28 May 2013: Blow Up Hollywood

 

         Blow Up Hollywood is an underground American rock band. Their eclectic sound, built over a decade of recording, incorporates many different styles, diverse as progressive rock, post-rock, experimental, pop, classical, jazz and ambient soundscapes. Founded by Steve Messina and Nik Chinboukas in 2001, the group has evolved into more of a collective than a band, as some of their members have changed over the years. Take Flight was released in 2010. 

        In 2006 the band released what would become their most popular CD, both nationally and internationally. With the debate over the war in Iraq raging, the band released another concept album, The Diaries of Private Henry Hill. Based on the journal entries of a young, deceased soldier from the Iraq war, Blow Up Hollywood takes us on Private Henry Hill's surreal journey as he joins the army out of necessity rather than patriotism.

      The band is currently raising money from fans for the release and promotion of its latest creation, blue sky blond.   You can help out here.

07 Dec 2010: Pendulum & Pendragon

Pendulum's latest release: Immersion.
Pendulum are an Australian electronic rock/drum & bass band founded in 2002 in Perth by Rob Swire aka "Anscenic", Gareth McGrillen aka "Speed", and Paul Harding aka "El Hornet".^[1] Harding is a veteran DJ while Swire and McGrillen were part of an acclaimed rock band known as Xygen, but after hearing Konflict's "Messiah" at a rave they were inspired into the drum and bass genre. In 2003 they relocated to the United Kingdom. While Hold Your Colour held true to this intent, they have since experimented with mixing rock influences back in, with the rock-heavy second album In Silico, and the third album, Immersion, being a mixture of both, together with more electronic influences. Their newer efforts incorporate styles from genres such as dubstep, heavy metal and electro house. Pendulum are now better known for their energetic live shows, with live band setup and advanced visual displays and incorporating their rock background with drum and bass. (from Wikipedia)

Pendragon's 1985 release: The Jewel
Pendragon biography
PENDRAGON were formed in Stroud, England in 1978. Originally known as ZEUS PENDRAGON it was decided fairly early on to drop the "ZEUS" as co-founder Julian Baker felt it was too wordy to fit on a t-shirt! There were several line up changes in the early days, members included Julian Baker (co-founder/guitar) Nigel Harris (drums) Stan Cox (bass) Robert Dalby (bass) John Barney Barnfield (keys) Rik Carter (keys). The one constant key element was Nick Barrett. The line up then remained the same for almost 20 years, featuring : Nick Barrett (guitar/lead vocal) Clive Nolan (keys) Peter Gee (bass) and Fudge Smith (drums), until 2006 when PENDRAGON and Fudge Smith parted ways.

Todate there have been 21 releases from PENDRAGON who set up their own label "TOFF RECORDS" in the late 1980's following the release of "The Jewel" and "KowTow" (as well as a couple of mini albums). "The Masquerade Overture" is probably their most acclaimed work todate. Although a recent change of direction with "Believe" has seen opinions somewhat split, it is definitely a remarkable album and maybe showing a move away from classic Neo-Prog.

I would highly recommend this band to anyone enjoying neo-prog.(from ProgArchives.com)

Studio Album, released in 1985

Songs / Tracks Listing

1. Higher Circles (3:29)
2. The Pleasure of Hope (3:43)
3. Leviathan (6:13)
4. Alaska (8:39)
a) At Home With the Earth
b) Snowfall
5. Circus (6:34)
6. Oh Divineo (6:51)
7. The Black Knight (9:57)
8. Fly High Fall Far (4:56)
9. Victims of Life (6:53)

Total Time: 57:15

Bonus tracks on remaster:
10. Armageddon (6:15)
11. Insomnia (4:19)Total Time: (67:49)

- Nick Barrett / vocals, guitars
- Rik Carter / keyboards
- Peter Gee / basses, guitars, bass pedals
- Nigel Harris / drums, percussion

Releases information CD Released in 1985 Toff Records PEND2CD

Remastered with bonus tracks and different sleeve 2005
CD Inside Out CD3705 (2005)
CD Toff Records PEND12CD (2005)

FreeForm Spotlight 06 Oct 2010: Jean-Pierre Alarcen

Jean-Pierre Alarcen's classic Tableaux Number 1 from 1979 will be featured on today's spotlight.In 1979, he released his second album, "Tableau No. 1". This work in three movements has more ambient (somewhat The ENIDish) and symphy qualities, but also has jazz and Zeuhlish elements. It's more in the romantic "classical" (to mix my eras in a poor turn of phrase) with melodic rock styled camp than before, but with dramatic contrast. Soft ambient music turns into jazzy guitar driven rock. Allan Holdsworth springs to mind as a possible influence on his guitar work here, as well as McLaughlin. The third movement in particular has exciting funky bass guitar-driven work. It ends with music that rather reminds me of Toto's "Dune" soundtrack.  (from ProgArchives)Alarcen, Jean-Pierre [France]
Jean Pierre Alarcen (78), Tableau (80)
Alarcen was the guitarist in the one-shot french group Sandrose. After Sandrose he had two albums: JPA and Tableau. Tableau which is very symphonic, is basically one long piece spanning both sides of the album, vaguely comparable to stuff like The Enid, but a little more low key for the most part. Jean Pierre Alarcen is a more guitar oriented album with some fusion leanings, but not overtly so, which features excellent guitarwork and some brilliant writing. Both are available together on one CD.

5 October 2010: Unwritten Pages - Noah & Jean-Pierre Alarcen

Unwritten Pages - Noah
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA – 13 July 2010 – Unwritten Pages' Noah is an album born out of a passion for progressive, driving music, concept albums and 80's science-fiction films. It combines the broad musical taste of its creator Frederic Epe and the stylistic and unique musical backgrounds of each project member, reaching from rock and metal to Latin influences and more classical/score-oriented arrangements. The album features soaring guitars, fat organs and bone-breaking drums, as well as a healthy dose of retro. But most of all, it never loses its focus on unique and melody-driven song-writing. And it comes in the form of an ambitious story, told through the eyes of the vocalists and musicians. This double album features the talents of Damian Wilson (Threshold, Ayreon, Les Misérables), Karl Groom (Threshold, Shadowland), Davy Mickers (Stream of Passion, Ayreon), Alejandro Millán (Hello Madness, Stream of Passion) and many others.

Jean-Pierre Alarcen's classic Tableaux Number 1 from 1979 will be featured in the second half of tonight's show.  In 1979, he released his next album, "Tableau No. 1". This work in three movements has more ambient (somewhat The ENIDish) and symphy qualities, but also has jazz and Zeuhlish elements. It's more in the romantic "classical" (to mix my eras in a poor turn of phrase) with melodic rock styled camp than before, but with dramatic contrast. Soft ambient music turns into jazzy guitar driven rock. Allan Holdsworth springs to mind as a possible influence on his guitar work here, as well as McLaughlin. The third movement in particular has exciting funky bass guitar-driven work. It ends with music that rather reminds me of Toto's "Dune" soundtrack.  (from ProgArchives)