T P A

Heliopolis – City Of The Sun

It is always difficult to review a release that has been declared “Album of the Year” by others; your expectations are heightened with a sense of anticipation and half an ear is on the plaudits you may have already read.…

Van der Graaf Generator – Merlin Atmos

Never averse to taking risks, all incarnations of Van der Graaf Generator were and are as close to the dictionary definition of “progressive” as any other band you care to mention. It goes without saying, but I will, obviously; the…

Mabel Greer’s Toyshop – New Way of Life

Albums that are almost 50 years in the making don’t come along very often but such is (sort of) the case with this debut from Mabel Greer’s Toyshop, a name that could only come from late ’60s psychedelia and for…

Aisles – 4:45 AM

Aisles are a Chilean prog rock band formed a number of years ago and 4:45 am is their third release, issued in 2013 that somehow seems to have slipped through the net. They cite the usual stalwarts as their influences, some shine…

Steven Wilson

The Corn Exchange, Cambridge 12th March 2015 by Roger Trenwith Cambridge Corn Exchange is a smallish venue, and with the temporary seating installed probably held around 1000 last night, assuming the balcony was used and full – for some reason…

Daevid Allen – RIP

TPA would like to join in with all the tributes afforded to Daevid Allen, a unique and immensely gifted musician, who sadly passed away today… Daevid passed away peacefully in Australia today, Friday 13th at 1.05pm, surrounded by his boys.…

Public Service Broadcasting – The Race For Space

On October 4th, 1957, Sputnik was launched, and the Space Race commenced. This was a technological and ideological battle between the USA and the USSR at the height of the Cold War, and Public Service Broadcasting have skilfully utilised archive…

North Atlantic Oscillation – Glare

Released on Monday 16th March to coincide with their short UK tour starting the day after, Sam Healy’s band of shimmering shapeshifters have come up with the goods again. Opening with the title track, this fine hors d’oeuvres is a…

The Afro Circus – Journey To The Center Of The Ear

Firstly, who are the Afro Circus? Well they are a Boston (Massachusetts, USA) based guy called Josh Goldberg (with a little help from his friends). Josh is a guitarist but mainly a Chapman Stick player (or Stickist)… you know, that…

simakDialog – Live At Orion

Ah, that’s more like it… after a bit of a diversion in my reviews, covering books, singer-songwriters, DIY punks and cover version albums over on my blog this marvellous album is like returning home after a long trip away. We…