Happy New Album Season 2018-2019

Not a lot to throw out there just yet, other than obviously today, November 1st, is the 1st day of the new album year/season 2018-2019.

I of course have the 2017-2018 Albums of the Year in the works. I'd estimate it'll be up within 2 weeks, but it may be sooner (possibly this weekend even, time allowing).

And I often add the next year's anticipation of course, which I may, but I also have an anticipation list already cookin'.

Also I think it was now 5 years ago when I started this change/process of November 1st to Halloween and I can't say overall it was a bad idea. December continues to be aloof for the most part with new albums, and the November albums always feel crammed/rushed, even if some good ones come out every year.

Will it continue? indefinitely as far as I can tell.

Names for 2018-2019 (which I am predicting will be deep a little like 2009 (2008-2009) was.

on the allmr Facebook

Happy New Album Season! 2018-2019 😄 .. among many of the names anticipating 22 Muse dredg Ours Pepe Deluxé Bent Knee King's X Arch / Matheos East of the Wall Sculptured Soundscape Neverending White Lights

Muse - Simulation Theory (2018-2019)

Muse Wiki

That's the title per that link, and it's been confirmed to be released in November (why it's release date comes next year/season and not the current one).

The tracks shown there, are all likely to be on this record.

Dig Down
Thought Contagion
Something Human
The Dark Side
Algorithm
Pressure
unknown
unknown
unknown
unknown
unknown


This new song/video for "Something Human" looks like a Love-Letter to the 1980's. Werewolf, VHS Tape and case along with a place to return it resembling Blockbuster Video.

The Werewolf thing is the 2nd song/video that reminds me a little of Michael Jackson's "Thriller" video.




This is is a 1980's Thriller/MJ/8Back to the Future overt homage, but still kind of done well.

New Videos: Kimbra, Sculptured, Dirt Poor Robins, The Family Crest

A couple of new videos, or 2 parts of 1 stream of consciousness of mostly music topics. 2 new cds and the Kimbra set list too.

Of course the 1st video was ended early per some people showed up while I was babbling about Dirt Poor Robins.

The 2nd part filmed like an hour later, largely per I came home and was on my own (filming videos doesn't work too well when the wife and mother-in-law are in the same room(s).

The Sculptured CD that I bought/showed there Apollo Ends is actually the 2nd Sculptured album and rym shows it being released in 2000. The 1st Sculptured album The Spear of the Lily Is Aureoled came out in 1998 (again per rym) and I have on order, but it has yet to arrive. But when The Liminal Phase does come out, I will try and do a longer feature on them I think, and hopefully show all their albums.

The Janelle Monae movie with Steve Carrell, Leslie Mann, Diane Kruger directed by Robert Zemeckis is called The Women of Marwen. Also the film from 2017 I was spacing on was Hidden Figures.

The Muse tune is "Thought Contagion"

details of course not always rememberd off the top of your head.

Anyway, more updates coming, podcasts and more physical stuff to show soon.



Kimbra - Set List 2/5/18
Sculptured - Apollo Ends
Dirt Poor Robins - The Raven Locks Act 1




Dirt Poor Robins The Family Crest The Dear Hunter Janelle Monae Muse

Muse - Thought Cantagion (2018) [1B]

not bad. The video I think may beat the song it self.

Thriller much?

Stranger Things, The Goldbergs and 80's nostalgia.

Arcade Game, a Lamborghini Countach, even the Vampires and look of the that scene screams 80's Teen Horror/Teen Vampire movie or tv show.

Also I just noticed how "Black Mirror" the Anthology Scifi show, was an influence on their new music/album (a suggested video anyway).

edit:

Feeling Good

This is I guess the original, that was composed and performed (and recorded) for the Broadway Play
The Roar of the Greasepaint by Anthony Newley and Leslie Bricusse.

And a search on YouTube actually pulls up the name Herbie Mann (jazz flute player).



I 1st heard this song when hearing Muse's version from Origin of Symmetry, around the time I got into them in 2004. I thought it was their original, but obviously came to learn it wasn't.

Eventually I discovered Nina Simone's, and thought I even read once it was hers.

Not the case though, and I even thought I saw someone say she released a famous version, but it was just a standard for Jazz singers around that time.

Now looking at Wikipedia, its been covered almost ad nauseam, lol.

George Michael
Traffic
Lauryn Hill
Bobby Darin
John Coltrane
Sammy Davis Jr.
Sheryl Crow
Eels
Michael Buble
Joe Bonamassa
Leslie West (of Mountain, with Dee Snider of Twisted Sister)
Jay-Z with Kanye West

And I'm sure the list on Wikipedia is only a fraction of the people who have covered it.










I kind of wonder about this track, it's a bit like Leonard Cohen's"Hallelujah," as its been done by so many artists, it almost taints it. Granted many of the versions are very different spanning a bevy of genres and styles (maybe more than most songs in history perhaps), but I suppose at this point I hold Muse's version as my favorite still (and the best, although my George Michael-aholic wife would strongly disagree).

Muse - Dig Down [1B] (2017)

"Dig Down"

Download/Stream

Will do so later.

Muse - Drones (2014-2015)

6/2/15 1:29PM

wow, um, this newest single "The Handler" is probably the best of all of these singles. Very heavy Absolution-vibe.

Maybe this album is a little of a sleeper, ironically. It drops in just a few days thankfully.




5/29/15 2:05PM
hmm, I'm kind of digging this one. It has somewhat of a Origin of Symmetry/Absolution vibe to it.



5/18/15 4:30PM


meh..not sure about this new track "Mercy." I guess I don't expect to get blown away by Muse, but I did find The 2nd Law pretty good, and these 1st 3 singles initially aren't going all that far for me. I am hoping within the album they may do more, or at least many of the best tracks I still haven't heard.

3/23/15 2:40PM

"Dead Inside" stream below.

despite the clipping cymbals in spots (which may be a product of a YouTube stream anyway, I like this more than Psycho already. Nothing mindblowing, but it's okay, catchy enough, etc.



3/11/15 2:16PM - 3/12/15 2:35PM

"Psycho"...not awful, but meh..maybe it'll work within the rest of the record.



http://muse.mu/

Preorder and "Psycho" tomorrow, and "Dead Inside" the opening track coming on March 23rd.



1. Dead Inside
2. [Drill Sergeant]
3. Psycho
4. Mercy
5. Reapers
6. The Handler
7. [JFK]
8. Defector
9. Revolt
10. Aftermath
11. The Globalist
12. Drones

From Matt: “To me, 'Drones' are metaphorical psychopaths which enable psychopathic behaviour with no recourse.  The world is run by Drones utilizing Drones to turn us all into Drones.  This album explores the journey of a human, from their abandonment and loss of hope, to their indoctrination by the system to be a human drone, to their eventual defection from their oppressors." 
  
The first single from Drones, “Dead Inside,” will debut the week of 23 March. Preorder for the new album will be available tomorrow at 7:30pm GMT, along with the new song “Psycho.” 


1/27/15 7:19PM

ultimate-guitar.com story


An orchestra? "Drones"..well at least it's a title that is current.

ACDC producer Robert "Mutt" Lange is producing. Release date? TBA of course at this point.

Matt Bellamy noodling
brief clip, LOL

Unlike some people, I actually liked a fair amount of their last record The 2nd Law, so I am certainly looking forward to this. But we'll see, and the expectation of time for it is probably not incredibly soon, but then again, Muse are a band who doesn't share a lot about their new albums and then announce they will come out in a few weeks.

Storm Thorgerson RIP

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-22210378

Not that I have ever been so connected with artwork, as the music itself, but among the well-known Rock artists I do think of, he is certainly one of them. And Pink Floyd's artwork is iconic. RIP

look at his Credits (per Wikipedia)


Album cover designs
10cc:
Mirror Mirror (1994)

Anthrax
Stomp 442 (1995)

Audioslave
Audioslave (2002)

Catherine Wheel:
Chrome (1993)
Happy Days (1995)
Like Cats and Dogs (compilation) (1996)
Adam And Eve (1997)
Wishville (2000)


Biffy Clyro:
Puzzle (2007)
"Saturday Superhouse" (2007)
"Living is a Problem Because Everything Dies" (2007)
"Folding Stars" (2007)
"Machines" (2007)
Only Revolutions (2009)
"That Golden Rule" (2009)
"The Captain" (2009)
Opposites (2013)

The Cranberries:
Bury the Hatchet (1999)
Wake Up and Smell the Coffee (2001)
The Cult:
Electric (1987) (credited on the picture sleeve as "Art Direction by Storm Thorgerson")

Bruce Dickinson
Skunkworks (1996)
Disco Biscuits:
Planet Anthem (2010)



Dream Theater:
A Change of Seasons (1995)
Falling into Infinity (1997)
"Once in a LIVEtime" (1998)
"5 Years in a Livetime" (1998)

Ian Dury and The Blockheads
Mr. Love Pants (1998)

Ellis, Beggs, & Howard
Homelands (1989)

Ethnix
Home Is Where The Head Is (2002)

Europe
Secret Society (2006)


Peter Gabriel:
Peter Gabriel (1977)
Peter Gabriel (1978)
Peter Gabriel (1980)

Genesis
...And Then There Were Three... (1978)

David Gilmour
About Face (1984)
David Gilmour in Concert DVD (2002)

Helloween
Pink Bubbles Go Ape (1991)


Led Zeppelin
Presence (1976)
In Through the Out Door (1979)


The Mars Volta:
De-Loused in the Comatorium (2003)
"Inertiatic ESP" single (2003)
"Televators" single (2003)
Frances the Mute (2005)
"The Widow" single (2005)

Megadeth:
Rude Awakening DVD (2002)
Steve Miller Band:
Bingo! (2010)
Let Your Hair Down (2011)


Muse:
Absolution (2003)
"Butterflies and Hurricanes" single (2004)
Black Holes and Revelations (2006)
"Uprising" single (2009)

The Offspring
Splinter (2003)

Alan Parsons:
Try Anything Once (1993)
On Air (1996)
The Time Machine (1999)
A Valid Path (2004)

Pendulum
Immersion (2010)

Phish
Slip Stitch and Pass (1997)

The Pineapple Thief
Someone Here Is Missing (2010)


Pink Floyd:
A Saucerful of Secrets (1968)
Ummagumma (1969)
Atom Heart Mother (1970)
The Dark Side of the Moon (1973)
Wish You Were Here (1975)

Animals (1977)
A Momentary Lapse of Reason (1987)[3]
Delicate Sound of Thunder (1988)
Shine On (1992)[3]
The Division Bell (1994)
P*U*L*S*E (1995), including the blinking LED light that was featured in early CD packaging.[7]
Relics re-release (1996)
Is There Anybody Out There? The Wall Live 1980–81 (2000)
Echoes: The Best of Pink Floyd (2001)
Oh, by the Way (2007)

The Plea
The Dreamers Stadium (2012)[8]

Powderfinger
Golden Rule (2009)

Program the Dead
Program The Dead (2005)

Rainbow
Bent Out of Shape (1983)

Rival Sons
Pressure & Time (2011)

Shpongle
Ineffable Mysteries from Shpongleland (2009)

Styx
Cyclorama (2003)

Thornley
Come Again (2004)
Tiny Pictures (2009)

Thunder
Laughing On Judgement Day (1992)


Umphrey's McGee
Safety In Numbers (2006)
The Bottom Half (2007)

Villainy
Mode. Set. Clear. (2012)

Ween
The Mollusk (1997)

The Wombats:
This Modern Glitch (2011)

Rick Wright
Broken China (1996)

Younger Brother
Last Days of Gravity (2007)
Vaccine (2011)

Yourcodenameis:milo
Rapt. Dept. (2005)
17 (2005)
Ignoto (2005)


Music videos
Paul Young – "Wherever I Lay My Hat (That's My Home)" (1983)
Rainbow – "Street of Dreams" (1983)
Robert Plant - "Big Log" (1983)
Yes – "Owner of a Lonely Heart" (1983)
Nik Kershaw - "Wouldn't It Be Good" (1984)

"The Riddle" (1984)
"Wide Boy (1984)
"Don Quixote" (1985)

David Gilmour – "Blue Light" (1984)
"All Lovers Are Deranged" (1984)
Pink Floyd – "Learning to Fly" (1987)
"The Dogs of War" (1987)
"High Hopes" (1994)
Bruce Dickinson – "Tattooed Millionaire" (1990)
"All the Young Dudes" (1990)

The Red Paintings - You're Not One of Them [Video]

Cool video and song. My memory escapes how much if any content I've included about this band in the past. The long story short is, they're an Australian "Art Rock" band I first heard about at least 3 maybe 4 or 5 years ago per my friend Hayley on the Ours fans forum I think.

Stylistically, they are kind of similar to the likes of Muse and Amanda Palmer I suppose, although that is probably quite vague still. I actually am reminded in some ways of a band like Revere, fellow/former Aussie band Battle Circus (RIP), or NewVillager with that video as well.

They have 1 LP The Virgin Mary Australian Tour Acoustic/Strings Album  and a bunch of EP's released since their formation in 1999. But ever since I've known about them, they have meant to release the album The Revolution is Never Coming but have not due to various circumstances. 

I almost have got to the point to not caring. However, it seems like 2013 could be the year for that and more for them, as I am going to get to see them live next week on April 25th, at (for the 1st time for myself) Mill City Nights, opening for Mindless Self Indulgence (a band who I likely won't stick around to see).

And maybe the biggest reason I am looking forward to that show is how they are known for their live shows, maybe visually more than musically. "Art Rock" maybe in the truest sense. Ala Cloud Cult, dredg, Amanda Palmer, Jenny Dalton and others. I am expecting something more than just some guys singing and playing their instruments.

And hopefully more specifics about their long-awaited album. I suppose one thing to note which I didn't realize, is they are now residing in Los Angeles, CA. They have for the past few years in fact, but that still doesn't detract for how rare it may be to see them live in Minnesota at least.

Classic Rock Presents PROG: Prog Awards

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-19492677

I'm not entirely sure why I'm passing this along, but I suppose the biggest reason is to give my take on these so-called "Prog" Awards.

#1 At the end of the day, what are they? Awards, and for a pretty obscure magazine that frankly, caters almost universally to what is in the UK and Europe. Understandably to a point given most of the early history of "Prog" or "progressive rock" was based in England. But that only flys to a point.

These are basically the equivalent to Cable Ace, Saturn or any other obscure Awards that more or less nobody will remember (if they even ever hear about them to begin with).

But even for what they are worth, "Prog" magazine, if they really wanted to cover "progressive" music, music that is pushing boundaries or at least of value that does pay homage (and not pure tribute/3rd rate clone-music), they would open up the boundaries of the content of their magazine. Beyond UK and Europe, and beyond just "rock" in general. In other words, they'd cover ethnic music, extreme metal (and the bevy of it's sub/sub-subgenres when they are actually not derivative), power-pop, jazz, post-rock, soul, folk, bluegrass, and the plethora of other genres I'm not even thinking of at the moment.

They'd cover bands that are popular among progressive rock fans ONLINE.

for example, dredg. Have they ever mentioned them ONCE in their magazine? I doubt it.

Ne Obliviscaris? I'd love to be wrong, but I'd be shocked.

Pepe Deluxe?..uh, maybe in some dream that was in a parallel dimension.

Even The Dear Hunter or The River Empires, etc etc

I guess what I'm saying is "Prog" magazine and their Prog Awards =/= AllMediaReviews Approval.

I do find these kinds of awards a bit silly and pointless, but it does have me think, maybe I could briefly post in their categories, with my own nominations an equivalent. I.e. IF I WERE PICKING THE NOMINEES/WINNERS.

Not now, and I'll admit to being totally backed up on a lot of stuff in here like Early Ghost, Everything Everything, Between the Buried and Me, Muse and more. But maybe if time does come my way, I'll try and throw up my own version of the "Prog" awards, and maybe add in 1 or 2 of my own categories like best Vinyl issue/reissue or something.

Muse - The 2nd Law (2012)

7/17/12 11:24AM

Drop Date is September 17th.



1. Supremacy
2. Madness
3. Panic Station
4. Prelude
5. Survival
6. Follow Me
7. Animals
8. Explorers
9. Big Freeze
10. Save Me
11. Liquid State
12. The 2nd Law: Unsustainable
13. The 2nd Law: Isolated System



6/6/12 9:21AM


Weird, even having not heard the music that is included with this trailer, it's pretty clear they are going even more political with this one. System of a Down/Serj Tankian? it almost looks like if you took the movie π and emphasized things with Gas prices in relation to the stock market (as the movie π does).

Muse, a band who I've felt for years, should be able to make a perfect record, but have yet to. Although going even more political than their last 2 records? I worry if the lyrical content could start to overshadow the actual music.

But we'll get to find out come September (or earlier). Good to finally get this info at least, as they had been quiet for awhile now.

Muse - Survival (new single for the 2012 Summer Olympics)

not horrible, but it does sound a fair amount like the pomposity from The Resistance, but maybe it'll grow.

Battle Circus - Battle Circus (2011)

Uh, yeah this is pretty good. I guess just initially, the 2 extended, multi-part songs "Much Like Mescaline" and "Flying Machine" stand out. But I don't think there was a song I didn't like, and am optimistic enjoying more with time. One thing to say, the Muse similarities/influence is not really all that much on this album, maybe save for "Utopium" which I guess is a song from their early days.

But this album could be described as Theatrical or Art-Rock in many ways. The use of Cello and other strings add some to it, along with piano.

The vocals vary, almost to the point I wonder if there's more than 1 lead singer. At times their singer sounds a bit like Tim DeLaughter of The Polyphonic Spree.

But this is without question prog rock. A rather notice-able Pink Floyd influence in the textures and moody, ambient at times, instrumental sections.

Another comparison could be The Dresden Dolls in a way. The Red Paintings get compared to them, so that doesn't surprise me.

But at the same time, the combination of styles, strings, melodramatic/operatic elements (esp with the vocals), heavier sections, and psychedelic parts kind of make this pretty original sounding. Even just the vocals at times sound pretty distinct.

This should be getting more mileage in the coming weeks for me. Hopefully others as well. And the fact they reside in the US, the chances of seeing them live seems pretty realistic (compared to many other bands from down under, namely).

http://battlecircus.bandcamp.com/



1. Beggar Turns Thief 06:15
2. Send In The Clones 03:46
3. Galacticus 04:14
4. Crush 05:25
5. Much Like Mescaline 14:08
6. Clockwork 06:53
7. Coup de Silence 04:41
8. Flying Machine 09:26
9. Utopium 05:05
10.Discord 05:24




I haven't heard this yet. The brief story about this band; they're originally from New Zealand, and released some kind of debut LP in 2007 titled The Half-Light Symphony. I checked them out not all that long after via a friend on the Ours forum.

Their style of music was kind of similar to Muse. Sort of heavy, riffy, poppy, college-prog. And their singer at times reminded me of Matt Bellamy. So the truth was, I kind of found them a bit derivative, but the songwriting from the samples sounded a bit promising.

I do recall hearing about their next album coming soon, maybe as far back as late in 2009. 2010 I recall putting it on my anticipation list. It never came out of course. Then maybe 2 months ago I saw them post about releasing a new single and touring and now residing in the USA (New Jersey I think?). The new single or Self-Titled EP I checked out I probably liked more than anything I'd heard from them before.

So, now with this record, I think the bar and excitement to hear it has been raised a little. Another band I suppose some might compare them to would be the mysterious Art (visual and metaphorical) rock band The Red Paintings who also originate from down under. But unlike TRP's, it finally seems these guys are showing some activity outside of their native country. And on record (when The Red Paintings fan-funded album will come out? who knows).

The above bandcamp link is a name-your-price digital album (at this point). If this is even half as good as I hope, I shall be naming a pretty reasonable (digital) price soon.

2.0/edits/to-be-added-to in due time...

facebook
twitter

Oedipus - TBA (2011) (1.0)

link/posting/updates

BACK IN THE STUDIO

We were back in the studio last night @ the Den Recorders tracking what will be a full length LP set to drop this coming June. Stay tuned for more updates on this and some behind the scene sneak peak's of the sessions.

there's that post, and they keep posting about working on the album on their twitter account.

This band I got into a few years ago, and actually a search on this blog would probably trace back to that. Their debut record, 2004's Humbility I enjoyed when I 1st heard it, and have liked a bit more ever since. More or less over the last couple of years.

They're kind of in the Silverchair/Biffy Clyro/Muse vein to a point. Heavy art-rock that includes much of a catchy/power-pop style to it. They also seem to have some songs that are more bass-driven.

Their most recent release, 2008's Covetous EP I liked, although not as much as Humbility. But it'll be nice to finally hear more new stuff from them soon, and I suppose see how it compares to their previous work.

Muse - Neutron Star Collision (Love Forever) Single (2010)

For however long it remains available to stream, now. Here it is. Nothing too different than The Resistance unfortunately. C'mon Matt, give us a jaw dropping guitar solo or something.

It does come off the new Twilight movie soundtrack, so I suppose the quality of the song sort of matches the quality of the movie.

Muse - The Resistance Mark II?

I'm liking this album a fair amount. I need to hear it more, and a 1st generation copy before being a bit more settled on an evaluation. But for now, it seems like easily, the best or most-complete record they have made start-to-finish.

There aren't as many or maybe no over-the-top amazing songs on it. No "Stockholm Syndrome" or "Map of the Problematique" but there's more than enough energy and style-variation, while still being cohesive, for my liking.

Also i need to point out. The 5th cut, "Unnatural Selection" has a lead bassline I'm not sure I will ever be able to ignore how similar it is to Porcupine Tree's song "Signify" and even Muse's song "New Born" off "Origin of Symmetry" (2001). That being said, it's still a good song, and the similarity doesn't hurt it one-bit.




As with so many 21st-century mainstream (or quasi-mainstream) rock albums unafraid to stuff 10 tons of quasi-operatic melodrama into 60 or so minutes, The Resistance will be easily dismissed by those into the Grizzly Bear/Dirty Projectors brand of orchestrated art-rock. You know, where the album has a pleasing ramshackle feel under the surface-level skillfulness, the sense that the vocal acrobatics or tricky instrumental interplay could suddenly veer into uncomfortable, mock amateurish expressionism.

By contrast, you never get the sense that Muse are anything less than in total control of their "difficult" music at all times. Throughout The Resistance, frontman Matt Bellamy is ready and willing to foreground his chops, be it tickling the ivories, hopping octaves, or tossing out increasingly tasteful solos. If the The Resistance is "about" anything, aside from the conceptual malarkey encoded in the lyrics, it's about mastery, ego-security, etc. It's the kind of all-caps, no half-stepping ART-ROCK that closes with a three-part mini-epic so shameless about its own classic rock bigness that it's billed as a "Symphony", complete with "Overture". Jumped ship yet?

For the wary or outright dismissive, however, The Resistance is also a very smartly sequenced album. it opens with the most "pop" sequence of the band's career, a three-song sequence aping the stadium-grade synth-rock of Depeche Mode at their crossover height. It then segues into a middle section of hard (but not too hard) rock, nodding in the direction of grottier bands like Queens of the Stone Age or System of a Down without stripping away the sparkle. Only then does The Resistance shift into the sort of fist-pumping, kitchen-sink prog you were probably expecting. It's canny: Leading the uncommitted down a drum machine paved path of catchy 1980s revivalism and straight into the path of an army of kids straddling the gap between entry-level classical and "Headbanger's Ball".

And "army" is right: Unity in the face of faceless post-industrial society grinding down beautiful stuff like love and friendship is perhaps Muse's great theme. Bellamy is constantly tossing out mass-shout-along-ready lyrics like "we will be victorious" and "they won't stop breaking us down." Songs get titles like "Uprising" and (natch) "Resistance". Things break down easily into a "we" (rarely does an "I" creep into Bellamy's songwriting) and a "they." Your age-old, rock-standard good (we, the fans) vs. evil (them, the nebulous straight government-corporate nexus) set-up, got it?

But unlike the creepy mass-rally overtones that so bugged early rock critics about music designed to pack civic centers-- or thrilled them when it was punk leading in the kids in revolt-- you get the sense that Bellamy's lyrics are an outgrowth of wanting to make his music as big and inclusive as possible, rather than any inchoate political impulses. No doubt Bellamy fancies himself some sort of social crusader, but his mush-headed vagueness (like Bono and Chris Martin and just about any Brit frontman operating on this scale) is designed to inspire warm fuzzy feelings of togetherness and resistance rather than offer any ten-point plan to overthrow the emotionally fascist modern world.

So let's take the warm fuzzy bigness of the music at face value. It's understandable if the Buckley mannerisms and Mercury multi-tracking on "The United States of Eurasia" aren't your cup of tea. You may cringe at the Pavlov-approved crescendos that surge through "Guiding Light", the sort of thing where you imagine a ProTools preset producers have nicknamed "10,000 People Holding up Bics They Bought Especially for the Concert." And then there's "Exogenesis", the aforementioned "Symphony" in three parts. Now a Daydream Nation style knowing "trilogy" this is not. There's massed strings. There's half-time chest-beating theatrics ready for flashpots and Vegas set design. If it's not quite Keith Emerson's territory-- or Celine Dion's, for that matter-- it's a similarly grandiose ballpark where the fans wear slightly different clothes.

But still: I'm a punk at heart, suspicious about the meeting of rock band and orchestra after all these years, and even I have to admit there's something cornily beautiful about "Exogenesis", like Radiohead with no fear of pushing things until the motor bursts into flames. Judged on its own terms-- out of control scale, genre-smashing ambition, musical and vocal virtuosity-- The Resistance is a success. It's just the kind of success where you have to appreciate a guy who builds his own guitars daring himself to make the next song even more rapturously overstuffed and classically cathartic. It's an album you can embrace or get the fuck out of its way. There's really no in between. It's high-test pop-prog hokum, better suited to mashing buttons to kill wizards or gorging on a stack of four-color batshittery than working on your thesis or darning your socks.

Video games or comics are probably a closer comparison than most of the music Pitchfork covers, actually. There's a prevailing idea that there's something spiritually and emotionally dangerous about grown men and women spending most of their alone-time immersed in improbable fantasies where interpersonal relationships and the traumas of the real world can be dispatched/ignored via magical powers. But do you want to wallow in grey impotence in the face of quotidian bullshit every damn minute of the day? Escape, whether via Matt Bellamy or the Immortal Iron Fist or the fine folks at Nintendo, shouldn't be a dirty word, at least when used sparingly.

— Jess Harvell, September 15, 2009


Here's what Shitfork Media wrote about it. a 5.9/10. Given their typical reviews and rating approach, that is actually pretty high. My thought is, it's about ego and reverse psychology. The blogosphere is being critical as hell on this new album, saying it's pretentious, soul-less, and bombastic without substance or what people loved about past Muse albums. So given their desire to act like they know everything over at Shitfork, instead of following-suit and taking pleasure in shredding apart another band tapping into "prog" (or their more common term in that review, "Art Rock"), they gave it a bit more of favorable review. To me, that's them saying

"sorry, but you're wrong. Muse (and prog) may suck, but you all don't know as much as you seem to know."

Leak?

both of these may have leaked in one format or more this morning. However, not much evidence about whether they are worth going after right now. The Muse one especially, given the hordes of fakes that keep showing up.

They both drop in the next couple of weeks so leaks are expected any day/hour/minute really.

also Between the Buried and Me have posted a teaser/trailer/preview to their upcoming album "The Great Misdirect."

edit:


I'll be looking fwd to hearing a sample when I get hom tonight, along with some of the new Kevin Gilbert songs on Gruno's radio special at 9PM Central time.

Muse - The Resistance (2009)..and BTBAM

original 8/4/09 2:01AM
Cover Art?



yeah parts of it sound an awful lot like Queen. I dig the symphonic elements. I think it's being ripped-on a bit unfairly just due to the Queen-quoting. This could end up being 1 of the better parts of the record. I got no problem with a band sounding like Queen, if it's good. See how many other bands?

"The United States of Eurasia (+Collateral Damage)"



Yeah it sounds like Dr.Who (or Battles?) but I'm just echoing countless others saying the same thing.
"Uprising"


Interview


Between the Buried and Me - The Great Misdirect

not a whole lot to notice, save for the bit in the last 5 seconds or so, and some of those fills. Their drummer does look a bit intense, which I'm not sure if that's just how he is normally in the studio, or if it was done for the camera.

Leaks

I suppose this blog may become a new spot to announce leaks as well. Links?..fat chance.

Anyway:

Cave In - "Planets of Old" (new EP)
Muse - "The United States of Eurasia"

my daily list right now:
As Tall as Lions ..for some reason, that song "Circle" is killing me to hear the whole thing. Hopefully soon.
Mute Math
Imogen Heap
Muse
Porcupine Tree
Ramona Falls

and then Stomacher "Sentimental Education." This band changed their name, and used to be known as "In Reverent Fear." Their debut/newalbum is already available to buy on their website. The IRF cd "Stomacher" is okay, but the samples of the Stomacher (band) debut album "Sentimental Education" on myspazz sound a bit too Thom Yorke vocal-wise and too Radiohead for me to even consider paying for it now. However, if I found a promo for a couple of bucks at Cheapo I might splurge. In the mean time, hopefully it'll surface and I'll know if I should spend the cash or not. Not a favorite band of mine, but still one I'll checkout their newest work if available affordably.

March: Bands, Prog Rock info, Concert Calendar

The new U2 album "No Line on the Horizon" I like. About 6 or 7 tracks especially I think work well. Not an AotY candidate or anything, but it's a nice change to being more experimental. Change in production and textures. I dig the piano and strings among others. The new single "Get On Your Boots" however, is probably the worst song on it, lol.

Doves hitting The Varsity Theater in May makes the upcoming concert plate a bit more frequent in April and May.

March:
20th Bridge Over Troubled Water
30th Bloc Party @ First Ave (maybe)

April
5th Fair to Midland (The Rock)
10th dredg (Varsity)
13th Sleepytime Gorilla Museum (The Triplerock)
26th Neko Case (State Theater) time/$ permitting
29th Mastodon (The Fine Line)

May
3rd Leonard Cohen (Orpheum Theater) time/$ permitting
15th Protest the Hero (Station 4)
28th Doves (Varsity)

I'm sure I'm missing a few dates.

OSI's "Blood" is released on May 19th in the US.

info



01. The Escape Artist
02. Terminal
03. False Start
04. We Come Undone
05. Radiologue
06. Be The Hero
07. Microburst Alert
08. Stockholm
09. Blood

Disc 2

01. No Celebrations
02. Christian Brothers
03. Terminal (endless)

Classic Rock (magazine) Presents: PROG

I'm definitely curious about this new magazine, as I have enjoyed Classic Rock Magazine's special "Prog" issues in the past. So it appears they're going to try to do a semi-regular publication on it.

CLASSIC ROCK PRESENTS PROG

The already burgeoning prog rock scene receives another welcome boost with the announcement of the imminent arrival of Classic Rock Presents Prog, a new quarterly journal of progressive music that's set to offer prog rock fans a wealth of coverage of their favourite bands, artists and music.

Issue one sets out its stall by covering true giants of the genre like Pink Floyd, Genesis, Yes and ELP all the way through to modern day protagonists such as Dream Theater, Coheed & Cambria, Queensrcyhe and Porcupine Tree. New acts such as The Reasoning, Frost* and Demians find themselves nestling alongside established prog heroes like Marillion, Rush and Asia.

Packed with exclusive interviews, news and reviews, the whole spectrum of astounding sounds and amazing music gets the Classic Rock treatment in March. Issue One hits the news stands March 25. It's a date you don't want to miss.

Oceansize's Australian Tour

I guess supporting Cog is a big reason how they are able to afford it.

Thu 4/06/2009 NSW Fremantle Metro
Fri 5/06/2009 SA Adelaide The Gov
Sat 6/06/2009 VIC Melbourne Hi Fi
Sun 7/06/2009 VIC Melbourne Hi Fi

Thu 11/06/2009 QLD Brisbane Hi Fi H
Fri 12/06/2009 NSW Newcastle Panthers
Sat 13/06/2009 NSW Sydney Selinas

my curiosity is, if they can afford that, perhaps they could afford something similar soon in the US.

Archive's new album is called "Controlling Crowds" and is listed to be released on March 30th.





The 1st single "Bullets" (youtube link above) I definitely like and am looking forward to this album a lot more than I expected. "Lights" from 2006 was okay, but not of the quality of "Noise" and "You All Look the Same to Me."

Fields album "Hollow Mountains" I've seen 2 release dates listed being March 2nd and March 9th. And of course "March." But with no track-list nor artwork, and some mention on their last.fm page about it's status and the band lacking a record label I guess, it's release date/time is really uncertain.

Kiss Kiss, Local Natives, even dredg to a point, kind of are (or were) in a similar spot. Local Natives at least, last night on the NBC show "Chuck" had 1 of their new songs "Airplanes" played for a short while in the background. Being a Street Team member and genuine hugely optimistic fan of theirs, my jaw literally dropped to the floor hearing that. The point being, they are a fucking great band, and more people should and I gotta believe will like them. Many of those Fleet Foxes ass-kissers (among others..Panda Bear, Animal Collective, Miracle Fortess even) are gonna find out when they get the exposure they deserve. They're just too damn good not to.

Water & Bodies began recording last week, what is I guess to be a 7-song EP that likely will be released digitally. CD and/or Vinyl as well, most likely available through their website and @ Concerts directly from the band. I'm extremely excited to hear these songs recorded after hearing samples live the past few months. I realize this is not Kaddisfly but it may be something even better for all anyone knows. And maybe best, going directly through them, it'll be available rather soon. Like perhaps by April or even earlier.

Soundscape's "Grave New World" I will be hearing in the coming weeks. It's been a 10-year wait, but I am without question overjoyed to finally get to hear it. Expect some kind of in-depth review on this blog among other spots soon after. My s/n on many sites isn't "Soundcape(MN)" for nothing of course :P. "Discovery" is a life-changing record for myself anyway. If GNW is even 1/10 of that, it'll be an AotY contender (to be honest, it already is).

dredg's new album "The Pariah, The Parrot, the Delusion" is coming out on May 19th (same day as the US release of OSI, wow!)

cover art:


Mew's new album is expected in June.

King's X are headlining 3 Rivers Progressive Rock Festival I guess. Honestly, this is pretty surprising. Maybe it's a $ thing or I'm totally off on their current approach live. I would never expect them to play a "Prog" festival. But then again, many years ago Porcupine Tree did as well. Hopefully they'll do some more touring in 2009 and comeback to Minneapolis, a place they used to never skip (I saw them 10 times from 1996 to 2005 for example).

Muse new album to have a heavy Classical music influence?

bbc article

By Georgie Rogers
6 Music News reporter

The band have their own recording studios at Lake Como in Italy
Muse's new studio album could see them move away from their traditional rock sound to create a more "orchestral", classical offering.

Frontman Matt Bellamy said: "There's some really brilliant songs coming out, some of our best material I think."

The follow-up to 2006's Black Holes And Revelations is expected later this year coinciding with an Autumn tour.

Last month, the Devon band picked up the NME award for best live band for the second year in a row.

Speaking to BBC 6 Music, Bellamy revealed the record's sound could see the band abandoning their traditional rock leanings completely. We'll be knocking on Classic FM's door, you know

Muse frontman, Matt Bellamy

"A symphonic album has turned up here, like a full collaboration with an orchestra," he said.

"There's definitely a few things on the album which are segueing into each other and it's all very orchestral, but that could take over the album, so it could actually be kind of classical act basically, and move away from rock all together.

"We'll be knocking on Classic FM's door, you know?"