| # | Artist | Song (click to play) | Album | Year | CD label |
| 1 | Nexus | Sueno Infinito | Detras del Umbral | 1999 | Record Runner |
|
Nexus are a new band from Argentina playing a bombastic melodramatic
progressive with digital keyboards at the forefront. I am finding that
the album is growing on me a bit after a year. Nexus just played at
Baja Prog this month on put on a nice show, and will be doing the
same at NearFest in June. They promise to be a crowd pleaser.
lalo@impsat1.com.br | |||||
| 2 | Garmarna | Sorgsen ton | Stomped Bread | Vengeance | 1999 | Northside |
|
Garmarna plays a modern folk rock. For me, the best part of the band
is vocalist Emma Härdelin whose voice has an amazing resonance and clarity
that has me spellbound everytime I listen. There are some traditional rock
instruments used, like guitar and bass, but, acoustic instruments are always
at the fore: violin, hurdy-gurdy, lute. The lyrics are generally about
dark things in an Edgar Allan Poe sort of way. English translations are
provided in the US versions of the CD's.
Garmarna Northside - Garmarna | |||||
| 3 | Sotos | L'Espoir du Clan Des Huitres (excerpt) | Sotos | 1999 | Gazul Records (a division of Musea) |
|
A new French band in the RIO (rock-in-opposition) mold of Univers Zero,
Etron Fou, Hellebore et al, and also with the harder edge of King Crimson
and Present. One of my favorite releases of 1999. Amazing interplay
between violin, cello, guitar, and percussion. The music has the
playfulness and wit of Gentle Giant. Someone needs to bring this band to
the US for one of those progressive music Festivals!
sotos@wanadoo.fr | |||||
| 4 | Mushroom | The Magic of Michael | Analog hi-fi surprise | 1999 | innerSPACE records |
|
Mushroom are an American instrumental improvisational band. The music
is a mix of Krautrock styled improv, psychedelia, space rock, and jazz
ala 70's Miles Davis. The results are very good. Instrumentation includes
guitars, bass, drums, electric piano, mellotron, flute, sax, percussions.
innerSPACE records mushroom@innerspacerecords.com | |||||
| 5 | Equinox | Refugio | Spirits of Freedom | 2000 | Medallon Cosmico Records |
| "Equinox is a new band from Panama who released their first disc in 1998. Since then there has been some lineup changes and only the keyboardist and bassist remain from that album. Keyboards are more dominant than before, and they have a female singer, whom some people like and other do not. You can decide for yourself. They are not perfect, but a young band with a good deal of talent and potential." - Alan Mallery | |||||
| 6 | Thieves' Kitchen | Time | Head | 2000 | self-produced |
|
On first impression this band reminds me mostly of early Spock's Beard.
But, I like this much better. The music is filled with ever changing
rhythms and melodies, but, retaining an upbeat accessibility. The guitar
playing is exceptional. I really like the tone which sounds similar to
the guitarist on the Gordian Knot album (Ron Jarzombek?). The band plays
very tight on the high quality production. The music often reminds me
of The Flower Kings sound. Solid playing all around.
Thieves Kitchen Home Page | |||||