28 Dec 2010: Pulsar & Anglagard

Pulsar's second album, 'The Strands of the Future', is one of the definite and undisputable masterpieces of French prog, and together with their next recording 'Halloween', incarnates the band's peak in terms of inspired writing and skillful performing. Their style keeps on being somewhat inspired in 73-75 era Pink Floyd, but there are also obvious references to Tangerine Dream and Jean-Michel Jarre's electronic excursions (powerful presence of multiple layers of synths and mellotrons), and also some compelling pastoral passages of flute and acoustic guitar in the 3-minute coda. (from "Orexis of Death" blog)
Studio Album, released in 1976 
Songs / Tracks Listing

1. The strands of the future (22:08)
2. Flight (2:37)
3. Windows (8:47)
4. Fool's failure (10:17)

Total Time: 43:49

Line-up / Musicians

- Victor Bosch / drums, percussion
- Gilbert Gandil / guitars, vocals
- Roland Richard / flute, strings
- Jacques Roman / organ, Mellotron, bass, synthesizers

Anglagard biography
Änglagård were a short-lived band who nonetheless generated critical acclaim and a loyal following in the early nineties with their brooding mellotron and synth heavy sound that also featured virtuoso percussionist Mattias Olsson and classically trained flautist Anna Holmgren.
Änglagård's sound is rich in mellotron, Hammond and piano, and a brooding wash of guitars and bass/bass pedal accented by Holmgren's moody and precise flute. The band's compositions are characterized by long, often instrumental tracks with significant tempo shifts and sometimes intense guitar flourishes. The Epilog album is instrumental in its entirety, and many of the tracks are distinguished by striking passages from Johnson's grand piano. Early Porcupine Tree also comes to mind, particularly when listening to Epilog. 
MUSICIANS

Mattias Olsson: drums, cymbals and percussion
Johan Högberg: bass
Thomas Johnson: Hammond organ, mellotrons and other keyboards
Jonas Engdegård: guitars
Tord Lindman: guitars
Anna Holmgren: flute

Åsa Eklund: voice
Martin Olofsson: violin
Karin Hansson: viola and double bass
Jan Christoff Norlander: cello

All music was written and arranged by Änglagård
Pictures by Rut Hillarp
The poems to Rösten (The Voice) and Sista Somrar (The Last Summer) were written and translated by Rut Hillarp. The other poems were snatched from the wind, those poems were translated by Christian Holmgren.

The music was recorded in Herman Palmsalen on Ekerö on 28th of July and in Studio Largen between 29th of July and 28th of August 1994. Mixed in Studio Largen between 3rd and 11th September 1994.
Sound engineer: Roger Skogh
Mixed and produced by Änglagård and Roger Skogh

Excellent Recap of Top Ten Progressive Albums for 2010

2010 Holiday Buyer’s Guide- Progressive

No FreeForm 21 Dec 2010

FreeForm for 21 December has been bumped by a Solstice Special - the Pagans have prevailed over prog!

14 Dec 2010: Lunatic Soul & King Crimson On Broadway (selections)

Lunatic Soul biography
The LUNATIC SOUL is a solo studio project from RIVERSIDE's bass guitarist and vocalist Mariusz DUDA featuring RIVERSIDE's keyboard player Micha³ £APAJ on the Hammond organ with Maciej SZELENBAUM playing keyboards, piano, flutes, harmonica and qujang, Wawrzyniec DRAMOWICZ from INDUKTI on drums and QUIDAM's Maciej MELLER utilising the e-bow on an unspecified stringed instrument.

While far removed from RIVERSIDE's Progressive Metal it is not difficult to see comparisons and similarities to the parent band in the music contained on the eponymous debut album - not least of all because of DUDA's distinctive clean vocals, the occasional guttural growl and, despite the lack of electric guitars, the pounding acoustic guitar riffs that appear on some of the tracks. However, this is not the lighter, unplugged side of DUDA, it is a dark brooding mix of eclectic sounds with ethnic instruments and influences evoking eastern/oriental themes, psychedlic-era PINK FLOYD-like rhythms, swirling and ethereal keyboards reminiscent of early PORCUPINE TREE tied together by songs that are surprisingly accessible and melodic.

Singles/EPs/Fan Club/Promo, released in 1999:
This 2 CD set represents the 5th and 6th Collectors' Club releases (July, 1999). From the November 20, 21, 22, 24 & 25, 1995 performances at The Longacre Theater, New York City.

Songs / Tracks Listing

Disc 1
1. Conundrum
2. Thela Hun Ginjeet
3. Red
4. Dinosaur
5. VROOOM VROOOM
6. Frame By Frame
7. Walking On Air
8. B'BOOM
9. THRAK
10. Neurotica
11. Sex, Sleep, Eat, Drink, Dream
Disc 2
1. People
2. One Time
3. Indiscipline
4. Improv: Two Sticks
5. Elephant Talk
6. Prism
7. Talking Drum
8. Larks' Tongues in Aspic (Part II)
9. Three Of A Perfect Pair
10. VROOOM
11. Coda: Marine 475
12. Fearless And Highly THRaKked

Line-up / Musicians

Robert Fripp - Guitar, Soundscapes
Adrian Belew - Guitar, Voice
Trey Gunn - Touch Guitar
Tony Levin - Basses, Stick
Pat Mastelotto - Acoustic & Electronic Drums & Percussion
Bill Bruford - Acoustic & Electronic Drums & Percussion

08 Dec 2010 FreeForm Spotlight: Pendulum "Immersion"

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)

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)

Spotlight 01 Dec 2010: Stacy & I Pick Five

Today from 12:30 - 1:30 AST, my wife Stacy and I play our top 5 songs.  Tune in to hear our criteria and a great eclectic mix of music, from Miriam Makeba to Jimi Hendrix to Porcupine Tree.
This program is part of the KMXT Fall Fund Raiser - call 907-486-498 and pledge your support for locally hosted public radio!