La Dame de braise (Magnésis, 2015)

One of the most prolific bands in  the Neo-progressive galaxy and in the everchanging French national scene, Magnésis are fond of dark and Medieval atmospheres, but also of tempo changes and long compositions. This title track comes from their "La Dame de braise" album, released in 2015 and is a melodic ballad, part  of this folk-inspired concept, dealing with phantoms, unlucky love stories, wars and noble families. Nothing new, that's true, but everything here is very well done. 

A somber story of love and fire...

If Magnésis's longest tracks are sometimes a little artificial and even weak in some of their passages, this band is perfect when it comes to gentle and shorter songs. This is the case with "La Dame de braise" (meaning "The Embers Lady"), a lunar, dreamy piece of music, including a beautiful guitar solo and a long coda of burning sound effects linked to the concept story. In short, a pretty, evocative song for your collection.

Time Travellers (Riverside, 2015)

Riverside go on changing and exploring, that's why I like them. This song, taken from the album "Love, Fear And The Time Machine", is a dreamy ballad, and it also includes beautiful mellow instrumental passages, never too sweet and never too long. The lyrics are beautiful too, about life's recurring times and chances. Mariusz has a beautiful voice, both srong and soft and this is a brilliant performance.

...And what about this misty cover art?

The moody way the band has to build up transparent, fluid atmospheres easing deep meditations is slways surprising and the more their song gets plain, the more they reach the listener's soul. This is exactly what "Time Travellers" does, so it doesn't need a longer ntroduction.

Know Your Time (Gazpacho, 2015)

Since the early 2010s Gazpacho evolved from a mellow and captivating mix of pop and prog to a darker and somehow spiced post-progressive sound, including moments of ethereal beauty and a rich, even ethnic choice of instruments. This song, taken from the album "Molok" is a good example of this phase of the band's career. Arcane sounds and solid guitars surround the vocals by Jan-Henrik Ohme, much in the style of Marillion's Steve Hogarth.

Another fascinating cover. I really like the colours here.

The mood changes are very well done, especially when a tight line gets a wider breath, or when an acoustic passage follows electric ones. That's why I like "Know Your Time" and its unpredictable stream of creative music. I won't even try to explain the tricky theories about God and ancient religions behind this track and the whole album, but I confess I love the way Gazpacho approach such a challenging concept keeping their feet well on the ground.

Distances (The Pyramidis Project, 2015)

The electronic side of prog is too often underrated or even neglected by fan sites and reviewers, and that's too bad if only one remembers the essential contributions to our genre provided by such artists as Tangerine Dream, Jean-Michel Jarre, Kraftwerk and so on. That said, Austrian band The Pyramidis Project is one of the most interesting projects out there when it comes to elecronic prog. This track is the perfect gate into their world for prog fans. "Distances" is taken from the album "Emotional Distances" and actually the CD title says it all, as electronic keyboards and space rock effects perfectly match with genuine (and strong) emotions.

"Emotional Distances" was the second CD by TPP.

If you're convinced that electronic devices are but stiff things, this track will change your mind. Mario Buchinger, the mind behind The Pyramidis Project, knows how to mix different soundscapes and musical influences, so that his tracks are never flat nor hazy. Take "Distances" for example: beautiful melodies flow along with diversified samples and a stingy musical research. Oldest fans (like me) will find echoes of Alan Parsons, Floydian hints and even early Genesis moods. Please note that such a rich blend leads to a highly original atmosphere, and never to a derivative sound. It's challenging and unpredictable... that's why I call it prog!

Place Called Home (The J Conspiracy, 2015)

New bands are more and more into streaming free distribution and among those I put into my blog a very interesting German act called The J Conspiracy and whose longest track, "Place Called Home", is a fine example of eclectic prog. I like the way these musicians line up different moments and moods to create a diversified and coherent suite divided into six parts. Modern as it can be, this song is also well rooted into the prog history solid ground and offers many interesting soundscapes.

 

The J Conspiracy: Ralf Brand, Chris Buß, Heiko Löb and Karl Schlesinger.

What's more, the band builds up their songs on strong melodies and very well found themes... not a common feature in a musical world where effects and arrangements take the main role. That said, the instrumental performances are first-rate and so is the visual project accompanying this song and available on the band's offical site (see below). Last but not least, the lyrics provide a poignant overview of the daily struggle between our need of a deep truth and the shallow commotion of modern life. Finally, here you are an excellent way to spend your next twenty minutes, if you ask me.

Enjoy the slide-based presentation for this song:  http://thejconspiracy.de/fotoslide/

Travelling Man (M-Opus, 2015)

If Yes were born in Ireland and in the 2010s, they'd be called M-Opus. "Travelling Man" opens the long and diversified album "1975 Triptych", released in 2015 by this Dublin-based prog duo. The highly dynamic impact of this song, both in speed and incessant changes, is the first feature that litterally runs over the listener. The Yes inspiration is also patent, but not always and not too much: the vocal harmonies surely come from their famous model and so are the keyboard - bass guitar interplays, but there are more original solutions too, especially when it comes to electronic devices and rythm guitar riffs.

M-Opus are Jonathan Casey and Colin Sullivan.

This rather rough side of prog is perfectly mixed with more traditional progressions and the final result is that of a surprisingly new idea of classic prog, where the respect for the masters and the search for contemporary sounds get along very well. Just a final note: the 1975 in the album title means this CD music is inspired by that year's progressive releases. Mmm... I'm sure you'll be tempted to listen the whole album. Just do it, you won't be disappointed...

The Silence of Our Wake (Barock Project, 2015)

This Italian band constantly improved since their first album in 2007 and I think their 2015 album, called "Skyline", actually represents a modern masterpiece on the jaunty side of prog. Take this "The Silence of Our Wake", for example, and see how they variate and mix all the traditional prog features into something captivating and new. Their love for classical measures remembers me of ELO, Superttramp and even Sebastian Hardie, but then you'll also find the band's rock side, the jazzy variations and - why not? - the pop temptations.

To top the cake, Paul Whitehead signed this inviting cover!

Sliding down a solid melody, these musicians surprise the listener with an unfailing set of inventions. This track is more coherent and even essential compared with some of the band's previous releases and if it confirms the fanciful and eclectic approach of Barock Project (well, they are barock, after all!), it shows a more careful balance, so that Luca Zabbini and his friends tame their wildest musical ideas and focus on the big picture instead. A very beautiful picture, I daresay.

One Wish (Circuline, 2015)

Recently, I read a lot of reviews about this American band and especially about a bunch of songs  taken from their album "Return". Some said they're great, some said they're just trash. Better go and listen. I did so and I found out a very original, deplacing mix: dissonant chords, easy melodies, vintage arrangements and strong contrasts. Take this "One Wish", likely my favourite one. The double singer idea is brilliant, IMHO, adding a plus to the band, especially on stage.

"Return" was the debut album by Circuline.

You surely need some time to set up your mind , as it features so many different elements, ranging from melodic themes to distorted guitar riffs. The fact is you love or hate Circuline: you can find them excessive or pompous, but you can't deny they know how to organize an impressive series of ideas and conjure up a lushing, still coherent song. Open minded, I daresay.

Shooting Star (Anekdoten, 2015)

Here you are an excellent example of modern heavy prog rock. Powerful and dynamic, but never too hard, this song opens the album "Until All The Ghosts Are Gone" and adds another pearl to this Swedish band's treasure. Anekdoten never try to mix metal and prog, as they perfectly know how strong and overwhelming prog can be, even without tons of distorted guitars. King Crimson surely are an important source of inspiration for those musicians, but their sound adds the flavour and the twist of our era to the classic sounds of the Seventies.

How I'd like to explore a mansion like this one!

Well, probably that's exactly what I do when listening to this CD.

The electric guitar solo of "Shhoting Star" or its old-fashioned organ could belong to an oldie (and goldie) LP from our youth, but the fast rythm and the sung sections are strictly linked to the most recent developments of progressive and mainstream rock music. Robert Fripp and Steven Wilson side by side, a bit of Floyd and a bit of Radiohead... in short, pure Anekdoten sound!

3 Years Older (Steven Wilson, 2015)

"Hand. Cannot. Erase" by Steven Wilson was a great sensation in 2015, maybe the greatest one in recent years when it comes to progressive rock releases. And this album actually is a masterpiece and IMHO it will become a classic. "3 Years Older" is a diversified and open minded composition, including many traditional prog elements like tempo changes, sweet melodies, a Mellotron and even a Hammond. But there is a new approach to our favourite genre that we could call the Wilson way: sad vocals, piano touches, acoustic instruments along with cold distorted guitars and, of course, an up-to-date sound.

"Hand. Cannot. Erase" was Steven Wilson's fourth studio work.

This song develops the central part of the album concept, based on a real life story about a young woman dead in her bed and only found three years later. Some lines are simply moving:

You make a list of all your big regrets

And share with people that you've never met

You slowly move towards the medicine chest

You're 3 years older and you'll always be now.

 

Useless to say, the words and the music perfectly match and set up a sharp and poetic piece of music, another pearl in Wilson's musical treasure.

Towards The Blue Horizon (Riverside, 2015)

Riverside are one of the most popular bands from the 21st Century when it comes to prog & friends. The only problem with them is that they decided to title their albums with as many words as the number of their releases (since their third CD, I think). That's why their 2015 sixth album has a six words title. Well, I wish them a long and successful career, but please... stop that before it's too late! Seriously, this track has a diversified and plesant plot, including a gentle opening ballad (great theme, by the way), a hint of Cure, a long and intense instrumental section and beautiful vocals.

For their Sixth studio work, Riverside went poetic... more or less.

When a band can write and play a song like this one, with no special effects at all and a deep emotional side coming out what seem to be plain lines, well, they surely are at their heights. A perfect balance and a solid composition are the well known but scarcely shared way to beautiful songs. Riverside are more and more into it.

Somewhere Out There (The Home Guard, 2015)

Frankly, I was immediately surprised by this song when I first listened to it. I mean pleasantly surprised. It's a rather long track full of the most British rainy melancholy and also packed with the sparkling kind of energy that only the youngest good bands can put into music and words. The duo behind the challenging name of The Home Guard create a double sided kind of music, a fascinating mix of essential pop-rock and polished progressive rock, a combination some other 2010s British bands also tried to offer.

This song comes from the album "Nature vs Nurture vs Nietzsche".

Oh my... I'll never be able to pronounce that correctly!

Here, however, there's more than this, yes, there's something I like above all the rest: pure emotions. Each single note of "Somewhere Out There" is conceived to communicate an inner feeling, each sound is there to move the listener, to wake up his (or her) soul. Take the instrumental section of this song: grey as a winter sky and blue as the open sea. These musicians master the lost art of delightful contrasts: flute and distorted guitars, solid chords and acoustic embroideries, catchy tunes and unexpected changes. In short: prog heaven.

Black And White (Sylvan, 2015)

"Home" is a brave album by this well known German band. There's far more introspection and classical inspiration than in their previous releases, but the sound is no doubt modern and even pulsing and scratching. "Black And White" is somehow part of a four song sequence, the very heart of the album, sharing the same inner mood and some recurring musical themes, but also is a stand alone song. An interesting one, IMHO.

 

"Home" is a concept about rediscovering childhood memories.

It includes a very well written melody, some electronic backgrounds, several acoustic touches and a biting electric guitar. As in the rest of the album, Marco Gluehmann's vocals come from the deepest regions of his soul, sometimes reminding me of Steve Hogarth's sensitiveness, but with Marco's distinctive strength. The highly diversified arrangements and the effective bridges between the different sections grace a song I highly recommend to you all.