Posts

TDW - 2026 - Bane of the Talebearer OST

Image
(177:24; Layered Reality Productions) Back in the glory days of vinyl, buying a record was not just about the music it contained but what came with it. There would generally be wonderful artwork, possibly lyrics, maybe even a gatefold sleeve, but some artists took it even further. Being a keen Jethro Tull collector I revelled in the programme which came with ‘A Passion Play’ and the pop-up figures on the sleeve for ‘Stand Up’, but of course the highlight was the mighty ‘Thick As A Brick’. Not only was it musically their finest hour, but it also came inside a broadsheet newspaper which even included a review of the album itself! I spent many hours reading this, as I am sure many other fans did as well, but with the advent of CDs and digital downloads this style of presentation mostly disappeared. I thoroughly enjoyed the release of ‘Mad Martins’ by Gary Miller back in 2018 which brought a highly researched 100-page book to the table, and now we have Tom de Wit, who surely must have brou...
Post a Comment
Read more

Xavi Reija Electric Quintet - 2026 - Nu Breed

Image
(40:12; Moonjune Records) It has been well over a decade since drummer Xavi Reija last released an album under his Electric Quintet banner, experimenting with different styles and musicians in between, yet now we are back again. Of the musicians who played with him in the last incarnation, 2008’s ‘Ritual’, we still have his longtime sparring partner Dušan Jevtović (electric guitar) as well as Rafael Garcés (sax) and Bernat Hernández (bass guitar) with just one new boy, Tomàs Fosch (Fender Rhodes electric piano, Mini Moog) replacing Álvaro Gandul. Six of the tracks were composed by Xavi, one by Dušan, and one by the two of them together, and the original songs then gave the musicians a springboard to move and improvise together. I have long been a fan of Xavi (and Dušan with his own releases) so it is always great to hear them working together as they have such a strong relationship that it is always a delight. The first time I played this I fell in love with the spontaneity and joy whi...
Post a Comment
Read more

Versa - 2026 - A Voyage. A Destination [Round Trip Special Edition]

Image
(179:07; Versa) To celebrate their 20th anniversary, Canadian outfit Versa have combined the two parts of their ‘A Voyage/A Destination’ albums which were released in 2022 and 2024 respectively and combined them into one lengthy release (3 hours) with additional tracks/ performances. The first thing I noticed, even before putting it on the player, is that the cover of the new collection is virtually identical to that of Part Two, which seems very strange to me. This is the first time I have come across this band and albums, so I was intrigued to hear what they were like, especially as the press release says how highly they were regarded within the prog scene. I also noticed a huge number of guests, including Jim Grey and Sam Vallen of Caligula's Horse, Nick D'Virgilio (Big Big Train), Marjana Semkina (iamthemorning), Eric Gillette (Neal Morse Band, Temic), Ross Jennings (Haken), Lars Fredrik Frøislie (Wobbler), Kelly Nordstrom (eMolecule, Sound of Contact) and Michael Trew (Moo...
Post a Comment
Read more

Odd Logic - 2026 - Mortal Heirloom

Image
(43:47; Odd Logic) The FB algorithm must be working overtime when it comes to my profile as yet again, I discovered a band talking about their new album. I determined to find out more which is now I am currently listening to the ninth album from Tacoma-based outfit Odd Logic. Their debut was released more than 20 years ago and was initially a one-man project of Sean Thompson, although there have been a few other musicians over the years, and these days is settled on Sean (guitar, bass, keyboards, vocals) and Pete Hanson (drums, gutterals).   This is prog metal with strong melodic influences and plenty of room within the arrangements, a drummer who understands his role is much more than just being a timekeeper, a multi-instrumentalist who very much creates a band feeling who can also sing, really sing. This never comes across as a project created by just two people, but feels much more like a band, and there is no doubt in my mind that they have been heavily influenced by Encha...
Post a Comment
Read more

Nine Skies - 2026 - Horizons [Greatest Hits]

Image
(74:36; Nine Skies) This is a very limited-edition release, just 100 physical copies, bringing together not only music from their four albums but also artwork, as the cover contains elements easily recognisable to fans. This album is a reflection back on what they have achieved to date before they move onto the next chapter and is a nice collection of some of the wonderful music this French progressive band has delivered in the last 10 years. Of course, mention the name Nine Skies and one must also remember Eric Bouillette who was taken from us far too young, and this release is dedicated to him. I like the fact this is not presented in chronological order but with songs chosen in a manner to make this experience totally immersive and enjoyable. They have utilised a great many guest musicians over the years, both on vocals and instrumentation, but their greatest strength has always been in the arrangements and the way they combine melody and musicality with space, different tempos and ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Night Thorn - 2013 - Pilgrimage

Image
(58:20; Night Thorn) One would think that after decades of reviewing albums I would be better organised, but no, and I honestly have no idea why I am currently listening to the only album released by Canadian band Night Thorn in 2013. Apparently, they were a musical collaboration between Daniel Enns (guitars, organs, synths, bass, percussion, vocals) and Daniel Puurveen (drums, percussion, electric guitar, vocals) with various others. This album was recorded in a garage in Alberta and is a concept regarding the journey a young man takes to re-discover his childhood and he writes in a journal detailing what he finds. The songs are all different journal entries, and although they are individual songs they are set so they flow directly into another.  In many ways this reminds me of the demo tapes I often used to receive in the 90’s from bands who were far from the finished article but there was some promise which may have delivered something fascinating if they kept at it. There are s...
Post a Comment
Read more

Mogador - 2010 - All I Am Is My Own Making

Image
(50:10; Melodic Revolution Records) In a recent MRR newsletter Nick Katona highlighted this album, originally released in 2010, and given I had previously reviewed their 2017 release, ‘Chaptersend’, I thought I would give it a try. Although their debut had been released just the previous year, there had been a line-up change in the departure of guitarist Stefano Lago, but the remaining members just shared the duties between them and carried on as a trio. Richard George Allen (drums, assorted percussion, vocals), Luca Briccola (guitars, keyboards, flute, orchestration, backing vocals) and Paolo Pigni (bass, acoustic guitars, vocals) here deliver a concept album inspired by a true story suggested by Richard. It follows a businessman trapped in a New York lift over a weekend and takes us through multiple emotions, from claustrophobic panic to the exhilaration of a new beginning. Mogador are a band who I feel never truly gained the recognition they deserved, possibly because they are an It...
Post a Comment
Read more