| # | Artist | Song (click to play) | Album | Year | CD label | My Gnosis Rating |
| 1 | Somnambulist | Pinocchio | Somnambulist | 1996 | Laser's Edge | 11 |
| Heavy modern progressive that reminds me somewhat of Discipline with melodramatic musical themes and excellent keyboard & guitar work. This very original music is mostly instrumental with ever shifting development. They represent many of the best elements of classic progressive, including vintage keyboards and mellotron, with a modern ideas and expressiveness. | ||||||
| 2 | Lonely Universe | Corridor | Lonely Universe | 1990 | CMP Records | 11 |
| Lonely Universe is Michael White on trumpet & Michel Lambert on drums with guests David Torn on guitar & Mick Karn on bass. I know of only 1 other Lonely Universe album which has White & Lambert with other musicians. The music on this album reminds me of Miles Davis more spacious recordings of the 80's, like "Aura" in particular. You can expect much of the same kind of experimental fusion that you hear with the multitude of other Torn/Karn projects. Excellent atmospheric music. | ||||||
| 3 | Fractious | The Blue Job | Fractious | 2001 | (unreleased demo) | NA |
|
Fractious are a Fairfax Virginia area band that is primarily Joe Cox
on guitar (and song writing), Flip Martin on drums, and whoever they
can get to play bass at the time. The music is complex & well structured,
with an infectious melodicism. Having seen these guys play live, I
know they would sound great with a studio recording. The music is an
all instrumental guitar-led progression fusion that reminds somewhat
of Boud Deun, sans violin.
Flip Martin: daflipper@aol.com Joe Cox: (703) 941-8752 | ||||||
| 4 | Hamster Theater | Hamster Dance | Siege on Hamburger City | 1998 | Cricetus Disc | 10 |
|
Hamster Theatre is primarily a project of accordionist Dave Willey
with Jon Stubbs and some Thinking Plaguers filling out the roster.
As you can imagine, with accordion as the lead instrument, you are
not going to hear anything typical. There are elements of traditional
folk music but with the additional complexities of avant-garde
influences of progressive music. I am reminded somewhat of Samlas
Mammas Manna, but that may be the accordion-variation of the "if it
has flute, it sounds like Jethro Tull" syndrome.
Hamster Theatre home page | ||||||
| 5 | Hosemobile | Fold | Six Foot Hater | 1997 | Big Jim Records | 9 |
| Hosemobile are a modern progressive band from Tennessee that has somewhat of a grungy-alternative / post-rock edge. The music is pretty agressive and should appeal to those who want to rawk. I am reminded a little of Don Caballero (not the guy from Second City Television). They also have a new album out on the Cuneiform label. | ||||||
| 6 | David Torn | Particle Bugs @ Purulia Station | What Means Solid, Traveller? | 1996 | CMP Records | 11 |
|
On this album we have nearly all sounds produced by David Torn on
guitars, effects, and other assorted & sundry devices. Much like an
ambient-music artist, David places great care on the timbres and
textures of his guitar sound, and is always experimenting with new
ways of creating different sounds. David's exposure to many
different world cultures and musics have also given him a unique
perspective that he expresses through his music which over the
course of his albums and collaborations covers a wide range of
styles. On this album you might attribute styles such as ambient,
fusion, rock, industrial & world music. An interesting mix with
very good results.
David Torn : Solid States | ||||||