Dead Can Dance Remasters
It has been a while. Again! But the usual delaying tactics of illness, personal stuff, work etc. has put this blog in the bottom of priorities.
Anyway, the first bit of stuff is not really prog. Well, actually it’s not prog at all! One my favourite 90’s bands was Dead Can Dance. On of 4AD’s most commercially successful acts, even more than the Cocteau Twins I believe. Seems like their back catalogue has been remastered as one of those hybrid CD/SACD thingies. Due sometime June here, though I haven’t seen any official word on it and info is scarce. Seems like they are being released in Japan in April as mini-LP sleeves (they like those) and then here later. Not sure if they will be the Japanese versions or not. But DCD always sounded good so these should sound great.
On to prog. Well, I have just listened to the new VdGG album “Trisector” and that sounds pretty good. More relaxed than “Presence” and with Banton well to the fore, filling in the space once occupied by David Jaxon. Other recent stuff has been the newby by RPWL, “The RPWL Experience”. Now this is very good. Not too proggy, but modern, edgy rock with prog undercurrents. The opening track “Silenced” is particularly good. Took a few listens as did their previous, but I do like this. Another heartily recommended release is the second outing for Sensitive To Light “From The Ancient World”. This is the project by Vynce Leff, who was a member of the excellent Saens. This keep sup the standards of the previous album, mixing complex, off-kilter melodies with some beautiful singing by Jenny Lewis. I hope to do a fuller review once I have listened to this a bit more. But the highlight of the past few weeks is easily The Tangents fourth album, “Not As Good As The Book”. This is simply a stunning double album. Andy Tillison and band are on absolutely top form. Just listen to the epic “Four Egos, One War”, this is what prog is all about; thoughtful lyrics, great melodies, beautiful arrangements. Simply wonderful!!
Coming up is the new one by Magenta “Metamorphosis” and by the little known Thieves Kitchen “The Water Road”. I hope this one will push TK into the limelight a bit more. They have been away for far too long!
Lastly just got the next batch of Alan Parsons remasters. If anything like the first lot these should be quite impressive.
Anyway, the first bit of stuff is not really prog. Well, actually it’s not prog at all! One my favourite 90’s bands was Dead Can Dance. On of 4AD’s most commercially successful acts, even more than the Cocteau Twins I believe. Seems like their back catalogue has been remastered as one of those hybrid CD/SACD thingies. Due sometime June here, though I haven’t seen any official word on it and info is scarce. Seems like they are being released in Japan in April as mini-LP sleeves (they like those) and then here later. Not sure if they will be the Japanese versions or not. But DCD always sounded good so these should sound great.
On to prog. Well, I have just listened to the new VdGG album “Trisector” and that sounds pretty good. More relaxed than “Presence” and with Banton well to the fore, filling in the space once occupied by David Jaxon. Other recent stuff has been the newby by RPWL, “The RPWL Experience”. Now this is very good. Not too proggy, but modern, edgy rock with prog undercurrents. The opening track “Silenced” is particularly good. Took a few listens as did their previous, but I do like this. Another heartily recommended release is the second outing for Sensitive To Light “From The Ancient World”. This is the project by Vynce Leff, who was a member of the excellent Saens. This keep sup the standards of the previous album, mixing complex, off-kilter melodies with some beautiful singing by Jenny Lewis. I hope to do a fuller review once I have listened to this a bit more. But the highlight of the past few weeks is easily The Tangents fourth album, “Not As Good As The Book”. This is simply a stunning double album. Andy Tillison and band are on absolutely top form. Just listen to the epic “Four Egos, One War”, this is what prog is all about; thoughtful lyrics, great melodies, beautiful arrangements. Simply wonderful!!
Coming up is the new one by Magenta “Metamorphosis” and by the little known Thieves Kitchen “The Water Road”. I hope this one will push TK into the limelight a bit more. They have been away for far too long!
Lastly just got the next batch of Alan Parsons remasters. If anything like the first lot these should be quite impressive.
posted by Barrie Sillars at
3:06 PM
7 Comments:
Hi Barrie,
Nice to see you blogging again. Since your last blog, I have been getting into Galleon.
Rob.
One up on me Rob! I have never heard any Galleon. What they like?
Amazing I found a band you never heard of! They are Swedish and play in a neo progressive style. It sounds a bit like Yes sometimes although it is on the heavier side.
http://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=123
Thanks for that Rob, I will check these guys out. Looks good from what digging around I have made. Will search out "Engines of Creation" and "From Land To Ocean". They look like the places to start.
If you go to the 4AD or Dead Can Dance websites they have info about the remasters. The SACDs are hybrids so they'll also play in a normal cd player. A month or so later the cd remasters will be released. The CD's will use the same mastering as the cd layer of the SACD discs. Unless you have a SACD player the SACD discs will be a waste of your money. They were remastered by audiophile label Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab and the discs are in the process of being replicated right now. :)
Re DCD remasters. I believe the SACD discs will be released in min-LP style sleeves and the regular CD's, to be released in August will be housed in the super jewel box style packaging.
You are correct, the SACDs will be in LP mini-sleeves and the regular CDs will be in jewel cases. If you're interested elusivedisc.com now has the SACDs on their site for pre-order for $19.99 each except for Garden of the Arcane Delights EP which is $16.99.
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