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Progressive Rock CD Reviews

Mythos

Surround Sound Evolution

Review by Gary Hill

I suppose that a quick explanation of this music could be rendered by simply saying, “electronic.” Still, that sound fits under progressive rock in many ways, and there’s quite a bit of territory within that one musical region. I’d consider this to move between quite a bit of musical space within that conceptual heading. If you like music like Tomita, Kraftwerk and Vangelis, you will probably enjoy this.

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
Surround Sound Passion

Electronic sounds and processed electronic vocals call to mind Kraftwerk quite a bit. As the arrangement builds from there that same sound reference is reinforced and expanded.

Roots And Rocks
There’s a bouncy kind of musical pattern here that combines that electronic sound with something a bit more classical in nature. This is quite intriguing and accessible.
Mythosiaka

While the general musical mode of electronic music meets classical is still intact, this cut has its own unique identity. This is rather delicate and intricate and quite a pretty piece, with washes of sound that feel a bit like space rock.

Heart of the Action

The melodic elements on this one seem above and beyond those on the other cuts. This has more of a dramatic, almost movie soundtrack feel in a lot of ways.

Jinba Ittai

This seems a bit more exotic. It’s also delicate and intricate and quite pretty.  There’s sort a rhythmic swiping sound that’s kind of cool on this and there are some dramatic moments.

Perpetuum Mythos

Lush and quite pretty waves of keyboards dance around this in quite a melodic musical pattern. Vangelis, Kraftwerk and Tomita are all valid reference points here. There are parts of this that seem like they contain theremin, and for this reviewer, that’s a good thing.

Filter Sequence Wah Flute

Here is another that sounds like soundtrack music. Tangerine Dream, Synergy, Kraftwerk and others are valid comparisons. Nothing changes very quickly here, but that flute really lends some great organic textures.

Free Panda! (Part-1) Caged

There’s a bit of an Asian vibe to this. It has a real dramatic and powerful sound to it and feels a bit ominous in some ways.

Free Panda! (Part-2) The Liberation

As the titles suggest, this comes out of the previous track and expands on its musical freedoms and does seem musically to present more of a tale of freedom and playfulness. There is an electronic music grind that comes in later to take it in new directions. It’s quite cool and one of my favorite parts of the whole disc. As it continues out beyond that point some intriguing melodic passages emerge before it spins out into space to end.

Mytho Space

This comes in slowly and gradually. Although nothing changes or evolves quickly here, this moves to some intriguing territory as it develops. There are some great sounds and effects as this thing builds outward. It’s one of the more intriguing pieces here.

Das Zeitgeheimnis (Part-3)

The first of two bonus tracks, there are some pretty awesome keyboard sounds on this. It has a lot of energy.

Fukushima Sea (Live)

Another bonus track, this live tune starts off with something that sounds like whale song. Then there’s a clanging bell, perhaps a whaling ship. The two sounds seem to dance around one another as dramatic and powerful music creates a soundtrack kind of texture. There is nice use of a simulated Doppler effect, too. This moves and builds and evolves, but still stays pretty close to this basic musical concept. Both the whale song and the bell remain as the piece ends.

 
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