2014-2015 Albums Countdown

12//21/15 5:03PM

I know this was posted in another entry, but per people not finding it there, I'll double post the video I made here.

12/4/15 11:56PM

Blech.

I didn't do a full-on Twitter-length blurb for all of these, but I did for a lot and it was for the most part easier.

But, and there's a number of paragraphs to be written about this year and even recently, not only from a musical standpoint, but just from a personal standpoint for me. But as I do want to put this up as soon as I can, I may have to spill out something longer and more detailed soon, maybe even this weekend. Kind of a 2014-2015 Afterthoughts I suppose.

But for now, I'll just say, this was a long year, and a good year for new music. I had a shit ton of things to deal with, that all the music I took in wasn't quite what I would prefer. And part of that was of course time.

But a lot of comebacks that were good to very good. Long awaited really, and the fact they came out in general meant as much to me in many cases as the actual albums themselves.

More to add hopefully soon..

Some I didn't check out yet, or did in spots, but never fully got to hear:

Sir Video - Young as the Night [EP]

Nile - What Should Not Be Unearthed

Spock's Beard - The Oblivion Particle

Duran Duran - Paper Gods

Stateless - Sixfold Symmetry

Brian Wilson - No Pier Pressure

Tangled Thoughts of Leaving - Yield to Despair

Torres - Sprinter

Jim O'Rourke - Simple Songs

Hidden Hospitals - Surface Tension

Nightingale - Retribution

Ne Obliviscaris - Hiraeth

Ne Obliviscaris - Saraband of Nihil
Timmy Sean - Songs of the Week

The Barnum Meserve - The Clements Session [EP]
Kamasi Washington - The Epic

Sufjan Stevens - Carrie and Lowell

Demians - Mercury

Eidola - Degeneraterra

Vola - Inmazes

The Helio Sequence - The Helio Sequence
Battles - La Di Da Di

Godspeed You! Black Emperor - 'Asunder, Sweet and Other Distress

AM and Shawn Lee - Outlines

Steve Hackett - Wolflight

Josh Rouse - The Embers of Time

Lost Lander - Medallion

Beardfish - 4626 Comfortzone

Author - Of Brighter Days
TesseracT - Polaris

Susanne Sundf0r - Ten Love Songs

Dan Mangan and Blacksmiths - Club Meds

Between the Buried and Me - Coma Ecliptic

Thomas Giles - Modern Noise

Hardcore Crayons - Zozzled

The Basics - The Age of Entitlement
David Gilmour - Rattle That Lock

The Decemberists - What a Terrible World, What a Beautiful World

The Bird and the Bee - Recreational Love

Daniel Johns - Talk
Sweet Billy Pilgrim - Motorcade Amnesiacs

Umphrey's McGee - The London Session

Pink Floyd - The Endless River

The Night Flight Orchestra - Skyline Whispers
Scale the Summit - V

Other Lives - Rituals

False - Untitled
The Winery Dogs - Hot Streak

Tuxedo - Tuxedo

Caravan of Thieves - Kiss Kiss

Public Service Broadcasting - The Race for Space

Ne Obliviscaris - Citadel

Riverside - Love, Fear and the Time Machine

Danny Cavanagh - Memory and Meaning

Dead Letter Circus - Aethesis

God is an Astronaut - Helios / Erebus

Hiatus Kaiyote - Choose Your Weapon
Coheed and Cambria - The Color Before the Sun

Muse - Drones
Metal Allegiance - Metal Allegiance

SOAK - Before We Forgot How to Dream

Dave Kerzner - New World
Warpaint - No Way Out / I'll Start Believing

Refused - Freedom

Falling Up - House Full of Caverns [EP]

Motopony - Welcome You

Iron Maiden - The Book of Souls

Faith No More - Sol Invictus

East of the Wall / Cryptodira - Split 7" [EP]

Madam Officer - Madam Officer [EP]

Signal-to-Noise - I Won't Let the World Become a Prison

Mercies - Blue Against Green

Ringo Sheena - Hiidzurutokoro

The Barnum Meserve - The Barnum Meserve
Enjoyable debut album

Original Entry

The Velvet Teen - All is illusory
Great to see them release a new full-length after nearly a decade. It's like a mix of all their other records in one. Enjoy some of the textures and drum work especially.
Original Entry

Thurisaz - The Pulse of Mourning

Enjoyable record, and maybe a little under-played at this point.  The chamber instrumentation and piano from memory adds something.

More from the Midseason Entry

Punch Brothers - The Phosphorescent Blues

Another solid record from these guys with a couple of standout tracks.

More from the Midseason Entry


Tigran Hamasayan - Mockroot

Very impressive modern-sounding jazz-fusion record, which from looking at their history, adds to an impressive catalog. This guy should tour with Hiromi sometime. More from the Midseason Entry

Mother Falcon – Good Luck Have Fun

Another nice record from this Texas-based chamber rock/pop/folk band.  The 1st half I have enjoyed more each time I've listened to this album whereas the 7-part Starnation Suite on the 2nd side often seems greater than the sum of its parts.

A record I anticipate more out of in the future certainly, especially after I missed them live (after buying a ticket) per the death of my Grandmother the same week.

Original Entry

Words for Penga - Prose

Great new Minnesota progressive/post heavy rock/metal band. Like East of the Wall with Darren from System of a Down singing. Very impressive debut LP with a lot of potential down the road. The sax tones add something unique about them.

I always thought there's a connection between "This Was Icarus Drowning" and the last track "Drown."

Original Entry

Fjokra - The Mellowsound Sessions [EP]

Absolutely adore this, much like I revere Thoughtsteps from 2014. This is all acoustic or stripped down tracks, including a cover of a John Grant tune. "Koi" still remains my favorite and absolutely breathtaking, tear-jerking tune along with the nostalgic, melacholic video images with it of people racing on ice skates, etc.

Fjokra has become a huge favorite of mine the last 2 years, and this EP is part of that. I cannot wait to hear what he and his band do next, which seems to be likely coming in 2016.

Original Entry

Steven Wilson - Hand. Cannot. Erase
Another quality record from Steven Wilson, this probably being the most overt and maybe moving concept record he's made (both solo and PT it seems). I guess I see it a little better than the sum of its parts, and even more moving live, with many of the videos. "Happy Returns" still gets me every time, and the title track still is too catchy to forget.

The Dreams of a Life  Joyce Carol Vincent story I think I may have been even more fascinated by

Original Entry

Nordic Giants - A Seance of Dark Delusions

I enjoy a lot of this, like their previous 2 EPs. A somewhat unique blend of Post Rock with some different guest vocalists, using samples well. "Evolve or Parish" the one with the sample talking about needing to go into space may be my favorite.

Original Entry

Native Construct - Quiet World
This debut album from Berklee College of Music Students is quite impressive and somewhat unique for progressive metal, a genre that doesn't lack in new artists, but does in bands who emphasize songwriting as much as technicality.

"Mute" "Passage" and the closing multi-part piece "Chromatic Aberration" are among my favorites. Great use of synths and varied impassioned vocals/vocal harmonies.

I suppose in some ways these guys are doing music like Between the Buried and Me that is grabbing me more than BTBAM newest music itself.

Original Entry

Archive - Restriction

Another engaging, moody, electronic and textured record from Archive.

Original Entry

Miracles of Modern Science - Mean Dreams

Much like their last EP, many songs include those time/mood-shifting moments I look forward to.  The vocal harmonies standout especially.

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Hotel of the Laughing Tree - New World Sundown

The 2nd record from HOTLT, which is more song-oriented, but still rather engaging. More trumpet, catchy riffs and AJ Estrada's signature style of vocals. Favorites: "Brussels" "Aging Archimedes" and "Temple Arms."

Original Entry
Video Review Entry

The Pneumatic Transit - Concerto for Double Moon

The review I wrote linked below kind of tells more or less my take on this album. But in a  nutshell, it's a very well composed and produced modern sounding instrumental jazz-rock record, featuring use of Cello and saxophone among other non-traditional rock instruments.

As an early King Crimson and Mahavishnu Orchestra fan, this record really appeals to me.

Original Entry/Review

Gatherer - Heavy Hail

A different kind of record in a lot of ways, compared to their impressive debut So Be It from 2012, yet it still resembles their frantic, schizophrenic, in-your-face style. This record includes a lot of electronic textures that add atmosphere and density.

"High Fives" and "Sensational Creation" remain the catchiest or most memorable tracks, but overall, this record is another greater than the sum of its parts release. But I think it's a bit more moody than their last album.

Another enjoyable record from these guys, although one I probably could enjoy more with some time.

Original Entry

Mew - + -

A 6 year gap since their last record, which overall I guess I find to be worth that wait, but I'll admit to being a bit of a fanboy.

"Rows" was initially and still is the biggest highlight on this album. After the show they played in Minneapolis in September I concluded it's 1 of their 5 best songs, at least on my list. The epic nature, different layers, textures and sad, emotional sections get me every time. Plus I love the percussion on it.

Other favorites being "Water Slides" "Satellites" "Clinging to a Bad Dream" and "Cross the River on Your Own."

Even having Kimbra guest appear added to the quality of this album.

But among their catalog? it's sort of in the middle. But another greater than the sum of its parts, and heavy on the dreamy moments, less heavy, rocking stuff save for "Witness" and "My Complications."

It was good to be a Mew fan in 2015. I just hope their next record comes sooner than another 6 years.

Original Entry

Subterranean Masquerade - The Great Bazaar

Mew had a 6 year gap, but that seemed short compared to the 10-11 year gap for this sort of sideproject that has become a little more in 2015.

This is more prog metal than their debut record, but still in a good way. There still is the blend of clean and growling vocals from Paul Kuhr, and still many moments that have me turning my head.

"Tour Diary" "Blanket of Longing" and "Early Morning Mantra" probably still remain my favorites, but this record also works best heard all-at-once.

Original Entry
Video Review Entry

Timbre - Sun and Moon

Epic and Ambitious record that Timbre spent nearly 5 years to make. A concept or story release that clocks in at 110 minutes being a double album.

"Night Girl: Nycteris Sees the Sun" still remains my favorite with the off-beat /playful interplayed section in the middle that goes all progressive rock that I'm a sucker for.

But I enjoy well over 3/4 of the music on this, and even the story, that its length and even the extended Choral vocals at points I have found add to its charm and sound/style.

Well worth all work and wait for Timbre, and I can say I'm happy to see a lot more interest in her music this year as a result. Namely per rateyourmusic.com which I think this album is still in the Top 50 albums or so, which says something for such an underground and niche-style artist (despite the comparisons to Joanna Newsom).

Original Entry

Everything Everything - Get to Heaven

It has become my favorite Everything Everything album. Excellent and consistent track-2-track. "To the Blade" still maybe is my favorite for its energy and riff, but I always love the energy on this album, especially the 1st 6 tracks.

A record that definitely has my mind taken to other parts at times like time travel or just being a misfit in some part of England or another country far from my home.

Improved vocals and vocal harmonies in a lot of ways too.

Original Entry

The Dear Hunter - Act IV: Rebirth and Reprise

A comeback sort of, in the return to the Act Series. An epic record that resembles Act II, my favorite in many ways. "This Old Haunt" "King of Swords (Reversed)" are maybe my 2 favorites. But this is The Dear Hunter, most of their songs I enjoy for different reasons.

I have come to believe it deserves a lot of the praise it has received, although my fanboy bias and high standards for them probably prevents me from loving it more than some of their others.

But it also could be a grower years from now.

The Acts series are now getting through and I now picture Casey talking about all 6 acts and the whole story in the not so distant future from a musical and story standpoint.

'Waves" may be 1 of the most accessible tunes they've written i.e. for those uninitiated, it's not a bad place to start. "A Night on the Town" as well though. The callbacks, etc.

Also the influence of the work on the Symphony is clearly present on here, for the most part, in a good way. Even as methodical as it can cause it to seem at poiints.

Good long record.

Original Entry

Foals - what Went Down

Consistently engaging and energetic record. It's odd how this album is probably become their most polarized as I know a lot of fans who found it boring and lacking what they love about Foals. But some like myself just find all the songs have moments to look forward to. Wall-of-sound guitar layers, dynamics, dreamy moments and melancholy points that all are worth looking forward to.

"Lonely Hunter" is the biggest track to me still as I get goose bumps every time I hear it. The line "It's a new day" I always think of it for.

Original Entry

Vennart - The Demon Joke
Wonderful return from Mike Vennart, after Oceansize's ending 5 years ago. "Doubt" remains my favorite track, but every song on this record is good and I never skip. "Operate" and "Infatuate" are 2 others I always love hearing.

I love the textures both on guitar and synths.

Closest thing to Oceansize since their breakup. Being that I love Oceansize, that is a really good thing. The sky only may be the limit for what Mike may do in the future, but for now, The Demon Joke is as impressive a a debut record I've ever heard.

Can't wait for British Theatre soon as well

Original Entry

Kaddisfly - Horses Galloping on Sailboats
This turned out to be everything I would have hoped for, beyond my #1 hope of it just finally being made and released.

I did revisit it again and I've come to conclude while it has a ton of things that I love so much about their other records, namely Set Sail the Prairie of course.

I guess how this is different though is many of the songs have their great moments and twists and turns, that i look forward to, but also many include attached sections that segue into the next song. A little like what The Dear Hunter has done at times.

That being said, I do love it and maybe even love the fact it came out finally after 8+ years. And the whole concept continues to grow on me, and bringing thoughts and images to my head. The Vinyl hasn't been released yet, but hopefully it will. And hopefully the lyrics will be included in it, as I haven't disciplined myself to read them more thoroughly.

But until then, I guess I will hold this record still on a very high pedestal. It has a ton of magical moments, from the synths and vocal harmonies, to the dynamics. "The Painter" I chose to play on KFAI last month, and it still remains the song with maybe my favorite moments with the pretty yet sad, melancholy tones.

But as I explained in my Video review, every track has things I love and look forward to.

The only thing I haven't done I suppose is listen to Buy Our Intention, Set Sail the Prairie and this back-2-back-2-back as a trilogy. That certainly is something I plan to do in the near future. And hopefully not only it coming out on Vinyl but perhaps either some live shows or just some hope for more music from these guys is in their future someday.

Original Entry

Small Leaks Sink Ships - Face Yourself, and Remove Your Sandals

This is a 5-star record. Post Rock of a kind with vocals. The dynamics and melancholy moments standout  especially. It's an album that tells a story or takes you on a bit of a journey.

The haunting/cinematic element to "Midnight Jin" and its crescendo, and the absolutely jaw-dropping almost entirely instrumental 9+ minute progrock piece "Building Blocks" are 2 of my favorite tracks from 2015, without question.

But even beyond those, this is one of those classic grower records, and one that came out of nowhere to win me over and never drop off.

"We All Die" "Orchis" "The Devil in the Desert" "Yellow Bird" "Iceberg"

and the closing epic "The Mind is Its Own Place" just get me every time. That epic closing track I get this amazing uplifting feeling every-time towards the end. It's quite inspiring.

I also will likely always associate this album with mornings at work as I tended to put it on frequently in the morning at work, and it was during the Winter, so I guess the cold weather and the barren, sort of dreamy mystical dark-out atmosphere I used to get, getting to work while it was still dark out and it giving me an escape. And the fact I found a total diamond in the rough, a buried gem, etc as this album did totally come to win me over unexpectedly. I checked it out on a whim after knowing this band from many years ago.

It's those experiences that are often my favorites with great albums, and they don't seem to happen incredibly often, especially recently. Maybe once a year, or even once every couple of years.

We'll see if it happens again and what these guys do in the future as I know they are working on a new album already. And of course I'd love to pickup this record on Vinyl which may happen as it was the goal of the band initially, but for time and cost reasons, they obviously weren't able to do it yet. But hopefully in due time.

Original Entry

2015-2016:

Certain:
Chris Isaak - First Comes the Night

Mutemath – Vitals

SikTh - Opacities [EP] (December)

David Bowie - Blackstar (1/8/16)

Brooke Waggoner - Sweven (1/15/16)

Steven Wilson - 4 1/2 (1/22/16)

The Besnard Lakes - A Coliseum Complex Museum (1/22/16)

Obscura - Arkoasis (2/5/16)

Hands of Despair - Bereft (2/15/16)

Cloud Cult - The Seeker (February)

Vektor - Terminal Redux

Dream Theater - The Astonishing

Radical Face - The Family Tree III: Leaves
Klimt 1918 – Die Sentimentale Jugend
dredg - Catch Without Arms (Vinyl) (4/22/16)

Likely:

22 - You Are Creating
Abnormal Thought Patterns - Altered States of Consciousness
The Barnum Meserve - LP #2
British Theatre ("Numan" a working song or album title)
The Faceless
The Family Crest

Falling Up
Fates Warning
Fjokra
Happy Body, Slow Brain
Karnivool
Marillion

The Mercury Tree

Moonloop
Ours

Pain of Salvation
Painted in Exile

Pepe Deluxe
Ramona Falls
The Reign of Kindo
Tiny Giant
Diablo Swing Orchestra
Dream the Electric Sleep

Kaddisfly - Horses Galloping on Sailboats (Vinyl)

Small Leaks Sink Ships - Face Yourself and Remove Your Sandals (Vinyl)

2014-2015 Midseason Ratings List/Countdown

2014-2015 has seen a lot of records come out I've enjoyed, although not many I'm addicted to. The 1 though that I can claim that, came out of nowhere, and won and continues to win me over.

But I am happy a lot of these records have come out finally, as it seems every year/season there's albums I and many others look forward to, but often get pushed back. And in some cases, they do come out, and just end up being underwhelming for whatever reason.

However, I do think many times the 1st half of the season/year ends up having something come out and it gets shelved and forgotten until the end of the season or even years later, and then does win many over. In a sense, I almost enjoy that more; thus, I actually look to some of the lesser listened to albums as having potential to go up at a later time.

And of course, like 2013-2014 with iamthemorning and Dream the Electric Sleep, I did sleep on them and then got won over at the end. But part of that is not even knowing about them or their new album. So, there's certainly a good chance a few records have come out that I am totally unaware of that I will end up loving come the beginning of November.

That all being said, I do think the 1st half of 2014-2015 has been pretty strong, and there are a handful of big records to look forward to in the 2nd Half, namely Mike Vennart, The Dear Hunter and of course Kaddisfly. So, the Countdown in November I would not be surprised may look a fair amount different. But the #1 record on this countdown certainly will not be easy to beat.

3-stars or less


Umphrey's McGee - The London Session

Good, mostly older tunes re-recorded at Abbey Road Studios. A bit like the Pain of Salvation record from 2013-2014 Falling Home.


Ne Obliviscaris - Citadel

I enjoy this still, but I'm not sure if their style has passed me by or something in that I don't love this like their debut and am kind of finding it somewhat undesirable to listen to them now. Maybe it's me and their style of prog metal (especially with so much of the mix using the blast beats).


Tuxedo - Tuxedo

Fun sideproject from Mayer, doing music a little closer to Chromeo than his solo band, with the electronic and dancey nature.


Hardcore Crayons- Zozzled


Caravan of Thieves - Kiss Kiss

Dave Kerzner - New World
Pink Floyd - The Endless River
Thomas Giles - Modern Noise
Susanne Sundfør - Ten Love Songs
Steve Hackett - Wolflight
Public Service Broadcasting - The Race for Space
The Decemberists - What a Terrible World, What a Beautiful World
Danny Cavanagh - Memory and Meaning
Daniel Johns - Aerial Love [EP]
Author - Of Brighter Days
Josh Rouse - The Embers of Time
Lost Lander - Medallion
Demians - Mercury
Godspeed You! Black Emperor - 'Asunder, Sweet and Other Distress'
Vola - Inmazes
Sufjan Stevens - Carrie and Lowell

3.5-stars

Nordic Giants - A Séance of Dark Delusions

I've only gone through this a couple of times, but I already am enjoying it much like I did the 2 EPs Build Seas and Dismantle Suns, which I heard previously.

They made another winner track with samples and atmosphere with "Evolve or Parish."

A lot of great female vocal parts with textures, piano, strings, etc.

Mercies - Blue Against Green

Dreamy and catchy. Maybe even more consistent in terms of the dreamy Barbershop chanting, compared to the excellent debut Three Thoussand Days from 2011.



Punch Brothers - The Phosphorescent Blues

Another record from this band that features no really boring parts, and a few unexpected moments. The opening 10+ minute piece "Familiarity" along with tracks like "I Blew it Off" to the closing piece "Little Lights" with it's soaring strings and choir vocals, stand out certainly.

This band continue to surprise me when I underestimate them.


Archive - Restriction

Another solid record from Archive, and much of the continuation in quality from 2014's Axiom soundtrack. A lot of dark, electronic moments, which is not new, but seems to usually work well for them.

The melancholy soaring ballad "Black and Blue" is probably my favorite cut at this point.


Native Construct - Quiet World

This is a debut record from some Berklee college of Music kids, released on Metal Blade records. It is well written prog metal that certainly channels the likes of Between the Buried and Me, Pain of Salvation and even Mr. Bungle at points. They are schizophrenic enough, but still manage to allow the compositions to breathe.

I'm not sure if they should be given credit for combining influences well, or just using influences to write interesting songs.


Steven Wilson - Hand.Cannot.Erase

A good follow up to The Raven That Refused to Sing. The concept or story part of this record does seem to be maybe the biggest focus, and maybe one reason I haven't fallen in love with this album exactly. But the music itself, sounds like Steven Wilson really, mixing progressive rock, with textured, atmosphere at points.

The title track and "Happy Returns" and its quite sad/melancholic nature, are my favorites or the songs I probably think about this record the most for. Many reviews have mentioned their love of songs like "Home Invasion" and especially "Ancestral" which I can follow, but the dynamic shifts in tone almost come across as forced with those. Yet, I do still enjoy parts of them and the other sections of this album.



Signal-to-Noise - I Won't Let the World Become a Prison

This kind of came out of nowhere to be one of my favorite records thus far in 2014-2015. It is more or less written and recorded/performed all by Chicago musician Michael Downing of the band Single Channel Stereo.

I really enjoy a lot of the songs on here's (simple in some ways) yet very unusual melodic nature. The use of piano certainly works well, along with a lot of echoing tones and textures. Even the lyrics seem relate-able and tell interesting stories.

In a lot of ways less being more.

Favorite tracks: Universal, Biologic, Firebox, Presque Vu, Something to Say


Thurisaz - The Pulse of Mourning

It has been a few years since their last LP The Cimmerian Years, but I gotta say, this album has refreshed my memory about why I loved this band. They use textures and melodic death metal in a cool way. This album seems to feature a lot of strings and new instrumentation, and very tastefully, along with some samples which adds to the atmosphere.

I have no idea how many people, even in the Metal scene know about this album or even this band, but they certainly deserve a more visible following than I notice. A bit like Archive I suppose among progressive rock fans. They are still around, doing their thing with I'm sure their loyal fans, but for some reason they have yet to really breakthrough to a wider audience.

Maybe by the end of the year, this album could do that for them.

Favorites: In All Rememberance, One Final Step, Pattetrns of Life, Tanagram,


The Barnum Meserve - The Barnum Meserve

Great debut record from the heavy rock band that uses chamber instruments very tastefully. Trumpet, strings, piano, all blend nicely with vocals that are quite unique sounding. The Barnum Meserve's singer really uses a lot of emotion and force in his vibrato. And tone-wise, I'm unfamiliar with another singer who sounds like him really.

Very promising debut record that has been a few years in the making; so much so, there's 2 more albums coming in the near future, possibly over the next few years.

If I chose 1 standout track, "Take Shelter" would make sense at this point. Very epic.


Shiina Ringo - Hi Izuru Tokoro

This may be a compilation or many of her older b-sides re-recorded, but I don't care really as I am enjoying this as much as anything from Shiina's career (both solo and Tokyo Jihen).


Madam Officer - Madam Officer [EP]

Great debut EP, mixed incredibly well. Sound wise, the dreamy nature of the tracks remind me a lot of Warpaint or fellow Portland, Oregon band Genders.



Tigran Hamasayan - Mockroot

Very impressive  instrumental Jazz-Rock, which the couple of times I've listened to this album, I have enjoyed it, so much so, I may be sleeping on it more than I'm afraid to admit. Very impressive writing and musicianship.

4-stars


Hotel of the Laughing Tree- New World Sundown
A good follow-up to both the amazing debut album Terror and Everything After and the 2 Mammoth Skin EPs. More song-oriented and subtle, yet each track offers something and flows well into the next.

Favorites: Aging Archimedes, The Generals Girl, Temple Arms, Stray, Crook in the Gold, Brussels


Mew - + -
Another long awaited LP from a band last heard from in 2009. This album I enjoy more or less all of, but have come to conclude early-on, other than "Rows" there's not any statement/classic tracks thus far. But "Rows" gets both dreamy and trippy as it goes along, I look forward to it each time.

"Clinging to a Bad Dream" "My Complications" "The Night Believer" (feat Kimbra) "Satellites" and "Cross the River on Your Own" I do enjoy and seem to get a little more each time I hear them.

I guess I love this band as much as I do, I can't feel unhappy or even disappointed in this album, even as long as its been. A little like No More Stories I suppose, in it's more greater than the sum of its parts. At least for now, I guess we'll see come this Fall and years that follow how well it holds up.


Subterranean Masquerade - The Great Bazaar
A wonderful comeback after a decade since their only full-length LP. This new record is very polished progressive metal that features middle eastern instrumentation, great piano arrangements, and saxophone, along with Paul Kuhr's both clean and guttural vocals, as well as some other vocalists, namely Kobi from Orphaned Land.

Tour Diary and Blanket of Longing are among my favorites.


Timbre - Sun and Moon

A 110 minute double LP singer/songwriter and harp virtuoso Timbre labored over for over 4 years. There's a lot of brilliant work on this album, and I'll admit, in a lot of ways, it reminds me of something like The River Empires record from 2010. I guess time may have the work on this to standout even more, both just from a ambition standpoint, and just some of her and the best music that has been made bringing Classical music together with modern folk/pop/rock.

The "Sun" disc, I can hardly find any part of to skip, save for maybe a small portion of the track "I am in the Garden," but even that track has already grown on me.

Otherwise, from the proggy "The Nightgirl" to the happy  "Song of the Sun" to tracks like "Singing and Singing" and "Chicago Pier" I keep enjoying that 1st half of this album more. The Moon disc, the oboe+harp-driven "As the Night" remains my favorite piece. The choral or acapella? compositions "Sunset" and "Sanctus" I am coming to acceptt as part of the sound of this album, but ultimately, I'm not sure if I will ever find I'll listen to regularly. The other tracks "St.Cecilia" and especially the closing 17-minute live epic "Day Boy" I have found repeated listening has helped and allowed me to appreciate this record more.

The concept? I may want to spend the rest of this season trying to take-in and enjoy more about, but otherwise, I'm pretty sure Sun and Moon will measure up favorably to many others, come early November.

5-stars



1. Small Leaks, Sink Ships - Face Yourself and Remove Your Sandals

Classic experience for me of a record coming out of nowhere, no knowledge of its release or even much of the band's (recent) activity. This album won me over the more I listened to it. It's very cohesive, mesmerizing, diverse, creative. I mean I love the moods throughout, from the opening track "Power Outage" to the closing epic "The Mind is its own Place" I never want to skip any part of it.

"Building Blocks" and "Midnight Jin" remain my favorite tracks, but there's parts of every track I find standout.

And I also can say it's the 1st clear cut 5-star record I've heard in over 2 years. Based on that and many other things, I'm not sure if any of the anticipated 2nd half releases will be able to challenge it for my favorite this season (but I'd love that to happen).


haven't heard (among many others I'm sure):
Brian Wilson - No Pier Pressure
Tangled Thoughts of Leaving - Yield to Despair


2nd Half Anticipation (as of the 1st week of May 2015)

Titles:
Faith No More - Sol Invictus
Other Lives - Rituals
The Helio Sequence - The Helio Sequence
God is an Astronaut - Helios | Erebus
Daniel Johns - Talk
Mike Vennart - The Demon Joke
Refused - Freedom
The Velvet Teen - All Is Illusory
Muse - Drones
Between the Buried and Me - Coma Ecliptic
Everything Everything - Get to Heaven
Kaddisfly - Horses Galloping on Sailboats
The Dear Hunter - Act IV: Reprise in Rebirth
The Bird and the Bee - Recreational Love

and of course many others with titles but not much in terms of a time frame of release yet, or no titles but still a reasonable chance of a release (like Fjokra, or Mutemath among many others).

I may post a new Anticipation topic in the next month or 2 when more of the details come for so many others not on the list above.