Nine Skies "The Lightmaker" ALBUM REVIEW [prog rock from France]

 

by Dean Wolfe, Prog dog Media  (NOTE: review is google-translated into French below, merci)

If you are at all like me, you will feel a special anticipation from the first moments that The Lightmaker unfolds before your ears. You are taken by the hand and guided through a majestic journey of a lifetime as nine different voices share their experience and lessons with you, though they are actually the same person: Rudy, who has lived 1000 different lives, and is now on his 1001st and last. What has he learned? What will he share? 

The kinds of profound emotions and musical scenery is, as you can imagine- vast, varied and heartfelt. The several different lead singers and indeed each member of the band have reached deep into their souls as this album marks an important turning point for Nine Skies. It's the first album created since the untimely departure of Eric Bouillette. He was a pillar in the band- doing songwriting and performing guitars, piano, keyboards and violin, but the remaining members are bravely forging ahead. If he is able to hear the results in the hereafter where he may reside, I'm convinced he is delighted with the results. 

As a big Yes and Steve Hackett fan, plus Opeth, I felt right at home with this album. The Alan Parsons Project-style of featuring different vocalists was a brilliant move and contributes to the album's profound narrative. There's plenty of excellent musicianship here as well. Bass guitar-wise there's some lovely fretless work as well as a 3 string chord/fingerstyle bass solos like on The Wanderer.  Guitar-wise there is are plenty of acoustic steel-sting passages featuring soothing and beautiful chord parterns and progressions, as well as tons of tasteful electric guitar sections and some great, and occasionally epic solos. The keyboards and synths feature prominently as well, layered throughout including a remarkable and iconic solo in Chaotic. The drums also fit so well into all of the songs- as everything does, in this well produced and well mixed album. 

Prog dog Scores this gorgeous album 4 1/2 out of 5 bones. It is at once epic and modest, and I predict this album will find its way into the hearts of many fans of the progressive rock genre. It's a new high water mark for prog in 2023.

https://nineskiesmusic.com/

https://nineskies.bandcamp.com/album/the-lightmaker

the video of this album review here: https://youtu.be/_0Vf01jR2Ek

Si vous êtes comme moi, vous ressentirez une attente particulière dès les premiers instants que The Lightmaker se déroule devant vos oreilles. Vous êtes pris par la main et guidé à travers le voyage majestueux de votre vie alors que neuf voix différentes partagent avec vous leurs expériences et leurs leçons, bien qu'il s'agisse en réalité de la même personne : Rudy, qui a vécu 1000 vies différentes et en est maintenant à sa 1001e. enfin. Qu'a-t-il appris ? Que va-t-il partager ?

Les émotions profondes et le décor musical sont, comme vous pouvez l'imaginer, vastes, variés et sincères. Les différents chanteurs principaux et chaque membre du groupe ont pénétré au plus profond de leur âme car cet album marque un tournant important pour Nine Skies. C'est le premier album créé depuis le départ prématuré d'Eric Bouillette. Il était un pilier du groupe – il écrivait des chansons et jouait des guitares, du piano, des claviers et du violon, mais les autres membres vont courageusement de l'avant. S'il est capable d'entendre les résultats dans l'au-delà où il résidera, je suis convaincu qu'il est ravi des résultats.

En tant que grand fan de Yes et de Steve Hackett, ainsi que d'Opeth, je me suis senti comme chez moi avec cet album. Le style Alan Parsons Project consistant à présenter différents chanteurs était une décision brillante et contribue au récit profond de l'album. Il y a aussi beaucoup d’excellente musicalité ici. En ce qui concerne la guitare basse, il y a un joli travail sans frette ainsi que des solos de basse en accords/fingerstyle à 3 cordes comme sur The Wanderer. En ce qui concerne la guitare, il y a de nombreux passages acoustiques en acier avec des partenaires et des progressions d'accords apaisants et magnifiques, ainsi que des tonnes de sections de guitare électrique de bon goût et des solos formidables, parfois épiques. Les claviers et les synthés figurent également en bonne place, superposés, y compris un solo remarquable et emblématique dans Chaotic. La batterie s'intègre également très bien dans toutes les chansons, comme tout, dans cet album bien produit et bien mixé.

Prog dog Note à ce magnifique album 4 1/2 sur 5. Il est à la fois épique et modeste, et je prédis que cet album trouvera sa place dans le cœur de nombreux fans du genre rock progressif. C’est un nouveau record pour le prog en 2023.

Android Superstation "This Side of Nowhere" ALBUM REVIEW [alt-rock/pop-punk crossover prog]

by Dean Wolfe, Prog dog Media    [album released 2020]

Android Superstation, a four-piece indie band out of Orange County California, are brimming with potential as their 2020 debut disc "This Side of Nowhere" testifies. 

This band leans toward the epic but paints with a broad palette and a wide stylistic diversity of influences evident from track to track, yet the album holds together well. It's sort of pop-punk (Blink 182) meets full-on rocking Muse meets soulful Pink Floyd meets occasional symphonic prog- thanks mostly to their exceptional keyboardist Heather Moore and her acoustic piano performances which provide many of the album's highlights (like at the end of 'After You' or throughout 'Collide'). Moore also sings lead, but sadly on only one song. Let's hope they spotlight her vocals on more tracks for their sophomore album.

Lead singer Danny Day Church excels in power pop vocals (and I love how easy it is to make out every word he is singing). I would love to hear even more of his softer side to balance out the one-volume dynamics of that genre. The slow track that finishes the album 'The Other Side' is a stand-out example, as well as the longest of their songs (at 8 minutes) 'Collide'. 

A couple of the album's songwriting and performance high points are 'Fractured' and 'Alive' which demonstrates many of Android Superstation's diverse strengths in relatively short and focussed efforts. 

'Through the Darkness', the only song with lead vocals sung by keyboardist Heather, has a chorus that really delivers, and features some great dissonant haunted piano lines recalling scary movies. I feel like more of these kind of tracks would serve the band well, with the great soft to loud dynamics. 

More people need to know about Android Superstation. The band's website has some super cool comics worth checking out. They have a YouTube channel featuring recent performance of a strong new track called 'Human' which confirms they continue to forge forward with strong songs.

This is a very very impressive debut album for a young indie band out-of-the-gates, therefore Prog dog Scores it  3 1/2 bones out of 5 bones. 

https://www.androidsuperstation.com/

Ora Cogan "Formless" ALBUM REVIEW [ambi-pop, singer/songwriter, americana]

by Dean Wolfe, Prog dog Media  [album released August 22, 2023]

The very unique Ora Cogan's new album feels like it was recorded in secret and hidden places off the beaten and over-trodden paths of so much modern music- perhaps in an old cabin nestled in the British Columbian wilds. She thrives in her unhurried atmospheres of dreamy, gauzy melodies, occasionally urgent and summoning the listener into active engagement. At other times sweetly crooning you into a meditative state of relaxation. 

There's many moments to be treasured on "Formless". It arrives steeped with both decipherable and indecipherable influences: some smokey country rock/Americana (almost Neil Young-ish), and some 80s pop rock (reminiscent of Andy Summers and The Police in some of the electric guitar work).

The soulful and rich 'Ways of Learning' is a heart-warming duet featuring Luz Elena Mendoza of Y La Bamba. The song at times lavishes you with gentle vocal harmonizations. JP Carter expands the palette with textured trumpet imprinted with echo, delay and distortion.

'Dyed' is a revisit with the same stand-out song released on her EP late in 2022. At first I wondered why redo it? But now I feel blessed to have both versions. It has been produced to be less ethereal and more rhythmically pronounced for the toe-tappers. 

Prog dog score: "Formless" gets a tasty 4 1/2 out of 5 bones. It's varied but cohesive, adorned with Ora's trademark dreamy sweet vocals, a plethora of humble and interesting instrumentations and guest performances. It pulls back the curtain on Cogan's intimate and exotic (but grounded) world. 

https://oracogan.bandcamp.com/album/formless   

http://www.oracogan.com/

See my video version of this review on prog dog channel: (link T.B.A.) 

The Mommyheads "Coney Island Kid" ALBUM REVIEW [indie-prog-pop]

by Dean Wolfe, Prog dog Media    [album released July 31, 2023]

This solid new album from The Mommyheads is so full of fresh creative twists and turns I can only surmise every single member of the band is a full fledged record producer. And because of this it's hard to imagine that there wouldn't be a little something for everyone here on this 15th release from a band I'm embarrassed to admit I've not come across until now.

Coming out of NYC they do have a sort of overall big city kinda grit, but also earthy vibes. The prog influences are indie-pop flavoured. There are even touches on jazz, like on the track Onset MA which has - like all the songs on this album- brilliant and powerful moments that defy the most cynical of music critics. 

Let me sum up my assessment process of this album as I re-listen to it: It's like being on the hook-end of a fishing rod that undeniably and ever-so slowly reels you in. The real question is 'Will I get scooped up out of the water in a net and get tossed into The Mommyhead's fridge for dinner?' 

Only time will tell I guess but it is encouraging to me that a band with a long history like The Mommyheads can still knock 'em right out of the park. 

"Coney Island Kid" is a concept album, and so all of its intriguing compositions are somehow bound together with this theme. There are interesting little snapshots of recordings from the famous amusement park binding the tracks all together as well. I've always found old amusement parks strangely creepy at times, so the album cover was initially creepy to me as well. After some spins of the disc it's just totally cute to me now. That little child has a sweet, expectant and innocent expression oblivious to the scary old gargoyles and ghoulish faces surround her. This is a powerful image. 

I'm making an educated guess but surely XTC fans would readily embrace this music, and Neal Morse Band fans. Same goes for fans of later Beatles and even Genesis a la 1974 thanks to some bass work reminiscent of Michael Rutherford's crunchy Rickenbacker bass. 

As far as the pallette of colours employed here, synthesizers and keys do play a serious role. Several tracks also feature steel string acoustic guitars, possibly dobro?, plus of course electric guitars, plenty of great vocal harmonies, and very in-the-pocket drums and electric bass. The lead vocals are very good- expressive, quite likeable. I find something about his voice familiar but frustratingly I can't pin it down. Is it a Don McLean "American Pie" kind of voice? Perhaps, but more mature and seasoned. 

The tagline on the band's Twitter (X) is "We’ve played thousands of shows to hundreds of people". Too many great bands suffer this fate! This would not be for lack of talent as musicians or songwriters. Nor for lack of effort- they were signed to Geffen records for an album, for heaven's sake!... which received plenty of glowing reviews from some high places. 

Prog dog Score: "Coney Island Kid" by the Mommyheads is a solid 4 out of 5 bones. It's inventively written, creatively produced and performed, full of pragmatic groove and mature verve. Anyone searching for intelligent, catchy music that grabs you on first listen- what are you waiting for? 

to see a video interview with the Mommyheads' Andy Elk: https://youtu.be/Npwz1LsmdrQ

to see a video version of this review: https://youtu.be/atO4N4O-gRQ

Space Kitchen - "Space Kitchen" ALBUM REVIEW [basement prog rock/ pop]

by Dean Wolfe, Prog dog Media   [album released April 14, 2023]

It's not often I trip across a new band of younglings that remind me of E.L.O. and Camel. Even more cool, the singer kind of sounds like Joey Ramone, so there's a tinge of a punk or new wave 80s attitude. Mix this all together and you get Space Kitchen, a band out of Ontario Canada that's genuinely fun to listen to.

Lots of newer prog bands are exploring the harder metal territories of the genre, but Space Kitchen proves there's still young visionaries who are inspired by the under-represented poppier and straight forward classic rock sounds of the 70s and 80s.

This band is not tied down by the popular ProTool grids of today- there are timing changes and fluctuations that allow the music to breathe as sections and movements evolve. There are plenty of rich vocal harmonies as well.

"So nice to be here, but I’m going home" reads a line of lyrics that perhaps captures the vision of the band- staying true to an inner vision that goes against the norms of popular music.

Tracks 1 and 2 are 'up' beat songs, 3 gets darker and tracks 4 through 7 unapologetically explore the prog domain.

Another treat to the ears about this band is the generous use of piano and keyboards like in I Love You Baby which also features a soulful guitar solo.

Songs like Zoo Keeper, short as it is, is large, broad, menacing in parts, with jangly guitars and dark synths and drums that rattle the cages.

With The Moving Picture I have to ask: Do we have a new inspired prog classic? Space Kitchen reveal they have a substantial vision featuring some intricate ELP-ish 70s prog vibes, epic bass riff lines... rousing stuff.

The Squig is a great little instrumental where Space Kitchen breaks out the rock organ, and Sun Tower...hold on tight to your horses folks. Some Genesis and Steve Hackett vibes- with some great bass lines.

The self-titled album, which is EP length, resolves perfectly with Pain Goblin and  some absolutely brilliant reversed bass. At that point you may feel impelled, like me, to restart the album- I find two listens in a row at least are needed.

I quite like the production - it’s a bit home-spun and garagey but it is a tad dry at times- needing some engineering tweaks to add more energy and space to the drum kit or keyboards for example. All that is quite forgivable however as Space Kitchen are full of promise if they are going to stay the course for the long run. It seems they are an indie band without any label at the moment, but for how long till they come knocking?

Prog dog Score: We give Space Kitchen's debut album a score of 3.5 out of 5 bones. It's fresh, fun and intelligent prog-influenced music for a new generation of music fans. 

Jeff Pearce "Skies and Stars" ALBUM REVIEW [Guitar Pedal Ambient, Electronic Guitarist]

by Dean Wolfe, Prog dog Media      [album released September 13, 2019]

I fall to sleep to this instrumental CD quite often. Normally that might not count as a vote of excellence, but seeing as I work lots of midnight shifts that's a very good thing. 

It has 3 tracks and the second is my favourite at 24 minutes. The first track at 28 minutes is more swirly ethereal while track 2 is more drone-ish with more textures in the lower registers. 

If you're new to ambient guitar music you might be surprised at how un-guitar-like it sounds. Often the artist is volume-sweeping and 'swelling' so that the actual 'attack' sounds of the pick on strings is not featured. Instead you get long stretched out loops of almost any variety of keyboard-like tones and swashes. 

Jeff is a long-time ambient guitarist based out of Indiana and has been releasing albums since 1993. Allmusic calls him "one of the top two electronic guitarists of all time". 

Prog dog Score: Rating ambient albums like this is difficult because they vary so much in approach and result and can be interpreted very differently from listener to listener. We settled on 3 1/2 out of 5 bones. As long as you're looking for an album that doesn't vary, divert or jolt you- and you seek a consistent sleep-accompanying (or work accompanying) musical and melodic ambience, you should enjoy this album by one of the greats. 

Lispector - "The Return of the Old Flame" ALBUM REVIEW [lofi synth pop livingroom rock]

by Dean Wolfe, Prog dog Media    [album released June 22, 2023]

Home recording is something worth championing. It's a logical first step for an artist to cut their teeth and learn the ropes on a micro scale of what might happen should you land a full blown major-label type music career. Albums like Lispector's 'The Return of the Old Flame' prove you can still master your trade on any scale and create near masterpieces- whether your music is heard by hundreds, millions or even billions. You don't need the most expensive available equipment to capture visionary talent. 

I've been captivated by Lispector's new home-produced synth-pop album for the past few weeks and it's safe to say it's gone deeper than a mere infatuation. 

Lispector is Julie Margat, a visionary one-person music-making indie rock machine. She's based in Bordeaux France but sings mainly in English. She's a prolific songwriter and self recordist with a large back catalog of material. 

Her new solo album is her 22nd (released June 2023) called The Return of the Old Flame. It's both downloadable and streamable, but better yet would be to enjoy it in its DIY glory on an analog cassette. Her first edition sold out immediately upon release and a second edition is shipping September. 

She likely recorded her album in her bedroom or living room, like most of her previous albums, dating back to her earliest work with rudimentary four-track tape machines. I don't know the production specifics of this album (I will ask when I get to interview her and find out) but I'm assuming she's working on a laptop and in the digital realm now, although the hand-crafted feel and charm persists.  

There's lots of Casio-sounding synths going on, (though she mentions the Yamaha brand) plus electric guitars and bass and at least a couple of different drum machines. There's something I find completely charming about her low-energy casual vocal style (*not implying low effort). It sounds like how you expect someone to sing when you're vocalizing in an apartment somewhere in France and trying not to disturb the neighbours during your hours of inspiration. 

Julie Margat's music buzzes with me on a deep and dreamy- happy level. Listening to her warm and economical songs, I feel as though I've spent an afternoon in her cozy French living room, resting my cold drink on a coaster atop her coffee table while she busily tracks tunes at her keyboard. The music creates an instant atmosphere that draws me in and makes me feel right at home.

She's gifted with a perpetually youthful sounding singing voice. Knowing how long she's been at it- since the late 90s, I know she can't still be 23 years old, but that's where you might peg it.  

Self Driving Car is a standout track off the album for me- I listened to it on a loop more than a few times.

Prog dog score: a solid 4 1/2 out of 5 bones. It's an astonishing but simple musical statement of a songwriter fully in her stride across the living room studio floor- a dextrously crafted home-spun near-masterpiece of synth pop.

https://lispector.org/

To see my interview video with Julie Margat: https://youtu.be/xF38KCZCgxc