This new set lands under prog because that's where we put fusion. This music definitely lands under that category, but often leans toward actual prog, too.
I know there are those who will dispute whether this belongs under progressive rock or not. I'll freely admit that it's not rock music - not even close.
This is an instrumental set that lands in the progressive rock zone. It's built around lots of metal textures, but there is classical music here, fusion and lots more - often all packed into the same piece.
Acumen - Diversity Review by Gary Hill Acumen is the brainchild of Dimitrious James. Diversity, their third full album, features James with Cyndy Teseniar (vocals), Tim O'Neill (drums), Jared Manker (bass), and Justin Todhunter (guitar). More
I found this artist and album thanks to a carefully-targeted ad campaign on Facebook which allowed me to download a free low-res MP3 copy of the album. I liked it so much that I had to get the full CD (see, it does work!).
"Adult Cinema" is the nom de guerre of Mike Weston, the multi-instrumentalist and self-styled "One Man Band and Classic Rock disciple" who has already made a huge impression with previous albums This Is Your Life,Teaser Trailer and Hot & Cold.
Aethellis - Aethellis Review by Josh Turner Sometimes curious children venture out into the woods to an isolated spot and make simple discoveries. These mischievous miscreants find an interesting bug under a hidden rock, see crayfish swimming in creeks, or observe exotic butterflies suckling on the surrounding plants.
More
This isn’t progressive rock I the traditional sense of the term. It’s progressive rock in the way that any of the modern alternative rock inspired stuff like Radiohead and shoegaze is.
Agora - Segundo Pasado Review by Gary Hill For those of you who think that Latin music is just Shakira, Ricky Martin and El Tigres Del Norte, submit for your approval one Agora. This group, hailing from Mexico is a progressive rock band with a hard edge that really are quite promising. All the vocals and album notes here are in Spanish, but that does not take away from the power of the disc, even if you don't speak the language. More
Ajalon - Eternity Review by Josh Turner This band is near and dear to me, because its name originated from the same source as mine. That would be the Book of Joshua.
More
Ajalon - The Light At the End of the Tunnel Review by Gary Hill This album is a progressive rock work of considerable merit, whose lyrical content consists of competent and well-written Christian themes. The musicianship on this album is quite inspired and competent, and the album also features some strong vocals. More
It seems that a whole school of instrumental prog has emerged rooted in both the guitar based sounds of King Crimson and jazz rock. This act lands in that zone.
Alaska - Alaska Review by Gary Hill Alaska, the debut album by the band of the same name, features progressive rock arrangements which hint at the styles of ELP, Yes and others. For the most part, the arrangements are predominately keyboard based, but there is some nice guitar work present as well. More
Roye Albrighton - The Follies of Rupert Treacle Review by Gary Hill This solo release from Nektar guitarist/vocalist Roye Albrighton is definitely that, a solo release. Do not expect a Nektar album here.
More
Alientar - Alientar Review by Gary Hill I have to admit it; I'm a sucker for Hawkwind styled space rock. For that reason, this disc appeals to me, but not only for that reason.
More
This band is actually just one guy, Mark Mangold, The music here is dominated by keyboards, but at times it sounds more like a rock band than just keyboard based.
This album is definitely not for everyone. It certainly has historical value because of the way it seem to predict a whole subgenre of progressive music
This instrumental album features experimental music that has a lot in common with modern King Crimson. The group includes two touch guitar players, a keyboardist and a drummer.
Ancient Vision - Focus or Blinders Review by Gary Hill There are many people out there who have been searching for new progressive rock bands, but have been getting turned off by the heavy metal leanings that most of them have. If you are one of those people, this album is the answer to your quest. More
Anderson, Bruford, Wakeman and Howe - An Evening of Yes Music Plus Review by Gary Hill Before the Union album, Jon Anderson, frustrated with the musical direction of the Rabin era Yes, left the group and reunited with former classic Yes-mates Steve Howe, Rick Wakeman and Bill Bruford. Although, they were four fifths of the same lineup that brought such albums as Fragile and Close To The Edge to life, Chris Squire owned the rights to the name "Yes", and wasn't interested in letting them use it.
More
This single from Anderson, Bruford Wakeman and Howe is out of print, of course, but these days, it’s not that hard (or sometimes expensive) to get your hands on something like this.
This single from Anderson, Bruford Wakeman and Howe is out of print, of course, but these days, it’s not that hard (or sometimes expensive) to get your hands on something like this.
Jon Anderson - 3 Ships Review by Gary Hill This Christmas disc by Yesman Jon Anderson features some traditional and some original holiday music. The songs vary from fairly traditional (but modernized) to quite modern. More
I bought this on vinyl when it first came out. Since the onset of the CD era this has been in and out of print for a while. This is the first time I’ve owned it on CD.
The first thing to mention here is that this is a collaborative effort between former Yes singer Jon Anderson and former Counting Crows bassist Matt Malley.
This new edition of Jon Anderson's Animation album is so much better than the version I first bought. That one was apparently just created by copying a vinyl copy of the album.
Olias of Sunhillow was Jon Anderson's first solo album. It's gotten several releases over the years, but this might be the real deal - the best of the bunch.
Jane Anfinson - Precious Details Review by Lisa Palmeno A world music sound permeates theatrical vocals and pop alternative savvy on Jane Anfinson's Precious Details. Anfinson's strong, haunting voice is a mixture of Kate Bush, Debbie Harry and the singer from Siouxie and The Banshees, while she drones on inward themes.
More
Anubis Spire - Old Lions (In the World of Snarling Sheep) Review by Gary Hill This is the debut album by this band, and the title to this album is definitely among my favorite titles of all time. The album combines diverse influences, ranging from Pink Floyd to Hawkwind, Rush and even Genesis, with minimalistic chord patterns and covers much of them with tasty guitar soloing. More
A collection of odds and end pieces that didn't make it onto their "Old Lions…" disc, this album is actually quite good. Every meal of leftovers should be this pleasing.
This is basically a one-man band at this point, and that man is Riz Story. I'm not sure if that's always been the case with this act or not, but it is now.
Anyone's Daughter - Wrong Review by Josh Turner There is no doubt Anyone's Daughter makes great music. The real question is whether they are mainstream or progressive.
More
When I reviewed the previous set from Ape Shifter, given the change from first to second, I wondered what the next one would be like. Well, now I have my answer.
The Chicago area might not be known as a hot-bed of progressive rock, but maybe it should be. I mean, Styx was really a very prog-based act, especially in the early days.
AraPacis - Paradox of Denial Review by Larry Toering Montreal’s AraPacis’ Paradox Of Denial is a seven-track release in a long line of releases by this band that bring several hard styles of rock together, including prog and darker forms of rock and female fronted metal.
More
Arena - Immortal Review by Gary Hill A fine concept album, this one has many great prog elements, most notably Pink Floyd and Marillion. The Marillion sounds are a natural, since this band was formed by former Marillo Mick Pointer along with Pendragon's Clive Nolan. More
At Music Street Journal we land fusion under progressive rock. My reasoning is that the very exploratory nature of the music fits and the two styles share a lot of fans.
This new collection gathers up the music of Ars Nova that was originally released between 1968 and 1969. You probably figured that out from the title, though, right?
Art Rock Circus - Tell A Vision Review by Gary Hill John Miner's Art Rock Circus has released a new double disc set called "Tell A Vision". While his vision has elements that I like, frankly, I think the album could have benefited from a little editing to create one exceptionally strong CD.
More
Ray Ashley - Cinema Inferno Review by G. W. Hill Although I am listing this disc as being by Ray Ashley, the credit on here is actually to the "Cinema Inferno Orchestra." However, the side of the CD sleeve says, "Ray Ashley", so that is the reason I chose that label for it. More
Ray Ashley - 3 Hour Detour Review by Gary Hill This release by Ashley, working under the name Three Hour Detour is a good prog release with echoes of such artists as The Allman Brothers, Kansas, Tempest and King Crimson. Other influences represented here include fusion. More
This is not your father’s Asia. In it’s beginnings Asia was a band that was arguably the first progressive rock supergroup -- well, OK, ELP probably has that title, but for various reasons, the crown was placed on Asia’s head at the beginning of their career.
Asia - Archiva 1 Review by Gary Hill This album really is a very pop oriented album. It is included in the progressive section of the reviews because both Geoff Downes and Steve Howe are on the album. More
Asia - Asia Review by Gary Hill When this group rose from the ashes of a dying Yes it seemed like a dream come true for progressive rock fans. Take two parts Yes (OK – one and a half maybe since Geoff Downes was only on one Yes album) in the persons of Geoff Downes and Steve Howe, one third of Emerson Lake and Palmer (Carl Palmer) and add in John Wetton (King Crimson, UK) and make a band.
More
This double disc set is a very strong chronicle of a live performance by Asia. The repertoire includes material from every phase of their career, and they do a great job of performing it.
Asia - Rare Review by Gary Hill This disc is a bit of a paradox. Although it was released under the moniker of Asia, the material here was actually recorded by just Geoff Downes and David Payne. More
I remember when Asia's first album was released thinking that it was an intriguing combination of sounds, still basically prog rock, but packaged in very accessible cuts that really rocked. After a while Asia seemed to lose their sense of direction, and I often lost interest.
As I sat down to do a retro review of the single of "The Smile Has Left Your Eyes," I realized that I've never reviewed this album. I decided to resolve that issue.
One of the cool things about these vintage Asia singles is that the song on the flip side is typically not included on the album. That makes these worth having.
In 1994, Asia released Aria which was commercially a bit of a failure. The previous studio record Aqua did much better, but by this time it really was the Geoff Downes/John Payne show.
When Tesla released Five Man Acoustical Jam back in 1990, who would have thought that a new type of performance would emerge within metal and even prog?
Asia may not have been the first band to tour Russia but they certainly made their mark during this concert that was captured in 1990.By this time, the band had lost Steve Howe and replaced him with Mandy Meyer for the Astra album.
I've generally been landing the music from Mohamed Assani under progressive rock, mainly because of the way it creatively merges sounds into an artistic tapestry.
This album is nearly a one-person release. That musician is Santtu Laakso (of Dark Sun), who is responsible for all music and lyrics, all instruments, vocals and programming.
This is a concept album from a band that plays a form of alternative rock based prog that's along the lines of Radiohead. The music here is quite dynamic and steadily changing.
Atomic Rooster have often been regarded by most as a progressive rock band. That is the first reason they are included in the prog section at MSJ. Reason number two is the fact that Carl Palmer was a member of the band.
Attention Deficit - Attention Deficit Review by Gary Hill Described as "mad scientist rock", this album contains very intriguing instrumental music. With strong leanings toward modern King Crimson, the album covers progressive territory in a dark, gritty and somewhat chaotic manner. More
Attention Deficit - The Idiot King Review by Gary Hill Attention Deficit's second album, this one continues their trend of fusion oriented instrumental music. The album should appeal to fans of bands like King Crimson, Djam Karet and Frank Zappa.
More
This Italian act have produced a strong album here. The mix of metal and prog sounds is quite intriguing. They move toward space music and much more at different points.
I've landed this under progressive rock, but it should be noted that this is of the more AOR variety. That said, retro psychedelic rock (which could be argued was a precursor of prog) is ever-present here.
This is just one track that is nearly 79-minutes long. I suppose that technically makes it a single, but that would be a real stretch of the imagination and the definition.
I've reviewed these guys in the past and been impressed with their music. This new album surpasses what I've heard of their previous stuff. In fact, this is a contender to make my "best of 2017" list.
Ayreon - The Dream Sequencer Universal Migrator (Part 1) Review by Gary Hill Dutch band Ayreon has released two albums together as two parts of one story. The discs both have very different sounds, and a large cast of supporting musicians. This disc is the more melodic, song-oriented mode.
