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.

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...

Traveller (LiR, 1993)

You'd have many problems if ever you tried to label this Irish band. LiR actually are progressive in their own way, as they collect different musical ingredients and they stir them into a tasty pot. This intro to their debut album is a fascinating down tempo instrumental, starting with an original blurred mix, then getting dreamy and piano driven. There's a strong, intimate mood here, with an excellent choice of keyboard effects, even if the final result is an essential sound, a very intense one at that.

Before this album, the band had released an EP in 1992.

 

The sudden and unexpected pop-rock coda isn't an absent-minded youtuber's mistake: the band actually added this section there, like a final, surprising trick. That's exactly why they fit into a prog rock blog, IMHO: they never settle for the easiest solution. That's what we progfans do as well... so, welcome home, LiR!

We Breathe Together (Dead Heroes Club, 2013)

Dead Heroes Club actually are one of the most interesting prog bands out there. They come from Ireland, not an usual place for prgo, and their prog is a somehow unusual one, so full of energy and so poor in useless tinsels. Liam Campbell's voice is strong and slightly black, while all the other members of the fivesome are brilliant in their effective, almost essential sound. This song comes from their third studio album, "Everything Is Connected".

I think Dead Heroes Club are improving their music:

each new album adds a little more to the previous one.

The progressive core is there, of course, made of tempo and mood changes, a rich choice of effects and instruments, but there is never too much or too tidy in this track (and in all DHC's discography). You'll appreciate the neat rythm section, and also some very fast arpeggios on the electric guitar, something not too far from U2's lesson. And when the piano comes in you'll see how fresh and new this song is and how original a prog band can be if they're proud enough.

The Angel And The Soldier Boy (Clannad, 1989)

Sure, Clannad don't belong to the progressive family, strictly speaking. But if they're not relatives, they're very good friends, as this beautiful suite demonstrates. This was the O.S.T. of a poetic animation movie based on a children's picture book by English author Peter Collington. In its more than 51 minutes, the CD contains both the music (first track, some 25 minutes) and the narration of the story (second track, 26 minutes), read by Scottish actor Tom Conti.

If ever you need some relaxing moments...

The music themes are very sweet and feature excellent arrangements, describing 18 different scenes. The suite begins with the main theme, the only sung part, where we can appreciate once more Ciarán Brennan's pure voice. This theme also closes up the suite in an instrumental version. The rest of the song is a treat for keyboard effects lovers, but also for those of you liking dreamy and nostalgy music, featuring a childhood taste and a bit of sadness too. Clannad inspired so many bands out there...

Stranger in The Looking Glass (Dead Heroes Club, 2009)

When I bought the album including this song - titled "A Time of Shadow" - I was just expecting another neo-prog issue with just the extra feature of the Irish origin of the band. Well, this was a neo-prog album, but I foud more than this. Take this song, for example. It starts with a mysterious atmosphere, not so uncommon in neo-prog tracks, but when Liam Campbell's voice comes in there's an unexpected change.

Ted Nasmith's cover art for "A Time of Shadow".

 

This man has a strong and slightly hoarse voice with a r'n'b scent, leaving a special mark on the whole song, kind of Pendragon meets black music. The rest of the track is also very interesting, including sweet chords and psychedelic guitar riffs, surpriseing tempo changes, let alone a pretty melody. Neo-progressive this is, but with a temper of its own.