Host - HARDT MOT HARDT (1976)

What amazed me most about this album was the virtuoso guitar playing of this guy named Fezza. He also plays the flute and wrote all the songs except for the instrumental. But man can he light up the guitar,and he can play some delicate and intricate melodies as well. This record is no doubt symphonic yet there are some classical elements and some downright scorching guitar solos as well. The singing is in Norwegian and is quite good. The drumming and organ play are outstanding as well. These guys don't take themselves too seriously either as there are some silly moments.

I like the vocal melody to open the instrumental "Ase" it's pretty funny. "Lektyre" is an orchestral song with vocals. "Sirkus" is the longest tune and one of my favs. I like the aggressive guitar playing and there is some violin and what sounds like the accordion to me. The opener is a good one, with crisp drumming and some beautiful guitar melodies. "Gorobin" opens with some intricate guitar before we get the full sound around the 2 minute mark.The drums and organ dominate although the guitar is again great !

My favourite song is "Nattergalen" as it all seems to come together beautifully. The guitar,drums and vocals are incredible while the flute solo is a nice touch. Organ play follows and then an amazing guitar solo. There are some good bass lines in the final song "Aeraeeo" and i swear Fezza can make his guitar talk. The vocals are theatrical and the organ and flute all add to an amazing sound.

This took a while to grow on me but right from the start there was no disputing the talent of this Norwegian band. A beauty from 1976. Review from progarchives.com

Songs / Tracks Listing

1. Profetens ord (5:40)
2. Gorobin (5:09)
3. Nattergalen (7:10) Ørnkloa (3:17)
4. Sirkus (7:42)
5. Lektyre (3:55)
6. Åse (3:19)
7. Æræeo (5:57)

Total Time: 34:59

Line-up / Musicians

- Geir Jahren / vocal
- Bernt Brodahl / bass
- Willy Bendiksen / drums
- Fezza Ellingsen / guitar, flute
- Halvdan Nedrejord / organ, piano

Host - PÅ STERKE VINGER (1974)

 

Simply one of the best Norwegian albums ever! All of the songs have an extremely high standard, no dead-points. The musicianship on this album is very good, and so are the vocals too. You can in fact almost hear some Iron Maiden types of music on this album. although this album came out a couple of years before Maiden's debut. I love this album, and I would recommend it to anybody. 

I love this band ! I really didn't think of IRON MAIDEN as some others have mentioned, but yeah they have twin lead guitars and a bassist who you can't ignore if you know what i mean.The vocals are in Norwegian and are excellent. I'm actually glad he sings in his own language,it sounds amazing ! And the drummer is so impressive.The truth is that this band could play with anybody.They're all gun slingers. I have their second and final release which is also a killer album but i like this one a little more.

"Fattig Men Fri" opens with 30 seconds of fury before it settles down as reserved vocals come in. I thought i heard mellotron but it's "string ensemble". The one guitarist also plays moog,clavinet,organ, and grand piano. Nice guitar solo after 3 minutes as well. Awesome opener and probably my favourite. "For Sent A Angre" opens with guitars as bass and drums join in followed by vocals. I really like the drumming on this one. More excellent guitar after 1 1/2 minutes. "I Ly Av Morket" opens with piano as drums then reserved vocals arrive. Tasteful guitar after 3 minutes. This is fairly mellow overall and my least favourite.

"Satans Skorpe" starts off slowly but gets better as it goes. Some vocal harmonies in this one too. Great sound after 1 1/2 minutes as it gets heavier. Guitar solo a minute later and check out the chunky bass. The tempo picks up late as the guitar rips it up. "Dit Vi Ma" is just so impressive, just sitting back and listening to these guys play is a joy. Nice fat bass in this one and some blistering guitar. "Samhold" is more aggresiive with some killer bass. Vocals a minute in. Scorching guitar after 2 minutes. The vocals really shine on this one. "Pa Sterke Vinger" opens with guitar as passionate vocals with floating background organ comes in. Very melodic guitar leads on this one. The ground shaking bass before 5 minutes is joined by guitar and drums.They seem to just jam at this point. Nice.The guitar lights it up after 7 minutes. Vocals are back a minute after that. Reviews from progarchives.com

Songs / Tracks Listing

1. Fattig Men Fri (4:50)
2. For Sent A Angre (2:55)
3. I Ly Av Mørket (5:11)
4. Satans Skorpe (4:17)
5. Dit Vi Må (4:14)
6. Samhold (3:41)
7. På Sterke Vinger (9:57)

Total Time: 35:05



Line-up / Musicians

- Geir Morgan Jahren / vocals
- Lasse Nilsen / guitar
- Bernt Bodahl / bass
- Knut R. Lie / drums, vocals
- Svein Rønning / guitar, clavinet, organ, string ensemble, Mini-Moog, flute, vocals

Porcupine Tree - Recordings (2010)

Songs / Tracks Listing
1. Buying New Soul (10:24)
2. Access
Denied (3:35)
3. Cure For Optimism (6:11)
4. Untitled (8:53)
5.
Disappear (3:37)
6. Ambulance Chasing (6:32)
7. In Formaldehyde
(5:19)
8. Even Less (13:55)
9. Oceans Have No Memory (3:06)

Total
Time: 61:52
Line-up / Musicians
- Steve Wilson / vocals, guitars,
keyboards
- Colin Edwin / bass
- Chris Maitland / drums,
percussion
- Richard Barbieri / keyboards

Porcupine Tree - Nil Recurring (2007)

Now this i like alot,its got porcupine tree doing wat they do best it might be an ep but its a good ep for that matter,the first track is kind of porcupine tree like there gone into another world not weird like just porcup[ine tree doing it if u understand wat i,m going on about lol,next track normal is a brilliant track and is sentimental of foabp like an earlier version of it kind of the same but i bet this is one of the first versions of the song or retryed again and is a good song to but the song is alot like sentimental which that track i love alot so its a welcome on here,next is cheating the polygraph which is so porcupine tree like foabp and if youve got foabp you must get this for this anmd the next song to,next is what happens now is i think the best track on the album everything on this track is porcupine tree at there newest sounding just like foabp,if you own foabp get hold of this to as its a must have not as good as that album but it is an ep if it was a proper album i reckon it would be just as good as foabp i give this 4 stars buy tjis if you enjoyed foabp. PORCUPINE TREE Nil Recurring music review by davidsporle

Songs / Tracks Listing

1. Nil Recurring (6:08)
2. Normal (7:07)
3. Cheating the Polygraph (7:06)
4. What Happens Now? (8:23)

Total Time: 28:00

Line-up / Musicians - Steven Wilson / vocals, guitars, piano, keyboards
- Richard Barbieri / keyboards and synthesizers
- Colin Edwin / bass guitars
- Gavin Harrison / drums, percussion, tapped guitar

porcupine tree nil recurring


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Birth Control - Hoodoo Man ( 1972)

"Hoodah Man" was BC's third, their most famous and best-selling album not only due to its daring funny artwork. They've been accused those days by UK magazine Melody Maker being No. 1 copyists but we all know well that progressive rock music coming from Germany hadn't been taken really serious by British press and had been tagged with the disdainfully meant label Krautrock (not exactly what we understand nowadays by this). Certainly it might be true that they were using elements of famous hard and psyche rock bands from late 60's/early 70's but one has well to admit that they combined all those influences quite well with some other more progressive ones. Thus we get offered here some music based on harder-edged blues rock with plenty of organ sound, some jazzy pads (as in "Suicide") and a couple of synthesizer sections like in "Buy!", "Kaulstoss" and their ever lasting staple hit "Gamma Ray". But to be honest though containing actually a highly entertaining and enjoyable mixture this album cannot be considered as relevant in terms of Prog as their later jazzier album "Backdoor Possibilities" but for those ones preferring a slightly heavier sound it was certainly more exciting than "Plastic People". In many parts, especially in the church-organ enclosure in the title track the music here sounds however admittedly rather dated and not really suitable for repeated listens rather just good enough for a very occasional spin.

Nevertheless I'm proud to own the original edition on vinyl with the famous gatefold cover and though I wouldn't recommend this album to any Prog fan as an essential one I still consider it a nice show-piece for collector's of early 70's hard-edged progressive music in particular. BIRTH CONTROL Hoodoo Man music reviews and MP3 ( Review from progarchives.com )

Songs / Tracks Listing

1. Buy! (7:10)
2. Suicide (6:16)
3. Get down to your fate (7:58)
4. Gamma ray (9:44)
5. Hoodoo man (8:25)
6. Klaustoß (2:40)

Total Time: 42:13

Line-up / Musicians -
 Bruno Frenzel / guitar, vocals
- Bernd Koschmidder / bass
- Wolfgang Neuser / keyboards, vibraphone
- Bernd Noske / drums, percussion, vocals

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Birth Control - Hoodoo Man

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Jane - Age Of Madness(1978)

"Age of Madness" has all the traits of a band on autopilot - no truly outstanding songs, mostly shorter material, repetition of simple motifs beyond their usefulness, overall brief running time, etc. After the almost uniformly adventurous and convincing "Between Heaven and Hell", given the lateness of the hour for such epic material, a disappointment was inevitable.

Yet in the case of Jane, "Age of Madness" also played to their strengths. Their ability to stick doggedly to a simplistic yet catchy theme and plod along with slight variations was without peer in the German scene and beyond. It also strangely fits with the theme of madness, when one is unable to completely escape the infinite loops and disconnected circuits in one's brain. The title cut here is such an example, spacey, textural and hypnotic. "Memory Symphony" is similar, but more symphonic, with string synth sounds galore. The marriage of Jane's trademark psychedelia with country and western motifs in "Love Song" even shows a willingness to break new ground; even if this may have been commercially motivated, it doesn't seem like compromise. For a heavier repeating loop, try "Bad Game" - again, Jane takes a riff where it has gone before, again and again, and does it better than anyone, thanks to Hess and Wieczorke, amply backed by the rhythm section.

"With Your Smile" is perhaps the best thing here, kicking off mid-song and highlighted by some of Hess' best work and a near danceable beat. It is the ultimate expression of Jane's paradoxical blend of professionalism and amateurism.

On the negative side, "Get this Power" combine the worst of all eras of Jane, and must have sounded laughably retro even in 1978, and "Auroville" fails to inspire in spite of a similar formula to the album's successes. Nevertheless, as an overall collection, this late stage album has the temperament to outlive the vicissitudes of its age. 3.5 stars rounded up. JANE Age Of Madness music reviews and MP3 ( Review from progarchives.com)

Songs / Tracks Listing

1. Age of madness (5:45)
2. Memory symphony (4:25)
3. Auroville (3:40)
4. Love song (3:53)
5. Bad game (5:14)
6. Get this power (2:40)
7. With her smile (4:20)
8. Meadow (3:27)
9. Age of madness (part II) (2:39)

Total Time: 36:03

Line-up / Musicians Klaus Hess / guitars, vocals
Martin Hesse / bass, vocals
Peter Panka / drums, percussion, vocals
Manfred Wieczorke / keyboards, vocals

Jane - Age of madness.

Jane - Auroville

Porcupine Tree - We Lost The Skyline (2008)

We Lost The Skyline captures an in-store live performance from Porcupine Tree. Or rather, it should have been Porcupine Tree but due to technical reasons there was only space for Steven Wilson and John Wesley on the small podium.

The circumstances led to a unique experience where Wilson had to strip the band arrangements to their bare essence. With just two electric guitars and vocals some songs sound entirely different. The Sky Moves Sideways is 4 minute rendition, basically it's only the second section with the vocals. The arrangement has been changed to just an ambient guitar accompaniment to Wilson's confident vocals. Great one. 4stars

Even Less is a bit strange but I quite like it. It sounds like how Jeff Buckley would do this with just the vocals and a slightly distorted electric guitar. 3.5stars

For Stars Die, Wilson switches to acoustic guitars. Something that obviously suits this song very well. The vocals are very strong and prove Wilson's grown confidence as a vocalist. The lush atmosphere of the original is lacking here of course. 4stars

Waiting, without that gorgeous bass line from Colin Edwin? No way. The guitars solos are fine but something is really missing here. Also the vocals disappoint me here. 2stars.

Normal must be one of PT's weakest tracks of recent years, but the abbreviated version here works better then the original one from Nil Recurring. The parts of the song that were also used for the song Sentimental are cut out. 2stars.

Drown With Me is that wonderful PT song that was absent from the In Absentia regular edition, a glaring omission that I never understood. The original band version is better but if you don't have it then this is a decent alternative. 3stars.

Lazarus is the poorest PT song ever in my book. The unplugged version makes things even worse and only further reveals the song's true nature: cheesy emo pop. 1star

Trains is the predictable encore. A rather forgettable version. 2 stars.

I usually don't like unplugged albums at all, but of course I'm not surprised Wilson manages to soften my judgement. Not convincing all the way but a good release for fans. PORCUPINE TREE We Lost The Skyline music reviews and MP3 ( review from progarchives.com)

Songs / Tracks Listing

1. The Sky Moves Sideways (4:02)
2. Even Less (3:27)
3. Stars Die (4:33)
4. Waiting (3:52)
5. Normal (4:52)
6. Drown With Me (4:09)
7. Lazarus (4:29)
8. Trains (4:04)

Total Time: 32:08

Line-up / Musicians

- Steven Wilson / acoustic and electric guitars, vocals
- John Wesley / electric guitar, backing vocals

Porcupine Tree- The Sky Moves Sideways

Porcupine Tree - Normal

porcupine tree - lazarus (acoustic)

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T2 - It'll Al Work Out In Boomland (1970)

When I hear the opening crashes of In Circles, I get a thrill and it barely lets up throughout the course of this excellent album as the power prog-trio expand on the psychedelic and jazz-rock tendencies of Cream (with liberal splashes of orchestrated symphonic prog) to create that rare and beautiful object ... a masterpiece of progressive rock. The aching tone of Dunton's limited vocals work perfectly with the compositions (he is after all credited with having written all the songs!), although T2 can really mix it with the best of them. T2's remarkable gift is that their songs sound so fresh that one almost takes them for impromptu jams, and yet they are way too skillfully executed and structured to have been (although Keith Cross does actually play the odd "bum-note" or two on No More White Horses!).

In Circles in particular is an example of T2 applying the restraints on its own fury and then eventually letting Cross' abundant talent loose. His fiery playing puts in the Paul Kossoff bracket of special guitarist who shone brightest in their mid teens. The piano-led J.L.T introduces Dunton's propensity for writing unforgetabble melancholy melodies and its outstanding, orchestrated deceptively-timedoutro is one of my favourite "subtle" moments in all of prog.

And then we have the latent power of the intro of No More White Horses which really is a thing of beauty (even if it is here that Cross stumbles in his frenzied opening solo). The melody of the song itself is bewitching. When Dunton goes "someone is sitting there" it's like a release and as for the sudden silence after the chorus ... it's perfection! Cross's superbly-constructed blues solo that moves from ice to fire, and the ominous conclusion that echoes J.L.T.'s with piano, brass and strings giving it an epic feel all go towards making this one of my favourite ever songs.

But still the ultimate statement of intent has to be the 21 minute-long Morning. I can't think of a 20 plus minute prog track that flows more naturally than this one. It begins with a simple acoustic guitar strum and another melancholic Dunton melody ... "to a sky that answered not at all" ... but the boys soon take off on an astral blues-rock jam, full of twists and turns, there's a "bridge" 6 minutes in, a sound effects-laden section, a third vocal section that comes in around about the 12 minute mark that is jazzier and rockier than its predecessors, there are hints at a jazz-waltz and yet another majestic brass-heavy outro! Frequently sublime stuff.

The three bonus tracks that come with the SPM re-issue also add real value to this already amazing record. Questions And Answers is more of a slow-burning blues, but T2 have too much energy to let it be ordinary, and in fact Cross's soloing is some of his best although I prefer his regretably brief first solo to the lengthy second one ... his third isn't bad either!). CD tricks the listener with a meandering jazz- inflected intro before launching into a fiery Hendrix-like work, although the melancholy chorus is all T2, please note that somewhere between the power chords there lies a brief, excellent Baroque exchange between Cross and Jinks. The alternate version of In Circles is also power-packed, but even rawer than the studio original with some dodgy vocals from Dunton dragging it down, but an excellent jam that occupies the last third of the song that is spacier and less focused than the studio original, makes it a worthy addition.

All in all, this is one intoxicating, seamless album that is classic progressive rock at its least pretentious. ... 90% on the MPV scale T2 It'll All Work Out In Boomland music reviews and MP3 9 (review from progarchives.com)

Songs / Tracks Listing

1. In Circles (8:34)
2. J.L.T. (5:44)
3. No More White Horses (8:35)
4. Morning (21:14)
Bonus tracks:
5. Questions And Answers (5:17)
6. CD (7:01)
7. In Circles (9:07)

Total Time: 63:32

Line-up / Musicians

- Keith Cross / guitars, keyboards, harmony vocals
- Peter Dunton / drums, lead vocals
- Bernard Jinks / bass guitar, harmony vocals Line-up / Musicians

- Keith Cross / guitars, keyboards, harmony vocals
- Peter Dunton / drums, lead vocals
- Bernard Jinks / bass guitar, harmony vocals

T2 - In Circles

T2 - No More White Horses - HD

Porcupine Tree - Warszawa (2004)

As previously expressed in my Magenta -Another Time Another Place review, prog albums in a live setting are rarely monumental achievements because of the heavy production tendency associated with our beloved musical genre. Proggers like to lay it on thick in the studio , ever since Alan Parsons multi tracks fiddled with Dark side of The Moon. PTree's 1997 live release "Coma Divine" is considered by many fans to the point of unanimity, one of the all-time great prog albums ,period-live or studio. Listening to that concert set regularly ever since, it's hard to dispute! After a series of killer studio albums ( the elegant "Stupid Dream", the quirky "Lightbulb Sun" and the devastating fury of "In Absentia") , Steve Wilson and his companions Barbieri, Edwin and Maitland endeavour to prove that they are on course to claiming the Prog crown, by releasing this 2001 concert in Warszaw, for the Polish Radio 3 , an event staged in the past for Colin Bass' magical "Live Polskie Radio" 2 CD set. PTree is most appreciated in a live setting as they not only cook but sizzle in front of an audience. This set simmers, swirls, bounces, burps, wails and screams through a blistering rendition of their newer tunes (In Absentia excepted), with the avid propulsion of a small but very enthusiastic Polish audience heard throughout. Chris and Colin are their usual well lubricated rythm machine, setting torrid grooves on the longer classic pieces such as "Even Less", "Hatesong" , the amazing "Russia On Ice" and the cinematographic "Voyage34" written with the help of VDGG and Dead Can Dance members, the crowning achievement on this CD , shoving it into the realm of the absolute. This is a much harder-edge affair than " Coma Divine" reflecting the new tougher tone demonstrated with such success on "In Absentia". Beyond Richard Barbieri's creative keyboard genius and his ultra modern intervention, it's Steve Wilson's guitar that truly drops the jaw! At times, its unbelievable, the way he tortures the strings, caressing the frets, pushing all the right buttons without any hint of technical arrogance! Damn, is he ever good! Steve is definitely on a mission , with so many past monuments both with PTree, Blackfield and No-Man, as well as his musician-producer contributions with Opeth, Paatos, Fish and many others, proving over and over again the consistency of his vision and the confirmation of his immense talent. The imminent new album "Deadwing" should be another step in the keeping him on top of the ProgWorld. We will find out soon! 4 Wilson volleyballs PORCUPINE TREE Warszawa music reviews and MP3

Songs / Tracks Listing

1. Even Less (7:36)
2. Slave Called Shiver (5:08)
3. Shesmovedon (5:21)
4. Last Chance to Evacuate Planet Earth... (5:01)
5. Lightbulb Sun (5:59)
6. Russia On Ice (12:26)
7. Where We Would Be (3:40)
8. Hatesong (8:36)
9. Stop Swimming (7:08)
10. Voyage 34 (12:37)
11. Signify (5:40)

Total Time: 79:12

Line-up / Musicians - Steven Wilson / guitar, vocals
- Richard Barbieri / keyboards
- Colin Edwin / bass
- Chris Maitland / dru

Porcupine Tree - Lightbulb Sun (Live in Warszawa)

Porcupine Tree, Signify, May 1999, San Francisco.

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Porcupine Tree - In Absentia (2002)

Wow!.Now this album is a real stonker. I have loved PORCUPINE TREE for a long long time now and have pretty well everything they have released but I must keep saying that these guys get better album by album. "In Absentia" is a step on the harder side with some real "crunchy" guitar and mid section work. For those who follow PT then you will know that this album features their new drummer "Gavin Harrison" who delivers some real awesome chops throughout. As you would expect this album is still full of that PORC TREE- psychy mise-en-scene but just this time around takes a more guitar centric approach.

Stylistically "In Absentia" still embodies the mystical-psych aspects layered over crisp percussion, bass and spacey keyboard work. On "Lightbulb Sun" I really noticed the vocal harmonies and this has continued with this album with the awesome voice of Steve Wilson. "In Absentia" takes the harder edges of "Signify" and "Stupid Dream" and layers ontop of songs not unfamilar from the "Lightbulb Sun" era. I can only hope the world opens their ears to this masterpiece which embodies all the goodness one could ever ask for in a band! This is really an amazing album. PORCUPINE TREE In Absentia music reviews and MP3 ( Review from Progarchives.com)

Songs / Tracks Listing

1. Blackest Eyes (4:23)
2. Trains (5:56)
3. Lips of Ashes (4:39)
4. The Sound of Muzak (4:59)
5. Gravity Eyelids (7:56)
6. Wedding Nails (6:33)
7. Prodigal (5:32)
8. .3 (5:25)
9. The Creator Has a Mastertape (5:21)
10. Heartattack in a Layby (4:15)
11. Strip the Soul (7:21)
12. Collapse the Light Into Earth (5:52)

Total Time: 68:18

Line-up / Musicians

- Steven Wilson / guitars and vocals
- Richard Barbieri / keyboards
- Colin Edwin / bass
- Gavin Harrison / drums

guest musicians:
- John Wesley / backing vocals (1,4,7), guitar (1)
- Aviv Geffen / backing vocals (4,7)
- Dave Gregory / string arrangements (8,12)

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Porcupine Tree - Atlanta (2010)

Yes, It is essential to all that love great music and charity. All of the proceeds of this wonderful US performance will go to helping Mick Karn (Japan, no-man) pay for his cancer treatment, That a band like PT decided to do this, with music that was already mixed and ready for an actual CD release, is truly astonishing in this world. All we ever hear about are the self-centered musical dimwits trying to climb to the top over everyone they can. True artists and humanitarians like PT should be applauded for this!

Now to the music: Brilliant! Another phenomenal performance, this time from the states. This is a wonderful companion piece to Anesthetize DVD/Bluray with a varied set list in comparison. Yes, you still get all of the FOABP tracks, but there are plenty of other gems in here, including Smart Kid, Dark Matter, Even Less, and a beautiful re-working of Half-Light (miles ahead of the DW bonus version). All expertly played by a band at the top of their game. You get it all for $10us and can download it from the PT store at their website. It also comes with printable artwork. A brgain that will make your ears and heart sing with joy.   PORCUPINE TREE Atlanta music review by pagan97

Songs / Tracks Listing


1. Fear of a Blank Planet (9:31)
2. What Happens Now? (8:04)
3. Sound of Muzak (5:16)
4. Sentimental (5:37)
5. Drown With Me (5:51)
6. Anesthetize (17:30)
7. Open Car (4:45)
8. Dark Matter (8:51)
9. Cheating the Polygraph (8:38)
10. A Smart Kid (5:31)
11. Blackest Eyes (4:58)
12. Half-Light (5:59)
13 .Way Out of Here (7:42)
14 .Sleep Together (8:46)
15. Even Less (6:11)
16. Halo (7:24)


Line-up / Musicians

- Steven Wilson / vocals, guitar, piano
- Richard Barbieri / keyboards, synthesizer
- Colin Edwin / bass guitar
- Gavin Harrison / drums


With:
John Wesley / vocals, guitar

Porcupine Tree - Atlanta - Fear of A Blank Planet

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Porcupine Tree - The Sky Moves sideways (1995)

Probably "Porcupine Tree's" finest moment with classic tracks such as "Moonloop" and the two title songs. They don't come much better from this band if your into the more psychedelic spacerock style..

Songs / Tracks Listing

1. The sky moves sideways phase one (18:37)
2. Dislocated day (5:24)
3. The moon touches your shoulder (5:40)
4. Prepare yourself (1:54)
5. Moonloop (17:04)
6. The sky moves sideways phase two (16:46)

Line-up / Musicians - Steve Wilson / guitars, keyboards, programming, flute, tapes and vocals
- Richard Barbieri / synthesizers and electronics (1,6)
- Colin Edwin / bass guitar and double bass (1,5,6, Stars die)
- Chris Maitland / drums and percussion (1,5,6, Stars die)

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Porcupine Tree, The Sky Moves Sideways, Part 1, May 1999. San Francisco

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Formula 3 - Dies Irae (1970)

If plenty of organ and guitar is your bag then this, Formula 3's first album is a must.

This is Italian psychedelic heavy progressive rock at it's best. With hints of "Osanna" " Atomic Rooster" this band has equally excellent vocals and instrument interplay. The guitar and organ combo in particular is quite exhillerating and exciting stuff. The title track "Dies irae" is probably my favourite with that great pumping Hammond organ and fantastic guitar/ vocals.

Yet another super italian progressive rock album which is more psychedelic than most.



Download


Songs / Tracks Listing

1. Dies irae (7:39)
2. Non è Francesca (3:37)
3. Perché. Perché ti amo (6:07)
4. Questo folle sentimento (introduzione) (1:05)
5. Questo folle sentimento (seconda parte) (2:19)
6. Walk Away Renee (4:30)
7. Se non è amore cos'è (5:11)
8. Sole giallo, sole nero (7:10)

Total Time: 37:40
Line-up / Musicians

- Tony Cicco / drums, percussion, vocals
- Gabriele Lorenzi / keyborads, bass, vocals

- Alberto Radius / guitars, bass, vocals

FORMULA 3 Dies Irae

2066 & Then - Reflections Of The Future (1972)

One of the all time German Progressive Rock classics which veers more towards rock in places but is nonetheless outstanding.

With thick wedges of organ and guitar riffs/ solos you could be reminded of "Deep Purple" or "Vanilla fudge" and as good as if not better. Just listen to "Butterking" for instance which is an extraordinary track encompassing psychedelic , folk and progressive rock all rolled into one.

No bad song on here by the way and the vocals are excellent. This is a true classic. Incidentaly "Curt Cress" appears as guest - the drummer from "Passport"

Disclaimer: First of all- If you haven't already, then you NEED TO HEAR THIS ALBUM ON VINYL. It is the best way to hear this type of music. CD's (and YouTube, especially) do not do it proper justice. Music-Lovers: There is no excuse, not even the moderately higher price, to justify not listening to this music the way it sounds best. An inexpensive turntable and reissue will blow you away. Trust me.

Moving forward...Why doesn't this album have more reviews? More importantly; why is this album so "underground", when radio BS gets incessantly crammed down every hole in our body? Are most people really that shallow and fickle? Anyway, on to the album review....

Out of the hundreds of albums that I own, and regularly listen to, this is the first album I chose to review here. Maybe that says something, in itself..I own an original, mint-UA pressing (autographed by Konstatin Bommarius), and several vinyl reissues of this great album.

This album is a technical masterpiece of music. All of the songs are fast-paced and pretty heavy. Normally that's not what I'm all into, but I cannot deny the excellence of the music on this album. There really is no point to describing each song, individually, as they all sound very similar. That is, perfect. Without any harsh, or dull moments. Please know that when it comes to music, I am a very patient, and fastidious individual, who will not "hype" or overate the music I love. From one music critic, to another, do not pass this one up.

Geff Harrison has a wonderful (slightly raspy) voice, that fits this album, in every way. His voice, along with the rhythm, ebbs and flows in an almost haunting way. Next, it pains me to say this name in the same review with this album, but-Eddie Van Halen, would be put to shame by the guitar work of Gagey Mrozeck. And...did someone say Neil Peart can play drums? Hah! Mere child's play compared to Konstatin Bommarius' flawless drumming. The bass of Dieter Bauer is also exemplary. If all that's not enough for you, Steve Robinson and Veit Marvos are equally as proficient on the ivory. The whole damn album is practically a keyboard/guitar dualing solo, and once you think the heaviness of the vocals, drums, organ, bass, and guitar is about to be overwhelming, and about to make you explode with adrenaline-you get a soft, psych, break, before the finale.



Cutting to the chase: This is a dark, deep, heavy, progressive, and psychedelic album, all in one. Don't let that scare you. I haven't any doubts, that anyone who cares about music, in general; will have one of the following reactions; Really like/Probably love, and/or certainly appreciate this album. Without a shred of hesitation-this is one of the best albums ever made. This cannot be overstated. 2066 & Then-Reflections on the Future is flawless, and timeless music. 5 Stars!! Review from Progarchives.com

Songs / Tracks Listing

1. At my Home (5:12)

2. Autumn (9:24)

3. Butterking (7:24)

4. Reflections on the Future (16:17)

5. How do you feel (3:26)

Total Time: 41:43

Line-up / Musicians

- Geff Harrison (England)/ lead vocals / lyrics

- Gagey Mrozeck / guitars

- Veit Marvos / keyboards

- Dieter Bauer / bass

- Steve Robinson / keyboards

- Konstatin Bommarius / drums

Guests:

- Wolfgang Schönbrot / flute

- Curt Cress / drums

2066 & Then - 03 - Butterking