Progressive Rock 2.0 (Archive 38)

For only the second time since we launched our station, this show is dedicated to just one genre of music: Progressive Rock.

(To listen, select Archive 38 off the "Listen" page at http://www.planetnerve8.com/ or simply click the title of this blog)

This begs the question “What is Progressive Rock?”

Once upon a time, that term would have meant the symphonic/classically influenced offerings of bands like King Crimson, Genesis and Yes. Today, the term seems to be getting applied to a much wider range material, often with a jazz fusion influence.

Common denominators?

• If you try dancing to a Progressive Rock song, people will assume you recently ingested some bad acid.

• You won’t find a “boom crack, boom-boom crack” drum pattern. Drum work is typically much more intricate.• Expect a tempo change (or two).

• Extreme likelihood of hearing musicians who purchased their first instruments more than three months ago.

• Songs fitting the radio format of 3 to 4 minutes in length are few and far between.

• The standard song structure (verse – verse – chorus – verse – chorus – solo – chorus – chorus – end) is very seldom seen. Much more complexity to the writing and general structure.

• Music voted least likely to be heard on commercial radio.

In short, this is music that demands some observation and digesting. If ‘regular’ rock is a cold beer on a hot day, Progressive Rock is a fine bottle of wine. It may be an acquired taste that takes some time to appreciate, not something to be ‘chugged’ then smash the container against one’s forehead. (Connoisseurs of microbrewery products are exempt from this apparent trashing of ‘regular beer’. Hey – if it’s hot enough and the beer is cold enough, who cares?)

The featured artists:

Off the top:
Excerpt from “Cinema” by Yes. A passing of the torch, if you will, from the ‘old guard’ to the new. Great piece (cool video available on YouTube of Yes performing this at a concert in London in 2004 for the Prince’s Trust. Trevor Rabin and Steve Howe both on guitar). The very first song we ever played on our station.

Dreamscape (Munich Germany)
“When shadows are gone”
Probably the most ‘instantly accessible’ song in the set. Sliding between progressive, rock and metal, this is a well crafted song with great energy and awesome playing and vocals.

The Flower Kings (Sweden)
“There is more to this world”
This is more in the realm of ‘traditional’ progressive rock. The song moves through a variety of ‘feels’ and tempos. It brings up memories of Emerson Lake and Palmer, partly from the keyboards, but also from vocals that are, at times, eerily reminiscent of Greg Lake. You’ll also think that Steve Howe (Yes) makes a guest appearance. However, they accomplish this without sounding derivative. Very original piece. Very enjoyable.

Dave Hart (Vancouver Island, Canada)
“Do it again”
Guitarist Dave Hart has a new album just released. Most of the material involves unique texturing creating solely on guitar (with the help of a guitar synthesizer). Primarily in the atmospheric style of “New Age” music, this particular piece spans a wide gap from atmospheric to material verging on metal. Some pushing the envelope guitar virtuosity here!

Piel de Canto (Almeria, Spain)
Excerpt from “10 Piezas Minimas”
This is album is a collection of pieces that all flow together. The excerpt we have chosen is a short piece that opens with chimes that almost sound atonal until you hear the pattern. Moody, underlying synth pads ultimately give way to guitar work with a decidedly ‘middle eastern’ feel. Then the drums kick in and watch out!

Ozric Tentacles (somewhere in the wilds of the west of England)
“Coily”
If the synth pattern off the top is ‘too much for you’, hang in there. About a minute and a half in, the song settles into an awesome groove with some outstanding guitar work. Truly impeccable playing from every instrument. Strong jazz fusion influences.

Marc Norgaard (Baltimore, USA)
“Papaya Dream”
Marc is a very talented session player (drums) who writes his material on guitar then brings in his “friends” to play ‘the other bits’ so he can focus on the drums. Friends include, on guitars, Frank Gambale (Chick Corea Elektric Band), Brett Garsed (Planet X), on piano Steve Hunt (Alan Holdsworth) and Dave DeMarco (Oblivion Sun) on bass. Very jazzy feel to this piece with a tempo twist towards the end. Very cool piece.

Godsticks (Wales, UK)
“Puppy Gardener”
For me, this was an “acquired taste”. Wasn’t blown away on first listen but I recognized that this was a band with serious chops and strong vocals so gave them a few more listens. With each listen, I liked them more. This song has a very jazz influenced feel. Uptempo front end to the song but the back third settles into a mesmerizing groove with some very tasty guitar work. Very worth getting to know!

Transatlantic (USA/UK)
Excerpt from “All of the above”
A veritable Progressive Rock supergroup with members from both sides of the Atlantic, this band features Mike Portnoy (Dream Theatre), Neal Morse (Spock’s Beard), Pete Trewavas (Marillion) and Roine Stolt (Flower Kings). This excerpt features a great ‘dream state’ groove that evolves as the song progresses, guaranteed to draw you in, as well as classic vocal harmonies. A tiny slice from a remarkable album.

Special thanks to Steve Finley from The Guitar Repair Centre who originally turned me on to three of the featured artists (Transatlantic, The Flower Kings and Ozric Tentacles).

To listen, select Archive 38 off the "Listen" page at http://www.planetnerve8.com/ or simply click the title of this blog.

Cheers,
Michael