Your Music Blog

Your Music Blog is moving!

Peter — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 12:33:45 +0000

Hello dear readers,

After some consideration, I decided to move the blog to an own domain: YourMusicBlog.nl. This gives me more options.

Momentarily I am working on moving all the content of this one, but for now this site will remain active. New additions however will be exclusively posted to YourMusicBlog.nl. That is also not complete as yet, but I am working to get everything fixed.

See you there!

Added 23-01-2012, all content is over to the new site, so please join us there. All subscriptions here will end soon.

The Beatles

Peter — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 16:01:08 +0000

This week I got a couple of Beatles Remasters, released in 2009 that I was able to buy at a recent sale. Well you know, even though a lot of their stuff was released before I was even born, I really dig their stuff. I mean, the sixties, and still a lot of people cite them!

Previously I had some of their output on LP (…for you youngsters, this is like a big black CD…) and on CD only the famous blue and red compilations. So owning some more on CD, with all the extended booklets, is quite nice.
I prefer the second half of their career (starting with Rubber Soul) and am amazed at how these remasters sound. Just realizing they did practically invent multi-tracking with all their wild and crazy ideas is kind of mind blowing. Makes me wanna buy all that stuff on CD, but alas my wallet won´t let me. Anyway, will soon hit play on CD 2 of the white album again and then it is on to Abbey Road. “You Never Give Me Your Money” anyone?

Classic: Vandenberg, Alibi, 1985

Peter — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 13:46:41 +0000

With recent new emerging that Adrian Vandenberg is again working on new songs to be released, I thought it would be nice to write a little about the band. Of course many will know songwriter and guitar player Adrian Van den Berg mainly from his work with Whitesnake, but he has done a lot more. Manic Eden comes to mind, and also the band bearing his name. Biggest hit Burning Heart is on an earlier record, but I choose the 1985 Alibi album.

Why? Well I happen to think it is their best! All trademarks of this fantastic band (saw them live a couple of time) are present: melodic hard rocking songs like All The Way, Pedal To The Metal or Fighting Against The World, the beautiful ballads Once In A Lifetime and How Long (which in my humble opinion are better than their hit), a short instrumental track Prelude Mortale, where Adrian proves he also masters the acoustic guitar and the stunning instrumental Kamikaze that ends the album with a bang!
In between we are also treated with more rockers (Voodoo, Dressed To Kill and the title track) which just prove the adagio all killer no filler. All still sounding great, from one of the best Dutch bands ever. So now just wait what is next…

D´AccorD, Self Titled, 2009

Peter — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 13:06:41 +0000

The Norwegians of D´AccorD were so kind as to send me their 2 albums they released so far. Their first one, only bearing the band´s name, was released in 2009 and contains 5 songs that together give us almost 45 minutes of seventies symphonic rock.
That means some long songs, mellotron, hammond, flute, vintage guitars and that warm analogue sound. First impression is they must be into bands like Jethro Tull, Queen, Genesis and cohorts, because that is what it reminded me of at first play.

First song is Play By The Hall Rules and manages to capture the listeners attention the whole 12 + minutes. Not bad! Lots of dynamics of course, with Mellotron playing centre stage with haunting sounds. Next up is This Is The One that has a lot of early Jethro Tull references. Of course any band with a flute will hear that. But I don´t think they copy. It is more of an inspiration I think. So the song still stand on it´s own and does not resemble anything by Tull. Next is Bin, a slow song at first that builds into another Tull reference, with flute breathing and all. Still many good ideas, with fun instrumental parts where sometimes a little freaky guitar is unleashed. Time To Play opens with a Fender Rhodes like sound before the band kicks in. Many sides to this again, and another one that proves they know how to keep their audience interested. Last one is called Capitale Venditio and with over 13 minutes is the longest track on offer.

A band that carries their influences on their sleeves, but still write good original songs that provide a good listening experience. For anyone who still loves the seventies to death, a safe buy! I am looking forward to their recent release Helike, which you can expect the coming weeks.

Website

Coppelius

Peter — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 19:24:39 +0000

Coppelius are a German outfit that play their music on classical instruments (upright bass, cello, clarinet) and together with drums and vocals create a sound that is unique. Right now I am trying to contact them for a review of their album Zinnober, but for now, visit their YouTube channel and enjoy tracks like Risiko:

21 Eyes Of Ruby, Conquer The World pt. 5, 2010

Peter — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 13:25:24 +0000

Another discovery thanks to Progstreaming. And funny they reside not that far away from me either. Still, my first encounter with the band with the beautiful name 21 Eyes Of Ruby with what I guess is their fifth album in their pursuit of world dominance…

The style they play is probably in general called alternative rock or metal. 21EOR are a trio in the classic mould of drums, bass and guitar and are also pretty self supporting. Writing, playing, recording, mixing, mastering, artwork, the whole lot. For that alone they deserve credit.

But on to the music, what can you expect from this album? Well one thing is for sure, this is no light weighted affair. With songs lasting between 2 and 9 minutes, you know this takes time to get into. Still I feel the guys manage to deliver songs with attitude, groove and they are able to spice things up with attractive arrangements of guitar and vocals. Sometimes even giving the songs an eastern flavour that is hard to resist. A lot of dynamics in the music, and sometimes a theme is repeated until you are hooked to it. And rest assured, drums and bass know quite well what they are doing as well. I really dug the drum sound on this, very natural sounding. No standard lyrics either, which is a good thing in my book. If all this tingles your curiosity, go check them out before they come a knocking on your door

Website

Godsticks, Spiral Vendetta, 2010

Peter — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 14:11:26 +0000

Recognize that feeling when you start listening to an album and within seconds are so locked into it you can´t stop listening? Even when you know it is not the most simple of music? Well, that is just what Spiral Vendetta from Godsticks did to me!
I have a hard time describing the style on this disk, other than that it is progressive, with influences from jazz, fusion, symphonic rock, funk and God knows what. No matter what, this is still melodic ear candy that will please a lot of people, such is it’s cross over appeal. It has been a long time ago I got captured so quick and was won over in an instant.

So the trio of Darran Charles (vocals, guitar and keyboards), Steve Roberts (drums and vocals) and Brian Beller on bass, are doing something absolutely right. Vocally Godsticks remind me of Event, the American progressive metal band what a somewhat similar approach to music. After all, I think these guys don’t care about boundaries or styles, but just create music that feels good to them. And are damn good at it too. I can imagine reading these words does not shed any light as to what to expect from this disk. That is why I will end with just the simple advice to go out and buy this thing immediately. This is too good to ignore and belongs in every serious music lovers collection.

Website

Mindgames, MMX, 2010

Peter — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 22:47:22 +0000

Our dear Belgium friends from M!ndgames were featured on these pages not so long ago, and now their latest release MMX gets some words. And the best way to start is that they have progressed (no pun intended) in about every aspect of the game! I liked Actors In A Play, but this one is just better.

Their previous album sounded good, this one is just that tad bit more confident and, well, just better. The vocals of Bart Schram sound less like your average British neo prog band now, and have more depth and identy of their own. Nice.
The guitars by Rudy Vander Veken are a little bit more present, without being heavy. But it adds just that little bit more bite and makes me enjoy this music even more. And his playing was already worth your while. Drums and bass do what they need to do, and I love that the Hammond also became a little more important.
And while I think this is again a concept album (alas no info on that and as you know I am too lazy to look it up), this is more about songs. Melodies come more to the fore as well.

So you get why I think the guys have upped their game and really deserve the attention of anyone into neo prog. In fact, that term sells them short. So let’s aim for all progressive rock lovers instead . Let’s see what they come up with next time, looking forward to that…

Website

Classic: Nightwing, Stand Up And Be Counted, 1983

Peter — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 14:05:57 +0000

Ah, that was a long time ago! But like with an old friend coming over for coffee, you soon get back in the vibe when you start playing this.
Labelled as hard rock, but I should add “with progressive touches”. It is no wonder singer Max Bacon later turned up in GTR joining Steve Howe and Steve Hackett.

Maybe typical of the time it was released in, this album is a great example of how this type of music should be done. Max Bacon has a voice that is easy identified, and has the ability to command a song with it. The five piece band in traditional setting with guitar, bass, drums and keyboards, knew how to write attractive songs and get your attention with album opener Let Me Be Your Lover. Straight as an arrow, plain rock. Trading Water and The Machine show a knack for the more progressive tones, with keyboard playing a bigger role. Not unlike City Boy by the way. Dressed To Kill is another rocker, while the title track opens with mystical keyboards, with the vocals and later the band kicking in to create this mid tempo slow burner. Next Saturday is yet another rocking tune, aimed at live performances I suppose. Still In Love With You continues the album in style with a bluesy bass riff that is slowly expanded and build upon. Backing vocals are put to good use here!
There are a couple more songs before the album finishes at almost 40 minutes. But I guess you know by now that this is something you should try to pick up from the Zoom Club Records remasters series…

Oceans Of Night, The Shadowheart Mirror, 2009

Peter — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 13:20:18 +0000

Multi-instrumentalist Scott Mosher is becoming a regular here on YourMusicBlog. Not so long ago I wrote about the second Oceans Of Night album, which I liked very much. So with some help from Scott I completed his whole discography. His older solo albums are already signposts of what Oceans Of Night is. The combination of ambient keyboards and progressive metal is already showing it’s face there. But with help from singer Scott Oliva he has raised the bar.

Yet in all honesty I feel this album is a stepping stone for the Scotts. While it still holds the ideas and music Mosher stands for, it does not rival it´s successor in every department. Partly because the drums are programmed, and sound like it. Partly because in some tracks the guitars and keyboards are fighting each other, instead of adding value. This is a equalizing thing I think.
If we listen past that, we again find an album full of original ideas, competently written and performed. Variety is key, yet the guys know they need melodies and creative instrumental ideas to hold the listeners attention. And succeed, as everyone into progressive metal accepts numerous listens and not expects every track to be instant.

So another good album, and if the progression from album 1 to album 2 is a promise for the future, I personally cannot wait for the next CD to get finished.

Website