Mark’s Quick Review: Steven Wilson’s – To The Bone0 (0)

Mark’s Quick Review: Steven Wilson’s – To The Bone
0 (0)

by | Aug 3, 2017 | Reviews

"Buy

So yes what you heard about this album is true its closer to a straight rock album than anything else he has done. It makes it quite clear that 4 1/2 needed to come out as those song certainly do not belong on this album. Do not let that worry you. As a matter of fact don't let it fool you that you are going to be able to make a judgement on this album with one listen. Songs are still more complex and varied then they seem.

I am almost worried to give a review on this after just a few listens but I think its time.

So maybe I do not quite like this album as much as the two previous but good luck topping the last two albums Hand.Cannot.Erase and The Raven that Refused to Sing. This album starts of very strong the first 4 tracks I think are very good. I certainly hear the XTC influence in Permanating but to me all I can hear is Mamma Mia. It’s fine just not my thing I am sure some people will love it.

Ninet Tayeb who is on Pariah and Song Of I does a wonderful job on this album I really like Ninet and had the pleasure of seeing her sing a few extra songs in Chicago as Steven had to bow out from singing due to a virus.

I am sure I will go see this tour and that will effect my thoughts on this album. For now I say give it three listens you will probably like most of this album.

ALBUM HIGHLIGHTS: To the Bone, The Same Asylum as Before, Pariah,

[usrlist “PREVIOUS BAND RATING:5” “ACCESSIBILITY:3.5” “HEAVINESS:2” “MELODIC:4” “DRAMA:4” “OVERALL RATING:3.5”]

 

Click Below to purchase at Amazon US or Amazon UK and we’ll get a little referral bonus on your whole order. Even if you don’t order this album

"Buy
"Buy

Key:
These ratings are just attributes and may not have correlation to the most important: OVERALL RATING

PREVIOUS BAND RATING
0: Never heard of them or debut album.
1: Someone recommended. I give them another shot.
2: Some good moments in the past but never put together an album I really liked.
3: Some 4 or 5 star songs but albums can be hit or miss for me.
4: I like 80% of their songs and probably went to see them live.
5: I would, and probably have gone on a plane to see them live.

ACCESSIBILITY EXAMPLES
1: Weather Report
2: Zappa
3: Genesis – Selling England by the Pound,
4: Marillion – F.E.A.R
5: Kino – Picture

HEAVINESS EXAMPLES
1: IQ – Seventh House
2: Discipline – Unfold Like a Staircase
3: Porcupine Tree – In Abstentia, Shadow Gallery – Tyranny
4: Vanden Plas – Chirst 0, Dream Theater – Scenes From a Memory
5: Opeth – Black Water Park

MELODIC EXAMPLES:
1: Opeth – Black Water Park
2: Vanden Plas – Chirst 0, Dream Theater – Scenes From a Memory
3: Porcupine Tree – In Abstentia, Shadow Gallery – Tyranny
4: Discipline – Unfold Like a Staircase
5: IQ – Seventh House

OVERALL RATING:
1: Will Never listen to again and deleted under no circumstances should you buy this
2: Not my thing maybe one redeeming song.
3: I like parts of this and I would check them out if they were near me.
4: I would get in the car and road trip to see this album live
5: I would get on a plane to see this performed live

See if our likes are similar See my Last.fm Page

https://www.last.fm/user/mon40/library/artists

Mark’s Quick Review: Steven Wilson’s – To The Bone0 (0)

Mark’s Quick Review: Shadow Gallery’s – Tyranny
0 (0)

by | Aug 2, 2017 | Reviews

"Buy

I remember where I was…I was bowling at a tournament in Knoxville, Tenn when a teammate came up to me after are squad and said that our friend Marty was talking about spock's beard and said, "Wasn't that a band I liked?" It was of course, and Marty and I who knew each other from being in the same tournaments and leagues told me, "well you like Spock's beard you have to check out these three albums". He gave me Ayreon – Into the Electric Castle , Threshold – Hypothetical, and Shadow Gallery – Tyranny.

That was a magical day for me as in time all three of these albums have become some of my favorite albums. Curiously I really latched onto Threshold and Ayreon and it took my wife Rayna to have me listen to the album again and frankly I thought back in 2003 that it was one of the best albums in this revitalized prog movement that was starting to happen.

The one thing you might have to over come is the Late Mike Baker's vocals and the mix have a bit of an 80's hairband sound.

If that doesn't bug you and you like your prog rock slightly harder this should be an album you are spinning for quite some time.

This is the first album of a 2 album story continued by Room V. The subject matter equates to Styx’s – Mr. Roboto. But the similarities end there. This album has very little “camp” and much more drama. Gone are songs like Haven’t we been here before and in with epic songs likeGhost of a Chance.

This is a byproduct of a real genius and multi-instrumentalist Gary Wehrkamp who is a really under-rated
song writer. To see him play live on stage is wonderful and he and Joe occasionally trade off on the drums.

I wouldn’t say this about all of their albums but if you ever wondered what a Def Leopard prog album would sound like. This is it.

This album’s Overall rating is justified as Rayna and I flew to Kingston Upon Thames to see them at The Peel in 2010.

[usrlist “PREVIOUS BAND RATING:0” “ACCESSIBILITY:4” “HEAVINESS:3.5” “MELODIC:2” “ARTWORK & PACKAGING:3” “DRAMA:4.5” “OVERALL RATING:5”]

 

Click Below to purchase at Amazon US or Amazon UK and we’ll get a little referral bonus on your whole order. Even if you don’t order this album

"Buy
"Buy

Key:
These ratings are just attributes and may not have correlation to the most important: OVERALL RATING

PREVIOUS BAND RATING
0: Never heard of them or debut album.
1: Someone recommended. I give them another shot.
2: Some good moments in the past but never put together an album I really liked.
3: Some 4 or 5 star songs but albums can be hit or miss for me.
4: I like 80% of their songs and probably went to see them live.
5: I would, and probably have gone on a plane to see them live.

ACCESSIBILITY EXAMPLES
1: Weather Report
2: Zappa
3: Genesis – Selling England by the Pound,
4: Marillion – F.E.A.R
5: Kino – Picture

HEAVINESS EXAMPLES
1: IQ – Seventh House
2: Discipline – Unfold Like a Staircase
3: Porcupine Tree – In Abstentia, Shadow Gallery – Tyranny
4: Vanden Plas – Chirst 0, Dream Theater – Scenes From a Memory
5: Opeth – Black Water Park

MELODIC EXAMPLES:
1: Opeth – Black Water Park
2: Vanden Plas – Chirst 0, Dream Theater – Scenes From a Memory
3: Porcupine Tree – In Abstentia, Shadow Gallery – Tyranny
4: Discipline – Unfold Like a Staircase
5: IQ – Seventh House

OVERALL RATING:
1: Will Never listen to again and deleted under no circumstances should you buy this
2: Not my thing maybe one redeeming song.
3: I like parts of this and I would check them out if they were near me.
4: I would get in the car and road trip to see this album live
5: I would get on a plane to see this performed live

See if our likes are similar See my Last.fm Page

https://www.last.fm/user/mon40/library/artists

Mark’s Quick Review: Steven Wilson’s – To The Bone0 (0)

Mark’s Quick Review: Resistor – Underground
0 (0)

by | Aug 1, 2017 | Reviews

"Not

This album is head and shoulders above the previous work. Now don't get me wrong I liked the earlier work and I liked their RosFest performance some years back, but it was always decent never spectacular.

This album though, by Steve Unruh's on admission is the one album he wanted to listen to after it was complete. And after hearing a lot of it live at the RosFest after party and spinning it at my house I really have to say that this is one of the best releases of the year.

[usrlist "PREVIOUS BAND RATING:3" "ACCESSIBILITY:3.5" "HEAVINESS:2" "MELODIC:3" "ARTWORK & PACKAGING:3" "DRAMA:3" "OVERALL RATING:4.5"]

 

Click Below to purchase at Amazon US or Amazon UK and we’ll get a little referral bonus on your whole order. Even if you don’t order this album

Key:
These ratings are just attributes and may not have correlation to the most important: OVERALL RATING

PREVIOUS BAND RATING
0: Never heard of them or debut album.
1: Someone recommended. I give them another shot.
2: Some good moments in the past but never put together an album I really liked.
3: Some 4 or 5 star songs but albums can be hit or miss for me.
4: I like 80% of their songs and probably went to see them live.
5: I would, and probably have gone on a plane to see them live.

ACCESSIBILITY EXAMPLES
1: Weather Report
2: Zappa
3: Genesis – Selling England by the Pound,
4: Marillion – F.E.A.R
5: Kino – Picture

HEAVINESS EXAMPLES
1: IQ – Seventh House
2: Discipline – Unfold Like a Staircase
3: Porcupine Tree – In Abstentia, Shadow Gallery – Tyranny
4: Vanden Plas – Chirst 0, Dream Theater – Scenes From a Memory
5: Opeth – Black Water Park

MELODIC EXAMPLES:
1: Opeth – Black Water Park
2: Vanden Plas – Chirst 0, Dream Theater – Scenes From a Memory
3: Porcupine Tree – In Abstentia, Shadow Gallery – Tyranny
4: Discipline – Unfold Like a Staircase
5: IQ – Seventh House

OVERALL RATING:
1: Will Never listen to again and deleted under no circumstances should you buy this
2: Not my thing maybe one redeeming song.
3: I like parts of this and I would check them out if they were near me.
4: I would get in the car and road trip to see this album live
5: I would get on a plane to see this performed live

See if our likes are similar See my Last.fm Page

https://www.last.fm/user/mon40/library/artists

Mark’s Quick Review: Steven Wilson’s – To The Bone0 (0)

Mark’s Quick Review: Exovex – Radio Silence
0 (0)

by | Jul 30, 2017 | Reviews

"Buy

Debut album from Dale Simmons.

For the second album in a row we have great guest artists. Josh Freese (NIN, A Perfect Circle, Devo) and Keith Carlock (Sting, John Meyer, Steely Dan) on drums. The album also showcases two members of Porcupine Tree, Gavin Harrison on drums and Richard Barbieri on keyboards and synthesizers. All songs on the album were written, performed and produced by songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Dale Simmons.

I have to say I like every song on this album with my favorite being the last orbit. If you have some how missed this album you should really pick it up. At the time of this review the album is a $7 download on amazon which is quite a bargain.

ALBUM HIGHLIGHTS: The Last orbit.

[usrlist "PREVIOUS BAND RATING:0" "ACCESSIBILITY:3.5" "HEAVINESS:2" "MELODIC:3" "ARTWORK & PACKAGING:3" "DRAMA:4" "OVERALL RATING:4"]

 

Click Below to purchase at Amazon US or Amazon UK and we’ll get a little referral bonus on your whole order. Even if you don’t order this album

"Buy
"Buy

Key:
These ratings are just attributes and may not have correlation to the most important: OVERALL RATING

PREVIOUS BAND RATING
0: Never heard of them or debut album.
1: Someone recommended. I give them another shot.
2: Some good moments in the past but never put together an album I really liked.
3: Some 4 or 5 star songs but albums can be hit or miss for me.
4: I like 80% of their songs and probably went to see them live.
5: I would, and probably have gone on a plane to see them live.

ACCESSIBILITY EXAMPLES
1: Weather Report
2: Zappa
3: Genesis – Selling England by the Pound,
4: Marillion – F.E.A.R
5: Kino – Picture

HEAVINESS EXAMPLES
1: IQ – Seventh House
2: Discipline – Unfold Like a Staircase
3: Porcupine Tree – In Abstentia, Shadow Gallery – Tyranny
4: Vanden Plas – Chirst 0, Dream Theater – Scenes From a Memory
5: Opeth – Black Water Park

MELODIC EXAMPLES:
1: Opeth – Black Water Park
2: Vanden Plas – Chirst 0, Dream Theater – Scenes From a Memory
3: Porcupine Tree – In Abstentia, Shadow Gallery – Tyranny
4: Discipline – Unfold Like a Staircase
5: IQ – Seventh House

OVERALL RATING:
1: Will Never listen to again and deleted under no circumstances should you buy this
2: Not my thing maybe one redeeming song.
3: I like parts of this and I would check them out if they were near me.
4: I would get in the car and road trip to see this album live
5: I would get on a plane to see this performed live

See if our likes are similar See my Last.fm Page

https://www.last.fm/user/mon40/library/artists

Mark’s Quick Review: Steven Wilson’s – To The Bone0 (0)

Mark’s Quick Review: Karibow’s – From Here to the Impossible
0 (0)

by | Jul 30, 2017 | Reviews

"Buy

So here is a band that I already liked with some of my favorite artists guest staring on it.

The album has one of my favorite vocalists on the last track in Mark Trueack, a wonderful keyboard player on another song in Sean Timms, Daniel Lopresto does vocals and guitars on yet another song.
These three who I consider great musicians, and have all played my house were out done by guest artist Marek Arnold, who's sax is wonderful on this album. It really does remind me of his work on UPF and Damanek.

Daniel Lopresto also does really well on lead vocals. I may have the opportunity to see them live later in the year and it will be interesting to see how they cover these tracks if they do indeed play them live.

The album is wonderful but I never had any spine chilling moments that I reserve for my 5 star reviews. Pick this album up and enjoy it. I am sure you will.

ALBUM HIGHLIGHTS: My Time of Your Life, Never Last, Black Air, The Impossible.

[usrlist "PREVIOUS BAND RATING:3" "ACCESSIBILITY:4" "HEAVINESS:2" "MELODIC:3" "ARTWORK & PACKAGING:4" "DRAMA:3.5" "OVERALL RATING:4"]

 

Click Below to purchase at Amazon US or Amazon UK and we’ll get a little referral bonus on your whole order. Even if you don’t order this album

"Buy
"Buy

Key:
These ratings are just attributes and may not have correlation to the most important: OVERALL RATING

PREVIOUS BAND RATING
0: Never heard of them or debut album.
1: Someone recommended. I give them another shot.
2: Some good moments in the past but never put together an album I really liked.
3: Some 4 or 5 star songs but albums can be hit or miss for me.
4: I like 80% of their songs and probably went to see them live.
5: I would, and probably have gone on a plane to see them live.

ACCESSIBILITY EXAMPLES
1: Weather Report
2: Zappa
3: Genesis – Selling England by the Pound,
4: Marillion – F.E.A.R
5: Kino – Picture

HEAVINESS EXAMPLES
1: IQ – Seventh House
2: Discipline – Unfold Like a Staircase
3: Porcupine Tree – In Abstentia, Shadow Gallery – Tyranny
4: Vanden Plas – Chirst 0, Dream Theater – Scenes From a Memory
5: Opeth – Black Water Park

MELODIC EXAMPLES:
1: Opeth – Black Water Park
2: Vanden Plas – Chirst 0, Dream Theater – Scenes From a Memory
3: Porcupine Tree – In Abstentia, Shadow Gallery – Tyranny
4: Discipline – Unfold Like a Staircase
5: IQ – Seventh House

OVERALL RATING:
1: Will Never listen to again and deleted under no circumstances should you buy this
2: Not my thing maybe one redeeming song.
3: I like parts of this and I would check them out if they were near me.
4: I would get in the car and road trip to see this album live
5: I would get on a plane to see this performed live

See if our likes are similar See my Last.fm Page

https://www.last.fm/user/mon40/library/artists