Vesper's End (The Id, 2017)

 The Id are a truly International band, with members coming from different countries and that apparently never met in the flesh. Nevertheless, they released six albums between 2015 and 2019. They play a melody-oriented neo-prog music and if they're in this blog is because I think they know how to do it. Even if their arrangements aren't stunning new and the production is just the best a self produced band can get, they write beautiful melodies and always put emotions first and that's exactly what I like. 

There's alway a disquieting eye on The Id's cover arts.

This 20 minutes suite taken from their 2017 album "Confluence 1", is one of their best tracks, IMHO. You'll find here instrumental skills, beautiful tempo changes, catching riffs, enlightening atmospheres and, of course, well found musical themes.  The solos are perfectly performed, but they're never showy and always functional to the big picture. Another good reason to love The Id.

Standing Still as Stony Trees (Watcher of The Trees, 2017)

The Watcher of The Trees is the brainchild of Italian composer and multi-instrumentalist Dario Marconcini. Based on the banks of Garda Lake, Marconcini was inspired by the spiritual and ancestral beauty of the surrounding forests and after several experiences in local bands (namely The Electric Shields and Moonshiners), he decided to go solo with a new moniker and released "Fireflies in The Wood", an album where the woods - and mostly the trees - act as main charachters along the passing of the seasons. 

Four seasons and four colours in this beautiful cover art.

I especially liked "Standing Still as Stony Trees" not only because I find here so many and welcome prog hints, but especially for its majestic crescendo and the perfect balance of peaceful and up-tempo moments. Unlike many similar projects and despite his patent performing skills, Marconcini's music focuses on emotions and you'll find here all the wonder and the thrill of an inner discovery: instruments, melodies, words and arrangements merge to move the listener. And frankly I'm moved. 

Time Makers (Mavara, 2017)

I listened to some Mavara's songs some years ago and liked it, so I was tempted to introduce them to my blog's readers. When their fourth album  "Consciousness" was released, however, I definitely made up my mind and I decided to put this song in my blog. "Time Makers" shows how much the band improved and is now able to make an eclectic and unpredictable kind of prog.

I'm in love with this cover art. Aren't you too?

They mix math-rock elements with classic prog and just a little bit of metal providing bright edges to their compositions. Their wall of sound effect remind me of Riverside, but you'll find hints of H-era Marillion, Porcupine Tree and, of course, King Crimson. Not only the melodies are enjoyable, but there are also clever changes and a beautiful dreaming guitar solo. What else could I ask for? Fairy tales and solid sounds... and they're from Tehran, Iran. Prog is everywhere you go.

House of The Mind (Comedy of Errors, 2017))

This band was already responsabile of some excellent neo-prog music (and you can find a few posts about them in this blog), but their 2017 album has a somewhat richer taste. This title song is an enjoyable and unpredictable collection of moods,  some old and some new, some rough and some elegant.

 

"House of The Mind" was the band's fourth studio album.

 

There's a great guitar work, both rythm anGrazie d solo ones and, of course, a good choice of atmospheric keyboards. Last but not least, the melodies are all very well found and the arrangements are all effective. And as I also like the dynamic tempo changes, I can only recommend this track to you all.     

Parlour Games (Groundburst, 2017)

Ireland is a fairy land, probably that's why it dishes out some fresh and unpredictable music. Groundburst are an eclectic band from Dublin, ranging from electronic sounds to solid rock tracks and - last but not least - very good at communicating emotions. Take this "Parlour Games", for example. They mix post-rock, jazz hints and a light, proggy atmosphere in one coherent song, where you get hints of King Crimson, Radiohead and Police at the same time. 

"Parlour Games" comes from the band's "Triad" EP.

These three musicians know how to experiment new sound solutions without giving up consistency and agreeableness, so that this track is both challenging and blooming. I actually like the way Groundburst mix delicate and trenchant passages making use of skilly tempo changes... and you'll find a lot of this in their "Triad" EP. In our era of useless noises and ostentation, I'm glad to find here a rare example of good taste.