The Tangent – Songs from the Hard Shoulder (2022)
This is the latest album from this UK based progressive rock band and is one of the best in their catalgoue. As usual, we are treated to some very long songs, political commentary, social commentary…
Album Reviews
Music Reviews | The material reviewed will not always be “progressive rock”, but will hopefully inspire you to check it out. By definition, what I reviewed, I like.
Pure Reason Revolution – Above Cirrus (2022)
First album in a couple of years from this most interesting of bands. Always had a soft spot for them since hearing the Bright Ambassadors of Morning and buying it on CD Single! Anyway, they…
James LaBrie – Beautiful Shade of Grey (2022)
This is the 4th solo album from the current Dream Theater vocalist and, I must say, by far his best. I was not too keen on his previous works, but he has nailed the heavy…
Porcupine Tree – Closure-Continuation (2022)
As everyone must know by now, this is the first PT album in years. To say it was long awaited would be an understatement. Anyway, here it is and what is it like? The easy…
Belly Dancer: a Lost Classic
Many years ago, more than I care to remember, I heard a song on the radio called Belly Dancer. I loved it straight away and managed to record most of it to cassette. DJs being…
Public Service Broadcasting – The War Room (2012)
I saw this band in concert on the BBC a few weeks ago and I was severely impressed. They were a trio playing various guitars, drums, keyboards and DJ type stuff. The only ‘vocals’, if…
Spock’s Beard – Live At Sea (2014)
Here we are with yet another entry in the Beard’s live album discography. This differs from the others as it was recorded on a boat(!): the so-called Progressive Nation at Sea cruise and also features…
The Wrong Object – After the Exhibition (2013)
Belgian band The Wrong Object have released a new album entitled After the Exhibition. It is very much cast in the mould of Soft Machine around the time of Bundles and Softs, both of which…
Syd Arthur – Moving World EP (2012)
Just discovered this band and picked up the EP at Bandcamp (where else?!). There are four tracks and you could describe it as Psychedelic/Canterbury inspired prog rock. Sort of. Regardless of what you choose to call…
Big Big Train: Make Some Noise EP (2013)
Big Big Train have re-released their previous two albums English Electric Part One and English Electric Part Part Two (both unmitigated works of genius) as one album called English Electric Full Power with 4 bonus tracks…
Blood Ceremony: the Eldritch Dark (2013)
This is the Canadian band’s third album and, I think, their best. Fusing seventies hard rock with some progressive flourishes – like a mixture of Black Sabbath, Jethro Tull, Curved Air and a dash of Fairport…
Gordon Giltrap and Oliver Wakeman – Ravens & Lullabies (2013)
This is the first electric album from Giltrap in many years. On Ravens & Lullabies he has partnered with Oliver Wakeman and together they have concocted a delightful semi-prog rock record. By semi, I mean…
Andy Burrows: Company
Artist / Title: Andy Burrows: Company (2012) Month Reviewed: June 2013 Format: CD Well, here is an album that has the words ‘pleasant surprise’ written all over it! Andy Burrows was the drummer in Razorlight, a UK indie/rock band…
Deep Purple: Now What?! (2013)
Artist / Title: Deep Purple: Now What?! (2013) Month Reviewed: May 2013 Format: CD Buy: [featured-img] It’s been a good while since the marvellous Rapture of the Deep album . . . so it was with baited breath that I listened to the new…
Dream Theater: A Dramatic Turn of Events (2011)
Artist / Title: Dream Theater: A Dramatic Turn of Events (2011) Month Reviewed: November 2011 Format: CD Buy: Everyone knows Mike Portnoy is no longer in the band . . . but I’m not ging…
Opeth: Heritage (2011)
Artist / Title: Opeth: Heritage (2011) Month Reviewed: October 2011 Format: CD Buy: Opeth have been building up to this album for years and tested the waters a bit with the beautiful, haunting and stunning…
Joe Bonamassa: Dust Bowl (2011)
Artist / Title: Joe Bonamassa: Dust Bowl (2011) Month Reviewed: May 2011 Format: CD Buy: Take away three tracks away from this albums 12, you would likely have the best (or certainly one of the…
Abel Ganz: Shooting Albatross (2008)
Artist / Title: Abel Ganz: Shooting Albatross (2008) Month Reviewed: April 2011 Format: CD Buy: Abel Ganz are one of those bands that seem to have been around forever. First time I heard them was…
Black Sabbath: Technical Ecstasy (1976)
Artist / Title: Black Sabbath: Technical Ecstacy (1976) Month Reviewed: March 2011 Format: CD Buy: Reviled by most folks as a record by a band missing the ‘spark’, this is one of my favourite Sabbath…
Barclay James Harvest: Everyone is Everybody Else
Artist / Title: Barclay James Harvest: Everyone Is Everybody Else Month Reviewed: February 2011 Format: CD Buy: This was my first BJH album, bought because it was just .50p in a second-hand record store in…