Now I admit to having a problem with the name of this band, although you can blame that on an association with Julian Clary’s “infamous” joke featuring Norman Lamont. But never mind, it wasn’t even a good joke. Gandalf’s Fist…
View More Gandalf’s Fist – A Forest of FeyCategory: Album Reviews
Ikarus – Echo
Ikarus are based in Zurich and variously describe themselves as “minimal groove”, “Nordic soundscape”, and “prog jazz”, and they are indeed all of these and more. Chief among the self-penned descriptions on their Facebook page is “EVOCATIVE MUSIC”. The uppercase…
View More Ikarus – EchoLazuli – Nos âmes saoules
French wonders Lazuli return with their sixth album, Nos âmes saoules, and – as with everything that this fantastic band do – I have been awaiting it eagerly. Cards on the table time: I am a huge fan. The glorious…
View More Lazuli – Nos âmes saoulesRikard Sjöblom – The Unbendable Sleep
Multi-instrumentalist Rikard Sjöblom has had a busy time of late, from last year’s accomplished release +4626 Comfortzone with his band Beardfish to becoming part of the U.K. progressive rock band Big Big Train for their highly successful concerts at Kings…
View More Rikard Sjöblom – The Unbendable SleepThe Room – Beyond the Gates of Bedlam
The Room are a recent signing to the growing roster of Bad Elephant Music, repeated listens over the last few days would lead me to describe them as a solid rock band with elements of prog. Bedlam, for those of…
View More The Room – Beyond the Gates of BedlamFirefly Burning – Skeleton Hill
Three years on from their first album, Lightships, London avant-folk band Firefly have struck a match and become Firefly Burning for their second album Skeleton Hill. The resulting sulphurous heat produced has warmed their sound with an added urgency and…
View More Firefly Burning – Skeleton HillPerfect Beings – Perfect Beings II
Albums are offered up, reviewers dip in, taste, and then select their meal; so I got Perfect Beings. In some dark recess of cyberspace lives a record of our initial thoughts, sometimes insightful, sometimes delightful, and sometimes irrationally judgemental. We…
View More Perfect Beings – Perfect Beings IIPTF – What is Constant
What is Constant is the second full album outing for Japanese Prog 4-piece instrumental outfit PTF who feature keys, drums, bass and violin. The album opens with an odd melange of styles in Time Lapse, the title perhaps suggesting that…
View More PTF – What is ConstantQuantum Jump – Quantum Jump
I’ve gotta say, I was pretty disappointed when I heard the opening notes of Captain Boogaloo, the initial track on this album. Cheesy, saccharine and utterly inane as this funky bit of fluff was, I really thought I’d picked up…
View More Quantum Jump – Quantum JumpIsaac Vacuum – Isaac Vacuum EP
I’m listening to Isaac Vacuum’s eponymously entitled EP. Based in Krefeld, Germany, Isaac Vacuum describe themselves as Post Rock. I’m not sure what that is, but they manage to put together something that sounds as menacing as your yardstick for…
View More Isaac Vacuum – Isaac Vacuum EP