title: Great glam rock  - Trevor Rabin's early days

text:
If you are interested in the music of Trevor Rabin, South African rock or are partial to 70's glam rock with Beatlesque influences then this album is certainly worth a listen. Rabin fans like myself, see this album as a great milestone in his development as musician, composer and producer.

Most people who have watched films in the last two decades will have heard the music of Trevor Rabin. Older South African's may remember him as the frontman of a 70s pop-rock band, Rabbitt,  while those into electric guitar would know him for his successful ten years with the progressive rock group, Yes. Rabin is currently Holywood's prolific film composer for blockbusters like [[ASIN:B0013AQK9G Armageddon - Original Motion Picture Score]], Flyboys, National Treasure, The Guardian, Gridiron Gang, Remember the Titans and the Sorcerer's apprentice.

I cast my mind back to my first album purchase back in 1977 when as a teenager I picked up Rabbitt's 'Croak and a grunt in the night' from a small Central News Agency in Pinelands, Cape Town. Rabbitt, among my peers, was seen as a teenybopper band - while my close friends' music diet was more likely to be Bad Company and Pink Floyd, so I remember hiding my purchase initially. I had only heard Rabbitt's radio tracks like 'Hold on to love' and 'Charlie' so was astounded when hearing their whole album with their rockier and more progressive elements.

Some thirty five years after its release, I again listen to 'A Croak and a Grunt'.  Back in '77 it was a huge musical happening for South African's of European descent. In cloistered, apartheid South Africa, this was the country's closest experience of rock mania, with sold out concerts, teen girl hysteria and the fastest selling album in the history of South African rock music. On many a girl's school bag or book the statement "Rabbitt rules okay" was adorned. It seems strange now to think that Rabbitt dominated the pop charts, the awards and entertainment news for that strange, tumultuous South African period of 1976 to '79.

The title 'TC Rabin in D minor', the opening Brian May-like instrumental track, conveys the supreme confidence of Trevor and this band - and when you hear Rabin's powerful multi-layered guitar you realise this is indeed special as it segues into the ballad with strings and the plaintiff singing of "I sleep alone". Then the drums kick in and the title track punches in. You are aware of slick 70's production and expressive guitar which ends with an extensive wah-wah inflected solo over Rabin's characteristic use of a full studio of strings.

'Everybody's cheating' an emotional ballad begins, with big vocal harmonies, piano and catchy tune - the influence at best is Beatles but I do think of the Carpenters as well. The listener is then catapulted into a Neil Cloud drum extravaganza couched in another Rabin glam rock track. It must be remembered that this is Rabin in his early 20's playing in a heart-throb pretty-boy band and so tracks like 'Searching' do sound like typical glam rock ballads with all the syrupy strings and gushing vocals. Yet in spite of this, there is strong melody, world class guitaring plus subtle twists and rich harmonies that are up there by 1977 standards internationally let alone in the politically and culturally secluded South Africa of that time.

The heaviest track "Working for the people", the only all band composition, pounds away with bass, menacing strings, reverb extreme, multi-layered guitar interludes plus an oblique reference to what was happening with riot torn SA of 1976. If it was a statement, it was a subtle pushing the boundaries that had more in keeping with rebel boy rock and the risqué cover of Rabin naked behind a guitar than a political statement.

Although the CD does not refer to sides I refer to the original vinyl as this explains why we have the beautiful 'Schumann' multi-layered guitar instrumental introduction at the 'start of side 2'. (Listen to both the opening track and 'Schumann' as these are played in their entirety in the Amazon sampler.) "Hold on to love" is emotion drenched track that clearly Rabin thought stood the test of time as he included a different version on his solo album 'Can't look away'. This is then followed by the "Dingley's bookshop" that forever enshrines the name 'Pietmaritzburg' in a pop song. What is of interest is that this was written as a jingle for an SATV sitcom which does put the lyrics in context and the Beatles like ending.

For that time period, what was significant was having Margaret Singana forcefully singing 'Tribal fence' that pointed to a new South Africa in the distant future. By choosing her as the only guest artist on their long awaited album, Rabbitt were aligning themselves with more progressive elements in South Africa. Listen to the tone of Rabin's guitar in the short solo for a glimpse of what was still to come on [[ASIN:B00122X3FO 90125 [Expanded]]] with their number one hit, 'Owner of a lonely heart'.

Fusion rock and instrumental prowess is on display in "Never Gonna Ruin my Life" and "Take it easy". This was certainly bold for South African pop in the 70's and I remember thinking back then that Rabbitt could break into the international rock market. As we know this never happened but instead Rabin went on to join and influence the mighty progressive rock group, Yes; Neil Cloud toured with Peter Frampton and Duncan Faure joined the Bay City Rollers - all international recognition and huge achievement for four friends from Joburg.

Happily listening to this old album again for the umpteenth time, I still enjoy and listen to all the tracks. I eagerly look forward to Rabin's new release '[[ASIN:B007KL8U22 Jacaranda]]'- unfortunately it won't have any of those rich vocal harmonies, but it sure will have that emotional pull of strong melodicism, beauty and striking musicianship.


title: ... looking for that rap/rock sound this is a real good buy. I was lucky enough to see Capstone ...

text: If your looking for that rap/rock sound this is a real good buy.  I was lucky enough to see Capstone live twice in Milwaukee and they're live show never disappointed.  This album is a real good listen to.


title: Wonderful rock melodic album from Mike Tramp

text: This is a wonderful album of european melodic rock from Mike Tramp - please do not expect it as White Lion. This cd has very nice and cool songs as "Highway", "Back to you" as many other. Mike Tramp is doing very good new stuff.First time I hear it I just like a few songs, but after I love the whole album. This Cd is a must for all Mike Tramp fans. Mike Tramp is a very good musician (songwriter, singer) is a doing and trying new music for the people-it time to giving him a chance! (White lion sleeps at peace)-Try this CD!!!


title: Five Stars

text: Excellent and very speedy delivery!


title: Five Stars

text: Excellent and fast service!


title: Y2K Britpop

text: Well though this may not be Coldplay's best album so far, the innovative sounds in this one still prove daring for a band who has been on their peak for more than 10 years...


title: UNLISTENABLE SOUND QUALITY

text: The music and the group are excellent. The sound quality of the CD is TERRIBLE.It`s probably a cheap bootleg.


title: DON`T WASTE YOUR MONEY!

text: Don`t waste your money on this. Sound quality is generally poor. 80% of it was taken off scratchy,used records. Even the few tracks that sound half way decent are from records not master tapes.


title: WHERE`S "BORN TO BE TOGETHER"?

text: One of their major hits is missing on this collection from 1965.This was one of their last hits ( at least in NY & Philly) and it has been omitted.Otherwise to my old ears, it sounds excellent in stereo.


title: Awful with terrible production and mastering

text: Another terrible mastering job. Clipped distorted mess. The mix is bad too. That aside the music Is also pretty bad. Sounds like the singer and band are on a different page. Not at all focused or tight. Maybe I am right and the band did the music then told a hired singer to put down whatever he felt like. Because that's as cohesive as it sounds. Awful sound makes it way worse. The first two Sabbat albums on vinyl are good. The remastered CD's sound really bad and this 3rd album is just plain BAD.


title: Five Stars

text: Great promo cd single. More for collectors. It only has one track.


title: Great!

text: My husband loves their music and was happy it came in a timely manner.


title: Beautiful!

text: I love this CD.  I listen to it in the car, and I played it during our Thanksgiving family dinner.  The beauty and simplicity of the Early American melodies and instruments is heavenly!


title: Suspyre's second masterwork

text:
Suspyre is one of those rare progressive metal bands that keep getting better with each album. Their 2008 release [[ASIN:B001DM3QAK When Time Fades...]] remains a minor classic in progressive music that effortlessly combines a plethora of genres and builds them into a cohesive whole without diluting their core sound.

Four years in the making, the eponymous new album sees the New Jersey band growing and evolving into a more focused unit. Despite some changes in the lineup, mainstay Gregg Rossetti has managed to write (as well as mix, engineer, and produce) another stellar album. The aural totality of his vision still captures progressive metal, jazz-fusion, classical, ambient, pop, and even funk. Rossetti's greatest magic stems from allowing contribution from each member and giving them enough space and time to expose their full talent and character. The funk influence is in no small part due to the inclusion of new drummer Gabriel Marshall who has replaced the great session player Charlie Zeleny (Behold the Arctopus) on the previous disc. Marshall brings a totally new dimension to the Suspyre sound. He is the master of groove: rhythm is key in every song, always uneven, angular, and catchy! A deep rhythmic tension intensifies the compositions, even during the songs' softest and quietest parts.

The bassist on When Time Fades..., Andrew Distabile, has switched to second guitar with the departure of Rich Skibinsky. Distabile proves he is equally adept at the six-string. He plays a dazzling solo on "The Man Made of Stone."  This piece also features another solo by Rossetti which is the most emotionally charged guitar solo recorded on a Suspyre disc yet. It is reminiscent of Ron Jarzombek's amazing (and best ever) guest solo on "Rivers Dancing" on the first Gordian Knot album. It proceeds very slowly; every note is allowed to build patiently and it has an incredible tonal depth to it. It never quite resolves due to the extreme density of the arrangement but is still the song's most haunting moment.

I am in the minority that thinks Clay Barton is not a vocal deity, but his performance on this album *is* perfect. Without doubt, he delivers the lyrics with a heightened sense of conviction and his enunciation exudes clarity and power even during the fastest and heaviest instrumentation. What's more, he has a knack for creating intensely catchy choruses much like Russell Allen circa [[ASIN:B00006L83N The Odyssey]]. He employs a wide spectrum of vocal styles, from the barely controlled pain of "Chaser" to the snarling screams on "Still Bending the Violet" to his sinister mood capturing of "The Cycle" or the weird, unexpected 70s Euro-pop harmonies in the middle of "The Fire Dancer." He even dabbles with hook-laden acoustic pop on the curious "Cancun."

The songs are incredibly textured and assemble myriad tonalities into inharmonious relationships. Sometimes you'll hear a progression and wonder how they could make it work within this type of compositional framework. "Tranquility and Stress" is a blend of processed vocal bits that sound sinister and catchy at the same time, with [[ASIN:B000063CMK Remedy Lane]]-like keyboard effects looming over the arrangements. The overall atmosphere of the song is very dark and labyrinthine. The acoustic guitar tone is huge and the mix is spectacular. The instrumental break sounds like something members of Cynic, Aghora, and Pain of Salvation (think [[ASIN:B00018CYF0 12:5]]) would play if they wanted to jam on Mahavishnu Orchestra's [[ASIN:B0013DCALK Birds of Fire]]. A great death growl (by Rob DeSimone) is cleverly pushed back in the mix to widen the scope of the song. The extreme vocals are used sparingly and only on one tune, so don't freak out if you don't like them.

A wide array of instrumentation is used to add extra layers to the songs. The Chapman stick on "The Divided Sun" resolves the thickly harmonized riffs and renders it more powerful while Rossetti also incorporates saxophone and nifty fretless bass into some of the tunes. The band's grasp of dynamics on "The Whispers Never Written" is Tool-like in the intro: listen to the interplay between the guitars, bass, and keyboards, and pay attention to the intricacies of the drumming. The band's affinity for classical music is preserved, as subtle orchestral elements are given the task of underscoring the song's resolution. What at first sounds like an improvised middle part reintegrating themes of one of the previous tracks turns out to be a painstakingly composed interlude informed by a quote from Edvard Grieg's "In the Hall of the Mountain King." The vocals here are particularly stunning; Barton delivers them like an actor performs his career-defining moment in cinema. He captures a plethora of moods (think Daniel Gildenlow on [[ASIN:B0002F1COG Adam & Eve]] in terms of performance) and stamps the verses with tangible feelings of regret and anguish. The instrumentation is unbelievable. Nifty drum syncopation and staccato guitar riffs are woven through odd patterns which peak with nasty tangles of atonal cacophony before shifting back to the classic Suspyre signature.

So far, this must be the best progressive metal disc I've heard in 2012. I obtained my physical copy directly from the band. You should do the same. Support independent artists.


title: Tribute to the GODS of progressive metal

text:
Through Different Eyes is an ambitious tribute album which sees some of 90s finest progressive metal bands paying homage to the great Fates Warning. Among them are true legends like Wolverine and Spiral Architect as well as more obscure yet equally fantastic acts like Mayadome, Steel Prophet, and Prymary.

Immediate standouts are Spiral Architect covering "Prelude to Ruin" and Wolverine covering "A Pleasant Shade of Gray Part XII." The vocal melody of the former remains unrivaled today -- its complex vocal lines are testimony to how much Oyvind Haegeland has been influenced by the great John Arch. The acoustic intro is amazing and a perfect replication of the original, but Spiral Architect makes the song their own with their intensified technical sections, especially the dazzling lead solo. Wolverine does an equally satisfying job, bringing in their own touches. As can be heard on their debut EP, [[ASIN:B00004U90R Fervent Dream]], they utilize some death growls for added atmosphere and Stefan Zell sounds amazing even during his very early 20s. Admittedly, he would find his true self on their 2001 album, [[ASIN:B0007DBFYA The Window Purpose]], and the subsequent releases, but it is still great to hear their embryonic phase.

Mayadome's version of "The Strand" makes both of their studio releases essential listens. The singer's unique accent gives them character, especially during the more aggressive parts. The guitar and bass work are also worth paying attention to. Make sure that the singer on this tune appears on Mayadome's second album, [[ASIN:B000040OKF Near Life Experience]]. Steel Prophet's "The Apparition" predominantly highlights Rick Mythiasin's great singing. Also, this song sounds so much like the band's albums in terms of production. If you like what you hear on this cover, check out their studio albums, such as [[ASIN:B002BANC5M Unseen]]. Mythiasin also sang on the first Redemption album by the way. Dreamline may be a band you've never heard of, but they are actually the band from Puerto Rico that would eventually change their name to All That I Bleed, releasing their one and only album, [[ASIN:B00006YZGS Dying to Remember]], a few years after this recording. Their high level of technicality in their riffs and soloing makes up for their mediocre vocalist, though the cover is quite good.

Besides these bands, there are also some bands I've never heard of except for on this recording. Vendetta's rendition of "Monument" is awesome (killer synth solo!) with a singer who does justice to the great Ray Alder while Planet Sarcasm's singer recalls Murat Ilkan from Turkish metallers Mezarkabul as well as grungy singers. The production of this song is great as is the multi-tracked chorus. It is hard to believe they totally vanished without releasing a single album. Finalxit is another unknown band that disbanded after putting out an EP. Their version of "The Eleventh Hour" has dark and menacing vocals whilst Reignstorm couldn't get past their demo stages either. Though a compilation album was released a decade after their breakup.

Prymary is a great band whose rhythm section rules in prog. The production on the song is decidedly better than the other material, but doing the instrumental song does not quite capture their magic. Soundscape does "Fata Morgana," but they have chosen one of the songs that simply cannot be covered, even by Ray Alder. Soundscape's own songs sound a lot more fitting to their sound as it is simply impossible to recreate Arch's stratospheric vocals. Morpheus Web who I have never heard of before or after this album also falls prey to this trap. The vocals fall short and the band's playing is more so in the vein of traditional metal without Fates Warning's progressive vision.

Overall, this is a special disc for two reasons: first, it is the only Fates Warning tribute album; and second, some of these bands are really worth checking out as they released quality material in the late 90s and early 00s.
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Tracklisting- A Pleasant Shade of Gray Part II (Planet Sarcasm) . The Strand (Mayadome) . The Apparition (Steel Prophet) . Prelude to Ruin (Spiral Architect) . Nothing Left to Say (Dreamline) . Monument (Vendetta) . Outside Looking In (Prymary) . The Eleventh Hour (Finalxit) . We Only Say Goodbye (Reignstorm) .  The Sorceress (Morpheus Web) . Fata Morgana (Soundscape) . A Pleasant Shade of Gray Part XII (Wolverine)


title: Killer debut by Turkish guitar virtuoso

text:
Cem Koksal is a very well known guitar virtuoso in Turkey. He has been playing the guitar for a long time, he's been in cover bands and he's played many a show. Set Me Free!! is his debut solo album, and it's a 'solo' record in the true meaning of the word. Koksal wrote all the music and lyrics himself (except one song), and he recorded, mixed and produced the album in his own studio. On the album, he plays all the guitars from acoustic to rhythm to lead, bass, and he does some backing vocals as well. Behind the mic, we have Turkey's best metal singer Murat Ilkan of Pentagram/Mezarkabul fame. Last but not the least, Murat's brother, Aykan Ilkan, performs the drums.

This is one of those albums that has great appeal value for guitar fans mostly, since Cem Koksal plays coherent, melodic guitar solos with incredible depth and harmony. Some people compare him to Yngwie Malmsteen, but I believe it's only those who equate every neoclassical guitar run with Yngwie. Cem Koksal's style of playing differs from many shredders who are all about alternate picking over incessant sweeping on the neck of the guitar. Koksal is exceptionally tasteful. He picks the strings of his instrument with admirable restraint, never sacrificing the songs for show or pyrotechnics. His riffing and soloing are characterized by melody of the highest calibre, powerful expression of a myriad of influences ranging from Bach to Vivaldi to Malmsteen, and some hidden Turkish music traits here and there.

Through the 59-minute disc, we hear plenty of diverse songs. The first track, "Set Me Free!!", has an outstanding bass line that is complemented by a nice harmonic guitar solo and Murat Ilkan's somewhat aggressive vocal delivery. The first instrumental cut is the intro track for "Blood on Blood". This is a nice acoustic piece that is seamlessly woven with the main song. Koksal's rapid-fire rhythm workout and precise timing reaches a height of excellence when Ilkan joins him with soaring vocals. The album slows down for a moment on the next song, "Winding Road". This one is a nice ballad beginning with great acoustic guitars only to pick towards the end when Koksal goes for another solo that is loaded with tons of emotion. Murat Ilkan sings radically different than he does with his own band Pentagram (aka Mezarkabul); this disc has certainly allowed him to go into a different musical territory. The short "Dreams", co-written by Ilkan, would rival with the best Euro power metal bands out there thanks to the song's nice double-drum bass and Ilkan's powerful vocals. The duo further expand on this style on "Men Made of Iron", but Murat's vocals are so emotional, even while hitting the high notes, you will immediately notice his talents as a singer!

"Earthquake Part 1" and "Earthquake Part 2" are also linked. The lyrics are unquestionably inspired by the horrible earthquake that happened in Turkey taking the lives of thousands of people. The first part of the song is purely instrumental -- a riff-laden piece that displays an immortal melody line at the same time. It takes a lot of chops to do this song justice. The second part, however, goes back to Koksal's neoclassical roots, as the lyrics once again hit really hard. More classical numbers are kept for the latter part of the album: "For Amadeus" is Koksal's thank-you to Mozart, as it is a nifty variation of Mozart's "Requiem". This is a really amazing song, kind of like the new Steve Hackett in a sense. It feels like there's this huge orchestra behind Koksal playing in perfect harmony with the guitar. The most progressive composition on the album has got to be "Ruthless" -- Koksal blends his talents with his technique and great sense of melody on this one. Every guitar fan should give this number a listen.

The album closes on a sad outlook on "Life" -- a 10-minute epic piece. The lyrics on this one are the most emotional in my opinion. Also, the song is quite different from its predecessors; it kicks off with acoustic guitars that recall Timo Tolkki's solo material for a moment. The original running time of the song is a little over six minutes actually, but there is so much atmosphere going on here. Cem Koksal re-released his album as Just Set Me Free!! in Turkey with a different cover art, bonus songs in Turkish, etc., so give that version also a shot if you can track it down.
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Tracklisting- Set Me Free!! . Blood on Blood - Intro . Blood on Blood . Winding Road . Ruthless . Dreams . Men Made of Iron! . Earthquake Part 1 . Earthquake Part 2 . For Amadeus . Violin Concerto No I in Db-Minor . Life


title: Retro prog...

text:
Brighteye Brison is a great band from Sweden blending a rich array of instrumentation, from vintage keyboards and church organ sounds to flutes, saxophones, funky bass lines, and colourful percussion. The band was founded in early 2000 by a group of fans who enjoy bands like Yes, ELP, Genesis, and Gentle Giant. They released their debut album in 2003 to positive reviews, but the general consensus was that the production was slightly lacking and thus, it failed to complement their strong songwriting.

Stories is the band's second album, based upon a strong foundation of melody and 70's progressive rock, utilising soaring vocal harmonies akin to the Beatles, excellent synth and guitar work, and varied instruments. The short title track is a nice illustration of 60's pop meets Yes, with dense passages featuring nice piano and emotive vocals. On the second track, "Patterns", the band ventures into Gentle Giant-inspired landscapes, interlocking warm synth effects and bluesy guitar solos, accented by powerful bass and multiple vocal harmonies that recall early Spock's Beard and Echolyn. Similarly, the slightly symphonic pop on "Isolation" is shaped by vintage keys and a generally vocal-driven approach before the darker and more experimental "The Battle of Brighteye Brison" kicks in. Its neat church organ, spoken vocals (with a heavy East German accent) and complex synths are simply beautiful if not a bit too laidback for the average prog fan's tastes. "Elenah" is a short piano instrumental that segues into the poppy ballad "Late", complete with a killer blues solo; "Life Inside", on the other hand, is another slow piece, punctuated by nice bass and piano melodies. It is with the amazing "All Love" where they go back to their complex, Gentle Giant-evoking prog roots. This song is a hybrid of amazing saxophone, blues piano, delicate vocal melodies, and wonderful acoustic sections, not to mention its symphonic undercurrent. "We Wanna Return" picks up the pace and delves into rocking guitars, hypnotic keyboards, and perhaps the best vocal performance on the album.

Progress Records surprised us with bands like Magic Pie and Liquid Scarlet quite a bit in 2005. This year they have released another solid prog disc in the form of Brighteye Brison's Stories. Essential to a retro-prog rock fan who also enjoys the softer, multi-vocal driven elements of the 60's.


title: Absorb. Accept. Embrace.

text:
Divided Sky is a great band that was formed in 1999, releasing their debut Spectral three years later. I have never heard that disc, but The Subtle Art of Failure, their new album, is simply astonishing. It should be pointed out right away, however, that it, like so many other underrated prog bands, takes a good many listens to fully impact the listener.

The Subtle Art of Failure is a great study in fusing all kinds of genres effortlessly in order to create a unique sound. Initial set of plays suggest Divided Sky are a band building their songs on a good dose of improvised jazz licks blended with highly aggressive metal riffage, pounding bass and drum awareness, and occasional atmospheric synth elements. The music is strong on melody and groove, but it is also filled with sudden shifts of dynamics, moving from fierce double bass drums and stomping guitars to slower, Tool-like arrangements. Vocalist Sean Crisden, who also shares the guitar duties with the talented Rick Banister, has a voice that may take some time getting used to, not because he is overtly weird sounding, but his enunciation and approach to melody is rather unconventional. The style of singing could be likened to that of the great Maynard Keenan, but even some die-hard Tool fans might disagree. I am also reminded of the NovAct vocalist, who was criticised by some for not sounding metal enough but actually has a very expressive and powerful singing style. Sean Crisden is also capable of injecting various styles into his singing, from very calm, clean sections to more aggressive, pain-ridden high registers, which match the flow of the songs perfectly.

Their music is rewarding both musically and instrumentally. Like a dangerous hybrid of jazz-inflected eclectism and crushing heaviness, "Impermanence" puts forth a thick guitar sound that immediately has me thinking of A Perfect Circle and balances the crunchy mix out with subtle acoustic excursions, spattering jazz cymbals, and off-meter grooves. The second track "Father" is both bigger in size and has a more prominent jazz backdrop to it. Blending synths and acoustic guitars in its intro, it is defined by weird shifts of dynamics and more slow parts that allow the vocalist's melodic wealth to shine atop neat acoustic segments. Towards the end, however, lots of jazzy guitar passages abound, combing bipolar tones, and even some drone-like soundscapess.

There is more to absorb on the album. The almost poppy vocals sung over humourous country music on "Sheep and Kings" brings to mind Faith No More's ever-changing musical nature. In the blink of an eye, the song slips into an freestyle fusion improvisation which was actually present in the mix since its start. It is just that the cheesy country guitars cut out and are replaced by a mix of piano, solo guitar and percussion. The band is unafraid to use  acoustic guitars; they even have a cool instrumental interlude on the aptly titled "Bridge", which bleeds into the King's X funk of "Tremors" except that it is another instrumental. "Memory and Desire", a bit like the aforementioned "Sheep and Kings", also marries impossible sonics, but it is much heavier with its maniacal drum syncopation and demonic fretwork.

Following two midtempo songs, the band dives headlong into the punishing "Failure", a song that nearly sees the ten-minute mark. Blurry effects, bone-crushing metal riffs, addictive grooves and some industrial tones eerily evoke a combination of Tool and Meshuggah, as if they've secretly formed a new project and have also brought in some members from The Mars Volta to abuse their instruments. Scott Radway's tribal drumming and rhythmic development allows bassist Art Franklin to lay down a sturdy funk bass lick as sparse keyboards begin to swell simultaneously with Crisden's now nasally vocals. The experiment builds up to a tense breaking point, finally unleashing a drony guitar solo backed up by growling bass and pummeling drums. When the fury is over, everything retreats to its initial calmness and lets a spatial ambiance take the lead, with just single strokes of notes ringing every couple of seconds. This band writes their songs with immense control and definition, and "Failure" is one of the best songs I've heard all year.

From here on, it is all controlled chaos. The band's five-piece "Kaironomaea" masterwork is even more daring and progressive. From the industrial charge of "The Welking Eye"; to the wildly improvised funk of "Patterns"; to the more soothing jazz traces of "All We're Made of" (complete with cinematic effects); to the superb instrumental workout of "Cycles", their most technical and intense number; the band close the piece up with the vocal-based "Figure 8" in a sea of weird sounds and heavy drones.

Strange as it may seem, the last song "Coda" is evocative of the messages left on God's machine on Pain of Salvation's BE. Lots of spoken parts, static drum beats, floating synth effects, and so on.

Not not quite like any of them, this disc is highly recommended to fans of Tool, A Perfect Circle, Meshuggah, The Mars Volta, Faith No More, Mr Bungle, King's X, and any band that values experimentation and innovation.
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Tracklisting - Impermanence . Farther . Sheep and Kings . Failure . Bridge . Tremors . No Earthquakes, No Displacements . Memory and Desire . Kaironomaea: The Welking Eye . Kaironomaea: Patterns . Kaironomaea: All We're Made of . Kaironomaea: Cycles . Kaironomaea: Figure 8 . Coda


title: Yet another cool project with Bob Drake and David Kerman

text:
Speaking of musicians like Bob Brake and David Kerman should bring to every prog/RIO fan's mind Thinking Plague and 5uuu's. Their somewhat European RIO-influenced type of avant-garde music earned them a solid reputation during the 80's both in their respective bands and as solo artists.

Nimby is a four-piece band consisting of Jerry Wheeler on lead vocals, trombone, harmonica and whistling (listen to "Detour De Jour"); the amazing David Kerman on drums, percussion, and vocals; main writer James Grigsby on guitars, organs, and vocals; and last but not least the multi-dimensional Bob Drake on vocals, bass guitar, keys, violin, and even the banjo. While most of the songs are sung by Wheeler, Bob Drake appears on perhaps the most avant-garde number "Tattoo Removal", a piece with unexpected melodic twists, odd soundscapes, and neat arrangement. Bob Drake has always been one of the forerunners of the American RIO school of thought, but I've always believed, no matter how experimental and bizarre his compositions may be, he's always had one foot in the rock realm. Perhaps it's because of Drake why "Everybody's Hanging", one of the most atonal pieces on the album, still manages to rock and groove relentlessly, as waves of saxophone and swift guitar changes are incorporated. The lyrics on Songs for Adults are quite humorous, but the band will fearlessly explore themes of death, murder and suicide on the banjo-filled "Thanks Dialysis Man!" or just hum along wordless melodies on the cool bass and percussion-captured "Helper Monkey", with a chorus that is repeated from start to finish. Wheeler's harmonica playing on "The Mass is Crass" embraces both bluegrass and country elements, but it would be daft to imagine any country fan actually listening to it, considering the avant-garde vocal approach applied by the quartet.

Recorded in Southern France in only a few days, the songs are short and compact with a distinct live feel to them. Listeners of these artists' earlier bands will immediately pick up on what was intended with these pieces, while newcomers may find it hard to grasp on first listen. Just looking at the weird song titles should give them an idea of what to expect. For fans of Slapp Happy, 5uu's, Vril, U-Totem and many other experimentalist indie artists.
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Tracklisting-  Slap the Patch . Midlife Crisis . Four Ways to Love . Remember the Time . I'm the Grumpy Old Man Now . Detour De Jour . Tattoo Removal . Everybody's Hanging . Thanks Dialysis Man! . Helper Monkey . Disability Waitress . Empty Words . The Ballad of Nimby . The Mass is Crass . Not in My Backyard


title: Arguably the best Lana Lane album

text:
I've always liked Lana Lane's first three solo albums best. It's not that her other discs are weak or anything, but somehow I always find myself listening to her earlier releases, especially Garden of the Moon. This is Lane's third album, and her first to break in the international market. I haven't heard the reissue with bonus material, so I'll address the original pressing with nine tracks only.

Garden of the Moon is perhaps the heaviest solo release from Lana Lane; the rhythm guitars courtesy of female guitarist Danelle Kern are very crunchy, particularly in the intro of "River of the Stars" and the last track "Garden of the Moon". It's like the album starts and ends with solid rhythm guitars, sort of like a unifying theme. Supporting Lane are her husband Erik Norlander who not only plays keyboards and synths, but he is also responsible for most of the songwriting as well as the mix and production. Norlander has always been a great keyboard player; his contribution to Garden of the Moon is tremendous. He plays from lush, symphonic synths to aggressive, face-ripping key solos that duel with one of the three guest guitarists on the album. Returning Lane's favour for singing on the Rocket Scientists discs are guitarist Mark McCrite who plays both acoustic and electric guitar, as well as Don Schiff. Schiff also co-wrote two of the songs on the album, the heavily prog rock flavoured "Seasons" and the folk-driven "Eternal Water". I really love the folky melody on this song -- it's almost ethereal and dream-like.

Lana Lane, as expected, sings songs that make statements of melody, style and colour. Her angelic vocals are extremely sweet, yet at the same time powerful. She does a phenomenal scream at the end of "Under the Olive Tree" that would put many a female singer to shame. "Moongarden" and "Evolution Revolution" are the highlights of the CD. "Moongarden" starts off with a harder-edged guitar riff and then moves into a more soothing ground with melancholic acoustic guitars. As the song continues to flow, Erik Norlander and Neil Citron on guitars go into a mindblowing progressive interplay. Norlander's tone is killer, whilst Citron amazes with his flawless technique. "Evolution Revolution" is even scarier! It is unquestionably the album's most diverse output. It beams with flashes of aggressive jazzy passages and crushing lead guitars that are interwoven around Lane's expressive vocal delivery. The song is over eight minutes and features mighty musicianship from everyone. Unfortunately Tommy Amato's drum sound is really weak, and I can see why Norlander wanted to remix this disc. The dynamics could be better, but I'm still happy with the album the way it is.


title: Very hard to find debut EP from Wolverine

text:
I was introduced to Wolverine by hearing their amazing first full-length release The Window Purpose. I can't fathom how many times I might have played that disc because it's so incredibly well-crafted. In the last three years I've been looking for Fervent Dream every where with no success. It seems like this disc has gone out of print long ago. Luckily, I managed to pick it up when it was re-released with two bonus tracks. It's certainly a great feeling being able to listen to something you've been curious of for so long, but unfortunately it does come across a bit disappointing to find out that Wolverine still had a lot of room to grow and mature musically when they put out this release.

The Fervent Dream EP is certainly a step back from The Window Purpose. But then as I picked up their new one The Cold Light of Monday last year and was slightly let down too, maybe I was wrong to expect something as perfect as The Window Purpose. With that said, Fervent Dream, unlike TCLOM, is much more in the vein of TWP and that's definitely a good thing. Unfortunately the songwriting is less focused and level of musicality falls a bit short. It is clear by listening to this EP that each member of the band had a lot to learn and improve themselves since it's evident that they covered a long way in the two years in between.

The EP clocks in at over 32 minutes and as the last trick is an acoustic instrumental running less than 2 minutes, every other song is longer than the 7-minute mark except "More than Grief" which runs 6:32 minutes. "Whispers on the Wind" and "Echoes" are reminiscent of the songs on The Window Purpose but Stefan Zell's vocal melodies aren't quite as effective and there are more death vocals present on this disc. Actually drummer Marcus Losbjer uses his death grunts in all the songs, unlike The Window Purpose. The songs are all a good indication that this band can pen solid prog metal tunes but the coherence is a lot more subtle on their subsequent releases. Listening to this EP, I felt they released this to send out to record labels to get a deal, which they succeeded.

The bonus tracks also sound like TWP outtakes. One of them is a heavy, rocking tune while the other one is a short instrumental with some atmospheric noises. This is an extremely difficult release to find so be sure to pick it up if you're a Wolverine fan. I however can't recommend their second release The Window Purpose enough, because it's just one of the best dark prog metal releases from Sweden. Lots of Fates Warning influences are mixed with touches of Pain of Salvation and Trivial Act on it.

Tracklisting- Whispers on the Wind . Echoes . More Than Grief . Again? . Last Words


title: The last Queensryche album and one of their best

text:
First things first. Promised Land was the last Queensryche album that I liked and they have released nothing that I enjoyed much since 1994. As a matter of fact, whatever they did post-PL sounds nothing like the Queensryche we all discovered in the 80's and grew to love so much over the years. Unfortunately they took a completely different direction after this record obviously going for a more commercial sound alienating some of their die-hard fans along the way, myself included. Well, so be it. To me Promised Land was the last nail in the coffin of Queensryche and they will never be the same band again.
I'm all for change and progression. I do not expect my favourite bands to carry on walking on the same musical path for ever. The self-titled debut was great as was The Warning. With Rage for Order they were onto new soundscapes and Mindcrime was the pinnacle of their success. With Empire they also managed to sell their albums. And all of this happened in a space of eight years always pushing their limits a bit broader and developing their mindset. As years passed by, the brilliance of Mindcrime and Empire was even more evident, so the guys took a long time -- 4 years -- to write their ultimate follow-up to these magnificent records. And Promised Land proved to be a completely different, more mature in a way and unexpected Queensryche album. While it surprised some fans, it eventually began to grow on those who were open-minded, particularly with "I Am I" getting a lot of airplay and MTV support.
This is not a concept album or as unified a release as Mindcrime was; however it has its own unique traits to it and is possibly the most balanced album in their entire catalog. Everything runs so smoothly satisfying both the old metalheads and the ones who lean towards Ryche's proggy roots. The Pink Floyd influence was never so prevalent before. There are spots on this disc that are very reminiscent of Floyd's A Momentary Lapse in Reason for all I know. The opening tracks "I Am I" and "Damaged" both penned by DeGarmo and Tate are the heavier sides of the album with nice hooks and remarkable vocal harmonies. They are followed by "Out of Mind" and "Bridge" which are both stamped by Chris DeGarmo's trademark sound and feature the more laid-back and their softer  moments. DeGarmo's solo in "Out of Mind" is perhaps the LAST guitar solo I liked on a Queensryche album. Its slow progression and minimal writing charged with tons of emotion make this solo a masterpiece all on its own standards. Too bad this guy got all the unfair crap from his very own fanbase and was always overlooked one way or another among prog metal listeners. Too bad because Chris DeGarmo, whether his musical style nowadays appeals to me or not, is one of the most prolific songwriters ever. He was always regarded the 'second' man of the band because of Tate, but it showed hideously how important his role in the band is when he left the band. And as for the albums that he played on, they weren't bad albums because of DeGarmo, they were bad because DeGarmo played on them without having his heart in it. That's my take at least. If Ryche was so good on their own, they wouldn't have asked him to co-write on their last album Tribe, would they?
The title track, also the longest song on the album, is neatly placed right in the middle of the record and is my favourite song on the album. It was composed by all members in the band together and there is room for everyone to show how great they function together. "Promised Land" is an integral part of the way they all express themselves so well. The Floydan atmosphere is there, Tate does his lower register vocals flawlessly as well as he lets out his killer screams. I think this album was when his voice was its best. A perfect smooth tone with a lot expression. The rhythm work is top notch with solos played in random all over it. "Disconnected" is one of those songs I would despise if I heard it on their post-PL records but it sounds okay on this CD as it's the only one following the album's most complex track. It is very alternative sounding as it's the only tune that DeGarmo had no hand in writing. Still there's a nice solo towards the finale which makes it listenable. It is however sad that Ryche decided to ground their 'new' work on this song taking the easy way out instead of the title track with its layered melodies and intricate musicianship.
"Lady Jane" is another personal favourite of mine and while I have always enjoyed listening to "My Global Mind" as it's the next heavy tune to keep things in order I always believed it fell a little short in the lyrical department. As for the last two songs here, "One More Time" and "Someone Else?", the latter of which became another radio single, I have to point out that no Queensryche album has had such amazing album closers, that includes their masterpiece Mindcrime. I can't stop listening to this disc without hearing these two songs. Only then do I feel complete, hence the "perfectly balanced album" thing I mentioned previously. This album is so successfully produced and recorded it almost brings me to tears when I think of all the CDs they released after it. Why did all their brilliant ideas go down the drain all of a sudden?
Promised Land is one of my top 3 Queensryche albums always changing places with Empire. Mindcrime is unquestionably their best moment, but I also highly recommend their earlier stuff if you like good heavy metal with progressive overtones. If you don't like metal and prog, but just simple alternative pop-rock, then maybe their newer material would be more up your alley.


title: Great album! If you like Styx you'll like this

text: Great album ! If you like Styx you'll like this.


title: Great Christmas gift

text: Gave this as a Christmas item, and the receiver of the gift loved it.  Very prompt delivery.


title: Its mere existence is an enigma.

text: I bought this 10 years ago, but it appears to be unusually rare. The only examples of the individual records appear to be Russian bootlegs. That Kraftwerk members seem to deny its and Ralf und Florian's existence, may be the cause of its unavailability. The first two are primarily analog and remind me of Neu and Harmonia, rather than later Kraftwerk releases. They certainly deserve better treatment than as oddities.


title: Five Stars

text: no problems


title: Five Stars

text: no comment


title: 5 Stars for Music - NOT Physical CD

text:
The music is great and has all the songs one could ask for. All the great ones and then some.

The Physical cd's looks cheap and Disc 2 is not playing correctly. It makes a loud noise when it spins in the player and I have tried it in other players. I was hoping it would go away but so far it has not


title: Five Stars

text: Excellent and more excellent.  One of his best.


title: Five Stars

text: Awesome


title: Classic Rock Review

text: I was confused when I receive the package thinking there should have been 8 CD's instead of 4 but with further inspection everything was there and in very good condition with only one flaw which was inside one of the CD which holds the CD's was broken and it can sliding out when I open the case to listen yet good sound quality. Good service  and thank you.


title: Fast service.

text: Excellent cd.


title: Fast service.

text: Good music


title: Fast service.

text: Excellent music quality.


title: Five Stars

text: One of their best album's. The remastered version, sounds great.


title: Growing Up The Hard Way

text: Exclellent album. Hard to find.  Almost new copy. Zoverstocks is a highly recommendable place


title: Illustrator CD Review

text: Really good album. I'm looking for the other one else but it's almost impossible to get it


title: dissapointed

text: hi everyone<br />first at all I want say that the that the album the production work is excellent, but is not an official release. A colleage of mine saw the bar codes and is not an a legal release. Is a press release so I have a bitter taste on my mouth. I don't how amazon allows that items


title: Come Visit Madina Lake

text:
You will not always find twin Brothers in Rock bands these days and I think the last time it was done was with Nelson but thankfully, the guys in Madina Lake deliver a little heavier brand of Melodic Rock on their debut EP. The origins of the band began in 2004 when the brothers had a set vision on what they wanted to do musically and also their mutual desire to see Matthew's short story come to life via the music that they played. Matthew had penned a tale about a town nestled between the mountains called "Madina Lake". It's a town of secrets and socio-political nuances and it is all brought to life with Poppy and catchy riffs and melodic harmony vocals. There were points on the EP that reminded me a little of the band Breaking Point, while others slightly had me think of The Outfield based on the keys the guys were hitting. It's a tasty EP and it actually serves the listener as a teaser for their full-length Roadrunner Records debut. The first four songs presented here will appear on the release while the last two are EP exclusives only. "Here I Stand" is a great track that showcases proud defiance while "Adalia" is more of a sad clue into the key character on the album even though it is a rather rousing and swift moving track. The EP opens with "House Of Cards" which is a solid and powerful Rock number. The band lineup is Nathan Leone (vocals), Matthew Leone (bass), Mateo Camargo (guitar) & Daniel Torelli (drums). The CD has a lot of appeal in the overall riffs that are done quite tastefully. The songs are catchy enough to be easy to remember after only a couple of listens. The whole short story will be explained on their full length so let this be an appetizing sample of what is yet to come from these Chicago natives.

Readers might also find it interesting to know that the Brothers once competed on the television show "Fear Factor" on the Twins episode. They won the grand prize for the show and used the money to buy a van with a trailer.


title: Good Time Rock & Roll Music

text:
Z02 is the brainchild of the Brothers Z, Paulie and David along with drummer Joey Cassata.  The members of this group are not strangers to the performing world by a long shot.  David is the touring bassist for the Trans-Siberian Orchestra while Paulie and Joe are members of the popular KISSNATION (a NYC Based KISS Tribute band).  The CD "Tuesdays And Thursdays" is quite the tasty piece of Rock and Roll.  It also sports an amazing production for a group of guys who are releasing this independently without major label backing.  One does not always see the level of quality that they have made sure to place on this piece.  It even sports a fully colored and lyric filled booklet that is covered with artwork.  Really nice looking and well-thought out.

The CD is full of catchy riffs and some powerful vocals.  Everyone sings and there are great harmonies through the whole piece.  I am always a fan of this full sound and think these guys do it quite well.  Highlights on the CD are most specially "Dirty Water", "Taking Me Down", Fly On Your Wings" and the funky "Radio".  Paulie's voice cuts like a razor at times and is smooth on other occasions.  Dave's bass as solid as can be and Joey's drums nice and clear on every track.

The group recently completed a successful supporting gig for KISS and Poison.  Not bad for a start off.  I advise fans of solid rock and roll music along the lines of Aerosmith and King's X look into this piece for they should not be disappointed.  I enjoyed this record and felt it was a lot of fun and energetic to listen to.  I look forward to catching an entire set sometime soon.


title: Great Import Collection From 'The Purple One'!

text: It seems like there's an endless supply of Prince greatest hits and best ofs coming from WB in the last few years. That's great, but most of them seem to have the same hits over and over with many of his biggest hits seemingly forgotten. This one was so worth getting for 'The Most Beautiful Girl In The World', a big hit of his that has been impossible to find on cd at a reasonable price. The artwork and digipack this set comes housed in is really nice as well and trumps all of the previous Prince hits packages. It comes imported from Russia so it might take a few weeks to get here, but it's definitely worth the wait. Highly recommended.


title: OUTSTANDING COLLECTION OF 'CATS MUSIC!

text: This is an excellent cd set for Stray Cats fans or for those curious about the band. It features a whopping 50 tracks, all remastered with great sound in a nice glossy digipak. This is not a cheap cash in disc you see floating around with mediocre to horrible sound, this is a BMG release from 2011. For some reason, collecting the Stray Cats is a nearly impossible task as all of their albums are out of print or only available as obscenely priced imports that can run you $50 or more for a single disc. I bought a few other Stray Cats compilation cd's & pieced the albums together that way, but this 2 disc set trumps them all for quality, quantity & price. It covers all of their albums from 1980's 'Stray Cats' to 1992's 'Choo Choo Hot Fish'. I literally stumbled onto this disc one day & am so glad i ordered it. Stray Cats fans, pick this one up!


title: unusual

text: The recording is an oddity - both sides together are less than 25 minutes - more EP length.  Berkey's playing is fine, although in one of the quiet passages of Sunken Cathedral it sounds as if someone kicked the piano.


title: This is Excellent Avant-gaurd Power Trio Work!

text: For some reason, many progressive listener's do not like this release from Le Orme. There are not a lot of vocals in it and it is, in many ways, harder than some of their other stuff, but this recording stands on its own as is. It is darker than most of their stuff, so one might want to keep that in my when purchasing. Like "Welcome" by Santana was an "odd-ball" release, yet a cherished one. Thus, we could say that about this record. It is hard, dark and at times, complex.


title: classic Died Pretty

text: Im listing to this disc for the first time. A great band that got very little airplay. It took me several years to find this disc and it was worth it. It rocks a little harder than Doughboy Hollow which is another five star disc.


title: Underwhelming

text:
My rating is really 2.5/5. I thoroughly enjoyed Similitude, but this album? Honestly it sounds like it should have been half as long. There's so much filler on here and it becomes agonizingly boring to listen to at a certain point. It's never annoying or an actively negative experience, but after the first 15 minutes or so it just completely loses me. The closing track is mostly really nice, though. Probably my favorite spot on the album.

Overall, whereas Similitude was packed to the brim with really good music, this one is an hour or so of potentially good music stretched out unnecessarily.


title: Fantastic for new fans of the band

text:
I discovered Blind Guardian within the past few years and fell in love. Bought "A Twist in the Myth" and "At the Edge of Time" as soon as I was able to and listened to them quite a bit. I couldn't seem to get my hands on any of their other albums, though.

Then, this came along. Every one of their albums except for the two I already owned, remastered, plus even more. I purchased it and it's proven to be a good choice.

For fans who don't own all/most of Blind Guardian's studio albums, I highly recommend this set. However, for fans who do own most of Blind Guardian's studio albums already, I'd recommend that you look up sample songs from this set on YouTube and compare it to the versions you already own. Whether you deem this worthy of your money at that point is up to your preference.


title: you have got to check this out

text: Dylate is the new album by the San Diego-based (arguably, progressive) metal band ETCHED IN RED, and it is the best thing I've heard in quite some time.  Is there a hint of nu-metal here and there?  yes.  Perhaps a bit too much cookie monster growling?  Maybe.  Can you hear the strong influence of a certain progressive nu-metal band?  sure.  Does it still rip your head off?  Hell, yeah.  The sheer energy and force in these tunes more than overcomes any of the above-mentioned transgressions.  They're angry, too, but not in an "I've had it so good my whole life that now I'm pissed off at the emptyness and meaninglessness of it all" sort of way.  Hey, if an old 80's metal-head like me can appreciate it, then you know it passes the authenticity test.  These guys are a band to keep an eye on.  To my ear they are still "finding their voice", but it's definitely in there - you can hear what they could become.  The quality of the playing itself is worth mentioning (particularly the drumming and bass - both standouts), but what really struck me were the strong song structures - accessible enough on the surface to draw you in, but underneath there is complexity, both melodic and rhythmic.  They can go from full-on brutal put-your-head-thru-the-wall to lush polyrhythms without missing a beat, and then back again...  And it all works.  Album production appears to be by them alone, and they deserve kudos for that, too...  If they can avoid being pulled into the assembly-line mill of the modern music establishment, there's no telling what they could do.  This cd beats the living daylights out of most of what is being played on clear channel right now.  Hear me now, believe me when you listen to this album.


title: Outstanding!

text:
Joshua Morrison has a tremendous sound -- hushed, chill, low-key, very mellow.  It's an excellent CD!  "First In Flight" is my favorite.  "Home" is awesome as well!  Great CD all the way through!

If you're into acoustic singer/songwriters, check out Christian Floyd's new CD "Dreams Into Daylight" coming soon.  [...] to hear music, read up on all the latest, and leave a comment on the guest book!


title: Great album for fans of melodic hard rock

text:
Its good to see amazon.com have finally got some soundbites on here now so potential purchasers can listen to this album.

I listen to a lot of different types of metal nowadays, although i do occassionally dig out and enjoy my old favourites bands from the melodic genre like TNT, Europe, Giant etc. And this band with their sole release is one of the few that does get some rotation.  Its a quality rock album with catchy songs and some great singing.

As its only available on expensive import its a tough call to say whether its worth the money! It is certainly up there in the top 10% of the cd's i own (although i hasten to add i do own loads!).  Have a listen to the soundbites from this quality swedish supergroup before making your mind up, but i think its a good cd that i'm happy to dig out once in a while!


title: Another strong effort from the legendary band

text:
This is another excellent album from Riot.

I would say that Immortal Soul is a better album, yet Unleash the Fire still rocks, and it is very good to see the return of the legendary band with a strong line up and good material.

Ride Hard Live Free, metal warrior, bring the hammer down!! and until we meet again are my favorites.


title: What... no 6 Stars?

text:
Promised Land is an incredible album that stands strong on its own merits, even outside of comparison to other QR efforts.
As others have observantly stated, chances are Promised Land will not "grab" you on the first listen.. It didn't grab me at first; something I believe owes alot to its being so opposite a release than Empire. There's *so* much going on that you *couldn't* get it all on one listen. It isn't possible. But given the chance, reading the lyrics and listening to it atleast *once* with a good set of headphones.. it *will* grab you. It is by far the most personal of their efforts and is, in my opinion, the most masterfully crafted.
From the songwriting to the performances, arrangements, "ambient layering" and production - everything is top-notch. The music, lyrics and Geoff's vocal delivery of each song are perfectly matched. If the raw emotion conveyed in the last verse of "Promised Land" alone doesn't draw some derivative of "whoah" out of you... little else will.
If, as many people seem to feel, "Mindcrime" was the peak of 'ryche's career, then Promised Land is undoubtedly their second wind.
My personal favorites are: 'Damaged', 'Bridge', 'Promised Land', 'One More Time' and 'Someone Else?'.
All eleven tracks are brilliant and Promised Land is a work that no lover of deep, intelligent and masterfully conceived music should pass on giving a chance... or two... or three :-).


title: Satisfyingly cheesy fantasy metal

text: Soothingly generic sound.  Cheesier than a three story fondue fountain in a cave of aging cheddars.  Sweet warrior dude on the cover.  My kind of music.


title: Not sure yet

text: I just got this cd and I'm not sure of it yet. It took me by surprise. I've been listening to him since the G force recordings and It's a bit strange to listen to the new stuff..But I have to take exception with the  guy who wrote the Why review. to say that Gary Moore was not good at blues  guitar playing is the dumbest thing I've ever heard written about  anyone..Gary Moore is (without Question) the most versatile guitarist of  the past 20 years..from Thin Lizzy on...When I hear the Old "Eric  Clapton, the world's greatest guitarist line, I realize that the person  writing this has never heard Gary Moore , maybe I'll grow to like the new  one , but if not , "Still got the blues" is always here to do the  trick.


title: Ray Alder's Album!!!!!

text: I've been following this band since their inception and have never been a huge fan. Each album beginning with their self-titled release has been lacking something, and with this release, I can finally put my finger on what that something is. Redemption's previous three albums are plagued by an obvious deficit; they don't utilize Ray Alder's full potential! For cryin-out-loud, Nick van Dyk hired Ray Adler to be his front man, and it's almost as if Nick just now figured that out! Rays contributions have always been in the background until now! Finally we see Redemption using their most valuable asset. Ray has one of the best voices in metal, and it should be the focus of any project he's engaged in. On the previous albums, Ray's voice sounds like it was just thrown into the mix with no memorable vocal melodies (yes, there are exceptions here and there). Did Redemption really think their instrumentation alone would compensate? Well, Redemption finally found their sound. This is the album I expected from the beginning. SFOJD is not littered with chaotic fills and Dream Theater-like masturbatory solos, but instead provides the listener memorable, well written songs that are driven by Ray's vocal melodies. My favorite offering is Walls, an extremely catchy tune; the band caught lightening in a bottle on that track.  Don't be fooled by previous Redemption albums, this is a gem! Pick it up!


title: Five Stars

text: Excelente!!!


title: DON'T KNOW GENRE BUT I LIKE IT.

text: HAVOK - PWN'EM ALL  1 LAST WORDS 2 IDENTITY THEFT 3 HAVOK 4 FATE CONTROLS 5 TO HELL 6 THE ROOT OF EVIL. LONG TRACKS SO IT'S ABOUT 40 MINUTES.


title: Five Stars

text: 14 trax by ron kennedy including amazing grace, rose of Tralee, beerbarrel polka, happy hours.


title: east l.a. hardcore

text: this is a cd, not a game. 1999 limp shrimp release. 1 ataque 2 glimpse of glory 3 when the lines meet 4 only one way 5 history of the day 6 no solution 7 out of time 8 what happens now 9 teenage rage 10 where did we go wrong 11 world wide addiction 12 upper hand 13 no order just war 14 turn back the hands 15 just can't have it all


title: gold disc

text:
new symphony orch of london. alexander gibson, conductor. recorded in england. classic compact discs release. gold disc.
1 arnold overture to "tam o shanter" op. 52
2 moussorgsky--ravel gnomus from "pictures at an exhibition"
3 moussorgsky--rimsky-korsakoff a night on bald mountain
4 saint-saens danse macabre, op. 40
5 humperdinck witches brew from "hansel and gretel"
6 liszt mephisto waltz


title: very wordy titles

text: 1 tokens tonight i fell in love 2 gerry/pacemakers dont let the sun catch you crying 3 dobie gray the in crowd 4 ronnie right or wrong 5 skyliners since i dont have you 6 butler/everett let it be me 7 echoes baby blue 8 dante/evergreens alley-oop 9 drifters under boardwalk 10 johnny thunder loop de loop 11 p sledge when a man loves woman 12 joe jeffrey pledge of love 13b freeman cmon and swim 14 drifters save the last dance 15 the larks the jerk 16 casinos then tell me gbye 17 chuck jackson i dont want to cry 18 capitols cool jerk


title: worth tt for nabors alone

text: 1 o holy night jim nabors 2 silent night philly brass ensemble 3 greensleeves ray conniff singers 4 the first noel morman tab 5 12 days of xmas dinah shore 6 o come all ye faithful nabors 7 o tannenbaum rita fords msic boxes 8 ave maria robert goulet 9 hark the herald angels john davidson 10 xmas eve in my hometown nabors


title: trax

text: 1 bounce to diss 2 callipoo cola 'g3 3 bounce to diss [2] 4 sample jazz 5 bounce to a disc 6 callipoo cola


title: power metal

text: 1 prelude to apocalypse 2 hands over time 3 firewalk 4 rising son [through the eyes of god] 5 an evil presence 6 deceiver of truth 7 the vision 8 justice of fire 9 eternally


title: track list

text: 1 american pie 2 ray of light 3 frozen 4 beautiful stranger 5 like a virgin 6 lucky star 7 angel 8 borderline 9 cherish 10 crazy for you 11 holiday 12 into the groove 13 la isla bonita 14 like a prayer 15 material girl 16 open your heart 17 papa don't preach 18 true blue 19 vogue 20 who's that girl


title: track list

text: 1 shine on us 2 let my words be few 3 only by grace 4 forever 5 thy word 6 sometimes he comes in the clouds 7 doxology 8 we declare your name 9 show them the way 10 what a friend we have in jesus 11 just a closer walk with thee.


title: track listing

text: 1 mighty bosstones the rascal king 2 jesus jones chemical # 1 3 echo & the bunnymen nothing lasts forever 4 deus little arithmetics 5 transister look who's perfect now 6 smoking popes i know you love me 7 orbit bicycle song 8 tanya donnelly-pretty deep 9 star 69 burning down the house 10 lazlo bane overkill 11 insane clown posse hall of illusions 12 squirrel nut zippers put a lid on it 13 london suede beautiful ones 14 human waste project disease 15 travis all i want to do is rock


title: inspirational

text: 1 there's a song risin' in us 2 always with you 3 easy solutions 4 lord we have heard 5 on the day you were born 6 in my father's house 7 the king of love 8 geoff's song 9 there is no place 10 your kingdom come 11 doxology


title: country

text: 1 faithful street 2 interstate blue 3 lonesome for the country 4 one more hour 5 chance at love 6 my arms again 7 legion hall waltz 8 lipstick traces 9 the road away from love 10 central time 11 greyhound afternoon


title: inspirational compilation

text: 1 people get ready c mayfield/housemartins 2 you are the answer point of grace 3 love song for a savior jars of clay 4 greatest show a myers/stealing pears 5 in your eyes peter gabriel 6 if you could see what i see g moore & the distance 7 close of autumn caedmons call 8 "40" u2 9 give it up avalon 10 pray for me mw smith 11 lead of love caedmons call 12 i need you to turn to elton john 13 circle of friends point of grace 14 flood jars of clay


title: 14 popular trax by clark university students

text: 1 these are days 2 crash 3 yesterday 4 in your eyes 5 respect 6 buildings & bridges 7 we are 8 tainted love 9 shape of my heart 10 one week 11 drift away 12 sweet dreams 13 torn 14 higher & higher


title: trax

text: 1 nightcrawlers 2 exodus 3 real raw taste 4 scratching and surviving 5 godbrothers 6 retalliation [their spelling] 7 misconceptions 8 poetic greatness 9 last days 10 nightcrawlers [e/c mix] 11 hear me think, hmt 95<br />12 hear me think 95


title: aussie funk & roll

text: 1 good times 2 down for love 3 so badd 4 back then 5 hypnotic 6 let it whip 7 never thought 8 lay my love on you 9 lifted 10 lessons 11 last dance


title: inspirational

text: 2001 self produced silver disc. beautiful artwork. 1 amazing grace 2 swing low, sweet chariot 3 fairest lord jesus 4 holy ground 5 humbly i adore thee 6 the lord's prayer 7 morning has broken 8 let all mortal flesh keep silence 9 o holy city seen of john 10 i'd rather have jesus 11 amazing [longer version]. upc 661027004923


title: inspirational

text: 1 i will follow 2 heaven's eyes 3 this love 4 try to see 5 remain in me 6 forever with you 7 you were meant to be 8 comfort ye my people 9 los ojos del cielo 10 peace


title: diverse music

text: From around the world 11 tracks. 1-El Viaje by Gismondi 2-My Heart by Savag 3-Bujuku by Ponder 4-Jacob Do Bandolim by Montreux 5-Tirer Pat IV by Isham 6- Florista by Anderson 7-Zulu Lullaby by Soweto String Quartet 8- An Irish Carol by Nightnoise 9-Sunrise Flutes by Hirini Melbourne 10-Virgin Dance by Lucia Hwong 11-Tarana by Ravi Shankar


The actual name of the group is 'Grenada National Folk Ensemble Of Russia'. Album name is 'Crosscurrents Of Music Around The World'. The music is performed on real folk instruments, sung in languages of the lands where the songs originated. Tracks listed are correct. If you like folk music, give this a try. I don't know where 'Troika' came from; i can find it nowhere on the disc or inserts.


title: One of the finest interpretations of Brahms' piano music ever

text: This gem features the finest performance of the Handel Variations I have ever heard. No other comes close in insight, sensitivity and power. A perfect balance.


title: must have for on the go.

text: had to have it for my truck. watched DVD of concert . loved it.


title: A+

text: I am a fan of most of Bob's stuff, this is a good release, highly recommended.


title: paula's  signature track

text:
back in the late 80s paula abdul exploded onto the pop music scene..with her stunning beauty, killer dance moves, and awesome songs ..its no wonder her tracks went gold.  personally, id rather listen to her work  anytime than that weirdo madonna  wannabe  lady gaga..but thats a different discussion...

when i started djing this was actually the first 12 inch vinyl i bought..i remember hunting in the cut out section and was floored when i found this..  all the remixes for straight up are here ..including some awesome club mixes and dubs..  even now  i still spin this on occasion...  her voice is stunning!


title: ace fiddling.

text: cool stuff. I bought it to listen to the tunes, see what I liked and play along to ragtime annie


title: old time string band music

text: A great album from Ry Cooder.  These events i american Histyory have become politicised but if you ignore that then this is a really nifty album of great songs and top notch musicianship and every student of American Music should have this! excellent product and service. thank you.

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title: TOP STUFF

text: This a crackerjack album of first rate guitar playing and all the rest with horns and piano. 5* album all the way!


title: Shoot That Turkey Buzzard

text: too many parties but the basically sound. Compendium of great old fiddle tunes for any lover of this music. Why dont K-tel put it out on CD?


Ordered for father's day. Last minute surprise gift. Worried wouldn't make it in time..much to my surprise came early. Product was just like stated. Made for a great gift


title: Five Stars

text: Great buy. Great service.


title: Three Stars

text: good album


title: Five Stars

text: Great disc.


title: Four Stars

text: great


title: Five Stars

text: LOVE IT.


title: Five Stars

text: SUPER HAPPY WITH DELIVERY, MET MY AND EXCEEDED EXPECTATIONS


title: Just Plain Good Entertainment

text: This is one heck of a talented group of individuals. They work very well together and it shines in their music. I appreciate the over all musical talent of this ensamble. They have a great sense of humor that keeps the pace of their shows quick and light hearted and showcases their prowess on the instruments they play. Their voices are very easy to listen to and their singing just adds to the show. I would recommend that you view some of their you tube videos to get a flavor of the treat of seeing them in concert. I highly recommend this cd.


title: packing problem

text: the case was cracked when I received it.  But the music is AWESOME.


title: Great Relaxing Music

text: Ive been wanting to get this album ,the music is great if you like smooth jazz I have no regrets what so ever. I listen to it in my car while I am driving, This is a great album and I highly recommend it.


title: Classic

text: Great sound quality


title: Excellent solo album from the voice of KROKUS

text: Excellent solo album from the voice of Krokus. Marc Storace kept busy during his Covid-19 hiatus and recorded a great collection of original Hard Rock songs. Although not as Metal as classic Krokus, it still has a similar vibe to “Hoodoo” and “Dirty Dynamite”. His unmistakable voice really make these songs shine. Fans of Krokus will enjoy this album.


title: A legendary VH show!

text: Many Van Halen fans likely already have this show as a bootleg. This is the legendary VH show recorded at the Pasadena Civic Center in December 1977. It has been released as “Die Laughing”, “Atomic Punks” and several other vinyl boots back in the 80s. It’s finally available as a silver pressed CD. A really good source was used for the transfer and the soundboard recording sounds great! The bonus rehearsal tracks are of lesser quality but still sound good. These include three tracks with Dave singing and three without including a cool version of “Voodoo Queen” before it became “Mean Street”.  This is a really great sounding early VH show recorded a few months before the world was introduced to their iconic debut album.


title: Three Stars

text: Classic progressive thrash.


title: Five Stars

text: Great cd thank you


title: Five Stars

text: Awesome cd this seller kicks ass super fast shipping 5 stars for sure


title: Sacred Winds-Sacred Waters

text: I love this CD, the music soo wonderful and soothing.  It puts me in calming enivorment.  I could listen ti it everyday.  I play it every Sunday when getting ready for church.  Hope you have more music by them.  May God Bless,Charlotte


title: great stuff.

text: I have the first two so I figured I'd pick this one up too. Definitely check it out, great stuff.


title: THREE SONGS!

text: Not that I did'nt like this disc, but I paid $32.00 for just three songs!Its nice to have in my collection,but if I could've paid less for it I would've!


title: Very good album

text: Of all the 15 studio albums this has to be my fifth favorite.  Not the same sound as the 90's albums and lightyears away from the "Peace Sells" era, but a very good album in its own right.


title: Lyrics are great, the production and beats tear this one down

text: total grower, after2 or 3 listens your hooked


title: A must have.

text: I have two sealed copy of this masterpiece. Got them from Discolog . Don’t buy from Amazon. It’s wayyyyyyyyy overpriced.


title: GAaaaaarbaggeeee

text: GARBAGE


title: Holy Sasquatch Batman!

text: Since first discovering the magic genre of rock music known as Stoner Rock I have listened to Sasquatch a number of times over those years. I enjoyed what was on offer but never stayed attached to the sound of Sasquatch. 2017 comes along and with it Maneuvers, well it is time to be tempted by Sasquatch's new offering. Well this album plain and simple just kicks some heavy duty stoner rock fan arse. It has to one of the bet releases of 2017. Nicely done Sasquatch!


title: Good honest insensitive rock.

text:
COD's have never received the recognition that they truly deserve. My journey with COD's started shortly after they release Pop Culture Massacre (2007).
How do you describe this band. Extremely honest, passionate, and very listenable. If you are a metal head that enjoys a touch of industrial metal then check out COD's. I own all of their albums on CD apart from this one which I only own the digital version, they just do not disappoint. When flicking through the pages of the CD sleeve, especially on Pop Culture, you can see how they have reached so hard to gain perfection in their work. COD's are an independent band and only make money out of music sales and irregular shows. So they need honest fans to support this honest band to see their way into the future. Do yourself a favour and but some of their music. They will not disappoint. Just listen to some of the lyrics, they will leave you wanting more.
I love this band.


title: Thank you.

text: Thank you.


title: PHENOMENAL...AS ALWAYS

text: I was just cruising the Kingdom Come album reviews here and I noticed this album didn't have any, so I thought I would drop in and write one for it. Just the same as all other Kingdom Come albums, it's great and well worth having. I love Kingdom Come and I have ever since their debut in '88 when I was 13 years old...I'm 28 now!


title: Back in a big way!

text: Quite the comeback for The Outfield in 2011, however this CD was not widely released to say the least.  You can download the great tracks in digital format for much less, but getting a physical copy is almost impossible.  The sound is distinctly "Outfield"starting from "Aladin's Cave" and  almost throughout.  As a matter of fact, I would put the first 6 songs of this up against any Outfield song from the past.  Check it out!  The cover shown is not correct in one of photos.


title: Welcome Back!

text: The "lost" KD album brings back many memories from the band's heyday.  Starting with the opening track "Lonely Road" (which could have fit nicely on "Stand Tall"), is the best, by far.  As the cd tracks forward, each song sounds more and more like "Method to the Madness", which isn't necessarily bad, but I feel lacks the classic Killer Dwarf sound, with little or forced background vocals.  Most of these tracks rock as hard or harder than previous works.  The slight decline in quality songs picks back up at the end with "The Crowd", which although skews slightly off their sound, somehow still hits home for me.  If you are a KD fan, then you MUST get this.  If you are reading about this band for the first time, I would start with their 2nd or 3rd album.


title: This is THE Mass Album to own.

text: Don't know why everyone is reviewing "Voices In The Night" and "Take You Home", when this is the best Mass album by far. All I can figure is that by the time everyone started catching on to this band,this album was already out of print. Before they got "discovered" by Michael Sweet of Stryper (and thus became a clone of them), the released "New Birth" which rocked the socks off most Christian bands of the time. The title track is a classic, as is "Look For the Edge". The whole album rocks, even the slower songs have a less over-produced feel.  This needs to be re-released on CD..now!


title: Five Stars

text: Great experience!


title: Homecoming show

text: Alive Outside is Jadis's second live, recorded 14 July 2001 in the Southampton suburb of New Forest, Hampshire at the end of the Understand tour before Messrs Jowitt and Orford go back to IQ, and all but John J. make guest appearances on the late Asia member John Wettons next solo album Sinister (Welcome to Heaven in Japan).  Older tracks aren't ones already played on the last live release As Daylight Fades.  Covers of Weather with You from Crowded House and Comfortably Numb from Pink Floyd are performed towards the end (best of both world for me with each as I'm of a fan of those as well).  Maybe after the next studio album, there could be another live one as it's been long enough.  I only have one more CD left to get from the band, but it will have to wait for another day.  The whole catalogue needs to be reissued as it is hard to find, and the prices are higher than some rare titles from better known artists.  I had to use two gift cards to whittle down the price to what I could afford.


title: Rare live release

text: Crowded House seem to have little live material available.  Farewell to the World is the only official live album they've done.  This CD however is a bootleg of a radio show recorded at the Trocadero in Philadelphia promoting the first studio album.  A few covers and a couple Split Enz tracks were played, including one not released in the US (from the same album as the original version of I Walk Away which was redone as a bonus track on the début CD).  An intimate show with audience participation.  If only more shows were available.  I don't even have any of the other band yet


title: Solo only

text: This compilation focuses on material Harrison released on his own label.  It failed to include This Song, True Love, Faster, I Don't Want to Do It and any unreleased material apart from the two new tracks.  It's the only one he approved of himself and the last one he lived to see released.  There are absolutely no Beatles tracks (original or live solo versions) It gives the listener a broad review of his mid-period solo career.  It has yet to be reissued by Universal who took over distribution from Warners and EMI.


title: Let It Be Sessions

text: This is a bootleg of the Beatles' troubled sessions for what would become Let It Be recorded in early 1969 at Twickenham and Apple Studios.  Some tracks that were later used for solo albums appear.  It can drag on a bit which is why these never saw an official release yet early versions of Abbey Road are on these albums.  This climactic period of the bands history yielded hours of tape even revealing plans for comeback concerts which wound up being the ones in Savile Row that the police pulled the plug on at the end of the film.  Yoko Ono (go figure) and director Michael Lindsay-Hogg I think also show up on here.  The photos show him, Mal Evans and what looks like Phil Spector (even though he wasn't involved until the following year.  Impromptu covers of Bob Dylan, Buddy Holly, Apple artist the late Jackie Lomax and even Chris Montez (a song they did with Tony Sheridan on the continent) were recorded.  Numerous other bootlegs of this vintage have been released but this may be the most extensive to date.


title: Don't take the second titles advice!

text: This album gets overlooked a bit.  It's the last one with Tony Martin. Neil Murray and the late Cozy Powell and on IRS Records.  Not the most inspired album they've done.  Ernie C from Body Count produced and his colleague Ice-T (who I'm more used to these days on SVU) has a cameo vocal on The Illusion of Power.  Sick and Tired might mean how the band may feel by this point yet Martin felt minimal work was done to seal the deal so Tony Iommi could give everyone their cards and ultimately bring back the original band.  One review at the time called Forbidden a "by-the-numbers potboiler" and Soundgardens new album sounded more like Sabbath than Sabbath.  Even this vintage of Sabbath drives away a lot of the bands around in those days.  These and the other IRS albums (Dehumanizer too as EMI were sold) are supposed to be remastered in the foreseeable future.  There could even be bonus tracks in the vault.  The CD in Japan had one as that's often the case there.  Loser Gets It All may appear on another CD Maximum Sabbath release.<br />The other album with this lineup, Týr, is mostly a concept album inspired by the Norse god it's named for apart from the commercially-obliged lead single Feels Good to Me.  It can't be that long if it fits with Forbidden.  As pairings of two separate albums don't happen everyday officially, it may be obvious to some that this isn't an official release but rather a pirate from Russia as this label have released dozens of them by several artists but they now are a real label with their own metal signings.


title: Don't take the titles advice!

text: This album gets overlooked a bit.  It's the last one with Tony Martin. Neil Murray and the late Cozy Powell and on IRS Records.  Not the most inspired album they've done.  Ernie C from Body Count produced and his colleague Ice-T (who I'm more used to these days on SVU) has a cameo vocal on The Illusion of Power.  Sick and Tired might mean how the band may feel by this point yet Martin felt minimal work was done to seal the deal so Tony Iommi could give everyone their cards and ultimately bring back the original band.  One review at the time called Forbidden a "by-the-numbers potboiler" and Soundgardens new album sounded more like Sabbath than Sabbath.  Even this vintage of Sabbath drives away a lot of the bands around in those days.  This and the other IRS albums (Dehumanizer too as EMI were sold) are supposed to be remastered in the foreseeable future.  There could even be bonus tracks in the vault.  The CD in Japan had one as that's often the case there.


title: Sole solo excursion

text:
This is a compilation of Greg Lakes only solo studio releases. Originally released by Chrysalis Records, the master tapes reverted to Lake and he released this edition independently and the rights now lay with his estate. I also have the original LPs from Canada.
After ELP first broke up, Lake was trying to find himself musically on his own. He worked with members of Toto and Springsteen in LA before going home and collaborating with the late Gary Moore, fresh out of Thin Lizzy. The sound was more or less AOR, typical of the day. A different animal from ELP. Some tracks were from outside writers, even Bob Dylan (who seldom wrote with other male songwriters it says in the liner notes; the track being Love You Too Much which doesn't sound anything like Dylan, who ELP proper covered over a decade later).
The first album managed to sell enough and even led to an appearance on King Biscuit, but the second one had the sophomore jinx and there would never be another solo album even with long gaps between ELP and the Lake. He would have a short lived yet often discussed period in Asia when fellow Crimson alum John Wetton went on hiatus (he passed himself over a month after Lake).
There should have been more photos from the solo period in the liner notes as most of them are from throughout ELPs tenure as well as later in life. There's also a typo on the back which lists Someone from the first album twice when it's Slave to Love on Manoeuvres. Also the track order is different from what I'm used to on vinyl moving It's You, You Gotta Believe to last before the bonus track Hold Me.
The bonus tracks had appeared on the From the Underworld compilations as I recognised one of them, and there's also the classic Smokey Robinson cover You Really Got a Hold on Me which was done on tour. The pressure from the label and the moderate success from the record company may have discouraged Lake from ever recording alone again as he preferred to have others to bounce ideas off of, recording with Geoffrey Downes and even the one off Emerson, Lake and Powell before one last leg of ELP.


title: Sole solo excursion

text:
This is a compilation of Greg Lakes only solo studio releases.  Originally released by Chrysalis Records, the master tapes reverted to Lake and he released this edition independently and the rights now lay with his estate.  I also have the original LPs from Canada.
After ELP first broke up, Lake was trying to find himself musically on his own.  He worked with members of Toto and Springsteen in LA before going home and collaborating with the late Gary Moore, fresh out of Thin Lizzy.  The sound was more or less AOR, typical of the day.  A different animal from ELP.  Some tracks were from outside writers, even Bob Dylan (who seldom wrote with other male songwriters it says in the liner notes; the track being Love You Too Much which doesn't sound anything like Dylan, who ELP proper covered over a decade later).
The first album managed to sell enough and even led to an appearance on King Biscuit, but the second one had the sophomore jinx and there would never be another solo album even with long gaps between ELP and the Lake.  He would have a short lived yet often discussed period in Asia when fellow Crimson alum John Wetton went on hiatus (he passed himself over a month after Lake).
There should have been more photos from the solo period in the liner notes as most of them are from throughout ELPs tenure as well as later in life.  There's also a typo on the back which lists Someone from the first album twice when it's Slave to Love on Manoeuvres.  Also the track order is different from what I'm used to on vinyl moving It's You, You Gotta Believe to last before the bonus track Hold Me.
The bonus tracks had appeared on the From the Underworld compilations as I recognised one of them, and there's also the classic Smokey Robinson cover You Really Got a Hold on Me which was done on tour.  The pressure from the label and the moderate success from the record company may have discouraged Lake from ever recording alone again as he preferred to have others to bounce ideas off of, recording with Geoffrey Downes and even the one off Emerson, Lake and Powell before one last leg of ELP.


title: Early edition

text: This was the first Gentle Giant album I ever heard and I only now found a CD copy worth keeping.  This was the first album with drummer John "Pugwash" Weathers and the last with founding member Phil Shulman.  This was the shortest lived lineup.  After Phils acrimonious departure the other two Shuman brothers Derek and Ray, Gary Green, Weathers and Kerry Minnear would remain intact until their 1980 split.  From this album I heard some similarities to other prog bands and some things no one else did.  This would also be the last album on Columbia in the US and Canada until the studio swans song Civilian as the follow-up In a Glass Onion was too left field in nature, and the last on Vertigo in the UK as they moved to a short lived label called WWA which onetime tour-mates Black Sabbath also went to for a period.  The international release had a sleeve by Roger Dean, known for designing for Yes, Uriah Heep, Greenslade, Babe Ruth and Osibisa up to that time.  Likely for contractual reasons the jar die cut jacket by Charles White III was used in North America instead.  Now to find the LP along with one of predecessor Three Friends and I'm all set with the original albums.  I lost interest in the 2011 remaster and I don't plan on getting the Steven Wilson one in the foreseeable future.  The one I bought wasn't released until 1990 as a US/Canadian CD release was late.  The next album even more so also on vinyl but that's for later.


title: The best of the boys!

text: There are several Rush compilations yet this may be the definitive one at least of the earlier periods or what was mainly released on Mercury Records (usually outside Canada and Japan).  This was mainly to complete their contract with that label after a new international contract with Atlantic Records.  These tracks are from 1974-89.  Show Don't Tell was licenced for this release so there'd be at least one newer track as nothing newly recorded was included like other people have done.  While the band themselves didn't put this together themselves, the sleeve was still done by Hugh Syme as he also does backdrops like this for other artists.  Tom Sawyer, Freewill and Closer to the Heart are all here.  Xanadu could have been included as well but there's always the studio album for that.  Chronicles seems like a generic name yet PolyGram used it for compilations and Universal adapted it after buying them.  This collection is also a good way to get started with the boys.  Had to get my copy from their backyard.


title: Long overdue

text: Nearly four decades after the original release the Beatles at the Hollywood Bowl finally has an official digital release without resorting to a pirate copy or bootleg.  The best of two LA performances recorded over a year apart have a mix which is as good as it gets.  The band never had a live album out or even an unofficial one while they were still together.  The screaming seemed to upstage the Fab Four yet it is still here but it wouldn't be the same without it.  It now serves as their only authorised live release as Star Club as yet to get this despite the rights belonging to the band but the work needed makes what was done here an overnight job by comparison but that's for another day.<br />This was released to tie in with Ron Howards documentary Eight Days a Week: The Touring Years which didn't play in my area and I don't do streaming video so I'll wait for the DVD.  That song isn't on here and may never have even been considered for the set list as like the LPs, shows weren't that long in those days.  Anyway it is a time capsule of a historic moment held at one of the west coasts top venues.


title: The Original Moody Blues

text: This is the definitive edition of the only album by the original lineup of the Moody Blues which even sole remaining original member Graeme Edge considers a different animal than everything after.  This is the band that recorded Go Now, And My Baby's Gone and This is My House just to name a few.  This remaster includes long lost material not on other editions.  Also the four surviving founding members now own the masters.  Even though singles were released to little fanfare until early 1967 no second album by this vintage of the band ever materialized yet enough tracks for one were recorded.  By late 1966 Denny Laine and Clint Warwick left the band.  Justin Hayward and John Lodge (who went to school when this lineup were together as he was in predecessor band El Riot and the Rebels) respectively took over and they started over from scratch as the old guards sound no longer worked.  I bought this boxed set before seeing Laine solo at a Beatles tribute concert and he'll be in town for another soon so I had to have another listen.  El Riot and the Moodies both opened for the Fab Four ultimately leading Laine to join Wings (McCartney of course)  in 1971.  Ray Thomas is now retired, Mike Pinder has kept a lower profile in recent years and Clint Warwick passed on in 2004.<br />I didn't expect Esoteric to reissue this like they had related albums (flagship owner label Cherry Red had a solo Laine compilation once).  Sister label RPM are more suited to this era than Esoteric.  Still this supersedes all previous reissues and compilations on CD.


title: Alan Reed-Derek Forman years

text: These were the first two releases from Pallas to feature frontman Alan Reed who replaced Euan Lowson in the mid-'80s.  Knightmoves was an EP and The Wedge was an LP.  However an indifferent A&R at EMI who followed them to Polydor when they tried to sign there and lack of interest kept the band on hiatus for over a decade.  Outside careers such as Reed at the BBC, bassist Graeme Murray practising law, keyboardist Ronnie Brown working parks and rec and guitarist Niall Matthewson running the studio paid the bills.  Drummer Derek "Dek" Forman retired from the business and fell into obscurity replaced by Colin Fraser by the late '90s when another label signed them though reported they are not happy that they moved to another.  Reed was sacked from Pallas in 2010 as he lives in Surrey and the band in Aberdeenshire on top of escalating conflicts.<br />The neoprog wave of Marillion, IQ, Quatar and Pendragon brought an '80s twist to '70s style prog and Pallas would build a cult following of their own.  When InsideOut reissued this they simply made it a remaster of The Wedge with Knightmoves tracks as bonus tracks.


title: White Album period.

text: This is a bootleg of the White Album and other sessions from 1968.  Most of the tracks are from a rough tape Ringo Starr gave to his Magic Christian co-star the late Peter Sellers (who passed several months before Lennon in 1980).  The sound quality is what one expects from an unauthorised released recorded in those days.  There are a number of these recorded that year yet many more from the following year in the first couple months as we all know.  One would have to be familiar with the official release first before being able to appreciate these versions, many which didn't even make it to Anthology 3 in 1996.  The last two tracks are the only original ones intended for the White Album that were dropped before being mastered in time for a festive release that November.  Harrison redid his rejected track (he was lucky that four of his babies were greenlighted for the LPs) for his 1979 solo album instead.  John and Yokos track was almost a Plastic Ono Band single but they had just enough avant-garde material to be derided as it was by their first wedding anniversary!


title: Ashes are Burning tour

text: This is another live album from Renaissance from their '70s heyday yet I didn't know de Lane Lea had live facilities (I know a studio in the States did however), although they went back to record Turn of the Cards and Novella, which I have yet to find on CD along with Ashes are Burning, which the band were promoting at the time.  Can You Understand? opens the show, but the Dr Zhivago interpolation in the middle 8 isn't the same as on the studio version without orchestral dubs.  Wishbone Ashs Andy Powell and Al Stewart make a guest appearance on Ashes are Burning.  Late guitarist Mick Dunford is made a full-fledged member by this time after just writing and remained so for the rest of his life when the band were active.  Pianist John Tout passed on himself in recent memory and this is the first Renaissance release since that he is a part of.  Terry Sullivan and Jon Camp have a spinoff planned in the UK while ex-pat Annie Haslam leads a US-based lineup today from prog-friendly Pennsylvania (Philadelphia area).


title: Here comes the land of the rising sun

text: The Beatles performed five shows in a row in the renowned Budokan judo hall in Tokyo Prefecture, a first for a western act.  They were recorded and two seem to survive namely this one from 30 June 1966.  The setlist seems short yet concerts weren't as long in those days.  Also nearly anything from Revolver was impossible then.  The band would work their way across the Pacific for another and final US leg which ended in the Bay Area.  Older songs like I Wanna Be Your Man and newer ones like If I Needed Someone cover almost every vintage up to that point.  Beatlemania seemed to be as fervent as in the US and UK.  The dicey sound quality as usual is obvious even to the layman.  This has appeared on LP and CD alike released by various labels under different titles.  It is one of the last recorded full-length live Beatles bootlegs available.  McCartney, possibly Starr and even Harrison would tour Japan on their own decades later (Lennon never lived to do so).


title: The best of both worlds

text: This is an unofficial compilation of Paul McCartney from Japan on a label that releases a number of these owing to lenient copyright laws there.  This is similar in scope to a couple official releases from his late former colleagues which combined solo and Beatles proper onto one collection, one being a posthumous soundtrack (Lennon) and a record company release against the artists wishes while he was alive (Harrison) although just four band tracks are used while it's mainly Wings with two his and hers hits from 1971.  Other pirate comps exist but this one seemed interesting enough although it'll be material most fans will have anyway.