| # | Artist | Song (click to play) | Album | Year | CD label |
| 1 | Metaphor | Ladder from the Sky | Starfooted | 2000 | Galileo Records |
|
Metaphor, a San Francisco based band, spent their first couple of years
as a Genesis cover band. Now, after working for a couple of more years
on original material, they are releasing their very good debut album.
You can still hear the classic Genesis influence, especially in the guitar
and mellotron . I am reminded of bands like Ad Infinitum, Iluvatar,
Twin Age, I.Q. et al. This album is a very nice surprise.
Metaphor progrock@metaphor.org Galileo Records | |||||
| 2 | Korekyojin | Out of Head | Korekyojin | 1999 | Tzadik |
| Korekyojin is a collaboration between Ruins' Yoshida Tatsuya, Bondage Fruit's Kido Natsuki, and Nasuno Mitsuru. The music is a high intensity instrumental power trio of bass, guitar, and drums. Reminds me of the Japanese band Hi-speed. | |||||
| 3 | Metamorphosis | Trilogy | Contaminated Chamber Music | 1999 | Rachot |
|
An interesting and unusual avant-progressive / RIO album. Similar in
style to Samla Mammas Manna, Univers Zero, and Reportaz. The music has
some folk influences with a large array of acoustic instrumentation
including cello, violin, acoustic guitar. Mix in some brilliant electric
guitar and you have a great new music that is challenging and fun to
listen to. Metamorphosis is from the Czech Republic.
Rachot Agency xx@rachot.cz | |||||
| 4 | Tempano | Lugar de casas nuevas | Childhood's End | 2000 | Musea |
| "Tempano is probably the most well known prog band from Venezuela. The original lineup regrouped to perform to perform at Baja Prog last year and recorded a few new tracks for the reissue of "Abatal-Yamal". This is their long awaited new album, and is quite excellent. Peter Pejtsik from Aftery Crying appears as a guest. Their albums are essential purchases, in my opinion." - Alan Mallery | |||||
| 5 | The Underground Railroad | The Doorman | Through and Through | 2000 | Laser's Edge |
|
Underground Railroad is perhaps the best current American progressive rock band,
but, no one know it, yet. Keyboardist/vocalist/song-writer Kurt Rongey gave
me a demo copy at ProgDay last year. On my drive home listening to recently
purchased cd's, I put in the Underground Railroad and played it 3 times in a
row. Normally, I would not even play a CD twice in the same day, but, this
album had me absolutely captivated. The compositions are layed with complexities,
but the overall effect is very accessible. Some comparisons in that regard are
Yes' early 70's albums or Anglagard. The music flows perfectly, yet dedicated
listens reveal an undercurrent of immeasurable subtleties. Not only is the
music of the highest caliber, but, the production of and timbre of the
instruments is well crafted. Bill Pohl's guitar is powerful, yet, the notes
are clear as bell, sometimes with a sound similar to Eric Johnson's lead
guitar. There is a vast array of original keyboard sounds used to good
effect. The music is very original. I cannot think of any other bands
to compare them to, except that I am occassionally reminded of Thinking
Plague.
Look for the album to be released on The Laser's Edge in April 2000. The Underground Railroad undergroundrailroad@hotmail.com | |||||