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Progressive Rock CD Reviews

Yagull

Films

Review by Gary Hill

This is quite an intriguing disc. It’s got a lot of classical or symphonic elements in it, but also plenty of jazzy sound along with folk and progressive rock. All in all, this is quite an interesting ride. Perhaps the most intriguing things here, though, are the covers of Cream’s “White Room” and Black Sabbath’s “Sabbath Bloody Sabbath.” Pulling them into mellow, instrumental territory allows them to breathe in new ways and allows for new appreciation. Overall, this is a cool disc that really manages to shine.

This review is available in book format (hardcover and paperback) in Music Street Journal: 2013  Volume 1 at lulu.com/strangesound.

Track by Track Review
Dark

Starting with a balladic sound, symphonic elements emerge overhead and this is quite a pretty and rather intricate tune.

Los Pajaros

Less symphonic, but even mellower, this is a very gentle piece of music. It does get more energy in added layers of sound later.

East
I really love the acoustic guitar motif that opens this cut. It’s got sort of a dramatic element to it. The arrangement gets some jazzy elements through a saxophone and this one has a slow pace, but is quite inspired and tasty. There is also some pretty cool acoustic guitar soloing later in the piece.
T Feel

There’s a bit more energy here, starting with acoustic guitar in sort of a folk rock arrangement.

Summerdreamer

Acoustic guitar with a real classical music element is on display here. Those who can’t stand the sound of string scrape, will want to avoid this cut, though. There is a bit of a Pink Floyd kind of vibe later in the number. This is quite a pretty tune that works quite well. I have to say that I normally like the string scrape sound, but it’s a bit over the top here.

Pulse

This cut is gentle and quite pretty. There are more symphonic layers on hand here, but overall it’s more like melodic and intricate folk rock turned progressive.

Sound of M

I love the acoustic guitar playing on this tune. Overall it doesn’t vary that much from other music here, but there are definitely symphonic folk rock stylings built into this. There’s also just a hint of the blues.

River

This cut is a little dissonant, and has more energy. There’s something just a little mysterious about the piece. The arrangement really gets quite intriguing later. It’s one of the more interesting pieces on show here.

White Room

Now, this is quite intriguing. An acoustic rendition of the Cream tune, I like this a lot. I particularly like the way the instruments handle the “vocals” and the more intense segment later in the cut.

Sabbath Bloody Sabbath

I have to say that Black Sabbath is without question my second favorite band of all time (right behind Yes). “Sabbath Bloody Sabbath” is one of my favorite Black Sabbath tunes. I like this rendition. It’s as different as you can possibly imagine from the original. I recognize the melodies in the arrangement. This is so different, but also so strong. The melodies have always been the strongest part of the tune and in some ways, this stripped down, mellow instrumental interpretation allows them to shine even brighter.

April

I know this is an original from the credits, but the melodies here seem familiar somehow. Either way, this is a pretty cut that works quite well in that same kind of acoustic guitar based mellow musical mode.

Yagull

Feeling slower, more gentle and more intimate than anything we’ve heard to this point, this cut really has a folk kind of feeling to it.

Mosquita

While overall not a huge change, some saxophone lends some jazz to the mix and somehow the acoustic guitar sounds at times make me think of Pink Floyd.

Distance

There’s almost a triumphant, soaring progressive rock edge to this cut. It’s not remarkably different from the other music here, but it’s enough of a change to keep it interesting. 

Dark (Reprise)
In true bookend fashion they close the disc with a reprise of the song that opened the set. It’s a nice touch
 
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