Playlist

Below is some of what I have been listening to recently.

White Willows new album is their best yet. After the very heavy “Storm Season”, “Signal To Noise” is much lusher and more symphonic and even poppy in some areas. If released as a single “Joyride” might even be a hit! Well, maybe not.

The new Mars Volta is also their best yet. No ambient interludes to detract from the music. This album is electric from beginning to end. Their most assured and mature recording yet without a doubt!

The first batch of Hammill remasters has just been released (25th September). Most welcome indeed. Some interesting bonus tracks too. The second batch is slated mid October. Also, The first batch of Steve Hillage remasters (Fish Rising/L/Motivation Radio/Green) are slated for the end of October with the second batch mid January next year. No details of bonus tracks yet.

I have, surprisingly, been enjoying the ELO remasters. Having always known them for their pop hits I was surprised at the “prog” aspects to their stuff, particularly the album “On The Third Day”. No doubting Jeff Lynne’s knack for writing memorable pop songs, but the production techniques applied and the arrangements are even by today’s standards breathtaking.

The PLP album was re-released a couple of years ago to mark the 10th Anniversary of Pars debut prog album. It is a classic of keyboard driven prog. Pars use of instruments like Hammond organ, church organ, harpsichord, mellotron and synths is equal to that of Emerson and Wakeman in their heyday. As the title suggests the music is Gothic, cathedral like and now, not just remastered but with certain musical elements re-recorded, this sounds absolutely gorgeous.

White Willow ~ Signal To Noise
The Mars Volta ~ Amputechture
Peter Hammill ~ Chameleon/Silent Corner/In Camera/Nadir Remasters
ELO ~ Third Day/Face The Music/World Record (Remasters)
Par Lindh Project ~ Gothic Impressions (10th Anniversary Re-edition)