Cosmos "The Deciding Moments of Your Life"/"Mindgames"

Welcome once again to the Closet Concert Arena fellow progheads.  Coming off the recent review of Morse, Portnoy, George and their cover album trilogy, the search for all things prog continues its "sideways" trajectory.  This week I return to the Progressive Gears stable of artists for a listen with Cosmos.  The band has two albums available on the Progressive Gears label, so I thought I would review them both...you know; mix it up a little.  Toward the end of the review there with be the obligatory link to a website allowing you to purchase the music if you so desire--and hopefully you will so desire.  So onward as they say...

Opening the review with two cuts from the "Mindgames" album; first one hit with the laser is "Skygarden."  A bit cosmic as the music starts to flow through the headphones--but it doesn't take long for the hammer to drop.  Cosmos dances into the metal section of the prog garden--not as deep as Opeth or Dream Theater perhaps, but there is a tinge of  Pink Floyd and Transatlantic wafting through the room.  The drums hit without beating your ears into submission while the guitar rides a tempo in and out of a mood comprised of chaos, doom, and excitement...yes there is a lot going on here.  The vocals are unexpectedly mild, floating across the top. 

Next up is "Close to the Edge."  I expect many of you did a double-take on the song title; alas, it is not a cover of the Yes classic (but wouldn't that have been interesting?).  The piano and bass lead you on a tumultuous journey at sea...Mutiny?  Pirates? The vocals wrap themselves around the entire piece, interwoven with the guitar as tension builds and you are drawn deeper into the  abyss.

Checking out one more cut from this album; "There Are Millions of Reasons to Carry On."  The keyboard opening is a bit on the interstellar side of the spectrum, and the abrupt shift as the drums and bass slide in is smooth like chunky peanut butter--and just as satisfying.  The colors on the canvas run dark but begin to blend, releasing a bright swath of energy through the headphones.  

Let's move to "The Deciding Moments of Your Life" album starting with "Where is Yourself."  This song has strong overtones of Pink Floyd; the tension is built on understated vocals and subtle guitar embraced by the keyboards, and more of that interstellar atmosphere. 

Always intrigued by title cuts, I give this one a spin. Cosmos is a band that runs deep with emotion and feeling, and this song serves as the perfect showpiece.  I detect faint top notes of Lonely Robot and Deep Energy Orchestra; music to search the inner soul by.  

Liner Notes...Cosmos hails from Switzerland and like most up and coming bands, got their sound out to the masses by playing live gigs everywhere they were able.  Also like many up and coming bands, internal strife and struggles altered the  band's trajectory and derailed their plans.  Fortunately nothing fatal occurred and Cosmos is back in the prog garden performing and recording.  The current line-up is Olivier Maier on guitars and vocals, Dani Eggenberger on keyboards and vocals, Heiko Garrn on bass, and Tinu Wengi on drums.  

This latest incarnation of Cosmos isn't just picking up where they previously left off--they are reinventing themselves in the art rock/neo prog section of the prog garden.  With a subtle nod to the standard bearers who came before, Cosmos is carving their own niche in the prog garden and taking a fair amount of acreage to do it.  

Moving back to the music with a tune called "When the Bird Flies Down South."  The comparisons to Pink Floyd start to take shape with this cut; the grandiose overtones combined with introspective keyboards really strike a nerve.  Of course the birds in the opening moments seem to be an homage to Yes...Cosmos does pay respect to those who came  before.  This song is emerging as one of my favorites from both albums; hitting the canvas with colors that splay bright and bleed to a faded hue.  The vocals come through with a haunting realness that penetrate your skull and marinate in your subconscious...relax and take it all in.

Next up is "The Wind in Your Sail."  There is something about this song that rings of Dire Straits.  Olivier's guitar work combines with Dani's keyboards in a way that is not just beautiful, it is stunningly so.  Top notes of Gaillion ride through like a clipper ship sailing majestically across the bay; this song must be heard to be fully appreciated.  

You can purchase the band's music at Cosmos and find out more about them at Facebook.  You can also check on the entire stable of artists at Progressive Gears on Twitter @ProgGears and Instagram.

The cut posted here is "Contact" from the "Mindgames" album.  While the reflection of Pink Floyd throughout this song is unmistakable, listen with an open mind (no pun intended) and let this one wash over you a few times.  There is a dark cloud hanging overhead and as the music spills down the guitar hits you first--but as the song continues to fill the headphones you almost feel yourself floating away... 

So fellow progheads, another session winds down.  Cosmos is a great respite from all the stress that follows you through your day.  It's always a pleasant stroll through the prog garden looking for something new; the genre is overflowing with artists and band pushing the boundaries and expanding on what is already here.  

Cosmos takes you on a journey across the entire spectrum of the prog garden, and while they spend a lot of time in the space rock arena, they are far from one dimensional.  Take some time and listen to both of these albums, letting your mind wander as the music fills your head and takes you on a journey across the prog landscape...taking in that awesome view...until next time...

Morse/Portnoy/George "Cov3r to Cov3r"

 Hello again from The Concert Closet fellow progheads.  2020 has proven to be a journey unlike any other, and at times I've wondered how we ended up down this rabbit hole.  But while the world continues the search for a "new normal" I continue the search for all things prog.  This week I go "off grid" just a bit and check out the latest from Neal Morse, Mike Portnoy, and Randy George (MPG), "Cov3r to Cov3r."  

As the album title suggests this is their third installment of cover songs, and coincidentally they have also released the "Cover to Cover Anthology (Vol. 1-3)" at the same time.  This is a 3-CD set with volumes one and two re-sequenced and remastered and includes the newly released volume three.  For the sake of this review I will stick with "Cov3r to Cov3r (Volume 3)."

To me the challenge is listening to a cover of any song on its own merits; not comparing a cover to the original recording is all but impossible.  Sometimes the cover simply blows the original away, much like the Talking Head's version of "Take Me the the River."  Then there's the added level of intrigue when the live cover smokes the studio version of the cover...but let's not go there today...

Rather, let's jump in with no preconceived ideas with "Black Coffee in Bed."  The familiar opening does remind one of Squeeze; the subtle keys and drums with the underlying guitar carry you right down memory lane.  It seems as if MPG is trying to stay true to Difford and Tillbrook's original inspiration for the song where I was looking for more of a unique interpretation,  a la 801 covering "Tomorrow Never Knows."  However; the nostalgic vibe oozing from this song is something to enjoy.  Neal does manage to grab you by the ears with his vocals while Mike and Randy chime in on the backing chorus with an almost paradoxical charm. 

Another cut I found intriguing is "Hymn 43," a Jethro Tull original.  For me this was a difficult song to cover mainly because it is so identifiable...as soon as the intro starts your mind is taken to Ian Anderson belting out those vocals, wrapped ever so tightly around some masterful drums and keys.  However; on this song MPG really shines--this is the kind of rebuild I look for in a cover.  Yeah, you recognize the song right away--that is the point after all.  But when a band "carves their initials" into it much like the bark of a mighty oak, you know you've found a real gem.  Everybody pours their all into this production; Neal's vocals are blood raw, Mike gives ounce of energy he has to the drumming, and Randy takes the keyboards to another level.  

Liner Notes...as spelled out in their name, MPG is Neal Morse on vocals, keyboards, and guitars, Mike Portnoy on drums and vocals, and Randy George on bass and keyboards.  Having made names for themselves elsewhere in the prog garden, this seemed like a logical place for the guys to expand their horizons as it were and play music that one would not expect from them; just stuff they enjoy.  A great way to let fans and loyal followers know where their influences came from and what kind of music they enjoy listening to when not making their own.

I for one like to "get inside the mind" of a musician or peak behind the curtain on a band and find out what inspires them and/or discover their interpretation of what they listen to, another reason I enjoy covers. I remember feeling quite surprised to find out Chris Squire of Yes was a fan of The Fifth Dimension, a pop group my mother was absolutely in love with in the 70s. 

Back on track here, another impressive cover from this album is "Baker Street," originally recorded by Gerry Rafferty.  The tempo is a bit more upbeat and the song rocks a little heavier.  Mike's drums are more prominent on this version and the sax solo--the heart and soul of the original version--is handled quite nicely.  Neal goes all out on guitar as well; turning a song that wasn't high on his list of  preferred covers into one of the better songs on the album.  

You can purchase any or all of the "Cover to Cover" albums at insideoutmusic.  All three artists have Facebook and Twitter pages if you have the urge to "fan stalk" them as well.

My last takeaway on the album is "One More Red Nightmare."  You knew I was going there eventually, right?  I have heard this song covered by several bands, most of which consist of members with a first degree connection to Robert Fripp.  The more distanced association here made the song all the more intriguing to me, and I came away impressed.  The sax was on a par with Mel Collins and Neal drove the guitar right through your brain like a railroad spike driven by John Henry himself.  

Below, a clip to put you in the mood; "It Don't Come Easy."  This one helps remind you that prog artists have many facets to their personality and music preferences.  This was a great pop song when it first hit the airwaves and MPG grabbed that vibe by the shoulders, shook it a few times, then pumped it up a notch.  

There you have it fellow progheads, a little bit of fun as The Concert Closet takes a side street and explores the artists behind the prog curtain more than the music played in front of it.  Knowing where musicians get their inspiration or simply finding out what they like to listen to can shed a bit of light on who they are when no one is looking, and why they do what they do they way they do...  

Back to the search for all things prog now, as the journey delves deeper into the prog garden nd discovers more of the good things to be had in 2020...until next time...

The Tangent "Auto Reconnaissance"

 Welcome as always fellow progheads to the Closet Concert Arena.  Autumn is starting her parade of color here in these parts, which may have influenced my thought process when it came to review time.  I settled in with The Tangent this week, a colorful prog band if there ever was one.  Band leader Andy Tillison has never been one to shy away from the spotlight, nor has he been known to desire all the attention in the room.  He does, however present himself and his music in such a way as to demand it be taken on his terms.  

The Tangent is prog music for today; insightful, well written, well performed, and unafraid of what the critics have to say.  For me the music is shrewd, energizing, relevant, exciting, and perhaps a bit humorous.  But enough banter, on to the music...

The opening number is called "Life On Hold."  Instant energy races through the headphones; I am reminded of the opening of a Yes concert in their heyday.  The upbeat tempo is a welcome burst of intensity--but I expect nothing less from Andy.  The keyboards are the focus on this cut along with the vocals; The Tangent has transitioned perfectly from their previous album to this latest adventure.

Next song to be hit by the laser is "The Midas Touch."  A more somber opening is short-lived as the tempo once again builds on its own energy.  The canvas is splayed with bright hues that, while not blinding, do reflect that "Midas Touch."  Top notes of Camel rise to the surface and perhaps a hint of Marillion, but The Tangent are definitely in a section of the prog garden all their own.  This is a perfect song for the current state we're all in; there is a silver lining to the cloud hanging over the planet.  

Liner Notes...Originating in Pately Bridge, North Yorkshire, UK, The Tangent are Andy Tillison on vocals and keyboards as well as the lyricist and composer for the band, Luke Machin on guitar, Jonas Reingold on bass, Theo Travis on sax and flute, and Steve Roberts on drums.   

The Tangent have filled the prog garden with their prog stylings on 17 albums over the course of nearly two decades.  They enjoy a very loyal fanbase and have earned a reputation--deservedly so--as a band unafraid to take on society and everything that entails while not not getting bogged down in the drudgery.  With influences ranging from ELP to Return to Forever, this latest album is just one more unique offering from a band that refuses to be pigeon-holed or hog-tied to someone else's definition of what prog should be.  The refreshingness is so damn invigorating...

Learn  more about The Tangent and purchase their music at thetangent and insideoutmusic.  You can follow the band on facebook and Twitter @thetangentmusic

I played the next song, "Jinxed in Jersey" several times simply because it's as smooth as a pair of silk pajamas.  If you were looking for The Tangent's jazz fusion connection you just found it.  Andy tells a story with a clever, somewhat wry sense of humor.  The keyboards cruise through like a speed boat across a serene lake; this song is AOR with a zest of lime.  

The cut below was chosen as an example of the wide range of acreage The Tangent occupies in the prog garden.  "The Tower of Babel" is a nod to the excess of excess; the blind spot people have when it come to have vs. need.  When Andy sings "you can treat me like piece of dirt...you can screw the system up, you know what to do, before the system screws you" he is just telling it like it is--although no one really wants to be on the receiving end of a jab like that.  Andy can be as stinging as Warren Zevon and as eloquent as Dave Cousins with his lyrics...with a voice as soothing as Van Morrison on both counts.

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    Once again fellow progheads we find ourselves at the end of another chapter here in the Concert Closet.  The Tangent and bands like them are just what the prog garden needs right now; pertinent, on the cutting edge, not afraid to speak their minds.  Andy put it best when he said, "I utterly refuse to accept that progressive rock music is some kind of museum piece.  It is actually a living and breathing movement that has a past, a present, and above all, a future..."  

This is what keeps me coming back to the prog garden every day--the desire by a band and/or artist who wants to be heard on their own terms and not forced to meet someone else's definition of what it is they do.  Don't get me wrong; the glory days of King Crimson, Yes, Pink Floyd, Gentle Giant, Genesis, 

et al. are worthy of all the praise heaped on them.  But the prog world did not end--much to the chagrin of thousands--in 1975.  It continues today and thankfully has evolved.  Which, by definition, it was supposed to do.

So the search for all things prog continues on as the journey has no end...until next time...

Alcantara "Solitaire"

 Hello again fellow progheads and welcome back to The Closet Concert Arena.  Summer 2020 is beginning her swan song as Autumn starts to appear on the horizon; the nights are longer and cooler, the  humidity has retreated behind cool summer breezes, and the sun is no longer a blazing beacon burning a hole through your entire body.

This change of mood led me to some introspection which in turn led me to the Progressive Gears Records stable of artists.  Consequently, the Concert Closet traveled to Sicily to host Alcantara, who recently released their debut album "Solitaire."  Haven't been to Italy in way too long so I am excited to get started...

The album opens with "After the Flood" and immediately the headphones are filled with a gentle and soothing balm, perfect for the mind.  Soft guitar is entwined with delicate vocals drawing you inward toward a dim light illuminating the darkness where memories reside.  Good?  Bad?  That depends on the perspective of the listener, no?                              

Next up is "Bad Bones," another dark song dancing enticingly on the edge of macabre.  The sultry guitar gives way to solid percussion as vocals permeate the headphones with a gentle tone...and every now and then they pierce with the unobtrusive force of a scalpel.  The top notes vary in intensity throughout this song; ranging from Big Big Train to Seconds Before Landing to Pink Floyd.  

Liner Notes...As I mentioned previously, Alcantara hails from Sicily and is comprised of Francesco Venti on lead guitar and keyboards, Salvo DiMauro on guitar, Sebastiano Pisasale on bass, Sergio Manfredi on vocals and lyrics, and Alessio Basile on drums.  Other musicians participated in the recording of this album; Gionata Colaprisca, Andrea Quarolli, Saro Figurra, and Alessio Bano each contributed to different tracks.

A debut concept album, while almost the norm in the prog garden today, rarely hits a nerve so succinctly as "Solitaire" does.  Alcantara peeled the band-aid off a wound that has  everyone talking and many taking action; the decline of societal and political classes.  People are tired of being left out of the conversation while at the same time being used for the political and financial gain of others.  Alcantara gives voice to that argument, urging the masses to resist and make change.

Moving down the playlist, the third song here is aptly titled "The Resistance."  The song opens with the Lawrence Ferlinghetti poem "Pity the Nation" spoken over a steady bass line and the dark, quiet hum of the keyboard...Sergio then pierces the veil with softly sung lyrics that penetrate the soul.  Alcantara    uses prose written decades ago beautifully to speak to society's ills today; lessons yet unlearned...

Learn more about the band at Progressivegears and purchase the album at bandcamp. You can follow Alcantara on Facebook, instagram, and Twitter @bandalcantara. 

For a few reasons I believe the clip below is very apropos for your listening pleasure this week.  First off, it is in line withe the mission Alcantara is on.  The "I Can't Breathe" sessions include three live versions of songs from the "Solitaire" album; "Logan," "Bad Bones," and "After the Flood."  The band also participated in the Wellbeing Festival on Great Music Stories.  

While the Concert Closet is a gateway to the prog garden and the prog garden is a peaceful place where one can simply enjoy great prog, the theme of the "Solitaire" album and the events related to the recording of the "I Can't Breathe" EP deserve mention.  Music has always been a vital part of societal change and the prog garden is fertile ground for a positive revolution.  That the music is pretty darn good only helps the cause...

So fellow progheads, we come to the end of another music filled week.  The prog rock genre is filled with many bands and artists that view the world through a different lens and use that vantage point to tell their story.  That is something I believe we can all appreciate today.

Alcantara come straight at you with a definite purpose, yet they do so without making you feel like you need to defend yourself.  Their music is hard-hitting without being obtrusive noise; they demand your attention and make their point without sidetracking the issue.  Yes they call for resistance and denounce the polarized state of the world, even calling for people not to follow like sheep--but they do it without using violence as the go-to option. 

 So the search for all things prog continues.  The journey thus far has criss-crossed the planet with no end in sight...and that is fine with me.  Until next time...

Lonely Robot "Feelings Are Good"

Socially distanced greetings fellow progheads!  Continuing the search for all things prog despite a global pandemic has proven to be entertaining, educational, fun, and exciting.  I can accept being forced to stay home as long as I don't have to "stay home," and traveling the prog garden allows me to do just that.

This week we check in on the latest from Lonely Robot; "Feeling Are Good."  The album was released in July, the fourth in the Lonely Robot catalog.  After completing the "Astronaut Trilogy," John took a different trajectory with his latest work. So let's travel the tangent road and listen to what awaits the eager ears...

The title cut opens the album much like a futuristic appeal to the senses, a la The Alan Parsons Project from the "I Robot" days.  Switch gears as we flow seamlessly to "Into the Lo-Fi" and the tempo picks up immediately.  This is a high energy band much like Mile Marker Zero  and  The Tangent.  John Mitchell  continues to pump energy through the headphones and send it pulsing through your veins.  

Next up is "Army of One."  Off on a different tack, this song starts with a quick shot of adrenaline that tamps itself down...only to thrust itself right back at you.   Lonely Robot pelts you with feelings from every direction here; a man going to war with himself.  Fighting an inner battle so many are familiar with yet a subject so often ignored or misunderstood...but feelings are good--right?

This song marches into "Grief is the Price of Love" so smoothly you almost fall into an abyss you never realized was there.  The gentle vocals pull the heart strings with an acoustic guitar accompaniment that is as elegant as it is somber.  So many emotions....

Liner Notes...Lonely Robot is the solo outlet for John Mitchell.  As a member of Kino, Frost*, It Bites, and Arena, John has managed to keep himself occupied.  Lonely Robot is the outlet John uses to release his inner spirit.  The music is ornate, delicate, bold, introspective, and at times in-your-face.  Yes, feelings are good...

Along with writing, recording producing, and mixing the album, John plays guitar, bass, and keyboards as well as laying down the vocal tracks.  He did, however, have Craig Blundell behind the drum kit.  

Learn more about John Mitchell and Lonely Robot and purchase the music at johnmitchell and 

insideoutmusic.  You will also find them on facebook and Twitter @LordConnaught.

Another song from the playlist this week, "Keeping People as Pets" continues the trajectory into the emotional stratosphere this album has taken.  The tempo runs high as John hits you with lyrics that crawl inside your head and sprawl out, making you ponder reality.  One of the many things I like about Lonely Robot is every album is a concept unto itself and every song within that concept pulls on a thread and doesn't stop until it unravels the world you (previously) found comfort in.  

There are times Lonely Robot comes off as loud and full throttle as Liquid Tension Experiment, and other times when the music is gentle and introspective as Tears For Fears.  John delves into a lot on this album...his songs peeling back the layers as you take a journey through the mind.  His lyrics have always been a strong suit; John paints a vivid picture with his words.

The ear candy to hook you this week is called "Spiders."  The deliberate, slow, steady piano that opens the song accompanies lyrics that are themselves slow, dark, and calculated.  Is that fear you sense or simply trepidation about what is behind the curtain separating you from the unknown?  Feelings are good, yes--but they have a way of clouding the senses, don't they?  The top  notes of Frost* aren't coincidental; the influence crashes through here...

  

Place the headphones on...relax, reflect, repeat...

I hope this one struck a chord with you fellow progheads; Lonely Robot has shown indeed that "Feelings Are Good."  John is able to do with lyrics what Robert Fripp is able to do with his guitar...perhaps they should join forces on an album in the future?   For now I'm content with Lonely Robot finding new axes to grind and different lenses through which to view the landscape.

Let the search for all things prog carry on; until next time...

Electric Mud "Quiet Days on Earth"

Hello and welcome to the Concert Closet fellow progheads!  We are now officially winding down the "dog days of summer" as the prog garden continues to reap a mighty harvest.  This month I venture back to Germany for a visit with a band I discovered a few years ago.  It has been very enjoyable to listen to Electric Mud and experience first-hand how their sound has grown, expanded, and matured.

Germany isn't exactly known as a "prog hotspot" the way other countries are perhaps, but it is home to some excellent music and artists nonetheless.  Electric Mud is such a band so I am excited to listen in on their latest release "Quiet Days on Earth."  Their music has ventured all over the prog garden on their previous albums; hard-hitting blues, avant-garde jam sessions, dark post rock, and jazz fusion to stir your memory.  So my curiosity is piqued; what surprises are in store this time around?

First song queued up is "Adventures in a Liquid World."  The song opens as gentle as a stone skimming across a lake; the serenity of the scene broken by the quiet interruption of a guitar rippling through the headphones.  There are genuine top notes of the Discipline-era King Crimson bantering across this piece; the ambient tranquility is beautiful.  The canvas is streaked with soft hues meant to calm the listener.  The tempo changes are striking mainly because the mood continues to caress your inner being. 

The next song to ebb through the headphones is "Eyes Watching Skies."  The keyboards that open the piece immediately take me to an Alan Parsons Project-like concept...something along the lines of a macabre dance to the story's epilogue .  However; the mood changes quickly yet subtly and you feel yourself floating in space--indeed watching the sky change from that gentle crystal blue to a mild gray to a darkness lit by the stars.  So much happening in less than four minutes.  The drums are surrounded on all sides by keyboards that at first seem to channel Keith Emerson in that moment before he slays the organ, fading smoothly into Jordan Rudess caught in one of his deeper moments of poignant thought...

Liner Notes...the mind behind the conceptual sounds belongs to one Hagen Bretschneider who also plays bass.  He is joined by Nico Walser who performs all other instruments, is co-composer, and engineers the album.  Guitar riffs on the album are performed by Lennart Hueper.

This latest release from Electric Mud is ambient music meets 70's prog meets post-progressive music.  Think Brian Eno working with Tangerine Dream   with hints of Talking Heads on their "Remain In Light" tour edging on the perimeter.  Hagen and Nico have created a sound and accompanied it with striking visuals; the canvas runs vividly with many hues.  Emotion is brought to life a la Abstract Aprils, albeit with a bit more flair.

Learn more about Electric Mud, check out their entire catalog, and make a purchase at their website
ElectricMud and bandcamp.  You can follow the band on Facebook and Twitter @Electricmudd.

One more song to captivate your senses;  "The Loneliness of the Somnambulist."  There is an odd, almost foreboding mood flowing through the headphones on this cut.  Electric Mud captures your attention by painting vivid pictures with every color of the spectrum; the dark hues are tinged with the exuberant colors of daylight dancing on the horizon.  In much the way Robert Fripp and Eno, Moebius, and Roedelius brought music to life without using words, so to Electric Mud has tapped that vein.

I chose "Wading Through the Waters of Time" as your aural teaser this week because it puts on full display all the genius behind the curtain.  Hagen and Nico have crossed into yet another section of the prog garden with this album.  Electric Mud doesn't reinvent itself every time out per se, but they are very good at stretching the boundaries and expanding their soundscape...please to enjoy...


                      

I hope you enjoyed the music this week fellow progheads.  Electric Mud comes at you with visuals as well as sounds; images to translate the music and allow you to focus and submerge yourself...forgetting the world around you even if it's just for a little while.  Prog rock in this section of the prog garden is nothing short of an out-of-body experience...

Now the search for all things prog starts out on a new journey...until next time...

Caligula's Horse "Rise Radiant"

Hello again fellow progheads!  The Closet Concert Arena continues its journey through the prog garden with a stop in Australia this week.  A band I visited a while ago and have had on my radar ever since, Caligula's Horse, recently released "Rise Radiant," the fifth album in their catalog and third on the Inside Out Music label.  I enjoy catching up with bands that have expanded their acreage in the prog garden, so let the journey begin...

"The Tempest" opens things up with a quick energy shot; the needle approaches red as soon as the curtain is lifted.   Heavy guitar wraps itself around the lining of your skull as drums work like bumpers, allowing the keyboards to bounce around the perimeter and all the while the guitar holds everything in its grasp.  There are top notes of Dream Theater and Spock's Beard running through the music; the high energy and color explosions that hit the canvas keep the adrenaline going...

Next up is "Autumn."  With this song you can (almost) forget everything I just said about Caligula's Horse blowing the doors off the barn--this song is the newborn colt stumbling to stand on matchstick legs while mom watches, ready to break the fall.  There are subtle top notes of Steely Dan and I am reminded of Fire on Dawson as well.  The soft overtones of this song complement the band's ability to roam the entire prog garden  expanding their sound and pushing the envelope.  The vocals are rough silk; smooth with a deceptively frayed edge.

Liner Notes...calling Brisbane, Australia home, Caligula's Horse is Jim Grey on vocals, Sam Vallen on lead guitar, Adrian Goleby on guitar, Dale Prinsse on bass, and Josh Griffin on drums.  With four albums on their resume prior to the release of "Rise Radiant," Caligula's Horse has established themselves firmly within the contemporary metal section of the prog garden.

This album explores the human experience--no blinders here; nothing one dimensional or limiting the view.  And much like the human experience, "Rise Radiant" strikes deep, skims the surface, explodes across the canvas with a boldness that can be blinding, and then looks through an introspective lens that is reticent and reserved.  Yes, Caligula's Horse has been busy traversing the prog garden gaining valuable insight.

Learn  more about Caligula's Horse at Facebook  and purchase the album at Inside Out.  You can also follow them on Twitter @CaligulasHorse and Instagram caligulashorse.

Finally this week I piped "Dream the Dead" through my headphones.  The immediate head rush came full tilt; Caligula's Horse is very adept at thumping the perimeter of your skull to prepare you for the music onslaught that is about to invade the premises.  But this song goes one better; it leads you on a journey through darkness punctuated with bright strobe lights your mind races to follow.

Top notes of Opeth run rampant across the canvas until the song takes a reflective tangent and hooks you with a touch of The Mute Gods.  The drums and guitar are ornate while the music as a whole rides the mood elevator up and down your spine...a most invigorating feeling...

For your ear candy this week I chose "Slow Violence."  The song comes at you like the title suggests; slow and deliberate with the intention of leaving you changed for the experience.  There are faint top notes of Transatlantic flowing through this piece, as if the urge to break out and let loose is pulsating in Sam's temple.  The restraint does the song justice as Jim picks up the vibe and carries it through strong vocals.  I am reminded of Between the Buried and Me musically; the unity is evident and everyone builds off the others' energy.

Start the day with a bit of high velocity...

                    

And that, fellow progheads, puts one more week of the dystopian world of 2020 in the record books.  Seems the best, and possibly safest, place to spend time these days is in the prog garden.  Luckily there is quite a bountiful harvest just waiting for you.  So enjoy Caligula's Horse and sit back and enjoy the rest of the journey.  The search for all things prog continues...until next time...

Apostle "Sky Above Me"

Greetings fellow progheads!  Welcome as always to the Concert Closet.   This week the search for all things prog turns up the heat as we venture across the pond for a visit with our friends at Progressive Gears Records.  One of the bands in the Progressive stable, Apostle, recently released their "debut" EP, "Sky Above Me."  PGR has a lot of stellar bands in their stable so let's check out what I hope will be another fine performance...

The album opens with a song called "Reaper" and the imagery the music evokes is quite fitting.  The guitars sit heavy on top while keyboards move in and out, beefy at times before then letting up...and the chase is on.  The song puts hands around your throat but doesn't give that fatal squeeze--although there are finger marks from the tight grip.  Top notes of Marillion are scattered throughout as the canvas fills with bright primal colors outlined in darkness...

Next song to be hit by laser is "Last Goodbye."  an unexpectedly poignant piano gently pulls back the curtain on gentle lyrics.  A son paying tribute to his mother is usually a heartfelt moment and Apostle drives the point home with guitar that hits hard at just the right moments.  An unexpected flash of vulnerability from a band that seems to prefer the more boisterous section of the prog garden...

Liner Notes...Apostle hails from Yorkshire, England and the current line-up is comprised of Ryan Hanson on vocals, Chris Allen on keyboards, Richard Lidster on guitar, Shaun Ellis on bass, and Marcus Murray on drums.  Starting out as Apostles of Chaos, the band took a brief hiatus in 2019 to determine the next steps in their journey.

Drawing from classic rock, prog, metal, and other genres under the rock 'n' roll umbrella, Apostle adopted their new name and dove headlong into the growth and inner reflection needed to distinguish and claim their own identity. With this release Apostle makes an absolute statement about who they are and justify the battle to claim their own acreage in the prog  garden.

Learn more about Apostle and purchase their music at their website Apostle and the home of their label PGR.  You can also find them at bandcamp and on facebook.  For those so inclined, you can follow the band on Twitter @AOC_Bandpage_UK.

My final play for review this week is "The Fire Within."  The tempo is turned up on this cut as the guys feed off each other's energy.  Hints of Deep Purple and a dash of Magnum flow through the headphones as the canvas runs with colors bright; painted with heavy strokes.

The song I bring to you as a taster from this EP buffet is "Reaper;" to whet your appetite and prepare you for a full serving from the band.  Apostle taps their inner hard rock DNA and fills your head with wild imagery and an ominous darkness that is pierced straight through with a bright light--just when you think the fateful blow is about to strike...

                   

So fellow progheads, a little high energy metal from the prog garden this week to get your adrenaline going.  However; Apostle hasn't painted themselves into a corner by being "just" a metal band; they have other arrows in their quiver.  Deep lyrics, heavy guitar, gentle piano, hard hitting drums...and
all of it comes together nicely on this five song EP.

The search for all thing prog forges onward as the journey continues...until next time...

Hats Off Gentlemen It's Adequate "Nostalgia for Infinity"

Welcome back once again fellow progheads!  Summer is heating up and the prog garden is overflowing with great music.  This week should prove to be quite the adventure as I return once again to a band that has become one of my favorite newer entries to the prog garden.  I have been a fan of Hats Off Gentlemen It's Adequate since I first discovered them in 2016.  Led by Malcolm Galloway, Hats Off Gentlemen have been reinventing themselves with every release...so let's find out who they are now...

The album opens with "Century Rain."  As expected with Hats Off Gentlemen, the first sounds to permeate the headphones are understated yet extremely captivating.  The song melts over your ears like icing on a warm danish, running through your auditory canals and filling your being with a sense of ease.  Hats Off Gentlemen has mastered the fine art of squeezing the most from the least; there is so  much going on in this tune with only three people contributing to the final product.  The flute is mesmerizing as it floats over the the entire piece...

Perusing the playlist I discover a song with a most intriguing name; "Nanobotomas."  Malcolm follows in the footsteps of Alan Parsons with his ability to construct a concept album.  The theme here is the delicate structure of civilization viewed through several different lenses.  Here we are struck by the imagery of the human body being overtaken by nanobots...self destruction from within.  Top notes of Porcupine Tree and the ominous moods of Pink Floyd skitter through this song.  Let this one play on a loop a few times while you sink into it...or perhaps it is sinking into you...

Liner Notes...Hats Off Gentlemen It's Adequate remains as always Malcolm Galloway on vocals and Mark Gatland on bass and Chapman stick.  Both play guitars, keyboards, and synthesizers, and  Kathryn Thomas plays flute and contributes vocals.

I have listened to this band from the beginning; their growth--both musically and lyrically--is impressive and refreshing.  There are few bands that bring so much to every song using so little--and that is an underappreciated accomplishment.  Each note, lyric, sound, and even silence is deliberate and thought out.  Hats Off Gentlemen give Steely Dan a run for their money in this regard...even the album artwork is stunning and thought-provoking...

You can learn more about Hats Off Gentlemen at their website HatsOffGentlemen and bandcamp.
There is also Twitter  @itsadequate to learn the latest and keep up with the band's goings on.

Finally this week I listened to the title cut, "Nostalgia for Infinity."  The soft guitar opening streams gently through the headphones, setting the listener up for a journey across the prog garden as smooth and dreamy as it is surreal and introspective.  Kathryn's flute is hypnotic and rides across the top of the song like a siren, calling you deeper into a dream.  Malcolm breaks through the veil with strong lyrics reinforced with steady percussion and guitar work.  Once again Hat Off Gentlemen approaches the prog garden from a different vantage point, much the way Brian Eno was so adept at doing in his early influential years...

In the spirit of social distancing, my listening choice this week is a lock down version of "Century Rain."  The bass line really shines through here, and of course Kathryn's flute mastery is simply beautiful.  I'm not surprised Hats Off Gentlemen posted a "pandemic" version of this song; they have been extremely involved in so many social issues since their inception.  Sit six feet away from your neighbor and enjoy...


                    

So fellow progheads another week falls though the hourglass.  Hats Off Gentlemen It's Adequate took us on a very insightful journey across the prog garden this week.  Their music is inspiring, thought-provoking, introspective, and a pleasure to listen to.  Delving into a concept leaving no stone unturned and no vantage point unobserved, the music  engulfs your mind, body, and spirit...and that is why the prog garden is so rich.

Yet travel on I must as the search for all things prog continues...until next time...

Silas & Saski "Power of Three"

       Hello again fellow progheads!  The Closet Concert Arena is jam packed and excited to bring you more of what the prog garden has been cultivating, so let's get started.  Lots of great music has graced these pages over time and that trend continues.  This week the search for all things prog went back to the well with new friend Silas Neptune who just released a duet with Saskia Maxwell.  Time to  venture into the prog garden and settle in with Silas & Saski and their latest, "Power of Three."

I open with the lead-in song "Magic of Words."  The curtain rises on a celestial atmosphere; almost immediately you can sense yourself being transported to another world.  The imagery is bold and vibrant, the canvas dancing with striking colors.  Listening to this piece I am reminded of what drew me to Silas' music in the first place--serenity wrapped in so much energy and passion.  It isn't often that a song will excite your senses and soothe your inner being at the same time.  

Next up, "In Reverse."  This song opens as if you're watching a movie about the universe, creation, and the wonder of it all.  The vocals wrap themselves around you like a silk scarf, gentle and caressing.  To say Silas & Saski are transcendental is almost cheating--it's too easy and simplistic.  There are so many more layers to their music and while it's soothing, it's also highly imaginative.  I get a sense of Brian Eno and Can  woven gently into the mood here; so much going on yet your senses are keen to every sound floating through the headphones.   

Liner Notes...as I stated earlier, Silas Neptune and Saskia Maxwell are the "mystics behind the curtain."  In addition to playing synthesizers, lead guitar, and bass guitar on this album, Silas is also the keyboard master for Ozric Tentacles.  Saskia performs lead vocals and acoustic guitar here and is also quite an accomplished dancer.  Ed Ozric, Tom Brooks, and Paul Hankin round out the guest musicians on the album.  

Learn more about Silas & Saski at Silas&Saski and Facebook.  Music can be purchased at their bandcamp site.  You can also follow along on Twitter @silasandsaski.  

Finally, I bring you the title cut, "Power of Three."  Listening to this album is a combination of time travel back to a calmer, more serene era on the planet and a transcendental music-scape; think Robert Fripp having an improv jam with Ravi Shankar.  Saski comes through again with lyrics as soothing as aloe on a sunburned shoulder while Silas continues the musical magic on his carpet ride across the universe, opening your soul and your mind.  This is an album perfect for those times when you just want to relax body and spirit.  

      

There are definite top notes of Adrian Belew's "anything's possible" attitude coming through all three songs.  Combined with soundscape aromatics of Robert Fripp, the creativity of Frank Zappa, and the ornate stylings of Pandora, this is definitely music to pacify your aura.  

The ear candy this week is "Magic of Words."  The calm that washes over you as the song opens will guide you through the entire EP.  Let Saski's soothing voice sweep you across the prog garden as gentle and free as an eagle soaring across the wide open sky.  One of the pleasures of Silas & Saski is their ability to make you forget the madness and mayhem of the moment and allow you to fall into that gentle abyss of mystery and imagination...

                

So fellow progheads I hope you enjoyed this week's interlude.  Silas & Saski will take you to the transcendental side of the prog garden and expand your musical boundaries, much like the Beatles did with Ravi Shankar in the 60's.  Every now and then a mind cleanse can be a very good thing... 

So the search for all things prog continues...the prog garden is flush with new music and the Closet Concert Arena is the perfect forum for presenting it all to you.  I hope you enjoy the journey as much as I do...until next week...

Pattern-Seeking Animals "Prehensile Tales"

Hello once again fellow progheads and welcome back to the Concert Closet!  I trust you are all staying safe and practicing whatever form of social distancing keeps you COVID-19 free and sane all at the same time.  This week the search for all things prog stops in with Pattern-Seeking Animals 
to check out their second album "Prehensile Tales," recently released on Inside Out Music.

Under the headphones straightaway for an infusion of "Raining Hard in Heaven."  This song opens with a bass riff as smooth as meringue on Baked Alaska and just as rich; vocals come over the top while keyboards make their way into your consciousness.  The top notes veer farther from the band's Spock's Beard roots than their debut release; planting their own stake in the ground it seems.  I detect aromatics of The Strawbs and a touch of Camel in the air.  The keyboards seem to enjoy teasing your senses...this should be quite the refreshing week.

Next up is "Why Don't We Run."  The curtain rises and the listener is swept into a whirlwind of  ardor as the song leaps across origins, backgrounds, and emotions...you feel pulled back from one reality only to find yourself falling into another.  The music tastes of western, Asian, and flamenco roots; as if
Pattern-Seeking Animals jetted  across the prog garden in search of essential parts necessary to create a greater whole.  The top notes here, as with most of the album, are difficult to pin down.  There are the obvious whiffs of Spock's Beard, but Pattern-Seeking Animals are cutting themselves free of the umbilical cord as it were with this second release.

Liner Notes...John Boegehold, Ted Leonard, Dave Meros, and Jimmy Keegan returned to the studio for the band's second album.  However, they expanded their sound with the addition of violin, cello, flute, trumpet, saxophone, and pedal steel guitar. The band has really come together on this album and sound as though they've been playing together for years.  As with their debut release, everybody takes and shares the spotlight; neither the stage nor the recording studio is overcrowded with egos...which makes for a fantastic listening experience.

Last song in the queue this week is "Soon But Not Today."  The violins are breaking through on this one; the song opens as if darkness is giving way to a new dawn, a new day...a new hope.  The tempo picks up and the music takes you on an adventure similar to the one Alice took through the looking glass...nothing is as it seems and everything is yours for the taking.  The canvas is splattered with bright hues in no particular sequence or pattern accompanied by streaks of grey that bolster the entire trip.  Pattern-Seeking Animals cross many sections of the prog garden as they continue to forge their own unique identity.

Learn more about the band at their website PSA as well as facebook and Twitter @psanimals1.  Links to buy both of their albums are on the website.

The listening teaser this week is "Elegant Vampires."  The upbeat tempo is somewhat surprising but very much welcome.  Pattern-Seeking Animals land somewhere between U.K. and 10cc with this song.  Stretch out in the Concert Closet and enjoy...   


                    

And thus fellow progheads another week roaming the prog garden is in the rear view mirror.
Pattern-Seeking Animals has brought their own sound and style to the forefront with this album.  The music gets under your skin and inside your head, taking up full residency in your entire being.  Might as well go with the flow and ride it out; expanding your prog boundaries is never a bad thing.

Now off to the next adventure in the search for all things prog.  The journey continues; there is so much more to discover...until next time...

Black Cat 6 "Scratching My Itch"

Socially distanced greetings fellow progheads!  As the worldwide pandemic continues and nations stay (at least partially) closed, The Closet Concert Arena continues to safely search out prog bands for your listening pleasure.

This week the journey brings me back to some familiar faces in new places as I check in with
Black Cat 6 and their debut release "Scratching My Itch."  This album was released on Halloween 2019; thinking it was time for some fun here in the Concert Closet I dug right in...

First cut to get the laser drop is "You're a Liar."  The song jumps in your face right out of the gate.  Hard driving guitar with some very solid drum work gets your adrenaline pumping...this should be an exciting week...

Top notes of Spock's Beard and Dreadnaught run rampant through the headphones and kick at your skull from all sides.  This is a band that enjoys playing and performing; you can feel the energy...as striking as a tornado funnel cloud breaking the horizon.

Next up is "Lose Your Way," another cut with a rough edge, but with the corners rounded just a bit.  A prog band that takes the eternal jam session approach to playing; you can almost hear additional performers joining the line-up as the music plays on.  Black Cat 6 has found a portal to the classic prog era of the 70's and they are squeezing all the life they can from it.  This song has a funk about it that reminds me of Joe Walsh in his James Gang days, but with a stronger ensemble.  The drum here lay a solid foundation and the guitar work leaps all over the room.

Liner Notes...like other bands Neil Citron is involved with, the focus is on the music and not so much the behind-the-scenes stuff.  Their home is the USA and they play like you would expect a hard hitting prog band from America to play--straight at you with no warning.  Somehow I don't think the name of the band or the  album was pulled randomly from a hat...

The band is a trio consisting of the aforementioned Neil Citron on guitar, keyboards, and vocals, Luke Fattore on drums, and Jon Pomplin on bass.  If you pick up top notes of BangTower you are quite astute; although Neil is the only member of both bands, the hard charging energy from both bands is unmistakable.

Neil is a Grammy winner, Luke an in-demand session drummer and producer, and Jon started Declassified Records, the label on which this album was recorded.  Individually accomplished, collectively occupying territory in the high energy section of the prog garden...


Last serving of the night is "Saying It Out Loud."  More of a ballad feel than the other songs I've listened to thus far, there is a sense of Seconds Before Landing in the air the way emotions drip from every note.  Don't be fooled though--the guitar still has that sting to it and the air is heavy with a brooding ardor...the canvas strokes are dark and heavy; Black Cat 6 can be quite the mood elevator...

This week I chose for your listening interlude "Black Cat," mainly for its heavy opening.  This one comes at you in a deceptive, creep-up-on-you kind of way; there are top notes of Cream shooting through the headphones. Everything about this song is heavy...it might not be metal but it sure as hell weighs a ton.  Black Cat 6 is another arena for Neil to just let loose, and Jon and Luke seem all in on the adventure.  This is a band for those who have been around the prog garden a few times and remember the fun they had taking that first journey.  Pour something with some weight behind it and sit back...




You can connect with the band and purchase their album on their website Blackcat6 and Bandcamp.
They also have Facebook and Twitter @BlackCat6band.  You've got time, stat awhile...


                  

So my fellow progheads, I hope Black Cat 6 made your quarantine a little more enjoyable and a lot more tolerable.  One of the things I enjoy about spending time in the prog garden is how big the umbrella is and how diverse the music is when traveling the different side roads in the genre.  Black Cat 6 isn't a throwback so much as a reflection of the past cast upon the future.  The music may be heavy and even dark at times, but the sun shines brightly on their section of the prog garden.

And once again the search for all things prog continues...until next week...   

Circuline "Circulive Majestik"

Good evening once again fellow progheads!  Whether you're in quarantine, a forced lock down, or just plain staying at home for the foreseeable future, I hope you are virus-free, safe, and finding musical pleasure in the prog garden.

The search for all things prog continues despite the worldwide pandemic, and since the idea of seeing a live show is all but a fantasy until (at least) Autumn 2021, I thought now the perfect time to bring a "live show" to the Concert Closet.  So regardless as to whether I'm rubbing salt in a fresh wound or making the best of a difficult situation, welcome to the latest release from Circuline; Circulive Majestik."

Another band with a strong female lead vocalist; coincidence?  Perhaps not...
Once again my headphones are on and the first song to pierce my auditory canals is "Who I Am," with a strong keyboard intro that leads into a soft melodic flow that is reminiscent of Yes.  Lead vocals are not only strong they are shared, making for a bit of intrigue I simply cannot avoid...

Opening the show with "Who I Am" starts the journey with an introspective kick.  Right away you are thrust down a rabbit hole of wonder as the piano mesmerizes you.  The guitars and percussion pick up on that energy and push you farther along...and then darkness--save the lone candle burning a hole through the center of the canvas.  Those double lead vocals burst on the scene,  and yes it is extremely captivating.  There are aromatics of Supertramp floating through this cut, right down to the bone-chilling wind that blows through as the mood changes.  A touch of Camel comes through as well, filling the room with all sorts of energy bursts.  A great opening performance...

Next on the playlist is "Summit."  There is somewhat of a Moody Blues feel as the song opens; soft and genteel.  The guitar that leads you deeper into the song is smooth like the satin lining of a suede jacket.  The vocals wrap around that guitar like a scarf on a blustery day.  Top notes are Fairport Convention and Gentle Giant as the music fills the canvas with deep, rich hues.  Circuline has put together an album that reaches across the prog garden to satisfy many affluent tastes.

Liner Notes...Calling New York home, Circuline is a live action definition of what it means to be a band--the contributions of all being necessary to create the whole.  With Natalie Brown and Billy Spillane sharing lead vocal duties, Andrew Colyer on keyboards, Alek Darson on guitars, Matt Dorsey on bass, and Darin Bannon on drums, I am reminded of The Band in the sense that everyone makes multiple contributions to the entirety of the project...and it is an impressive ensemble.

Brought to life in 2014, Circuline is a "Mulligan Stew" of talent; two theatre quality lead vocalists, a keyboard player that attended Julliard, bass and guitar players that channel 70's prog at it finest, and a drummer who connects it all together.  Cinematic symphonic prog meets AOR and blows the roof off--without frivolous distractions.

Get to know Circuline at their website Circulinemusic and purchase their music at Bandcamp.  There is also Facebook and Twitter @CirculineMusic to stay connected and learn the latest the band has to offer.

The final spin this week is "Stay Alive."  The opening path the song leads you down is once again fraught with sounds coming at you from several directions brought together beautifully by Natalie's vocals. Keyboards and drums work together on this piece to underscore the guitar; so majestic throughout.  Circuline channels a bit of The Strawbs here; they truly pay homage to their cinematic/symphonic roots. 

For your listening pleasure I chose "Hollow."  I wanted you to get a taste of what this band is capable of; running the gambit from beautiful piano work to intricate keyboards, slick guitars to solid drums and percussion, and of course the dueling vocal stylings.  As fine tuned a live recording as anything in my current collection.  Sit back and enjoy... 


                     

So fellow progheads, I hope you enjoyed the "live" show from the prog garden this week.  Circuline is a band that connects on so many levels, bringing a sound to the Concert Closet that had me more than once checking the calendar to see if I time traveled back to the prog heydays of the 70's.

Now it's time to look ahead as the search for all things prog continues the journey...until next time...

The Far Meadow "Foreign Land"

Quarantine greetings fellow progheads!  Flattening the curve is certainly easier and more tolerable from inside the Concert Closet, so with mask and gloves at the ready let us foray deep into the prog garden and listen in with The Far Meadow on their latest release, "Foreign Land."

I have always been intrigued by bands--especially prog bands--with a strong female vocalist.  One would think the music lends itself to the sultry musings of a strong female voice, yet there seems to be so few in the genre.  Rather than lament that fact, let's enjoy those that call the prog garden home.  One again, headphones on...

Opening cut is "Travelogue" and as the curtain peels back slowly there are top notes of ELP spilling out.  Keyboards come at you subtly at first, then they explode all over the canvas...just like Keith would do.  The vocals are sandwiched between layers of keyboards and drums--and the lady can certainly hold her own.  The guitar works its way in and the vocals just continue to wind through the entire piece.  The music plays with you;  the symphonic roots The Far Meadow prides themselves on give way to a sultry ballad  at times...and the bass is reminiscent of Tony Levin.  This opening cut offers much; hopefully the band doesn't spend it all in one place...

Fear not--the second song I drop the laser on, "Mud," keeps the energy needle in the red.  The Gothic keyboards and upbeat tempo are strong with aromatics of Dreadnaught and perhaps a touch of Roxy Music to keep it interesting.  The drums are a solid foundation to this cut and everything fits like the proverbial glove.  The music is smooth as a silk necktie and cool as the zoot suit it's paired with...The Far Meadow
demonstrates the ability to make intelligent, well produced music and have fun while doing it.

Liner Notes...hailing from London, The Far Meadow is a quintet with Denis Warren on lead and rhythm guitar, Keith Buckman on bass, Eliot Minn on keyboards, Paul Bringloe on drums and percussion, and the lady behind those piercing vocals is Marguerita Alexandrou.  This is the third album in the band's catalog; the second on Bad Elephant Music.

The Far Meadow released their first album in 2012 and kept an upward trajectory.  With a sound that radiates across the prog garden from Yes to Rush to Gentle Giant, this is a band I would love to see perform live...curse you COVID-19 (and that darn trip across the Atlantic)...

You can learn more about the band at their website thefarmeadow and Facebook.  Feel free to give them a shout out on Twitter  @TheFarMeadow as well.  Of course purchasing the music is always a great way to support the artist, and you can do just that at Bandcamp.

One last selection to settle into; "Foreign Land."  Title cuts are telling to me because they shine a brighter light into the soul of the band.  In this case, I get a sense of crystals set on an antique table with lavender scented candles filling the room with a most soothing aroma.

Marguerita once again caresses you with her smooth vocals...and the tempo picks up a bit.  Not so much that the candles are blown out, but your blood is pulsing with a bit more oomph.  The song settles into a rather surprising groove as everyone lets their energy flow; you can feel it pumping through the headphones.  This is a "sit on the back of the sofa with a favorite beverage and the lights off" kind of moment, so excuse me while I fade to black...


For your own listening pleasure this week I chose "Sulis Rise," a captivating piece of music.  The drums are just enough to keep the entire piece flowing like a silk scarf in a soft breeze, the keyboards cutting through and all the while Marguerita once again crawls inside your head and wraps around your cranium like velvet.  Denis uses his guitar to splay the canvas with an array of color that bleeds from soft hues to bold flashes of brightness.  The Far Meadow takes you on quite the journey with each song...enjoy the ride... 

                  

So my fellow progheads, once again a fun week of hanging in the Concert Closet winds down.  The Far Meadow proved to be a bright light shining across the prog garden.  The music gives off a "feel good" vibe the genre needs needs a shot of every now and then...and who can resist vocals that smooth?

But alas, the search for all things prog continues on its never ending journey...until next time...