Italian prog rockers Astralia return after an decade-plus hiatus, and they're back with a bone to pick, to say the least.

After nine months, the modern day super group returns with its second release.

This disc from Denver, Colorado native Charles Brown is fully instrumental.

This album definitely has a classic progressive rock sound, but it’s a modern take on that element.

By the time this CD was released, Tony Carey was only well known for his stint in Rainbow. His work in that band was considered by most as the best keyboard showing for Rainbow.  

This disc is a wonderful set that combines jazz, folk and classical music along with other sounds into something that, while not a perfect fit, certainly seems to belong under the heading “progressive rock.”

This Providence, Rhode Island based band is made up of Casey Crescenzo (vocals, piano, guitar, arrangements, and direction),  Nick Crescenzo (drums, percussion, and vocals) and Maxwell Tousseau (guitar and vocals).

This is a pro racing / concept based album by German female singer Ela, along with J.R. Blackmore (Ritchie Blackmore's son) and Tony Carey.  

I received this album and had little warning of the joys about to unfold. After a few listenings it’s become one of my all time favorite discs.

Over half a minute longer than the version from the album, this single is, of course, similar to that song.

The debut disc from Gandalf’s Fist, this isn’t the masterpiece the 2011 release is, but it is a fine album that shows a lot of promise. 

After eight long years The Guilty Party return with an even more widely varied collection of well written and played tunes that just about anyone can enjoy.

This French outfit is a trio and there sound is sometimes described as “Pantera meets the Beatles.”

This mostly instrumental album is released on Djam Karet’s new label. In fact, Gayle Ellett from Djam Karet guests on the disc, along with quite a few more notable names.

This is, perhaps, not the best fit in the world of progressive rock.

Hard Graft is the latest album from Hawkwind alum Huw Lloyd Langton.

Jon Lord released this long awaited solo album after much hesitation.

Tony Macalpine comes from the school of technical guitarists occupied by guys like Steve Vai, Joe Satriani and Yngwie Malmsteen.

What is life? Are we just pawns in someone’s game of chess? These are just two of the life mystery questions posed in the epic album, The Suffering Joy, by Norwegian progressive rock band, Magic Pie.

Majestic is back, and rather quickly after the fantastic album Ataraxia, with another album full of prog epic masterpieces.

When I first heard the name “Mars Hollow” in 2009, my initial thought was “how perfect a name that was for a neo-progressive rock band.”

There is a school of modern art rock or progressive rock that focuses on moody, mellow music.

According to Bill Evans Media (http://billevansmedia.com), Neal Morse is the best selling solo progressive rock artist since 2003.

After Steve Morse found himself in Deep Purple by way of Joe Satriani's rather swift exit due to contractual obligations, or so the story goes, this was one of his opportunities to continue in the fiery direction he was going in on his solo albums with Dave LaRue on bass and Van Romaine on drums.

This is the CD release of the LP only disc I reviewed last year. That said, some changes have been made here.

This disc, as one might guess, a live album, from OSC is available only on vinyl, a two record set.

Øresund Space Collective’s form of space rock is always improvised.

This disc includes a guest appearance by Hawkwind alum Bridget Wishart. That, in itself draws comparisons to Hawkwind.

This first disc from Osiris the Rebirth finds the group in a great space rock meets mainstream prog style.

Much to the chagrin of many progressive rock purists, a style of prog has emerged that sits on the fence between progressive rock and heavy metal.

I’ve never been a huge fan of Pallas. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve always liked them, but never been blown away by them – until now that is. 

When this great album was released, I remember very well thinking how it would last, but that was a few years before I started to appreciate APP more and more, eventually falling in love with most of their songs.

I have to say that before this album I haven’t paid that much attention to Pendragon.

Perhaps progressive rock isn’t the best place for this review, but really, it’s not that far removed from the type of music Rick Wakeman does in his solo career.

The latest disc from Riverside, this is a set of three tracks, the shortest of which is just under ten-minutes in length.

The concept of performing an album in its entirety is nothing new. That’s the idea behind this release.

This is the second album by the artists formerly known as “Witsend.”

The latest solo release from John Wetton finds him with a lot of great guest appearances. 

2011 is shaping up as a year that’s extremely conducive to some killer progressive rock.

Much modern progressive rock music borders heavy metal. Sometimes the balance falls on the metal side.

Only the second album in the history of Yes to be recorded without Jon Anderson, this one, particularly since it’s the only other Yes disc with Geoff Downes on keyboards, is obviously compared to Drama.

This CD is in the progressive rock section of Music Street Journal in part because Lionel Ziblat (or Lonny) is a member of Modest Midget, and that group is prog.

Zombi is a long-running duo who have made their mark in the progressive electronic music scene.

This group seems destined to have fans right out of the gate.

I originally had this slated for the progressive rock side of Music Street Journal, but in retrospect, it really doesn’t fit there. 

King Kobra are back with a killer disc on Frontier Records that proves they were a force to reckon with all along. 

I was lucky enough to catch these guys as support for UFO on their North American tour in 2011.  It is not often that I walk away from a show as a fan of a band I hadn’t previously heard, but Mindflow were able to convert me.  

As the years go by, some things just get better with age.  

The style of metal practiced by Wilde Starr is sort of a cross between old school heavy metal, power metal, epic metal and prog metal.

Bad Company is a classic from the ‘70s. Paul Rodgers is one of the most legendary vocalists from that era. 

An attempt to lean heavily sideways into elecronica was the effort, and it worked with great results as Jeff Beck made what seemed to be all the right moves on Who Else.

Matt Brown is the lead singer and guitar player from the Portland, Oregon area band Ruby Hill.

I originally reviewed Ruth-Ann Brown for a single for the song “Unfamiliar Feelings.”

Country music these days, or at least the country music that dominates commercial radio, is really more pop music than country.

After Deep Purple found themselves without a guitarist once again when Joe Satriani left, they quickly settled on Steve Morse and he's been there ever since.

Best known for his work with Squeeze, Chris Difford’s latest release at times sounds like that group.

This is first album from the Dwarves since 2004, and it’s a great disc. These guys show how punk rock should sound. 

In 1991 Ian Gillan had come off a huge tour and regrouped himself and come up with of a lineup of Lenny Haze (Y&T) on drums, Steve Morris on guitar and Brett Bloomfield on bass.

Trevor Green is a multi-instrumentalist from Southern California. In addition to his skill with many instruments, he is a talented storyteller and songwriter.  

This album captures one of Jeff Healey’s favorite and most famous live sets of music from one of his favorite venues, Grossman’s Tavern in Toronto, Canada.

A.L.X., who plays keyboards, piano, acoustic and electric guitar, percussion and sings all vocals is joined on this debut album with Thommy Price, (Billy Idol, Joan Jett), on drums and percussion; Jimi Bones (Blondie), on acoustic and electric guitar, mandolin, vocals and percussion; and a cast of many female vocalists and other players.

Jesse Manley’s musical creations are unique and enchanting.

This is a reissue of an older album but Duff McKagan’s Loaded. 

The album cover here leads one to believe that David Michael might be a blues artist or folk or old school rocker.

This best of collection is a two CD set. The first disc is composed of recent Hatchet hits.

This is a band that clearly decided it was going to rock like they  used to, to rock like they mean it, to rock with the best.

This disc brings several words and phrases to mind. “Genuine” is a quick reference. “Down home” works well, too.

I’ve got mixed feelings about this set. Of course, based on the thematic concept, that makes sense and really fits.

The latest disc from Tokyo Rosenthal, this continues his musical style and concepts. 

Kenny Wayne Shepherd needs no introduction.

We Change Lives is a punk rock record played with the raw power of the first-gen So Cal hardcore punk scene, but played by musicians with a vastly better pedigree than many run of the mill bands. 

Music that blends different genres generally falls into two types.

Strange Karma is an unusual band that’s hard to pin down.

When White City was released I remember some commotion about Pete Townsend not being able to make up his mind about what the project was going to be, using a working title of  “The Deep End” for the band at one point.

Whenever someone reviews an album by a band like Uriah Heep with a rich back catalog, comparisons to that catalog are obvious.

Coming into this unfamiliar with Gillian Welch, I am now happy to be enlightened, as this is a perfectly sung trip through the south.

The Zombies are one of the most famous bands of the early 1960s British rock wave that followed the Beatles' major crest.

Here’s the audio CD release of a ZZ Top DVD that came out recently. It’s a live album from 1980. 

Bad Company is one of my favorite bands from the ‘70s.  Paul Rodgers is one of rock’s most enduring vocalists from that era of rock when weekends seemed longer and the sun shone brighter.

The problem with unauthorized documentaries is you never really get a lot of real material (be it interview or performance) with the artist.

David Byrne is a creative guy. There’s no question about that. He’s one of those people who thinks outside of the box.

When Elvis Costello emerged in the punk/new wave movement of the 1970s it’s a pretty safe bet that few ever thought he’d become a talk show host.

I’ve never completely gotten the whole Sheryl Crow thing.

You can’t go wrong with Miles Davis. He and his band are captured here in a number of performances.

One part concert film, one part documentary, Phoenix Rising looks at the Mark IV lineup of Deep Purple (David Coverdale, Glenn Hughes, Tommy Bolin, Ian Pace and Jon Lord).

It’s hard to imagine a fan of the Doobie Brothers not enjoying this DVD.

Welcome to another unauthorized documentary. This one is really better than a lot of them. For one thing, they manage to use some actual clips of Dylan.

This documentary includes a lot of interesting information about Dylan.

The thing about unauthorized documentaries is that they lack access to music and real insider interviews.

If you are a fan of heavy metal and have yet to hear Freedom Call, I can’t recommend this set enough. 

There’s no question Bee Gees and Robin Gibb fans will heartily enjoy this set. 

It seems that the most likely issue anyone might have with this documentary is the contention that Jagger’s work when he was in his twenties has over-shadowed the rest of his output.

In the interest of full-disclosure, and this statement should be of no huge surprise to MSJ readers,

There is certainly more to like about this documentary than there is to dislike.

This live DVD showcases the Moody Blues in a 2005 performance.

I’m a huge fan of Robert Plant and Led Zeppelin.

The third album from Primal Scream was Screamadelica. 

While I am a Queen fan, I’m far from a hardcore Queen fan.

First off, it’s likely that Radiohead completists will want this in their collection. The problem is, they probably already have it.

Glenn Tilbrook is certainly best known for his work in Squeeze. So, it shouldn’t be surprising that nine of the 16 songs presented here were originally performed by Squeeze.

This DVD is one of the best from Yes.

If you come into this looking for a documentary with a lot of interviews of Neil Young or clips of him playing, you will be disappointed.

This is an amazing documentary.

Interview with Dean and Luke from Gandalf’s Fist from 2011

Interview with Christophe Godin of Gnô from 2011

Interview with Doane Perry of Jethro Tull from 2011

Interview with Gilbert Marshall  of Magic Pie from 2011

Interview with Mars Hollow from 2011

Interview with Tim Bowness of Memories of Machines from 2011

Interview with Rafael Pensado, Ricardo Winandy, and Rodrigo Hidalgo of Mindflow from 2011

Interview with Neal Morse from 2011

Interview with Roye Albrighton of Nektar from 2011

Interview with Milo Black and Dave Adams of Osiris: The Rebirth from 2011

Interview with Nick Barrett of Pendragon from 2011

Interview with Carl Canedy of The Rods from 2011

Interview with Lars Fredrik Frøislie of Wobbler from 2011

By their own accord, they weren’t at their best. They were jetlagged and forlorn after a long flight and many hours of desperate searching for a needed piece of equipment at countless stores in the windy city.

There are a number of interesting developments within this band.

Jethro Tull were found out on the lawn in the “woods” showcasing one of their best albums, Aqualung, at one of Oregon’s best outdoor concert venues.

It is a rare occasion that I see an opening act and they really make an impression on me.  

After the CD release in-store performance earlier that week at Music Millennium, The Twangshifters brought the house down at the Bossanova Ballroom.