A Progressive Rock Roundup (starring Kscope)

Here’s one of my occasional public service addresses to inform new readers of some posts of interest, recent or otherwise, in this case on the topic of progressive rock. It was obvious when I started this site, based upon my listening tastes, that ambient music and progressive rock would be big focuses. However, in getting the site off the ground I paid a lot more attention to establishing an ambient music-loving audience by focusing more on that genre. While ambient is a big part still of what I (and now we) write about, I’ve been doing progressive rock reviews from the start too, but have ramped it up quite a bit in recent months. So it behooves me to point out to new readers the wealth of insight into prog artists to be found here. And there will be more in future, now that I have some fellow prog-loving contributors on board.

The bracketed part is a reference to the Kscope label; this is a record company that deals with prog or “post-prog” acts, meaning music that is inventive and grounded in the questing tradition of art rock, but does not reflect many proggers’ obsession with (in my humble opinion) “complex” music or finding an undiscovered time signature that only dolphins can understand. In other words, just interesting music for smart and emotionally mature people. It so happens that quite coincidentally I’ve reviewed several Kscope artists, so the label gets pointed out for special applause.

I should point out, though, that electronic music (ie ambient) and prog merge in many places, so you might say this is one of the most progalicious little sites on the net. ;>

RECENTLY RELEASED PROG ALBUMS/ARTISTS REVIEWED HERE

Gazpacho – Demon

An interesting and very tuneful concept album from the Norwegian prog stars.

IQ – The Road of Bones

The UK’s reigning kings of classic prog sounds show they have a few new tricks up their sleeves.

Anathema – distant satellites

The sorrowful band that turned inspiring delivers its third instant classic in a row.

Steven Wilson – in concert in Toronto

One of the two concert reviews I’ve done so far, but Wilson’s wonderful recent release gets some press here too.

No-Man – Together We’re Stranger

I say “recently released” because, well, this classic is getting reissued soon. Wilson and Tim Bowness singlehandedly invent “ambient folk”.

Matt Stevens – Lucid

The mega-guitarist shows that technique and heart are not mutually exclusive.

My Brother the Wind – I Wash My Soul in the Stream of Infinity

Anekdoten-related Swedes demonstrate that melodic jammy psych is not dead, and shouldn’t be.

A Progressive Rock Roundup (starring Kscope)

RECENTLY RELEASED PROG ALBUMS/ARTISTS REVIEWED HERE

MORE PROG-RELATED ARTICLES AND REVIEWS TO KEEP YOU BUSY