Well, the title was bungled, but the reality is that the album, “Aja,” is a masterpiece. It was sad to see Steely Dan nearly destroyed by their quest for perfection.
Art-Rock
F.P. & The Doubling Riders – Doublings & Silences Vol. I
I discovered this album by F.P. & The Doubling Riders in the 1990s, and I struggled to classify it. While it had an ethereal quality, it shared similarities with bands like Tuxedomoon. I loved the album, but unfortunately, I lost it a few years ago. Thankfully, it has now been Continue Reading
Layma Azur – La Fruta Perfecta, Vol. 1
Our beloved friends Layma Azur have released a magnificent concept album that balances progressive rock and metal beautifully. This is the first of three, so I am looking forward to the other two parts coming out. To Santiago and Amandine, you never cease to amaze me!
David Thomas and two pale boys – I’m Alive!
We have sad news to report. Yesterday, David Thomas, singer of the legendary art-punk band Pere Ubu, passed away. We honor his memory by sharing a rather brilliant live album with his side project, David Thomas and Two Pale Boys. From Pere Ubu’s Bandcamp site: “David Thomas, Andy Diagram, and Continue Reading
David Bowie – Seven Years In Tibet (Mandarin version)
David Bowie performed a good number of his songs in other languages, but this one is a curiosity, as I didn’t expect that he recorded this particular song in Mandarin.
Malabriega – Frippada Andaluza
I enjoy drifting back to progressive rock every so often because, even though its detractors crow on about the death of the genre, new bands like Malabriega show up and give a fresh perspective. The instrumentation reminds me of the bigger bands like Yes, but the vocals have a more Continue Reading
Exit North – Anyway, Still
Exit North is a revelation to me. The instrumentation reminds of the sort of progressive rock one would expect to hear from Tim Bowness, Steve Jansen (who happens to provide backing vocals on this album), or in parts, David Sylvian, but singer Thomas Feiner is blessed with a voice so Continue Reading
Bryan Ferry Looks Back at 50 Years of Roxy Music, Romance, and Elegant Misery
Though I normally loathe Rolling Stone, I have to compliment Rob Sheffield for his fine article on Bryan Ferry. It’s a worthy read. Click here to see the article.
Bill Nelson – Signals From Realms Of Light
Legendary Be Bop Deluxe guitarist Bill Nelson is still producing music at an alarmingly wonderful rate. This disc is a reissue of an album that came out as a limited-edition release in 2011, and the sound is vintage Nelson.
Zhaoze (沼澤) – No Answer Blowin’ in the Wind (没有答案风中飘)
If you can imagine 1969-era King Crimson played on Chinese traditional instruments and a more relaxed feel, you would have this new album by the Guangzho-based band Zhaoze. The music is definitely progressive, touching upon art-rock, but so solidly based in traditional Chinese music that one can call this a Continue Reading