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  • Often things happen in an adjacent musical universe that we are not aware of but perhaps we should be more attentive to.  Such is the case with my general interest in the jam band scene.  While I can appreciate the musical prowess of many of these bands the foundation of their music doesn't really interest me all that much.  For example I never got Phish.  Great players but their music flatlined for me.  On the other hand Umphrey's McGee is a very interesting band that resides in the jam band world.  You can tell that progressive rock is a part of their musical DNA.  Such is the case with a band that reached out to us called Squeaky Feet.  I had never heard of this Denver, Colorado based group but it appeared that they were rising stars in that scene but referred to themselves as a progressive rock band.  So perhaps a bit skeptical I gave their studio debut "Cause For Alarm" a listen and I was absolutely blown away and I think you will be too.  The vocal tracks do remind me a bit of Umphrey's McGee - a subtle pop layer sitting on a bedrock of intense virtuosity and intricacy.  As soon as the vocals stop these guys go off into a world of pure prog - blazing dual guitar, flute and sax, keys - over a rock solid rhythmic bed.  These are Berklee grads - they're not fooling around.  These kats can play!  Vocal tracks pop up here and there but the overall musical weight of the album tends to skew in the instrumental direction.  The album is filled with long tracks - each one having a great sense of soft/loud dynamics.  As I mentioned the vocal passages give way to long instrumental stretches where these guys go off.This one came in too late for me to stick it in my Top 10 list for 2023 (lots of competition this year) but if I could I would - it would sit very high up on the top half.  Do I need to say it???  I will anyway...BUY OR DIE!!"Squeaky Feet was conceived within the walls of Berklee College of Music. Its members relocated to Denver in 2018, and their hunger for greatness manifested into what the band is today. Comprised of Colin Shore (guitar/vocals), Greg King (guitar), Jimmy Finnegan (bass/vocals), Brian Keller (keyboards/sax/flute/vocals), and Kevin D'Angelo (drums), Squeaky Feet is poised for success.Their debut album, Cause For Alarm, is scheduled for release on November 17, 2023. It promises to be an electrifying testament to Squeaky Feet's exceptional musicianship, genre-blending prowess, and their innovative approach to progressive rock. The astute listener may hear the influence of King Crimson, Dream Theater, Frank Zappa, Steely Dan, and Snarky Puppy, particularly of guitar player Mark Lettieri, who serendipitously came to play on the album’s lead single."
    $15.00
  • APOLLO: The ancient Greek and Roman God of music and poetry.SONS OF APOLLO: The new supergroup featuring members of Dream Theater, Mr. Big, Guns ‘N Roses, and Journey.In early 2017, rumors began circulating about a new secret project including former Dream Theater members Mike Portnoy and Derek Sherinian. Finally, on August 1st, the duo revealed the details to the rest of the world, introducing their new band, SONS OF APOLLO.Reuniting to form SONS OF APOLLO, Portnoy and Sherinian join forces with guitarist Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal (ex-Guns N’ Roses), bassist Billy Sheehan (The Winery Dogs, Mr. Big, David Lee Roth) and vocalist Jeff Scott Soto (ex-Journey, ex-Yngwie Malmsteen's Rising Force). Their debut album, Psychotic Symphony, will be released October 20 on InsideOutMusic/Sony Music. Psychotic Symphony was produced by the dynamic production duo of Portnoy and Sherinian, also affectionately known as “The Del Fuvio Brothers,” the nickname given to them over 20 years ago during their time together in Dream Theater.SONS OF APOLLO formed very organically, its seeds planted with a predecessor group, as Portnoy explains: “Derek and I reunited shortly after I left Dream Theater in 2010 and we put together an all-instrumental touring band with Billy Sheehan and Tony MacAlpine. That was my first time working with Derek since the ‘90s when he was in Dream Theater, and it was just great to be working with him again. Ever since that tour, which was really just a one-off live thing, he has been nudging me to start a real, original, full-time band. The timing just had never been right, because I had too many other things on my plate. Long story short, the time was finally right to take the bait and put together a band.”“Mike and I work at a relentless pace in the studio,” continues Sherinian. “The music is modern, but we have an old-school soul. What is unique about SONS OF APOLLO is that we have true rock n’ roll swagger along with the virtuosity-- a lethal combination!”But what to call the next great supergroup? “Derek was mainly the one behind the name,” says Portnoy. “I have a list that I keep on my phone of about a hundred different band names, which I constantly have to refer to every time I have a new band every year (laughs). So I pulled up the list and Apollo was one of the names on the list. It was a word that both of us really liked. We started fiddling with different variations of the word. One of the original band names we were working with was Apollo Creed, the character from the Rocky movies, but after lots of different discussions on different variations, Derek suggested SONS OF APOLLO and it seemed to stick. Apollo is the god of music, so with that in mind it seemed like a fitting name.”With Portnoy, Sherinian and Sheehan having previously toured together in the aforementioned lineup that came to be known as PSMS, playing instrumental versions of various songs drawn from each member’s history, SONS OF APOLLO was the next logical step. They kept that fire burning and stoked it higher by bringing in a different guitarist, adding a vocalist, and creating all original material. The nine songs comprising Psychotic Symphony incorporate the progressive style and individual technical prowess Portnoy and Sherinian shared together in Dream Theater, combined with the swagger and groove of Van Halen, Deep Purple and Led Zeppelin.“I have known Mike and Derek for a long time, so when they came to me with SONS OF APOLLO, I jumped on this straight away,” says Thomas Waber, Label Manager/A&R International of InsideOutMusic. “However, the album they ended up recording exceeded my already high expectations by a long mile! We couldn’t be happier about it!”SONS OF APOLLO will hit the road in 2018 for their first worldwide tour.“This is a real band,” Portnoy declares. “This is going to pick up for me and Billy where The Winery Dogs left off, in terms of this being the next logical full-time thing for us. I’m not saying The Winery Dogs have broken up, because we haven’t, we’re just on a break. SONS OF APOLLO is absolutely going to be a full-time band and we plan on touring all over the world throughout 2018 and, honestly, it is the priority for all five of us.”Sherinian agrees, “We will go on a worldwide crusade in 2018 to bring SONS OF APOLLO to as many people as possible. Apollo was the God of Music, and we are his mighty offspring!”SONS OF APOLLO ARE:Mike Portnoy – drums and vocalsDerek Sherinian – keyboardsBilly Sheehan – bassRon “Bumblefoot” Thal – guitar and vocalsJeff Scott Soto - vocals 
    $18.00
  • “Eras - Vinyl Collection Part IV” is the final Devin Townsend vinyl box sets. The box contains the albums; The box contains the albums: “Ziltoid The Omniscient” (Gatefold 2LP + etching on side 4) “Z² - Dark Matters” (Gatefold 2LP) “Ziltoid Live At The Royal Albert Hall” (Gatefold 2LP + etching on side 4) “The Retinal Circus” (Gatefold 3LP) All on 180 gram vinyl plus LP booklet with liner notes and comments by Devin Townsend, all wrapped up in a sturdy 2-piece box set, worldwide limited to only 2000 copies “Ziltoid Live At The Royal Albert Hall” and “The Retinal Circus” have so far never been released on vinyl before.Ziltoid The OmniscientSide AZTO By Your Command Ziltoidia Attaxx!!!2 Solar Winds Side BHyperdrive N9 Planet Smasher Omnisdimensional Creator Color Your World Side CThe Greys Tall Latte Don't Know Why Travelling Salesman Another Road Side DEtchingZ² - Dark MattersSide AZ² From Sleep Awake Ziltoidian Empire Side BWar Princess Deathray Side CMarch Of The Poozers Wandering Eye Earth Side DZiltoid Goes Home Through The Wormhole Dimension Z Ziltoid Live At The Royal Albert HallSide AZ² From Sleep Awake - Live Ziltoidian Empire - Live War Princess - Live Side BDeathray - Live March of the Poozers - Live Wandering Eye - Live Earth - Live Side CZiltoid Goes Home - Live Through The Wormhole - Live Dimension Z - Live Side DEtchingThe Retinal CircusSide AEffervescent!/True North - Live at The Roundhouse, October 27th 2012 Lucky Animals - Live at The Roundhouse, October 27th 2012 Planet of the Apes - Live at The Roundhouse, October 27th 20122 Side BTruth - Live at The Roundhouse, October 27th 2012 War - Live at The Roundhouse, October 27th 2012 Soul Driven - Live at The Roundhouse, October 27th 2012 Planet Smasher - Live at The Roundhouse, October 27th 2012 Baby Song - Live at The Roundhouse, October 27th 2012 Side CVampolka - Live at The Roundhouse, October 27th 2012 Vampira - Live at The Roundhouse, October 27th 2012 Addicted! - Live at The Roundhouse, October 27th 2012 Colour Your World - Live at The Roundhouse, October 27th 2012 The Greys - Live at The Roundhouse, October 27th 2012 Side DHyperdrive - Live at The Roundhouse, October 27th 2012 Ih-Ah! - Live at The Roundhouse, October 27th 2012 Where We Belong - Live at The Roundhouse, October 27th 2012 Detox - Live at The Roundhouse, October 27th 2012 Side EBend it Like Bender! - Live at The Roundhouse, October 27th 2012 Life - Live at The Roundhouse, October 27th 2012 Kingdom - Live at The Roundhouse, October 27th 2012 Juular - Live at The Roundhouse, October 27th 2012 Side FLove? - Live at The Roundhouse, October 27th 2012 Colonial Boy - Live at The Roundhouse, October 27th 2012 Grace - Live at The Roundhouse, October 27th 2012 Little Pig - Live at The Roundhouse, October 27th 2012  
    $138.00
  • 2020 came to a close with LIQUID TENSION EXPERIMENT announcing their return and new album to be released on InsideOutMusic. Today, the legendary supergroup comprised of Mike Portnoy (Transatlantic, Sons of Apollo), John Petrucci (Dream Theater), Jordan Rudess (Dream Theater), and Tony Levin (King Crimson, Peter Gabriel) are pleased to officially announce that the new album ‘LTE3’ will be released on March 26th, 2021 via InsideOutMusic, twenty-two years after the bands’ last studio album. “After over 20 years since the last time we recorded together, the four of us stepped into the studio and it was as if no time had passed at all! All of the magic that made the first two LTE albums so special was still there and we had such a great time making this record. I’m extremely proud of what we created together and can’t wait for everyone to hear it!”-John Petrucci“The best thing to come out of 2020 was this long-awaited reunion! And it was surely worth the wait as after all these years, the magic chemistry was still there and stronger than ever!”-Mike Portnoy
    $39.00
  • "If there is one band who has captured the sound of the golden age of Progressive Rock (1969 – 1975) without sounding regressive or copycat, it is the Norwegian band Wobbler. The band has always had an energetic and youthful approach to the classic prog era, and has managed to blow new life into the genre. Wobbler´s fifth offering is an exciting blend of carefully planned and jammed material that encompasses everything the band has done up to now. Dwellers of the Deep consists of four distinctive pieces and is a broad looking glass into Wobbler´s creative whims and playful exuberance. The album showcases the band´s mastery of dynamics and flow, with passages and themes veering from the scenic and serene to the downright rocking. On the final track, Wobbler is in full blast, with a 19 minutes suite taking the listener through aspects of the darker sides of Wobbler´s sound. The lyrical themes on the album deals with human emotion, and the ongoing struggle between juxtaposed forces within the psyche. An introspective voyage among the realms of memories, feelings and instincts, where the light is brighter, and the dark is darker. The concepts of wonder, longing and desperation permeates the histories told, and the currents from the deep are ever present. The production is open, detailed, warm and punchy, making the soundscape put together by the now seasoned sound alchemist Lars Fredrik Frøislie to an aural feast. New musical directions further the quintet’s burgeoning aural idiosyncrasies and solidify the band stature as one of the most exciting and interesting bands on the global music scene, independent of genre."TRACK LISTING:1. By the Banks2. Five Rooms3. Naiad Dreams4. Merry Macabre
    $15.00
  • Mixing rock, hard rock and progressive rock with heavy metal and power metal influences, Brazil's Daydream XI is a band with no self-imposed boundaries.Formed in 2008 the group have played with bands like Angra, Symphony X and the former Iron Maiden vocalist, Paul Di'Anno. In 2014 Daydream XI was invited by legendary drummer Mike Portnoy to perform on the 1st edition of Progressive Nation at Sea with bands like Transatlantic, Devin Townsend, Pain Of Salvation, Animals As Leaders, Anathema, Jon Anderson, King's X and many other leading names in progressive music.The band's debut album was produced by Jens Bogren, head of the world-class Fascination Street studio, in Orëbro, Sweden, released on September 27th, 2014, via POWER PROG. It has received many great reviews all over the globe, placing the band as one of the most promising names in Progressive Metal in South America.In their sophomore release, The Circus Of The Tattered And Torn, the band embraces the progressive side of their music in a dark concept album. The concept is a metaphor to express that we are drawn to each other more by our weaknesses and our flaws than our strengths and virtues. It’s portrayed through a journey, where Phillip, the Circus master, takes his new apprentice, Circe, across the various acts of this Circus. Each song represents a feeling or aspect of human life, channeled by the storyline of each character.On September 8th, 2017, Daydream XI will be opening the third night of ProgPower USA in Atlanta.
    $6.00
  • My Soliloquy is a British band formed in 2002 by multi-instrumentalist Pete Morten.  Since then the band has released a number of demos, gaining traction in the metal underground. The band had a number of notable support shows with Pagans Mind, Power Quest, Oliver and Rick Wakeman, and Threshold, as well as a second-to-headline set at Bloodstock 05 and a showcase at 2007’s ProgPower UK II.Since 2007, Morten has been an active member of British prog metal legends Threshold.  His membership has raised awareness (and created anticipation) for My Soliloquy’s long awaited debut.The essence of My Soliloquy is pure forward thinking metal – symphonic keyboards, shredding guitar leads, soaring vocals – all finely woven together with a blend of intricacy and melody.  The Interpreter was mixed and mastered by Rob Aubrey who has been a mainstay of Marillion’s camp for many years.
    $5.00
  • "The release of official live material is a project that is long overdue and we know our existing fans have been crying out for this for some time now. Whilst we have filmed and recorded many shows in the past we have always felt there were elements of our shows that could be improved 'visually' before we documented and immortalised this for the world to see and that the timing for a live release never felt right for us. This is just our nature as creative people to be so extremely self-critical and constantly strive for perfection. It is largely due to the will of the people that the idea of this project became a reality. Both the band and the label were inundated with emails requesting a live release in some shape or form, and it was actually rather flattering, so giving the people what they wanted just felt like the right thing to do" - Haken"Following the release of the bands much-acclaimed fourth studio album 'Affinity', they embarked upon their 10th anniversary tour across Europe & North America. Recorded and filmed on the 13th April 2017, at the legendary Melkweg venue on the Amsterdam stop of that tour, this represents the band's first ever live document with tracks from across the band's discography.'L-1VE' will be released as a 2CD/2DVD Digipak package & as digital download. The DVD will include 4 bonus tracks filmed at ProgPower USA 2016 that also includes Mike Portnoy's cameo appearance on gong, as well as all of the official videos from the 'Affinity' album."
    $20.00
  • "The Chronicles of Father Robin is a Norwegian prog-rock supergroup, with members hailing from Norway’s symphonic prog kings Wobbler, the ever non-definable Tusmørke, seasoned post-rockers The Samuel Jackson Five and the elusive prog gem that is Jordsjø. “The Songs & Tales of Airoea”, 30 years in the making, is a cohesive triple concept album with 18 songs set in an alternate archaic world for over a period of three decades.  The first album, “Book I”, will be released on September 15th.The Chronicles of Father Robin (TCOFR) emerged from the remains of the band Fangorn back in 1993- 94, mainly inspired by the classic bands and albums of the early 1970s progressive music scene, alongside contemporary bands like Änglagård, Anekdoten, White Willow and Landberk.During the years the boys created the story of the entity Father Robin. The root idea was that this creature embodied all the members of the band into one being. And as the members experienced challenges in life and their development as human beings, this translated itself into the story of Father Robin, sprinkled on top with a fair amount of inspiration from different mythologies and such. Through lengthy jam sessions and then more finely tuned arranging and structuring, the band developed an ongoing system where every song linked itself to the others. Holistic impulsivity and ideas, altruistic friendship, music, fantasies and coherent concept - all melded together in one pot, and everything took place in the archaic world of Airoea."
    $14.00
  • ‘Arise’ gives the impression that the creative skills of Steve Babb have gone into overdrive, is there a better storyteller in modern progressive music?” - Progradar.comGlass Hammer shoots for the stars with the new concept album, “ARISE.” Set against the backdrop of deep space exploration, ARISE follows the extraordinary journey of an android dispatched by overzealous scientists to uncover the galaxy’s hidden wonders. The album’s lyrics, liner notes, and artwork convey a tale of cosmic dread and wonder that doesn’t begin with a big bang, but, according to Glass Hammer mastermind Steve Babb, “...definitely ends with one.”He’s joined by singer Hannah Pryor and guitarist Reese Boyd for Glass Hammer’s twenty-first studio album. “ARISE is my progressive-rock spin on space rock,” says Babb. “I’m still flirting with doom metal on a couple of songs, as we did on the last two albums, but there’s also psych-rock and even 80’s influence going on in the music. Even so, it’s very much a prog-rock album, just one that touches on other styles.”Babb goes on to make a bold claim. “We’ve always been big on finales,” he says. “But the final track on ARISE is like nothing we’ve done before. It’s an epic-length instrumental prog-rock jam meant to leave our fan’s jaws on the floor!”
    $13.00
  • "Triple CD contains the Swedish and English versions of Opeth's album In Cauda Venenum with new illustrations by internationally renowned Travis Smith in the booklet. In addition, there is also a third CD including 3 previously unreleased bonus tracks, both in English and Swedish: "Pöbeln" / "The Mob", "Cirkelns Riktning" / "Width of a Circle" as well as "Frihet & Tyranni" / "Freedom & Tyranny"."The album opens with haunting Mellotron and we are off to the races.  By now its the law of the land that Opeth has forsaken the "old" sound.   They are a progressive hard rock band who's albums are packed to the rafters with retro sounds.  The album arrives as a double disc - one version of the album sung in their native Swedish and the other in English.  The traditional melancholy sound is present here.  Expect dynamics galore.  This is an album of contrasts - darkness/light - heavy electric/acoustic.  If Trettioariga Kriget and Gryphon had a child it might sound like this.  The smell of the 70s permeates every aspect of this album so if you like old school hard rock and prog you're going to have a field day with In Cauda Venenum.  When Damnation came out it blew my mind and I think the band has done it again.  They've been kicking the tires of a masterpiece with Heritage, Pale Communion, and Sorceress but they really went and did it this time.  BUY OR DIE!"Given what OPETH have achieved over the past three decades, it seems unfair to question whether or not a new album would be anything less than a domineering success. They are set to release their thirteenth opus to add to a discography that boasts a formidable repertoire of encapsulating albums, but the most interesting line of enquiry is one of discovery. How well does a contemporary OPETH fit into the modern day? The simple answer is that they don’t really seem to care. The years might have seen them transform from death metal icons to a glowing example of prog rock prowess, but while listening to In Cauda Venenum, it is clear that they are writing music for themselves. The record is rife with the kind of personality we have grown to love from the Swedes, ultimately thriving in its honesty and stunning integrity.This is evidenced by the fact that In Cauda Venenum is the first OPETH album to be written entirely in the band’s native Swedish tongue. Even though it stands accompanied by an English version, this is a bold move, and the perception it breeds means that this feels like the most personal OPETH album to date. Coupled with sampled sonic backdrop aplenty and almost organic musicianship, it has the feel of a soundtrack to a movie we can’t see, prompting us to visualise our own masterpiece and inject our own character. Livets Trädgård / Garden Of Earthly Delights seems like opening credits rolling us into lush scenery, before Svekets Prins / Dignity takes up the gauntlet and sends us spinning into a torrid whirlpool of prog rock wizardry. Deft riffing backed by electronic keys builds the track, before a wailing solo ascertains that the OPETH writing style has been injected at full tilt. Cue delicate guitar work and vocals, before a full metallic barrage brings the track full circle with emphatic grandeur. Mikael Åkerfeldt‘s vocals are pristine, slotting perfectly into the dense instrumentals with decades-honed precision. Hjärtat Vet Vad Handen Gör / Heart In Hand continues the charge, with a runtime well over eight minutes allowing plenty of space for OPETH to open the taps. The devil often lies in the details, and throughout the album, the Swedes make use of this philosophy, employing a consortium of instruments to create a surgical level of precision. This is nothing new to OPETH, but this time the approach feels more innate, and better executed than ever.In between raging spells of heavy metal structure, melodic opulence shines in equal measure. In Cauda Venenum isn’t conventionally heavy, nor is it mellow, instead it is an open gateway into the thought process of one of history’s most capable bands. OPETH have already proved they can nail the death metal approach (in fact, they’re largely responsible for the genre being in the healthy state it is today) and with recent albums they have also tapped into a more progressive conception. This time round, the likes of De Närmast Sörjande / Next Of Kin and Minnets Yta / Lovelorn Crime reach beyond expectation. It is the best of both worlds and then some. Never have the band juxtaposed such vast beauty alongside the monstrous riffs of old, and yet the contrast allows the music to pop with brighter colour and deeper shadow than anything in their back catalogue.From the sampled maniacal laughter and time bending riffs of Charlatan to the orchestral intro of Ingen Sanning Är Allas / Universal Truth, each twist and turn is like a blind bend, pleasing the listener time and time again with its unpredictable nature. The blood still runs from OPETH veins, but the execution is more patient, and covers a gargantuan scale. Long swathes of atmospheric space drift by hand in hand with violin, starkly set against biting guitar in an ever waging war. Then, we bridge into Banemannen / The Garroter, one of the album’s most eclectic tracks. Jazzy, wandering riffs feel almost like cabaret, sounding like the backdrop to a seedy city underbelly. Drums set the pace, and the bass work shines through, before a meandering solo sees us into Kontinuerlig Drift / Continuum, where choppy guitar drags us into another seven-minute masterclass of prog rock musicianship. It is utterly flawless.OPETH knew that recording the album in Swedish exposed them to a risk of isolating their English speaking fans. It has to be said that writing an English version will stand them in better stead, positioning the record as more accessible; yet as Allting Tar Slut / All Things Will Pass ultimately closes the record, it is clear that they not only made the right decision, but it really couldn’t matter less which language they chose to present the record in. In Cauda Venenum is the finest work OPETH have produced in a long time – if not ever. It will require time and space to soak up its brilliance, but if afforded such simple luxuries, it is an album set to inspire, overwhelm and rewrite the very fabric of what it means to be a heavy band in 2019." - Distorted Sound
    $17.00
  • Legendary guitarist Steve Hackett presents his brand new live audio/visual extravaganza, with the release of ‘Foxtrot at Fifty + Hackett Highlights: Live in Brighton’. Filmed & recorded live on his 2022 UK tour, in the coastal city of Brighton, this release documents Steve and his band celebrating the 50th anniversary of the much-loved Genesis album ‘Foxtrot’. Played in full, this album features fan favourites including ‘Watcher Of The Skies’ and ‘Supper’s Ready’. The show also features a set of Hackett solo material, including ‘The Devil’s Cathedral’ from his latest studio album ‘Surrender of Silence’, and the powerful ‘Ace of Wands’. Mixed by Chris Lord-Alge & mastered by Ten Jensen at Sterling Sound.
    $16.00
  • “Known/Learned’ is the third album from this thought provoking progressive band from Brisbane, Australia.  It’s a sprawling 2CD collection of themes and moments, captured between recurring characters. While never explicitly told in the traditional vein of the ‘concept album’, the imagery of Known/Learned depicts fragmented moments in the lives of a father and his daughter, their loss, their love, their journey. A bittersweet love song for life.Occupying a unique place in the Australian progressive music scene, Arcane’s transcendental live performances and 2009’s critically acclaimed, dark and enigmatic concept album 'Chronicles Of The Waking Dream' have earned them a inimitable reputation as one of Australia’s premier progressive rock bands.Sharing stages with artists as diverse as Anathema (UK), Soilwork (Swe), Queensryche (USA), Dead Letter Circus, Ne Obliviscaris and hundreds more, Arcane's live show, often accompanied by a backdrop of staggering visualizations, is a vast sensory experience.Arcane's immersive sound, and the vocals of Jim Grey quickly found favor throughout Australia, headlining the annual Progfest tour, providing touring support for Ne Obliviscaris, and performing to capacity crowds at Sonic Forge Festival in Melbourne. A crowd funding campaign in July, 2013 heralded the 2015 release of 'Known/Learned' a 16 track conceptual double album. Arcane blends the technicality of progressive metal with the atmospheric intensity of bands like Tool, Riverside and Anathema.  The world is about to discover what their Australian fan base already knows – that Arcane is a rising star in the world of progressive music.
    $14.00
  • "So I’m writing a review of the new album by Magic Pie, and I figure I should be clever.  The Pie is tasty, a confection, a dessert par excellence, a bit tart and sweet, etc., etc.  And that doesn’t even address the “magic” part. And it all sounds stupid.  Like I’m trying to be clever. And failing.So let’s drop the a la mode and whipped cream (crud, there I go again) and just get to it.  Magic Pie’sFragments of the 5th Element is outstanding.  It’s a great listen with Prog singles and an epic. It showcases outstanding musicianship.  There are hooks galore.  It is not a concept album, and yet there is something of a lyrical theme. This is one of my favorite releases of 2019.Things kick off with “The Man Who Had It All,” which introduces a character out of John Steinbeck called Jeremiah.  He’s a wino who has just died, a guy who loved life and wants his compatriots to carry on without him.  There are no regrets for living in the seamy side of society—just a guy who had fun and had a smile on his face when he passed.  Musically, Magic Pie sends Jeremiah off with a fanfare that segues into vocals/piano/bass—and then moves into a dissonant section followed by a Prog waltz.  And that’s in the first two minutes of the song (a music hall segment is yet to come).  And there are hooks in every part!  “The Man Who Had It All” is a song that has it all.“P & C” (pleasure and consequences) follows.  And somewhat surprisingly, at least in terms of Prog, it’s another song about drinking and partying.  But this time, the guy isn’t going to die, drunk, with a smile on his lips.  Yes, there are ramifications…Thirteen Tequilas, joined with a bottle of red.No doubt! Best rush I’d ever had.Woke up next morning, – managed to crawl out of bed.Bulldozers truckin’ throu’ my head. So….I made a clear decision.Behold! A man with a missionto build a wall-defencive,between pleasure and consequences.Singer/lyricist Eirikur Hauksson sings as if he knows that scene—he does—and is determined to turn things around.  Coming to that decision isn’t easy, of course, and guitarist/band leader Kim Stenbergemphasizes that with some outstanding soloing.  Keyboardist Erling Henanger is given two breaks, one a jazzy improv that explores another Prog genre, the other a quiet synthesizer part that shows the protagonist’s soul finding peace before the final resolution to do better. Did I mention that the first two songs are each about 5:35?  Succinct, varied, interesting, compelling.  That’s the way to kick off an album.“Table for Two” is a love song (not for booze)—although not in ballad form. There’s a recurring fanfare that is broken up by a dreamy chorus section.  This is the love a husband has for a wife after years of being together, remembering back to how it was early on.  He sets up a candlelit table in the attic, reminiscent of those cafes of long ago.  They don’t have much except for each other—and that’s more than enough.Stenberg’s guitar turns bluesy on “Touched By An Angel.”  This, too, is a remembrance of love—but of love lost, the pain and yearning of a man who was once in the heavens and whose life is now hell.  He wants her back, in the worst way.  The initial, quiet blues swells to an emotional roar in the chorus.  This one really showcases the talents of singer Hauksson.  In those quieter moments, he explores the lower part of his range and sounds remarkably like a crooning David Bowie.  And with Stenberg providing a guitar counterpoint, this one packs a punch.Then comes the 23-minute Prog epic to wrap things up…But first, a word about Magic Pie, for there’s an interesting dynamic at play with in this Norwegian band (well, Hauksson is originally from Iceland).  Kim Stenberg is more than just the lead guitarist.  He writes, arranges and produces the music; he pretty much has final say on everything.  He is a self-described introvert who wears hats and sunglasses to ward off the world and provide a persona of mystery.  He’s happy letting Hauksson, with his long hair and rock star moves, be the front man of Magic Pie. Until Hauksson came on board a dozen years ago, Stenberg also was the lyricist.  But Eirikur needed to feel the words and message, so Kim gave up those duties.  That keeps Magic Pie from becoming a Prog Roger Daltrey–Pete Townsend-The Who situation, where the singer is basically the doppelganger mouthpiece for the guitarist/composer.And in the case of  Fragments of the 5th Element, Eirikur Hauksson’s words and performances are among the most intimate and personal of his time with The Pie.  These vignettes are part of his story, and he’s going to tell them—no matter how much pain he has to relive.Which brings us to “The Hedonist,” the Prog epic that closes the album.  The title says it all—the protagonist wants to live a life of pleasure.  Sure, he knows there is a lot of pain and sadness in the world but there’s little he can do to change things.  Except…it sounds like the guy is trying to convince himself of that.  Being a hedonist can be fun for only so long, especially when reality keeps slapping you in the face.Are you still here? I’m ready, help me riseout of the abyss, into your Paradise.Guide my journey safely to your shore.This wayward traveler wants to pay his score…Please, leave an open door.There is plenty of religious language in this one without any overt mentions of God or salvation. Yet there is the feeling that “the hedonist” is somewhat secretly seeking redemption, renewal.  And there’s more.  When I first listened to this one, before I read the lyrics, when I focused on melody and chord progressions and arrangements, looking for impressions and comparisons, I was struck by similarities with Neal Morse.  Yeah, for those of you who know me, I’m a Morse super-fan.  But I’m serious!  There are moments “The Hedonist” could come from Similitude of a Dream or The Great Adventure.  Toss in the lyrics…And as one should have with Prog epics, there are time and key changes galore.  Intricate vocal harmonies.  Some strings and a flute.  Recurring musical themes. But this is still Magic Pie.  Hauksson is his own singer.  Stenberg is an incredible guitarist who deserves a lot more attention than he’s getting.  And “The Hedonist” is a great song, with so many parts that just grab you and won’t let go.  You will be hooked by the hooks.  And it is a showcase for these guys and the other members of The Pie.I’ve already mentioned Erling Henanger, the keyboardist and backing vocalist.  He can go from classical riffs to jazzy breaks to fiery Prog progressions.  His sound is key to Magic Pie. Bassist Lars Petter Holstadand drummer Jan T. Johannessen are a somewhat unobtrusive rhythm section, but they are very strong and vital to keeping the whole thing together and moving forward.  I guess you could say they are the crust to The Pie (sorry, I know, I promised not to go there).  And rhythm-acoustic guitarist and singer Eirik Hanssen is a key component to the fullness of the sound—and his voice works very well with that of Hauksson. And to cap things off, the mix is done by the legendary Rich Mouser.  The sound/production are outstanding.I admit, I’m a relative newcomer to Magic Pie; a friend introduced me to them a couple of years ago with King for a Day.  I really liked that one and proceeded to work back through their catalogue. But Fragments of the 5th Element is, by far, this band’s best. It is delicious and scrumptious.  It will have you wanting another piece of The Pie.  Yep, that’s contrived cleverness.  But Magic Pie is anything but.  Order some and thank me later." - Sonic Perspectives
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