Time for an update

A quick update is needed.

The usual suspects for this month have been:

Neal Morse ~ ?
I was a bit wary of this one. Neal’s born-again’nes is lyrically shoving him into a cul-de-sac. But this latest album is superb. Musically this is his best achievement yet. The addition of guest players like Jordan Ruddess, Roine Stolt and Steve Hackett have added something special to this. Hackett’s solo on the track ‘12’ is especially good and is a key moment in the album.

Riverside ~ Second life Syndrome
Heavier follow up to Out Of Myself but excellent all the same. Maybe in the same ballpark as Porcupine Tree, Anathema, Pineapple Thief and RPWL. That is, modern rock with a prog twist.





















Carptree ~ Man Made Machine
The surprise of the month. Essentially a duo from Sweden, this is haunting, unusual stuff. There are prog elements, a bit of Peter Gabriel here and a smattering of 80’s pop sensibility. But the whole thing is unique and compositionally it is very strong and intelligent. A big surprise this and will be one of my top albums of the year without question.

Pallas ~ The Dreams Of Men
Symphonic prog at it’s very best. A more than capable follow up to The Cross and The Crucible.


Still to come:

Manning ~ One Small Step. Whenever it gets sent.

Liquid Scarlet ~ II. Their first was a refreshing take on the Anekdoten, Wobbler, White Willow type of North European prog.

Bill Nelson ~ Remasters. His Mercury albums re-released at last.