The Prog Rock Album Club

Moss · 06-25-2014, 04:11 PM

I purposely gave it a listen before trying to get any information about the musicians involved and I’m glad I did. The first thing I thought upon listening was it had some Zappa influence. So it was no surprise to find out there was a Zappa connection with these guys. It was also clear from the first listen that drums and keyboards were the featured instrumentation even without knowing anything about the musicians involved.

I never know what to think about albums like this. I can appreciate it from an artistic perspective and there is a clear high level of musicianship going on here. Maybe that should be enough? But there is an entire world full of amazing musicians so what is it that would make me come back to this? Or maybe I’m not expected to come back to this? There is variety to spare so there is nothing boring about the album. It appeals to the technical musician side of me but I don’t really form any kind of emotional connection with it and I guess that’s the part I struggle with. I don’t come away with any particular melodies stuck in my head. I don’t understand a word of what anybody is saying in the few cases where there are lyrics except the kids voice or whatever at the beginning and end. And to be honest , I don’t really know if that was meant to be funny or what was going on there. I’m not saying I have to form an emotional connection with an album but I have to feel something. It’s very possible that these guys are just so beyond me musically that I just don’t get it.

I might appreciate it more seeing them play live but this is not an album I’m going to sit down and listen to after this. And yet I did not dislike it at all. I was glad I listened to it and I did listen more than once. I almost feel like I need 2 scores. One score for the “would I recommend this to someone else, would I listen to it again?” and the “from an artistic perspective”.

But to split the difference I am going with:

6.0/10

Anteater · 06-28-2014, 10:44 PM

Dušan Jevtovič: Am I Walking Wrong? (2013)

Guitar-led jazz fusion is interesting stuff: my own initial experiences probably started with Allan Holdsworth and his experimentation on the synth-axe back in the early 80's with Metal Fatigue and moving forward from that. That being said, once you've spent some time with guys like Toshiki Kadomatsu or Pat Metheny, even modern, edgier guitar-led instrumentality sounds near-pedestrian.

Still, I did like this. In the case of Dušan, I found his emphasis on distortion almost refreshing in a sense. He's cut from the cloth of guys like Robin Trower or Buckethead, but his playing is less predictable than the former's and yet more acidic than the latter. And even when he goes into semi-acoustic mode on cuts like "If You See Me Again', his abrasive noodlage is almost comforting in its modality. You get the impression he's probably nursed himself on a lot of Bartok or bands like Univers Zero as a toddler, but perhaps that's just me reading too much into things.

All n' all, color me impressed. There's not enough "oomph" in either his technique, production or the overall atmosphere for Am I Walking Wrong? to nudge out any of my existing go-to albums for guitar led jazz fusion/instrumental stuff, but I'm happy that he exists and follows his muse. I'd be interested to hear more from him.

6.5/10

Ana Kovacheva · 06-29-2014, 03:08 PM

[QUOTE=rostasi;1464713]Thanks Moss. Are you having inner turmoil about this?

I wanted to mention this album that I picked up and was just released on Tuesday.

• Light My Fire - A Classic Rock Salute To The Doors

1. L.A. Woman - Jimi Jamison (Survivor), Ted Turner (Wishbone Ash) & Patrick Moraz (Moody Blues)

2. Love Me Two Times - Lou Gramm (Foreigner), Thijs van Leer (Focus) & Larry Coryell

Very impressive. So this is a new album just released?

Anteater · 07-01-2014, 10:05 PM

^ Yep. You can thank Billy Sherwood (formally of Yes) for putting that album together too.

So Carpe is up next. What'cha got for us amigo?

Unknown Soldier · 07-02-2014, 02:11 PM

I'm going to have to skip the last albums as I've been so busy but will do Carpe's albums.

btw didn't know there was a new tribute Doors album and found Riders on the Storm on YT. Love Joe Lynn Turner as a vocalist but wasn't keen on his version of the song though.

Xurtio · 07-02-2014, 02:40 PM

Sorry for my absence, things have been busy lately! Getting ready for comprehensive exams. I want to check out some of these albums though.

Carpe Mortem · 07-02-2014, 07:06 PM

Oops! Sorry everyone, I've been a very lazy forumer lately and was workin 12 hour days for awhile there. Tonight I will listen and review your choices then summon the prog djinn and pass on what they deem worthy of further analysis.

Moss · 07-03-2014, 10:51 AM

Currently on vacation for a few weeks and doing a bunch of driving so also struggling to get anything reviewed. Will hit when I can. Looking forward to the Carpe picks!

Ana Kovacheva · 07-03-2014, 04:41 PM

[QUOTE=Anteater;1465593]^ Yep. You can thank Billy Sherwood (formally of Yes) for putting that album together too.

I thank him profusely.
I like the version of Riders on the Storm (particularly the vocals), but the instrumental bits are a bit limp.

Carpe Mortem · 07-07-2014, 10:05 PM

I'm listening to 'Am I Walking Wrong?' at this very moment, review to follow shortly!

But to get down to it. For your reviewing pleasure.... I know possibly some of you have listened to one or both, but I'm hoping not so it can be a new treat! Two prog rock/metal 'operas' by two material factory artists with a huge discography. I present....

Devin Townsend- Ziltoid the Omniscient

Ayreon- 01011001 (PART ONE)

They definitely have a different vibe, but the same essential metaphorical message, and one that I personally hold dear to my heart. Both have bits of the more metal side, and the more rock side of prog, so either should be a good choice for anyone here. Hope you enjoy!

Just be sure if you go with the Ayreon one that you specifically do part one only, otherwise it's twice as long as Townsend's album.

07-02-2014, 02:40 PM	#906 (permalink)
Xurtio Brain Licker Join Date: Apr 2014 Posts: 1,083	Sorry for my absence, things have been busy lately! Getting ready for comprehensive exams. I want to check out some of these albums though. __________________ H̓̇̅̉yͤ͏mͬ͂ͧn͑̽̽̌ͪ̑͐͟o̴͊̈́͑̇m͛͌̓ͦ̑aͫ̽ͤ̇n̅̎͐̒ͫ͐c̆ͯͫ̋ ̔̃́eͯ͒rͬͬ̄҉

07-02-2014, 07:06 PM	#907 (permalink)
Carpe Mortem Crusher of tiny Nords Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Ugly Bag of Mostly Water Posts: 1,363	Oops! Sorry everyone, I've been a very lazy forumer lately and was workin 12 hour days for awhile there. Tonight I will listen and review your choices then summon the prog djinn and pass on what they deem worthy of further analysis. __________________ [SIG][/SIG] Mirth is King Be Loving & Open With My Emotions

07-07-2014, 10:05 PM	#910 (permalink)
Carpe Mortem Crusher of tiny Nords Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Ugly Bag of Mostly Water Posts: 1,363	I'm listening to 'Am I Walking Wrong?' at this very moment, review to follow shortly! But to get down to it. For your reviewing pleasure.... I know possibly some of you have listened to one or both, but I'm hoping not so it can be a new treat! Two prog rock/metal 'operas' by two material factory artists with a huge discography. I present.... Devin Townsend- Ziltoid the Omniscient Ayreon- 01011001 (PART ONE) They definitely have a different vibe, but the same essential metaphorical message, and one that I personally hold dear to my heart. Both have bits of the more metal side, and the more rock side of prog, so either should be a good choice for anyone here. Hope you enjoy! Just be sure if you go with the Ayreon one that you specifically do part one only, otherwise it's twice as long as Townsend's album. __________________ [SIG][/SIG] Mirth is King Be Loving & Open With My Emotions

06-25-2014, 04:11 PM	#901 (permalink)
Moss Scuttle Buttin' Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Boulder Colorado Posts: 972	I purposely gave it a listen before trying to get any information about the musicians involved and I’m glad I did. The first thing I thought upon listening was it had some Zappa influence. So it was no surprise to find out there was a Zappa connection with these guys. It was also clear from the first listen that drums and keyboards were the featured instrumentation even without knowing anything about the musicians involved. I never know what to think about albums like this. I can appreciate it from an artistic perspective and there is a clear high level of musicianship going on here. Maybe that should be enough? But there is an entire world full of amazing musicians so what is it that would make me come back to this? Or maybe I’m not expected to come back to this? There is variety to spare so there is nothing boring about the album. It appeals to the technical musician side of me but I don’t really form any kind of emotional connection with it and I guess that’s the part I struggle with. I don’t come away with any particular melodies stuck in my head. I don’t understand a word of what anybody is saying in the few cases where there are lyrics except the kids voice or whatever at the beginning and end. And to be honest , I don’t really know if that was meant to be funny or what was going on there. I’m not saying I have to form an emotional connection with an album but I have to feel something. It’s very possible that these guys are just so beyond me musically that I just don’t get it. I might appreciate it more seeing them play live but this is not an album I’m going to sit down and listen to after this. And yet I did not dislike it at all. I was glad I listened to it and I did listen more than once. I almost feel like I need 2 scores. One score for the “would I recommend this to someone else, would I listen to it again?” and the “from an artistic perspective”. But to split the difference I am going with: 6.0/10

06-29-2014, 03:08 PM	#903 (permalink)
Ana Kovacheva Music Addict Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Sofia, Bulgaria Posts: 100	[QUOTE=rostasi;1464713]Thanks Moss. Are you having inner turmoil about this? I wanted to mention this album that I picked up and was just released on Tuesday. • Light My Fire - A Classic Rock Salute To The Doors 1. L.A. Woman - Jimi Jamison (Survivor), Ted Turner (Wishbone Ash) & Patrick Moraz (Moody Blues) 2. Love Me Two Times - Lou Gramm (Foreigner), Thijs van Leer (Focus) & Larry Coryell Very impressive. So this is a new album just released?

07-03-2014, 10:51 AM	#908 (permalink)
Moss Scuttle Buttin' Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Boulder Colorado Posts: 972	Currently on vacation for a few weeks and doing a bunch of driving so also struggling to get anything reviewed. Will hit when I can. Looking forward to the Carpe picks!

07-03-2014, 04:41 PM	#909 (permalink)
Ana Kovacheva Music Addict Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Sofia, Bulgaria Posts: 100	[QUOTE=Anteater;1465593]^ Yep. You can thank Billy Sherwood (formally of Yes) for putting that album together too. I thank him profusely. I like the version of Riders on the Storm (particularly the vocals), but the instrumental bits are a bit limp.