I forget). Unfortunately, like Hidden Hospitals and some others, I never could get into them, at least at that point.
But if 100Ft Snowman ever came back, I would be overjoyed.
They definitely go into the category of "what could have been."
A label offered them a deal, but the label would have taken like 80% of the revenue.
The 2 EPs they made are both really good. Excellent melodic, PCR. Prog sort of in the vein of The Mars Volta or Minus the Bear.
I dunno if there's been any chance of a reunion. I know 1 of the guys formed a band called "Zookeeper's Palace" (big Mew fans) if I recall correctly, they released at least 1 album that the guy kindly sent me a copy of (or maybe a d/l link? I forget). Unfortunately, like Hidden Hospitals and some others, I never could get into them, at least at that point.
But if 100Ft Snowman ever came back, I would be overjoyed.
A-Z Artists Series Coming
So revisiting bands like Ramona Falls and Bruce Peninsula recently. and also thinking about all those "Meaningful Songs" entries I posted in 2018 and some in 2019, I just came up with a new, practical series of entries to post.
So if the name sticks okay "A-Z" will be what it will be called.
What I just had in mind is like the "Meaningful Songs" it will not have a required length. It might be 1 paragraph or even 1 or 2 sentences, or it may be a lot more.
Artists also may be repeated at points.
But what it more or less will be just my thoughts, opinions, passion-about, anecdotes possibly, or just the NAME DROPPING of a band/artist
It will NOT be done ALPHABETICAL chronologically. What I could see is if I posted 10-25 or more of these, I may make a Alphabetical List with them all.
But the point is, to name bands/artists that I enjoy, some I have mentioned often recently, some I may never have mentioned. And maybe a lot that I have mentioned many years ago.
It could be bands/artists from the 70's, 90's, 2010's, etc..no restrictions.
It could be bands/artists I only know a little about, or 1 song/album. it could be artists I'm a longtime passionate fan about, etc.
I may link/embed a video, or not. Post an image of an album or albums, I dunno.
I guess I'll see.
So if the name sticks okay "A-Z" will be what it will be called.
What I just had in mind is like the "Meaningful Songs" it will not have a required length. It might be 1 paragraph or even 1 or 2 sentences, or it may be a lot more.
Artists also may be repeated at points.
But what it more or less will be just my thoughts, opinions, passion-about, anecdotes possibly, or just the NAME DROPPING of a band/artist
It will NOT be done ALPHABETICAL chronologically. What I could see is if I posted 10-25 or more of these, I may make a Alphabetical List with them all.
But the point is, to name bands/artists that I enjoy, some I have mentioned often recently, some I may never have mentioned. And maybe a lot that I have mentioned many years ago.
It could be bands/artists from the 70's, 90's, 2010's, etc..no restrictions.
It could be bands/artists I only know a little about, or 1 song/album. it could be artists I'm a longtime passionate fan about, etc.
I may link/embed a video, or not. Post an image of an album or albums, I dunno.
I guess I'll see.
Friday, November 29, 2019
OT: Health
I may or may not write more extensively
well, come to think of it, I quite likely will.
My Blood Sugar was found to be over 500 on Monday.
I went to the ER on Tuesday (the nurse called me with the news on Tuesday).
It's coming down, but I very likely am Diabetic.
I have been probably since the Spring of 2019 when I noticed I lost 10-15 pounds, and especially since June, maybe earlier, I probably have been more thirsty and had to urinate more often than normal.
And last week I was experiencing shortness of breath.
Gradual changes in diet as I'm learning, other than sweets, more portion size than entirely eliminating.
Perfect Storm really, with everything else on my plate, but there hopefully will be some silver linings with this.
How this impacts this blog, my interests in Music and other entertainment? hopefully not dramatically, other than financially. I hopefully will be taking oral/pills for this instead of regular insulin. But as of right now, I need to schedule time with a Diabetic Dietitian.
Great way to celebrate Thanksgiving....but it could be (much) worse I guess.
well, come to think of it, I quite likely will.
My Blood Sugar was found to be over 500 on Monday.
I went to the ER on Tuesday (the nurse called me with the news on Tuesday).
It's coming down, but I very likely am Diabetic.
I have been probably since the Spring of 2019 when I noticed I lost 10-15 pounds, and especially since June, maybe earlier, I probably have been more thirsty and had to urinate more often than normal.
And last week I was experiencing shortness of breath.
Gradual changes in diet as I'm learning, other than sweets, more portion size than entirely eliminating.
Perfect Storm really, with everything else on my plate, but there hopefully will be some silver linings with this.
How this impacts this blog, my interests in Music and other entertainment? hopefully not dramatically, other than financially. I hopefully will be taking oral/pills for this instead of regular insulin. But as of right now, I need to schedule time with a Diabetic Dietitian.
Great way to celebrate Thanksgiving....but it could be (much) worse I guess.
Wednesday, November 27, 2019
The Dear Hunter - The Indigo Child
1 Link on REDDIT
I'm not going to copy and paste the discussion there as it would be preferred to actually pass along an actual announcement (press release?) from Casey Crescenzo or The Dear Hunter specifically.
Long story as short as possible:
Some of this information has been talked about the past weeks at the tour the bands just finished last night.
It was discussed on at least a couple different threads on Reddit (previous to the 1 above).
Casey and the band didn't want it passed along to not to spoil t it for those attending shows of the special tour they just did.
But from skimming that topic and some of the previous ones.
It's a new concept series not connected in any way to The Acts.
Act VI is going to happen in some form
Making albums is not all what these will about, but also (to what some suspected) will be ventured into the Film medium, and the "Prologue: Cycle 8" is an 18-minute film shown at the shows on the recent tour.
Now WHEN The Indigo Child is released? 1 of the Reddit posts said 1 album likely will be released in 2020. Possibly with a film? including and/or maybe more than just the 18-minute short shown on the tour.
I suppose given the time and $ required to make film, it may dictate how often these come out. Who knows. Perhaps the films will be made 1st and get released, and the music afterwards? It's something I'm sure Casey has been thinking/planning/speculating etc for many months over the last year or more.
I guess we'll see.
edit:
Old Reddit Topic: Act VI: The Hanged Man
"Act VI is going to be titled "The Hanged Man." We don't know what it's going to be, or when it's going to come out.
I'm not going to copy and paste the discussion there as it would be preferred to actually pass along an actual announcement (press release?) from Casey Crescenzo or The Dear Hunter specifically.
Long story as short as possible:
Some of this information has been talked about the past weeks at the tour the bands just finished last night.
It was discussed on at least a couple different threads on Reddit (previous to the 1 above).
Casey and the band didn't want it passed along to not to spoil t it for those attending shows of the special tour they just did.
But from skimming that topic and some of the previous ones.
It's a new concept series not connected in any way to The Acts.
Act VI is going to happen in some form
Making albums is not all what these will about, but also (to what some suspected) will be ventured into the Film medium, and the "Prologue: Cycle 8" is an 18-minute film shown at the shows on the recent tour.
Now WHEN The Indigo Child is released? 1 of the Reddit posts said 1 album likely will be released in 2020. Possibly with a film? including and/or maybe more than just the 18-minute short shown on the tour.
I suppose given the time and $ required to make film, it may dictate how often these come out. Who knows. Perhaps the films will be made 1st and get released, and the music afterwards? It's something I'm sure Casey has been thinking/planning/speculating etc for many months over the last year or more.
I guess we'll see.
edit:
Old Reddit Topic: Act VI: The Hanged Man
"Act VI is going to be titled "The Hanged Man." We don't know what it's going to be, or when it's going to come out.
At the end of night one there was a 15-minute sci-fi short film about an 8 year old child being taken away from his mother (who voluntarily reported his coming-of-age for this purpose) to serve in some manual labor for some dystopian futuristic society. This is apparently going to be the concept for a new bunch of music. The two new songs that were played are a part of this story.
We have no idea how any of this connects to Act VI, or if they are one in the same (seems unlikely, but I guess possible). Casey did mention that those new songs and that short film are part of a new project that will incorporate music and filmmaking going forward. Casey said they will release a new album next year, but we don't know if that's going to be Act VI or this new Sci-Fi thing.
So yeah, tons of big news!!"
Sunday, November 24, 2019
Update on: Albums of the Decade 2010-2019 Top 100+
full disclosure, the modified list I made like a week ago, needs updates badly per there's way too many missing that were not on the Honorable Mentions.
no later than the week of my PTO December 2nd-6th (hopefully sooner so I can move on).
no later than the week of my PTO December 2nd-6th (hopefully sooner so I can move on).
Thursday, November 21, 2019
REACT TO: The Prog Report's Dream Theater Albums Ranked
The Prog Report's List of Dream Theater albums ranked
Writing maybe later, here's my rankings and a video I made earlier this year with what is close to the same order.
1. Awake
2. Images and Words
3. Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence
4. Scenes from a Memory
5. A Change of Seasons
6. Falling Into Infinity
7. When Dream and Day Unite
8. Train of Thought
9. Octavarium
10. Black Clouds and Silver Linings
11. A Dramatic Turn of Events
12. Systematic Chaos
13. Distance Over Time
14. Dream Theater
15. The Astonishing
Writing maybe later, here's my rankings and a video I made earlier this year with what is close to the same order.
1. Awake
2. Images and Words
3. Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence
4. Scenes from a Memory
5. A Change of Seasons
6. Falling Into Infinity
7. When Dream and Day Unite
8. Train of Thought
9. Octavarium
10. Black Clouds and Silver Linings
11. A Dramatic Turn of Events
12. Systematic Chaos
13. Distance Over Time
14. Dream Theater
15. The Astonishing
Wednesday, November 20, 2019
Jimmy Gnecco interview podcast 8/17/19
I haven't listened to all of this yet (people talking at my work makes it hard, so I often pause frequently, sometimes for a long duration of time).
But there's a lot of good, brutally honest information and opinions Jimmy tells about.
He talks about why he's not on Social Media and why he remains quiet given the way the Music Industry is, and has been for a decade or more really.
Very similar to the approach Daniel Victor and Neverending White Lights have been.
And he reitrates how he wrote some 200 Songs over the course of the last decade or more, and with New Age Heroine II, Spectacular Sight III and several other projects/albums yet to be released, only like 40% of those will be recorded and released.
I don't have the time to spill my guts about how I feel about this, but just to say why I have been a loyal fan and lover of his music and way of doing things.
Those songs will all hopefully be released down the road, and the new single this Friday along with Spectacular Sight III are to be incredibly excited about.
But it just goes back to how much music there is from this man to be heard, and it frankly shouldn't matter if NOBODY EVERY CATCHES ON. WHICH IS BAFFLING AND PATHETIC, BUT KEEP BEATING THAT DEAD HORSE AND EVENTUALLY SOMETHING MAY CHANGE.
IN THE MEAN TIME, THE MUSIC IS GOING TO BE THERE FOR US FANS WHO DO GET IT (ALREADY).
The Spirit of Kevin Gilbert is in Jimmy Gnecco and Ours....
The Spirit of KEVIN GILBERT...
Happy Birthday.
Would have been 53 today.
Another incomplete entry this will be I'm sure.
But I think what James Bickers mentioned to me many years ago about "The Spirit of Progressive Music is in..." and he mentioned people like Mr. Bungle, Hal Ketchum and some others.
Well I am going to CONTEND, the SPIRIT of Kevin Gilbert is in maybe most if not all the music I enjoy. At least among the artists that have made music since he died in 1996.
In a sense, the whole progressive vs prog debate, or art rock.
Like being progressive without trying to be "progressive," but just being artsy and emphasis something beyond a cliche or is purely style with no substance (Taylor Swift?).
So the Spirit of Kevin Gilbert is in Vonavi, or in Pepe Deluxe, or in Long Distance Calling.
Kevin's spirit, or the spirit/approach/integrity and interest in doing things for art's sake, is in 100's of artists/bands, thousands of albums, and Hundreds of Thousands of Songs.
Also by the way, I suspect there's a good percentage of the Kevin fans who have NO IDEA what the reference is at 5:34-5:42 on here:
"Marc Bonilla and I used to jam on Monkees tunes just for fun." -Kevin Gilbert (11/20/66-5/18/96)
Would have been 53 today.
Another incomplete entry this will be I'm sure.
But I think what James Bickers mentioned to me many years ago about "The Spirit of Progressive Music is in..." and he mentioned people like Mr. Bungle, Hal Ketchum and some others.
Well I am going to CONTEND, the SPIRIT of Kevin Gilbert is in maybe most if not all the music I enjoy. At least among the artists that have made music since he died in 1996.
In a sense, the whole progressive vs prog debate, or art rock.
Like being progressive without trying to be "progressive," but just being artsy and emphasis something beyond a cliche or is purely style with no substance (Taylor Swift?).
So the Spirit of Kevin Gilbert is in Vonavi, or in Pepe Deluxe, or in Long Distance Calling.
Kevin's spirit, or the spirit/approach/integrity and interest in doing things for art's sake, is in 100's of artists/bands, thousands of albums, and Hundreds of Thousands of Songs.
Also by the way, I suspect there's a good percentage of the Kevin fans who have NO IDEA what the reference is at 5:34-5:42 on here:
"Marc Bonilla and I used to jam on Monkees tunes just for fun." -Kevin Gilbert (11/20/66-5/18/96)
Coheed Cruise (includes The Dear Hunter)
https://www.ssneverender.com/
Coheed and Cambria
The Dear Hunter
Three
Thank You Scientist
Torche
Weerd Science
Polyphia
Culture Abuse
Emo Nite
Taking Back Sunday
+ many more.
I hope a lot of fans catch on to The Dear Hunter and especially Three.
Am I going? unfortunately no, just like the Mew-And the Glass Handed Kites in full tour coming up in cities nowhere near Minnesota.
It will be interesting to see what other bands/artists are added to this Cruise;
some other PCR?..I've likely done it before, but could just throw out some possible names:
Kindo
The Family Crest
Coheed and Cambria
The Dear Hunter
Three
Thank You Scientist
Torche
Weerd Science
Polyphia
Culture Abuse
Emo Nite
Taking Back Sunday
+ many more.
I hope a lot of fans catch on to The Dear Hunter and especially Three.
Am I going? unfortunately no, just like the Mew-And the Glass Handed Kites in full tour coming up in cities nowhere near Minnesota.
It will be interesting to see what other bands/artists are added to this Cruise;
some other PCR?..I've likely done it before, but could just throw out some possible names:
Kindo
The Family Crest
Tuesday, November 19, 2019
A Question (#1 of how many?)
If you are a band or artist labeled "progressive" or "prog" rock, what does that mean to you?
I am thinking more so about artists that are not lumped-in with the so-called "prog rock" or "prog rock scene."
I would LOVE to see some artists/musicians asked this question:
Here's a list to be updated later:
Jimmy Gnecco
Casey Crescenzo
Mike Vennart
Cliff from Fair to Midland
any of the members of dredg
Any of the members of Kindo
Any of the members of The Family Crest
Any of the members of King's X
Roger Manning and especially Andy Sturmer of Jellyfish
Neil Haverty (Bruce Peninsula
Neil DeGraide (Dirt Poor Robins)
Jessy Ribordy
there's more to this, that I mean to expand on.
I am thinking more so about artists that are not lumped-in with the so-called "prog rock" or "prog rock scene."
I would LOVE to see some artists/musicians asked this question:
Here's a list to be updated later:
Jimmy Gnecco
Casey Crescenzo
Mike Vennart
Cliff from Fair to Midland
any of the members of dredg
Any of the members of Kindo
Any of the members of The Family Crest
Any of the members of King's X
Roger Manning and especially Andy Sturmer of Jellyfish
Neil Haverty (Bruce Peninsula
Neil DeGraide (Dirt Poor Robins)
Jessy Ribordy
there's more to this, that I mean to expand on.
Monday, November 18, 2019
2010-2019 Albums of the Decade: HONORABLE MENTIONS
Okay, here are the 2010-2019 Decade favorites Honorable Mentions.
There's 90+ releases here. A few live albums, some EPs, etc.
I would say I enjoy all of these to similar degrees, so much so, I just didn't feel it's worth ranking them.
Am I leaving some off? yeah, likely, especially probably from the last couple of years. It's SPLITTING HAIRS which often is what all of this LIST MAKING and RANKING often seems to be trying to do.
So, I'm not gonna say much more about this particular list. But I will say, the Countdown per say will be posted in 2 ENTRIES, largely per I didn't want to have 100+ images to LOAD IN each time someone may click on the 2010-2019 albums entry.
I can say, the list for both of those entries is at a grand total of 106 albums, so logically, I decided to split it down the middle. The 1st will be counted down numbers 106-54 and the 2nd and TOP list will be counted down numbers 53-1.
Blurbs? obviously not here. I think I should owe it to these albums to write something about each one. But I can't promise given how much added time I will have.
Averse - The Endesque Chants (2010)
What's Left of Her - Perceptions (2010)
Steven Wilson - Grace for Drowning (2010)
Judgement Day - Peacocks / Pink Monsters (2010)
The Apples in Stereo - Travellers in Space and Time (2010)
Timbre - Little Flowers (2010)
The Most Serene Republic - Fantasick Impossibliss (2010)
The Dear Hunter - The Branches EP (2010)
Journal - Unlorja (2010)
Punch Brothers - Antifogmatic (2010)
Orphan Bloom - Orphan Bloom (2010)
Adebisi Shank - This Is the Second Album of a Band Called Adebisi Shank (2010)
The Book of Right On - All These Songs About Music (2010)
Crippled Black Phoenix - I, Vigilante (2010)
Revere - Hey! Selim (2010)
Negroni's Trio - Just Three (2010)
Agalloch - Marrow of the Spirit (2010)
Dirt Poor Robins - The Last Days of Leviathan (2010)
Pain of Salvation - Road Salt (2010-2011)
The Crooked Fiddle Band - Overgrown Tales (2011)
Nicole Atkins - Mondo Amore (2011)
Arafel - For Battles Once Fought (2011)
Water and Bodies - Light Year (2011)
Mother Falcon - Alhambra (2011)
Al Di Meola - Pursuit of Radical Rhapsody (2011)
Between the Buried and Me - The Parallax: Hypersleep Dialogues (2011)
Brice Plays Drums - I Laugh at Your Greener Pastures (2011)
White Denim - D (2011)
Unexpect - Fables of the Sleepless Empire (2011)
*Shels - Plains of the Purple Buffalo (2011)
Tangled Thoughts of Leaving - Deaden the Fields (2011)
Meniscus - War of Currents (2011)
Neverending White Lights - Act III: Love Will Ruin (2011)
The Baltic Sea - Period Piece (2011)
For the Imperium - For the Imperium (2011)
Erick Serna and The Killing Floor - The Grip (2011)
Kaddisfly - Demos and Rarities (2011)
dredg - Chuckles and Mr. Squeezy (2011)
Dream Theater - A Dramatic Turn of Events (2011)
Marillion - Sounds That Can't Be Made (2012)
Umbrella Tree - To the Memory of a Once Great Man (2012)
Bend Sinister - On My Mind (2012)
The Mars Volta - Noctourniquet (2012)
Mercies - The Ballet (2012)
Mike Linden - Bubble and Squeak (2012)
British Theatre - Dyed in the Wool Ghost (2012)
Guante and Big Cats - You Better Weaponize (2012)
Water and Bodies - American Dream (2012)
Hotel of the Laughing Tree - Mammoth Skin Pt. 1 (2012)
Subterranean Masquerade - Home (2013)
Janelle Monae - The Electric Lady (2013)
Brooke Waggoner - Originator (2013)
Debashish Bhattacharya and friends - Beyond the Ragasphere (2013)
Orphaned Land - All Is One (2013)
The Royal Veil - King of the Ocean (2013)
The Age of Rockets - Adults (2013)
Genders - Get Lost (2013)
Foals - Live at Royal Albert Hall (2014)
Hotel of the Laughing Tree - Mammoth Skin Pt. 2 (2014)
Archive - Axiom (2014)
Big Wreck - Ghosts (2014)
NOMIA - Iron and Rust (2014)
椎名林檎 [Sheena Ringo] - 日出処 (Hi Izuru Tokoro) (2014)
Gatherer - Heavy Hail (2015)
Hotel of the Laughing Tree - New World Sundown (2015)
Warpaint - No Way Out / I'll Start Believing (2015)
The Velvet Teen - All Is Illusory (2015)
The Pneumatic Transit - Concerto for Double Moon (2015)
Falling Up - Falling Up (2015)
Mutemath - Vitals (2015)
Brooke Waggoner - Sweven (2016)
Textures - Phenotype (2016)
Ideology - Ideology (2016)
The Woods Brothers - The Woods Brothers (2016)
Meniscus - Refractions (2016)
Bent Knee - Say So (2016)
Anakdota - Overloading (2016)
Persefone - Aathma (2017)
Subterranean Masquerade - Vagabond (2017)
Bend Sinister - The Other Way (2017)
Galactic Cowboys - Long Way Back to the Moon (2017)
The Gloomcatcher - Blade in the Belfry (2017)
Long Distance Calling - Boundless (2018)
Grimus - Unmanageable Species (2018)
Kimbra - Primal Heart (2018)
Capital Cities - Solarize (2018)
Vennart - To Cure a Blizzard Upon a Plastic Sea (2018)
Kimbra - Songs From Primal Heart: Reimagined (2018)
Ours - New Age Heroine II (2018)
Esperanza Spalding - 12 Little Spells (2018)
22 - You Are Creating (2017-2018)
A Dying Planet - Facing the Incurable (2018)
Owel - Paris (2019)
There's 90+ releases here. A few live albums, some EPs, etc.
I would say I enjoy all of these to similar degrees, so much so, I just didn't feel it's worth ranking them.
Am I leaving some off? yeah, likely, especially probably from the last couple of years. It's SPLITTING HAIRS which often is what all of this LIST MAKING and RANKING often seems to be trying to do.
So, I'm not gonna say much more about this particular list. But I will say, the Countdown per say will be posted in 2 ENTRIES, largely per I didn't want to have 100+ images to LOAD IN each time someone may click on the 2010-2019 albums entry.
I can say, the list for both of those entries is at a grand total of 106 albums, so logically, I decided to split it down the middle. The 1st will be counted down numbers 106-54 and the 2nd and TOP list will be counted down numbers 53-1.
Blurbs? obviously not here. I think I should owe it to these albums to write something about each one. But I can't promise given how much added time I will have.
Averse - The Endesque Chants (2010)
What's Left of Her - Perceptions (2010)
Steven Wilson - Grace for Drowning (2010)
Judgement Day - Peacocks / Pink Monsters (2010)
The Apples in Stereo - Travellers in Space and Time (2010)
Timbre - Little Flowers (2010)
The Most Serene Republic - Fantasick Impossibliss (2010)
The Dear Hunter - The Branches EP (2010)
Journal - Unlorja (2010)
Punch Brothers - Antifogmatic (2010)
Orphan Bloom - Orphan Bloom (2010)
Adebisi Shank - This Is the Second Album of a Band Called Adebisi Shank (2010)
The Book of Right On - All These Songs About Music (2010)
Crippled Black Phoenix - I, Vigilante (2010)
Revere - Hey! Selim (2010)
Negroni's Trio - Just Three (2010)
Agalloch - Marrow of the Spirit (2010)
Dirt Poor Robins - The Last Days of Leviathan (2010)
Pain of Salvation - Road Salt (2010-2011)
The Crooked Fiddle Band - Overgrown Tales (2011)
Nicole Atkins - Mondo Amore (2011)
Arafel - For Battles Once Fought (2011)
Water and Bodies - Light Year (2011)
Mother Falcon - Alhambra (2011)
Al Di Meola - Pursuit of Radical Rhapsody (2011)
Between the Buried and Me - The Parallax: Hypersleep Dialogues (2011)
Brice Plays Drums - I Laugh at Your Greener Pastures (2011)
White Denim - D (2011)
Unexpect - Fables of the Sleepless Empire (2011)
*Shels - Plains of the Purple Buffalo (2011)
Tangled Thoughts of Leaving - Deaden the Fields (2011)
Meniscus - War of Currents (2011)
Neverending White Lights - Act III: Love Will Ruin (2011)
The Baltic Sea - Period Piece (2011)
For the Imperium - For the Imperium (2011)
Erick Serna and The Killing Floor - The Grip (2011)
Kaddisfly - Demos and Rarities (2011)
dredg - Chuckles and Mr. Squeezy (2011)
Dream Theater - A Dramatic Turn of Events (2011)
Marillion - Sounds That Can't Be Made (2012)
Umbrella Tree - To the Memory of a Once Great Man (2012)
Bend Sinister - On My Mind (2012)
The Mars Volta - Noctourniquet (2012)
Mercies - The Ballet (2012)
Mike Linden - Bubble and Squeak (2012)
British Theatre - Dyed in the Wool Ghost (2012)
Guante and Big Cats - You Better Weaponize (2012)
Water and Bodies - American Dream (2012)
Hotel of the Laughing Tree - Mammoth Skin Pt. 1 (2012)
Subterranean Masquerade - Home (2013)
Janelle Monae - The Electric Lady (2013)
Brooke Waggoner - Originator (2013)
Debashish Bhattacharya and friends - Beyond the Ragasphere (2013)
Orphaned Land - All Is One (2013)
The Royal Veil - King of the Ocean (2013)
The Age of Rockets - Adults (2013)
Genders - Get Lost (2013)
Foals - Live at Royal Albert Hall (2014)
Hotel of the Laughing Tree - Mammoth Skin Pt. 2 (2014)
Archive - Axiom (2014)
Big Wreck - Ghosts (2014)
NOMIA - Iron and Rust (2014)
椎名林檎 [Sheena Ringo] - 日出処 (Hi Izuru Tokoro) (2014)
Gatherer - Heavy Hail (2015)
Hotel of the Laughing Tree - New World Sundown (2015)
Warpaint - No Way Out / I'll Start Believing (2015)
The Velvet Teen - All Is Illusory (2015)
The Pneumatic Transit - Concerto for Double Moon (2015)
Falling Up - Falling Up (2015)
Mutemath - Vitals (2015)
Brooke Waggoner - Sweven (2016)
Textures - Phenotype (2016)
Ideology - Ideology (2016)
The Woods Brothers - The Woods Brothers (2016)
Meniscus - Refractions (2016)
Bent Knee - Say So (2016)
Anakdota - Overloading (2016)
Persefone - Aathma (2017)
Subterranean Masquerade - Vagabond (2017)
Bend Sinister - The Other Way (2017)
Galactic Cowboys - Long Way Back to the Moon (2017)
The Gloomcatcher - Blade in the Belfry (2017)
Long Distance Calling - Boundless (2018)
Grimus - Unmanageable Species (2018)
Kimbra - Primal Heart (2018)
Capital Cities - Solarize (2018)
Vennart - To Cure a Blizzard Upon a Plastic Sea (2018)
Kimbra - Songs From Primal Heart: Reimagined (2018)
Ours - New Age Heroine II (2018)
Esperanza Spalding - 12 Little Spells (2018)
22 - You Are Creating (2017-2018)
A Dying Planet - Facing the Incurable (2018)
Owel - Paris (2019)
Friday, November 15, 2019
Jessy Ribordy - Small Nothing [1B]
Solo tune, that I dig quite a lot.
As I embedded below from his Instagram, hopefully there will be more of this down the road, but for now, I'm going to keep enjoying "Small Nothing."
Not exactly The River Empires, The Gloomcatcher nor Falling Up, but maybe a little of each?
As I embedded below from his Instagram, hopefully there will be more of this down the road, but for now, I'm going to keep enjoying "Small Nothing."
Not exactly The River Empires, The Gloomcatcher nor Falling Up, but maybe a little of each?
Wednesday, November 13, 2019
2018-2019 Albums of the Year
2018-2019, or most of 2019 albums
A lot of records came out, some highly anticipated, some a long time in the making.
I probably will write more about this in the coming weeks, possibly with the decade ending too, but like many years, my ability to consume music is not at what I would like. My job requires more time without headphones and I also still listen to a lot of YouTube Video Audio Rips and Podcasts along with talk radio.
Plus moving/buying a house, worrying about bills, budgets, medical issues (both mine, my wife, mother-in-law and dog) kind of puts trivial things like music into perspective.
Even just seeing less concerts and buying less music (vinyl). YouTube even has taken a back seat (not that there has ever been a huge amount of activity on my channel, but with a house finally, maybe their could me more?).
But from what I did listen to, I think 2018-2019 was good, but not incredible. I think many albums came out from artists I wasn't aware of, or never was a fan of previously, and I enjoyed or became a fan of.
That I guess is the best thing I take away from this year in Albums and music.
As I say every year, NEXT YEAR COULD BE HUGE, and who knows, it may or may not. But potentially I am more excited for 2019-2020/2020 than any year since at least 2014-2015 if not longer ago than then.
Also a key note: I am taking a liberty on my #1 with the release date, and I am starting to think of MODIFYING the deadline to maybe December 1st, or later. Or maybe just make year-by-year exceptions in the circumstance of this year, an album that was officially released on November 8th is so good, I can't in my heart, not include it. Also in some ways, the album(s) at #0 kind offset that i.e. that album should have been in this year anyway, so I replaced it in a way with another album that came out sooner.
blech, tl;dr the 10/31/19 deadline has an exception and some others were as an exception, not included.
0. Dirt Poor Robins - Dead Horse, Alaska (Red)/(Gold) [EP]
This is not my album of the year or co album(s)/eps, per the entire Dead Horse, Alaska album is coming out sometime in 2020. I forget, April/Spring? may have been what Neil mentioned a few months back.
But I will say this, these 2 eps I may have listened to the most this year, or at least I was prepared to put them as #1 before learning the whole thing would be released together.
They are fantastic and some of the best music Dirt Poor Robins have ever made. But I won't go that much more into detail, and save it for 2020. Also not just the complete Dead Horse, Alaska is coming, but the 3rd EP is also supposed to come, titled Dead Horse, Alaska (Black). When? I imagine early in 2020 before the full album release.
1. Vonavi - Reflection
So I am biting the bullet a bit here and deciding after hearing the singles, and now the whole record, this album is just too good to wait to praise.
It's breathtaking, moody, atmospheric, melancholy, CINEMATIC, electronic, and incredibly well mixed.
I have been taking it in for a few days now, and I hate, HATE to only have given it such a short listening-time life, but I am one of those music listeners who know when an album wins me over really early.
Run Rivers and some of the other singers add a lot to these emotional layers of synths, bass tones and other instrumentation.
Is it Rock music? not really, although there are some drums/percussion.
Does it have a lot of amazing musicianship? no.
But I am at times totally won over by ESCAPING SOMEWHERE with an album. Even just songs/musical pieces ("Songs" have to have *singing* which maybe only half of the tracks have on Reflection).
I mean in hearing the 1st 3 singles/videos "Sunburst" "I Fear for You" and "Regrow" I knew I could potentially really enjoy whenever Vonavi released his full-length album. And it was definitely a case of a debut album meeting, or even exceeding hopes.
The track "Full of Lies" is breathtaking. The singer Jack Hawitt gives as beautiful a vocal performance as anything I heard this year.
Lorna Rose and Run Rivers vocals keep drawing me back to their work on this.
Is is a concept album? maybe. I dunno. Watching the 3 videos/shorts made from the songs,
I can see a theme with them.
Sunburst's "After the rain, I find myself, reaching out..."
could tie in to
All in Your Eyes "So many stories send shivers down my spine"
which also could tie in to
Regrow's "Why we Gotta Fall so Far to Get Through This."
And even the added instrumental tracks like "Calling," "Her," "Moan," and "Everyday" all have like a connecting mood of someone's story arc, journey, coming-of-age, or maybe THERAPY of dealing with something traumatic and time healing all wounds, etc.
I would say, while this album isn't one to uplift or even includes a lot of meaty tracks to go back to, it scores an A+ for capturing my imagination. My love, yearning for escaping into another place, dimension, time, or just someone or many COMPELLING STORIES of healing and therapy.
And to think, this Ukrainian songwriter/producer is just 21. Assuming he keeps making music, I am going to be incredibly intrigued with whatever he does next.
Also Run Rivers who is also known best as Chris Bridges from the band Stateless. Run Rivers has been busy working with many artists of late, and his talents are on display here and many other projects.
Jack Hawitt and Lorna Rose? they are 2 others who also I want to hear more from.
2. Foals - Everything Not Saved Will Be Lost (Parts 1-2)
This is Foals most consistent album track-2-track. All 20 tracks really.
I know they released these 2 collections of songs, the way they did for a reason, but I see it all as 1 big double album. Highlights: Exits, White Onions, Syrups (the build in that is unbelievable), On the Luna, Sunday, In Degrees, Neptune (all 15 minutes), Black Bull, The Runner, Dreaming Of...
I love every Foals album though, but I think they kind of captured a lot of the best elements of What Went Down and Holy Fire on this one. It's catchy, it's electronic, it's heavy, it's dynamic. And like I said, it's really consistent for me. And it is of course 20 tracks, thus it's longer than their last 2 records.
I mean I suppose it may not have as many all-time classics like those other 2, or especially Total Life Forever and Antidotes, but it's an album that I put it on and just want to hear it all.
They are just so consistent with their songwriting and albums, something I can't say with many other working bands/artists today. As I said back when Part 1 came out, I don't know if there's a band that matches their level of consistency over the last decade. If so, it's not a long list.
3. Arch / Matheos - Winter Ethereal
The truth about this is, I listened to this album for like a week and loved nearly all of it. And then I kind of went on to other things.
But I immediately found it a bit better than Sympathetic Resonance, which considering my love of Arch and Jim Matheos, says a lot.
"Straight and Narrow" is so well composed and really heavy. Maybe heavier than anything Jim Matheos has done. But it doesn't overstay its welcome.
"Tethered" is about as accessible and melodic a song John Arch has ever done, and I think it totally works. I am a sucker/lover of hearing him sing, especially more toned-down. Kind of like "Guardian" or something.
"Vermilion Moons" and "Kindred Spirits" are 2 of the prog metal pieces that standout.
"Wanderlust," "Wrath of the Universe," and "Solitary Man" all add to how rich and fulfilling this album is. A bit deeper than Sympathetic Resonance in terms of songs to choose from. It's maybe a little more song-oriented than the previous album for that reason.
And it was 8 years ago their 1st official album came out, and it could be the last record John Arch makes given his life and schedule. If so, it is a great swan song for sure.
4. Ours - New Age Heroine II
"Fly" is an Ours classic. "Get You On Your Feet So You Can Fly" is so funky, epic and inspiring all at the same time. I would easily put it in my top 10 Ours songs in fact.
I'm a fanboy, so naturally I loved a lot of this album, especially considering it was almost 6 years after Ballet the Boxer I.
"Pain Aside" is another catchy tune Jimmy won me over with.
"Kill Me" "Made to Love" and the title track are also some of the go-to's here.
I mean it has a good number of slower, ballads that the hardcore fans love. I am kind of hit and miss with them, but I think overall, they grew on me enough to enjoy this album maybe as much as Ballet the Boxer I.
I dunno if it'll be fair, but when what may be a double album coming in 2020, Spectacular Sight III, this may not be as remembered. But I have found with a lot of Ours music, it can age rather well at times.
5. Local Natives - Violet Street
I initially was thrown off by this album with its looping and dynamic mixing, vocal distortion and samples even with various sound effects and percussion.
I have been a fan of this band for over 10 years and have faith in them to give them benefit of the doubt.
And by doing that, this ended up maybe being my 2nd favorite record of theirs.
"When am I gonna Lose You" has such a great hook and memorable chorus. It is kind of dance-able and soars at times. It reminds me a little bit of The Family Crest actually ("Never Gonna Stop").
I guess the flow and experiments grew on me. Taylor Rice's performance on this album may be his best, and the use of Vocal Harmonies are still present on many tracks.
"Cafe Amarillo" "I don't want to die before I learn to live"
"Shy" "Gulf Shores" ("I remember, California") and "Someday Now" all include memorable moments that I grew to appreciate.
6. Barock Project - Seven Seas
Another great epic prog record, with a lot of deep, rich layers and melodies. It varies in songs that are very string-driven, to other that feature heavier guitars.
The style I suppose doesn't vary incredibly from their last record Detachment, which I often saw as having a big Kansas influence, but also using folk/renaissance type tones as well.
7. Owel - Paris
Great songwriting, like Mew and Aereogramme among some others.
"Get Out Stay Out" is as great a track to be released in 2019.
8. Moron Police - A Boat on the Sea
Great to see Moron Police comeback after 5 years. This album is more prog rock, and less metal (if at all), than their previous albums.
The production, humor, and crazy drum work all standout here.
9. 22 - You Are Creating Limb 2
A good continuation of Limb 1.
"Call Me Trimtab" and "Chroma Key" are favorites.
10. The Claypool/Lennon Delirium - South of Reality
A Pleasant surprise from 2 musicians I know of course, but have never been incredibly into.
I recall seeing their previous record referenced, but had not heard.
This album has a ton of trippy, dreamy, funky, blues-rock moments as you might expect. The weird, humorous moments are kept in check from Claypool, compared to his work with Primus. And Sean Lennon's guitar work and vocals do just enough to give this a lot of charm.
The 60's/70's Psych/Floyd/Latter Beatles works well here, in some ways like it does with Pepe Deluxe among others.
"Little Fishes" "Amesthyst Realm" "Boriska" and
"Cricket Chronicles" with its Middle Eastern vibe and the almost epic-prog piece
"Blood and Rockets, Movement I, Saga of Jack Parsons, Movement II, Too the Moon" are the biggest bangers on this album.
This album is really a good retro trip back to the late 60's in 2019.
11. Mutemath - Voice in the Silence [EP]
A collection of older tunes from the Reset, S/T and Armistice periods. Every track is good here. Very atmospheric with a lot of great Darren King and Paul Meany moments to enjoy.
"Work of Art" the title track and "EN 2018" are probably my favorites.
12. Bjorn Riis - A Storm is Coming
Epic work that the latter half I enjoyed especially. This album and I guess all of his records carry a pretty strong In Absentia/Deadwing era Porcupine Tree influence, but like Kingbathmat or even say Shelter Red, I don't find it hurts the quality of the music.
13. Courtney Swain - Between Blood and Ocean
Enjoyable solo album from Courtney Swain of Bent Knee. Less schizophrenic than BK, and I guess that is 1 reason i enjoyed this more than the new Bent Knee album.
14. Thank You Scientist - Terraformer
Long, busy album, which is kind of the recipe this band has for all their albums. I guess with good production and enough moments to look-forward to, this is the 1st TYS album I have enjoyed.
FXMLDR is the biggest banger for me. The instrumental hook, plus the vocals chorus that comes in later is catchy as hell.
"Looks like you finally made it How I've anticipated Your return to planet Earth
Light years away, you've made it There's no more contemplating"
plus the sax and violin add a lot.
"Swarm" "Son of a Serpent" 'Birdwatching" and 'Everyday Ghosts" all have moments I dig.
Their singer sounds as much like Chris Ruff of Kaddisfly as Claudio Sanchez actually, which while I still find his voice not so original, but I'm not as bugged by it on this album. I think part of it is the instrumental sections work enough, that it offsets it. And he sounds better overall. Either just from a writing vocal-lines standpoint, or just a tonality standpoint.
It's a massively long album, but the best moments are worth getting to.
15. Motorpsycho - The Crucible
I love the King Crimson and Soft Machine elements on this album, mainly on the 2nd and 3rd epic tracks "Lux Aerterna" and "The Crucible." Great horn arrangements!
16. Disillusion - The Liberation
"Wintertide" is probably the biggest highlight. Layered, dynamic epic metal. Somewhat like Green Carnation or Subterranean Masquerade.
Great to finally have them release a full-length after 13 years. It might be higher had they included the incredible "Alea" but so be it.
17. Northern Abbey - Ceremonies [EP]
Another wonderful, emotional collection of tunes from Nick Lambert from Falling Up.
This release also includes the work of Jessy Ribordy.
"Daylight" and "Glimmerings" are probably my biggest favorites.
I would say, in some ways, this release captures a lot of the warm, cinematic, melancholy elements that the Vonavi album does. I am a total sucker for those. Call it fetal-position, or just call it giving me a tool to imagine a dream somewhere else, but it can almost get spiritual at times.
18. Flying Colors - Third Degree
The songs and musicianship is here, maybe more than their 2 others.
"Love Letter" is a super catchy power-pop number. I would love an entire album of tunes like that someday from Flying Colors or something else Mike Portnoy does.
19. Sheena Ringo - 三毒史 (Sandokushi)
20. Cousin Tony's Brand New Firebird - New Romancer
This album has a lot of nightlife-night-on-the-town electronic atmosphere.
Kind of how Indietronica can get. The layers with the charming, baritone? David Bowie-like vocals in some ways. Some of the best moments are with the use of what sounds-like sax and piano (might be synths?, I dunno).
Is it a dance album? not exactly. Is it a rock album? not exactly. It just has a great melodic, synthy charm to it. It is another example of a band whose name, got me curious, and actually worked.
I wonder if whenever I am in a mood for some fun, moody electronic-music, I will go-to this album. Definitely falls under the Apes and Androids or NewVillager umbrella.
21. Leprous - Pitfalls
Some amazing melodic and proggy moments. Not as much Metal, but the blend of musicianship and somewhat original songwriting works well enough for me to enjoy.
22. Bent Knee - You Know What They Mean
Some of the singles work, however the noise rock tracks I don't see wanting to revisit again.
Not an awful album, but I can't say at this point I enjoy this as much as their last 3 albums.
23. Ray Alder - What the Water Wanted
Nice solo record from Ray, which doesn't sound a lot like current Fates Warning, but maybe more like Inside Out or even say Promised Land era Queensryche.
"Crown of Thorns" is maybe the biggest ear worm.
24. Jolly - Family
Some cool moments on this album, and maybe the Jolly album I enjoy the most.
I have memory of driving 1 day and listening to "Rain" and it suddenly clicked with me how sad and beautiful that song is. I almost began to cry.
25. Tuxedo - Tuxedo III
Probably the best Tuxedo album to date. "The Tuxedo Way" is funky as hell in a Chic "Good Times" sort of way.
"On a Good One" is a helluva banger. So catchy, and so 70's or early 80's sounding.
I listened to this album, almost as much as any record in the last 12 months per my wife is a Mayer Hawthorne-fangirl and we saw Tuxedo live a few months back.
The flow and songwriting is just up a notch from their other 2.
"Dreaming in the Daytime" "Extra Texture" "If U Want It" "Vibrations" are all great tunes that have a cool sheen and energy to them.
26. Jon Anderson - 1000 Hands
Came out maybe about as well as expected, some 25+ years in the making.
A ton of guests musicians (like 1000 in fact? lol).
"Ramalama" "Makes Me Happy" and "1000 Hands (Come Up" are my favorites. Love a lot of the world music elements here among others.
Less sappy or repetitive than many of Jon's other recent works (excluding Open which I LOVE).
27. Dan Moxon - Lounge Singer
Jazzy, poppy, singer/songwriter release from Dan Moxon of Bend Sinister.
28. Erthlings - Indigo [EP]
I enjoy every track of this debut EP from this Warpaint-the Next Generation band seems like.
Dreamy, trippy, melodic, all-female led Post Rock.
"Go Ahead" and "Cuts and Bruises" are the favorites.
29. Black Belt Eagle Scout - At the Party With My Brown Friends
30. The Mercury Tree - Spidermilk
Entirely in Micro-tonal tuning using 17 notes per octave, which is rather forward-thinking or inventive in some ways.
It's odd how I enjoy this as unusual it gets. I'll listen and wonder why I enjoy it, but afterwards, I think, that wasn't bad somehow.
I mean I didn't get attached to it, but at the same time, I'm left with wanting to listen to it more because it didn't lose me.
This album may be one in 5 or 10 years, I could love.
31. Rocco of the Snow - Prime Mover
Keyboardist from Kindo's brand of melodic Indietronica. Enjoyable, maybe more when I saw him open for Kindo. But still, many enjoyable, atmospheric pop/rock tunes.
32. Big Wreck - But for the Sun
Another good record from Big Wreck. Their 3rd or 4th since coming back after many years, in 2012?.
"Locomotive" and "Alibi" are 2 of the best tunes on this album.
33. Snarky Puppy - Immigrance
Another fun, jazzy-fusiony album from Snarky. Some Dream Theater and Pat Metheny -like moments included.
34. Dream Theater - Distance Over Time
"Fall Into the Light" is 1 of the best tunes Dream Theater has written in the last decade. Great flow, the musicianship and solo(s) work really well.
"Barstool Warrior" and "Pale Blue Dot" are the other big highlights.
A nice comeback considering what they did with The Astonishing.
However, that's as far as this has gone for me thus far.
35. iamthemorning - The Bell
36. East of the Wall - NP-Complete
37. Equipose - Demiurgus
38. Biffy Clyro - Balance, Not Symmetry (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
39. Glasys - Defective Humanity
The tune "People" which features Todd Rundgren is really good.
40. Hiromi - Spectrum
Epic record, which includes some covers like The Beatles "Blackbird" and Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue" which goes for like 15 or more minutes.
Enjoyable jazz, that is just Hiromi at the piano, which is different but still works for her.
41. The Pneumatic Transit - Chordae Tendineae
Another experimental Jazz-Jazz-Rock/Avant Garde release from The Pneumatic Transit.
Initial Review is here
and that covers most of the details. I think this album is similar but different enough to not find Jeff Zampillo and the band aren't repeating themselves.
42. Cats in Space - Day Trip to Narnia
Fun sort of modern AOR. Not their best, but enjoyable. The Chronicles of Narnia is an interesting subject matter, although it's still rock music, so the fantasy element only is channeled so far.
43. King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard - Fishing for Fishies
Quirky as always. "Cyboogie" is fun for a few minutes at least.
I still need to hear Infest the Rats Nest as noted below.
44. Sermon - Birth of the Marvellous
45. Steve Hackett - At the Edge of Light
46. The Bird and the Bee - Interpreting the Masters Vol.2 Van Halen
47. Negroni's Trio - Acoustico
48. The New Pornographers - In the Morse Code of Brake Lights
49. Friendly Fires - Inflorescent
50. Tinlicker - This is Not Our Universe
51. The Hu Band - The Gereg
52, Muse - Simulation Theory
53, Gavin Castleton - Weak Ltd.
54. Buke and Gase - Scholars
55. Robyn Hitchcock and Andy Partridge - Planet England (EP)
56. Mind Cinema - Sleep Clinic
57. Facing New York - Dogtown
58. Amanda Palmer - There Will Be No Intermission
59. Queensryche - The Verdict
60. Dan Mangan - More or Less
61. Paige Drobot - Zero Thought [EP]
62. Blue Hawaii - Open Reduction Internal Fixation
63. Tropical Fuck Storm - Braindrops
64. ZW Band - If it's Real
65. Masvidal - Mythical
Still Haven't Heard but mean to:
Alcest - Spiritual Instinct
Alter Bridge - Walk the Sky
Banco del Mutuo Soccorso - Transiberiana
Battles - Juice B Crypts
The Contortionist - Our Bones [EP]
Kai Danzberg -Welcome to Euphoria
Iapetus - The Body Cosmic
King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard - Infest The Rats' Nest
Alan Parsons - The Secret
Radical Face - Therapy [EP]
Refused - War Music
Raphael Saadiq - Jimmy Lee
The Tea Club - If / When
Wilderun - Veil of Imagination
Wilco - Ode to Joy
Live
Long Distance Calling - Stummfilm: Live From Hamburg
Michael Nesmith and Red Rhodes - Cosmic Partners
3 - Live at Bearsville Theater, Woodstock, NY
Why?
Opeth - In Cauda Venenum
Tool - Fear Inoculum
A lot of records came out, some highly anticipated, some a long time in the making.
I probably will write more about this in the coming weeks, possibly with the decade ending too, but like many years, my ability to consume music is not at what I would like. My job requires more time without headphones and I also still listen to a lot of YouTube Video Audio Rips and Podcasts along with talk radio.
Plus moving/buying a house, worrying about bills, budgets, medical issues (both mine, my wife, mother-in-law and dog) kind of puts trivial things like music into perspective.
Even just seeing less concerts and buying less music (vinyl). YouTube even has taken a back seat (not that there has ever been a huge amount of activity on my channel, but with a house finally, maybe their could me more?).
But from what I did listen to, I think 2018-2019 was good, but not incredible. I think many albums came out from artists I wasn't aware of, or never was a fan of previously, and I enjoyed or became a fan of.
That I guess is the best thing I take away from this year in Albums and music.
As I say every year, NEXT YEAR COULD BE HUGE, and who knows, it may or may not. But potentially I am more excited for 2019-2020/2020 than any year since at least 2014-2015 if not longer ago than then.
Also a key note: I am taking a liberty on my #1 with the release date, and I am starting to think of MODIFYING the deadline to maybe December 1st, or later. Or maybe just make year-by-year exceptions in the circumstance of this year, an album that was officially released on November 8th is so good, I can't in my heart, not include it. Also in some ways, the album(s) at #0 kind offset that i.e. that album should have been in this year anyway, so I replaced it in a way with another album that came out sooner.
blech, tl;dr the 10/31/19 deadline has an exception and some others were as an exception, not included.
0. Dirt Poor Robins - Dead Horse, Alaska (Red)/(Gold) [EP]
This is not my album of the year or co album(s)/eps, per the entire Dead Horse, Alaska album is coming out sometime in 2020. I forget, April/Spring? may have been what Neil mentioned a few months back.
But I will say this, these 2 eps I may have listened to the most this year, or at least I was prepared to put them as #1 before learning the whole thing would be released together.
They are fantastic and some of the best music Dirt Poor Robins have ever made. But I won't go that much more into detail, and save it for 2020. Also not just the complete Dead Horse, Alaska is coming, but the 3rd EP is also supposed to come, titled Dead Horse, Alaska (Black). When? I imagine early in 2020 before the full album release.
1. Vonavi - Reflection
So I am biting the bullet a bit here and deciding after hearing the singles, and now the whole record, this album is just too good to wait to praise.
It's breathtaking, moody, atmospheric, melancholy, CINEMATIC, electronic, and incredibly well mixed.
I have been taking it in for a few days now, and I hate, HATE to only have given it such a short listening-time life, but I am one of those music listeners who know when an album wins me over really early.
Run Rivers and some of the other singers add a lot to these emotional layers of synths, bass tones and other instrumentation.
Is it Rock music? not really, although there are some drums/percussion.
Does it have a lot of amazing musicianship? no.
But I am at times totally won over by ESCAPING SOMEWHERE with an album. Even just songs/musical pieces ("Songs" have to have *singing* which maybe only half of the tracks have on Reflection).
I mean in hearing the 1st 3 singles/videos "Sunburst" "I Fear for You" and "Regrow" I knew I could potentially really enjoy whenever Vonavi released his full-length album. And it was definitely a case of a debut album meeting, or even exceeding hopes.
The track "Full of Lies" is breathtaking. The singer Jack Hawitt gives as beautiful a vocal performance as anything I heard this year.
Lorna Rose and Run Rivers vocals keep drawing me back to their work on this.
Is is a concept album? maybe. I dunno. Watching the 3 videos/shorts made from the songs,
I can see a theme with them.
Sunburst's "After the rain, I find myself, reaching out..."
could tie in to
All in Your Eyes "So many stories send shivers down my spine"
which also could tie in to
Regrow's "Why we Gotta Fall so Far to Get Through This."
And even the added instrumental tracks like "Calling," "Her," "Moan," and "Everyday" all have like a connecting mood of someone's story arc, journey, coming-of-age, or maybe THERAPY of dealing with something traumatic and time healing all wounds, etc.
I would say, while this album isn't one to uplift or even includes a lot of meaty tracks to go back to, it scores an A+ for capturing my imagination. My love, yearning for escaping into another place, dimension, time, or just someone or many COMPELLING STORIES of healing and therapy.
And to think, this Ukrainian songwriter/producer is just 21. Assuming he keeps making music, I am going to be incredibly intrigued with whatever he does next.
Also Run Rivers who is also known best as Chris Bridges from the band Stateless. Run Rivers has been busy working with many artists of late, and his talents are on display here and many other projects.
Jack Hawitt and Lorna Rose? they are 2 others who also I want to hear more from.
2. Foals - Everything Not Saved Will Be Lost (Parts 1-2)
This is Foals most consistent album track-2-track. All 20 tracks really.
I know they released these 2 collections of songs, the way they did for a reason, but I see it all as 1 big double album. Highlights: Exits, White Onions, Syrups (the build in that is unbelievable), On the Luna, Sunday, In Degrees, Neptune (all 15 minutes), Black Bull, The Runner, Dreaming Of...
I love every Foals album though, but I think they kind of captured a lot of the best elements of What Went Down and Holy Fire on this one. It's catchy, it's electronic, it's heavy, it's dynamic. And like I said, it's really consistent for me. And it is of course 20 tracks, thus it's longer than their last 2 records.
I mean I suppose it may not have as many all-time classics like those other 2, or especially Total Life Forever and Antidotes, but it's an album that I put it on and just want to hear it all.
They are just so consistent with their songwriting and albums, something I can't say with many other working bands/artists today. As I said back when Part 1 came out, I don't know if there's a band that matches their level of consistency over the last decade. If so, it's not a long list.
3. Arch / Matheos - Winter Ethereal
The truth about this is, I listened to this album for like a week and loved nearly all of it. And then I kind of went on to other things.
But I immediately found it a bit better than Sympathetic Resonance, which considering my love of Arch and Jim Matheos, says a lot.
"Straight and Narrow" is so well composed and really heavy. Maybe heavier than anything Jim Matheos has done. But it doesn't overstay its welcome.
"Tethered" is about as accessible and melodic a song John Arch has ever done, and I think it totally works. I am a sucker/lover of hearing him sing, especially more toned-down. Kind of like "Guardian" or something.
"Vermilion Moons" and "Kindred Spirits" are 2 of the prog metal pieces that standout.
"Wanderlust," "Wrath of the Universe," and "Solitary Man" all add to how rich and fulfilling this album is. A bit deeper than Sympathetic Resonance in terms of songs to choose from. It's maybe a little more song-oriented than the previous album for that reason.
And it was 8 years ago their 1st official album came out, and it could be the last record John Arch makes given his life and schedule. If so, it is a great swan song for sure.
4. Ours - New Age Heroine II
"Fly" is an Ours classic. "Get You On Your Feet So You Can Fly" is so funky, epic and inspiring all at the same time. I would easily put it in my top 10 Ours songs in fact.
I'm a fanboy, so naturally I loved a lot of this album, especially considering it was almost 6 years after Ballet the Boxer I.
"Pain Aside" is another catchy tune Jimmy won me over with.
"Kill Me" "Made to Love" and the title track are also some of the go-to's here.
I mean it has a good number of slower, ballads that the hardcore fans love. I am kind of hit and miss with them, but I think overall, they grew on me enough to enjoy this album maybe as much as Ballet the Boxer I.
I dunno if it'll be fair, but when what may be a double album coming in 2020, Spectacular Sight III, this may not be as remembered. But I have found with a lot of Ours music, it can age rather well at times.
5. Local Natives - Violet Street
I initially was thrown off by this album with its looping and dynamic mixing, vocal distortion and samples even with various sound effects and percussion.
I have been a fan of this band for over 10 years and have faith in them to give them benefit of the doubt.
And by doing that, this ended up maybe being my 2nd favorite record of theirs.
"When am I gonna Lose You" has such a great hook and memorable chorus. It is kind of dance-able and soars at times. It reminds me a little bit of The Family Crest actually ("Never Gonna Stop").
I guess the flow and experiments grew on me. Taylor Rice's performance on this album may be his best, and the use of Vocal Harmonies are still present on many tracks.
"Cafe Amarillo" "I don't want to die before I learn to live"
"Shy" "Gulf Shores" ("I remember, California") and "Someday Now" all include memorable moments that I grew to appreciate.
6. Barock Project - Seven Seas
Another great epic prog record, with a lot of deep, rich layers and melodies. It varies in songs that are very string-driven, to other that feature heavier guitars.
The style I suppose doesn't vary incredibly from their last record Detachment, which I often saw as having a big Kansas influence, but also using folk/renaissance type tones as well.
7. Owel - Paris
Great songwriting, like Mew and Aereogramme among some others.
"Get Out Stay Out" is as great a track to be released in 2019.
8. Moron Police - A Boat on the Sea
Great to see Moron Police comeback after 5 years. This album is more prog rock, and less metal (if at all), than their previous albums.
The production, humor, and crazy drum work all standout here.
9. 22 - You Are Creating Limb 2
A good continuation of Limb 1.
"Call Me Trimtab" and "Chroma Key" are favorites.
10. The Claypool/Lennon Delirium - South of Reality
A Pleasant surprise from 2 musicians I know of course, but have never been incredibly into.
I recall seeing their previous record referenced, but had not heard.
This album has a ton of trippy, dreamy, funky, blues-rock moments as you might expect. The weird, humorous moments are kept in check from Claypool, compared to his work with Primus. And Sean Lennon's guitar work and vocals do just enough to give this a lot of charm.
The 60's/70's Psych/Floyd/Latter Beatles works well here, in some ways like it does with Pepe Deluxe among others.
"Little Fishes" "Amesthyst Realm" "Boriska" and
"Cricket Chronicles" with its Middle Eastern vibe and the almost epic-prog piece
"Blood and Rockets, Movement I, Saga of Jack Parsons, Movement II, Too the Moon" are the biggest bangers on this album.
This album is really a good retro trip back to the late 60's in 2019.
11. Mutemath - Voice in the Silence [EP]
A collection of older tunes from the Reset, S/T and Armistice periods. Every track is good here. Very atmospheric with a lot of great Darren King and Paul Meany moments to enjoy.
"Work of Art" the title track and "EN 2018" are probably my favorites.
12. Bjorn Riis - A Storm is Coming
Epic work that the latter half I enjoyed especially. This album and I guess all of his records carry a pretty strong In Absentia/Deadwing era Porcupine Tree influence, but like Kingbathmat or even say Shelter Red, I don't find it hurts the quality of the music.
13. Courtney Swain - Between Blood and Ocean
Enjoyable solo album from Courtney Swain of Bent Knee. Less schizophrenic than BK, and I guess that is 1 reason i enjoyed this more than the new Bent Knee album.
14. Thank You Scientist - Terraformer
Long, busy album, which is kind of the recipe this band has for all their albums. I guess with good production and enough moments to look-forward to, this is the 1st TYS album I have enjoyed.
FXMLDR is the biggest banger for me. The instrumental hook, plus the vocals chorus that comes in later is catchy as hell.
"Looks like you finally made it How I've anticipated Your return to planet Earth
Light years away, you've made it There's no more contemplating"
plus the sax and violin add a lot.
"Swarm" "Son of a Serpent" 'Birdwatching" and 'Everyday Ghosts" all have moments I dig.
Their singer sounds as much like Chris Ruff of Kaddisfly as Claudio Sanchez actually, which while I still find his voice not so original, but I'm not as bugged by it on this album. I think part of it is the instrumental sections work enough, that it offsets it. And he sounds better overall. Either just from a writing vocal-lines standpoint, or just a tonality standpoint.
It's a massively long album, but the best moments are worth getting to.
15. Motorpsycho - The Crucible
I love the King Crimson and Soft Machine elements on this album, mainly on the 2nd and 3rd epic tracks "Lux Aerterna" and "The Crucible." Great horn arrangements!
16. Disillusion - The Liberation
"Wintertide" is probably the biggest highlight. Layered, dynamic epic metal. Somewhat like Green Carnation or Subterranean Masquerade.
Great to finally have them release a full-length after 13 years. It might be higher had they included the incredible "Alea" but so be it.
17. Northern Abbey - Ceremonies [EP]
Another wonderful, emotional collection of tunes from Nick Lambert from Falling Up.
This release also includes the work of Jessy Ribordy.
"Daylight" and "Glimmerings" are probably my biggest favorites.
I would say, in some ways, this release captures a lot of the warm, cinematic, melancholy elements that the Vonavi album does. I am a total sucker for those. Call it fetal-position, or just call it giving me a tool to imagine a dream somewhere else, but it can almost get spiritual at times.
18. Flying Colors - Third Degree
The songs and musicianship is here, maybe more than their 2 others.
"Love Letter" is a super catchy power-pop number. I would love an entire album of tunes like that someday from Flying Colors or something else Mike Portnoy does.
19. Sheena Ringo - 三毒史 (Sandokushi)
20. Cousin Tony's Brand New Firebird - New Romancer
This album has a lot of nightlife-night-on-the-town electronic atmosphere.
Kind of how Indietronica can get. The layers with the charming, baritone? David Bowie-like vocals in some ways. Some of the best moments are with the use of what sounds-like sax and piano (might be synths?, I dunno).
Is it a dance album? not exactly. Is it a rock album? not exactly. It just has a great melodic, synthy charm to it. It is another example of a band whose name, got me curious, and actually worked.
I wonder if whenever I am in a mood for some fun, moody electronic-music, I will go-to this album. Definitely falls under the Apes and Androids or NewVillager umbrella.
21. Leprous - Pitfalls
Some amazing melodic and proggy moments. Not as much Metal, but the blend of musicianship and somewhat original songwriting works well enough for me to enjoy.
22. Bent Knee - You Know What They Mean
Not an awful album, but I can't say at this point I enjoy this as much as their last 3 albums.
23. Ray Alder - What the Water Wanted
Nice solo record from Ray, which doesn't sound a lot like current Fates Warning, but maybe more like Inside Out or even say Promised Land era Queensryche.
"Crown of Thorns" is maybe the biggest ear worm.
24. Jolly - Family
Some cool moments on this album, and maybe the Jolly album I enjoy the most.
I have memory of driving 1 day and listening to "Rain" and it suddenly clicked with me how sad and beautiful that song is. I almost began to cry.
25. Tuxedo - Tuxedo III
Probably the best Tuxedo album to date. "The Tuxedo Way" is funky as hell in a Chic "Good Times" sort of way.
"On a Good One" is a helluva banger. So catchy, and so 70's or early 80's sounding.
I listened to this album, almost as much as any record in the last 12 months per my wife is a Mayer Hawthorne-fangirl and we saw Tuxedo live a few months back.
The flow and songwriting is just up a notch from their other 2.
"Dreaming in the Daytime" "Extra Texture" "If U Want It" "Vibrations" are all great tunes that have a cool sheen and energy to them.
26. Jon Anderson - 1000 Hands
Came out maybe about as well as expected, some 25+ years in the making.
A ton of guests musicians (like 1000 in fact? lol).
"Ramalama" "Makes Me Happy" and "1000 Hands (Come Up" are my favorites. Love a lot of the world music elements here among others.
Less sappy or repetitive than many of Jon's other recent works (excluding Open which I LOVE).
27. Dan Moxon - Lounge Singer
Jazzy, poppy, singer/songwriter release from Dan Moxon of Bend Sinister.
28. Erthlings - Indigo [EP]
I enjoy every track of this debut EP from this Warpaint-the Next Generation band seems like.
Dreamy, trippy, melodic, all-female led Post Rock.
"Go Ahead" and "Cuts and Bruises" are the favorites.
29. Black Belt Eagle Scout - At the Party With My Brown Friends
30. The Mercury Tree - Spidermilk
Entirely in Micro-tonal tuning using 17 notes per octave, which is rather forward-thinking or inventive in some ways.
It's odd how I enjoy this as unusual it gets. I'll listen and wonder why I enjoy it, but afterwards, I think, that wasn't bad somehow.
I mean I didn't get attached to it, but at the same time, I'm left with wanting to listen to it more because it didn't lose me.
This album may be one in 5 or 10 years, I could love.
31. Rocco of the Snow - Prime Mover
Keyboardist from Kindo's brand of melodic Indietronica. Enjoyable, maybe more when I saw him open for Kindo. But still, many enjoyable, atmospheric pop/rock tunes.
32. Big Wreck - But for the Sun
Another good record from Big Wreck. Their 3rd or 4th since coming back after many years, in 2012?.
"Locomotive" and "Alibi" are 2 of the best tunes on this album.
33. Snarky Puppy - Immigrance
Another fun, jazzy-fusiony album from Snarky. Some Dream Theater and Pat Metheny -like moments included.
34. Dream Theater - Distance Over Time
"Fall Into the Light" is 1 of the best tunes Dream Theater has written in the last decade. Great flow, the musicianship and solo(s) work really well.
"Barstool Warrior" and "Pale Blue Dot" are the other big highlights.
A nice comeback considering what they did with The Astonishing.
However, that's as far as this has gone for me thus far.
35. iamthemorning - The Bell
36. East of the Wall - NP-Complete
37. Equipose - Demiurgus
38. Biffy Clyro - Balance, Not Symmetry (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
39. Glasys - Defective Humanity
The tune "People" which features Todd Rundgren is really good.
40. Hiromi - Spectrum
Epic record, which includes some covers like The Beatles "Blackbird" and Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue" which goes for like 15 or more minutes.
Enjoyable jazz, that is just Hiromi at the piano, which is different but still works for her.
41. The Pneumatic Transit - Chordae Tendineae
Another experimental Jazz-Jazz-Rock/Avant Garde release from The Pneumatic Transit.
Initial Review is here
and that covers most of the details. I think this album is similar but different enough to not find Jeff Zampillo and the band aren't repeating themselves.
42. Cats in Space - Day Trip to Narnia
Fun sort of modern AOR. Not their best, but enjoyable. The Chronicles of Narnia is an interesting subject matter, although it's still rock music, so the fantasy element only is channeled so far.
43. King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard - Fishing for Fishies
Quirky as always. "Cyboogie" is fun for a few minutes at least.
I still need to hear Infest the Rats Nest as noted below.
44. Sermon - Birth of the Marvellous
45. Steve Hackett - At the Edge of Light
46. The Bird and the Bee - Interpreting the Masters Vol.2 Van Halen
47. Negroni's Trio - Acoustico
48. The New Pornographers - In the Morse Code of Brake Lights
49. Friendly Fires - Inflorescent
50. Tinlicker - This is Not Our Universe
51. The Hu Band - The Gereg
52, Muse - Simulation Theory
53, Gavin Castleton - Weak Ltd.
54. Buke and Gase - Scholars
55. Robyn Hitchcock and Andy Partridge - Planet England (EP)
56. Mind Cinema - Sleep Clinic
57. Facing New York - Dogtown
58. Amanda Palmer - There Will Be No Intermission
59. Queensryche - The Verdict
60. Dan Mangan - More or Less
61. Paige Drobot - Zero Thought [EP]
62. Blue Hawaii - Open Reduction Internal Fixation
63. Tropical Fuck Storm - Braindrops
64. ZW Band - If it's Real
65. Masvidal - Mythical
Still Haven't Heard but mean to:
Alcest - Spiritual Instinct
Alter Bridge - Walk the Sky
Banco del Mutuo Soccorso - Transiberiana
Battles - Juice B Crypts
The Contortionist - Our Bones [EP]
Kai Danzberg -Welcome to Euphoria
Iapetus - The Body Cosmic
King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard - Infest The Rats' Nest
Alan Parsons - The Secret
Radical Face - Therapy [EP]
Refused - War Music
Raphael Saadiq - Jimmy Lee
The Tea Club - If / When
Wilderun - Veil of Imagination
Wilco - Ode to Joy
Live
Long Distance Calling - Stummfilm: Live From Hamburg
Michael Nesmith and Red Rhodes - Cosmic Partners
3 - Live at Bearsville Theater, Woodstock, NY
Why?
Opeth - In Cauda Venenum
Tool - Fear Inoculum
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