Babyfingers
The Residents
Review by Mellotron StormThe songs from this EP were originally to be part of the "Fingerprince" album released in 1977. From the same sessions and all, but that would have pushed the time of that album well over 50 minutes, and we're talking vinyl days. So they released it 2 years later in 1979 as a 16 minute EP with different cover art than is shown here. It was re-issued in 1981 and with the album cover shown he... READ MORE
Sever Roots, Tree Dies
Cheer-Accident
Review by Mellotron Storm3.5 stars. Can you believe that CHEER-ACCIDENT out of Chicago have been around for 40 years! Releasing over 30 albums, and quite active of late with them releasing five albums over the last three years. That is a lot of music, and I have maybe seven of those studio records. "Fear Draws Misfortune" from 2009 really brought this band out into the spotlight with the buzz that was around that o... READ MORE
Stand Up - The Elevated Edition
Jethro Tull
Review by WarthurStand Up's entry in the long-running series of Jethro Tull deluxe boxed sets is notable mainly for the live show from Stockholm that takes up much of the second disc. Having been broadcast on Swedish radio, the Stockholm show's previously been widely bootlegged, but obviously you're going to get the best-sounding version from the most pristince sources here.Given its origin, the sound quali... READ MORE
Spectres
Blue �yster Cult
Review by AlxrmThe fifth album of BOC expands further the run of their good albums, although it is not on the same level as the mighty first triad. Godzilla that kicks things off is probably as successful as Don't Fear the Ripper from the group's previous album but, in my book, there are much better ones here. The melancholy that the piano emanates on Death Valley Nights renders it as one of my ever favou... READ MORE
Clutching at Straws
Marillion
Review by A Crimson MellotronIt all comes down to 'Clutching at Straws' for what concerns greatness, pomp, and character in the Marillion catalogue. The final album with Fish is a seminal work of progressive rock that encompasses a wide arrange of styles, displaying all the creative quirks of the band, and allowing them to fully conquer the conceptual rock opera, if you ask me. The album oozes theatrics, and follows a ... READ MORE
Half a Million Hours Symphony
Akropolis
Review by Mellotron StormAKROPOLIS were a five piece band out of Denmark releasing this sole album back in 1979. We get a singer playing rhythm guitar, plus we get bass, drums, keyboards and guitar. Have you noticed that Denmark is the home to lot of "characters"? Our own Guldbamsen is one of them, but what I love about these guys are that they put this hilarious picture of themselves on the album's cover, and then... READ MORE
Electric Circus
Toto Blanke
Review by BrufordFreakASSOCIATION P.C. guitarist and keyboard player Toto Blanke and Jasper Van't Hof's second round of self-expression outside of Pierre Courbois' leadership. The result is a more experimental sound adventure over which Toto plays his jazz-guitar (and banjo).1. "PPG" (6:06) cool TERRY RILEY-like Minimalist electronica is here used to create a weave that ends up supporting Toto's guitar soloing. ... READ MORE
Babies Shouldn't Smoke
Cheer-Accident
Review by Mellotron StormCHEER-ACCIDENT are an Avant band out of Chicago who have been together since the early eighties. They are still making music! I got into them with their 2009 "Fear Draws Misfortune" because of the buzz that was around that one. I liked it so much I went back to their 1988 album "Sever Root, Tree Dies" and the biggest difference to my ears was how much more powerful it was in comparison. Now... READ MORE
Whiteout
Sonus Umbra
Review by tszirmayProgressive rock is often a perfect platform to musically expand on a multitude of subject matter, from esoteric musings and science fiction laced tales, to social and political commentary, as well as analysis of the human condition. This eclectic American band pulls no punches when addressing the current global malaise, offering sharp rebukes to the increasingly alarming extremes that perm... READ MORE
Symphonica
Ruins
Review by bartymjPrimarily a duo of drums and bass guitar, for this album Ruins is expanded to include two female vocalists and a keyboardist, reworking some earlier tracks with the new faces. The result is something more layered, less chaotic, and certainly more accessible. Thebes becomes almost a classic Magma Zeuhl track, slow, dark and brooding with some shrieky vocals and it is the mellotron which give... READ MORE