October 22nd, 2005, at Rossi's Bar in downtown Minneapolis, Steve Hackett last played Minnesota.
Since then, he's toured somewhat regularly in North America, including in Chicago in 2010 where I saw him and his band last with Renaissance.
So 14 years since his last performance in my home state, and it fell on the same evening of the Twins vs Yankees Game 3 ALDS playoff game. I bought my ticket for Mr. Hackett and company back in March, which was before the Major League Baseball Season had even began, lol.
But, this isn't a review of that game, the series, or the Twins Season (maybe soon?).
I can just say, this was without question the best, tightest, most epic performance I've seen from Steve Hackett and his band. And this was the 4th time seeing them, 5th seeing Steve.
He has a great band, with the likes of Jonas Reingold of The Flower Kings on Bass, Nad Sylvan vocals (Agents of Mercy, Solo, Hackett's Genesis Revisited II), Craig Blundell on drums (Steven Wilson), Roger King on keys, and Rob Townsend sax, flute, vocals.
I very much enjoyed the 1st set of Steve's solo work, including some of the material off his I guess very well received new record At the Edge of Light. Epic, heavy, moody, atmospheric.
Also the version of "Everyday" and "Spectral Mornings" namely really sounded wonderful and very "live." The whole band seemed so in tuned and in great spirits, extending many parts out.
Of course the 2nd set was the complete Selling England By the Pound, an album that has been an all-time favorite of mine, since the point I was fully won over by Genesis nearly 20 years ago (2000/2001/2002).
"The Cinema Show" is my favorite and it did not disappoint. They totally pulled every second of it off, and added some flourishes and different dimensions. Blundell is quite the master, channeling his inner-Phil Collins. As well as Roger King on keys pulling off maybe the greatest Keyboard section ever in Rock music.
I gotta say though, "Firth of Fifth" totally got me as well. I have always loved it, but also heard it maybe more than anything on this album. But seeing those guys pull it off live, made me respect and love it again.
And maybe the most impressive moments of the set and show was "The Battle of Epping Forest." I grew to adore that tune, as busy, quirky, and drawn out as it does get. The vocals are incredibly wordy with long run-on narratives. Plus the characters channeled. Its extensive arrangements and journey through the tale comes across as a mouthful, but it totally grew for me to appreciate how difficult and meticulous it is.
And for that, I totally applaud Nad's performance.
A couple of other things not to forget. The extended almost jam added in the middle during "I Know What I like" I really dug. I love that tune, but sometimes when it ends it makes me sad it's over. I have a HUGE nostalgia for it, going back to the early 2000's at work. I almost was brought to tears in moments last night remembering those days at work with it on. And to see it live and have them add more to it, totally worked for me.
And for them to include "Deja Vu" which Steve mentioned was a tune they wrote and maybe demo-ed? during the making of Selling England. I had never heard it, nor heard of it. I enjoyed it, although it reminded me more of something from his solo music.
I'd love to hear a demo of it anyway, especially with Peter Gabriel of course.
But I guess it did come out on the 1st Genesis Revisited album with Paul Carrack on vocals. I can't remember if I own that, or the 2nd as I bought at least of them on CD in the early 2000's.
But it's on YouTube here
Set List
Everyday
Under the Eye of the Sun
Fallen Walls and Pedestals
Beasts in Our Time
The Virgin and the Gypsy
Tigermoth
Spectral Mornings
Horizons
The Red Flower of Tachai Blooms Everywhere
Clocks - The Angel of Mons
(Intermission)
Dancing With the Moonlit Knight
I Know What I Like (In Your Wardrobe)
Firth of Fifth
More Fool Me
The Battle of Epping Forest
After the Ordeal
The Cinema Show
Aisle of Plenty
Deja Vu
Encore
Los Endos
Dance on a Volcano
Squonk
Showing posts with label Steven Wilson. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Steven Wilson. Show all posts
Wednesday, October 9, 2019
Wednesday, November 7, 2018
Ninet - Paper Parachute (2016-2017)
This is a bit of a premature take on this album as a whole, but I checked out the 1st 3 tracks the other day per YouTube and really liked a lot of this.
Ninet or Ninet Tayeb (I believe) is the singer whose appeared on the last couple of Steven Wilson albums and the new live one. She has a great voice certainly, but the songwriting on those 3 tracks really impressed me.
Heavier rock, melodic and layered.
I've been checking a lot of new stuff of late, some for the end of year albums list that is pending but almost done, some not, but I think Ninet may be one of my new favorites depending on how the rest of this album is and maybe her back catalog.
Steven Wilson maybe had a bit to do with some of this either indirect or directly?
Also Ninet is from Israel I believe, but I thought I noticed her now living in, or at least this may have been recorded in LA. Just a side note.
1. Paper Parachute 04:00
2. Child 03:48
3. Superstar 03:21
4. Subservient 04:41
5. Elinor 03:53
6. Vague 04:42
7.Temporary Satisfaction 04:01
8. Ocean 04:47
9. She's Lost Control 04:21
Ninet or Ninet Tayeb (I believe) is the singer whose appeared on the last couple of Steven Wilson albums and the new live one. She has a great voice certainly, but the songwriting on those 3 tracks really impressed me.
Heavier rock, melodic and layered.
I've been checking a lot of new stuff of late, some for the end of year albums list that is pending but almost done, some not, but I think Ninet may be one of my new favorites depending on how the rest of this album is and maybe her back catalog.
Steven Wilson maybe had a bit to do with some of this either indirect or directly?
Also Ninet is from Israel I believe, but I thought I noticed her now living in, or at least this may have been recorded in LA. Just a side note.
1. Paper Parachute 04:00
2. Child 03:48
3. Superstar 03:21
4. Subservient 04:41
5. Elinor 03:53
6. Vague 04:42
7.Temporary Satisfaction 04:01
8. Ocean 04:47
9. She's Lost Control 04:21
Tuesday, May 1, 2018
Videos: CDs and Vinyl (April 2018)
Neither of these videos are short (16 and 19? minutes), but I covered a good amount of ground. I can say, there is an EDIT function in the software I'm using on this laptop, which it's more of a "trim' on the beginning or end of the videos unfortunately. But it may hold some hope for editing these in the future.
No clipping on the laptop-filmed video, so the RSD video with Joyce may have been per my volume levels or how close we were.
I am starting to think the laptop may be the way to go unless I am literally out-and-about filming. It just works better at this point and even the quality of the video seems better.
Oh and I need to actually write a Grimus-featured history entry I think per this video. Not HUGE I don't think, but just an overview like I did in the video.
The Family Crest - The War: Act I
Kindo - Happy However After
Grimus - Unmanageable Species
Grimus - Emergence
Grimus - Egretta
Grimus - Panikon
The Family Crest - The War: Act I [2 LP]
Marillion - Living in Fear 12"
RECORD STORE DAY 2018:
Jeff Buckley - Sin:e [4 LP Boxed Set]
Snarky Puppy - Sharktank 10'
Steven Wilson - How big the Space 12"
Porcupine Tree - In Abesentia
Porcupine Tree - Deadwing
(dredg song SANG REAL I couldn't remember.)
Kai Danzberg - Pop-Up Radio
No clipping on the laptop-filmed video, so the RSD video with Joyce may have been per my volume levels or how close we were.
I am starting to think the laptop may be the way to go unless I am literally out-and-about filming. It just works better at this point and even the quality of the video seems better.
Oh and I need to actually write a Grimus-featured history entry I think per this video. Not HUGE I don't think, but just an overview like I did in the video.
The Family Crest - The War: Act I
Kindo - Happy However After
Grimus - Unmanageable Species
Grimus - Emergence
Grimus - Egretta
Grimus - Panikon
The Family Crest - The War: Act I [2 LP]
Marillion - Living in Fear 12"
RECORD STORE DAY 2018:
Jeff Buckley - Sin:e [4 LP Boxed Set]
Snarky Puppy - Sharktank 10'
Steven Wilson - How big the Space 12"
Porcupine Tree - In Abesentia
Porcupine Tree - Deadwing
(dredg song SANG REAL I couldn't remember.)
Kai Danzberg - Pop-Up Radio
Saturday, December 30, 2017
All Media Reviews Podcast #7: Modern Songwriters Pt 2
This is 14 mins long, with the new recorder which made it into an WMA file, lol. I had to convert that, but so be it.
I'm not sure if making them at a restaurant is the best process, but it was a 1st time/experiment.
I do want to try and make 1 of these for an Albums calendar. The thing I worry about is how long it does go (and requires me to make it), per how long some of the calendars are and how much I would talk about each album (obviously some may be awhile, while others very little).
I am in the middle, er, maybe 2/3 or more from getting through 6 of them which I anticipate publishing around the same time. So perhaps if not before then, I could plan to try doing 1 or more of those Albums Calendar Podcasts around that time.
Time permitting of course per January is looking rather busy at this point with concerts, doctor appointments and a trip to the Hollywood area.
Jim Matheos Andre Matos Colin Meloy Craig Minowa Janelle Monae Neal Morse Dan Moxon Amanda Palmer Mike Patton Yannis Philippakis Tomer Pink Mike Portnoy Jesse Ribordy Sheena Ringo Claudio Sanchez Robert Schneider Sufjan Stevens Timbre Mike Vennart Daniel Victor Brooke Waggoner Steven Wilson John Wright
I'm not sure if making them at a restaurant is the best process, but it was a 1st time/experiment.
I do want to try and make 1 of these for an Albums calendar. The thing I worry about is how long it does go (and requires me to make it), per how long some of the calendars are and how much I would talk about each album (obviously some may be awhile, while others very little).
I am in the middle, er, maybe 2/3 or more from getting through 6 of them which I anticipate publishing around the same time. So perhaps if not before then, I could plan to try doing 1 or more of those Albums Calendar Podcasts around that time.
Time permitting of course per January is looking rather busy at this point with concerts, doctor appointments and a trip to the Hollywood area.
Jim Matheos Andre Matos Colin Meloy Craig Minowa Janelle Monae Neal Morse Dan Moxon Amanda Palmer Mike Patton Yannis Philippakis Tomer Pink Mike Portnoy Jesse Ribordy Sheena Ringo Claudio Sanchez Robert Schneider Sufjan Stevens Timbre Mike Vennart Daniel Victor Brooke Waggoner Steven Wilson John Wright
Friday, December 8, 2017
Gleb Kolyadin - Gleb Kolyadin (2017-2018)
This is the Self-Titled debut album from Gleb Kolyadin of iamthemorning. It features Steve Hogarth of Marillion, Gavin Harrison, and Jordan Rudess among other guests.
I'll say, a lot of albums "feature" guests and are often side or solo projects from bands I often find are better than the side or solo projects. But with some of the names and trailer, I am pretty curious about this. It's kind of a win-win in that if it's great, like better than I'd expect, it'll be something I will be into this current year. And if it's not, I am still looking forward to the next iamthemorning album, etc.
Release date is February 23rd, the preorder links are found in the description from KScope below.
The debut self titled solo album from the virtuoso Iamthemorning pianist, feat. Steve Hogarth (Marillion), Gavin Harrison (King Crimson), Nick Beggs (Steven Wilson), Mick Moss (Antimatter) and Jordan Rudess (Dream Theater). Pre-order your copy for 23rd Feb - http://found.ee/GLEB_KOLYADIN_ALBUM "The Best of Days" features the instantly recognisable vocals from Marillion’s Steve Hogarth, on the collaboration Steve comments "Gleb is a beautiful pianist and a great musician. I was invited to collaborate on his new solo album and my mind was made up as soon as I heard the music." Gleb Kolyadin is an emotive exploration of self-identity; a story of two parts with interweaving leitmotifs. The album's central concept weaves through an elaborate tonal and thematic structure, built around the extraordinary rhythm section of Gavin Harrison and Nick Beggs, which is accented at its focal points by guest appearances from Steve Hogarth, Jordan Rudess, Mick Moss and Theo Travis. “Gleb is an extremely rare talent as a pianist and as a composer. His compositions are very inspiring as he breaks new ground on the instrument." Gavin Harrison (King Crimson / Porcupine Tree) The album is a collaborative piece with each musician recording their own parts separately, starting with Gleb recording himself on grand piano in Moscow Winter-Spring 2017 at the famed Mosfilm studio. The album was mixed and engineered by Vlad Avy, who also previously worked on the two Iamthemorning records. Pre-order the album here http://found.ee/GLEB_KOLYADIN_ALBUM Learn more here - http://www.kscopemusic.com/artists/gleb-kolyadin/
I'll say, a lot of albums "feature" guests and are often side or solo projects from bands I often find are better than the side or solo projects. But with some of the names and trailer, I am pretty curious about this. It's kind of a win-win in that if it's great, like better than I'd expect, it'll be something I will be into this current year. And if it's not, I am still looking forward to the next iamthemorning album, etc.
Release date is February 23rd, the preorder links are found in the description from KScope below.
The debut self titled solo album from the virtuoso Iamthemorning pianist, feat. Steve Hogarth (Marillion), Gavin Harrison (King Crimson), Nick Beggs (Steven Wilson), Mick Moss (Antimatter) and Jordan Rudess (Dream Theater). Pre-order your copy for 23rd Feb - http://found.ee/GLEB_KOLYADIN_ALBUM "The Best of Days" features the instantly recognisable vocals from Marillion’s Steve Hogarth, on the collaboration Steve comments "Gleb is a beautiful pianist and a great musician. I was invited to collaborate on his new solo album and my mind was made up as soon as I heard the music." Gleb Kolyadin is an emotive exploration of self-identity; a story of two parts with interweaving leitmotifs. The album's central concept weaves through an elaborate tonal and thematic structure, built around the extraordinary rhythm section of Gavin Harrison and Nick Beggs, which is accented at its focal points by guest appearances from Steve Hogarth, Jordan Rudess, Mick Moss and Theo Travis. “Gleb is an extremely rare talent as a pianist and as a composer. His compositions are very inspiring as he breaks new ground on the instrument." Gavin Harrison (King Crimson / Porcupine Tree) The album is a collaborative piece with each musician recording their own parts separately, starting with Gleb recording himself on grand piano in Moscow Winter-Spring 2017 at the famed Mosfilm studio. The album was mixed and engineered by Vlad Avy, who also previously worked on the two Iamthemorning records. Pre-order the album here http://found.ee/GLEB_KOLYADIN_ALBUM Learn more here - http://www.kscopemusic.com/artists/gleb-kolyadin/
Wednesday, December 6, 2017
VINYL VIDEO: The Dear Hunter, Steven Wilson, Queensryche
So I made and shared this one, only 3 new Vinyl.
I made 3 other videos from like 2 weeks ago that I never uploaded, with my head getting cutoff, lol. Which happens in this one as well.
I guess I need to try and setup the camera higher so it doesn't cutoff my head but still includes me (maybe I need a new Camera?).
but those videos had like 10-15 records and cds.
I guess I'll see.
this video includes
The Dear Hunter - All Is as All Should Be [EP]
Steven Wilson- To the Bone
Queensryche - Promised Land
I have also quite a lot of vinyl coming in the mail soon, so obviously if I want to show that, I'll have to try this again, and hopefully avoid my head being cutoff. I have a lot of boxed and stuff in there to be able to potentially set the camera up high enough and at the right height to capture myself and the records.
Then again, I may just go there to make videos not showing music instead of making a podcast. Not sure. Namely for those Calendar videos or podcasts. Or even that list of Songwriters perhaps?
All Media Reviews Podcast #4: Albums of the Year Part 3
10. Steven Wilson - To the Bone 9. Anakdota - Overloading 8. Godspeed You Black Emperor - Luciferian Towers 7. Anathema - The Optimist 6. Pain of Salvation - In the Passing Light of Day 5. 22 - You Are Creating: Limb 1 4. Bent Knee - Land Animal 3. Everything Everything - A Fever Dream 2. Small Leaks Sink Ships - Golden Calf 1. Mutemath - Play Dead
came out okay. I forgot to suggest in the comments to include your aoty, but I changed the subject on Youtube at least.
I guess as I stressed at the end, I am excited to make the 2017-2018 preview/anticipation podcast soon. With this done now, probably in the next few days, although as I've mentioned in past videos and in here, I probably should just do it by QUARTER so call it 1st-Quarter and Beyond or something.
Sunday, November 5, 2017
2016-2017 Albums of the Year
Okay, this is the End of Year 2016-2017 countdown list.
The last few weeks I've come to grips with this year and what is good and disappointing about it. I think making the Albums Calendars has helped that, per there are many years I struggle to find a 5 or even 4.5-star album for whatever reason. Odds I guess.
Although in 2016 and 2017, compared to say 1979 or 1983, there are a ton more albums, but I also think as an invidual music listener, there are just going to be a Calendar year or 2 every decade, that I fail to find a decent chunk of amazing albums like other years.
That all being said, I do think this has been a year of good albums and some comebacks. And like every year, some of these albums and albums not included (or included but not listened to much) that time may be more kind to them. Or just discovering them will happen in the near future.
#1 is interesting, as it is from a band I've loved for over 10 years, but have never finished in my Top 5 even I don't think, during that year. But it is nice to see them take the crown this year and finish so high. And I did buy the Deluxe Vinyl edition, which I'm glad I did now.
edit: moved Flying Microtonal Banana (King Gizzard) and Drunk (Thundercat) into the list. I have heard both a few times. King Gizzard especially, which for some reason originally (after I checked it out) I thought did not get released in this Calendar Year
Didn't check out
Crippled Black Phoenix - Horrific Honorifics
Cynic - Uroboric Forms: The Complete Demo Recordings
Deep Purple - Infinite
Gizmodrome - Gizmodrome
Steve Hackett - The Night Siren
King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard - Sketches of Brunswick East
King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard - Murder of the Universe
KXM - Scatterbrain
Leprous - Malina
Metallica - Hardwired...to Self-Destruct
Mastodon - Empire of Sand
Mastodon - Cold Dark Place [EP]
Marco Minneman - Borrego
Minus the Bear - VOIDS
The Mute Gods - …tardigrades will inherit the earth
The Night Flight Orchestra - Amber Galactic
The New Pornographers - Whiteout Conditions
Nova Collective - The Further Side
Scale The Summit - In A World Of Fear
Solstafir - Berdreyminn
Sons of Apollo - Psychotic Symphony
Styx - The Mission
Peter Silberman - Impermanence
St.Vincent - Masseduction
Sufjan Stevens, Bryce Dessner, Nico Muhly and James McAlister - Planetarium
Roger Waters - Is This the Life We Really Want?
Tuesday the Sky - Drift
Listened to Once
At the Drive-In - in·ter a·li·a
Broken Social Scene - Hug of Thunder
Bullet Height - No Atonement
Klimt 1918 - Sentimentale Jugend
Krallice with Dave Ediwardson - Loum
Meridian Incident - Istology
The Neal Morse Band - The Similitude of a Dream (all live once, which was enough)
Ne Obliviscaris - Urn
Offa Rex - The Queen of Hearts
Temples - Volcano
Waaktaar and Zoe - World of Trouble
46. Tuxedo - Fux with the Tux [EP]
45. Black Map - In Droves
44. The Ongoing Concept - Places
43. Jessie Ware - Glasshouse
42. Do Make Say Think - Stubborn Persistent Illusions
41. The Barnum Meserve - When All is Lost
40. Umphrey's McGee - Zonkey
39. Radical Face - SunnMoonnEclippse [EP]
38.Thundercat - Drunk
37. Big Wreck - Grace Street
36. Capital Cities - Swimming Pool Summer [EP]
35. Blackfield - V
34. Danny Cavanagh - Monochrome
33. Tuxedo - Tuxedo II
32. Dave Kerzner - Static
31. Rachel Flowers - Listen
30. King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard - Flying Microtonal Banana
29. Bubblemath - Edit Peptide
28. Childish Japes - After You're Born [EP]
27. The Family Crest - Prelude to War [EP]
26. The Contortionist - Clairvoyant
25. Hotel of the Laughing Tree - Hotel Junk Box
24. Red Planet with Bill Carothers - Red Planet with Bill Carothers
23. Ramona Falls - Coils
22. Mew - Visuals
21. Timmy Sean - Weeks
20. Persefone - Aathma
19. Moonloop - Devocean
18. Umi - World of Color [EP]
17. Bend Sinister - The Other Way [EP]
16. Ulver - The Assassination of Julius Caesar
15. Beck - Colors
14. Subterranean Masquerade - Vagabond
13. Major Parkinson - Blackbox
12. Nordic Giants - Amplify Human Vibration (Soundtrack)
11. SikTh - The Future in Whose Eyes?
10. Steven Wilson - To the Bone
This album, while I have checked it out enough times to know, I think found its way this high on my list per the songwriting quality works. It has a handful of memorable, catchy, yet progressive tracks to support why I enjoy it and want to go back to it again.
Whereas I found Hand.Cannot.Erase the concept to be great, but the album itself didn't offer as much go-to tracks and ended up being more mood-tracks.
I think this just came out in a lot of ways, what Steven Wilson intended. Clever/Sophisticated Pop. And even the fact some of it harkens back to mid-period Porcupine Tree "Same Asylum as Before" and I recall "People Who Eat Darkness."
Refreshing feeling about this album, although I think in a more deep year, I don't know if it would have finished this high, but I guess I almost find it at 4-stars which I can only say about 1 of his other solo records (Raven).
9. Anakdota - Overloading
Great piano-driven progressive college rock. Reminding me of The Reign of Kindo, The Woods Brothers and Gentle Giant namely, with a big jazz side.
The singles from a few years ago still hold up like "Late" and "Girl Next Door,"
Excellent musicianship, and technical enough. And quite catchy, including some female vocals at times.
This was my favorite record early on, but I can't put it up higher at this point per I wasn't as addicted to it, nor was it as memorable as I would have thought initially.
In fairness, it is a debut album, and it may just be a taste of what is to come, although I know this band is a side project of 1 or more of the members of another progressive rock band, ProjectRNL, so I'm not sure whether the band is a top priority necessarily.
Favorites: Late, Staying Up Late, Girl Next Door, One More Day, End of the Show
8. Godspeed You Black Emperor - Luciferian Towers
A bit of a surprising return to form for these guys, and maybe more surprising in that it lacks a lot of the annoying/filler Doomy/Drone that were present on their last 2 albums and much of their catalog.
Other than "Fam / Famine" this record doesn't include anything I'd remove. And the best moments in both the Bossess Hang (pt III) and Anthem for No State are among the best work they've ever done.
A record that reminded me why they live up to their hype of being one of the elite Post Rock bands enough, that I don't know if I can ever not check out their new music (even if a good amount of it I'm not as crazy about).
Love the use of trumpet on here by the way.
7. Anathema - The Optimist
Maybe Anathema's (or "Ana_thema" as it is written some places) most conceptual work, at least since some of their earlier records including A Fine Day to Exit which is it considered the sequel to I guess.
The Optimist has more of a cinematic element to it, yet it still includes a ton of the kind of songs that have been present on the previous 3 albums this decade.
"Endless Ways" is the biggest melancholy highlight for me. Lee Douglas' vocals and the lyrics along with another one of their trademark crescendos are what does it for me. Also the timing of when it really hit me, right around the time I moved out of my apartment, a place I was at for nearly a decade, it captured a lot of what I was going through.
I can follow why some may be not as into it, and if I had to rank their albums this decade, I may put it behind. But it has become enjoyable enough, and likely one I will continue to return to. I should check out A Fine Day to Exit just purely on the connection it shares with this album,
6. Pain of Salvation - In the Passing Light of Day
An album that seemed to refuel the interest in Pain of Salvation, despite so many different members in the band now, including Ragnar who did a good amount of the songwriting on here.
I found myself agreeing with many reviews about it reminding me of some of the older records, like Remedy Lane and The Perfect Element I, but also Scarsick in some ways.
The chugging riffs namely.
In revisiting it again recently, it is a pretty good album, and 1 at this stage I definitely like more than the 2 Road Salt albums. But overall, I don't look at it quite in the same category as those early albums (call me an old school fanboy).
But still, there's far too many songs on here that I enjoy to not include it high. "On a Tuesday" "Meaningless" "Full Throttle Tribe" "Reasons" "Taming of a Beast" (even with it reminding me of Cloud Cult's "Sleepwalker") among them.
5. 22 - You Are Creating-Limb 1
22 finally returned with this 2nd album of theirs, which is the 1st of more than 1 part of a series (Limb 1).
Every song is good, its just there are only 8 songs and the clock time is maybe 32 minutes?
I enjoyed this album when it came out, and still do, but I can't say I grew attached to it, even like their debut album from 7 years ago. Why, I guess was per length. It almost felt like a long EP for that reason
Favorites: Sum of Parts, Inspec, You Are Creating, Staying Embodied
4. Bent Knee - Land Animal
Like many on this list, Bent Knee seem to be as good and consistent of a progressive rock band making music today. 2016's Say So and 2014's Shiny Eyed Babies like this album, all work on many levels and ways. The songs are well crafted, even as schizophrenic and dynamic as they get.
There's so much going on and things to catch, that you have to listen to their songs many times before you understand how much went into them. So many layers of guitars, drums, keys, strings, vocals, etc.
It's a very densely produced record, yet it ends up not being overkilled.
Plus, the title track has that sad vocal melody that is so sad and epic, and then recalled on string, it just became one of my favorite songs of the year, easily.
Love these guys, even as diverse and avant-garde as they are. And this album, like their others, aren't short, or at least don't feel short. But they always leave me with a really rewarding feeling.
3. Everything Everything - A Fever Dream
Everything Everything continue to include a good majority of catchy, energy, and yet experimental songs that do border on progressive rock at times. Get to Heaven from 2015 I still find is my favorite, but this album may be a close 2nd now. Plus the title track is dreamy as hell as I can't get that echoing melody out of my head, even if it will always remind of a part of Fjokra's "Koi."
2. Small Leaks Sink Ships - Golden Calf
Not as breathtaking as the amazing 2015 release Face Yourself and Remove Your Sandals, but in many ways it shares the great flow and atmosphere that album has.
I think it is a bit of a grower and may continue to grow on me some through time. I guess though it is a classic case of a band whose previous album was so good, the odds of coming away loving it as much is nearly impossinble. But that classic case of the follow-up still being really good and should not be overlooked or forgotten.
Small Leaks Sink Ships do know how to create these great quirky, textured songs that have this surprising charm and energy to them. Like 2 of the bands I often am reminded of when hearing them, Menomena and Wolf Parade, yet still with their own distinct approach.
Favorites: Creepin, Dancing Devil, Drug Lord, Not Counterpoint, Dear John Connor.
1. Mutemath - Play Dead
A great record, that is marred by the fact Darren King and Roy Mitchell-Cardenas both left the band before it even came out. And it may be their last record with the band. I guess beyond many of the songs just have that great energy and vibe to them, this album both reminds me of the Mutemath of recent years, and their older work. Along with some new styles in a way.
The final 2 tracks "Achilles Heal" and "Marching to the End" for me put it over the top and make it stand out a little more than other records this year. They are both beautiful and melancholy, that I can't get them and the mood they give me out of my head afterwards.
I suppose in a way with this year being a bit more spotty and not finding too many albums that I loved a ton, makes this record stand out almost by default. But I do think it compares favorably in their catalog, placing higher than all of their other albums aside from possibly Odd Soul. Although for different reasons.
So that's a wrap (barring EDITS which I always do, so what you're reading now likely won't be identical as it is in a day or week from now).
But here's to looking forward to 2017-2018, which I'm sure will have a ton of albums to anticipate, many which will come out, but also some likely will not as what always happens. I suppose I can predict right now, 2017-2018 will have more 4.5 or better albums, and likely a little more depth. But, that does still remain to be seen.
The 1 other release or thing missing is The Reign of Kindo of course per I was listening to their Patreon songs all year and had they been released this year like I anticipated, it very likely would have found the Top 5. But a new release should come out next year, and knowing many of the songs already, I can probably say they are already the leader in the clubhouse, which bodes well for next year.
Also a Video or 2-3 should be made. When?..hopefully soon of course.
The last few weeks I've come to grips with this year and what is good and disappointing about it. I think making the Albums Calendars has helped that, per there are many years I struggle to find a 5 or even 4.5-star album for whatever reason. Odds I guess.
Although in 2016 and 2017, compared to say 1979 or 1983, there are a ton more albums, but I also think as an invidual music listener, there are just going to be a Calendar year or 2 every decade, that I fail to find a decent chunk of amazing albums like other years.
That all being said, I do think this has been a year of good albums and some comebacks. And like every year, some of these albums and albums not included (or included but not listened to much) that time may be more kind to them. Or just discovering them will happen in the near future.
#1 is interesting, as it is from a band I've loved for over 10 years, but have never finished in my Top 5 even I don't think, during that year. But it is nice to see them take the crown this year and finish so high. And I did buy the Deluxe Vinyl edition, which I'm glad I did now.
edit: moved Flying Microtonal Banana (King Gizzard) and Drunk (Thundercat) into the list. I have heard both a few times. King Gizzard especially, which for some reason originally (after I checked it out) I thought did not get released in this Calendar Year
Didn't check out
Crippled Black Phoenix - Horrific Honorifics
Cynic - Uroboric Forms: The Complete Demo Recordings
Deep Purple - Infinite
Gizmodrome - Gizmodrome
Steve Hackett - The Night Siren
King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard - Sketches of Brunswick East
King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard - Murder of the Universe
KXM - Scatterbrain
Leprous - Malina
Metallica - Hardwired...to Self-Destruct
Mastodon - Empire of Sand
Mastodon - Cold Dark Place [EP]
Marco Minneman - Borrego
Minus the Bear - VOIDS
The Mute Gods - …tardigrades will inherit the earth
The Night Flight Orchestra - Amber Galactic
The New Pornographers - Whiteout Conditions
Nova Collective - The Further Side
Scale The Summit - In A World Of Fear
Solstafir - Berdreyminn
Sons of Apollo - Psychotic Symphony
Styx - The Mission
Peter Silberman - Impermanence
St.Vincent - Masseduction
Sufjan Stevens, Bryce Dessner, Nico Muhly and James McAlister - Planetarium
Roger Waters - Is This the Life We Really Want?
Tuesday the Sky - Drift
Listened to Once
At the Drive-In - in·ter a·li·a
Broken Social Scene - Hug of Thunder
Bullet Height - No Atonement
Klimt 1918 - Sentimentale Jugend
Krallice with Dave Ediwardson - Loum
Meridian Incident - Istology
The Neal Morse Band - The Similitude of a Dream (all live once, which was enough)
Ne Obliviscaris - Urn
Offa Rex - The Queen of Hearts
Temples - Volcano
Waaktaar and Zoe - World of Trouble
46. Tuxedo - Fux with the Tux [EP]
45. Black Map - In Droves
44. The Ongoing Concept - Places
43. Jessie Ware - Glasshouse
42. Do Make Say Think - Stubborn Persistent Illusions
41. The Barnum Meserve - When All is Lost
40. Umphrey's McGee - Zonkey
39. Radical Face - SunnMoonnEclippse [EP]
38.Thundercat - Drunk
37. Big Wreck - Grace Street
36. Capital Cities - Swimming Pool Summer [EP]
35. Blackfield - V
34. Danny Cavanagh - Monochrome
33. Tuxedo - Tuxedo II
32. Dave Kerzner - Static
31. Rachel Flowers - Listen
30. King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard - Flying Microtonal Banana
29. Bubblemath - Edit Peptide
28. Childish Japes - After You're Born [EP]
27. The Family Crest - Prelude to War [EP]
26. The Contortionist - Clairvoyant
25. Hotel of the Laughing Tree - Hotel Junk Box
24. Red Planet with Bill Carothers - Red Planet with Bill Carothers
23. Ramona Falls - Coils
22. Mew - Visuals
21. Timmy Sean - Weeks
20. Persefone - Aathma
19. Moonloop - Devocean
18. Umi - World of Color [EP]
17. Bend Sinister - The Other Way [EP]
16. Ulver - The Assassination of Julius Caesar
15. Beck - Colors
14. Subterranean Masquerade - Vagabond
13. Major Parkinson - Blackbox
12. Nordic Giants - Amplify Human Vibration (Soundtrack)
11. SikTh - The Future in Whose Eyes?
10. Steven Wilson - To the Bone
This album, while I have checked it out enough times to know, I think found its way this high on my list per the songwriting quality works. It has a handful of memorable, catchy, yet progressive tracks to support why I enjoy it and want to go back to it again.
Whereas I found Hand.Cannot.Erase the concept to be great, but the album itself didn't offer as much go-to tracks and ended up being more mood-tracks.
I think this just came out in a lot of ways, what Steven Wilson intended. Clever/Sophisticated Pop. And even the fact some of it harkens back to mid-period Porcupine Tree "Same Asylum as Before" and I recall "People Who Eat Darkness."
Refreshing feeling about this album, although I think in a more deep year, I don't know if it would have finished this high, but I guess I almost find it at 4-stars which I can only say about 1 of his other solo records (Raven).
9. Anakdota - Overloading
Great piano-driven progressive college rock. Reminding me of The Reign of Kindo, The Woods Brothers and Gentle Giant namely, with a big jazz side.
The singles from a few years ago still hold up like "Late" and "Girl Next Door,"
Excellent musicianship, and technical enough. And quite catchy, including some female vocals at times.
This was my favorite record early on, but I can't put it up higher at this point per I wasn't as addicted to it, nor was it as memorable as I would have thought initially.
In fairness, it is a debut album, and it may just be a taste of what is to come, although I know this band is a side project of 1 or more of the members of another progressive rock band, ProjectRNL, so I'm not sure whether the band is a top priority necessarily.
Favorites: Late, Staying Up Late, Girl Next Door, One More Day, End of the Show
8. Godspeed You Black Emperor - Luciferian Towers
A bit of a surprising return to form for these guys, and maybe more surprising in that it lacks a lot of the annoying/filler Doomy/Drone that were present on their last 2 albums and much of their catalog.
Other than "Fam / Famine" this record doesn't include anything I'd remove. And the best moments in both the Bossess Hang (pt III) and Anthem for No State are among the best work they've ever done.
A record that reminded me why they live up to their hype of being one of the elite Post Rock bands enough, that I don't know if I can ever not check out their new music (even if a good amount of it I'm not as crazy about).
Love the use of trumpet on here by the way.
7. Anathema - The Optimist
Maybe Anathema's (or "Ana_thema" as it is written some places) most conceptual work, at least since some of their earlier records including A Fine Day to Exit which is it considered the sequel to I guess.
The Optimist has more of a cinematic element to it, yet it still includes a ton of the kind of songs that have been present on the previous 3 albums this decade.
"Endless Ways" is the biggest melancholy highlight for me. Lee Douglas' vocals and the lyrics along with another one of their trademark crescendos are what does it for me. Also the timing of when it really hit me, right around the time I moved out of my apartment, a place I was at for nearly a decade, it captured a lot of what I was going through.
I can follow why some may be not as into it, and if I had to rank their albums this decade, I may put it behind. But it has become enjoyable enough, and likely one I will continue to return to. I should check out A Fine Day to Exit just purely on the connection it shares with this album,
6. Pain of Salvation - In the Passing Light of Day
An album that seemed to refuel the interest in Pain of Salvation, despite so many different members in the band now, including Ragnar who did a good amount of the songwriting on here.
I found myself agreeing with many reviews about it reminding me of some of the older records, like Remedy Lane and The Perfect Element I, but also Scarsick in some ways.
The chugging riffs namely.
In revisiting it again recently, it is a pretty good album, and 1 at this stage I definitely like more than the 2 Road Salt albums. But overall, I don't look at it quite in the same category as those early albums (call me an old school fanboy).
But still, there's far too many songs on here that I enjoy to not include it high. "On a Tuesday" "Meaningless" "Full Throttle Tribe" "Reasons" "Taming of a Beast" (even with it reminding me of Cloud Cult's "Sleepwalker") among them.
5. 22 - You Are Creating-Limb 1
22 finally returned with this 2nd album of theirs, which is the 1st of more than 1 part of a series (Limb 1).
Every song is good, its just there are only 8 songs and the clock time is maybe 32 minutes?
I enjoyed this album when it came out, and still do, but I can't say I grew attached to it, even like their debut album from 7 years ago. Why, I guess was per length. It almost felt like a long EP for that reason
Favorites: Sum of Parts, Inspec, You Are Creating, Staying Embodied
4. Bent Knee - Land Animal
Like many on this list, Bent Knee seem to be as good and consistent of a progressive rock band making music today. 2016's Say So and 2014's Shiny Eyed Babies like this album, all work on many levels and ways. The songs are well crafted, even as schizophrenic and dynamic as they get.
There's so much going on and things to catch, that you have to listen to their songs many times before you understand how much went into them. So many layers of guitars, drums, keys, strings, vocals, etc.
It's a very densely produced record, yet it ends up not being overkilled.
Plus, the title track has that sad vocal melody that is so sad and epic, and then recalled on string, it just became one of my favorite songs of the year, easily.
Love these guys, even as diverse and avant-garde as they are. And this album, like their others, aren't short, or at least don't feel short. But they always leave me with a really rewarding feeling.
3. Everything Everything - A Fever Dream
Everything Everything continue to include a good majority of catchy, energy, and yet experimental songs that do border on progressive rock at times. Get to Heaven from 2015 I still find is my favorite, but this album may be a close 2nd now. Plus the title track is dreamy as hell as I can't get that echoing melody out of my head, even if it will always remind of a part of Fjokra's "Koi."
2. Small Leaks Sink Ships - Golden Calf
Not as breathtaking as the amazing 2015 release Face Yourself and Remove Your Sandals, but in many ways it shares the great flow and atmosphere that album has.
I think it is a bit of a grower and may continue to grow on me some through time. I guess though it is a classic case of a band whose previous album was so good, the odds of coming away loving it as much is nearly impossinble. But that classic case of the follow-up still being really good and should not be overlooked or forgotten.
Small Leaks Sink Ships do know how to create these great quirky, textured songs that have this surprising charm and energy to them. Like 2 of the bands I often am reminded of when hearing them, Menomena and Wolf Parade, yet still with their own distinct approach.
Favorites: Creepin, Dancing Devil, Drug Lord, Not Counterpoint, Dear John Connor.
1. Mutemath - Play Dead
A great record, that is marred by the fact Darren King and Roy Mitchell-Cardenas both left the band before it even came out. And it may be their last record with the band. I guess beyond many of the songs just have that great energy and vibe to them, this album both reminds me of the Mutemath of recent years, and their older work. Along with some new styles in a way.
The final 2 tracks "Achilles Heal" and "Marching to the End" for me put it over the top and make it stand out a little more than other records this year. They are both beautiful and melancholy, that I can't get them and the mood they give me out of my head afterwards.
I suppose in a way with this year being a bit more spotty and not finding too many albums that I loved a ton, makes this record stand out almost by default. But I do think it compares favorably in their catalog, placing higher than all of their other albums aside from possibly Odd Soul. Although for different reasons.
So that's a wrap (barring EDITS which I always do, so what you're reading now likely won't be identical as it is in a day or week from now).
But here's to looking forward to 2017-2018, which I'm sure will have a ton of albums to anticipate, many which will come out, but also some likely will not as what always happens. I suppose I can predict right now, 2017-2018 will have more 4.5 or better albums, and likely a little more depth. But, that does still remain to be seen.
The 1 other release or thing missing is The Reign of Kindo of course per I was listening to their Patreon songs all year and had they been released this year like I anticipated, it very likely would have found the Top 5. But a new release should come out next year, and knowing many of the songs already, I can probably say they are already the leader in the clubhouse, which bodes well for next year.
Also a Video or 2-3 should be made. When?..hopefully soon of course.
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