Sigur Rós - Valtari (2012)

Sigur Rós - Valtari 180g vinyl edition


  There is just something so unreal about this band......perhaps it's their mystical songwriting or their heavy symphonic landscapes one perhaps their surreal songs....one of my friends described their music as dreams.........dreams....what a great metaphor!

   Valtari is another great album from this Icelandic band who have released a number of great albums over the years and this one is another awesome chapter. I personally think this is right up there with their second album "()". For those who are not familiar with Sigur Ros you will discover a band who have not limits or boundaries

Sigur Rós - Takk (2009)

Sigur Rós - Takk, 2009

  Takk is simply breathtaking music that you must hear! Deeply moving...rich and full.....another masterpiece from this Icelandic band. Like all the Sigur Ros albums this plays pretty much like a movie soundtrack. Musically Sigur Ros blend symphonic rock and epic soundscapes into a tranquil energy building album that you will love.
  This was the first album sung in Icelandic rather than their own made-up "Hopelandic" (not that this listener could tell the difference).  Takk is BIG....WIDE.......JOYOUS....CREATIVE and most of all EMOTIONAL.  
  This is an album you need to SIT and listen to without any interference or disturbance in the force!
  Simple...yet brilliant and beautiful music 

Dead Can Dance - Aion (1990)

Dead Can Dance - Aion SACD, Mobile Fidelity

Aion was the 5th album released from the creative prowess of Brendan Perry and Lisa Gerrard. This album is another deep spiritual exploration into a wonderful fusion of music, tones and emotions. With a nice mix of instrumental and vocalized songs this album takes you on quite a journey. This is the type of album that really defies categorization....some much suggest folk, ambient, world, jazz, psych AOR etc......i put this one under art pop somewhere but really Dead Can Dance are their own classification.
    This SACD sounds amazing and offers a huge and deep soundscape to get lost within. Lisa Gerrard's vocals are haunting yet never overpower the instrumentation which enriches the sound throughout. The percussion is wide too and at times my music room is just a huge wall of sound. The folks at Mobile Fidelity Sound Labs did a fantastic job in translating this to SACD format and offer us a truly enriched album to enjoy. Lots of detail here to absorb with a high degree of speaker separation.
Highly recommended album and even better if you can snag it on SACD !

Genesis - Wind & Wuthering (1977)

 Genesis - Wind & Wuthering (1977)   SACD

In 1977 something happened to Genesis........The album was `Wind and Wuthering`` and the music carried the deep musical progressions of early Genesis with some lighter poppy tendencies which started to creep into their music.  I am a Genesis fan....always have been and always will be and slowly I have been picking up all the Nick Davis SACD Remasters as I find them reasonably priced....as you know there are some lunatics asking way too much for these discs.
If you are not familiar with the post Gabriel era Genesis then I can assure you that Phil Collins does a reasonable job on the vocals in replacement of Peter Gabriel. Musically "Wind and Wuthering" from 1977 was another great album from this band who began on this album to show signs of pop and progressive rock combined. No question that Afterglow is one of the truly great Genesis tracks! ...still give me the shivers when I hear it....

Now how is the SACD transfer you ask ? well....I can assure you that this is an excellent transfer that sounds great. Excellent clarity and nice instrumental depth. Nick Davis is responsible for the 5.1 mix and unlike many of the critics out there I think he did a very good job on these albums. The music is bright and clear and in many ways I feel like I have never heard the album until now !
I also have been able to hear things that I never heard before from my vinyl and 1st edition CD sources.
If you are a fan of Genesis or this album then I recommend you pick it up.......


  

Alan Parsons Project - Eve (1979)

The Alan Parsons Project - Eve (1979) Remaster

  "Eve" was the 4th album by studio wizard and producer Alan Parsons who released a string of fabulous recordings in the 70's.   This was very much an overlooked album and IMHO is one of the finest from these early albums.  "You Wont Be There" is a song that has been with me for a lifetime and will be there till the day I die.   The album's concept deals with the female's overpowering effect on men (hmmmmm) and is aptly titled considering the beginning of the whole Adam and Eve dynamic.   Once again Parsons calls on a cast of talented musicians and singers....Dave Townsend, Lenny Zakatek and for the first time 2 female singers are present with the haunting vocals of Lesley Duncan and Clare Torry.   An album that deserves a whole lot more exposure.
  Oh yeah I should mention that way back when I was watching Cannadore College DJ one night on my local TV and he was playing this album and I remember thinking how awesome it was way back then.

XTC - Mummer (1983)

XTC - Mummer, 1983 Remastered

  Mummer was the 6th album released by England's Alternative Psych-Rock Popsters and was the comeback album for Andy Partridge who had previously suffered a mental breakdown and led to XTC's retirement from touring in fact!   Mummer was an album that sounds very much like a more pop-friendly album with tons of soothing type sounds and songs.  "Wonderland" was the song and "Deliver Us From The Elements" that really made me at first take notice of this album which I bought way back when as a delete vinyl album !

  I dont think Mummer is the album that most fans of XTC will cite as their fav, but for me it is a great bit of pop and rock for my ears.  I think in many ways the band really had a complete album in Mummer and had some awesome musical moments.

Tame Impala - Innerspeaker (2011)

Tame Impala - Innerspeaker - 2011
 

Debut album from Australia’s Tame Impala had me reeling in all year.  Trapped somewhere in the depths of space comes this little gem of an album mashing “Sgt Pepper’s” with Kula Shaker!  Without question lead singer Kevin Parker delivers hauntingly familiar vocals truly reminiscent of  John Lennon.  In fact his vocals will throw you off at first listen and you will swear Lennon is in the building.   This album is an exploration into sound…..spacey feedback, hazy psychedelia, dreamy  vocals and lush landscapes all building to a joyous climax. 

Check out their 5 song EP too!   Very very cool music

The Soundtrack Of Our Lives - Communion (2009)

The Soundtrack Of Our Lives - Communion , 2009 (2 Disc Set)

  Imagine in this day of age releasing a 2 disc concept album.....how 70's is that eh ?   Well our Swedish friends have done just that and what a Mesmerizing album at that !  Communion is a concept album based around the themes of alienation, isolation and the cost of mass consumerism.
   The art work on the album is in sharp contrast to the poignant lyrics and aim of the music.  The photos on the album depict cheesey- ironic scenes of commercialism...like they are selling you perfection). Just an excellent album !

The Thorns (2003)

The Thorns - 2003, Aware Records (Special 2 CD Edition)
 
  The Thorns have sadly only released this one solo album....and equally sadly is the fact that this album was not well liked by the public'!.   This is an album of beautifully crafted pop songs with some fantastic vocal harmonies and excellent songwriting.  In many ways this album feels like an ode to Crosby Stills and Nash with the overall harmonic approach.    The Thorns was the combined talents of 3 contemporary popmeisters....Matthew Sweet, Shawn Mullins and Pete Droge.
  The Special 2 CD edition of this album contains a second acoustic take on the album which is absolutely essential and often it is a toss up which disc I will play.

An excellent album

Toy Matinee (1990)

Toy Matinee , 1990
 
Toy Matinee (1990)
Patrick Leonard - keyboards
Kevin Gilbert - vocals

Planet P - Pink World (1984)

Planet P Project - Pink World (1984)

  Hard to believe but Pink World was one of THE albums for me in high school....way back when.   My circle of friends introduced me to this band and album and I immediately gravitated to it.   For those who are not familiar with Planet P Project it really was a one-man show by Tony Carey (who earlier  played with Rainbow) .   On Pink World Carey teamed up with producer Peter Hauke to release an amazing album of pop and prog genres that for many has been compared to Pink Floyd's "The Wall".    . This album was originally released as a double album set (on pink vinyl) and is an ambitious concept album revolving around Artimus, a boy who doesn't speak, and a Cold War-inspired Armageddon story line.  Carey does all the instrument work (like Mike Oldfield of the past) on this album and like the first Planet P album relies heavily on electronic keyboards to tell the story.   

Mahogany Frog - On Blue (2005)

Mahogany Frog - On Blue (2005)

  In 2005 I saw something that clearly was one of those times when "you had to be there"....it was a cool evening in Oshawa Ontario and there I was with my pal Simon at a local college haunt......a psych bar called "The Velvet Elvis"...and playing that evening on the way-undersized stage was Canada's progressive rock'sters "Mahogany Frog".  What a crazy evening ....the sofa was moved out onto the front lawn to make room for their equipment.....some local poetry reading.....household cat coming inside to greet the crowd, a house full of youngsters and a four piece band rocking the house with vintage keyboards, vintage bass and electric guitars, horns, great drumming and even an unplugged old dial telephone (which I answered during the concert....dont' ask).  On tap that evening was this album in review "On-Blue" which is simply awesome from start to finish.  High energy, heavy vibed classically driven synths and huge analog power instrumental songs...what else could you want.  A great album and a great band......hey these guys played prog'fest a few years back too........    

     

Ween - White Pepper (2000)

Ween - White Pepper, 2000 Elektra Records

  White Pepper was Ween's 7th Studio album and their last one on Elecktra!  I am a big fan of Ween and would highly recommned this and other albums to those who like something a little different.  White Pepper is one of the great Ween album containing their strange whimsical approach to music while blending pop and prog and other elements into a clustered album that will take you a while to absorb.   Ween play an ode to Steely Dan with the track "Pandy Fackler" and even XTC with "Bananas and blow" and Matthew Sweet inspired "Stay Forever".   A wildly creative album that you need to hear !

Ween - Chocolate And Cheese (1994)

Ween - Chocolate And Cheese (1994) Elektra Records

  Ween are truely the most creative band in the world...Gene and Dene are it !   If you have not heard Chocolate and Cheese then you have not survived the 90's...or the 80's !  or the 70's.....or the 60's......These cosmic goof'sters maxed out of this album with a huge album pretty much full of everything!   Chocolate And Cheese will make you carve out a pumpkin and rely on your destiny !  I dont know......thats the way the song goes !     UUUgh........This album is a brilliant fusion of pop and gonzo humor and is arguably Ween's finest moment (next to The Mollusk).   A Tear For Eddie is fine enough  to appeal to all Pink Floytd Lovers while I can't Put My Finger On it will appeal to fans of the Nazz.....

  Simply a crazy crazy album that all all but too much Ween !

Ween 4 Life !

Elvis Costello - North (2002)

Elvis Costello - North (2002) Deutsche Grammophon Records  (SACD)

  If you can imagine North was Elvis' 20th album.....yup good ol' Twenty!    North is a very special album............an album that takes us into some pretty original and less chartered territory for sure. North contains a wonderful set of classically influenced songs that were all written and orchestrated by the man himself.   This is a very soulful and soft album that goes welll with a glass of fine red wine (or white if you prefer!).  Imagine Elvis Costello crooning with a full orchestra behind him and i think you have pretty much summed it up.    But the wow is the music and the sound and on the SACD version you are treated to a nice full dynamic range that few albums can boast.   The SACD version is a pure DDD recording and pure DSD conversion which makes for quite a fine sound reproduction.
  I really like this album a lot and keep playing it anyone who will listen !  

Ween - The Mollusk (1997)

Ween - The Mollusk (1997) Elektra Records

  Here is the story on this one.............So I picked up the "Sponge Bob Squarepants" movie soundtrack as it featured a nice mix of some of my fav bands doing kiddie tunes (a win win with 2 kids in the house).  There was a tune on that CD that really caught my ear and that was Ocean Man by Ween.    So I thought I'd pick up the whole album and boy-oh-boy was I glad I did !    Ween's The Mollusk is simply an amazing album that on the surface feels like a humorous kiddie album but "below the surface" is a real gem just waiting to get "caught".    Heavily nautically themed album buoying a progressive rock influence with lots of quirky vocals and superb muscianship.   I think the tune "Buckingham Green" is one of the great songs of 1997.   This is one of those albums that you need to listen to a few times before you will 100% grasp it and soon you will realize that this is way more that a light humourous quirky album.

Europeans - Recurring Dreams (1984)

Europeans - Recurring Dreams (1984), Intact Records

    Believe it or not this band's music and I go wayyyyyy back.  Many moons ago I snagged the vinyl of their first 2 albums and an EP (remember EP's?).  I bought these of course as Marillion new member at the time Steven Hogarth was on the vocals and I had just really got into Season's End album and needed more Hogie !  I sold off my vinyl years later and kicked myself for letting this album slip thru my fingers....but then I was delighted to see that this album was re-released and the rest is history.   The Europeans are not Marillion nor are they all that purely progressive...more of a mix of Level 42 meets XTC meets Big Country.   The sound is definitely 80's sounding but the music is quire excellent and the album offers a pretty solid listen.  Fans of Marillion I think will like this as it features Hogarth on a good chunk of the album on vocals.  

Mansun - Attack Of The Grey Lantern (1997)

Mansun - Attack Of The Grey Lantern,  1997 EMI Records

   "Attack of the grey lantern" is one of those albums that you won't believe !    Very few new bands can deliver on a debut album the kind of punch, sting and depth that Mansun were able to do !   "Attack of the Grey Lantern" is a grandiose concept album which reaches heights that few bands can muster!  This album is a dark yet highly seductive blend of new wave, '90s indie rock and even PROGRESSIVE ROCK ! (happy Jimmy).  Fans of Kula Shaker, Blackfield and Marillion will love this album with it`s heavy lyrics, phased guitar work and excellent song writing.
  Mansun is the genius of Paul Draper who wrote all the music and lyrics to this modern day epic album !
  Oh yeah...I almost forgot.............this album even has some mightly mellotron !

Natalie Merchant - Leave Your Sleep (2009)

Natalie Merchant - Leave Your Sleep, 2009 Nonesuch Music

   10000 Maniacs lead singer Natalie Merchant released this beautiful album in 2009 which pretty much sank into obscurity as soon as it was released which is very sad!   This album deserves to be hi-lited and heard by many more ......this double-disc album contains 26 new songs using odes to various poems, anonymous nursery rhymes, and lullabies of 19th and 20th century British and American writers as source material setting them all to original music. 
   The end result is a fantastic album that offers a huge range of theme's,  moods, styles and atmosphere's.....so much that you will not be able to put this album down.   Merchant is assisted by a number of musical friends including Medeske, Martin and Wood and Wynton Marsalis which keep this album's interest going. 
   Check this album out....you might just leave your sleep

Dave Matthews & Tim Reynolds - Live at Luther College (1999)

Dave Matthews & Tim Reynolds - Live at Luther College (1999) RCA Records

  Here is a fantastic double CD of acoustic power featuring the talents of Dave Matthews & Tim Reynolds.   This album completely has me frothing at the mouth and why not..........I like this album better that anything Matthews has released iin the studio !    This live album is full of life , power and energy and songs like "Satellite" and "Minarets" eclipse the studio versions big time!   Tim Reynolds is an amazing guitarist and I had no ides he was this good........wow.........

The two of them have  a special chemistry for sure and this album captures this electricity! 

Essential music !