Wednesday, December 10, 2014

Dave Kerzner - New World (2014-2015)

I did not contribute to the Kickstarter, but will likely pick this up when it's released. "My Old Friend" may be worth it alone for.
http://www.davekerzner.com/

Preorder


New World Album Cover
Stranded pt. 1-5
  Part 1. Isolation

  Part 2. Delirium

  Part 3. March Of The Machines (Featuring Steve Hackett)

  Part 4. Source Sublime

  Part 5. The Darkness

Into The Sun (Featuring Heather Findlay)

The Lie

Under Control

Crossing Of Fates (Featuring Keith Emerson and Simon Phillips)

My Old Friend  (Featuring a “Thud reunion” and dedicated in memory of Kevin Gilbert)

Ocean Of Stars

Solitude

Nothing

New World

Redemption: Stranded pt. 6-10
  Part 6. The Oasis

  Part 7. Resilience (Featuring Francis Dunnery)

  Part 8. High On The Dunes

  Part 9. Mirage Of The Machines (Featuring Steve Hackett)

  Part 10. To The Light

story


Sunday, December 7, 2014

Fjokra - Mellowsound Sessions #2: "Koi"



Wow. I can't believe how good this guy is. I mean, he is and I've more or less been floored by his music over the last 9 months, but here's another new song, which just adds to how amazing and in this case, breathtaking his music can be. And the video itself fits the lyrics/tone/theme of the song in many ways.

Honestly, last year when I saw the Kevin Gilbert 'Shaming tribute, it was almost the identical amount of time I had been a fan (actually knowing his music) and waiting to see it live from 2004-2013 (9+ years) as I had gone waiting to see my favorite band live, Marillion (1995-2004).

And I thought based on that pattern, I'll discover soon and then (I hope not have to) wait 9+ years to see them. It very likely could be premature, but this guy Fjokra, could be the artist I become incredibly attached to for this present decade. He just seems to know how to capture an emotion in so many ways with his tone, lyrics, vocal styles, textures, and about 100 other aspects.

And this "Mellowsound Sessions" series, I dunno if it's material for his debut LP, or another EP or just some singles or some other concept, but shit, this guy can basically do no wrong for me. And damn, I would love him to release more music as soon as possible, even beyond these videos (mind you, I still love that he is releasing it per these videos regardless).

Saturday, December 6, 2014

Season Ending Albums Countdown Coming..

12/6/14 11:48AM
update: Chanca Piedra + Lemon in Hot Water = passed a much larger stone than before. That could be it, or at least escalate the stones I have left still. I.e. the surgery may be avoided!

Also I worked on this yesterday and I'd guess I'm around half way done to be satisfied. Perhaps the published work will be coming in a week or less.

12/4/14 3:57PM
It's been nearly 1 month since this post, and obviously this thing has not been posted.

The Bad News: I have not been able to find the time/energy/physical ability to do more of it. Although ironically, this afternoon I very well may get that chance given the gf is out for a number hours and I'm hanging at her place just with her mother and little puppy. Plus I could be wrong, but I think The Big Bang Theory may be a Rerun tonight.

The Good News: I have taken-in some of the unfamiliar records now and know more about them, where they belong on the countdown, etc. For what it's worth.

The Most Troubling News/Concern: My health.

In the last month, I had kidney stones found in my ureter and at least 1 or 2 also in my right kidney itself. The ones in my ureter the surgery scheduled was canceled due to my symptoms and an updated CT Scan showing not much of what was before. About 3 or 4 days after the worst of it, they seemed to not show up. And fragments from at least 1 of them came out at least 4 times. Very small, like 2mm or less, and originally 1 of them was I guess 8mm's.

Also my back issue, which has been more or less ongoing since September (after like 1 year of more or less no severe issues), I began doing the daily therapy exercises like 10 days before the kidney issues began. Then it seemed for the time the symptoms kidney stones showed up and then went away, the consistent lower back inflammation seemed to not bother me, for at least a week, maybe more. But I held off doing the exercises for probably close to 3 weeks. And the inflammation showed, up, especially on Sunday/Monday and more or less ever since.

Then today 12/4, it seems like some of the kidney stones symptoms may have returned. Although the key ones of burning/stinging not so much. It's a little hard to tell with lower back/abdominable inflammation that can cause burning in the intestinal areas, if the stones are involved, but the feeling of needing to urinate even after going is happening which is a red flag.

So I just a bit ago, started trying the Chanca Piedra, with no assumptions, but maybe more optimism than I should have. I don't know yet the impact, but I can only question its impact may take many days, if not weeks. In the mean time, I do have to worry about not only my back, but a 1CM stone still at least. But if surgery is the only option, I may have to deal with both the financial and physical setbacks it may bring.


11/8/14 11:53AM
Update:
Well for 2 main reasons, this has not gotten off the ground yet.

#1 girlfriend and my decision/time with her. In short, when I'm at her place, I am not all that able to do much if any blogging unless I discipline myself. And, well, I'm at her place at least 75% of my time away from work, so, that tells you how much time I have.

#2 unfortunately, I've run into a medical issue within the last week involving Kidney stones. Both physically and psychologically, it's been a bit of a job for me to handle. But, I saw my GP yesterday finally and am feeling a little better about it, plus I am doing better physically for now.

However, I am having a surgical procedure on the 18th, and quite likely down the road as well, so I guess some may follow why my head is not as focused on music and entertainment right now. That and possibly another big change in diet. I will confess, with my back problems among other things, I've taken my fair share of Advil, perhaps too much in dosage, which may have contributed to my present condition with my kidneys. I'm likely done with Advil anyway, which I can deal with.

The possible Silver lining with this is it may be that my lower back problems may be related if primarily responsible with the condition of my kidney. I'm not assuming anything, but I suppose hoping that and/or an herbal supplement called Chanca Piedra may solve my longer term concerns with kidney stones. But again, that's only *hoping* not *assuming*.

Bottom Line though is, this will come when it comes (like "I'll get there when I get there," etc lol), so sadly my big, grand plan to do this early may have been thrown for a loop this season.  Although who knows, with my recovery week from surgery (18th-23rd), if I feel okay to just sit and type (with some Tylenol I imagine), that week of the 18th, I'm taking off for the surgery may allow me to finish this (and I'll only be on the phone with the gf rather than be at her place where I don't do a ton of blogging).

10/28/14 12:54PM
Possibly very soon. It's a matter of a few things, the biggest being TIME of course.

But I already started blueprinting the list and such. So beyond that, it's about writing of course. And the more I think about it, my hope in regards to TIME is to really strip it down. Possibly Twitter Post length blurbs (if any blurb at all), and some tracks and maybe a link or video.

Because sadly, like 2013, it's been another year or now *season* of my lacking the ability to listen to many new albums extensively. That and of course the new Halloween deadline and many records not being released before that. Plus the factor of not finding as many of those addictive records, of the records I have spent enough time with to know.

But, afa a time table, don't be surprised if something if not the whole thing is up over next weekend.

And the other thing that I suppose in a way may compensate for lack of time, is I do mean to make a video, even if I have to invest a fair amount of time in editing it. That very likely will show up sometime in November though, which for most End of Year Lists, is still rather early, but for this Blog, is past the end of the season. But hence one of a handful of reasons for the change in schedule.

And I might add, 2014-2015, if so many records do come out, could make this past season look pale. But then again, only TIME will help that observation.

Friday, December 5, 2014

sElf - Trunk Fulla Amps into Back in Black (Live at Grimey's)


Love this, even though he only did an excerpt of TFA's. This kinda shows how Matt can perform as the band name suggests.

Maybe Matt needs to add an extra verse "like AC/DC" + add a "mother" in a high screechy aussie accent, lol.

Also here's a few other videos from the same performance





Monday, December 1, 2014

2014-2015 Artists and titles (not a preview really)

With the season winding down and a lot of records not seemingly going to be released by the Halloween deadline, I just figured I'd start compiling a list of things to anticipate for the upcoming new season. Most are of course artists and in some cases, titles for albums, that have already been made (or they have already spent a lot of time making the current one, they are still working on).

Likely in the next few months, I'll post an updated version of this with at least some blurbs.

Also I likely am not remembering some/or some names may come up that aren't on this list for now. I.e. some edits may happen at some point soon.

November
Ne Obliviscaris - Citadel (11/7)
Pink Floyd - The Endless River (11/10)
Faith No More - Motherfucker [Single] (11/28 aka Black Friday Record Store Day)
Thomas Giles - Modern Noise (11/20)

December
Subterranean Masquerade - The Great Bazaar
Demians - Mercury
Tiny Giant - TBA [EP]

January
Timmy Sean - TBA (per an email, it's planned on 1/02)
Archive - Restriction (1/12)
The Decemberists - What a Terrible World, What a Beautiful World (1/20)
Punch Brothers -  The Phosphorescent Blues (1/27)
Projection:
Genders - TBA  [EP]
Tuxedo - Tuxedo (March 3rd)
Steven Wilson - Hand. Cannot. Erase (February 27th-March 3rd)
Mercies - (January)
Mike Vennart - (April)

Unclear/To Be Announced
22 - You Are Creating
Jon Anderson + Jean-Luc Ponty Band
The Barnum Meserve
Between the Buried and Me
Between Two Skies
The Bird and the Bee
Bubblemath
Casey Crescenzo + Jessy Ribordy project
Casey Crescenzo + Kimbra project (maybe more likely 2016-2017-ish)
Diablo Swing Orchestra
The Dissociatives  [EP]
Faith No More
Falling Up
Fjokra
Gatherer
Hotel of the Laughing Tree
House of Fools
Daniel Johns
Kaddisfly - Horses Galloping on Sailboats
Klimt 1918 - Die Sentimentale Jugend
Todd Menton
Mew
Motopony
Mutemath
Neverending White Lights - Act IV (Spring)
Nordic Giants
Opus Dai - Insectum Vol. 1
Ours (or Jimmy Gnecco)
The Pneumatic Transit - Concerto Moon
The Psychics - You Don't Have to Be Afraid
Ramona Falls
Sculptured
Tangled Thoughts of Leaving
Timbre - Sun & Moon
The Velvet Teen

Misc.
Kevin Gilbert - Thud Deluxe Edition
Kevin Gilbert  - Toy Matinee (Acoustic)
Kevin Gilbert - Giraffe's 20th The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway anniversary
Marillion - X-Mas album

Archive - Restriction (2014-2015)

12/1/14 6:25PM

Archive released the soundtrack LP Axiom last Summer, so to see them put something else out soon just caught me by surprise. Although, the Axiom soundtrack wasn't incredibly long, and they tend to write and record a lot of stuff in spurts, hence the 3 or 4 versions of Controlling Crowds?

I should be checking out those 3 early shared tracks below sometime this evening (haven't yet, gf is playing a marathon of her/my new favorite YouTube channel Swoozie per a sample from a WatchMojo list).

But certainly I am excited to hear this record, which is released on January 12th.



1 Feel It 3:16
2 Restriction 4:00
3 Kid Corner 3:39
4 End of Our Days 4:52
5 Third Quarter Storm 5:26
6 Half Built Houses 3:31
7 Riding in Squares 6:34
8 Ruination 3:51
9 Crushed 5:55
10 Black and Blue 3:44
11 Greater Goodbye 6:08
12 Ladders 5:03
13 All the Time [bonus track] 2:46

itunes


Gatherer - Pretty Much (2012) [Video]


Gatherer - Pretty Much from Alastair Tye Samson on Vimeo.

Not new, but a pretty wicked looking video at times. Also this track I believe was written around the time they were transitioning or they had maybe only recently changed their name as it's not on So Be It of course, and sound/style wise, it seems closer to the sound they had when they were known as This City Sunrise.

Tuesday, November 25, 2014

Nordic Giants: Post Rock w/chamber + [female] vox + samples + electronics

Dismantle Suns cover art


1. Little Bird 05:36
2. Mechanical Minds 04:47
3. Strangest Tides (Feat. Heymun) 05:08
4. Dark Clouds Mean War 06:01

Build Seas cover art

1. Violent Lights (Feat. Alex Hedley) 04:12
2. Drumfire 03:53
3. Neotenie 04:52
4. Between Two Worlds (Feat. Freyja) 07:41

What the hell KScope? yet ANOTHER band, like iamthemorning, that appear to be right up my alley on their label.

Holy shit this is some atmospheric, incredibly dreamy stuff! And this (British but at also East Indian-based?) band, it appears are taking the Pure Reason Revolution/Revere approach of releasing a bunch of singles and EP's before their 1st full-length, which it sounds like they are working on? or maybe close to finished and I imagine may get released this Season.

Some stuff here about it on their website

Some of this stuff reminds me of maybe 2 bands, 1 being the late/great Post/Dreamy Rock band from Portland, Oregon Forest Park, but maybe even more, Canadian chillwave/dream/post rock band who I last heard about in 2012, Memoryhouse.

edit: They also remind me a fair amount of the band *Shels, mainly the percussion, vocals, and use of grand sounding trumpet almost as a texture. And when they use electronics, they can sound a bit like God is an Astronaut (or Toria).

That seems vague. I suppose I hear elements of many other "post" bands (Sigur Ros?, *Shels? God is an Astronaut), including KScope band Nosound I suppose. But regardless, I am rather intrigued by this group in just hearing some of their music on the latest KScope Podcast and now online.

Love the samples (although the ones that include yelling are hit and miss sometimes).

Damn this stuff is dynamic and also very sublime.






Kimbra - Miracle [McCarren Park Session]



Oh man, the version is gorgeous like the version she did a few years ago of "Wandering Limbs."

And, well, given it's a video and how she's dressed, the music isn't the only gorgeous thing in this video :p

She really ought to record a live all-acoustic record.

Monday, November 24, 2014

Fjokra - Mellowsound Sessions #1 "Salty"

Only just checked it out at a low volume once, but it does sound rather hypnotic, like a lot of other parts of Fjokra's music. Kindo f a trippy video with a girl with blue--ish painted skin and what seems like a small Squid or Octopus moving around in her hand.

Sunday, November 23, 2014

Dream the Electric Sleep - Heretics (2013-2014)

Heretics cover art

1. Heretics 04:50
2. Elizabeth 08:22
3. Utopic 06:38
4. To Love Is To Leave 08:01
5. The Name You Fear 06:09
6. It Must Taste Good 08:31
7. I Know What You Are 06:42
8. Fist To Face 04:15
9. Lost Our Faith 02:05
10. How Long We Wait 09:28
11. Ashes Fall 08:07

I'm again not going to go into great detail as this is another case of a record/band I slept on this past Season, but knew about, and didn't finally give the attention it probably deserved until now. And I still need to give it more time, of course, but I will only add the vague amounts of observations about it in this initial posting. Maybe an edit coming later?..I know how I habitually do that.

But this band from Lexington, KY and their new album Heretics is definitely a nice blend of modern progressive rock, some retro or classic rock, and post rock.

I did read a fair amount about them among progressive rock forums and rateyourmusic.com this past season, which is how I even knew and became curious about them. I recall 1 or 2 reviews saying there was a lot of good moments on this album, but it was a bit lengthly. Which I wouldn't disagree with, but I don't find it drags as much as I suspected it would.

The singer, sounds like a few different singers I enjoy, but like the singer from Grimus, he sounds probably most like Jonah from The Velvet Teen and maybe even more, Evan Konrad of Bed of Stars and whose sung with Neverending White Lights.

Favorites: probably the track "Elizabeth" stands out the most. Rather epic and a climax that really works well.

But I'll confess, it'll end up the hopefully soon to come Season Ending Countdown, but definitely higher than I would have put it a week ago. I feel bad though, like with iamthemorning's album, I slept on it all season, and thus I didn't get to experience it during this/its season of release, but so be it.. As I said aboiut Belighted, definitely better late than never.

Also given they are from Kentucky, I wonder if they ever do any touring, even in the Mid/Upper Midwest? because seeing them live might be a little more realistic than seeing iamthemorning sadly.


Friday, November 21, 2014

iamthemorning - Belighted (2013-2014)

Belighted cover art

1. Intermission IX 01:20
2. The Howler 03:57
3. To Human Misery 04:18
4. Intermission X 00:53
5. Romance 03:01
6. The Simple Story 03:30
7. Intermission XI 01:21
8. 5/4 03:50
9. Crowded Corridors 08:44
10. Gerda 04:52
11. Os Lunatum 04:31
12. Intermission XII 02:36
13. K. O. S. 06:06
14. Reprise Of Light/No Light 05:16
15. Intermission XIII 00:58

I'd like to write an extensively detailed review about this band and album, but I can't promise that. But I do want to post something, however short or not this is.

I recall hearing about iamthemorning at least a year ago or more, but don't even recall if I checked any of their music out. But this past Season, this album received a fair amount of buzz among progressive rock fans. That and I recall it was per the KScope Podcast and them announcing the signing to KScope sometime in the last year, which brought their name to me.

I eventually checked a little of this album out, and kind of forgot about them. But then I think it was around the time I checked out Marketa Irglova's new LP Muna, I also finally gave this whole record a go. And I remember liking it, but also thinking people were overhyping it a bit. And given the receny, thinking Muna was similar but better. However, now I'm not so sure.

But in going through the end of Season records, I gave it another shot the other day and I must say, I am a fair amount more into it and the band.

What are they like? they use very tasteful string and other chamber or classical arrangements along with very clean, delicate female vocals. Which on paper is nice, but I suppose it is how they are written/composed which stand out. The dynamics, crescendos, twists and turns at points. They even use samples on the 2nd track "The Howler" which is from an episode of  Alfred Hitchcock Presents titled "Human Interest Story"(by Googling "Howard Wilcox" an "TV Episode" reveals it).

This album and band combine very lush arranged songs that segue very well with the interludes or "Intermissions."

I feel bad I slept on this album and band this year, but better late than never. It's hardly the 1st nor last time this kind of late/pre-end-of-Season post changes with review/revisiting of an album I was not as high on earlier in the Season.

iamthemorning I guess are just a duo of Gleb Kolyadin & Marjana Semkina. From St.Petersburg, which sadly is quite a ways away, to hope for a tour of the US. But who knows, maybe they could open for KScope labelmates Steven Wilson or Anathema at some point in North America. But until then, enjoying this record and their previous work will have to do.

Favorite tracks: 5/4, Gerda, K.O.S. Os Lunatum, The Howler





http://iamthemorning.com/
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Thomas Giles - Modern Noise (2014-2015)

11/21/14 2:31AM

digging this 2nd track"Siphon the Bad Blood." + Interview


11/11/14 6:06PM



Being released on November 20th, Modern Noise is the upcoming solo LP from Between the Buried and Me's lead singer/keyboardist. I'm digging this, and I'm probably more optimistic about this album than his last solo record from 2011 Pulse.

http://www.metalblade.com/thomasgiles/

http://www.indiemerch.com/metalbladerecords/item/28910

Modern Noise

01. Wise and Silent
02. Mutilated World
03. Siphon the Bad Blood
04. I Appear Disappear
05. Blueberry Queen
06. We Wander Lonely
07. M3
08. lkcvjvhljbvj≥˜∆˚nnnjmkjijm
09. Noise Upon
10. Wander Drug
11. The Devil Net
12. Modern Noise

Thursday, November 20, 2014

Dave Kerzner - My Old Friend (Thud Reunion)

Dave Kerzner, who played with Kevin Gilbert on THUD and was a touring/live member with that era/band has been buzzing in the progressive rock world a lot this year with his solo record (and he many guests, one being Steve Hackett I recall).

But today, which would have been Kevin's 48th Birthday, Dave was very cool to share a recording him along with some of the other THUD band members made I guess in honor of Kevin. Nick D'Virgilio + Russ Parrish are on this.

Rather dreamy sounding. I probably need to be more conscious of this upcoming solo album of his, which it sounds like should be released rather soon, and will include a version of this track.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/4784414683/permalink/10152896734279684/

Happy Birthday My Old Friend Kevin Gilbert!
In honor of the late Kevin Gilbert's would-be-48th birthday I am streaming a song from my solo album that features a mini "Thud Reunion" with Nick D'Virgilio, Russ Parrish and myself. This is the second song I've written about him. The first was SOC's "Not Coming Down". I'll just be streaming this for 24 hours, today November 20th, for Kevin.
https://soundcloud.com/davekerznerband/my-old-friend
A lot more information about the song, the players and the lyrics in the Sound Cloud description.



https://soundcloud.com/davekerznerband/my-old-friend

20 years ago I played in a band called "Thud", which was the late Kevin Gilbert's solo project after "Toy Matinee" split up. Today would have been Kevin Gilbert's 48th birthday if he was still alive. In many ways, his spirit is still alive through his music and his influence. Working with him had a profound impact on me as a musician and lyricist.

In 1998 I wrote a song about him called "Not Coming Down" that later got revised and recorded for the Sound of Contact "Dimensionaut" album. Now, many years later I've written another song dedicated to him for my first-ever solo album "New World". What made this even more special for me is, for the first time in 20 years two other former members of "Thud", Nick D'Virgilio and Russ Parrish, play drums and guitar along with myself on vocals and keys, Fernando Perdomo on bass and special guest Maryem Tollar on "exotic vocals from another land". So, it was like a mini-Thud-reunion for us and it was very fitting given the subject matter of the song. It was also very nostalgic! While I work with NDV a lot, I had not seen or talked to Russ in probably 18 years? So, it really was great to catch up with him and he was thrilled that I asked him to play on it. Maybe we'll do it again sometime!

I wasn't planning on posting any more full songs until my album is out (which is very, very soon) but, since it's Kevin's birthday, I thought it might be nice to stream a pre-mastered version of the song "My Old Friend" just for today, November 20th, in honor of Kevin on his would-be-birthday.

If you aren't familiar with Kevin's music, he was a brilliantly clever lyricist and virtuoso musician. I strongly recommend you check out the latest Kevin Gilbert and Giraffe releases coming from Kevin's estate. www.kevingilbert.com and look him up on YouTube. The "Thud Live At The Troubadour" DVD gives you an idea of what some of these same combinations of musicians sounded like back then.

Happy Birthday Kevin wherever you are!

My Old Friend
(Music and Lyrics by Dave Kerzner)

Hello, my old friend 
From the other side of the end 
You’ve come to visit me again 
Poetic license to pretend
Hello, to the shape unknown 
Waiting dauntless on my own 
Bare and fragile flesh and bone 
I am eager to be shown

Give me reason, give me art 
Unearthly wisdom you impart 
Crossing over, shaking hands 
With someone who understands

Hello, my old friend 
From the other side of the end 
We both took that drive 
To an unexpected curve 
With hollow people 
Who’ve got a lot of nerve 
Restrained what we deserve 
In a cloud you observe

Give me reason, give me art 
Unearthly wisdom you impart 
Crossing over, shaking hands 
With someone who understands
Give me courage, give me grace 
Spin the dogma that I face 
I am tuning to the signs 
Etching truth in cosmic lines

©2014, Dave Kerzner ASCAP, RecPlay Inc. All Rights Reserved.
So long my old friend One day we shall meet again

Wednesday, November 19, 2014

Mayer Hawthorne: Playboy.com Video Interview



Good interview asking Mayer about his favorite records; Steely Dan included! Favorite Artist: I knew about his Barry White influence, but he adds a little more here., His shows, his favorite record stores. The store in the Bay Area, Groove Merchant I can't say I know, and when he mentions Amoeba, while I guess the Hollywood store is the largest, I have yet to go there, and know Amoeba for their Bay Area stores.