Tuesday, December 11, 2007

2007 Prog Albums of the Year ~ Part 3 (20 - 16)

20. La Torre Dell Alchemista ~ Neo
Classical symphonic prog as only the Italians know how to do. Lots of tasty keyboard work, especially Hammond and piano.

19. Threshold ~ Dead Reckoning

On a new label, but the same high quality prog metal. Maybe more harder edged than on recent albums, but the epic “Pilot In The Sky Of Dream” is a career highlight.

18. Cathedral ~ The Bridge
A return after a 30 year absence! This US band were highly influential on Anglagard and you can hear why as “The Bridge” takes off where the classic “Stained Glass Stories” left off. Maybe more contemporary with some new twists, but the same angular style is intact!

17. Glass Hammer ~ Culture Of Ascent
A fitting follow up to the mighty double album, “The Inconsolable Secret”. Beautifully realised symphonic prog sees a leaner Fred Schendel with Steve Babb keeping up the quality of their previous efforts. Always a joy to hear the voice of Susie Bogdanowicz.

16. Rush ~ Snakes and Arrows
A very welcome return to form. To me their best since “Moving Pictures”. After the disaster production and mastering job on “Vapor Trails”, this one thankfully sounds good!

2 Comments:

Blogger greatGrandson said...

Threshold is one of my favourite bands. They're heavy and melodic. In my opinion Dream Theater don't have the quality of melodies that Threshold have even though they can play brilliantly.

For some reason emusic won't let me download the new album but I was able to download 2 of the new tracks from the best of album and Pilot In The Sky Of Dreams was one.

12:24 PM  
Blogger Barrie Sillars said...

The new album is more heavy than previous efforts, but the quality of the writing and playing is intact. I think in comparison to Dream Theater, they are more literate in their subject matter and more passionate in the music. But Dream Theater are technically breathtaking!!

1:27 PM  

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