Monday, December 2, 2013

Transatlantic - Kaleidoscope (2014)

12/2/13 9:04PM
New song and video for "Shine." Just looking at many of the comments, I don't agree with the majority of them. This song isn't bad, it's just a ballad. Amazing? no, but for what it is, even at 7 and a half minutes, it's actually decent enough. Nice guitar solo namely from Roine.


10/23/13 2:36PM

Okay, another update nearly 1-week late. Life happens, what can I say?

I am looking forward to this album coming out on January 27th. Kaleidoscope? if I recall, there was at least 1 somewhat accomplished cult psych band from the 70's with that name. Inspiration? doubtful, but it came to mind in thinking about the title.

Structurally, this album reminds me of SMPT:e for what that may be worth. My guess is, a few epics, and 1 or 2 shorter pieces.

Whether it's close to as good as either the debut album or Bridge Across Forever, I'm kind of at a wait and see since The Whirlwind ended up being a large bloated mess, with not too many memorable moments/sections that those 1st 2 LPs had that I totally loved about this band, and how they always stood out from more or less all of the "retro" sounding prog rock groups. Or even, more than both The Flower Kings and Spock's Beard were in some ways.

I have always felt, TA is like taking the best elements of Spocks and TFK's making them better.

I also have often wondered what this project could have been like with Jim Matheos and with the name "Second Nature"..and even how/what it may have been like with Kevin Gilbert involved. But, all "what ifs" of course.

Also the tour includes Daniel Gildenlow again (but not the album? I would love to see him get involved, but I guess that'll never happen. But even just ANY ORIGINAL MUSIC project with Mike Portnoy would be welcome to see happen at some point, OSI? lol).

The tour itself is coming to the States, but Chicago of course is the only date relatively close. Obscure Prog Rock and doing full-scale US tours affordably, just never has and probably never will happen like it did in the 70's.

Transatlantic reveal new studio album ‘Kaleidoscope’ and 2014 World Tour! 


Progressive-rock super-group Transatlantic, featuring Mike Portnoy, Neal Morse, Roine Stolt and Pete Trewavas will release their brand new fourth studio album ‘Kaleidoscope’ on the 27th January 2014. The track-listing for the forthcoming record is as follows and the beautiful artwork for the release can be seen below: 

tarnsatlantickaleidocd_600

1. Into the Blue
2. Shine
3. Black as the Sky
4. Beyond the Sun
5. Kaleidoscope


The band will also embark on a 6-week World Tour that will see them joined once again by Pain of Salvation’s Daniel Gildenlöw as a 5th touring member. As part of the extensive tour, the band will also headline the Progressive Nation At Sea 2014 Cruise from the 18th till the 22nd February alongside 22 other leading Prog acts including Adrian Belew Power Trio, Devin Townsend Project, King's X, Anathema, Spock’s Beard and many more. This unique performance will see the band performing a very special encore of classic Yes material with the legendary Jon Anderson on vocals. You can find more details on PN14 here: http://www.progressivenationatsea.com/ 

An Evening With Transatlantic 2014 World Tour: 
Jan 31st - Los Angeles, CA - El Segundo Performing Arts Center 
Feb 1st - San Francisco, CA 
Feb 2nd - Everett, WA - Everett Music Hall 
Feb 4th - Chicago, IL - The Arcada Theater 
Feb 5th - Quebec City, Canada - Theatre Du Capitole 
Feb 6th - Montreal, Canada - L'Olympia 
Feb 8th - Philadelphia, PA - Keswick Theater 
Feb 9th - New York City, NY - Highline Ballroom 
Feb 11th - Mexico City, Mexico - Teatro Metropolitan 
Feb 13th - São Paulo, Brazil - Carioca Club 
Feb 14th - Buenos Aires, Argentina 
Feb 15th - Santiago, Chile 
Feb 18th to 22nd - Progressive Nation At Sea 
Feb 27th - Madrid, Spain - La Rivera 
Feb 28th - Barcelona, Spain - Razzmatazz 2 
March 2nd - Milan, Italy - Alcatraz 
March 3rd - Rome, Italy - Orion 
March 5th - Pratteln, Switzerland - Z7 
March 6th - Karlsruhe, Germany - Substage 
March 7th - Munich, Germany - Muffathalle 
March 8th - Berlin, Germany - Astra 
March 9th - Cologne, Germany - E Werk 
March 11th - Antwerp, Belgium - Trix 
March 12th - London, England - The Forum 
March 13th - Tilburg, Holland - 013 
March 14th - Tilburg, Holland - 013 
March 15th - Paris, France - Le Bataclan 
June - Sweden Rock Festival 


For more information visit: 
www.facebook.com/transatlanticmusic 

www.transatlanticweb.com 


9/27/13 10:12PM

Coming in January?

https://twitter.com/MikePortnoy/statuses/383256179809742848

“@Vikernest777: @MikePortnoy Any info about the new Transatlantic album?” OUT IN JAN...TOUR IN FEB/MARCH...INFO SOON

5/30/13 5:47AM

Update from Portnoy:

https://www.facebook.com/TransatlanticMusic/posts/10151631858946293

From MP: The TA4 Sessions went splendidly fantastic! (I think I've been hanging around Pete too much these past weeks...haha!) I won't disclose any details, but I will say the album is about 75 mins long and has 5 songs (2 Epics & 3 "normal" length) and we also recorded 8 Covers for a Bonus Disc as well! Release is expected for the beginning of 2014...more info to come later in the year...

Doesn't mean much, as the last album had other "shorter songs" on the bonus disc if I recall. But on the surface, it sounds more like the 1st 2 records in terms of structure., But it's all about the quality of the music, regardless of length.

3/29/13 9:38AM
http://www.progrockmag.com/news/transatlantic-plan-4th-album/

Neal Morse has confirmed that prog supergroup Transatlantic will start work on their fourth album in May.
It follows a recent European tour featuring the Neal Morse Band and The Flower Kings, which brought together prime movers Morse, Roine Stolt and Mike Portnoy – leading to fan speculation that a studio project might be in the works with bassist Pete Trewavas.

According to DPRP, Morse says: “We have set dates in May; and, my friends, it is actually happening! Before I left for the tour, and even just a few days ago, I have a lot of really strong prog music ideas that I’m really excited about presenting to the guys.

“But, of course, everything has to be kind of secret until we actually do it – so I can’t say or tell much more. We’re all really excited about it.”

He believes the follow-up to 2009′s The Whirlwind could appear early next year although he adds: “Who knows? I’m just glad we’re doing it!”

The Neal Morse Band and The Flower Kings have announced a US appearance at La Mirada Auditorium, Los Angeles, on May 7. “Mike recently became available in May,” says Morse, “and I knew TFK were in the States for RoSfest; so I sent a few emails, and here we are. We had such a great time in Europe and we want to share it with our friends in the States. I just wish we could do more.”


This isn't the biggest news, of news, as Portnoy has especially been asked about the next TA for a few years now, and he has said it likely would happen, just a matter of when.

But the plan now is to write and likely record it in May.

I'm looking forward to it, although my feeling about TA and The Whirlwind sadly isn't all that favorable. Mainly since I adore both SMPTe and especially Bridge Across Forever so much.

In other words, I am hoping this new album will have the magic of those early 2000's lps, and NOT the bloated nature of The Whirlwind from 2009. I'm a bit skeptical it will though just given the recent music Neal Morse has written. But I'd love to be surprised.

I wouldn't expect it to come out until 2014 though.