New Album Roundup - Spring 2024, Part 2

 New Album Roundup - Spring 2024 (April-June), Part 2

Here's the 2nd part of my roundup of quality new albums from the Spring (April-June) of this year: 

IZZ - Collapse the Wave

IZZ, a modern prog band from New York playing their own version of symphonic prog, has been around since the late 90's, but I only heard about them this year. This is their 10th album, and based on how great this is, I can only ask, why have I not heard of this band before now? This is fantastic! This band takes classic symphonic prog influences, mixes it with various other elements (including classical, jazz, pop, and theater) and a modern perspective, and creates something wonderful and new from it. Sure, you get glimpses of the various classic bands here, such as Yes, Genesis, Gentle Giant, ELP, Steely Dan, the Beatles, etc, but those elements quickly morph into something different and varied, and uniquely this band's own. One example of this is on There's Hope, which opens with some wild ELP-style keyboards, then goes into a Steely Dan groove for the verse, then changes again for a more acoustic folky chorus, then continues on to a rousing finish. Great keyboard and guitar work, as well as 2 drummers providing expressive drums and percussion. They feature 2 male vocalists and a female vocalist wich leads to very dynamic vocals and harmonies and great interplay among them, which adds another dimension to their sound. The album contains 11 songs (53 min runtime), all great, featuring many different styles from song to song (and within songs), but it all fits together and feels consistent and cohesive (no jarring disconnects as the styles change). A quite wonderful album and a must for fans of classic (and modern) prog. Best tracks: Collapse the Wave, Sometimes Sublime, Not About Me, Deep Inside, We Are the 3rd, There's Hope, And We Will Go. Rating: 4.5ó

Airbag - the Century of the Self

This Norwegian prog band started in the mid-2000s and has become known for their distinctive blend of progressive, ambient, and alternative rock (with Pink Floyd and Radiohead being the most obvious influences). This is their 6th album, and it does not disappoint, laying down a dark, moody, atmospheric base, punctuated by scorching guitar leads and evocative melodies and vocals. Excellent musicianship and song construction are evident throughout, as they take their time to create an atmosphere and build upon it with fantastic results. The album consists of 5 songs ranging in length from 6 to 15 minutes each, for a satisfying runtime of 47 minutes. Although somewhat dark and moody, it remains quite accessible, with its beauty and power, creating a quite immersive listening experience. Best Tracks: Erase, Dysphoria, Tear It Down, Awakening. Rating: 4ó

Sleepmakeswaves - It's Here, But I Have No Names For It

Sleepmakeswaves is from Australia and has been billed as a 'post-rock' band. Well, on this album I hear plenty of rock, as in modern prog rock, but I don't hear anything really 'post'-like. This is essentially an all-instrumental album (some ethereal background vocalizing on a couple tracks) that is bold and dynamic, very accomplished musically, nicely arranged, which I very much enjoyed. Lots of energy and dynamics, heavy crunchy guitars, big drum sound, as well as some needed quieter moments and interludes. However, it comes across to me very much as the backing tracks for a great album, but what is still missing for what it needs to BE a great album, are strong melodies and lead lines. Great songs that just seem to be missing the main vocal or instrumental melodies. Perhaps that is their point, that they don't need vocal or instrumental lead melodic lines to be great. But if that is the case, their music undermines that very point, because most of these songs seem to be crying out for a strong lead vocal or instrumental melodic lead laid down over the top of these excellent tracks. Sure, some work just fine as atmospheric interludes (such as Verdigris), but most still need that melodic line to anchor the song and make it really memorable. It just seems unfinished. Every time I listen to this I find myslf trying to add in the vocal, lead, or solo lines that seem like they ought to be there, but aren't. Still very enjoyable, great sound, but can't shake the feeling that this hasn't yet lived up to its full musical potential. Best Tracks: Super Realm Park, Ritual Control, Verdigris, Black Paradise, title track. Rating: 3.5ó

Azure - Fym

Azure, a modern progressive rock band from the UK, creates a dynamic, upbeat (often mind-spinningly frenetic) variation of Prog incorporating many influences, from classic prog, pop, metal, and jazz to fantasy and musical theater. This is a sprawling concept album dealing with sci-fi-fantasy adventure elements. With 12 tracks and clocking in at nearly 80 minutes in length, it is almost too much to take in all at once. But some really amazing stuff here, with a lot going on, mixing in a bit of so many different elements to create a truly unique experience. Some comparisons could be made to bands like The Dear Hunter and Thank You Scientist, at least in their overall approach, if not actual sound, mixing in many elements for a bold and dynamic vision. And energetic does not even cover this, as the frenetic pace and sheer number of notes played can be very intimidating (I do think they need to learn to ease off the gas more often, as there are many stretches throughout this album that feel like a 33rpm record played at 45 rpm speed, it is that noticeable), creating a chaotic feel. Thus, although at times a bit too frenetic or discordant to be continuously enjoyable, it is packed with many brilliant moments and sections throughout. Certainly one of the most intriguing albums of the year. I still need time to fully process it, but it is quite an amazing achievement. Need to hear more from this band as well. Best Tracks: Doppelganger, Weight of the Blade, Sky Sailing/Beyind the Bloom/Wilt, The Azdinist/Den of Dawns, Trench of Nalu. Rating: 4ó

The Decemberists - As It Ever Was, So It Shall Be Again

This folk/indie rock band with proggy tendencies hails from Portland, Oregon. This is their 9th album and with this one they return somewhat to some more progressive leanings after forays into more pop aspects on their last couple albums. This is a major, quite ambitious release (13 tracks, nearly 68 minutes long) featuring many different styles, somewhat broken into sections. The first section (4 tracks) features more indie rock/folk rock, accessible tracks and some of the best songs on the album, with upbeat vocals and melodies (even though dealing with melancholy subjects). The next section (4 tracks) features more traditional folk songs, slower with mainly acoustic guitar (and a plaintive horn section) and moving folky vocals and melodies, culminating with the love song All I Want is You. The next section (4 tracks) features more rock and diverse mixture of styles (but more rock and pop, less folky, even some psychedelia). Lastly (in a section all to itself), is the epic-length experimental track Joan in the Garden, which clocks in at just under 20 min, and also consists of three main sections, the first is built on a somber, moving melody that builds from an acoustic opening to fully orchestrated with vocal choir dramatic conclusion, but then the song goes into a section of ambient and random sounds and spoken words (that goes on too long) before finishing with a surprisingly rockin' closing section and one of the highlights of the album. Overall, a quite wonderful, moving, and satisfying album. Best Tracks: Burial Ground, Oh No!, America Made Me, Never Satisfied, Born to the Morning, All I Want Is You, Joan in the Garden. Rating: 4ó    

Returned to the Earth - Stalagmite Steeple

This is the 5th album from UK prog band Returned to the Earth. They also feature a moody, atmospheric style, but more low-key, melodic, and gentler than most other prog bands, but beautiful and quite evocative. They are musically reminiscent of Pink Floyd and the gentler side of Porcupine Tree, Pineapple Thief, and Airbag. The subject matter of the songs can be quite sad or heart-wrenching, but the music remains beautuiful and moving, if a bit melancholy. Overall, this may be a bit too low-key musically, as in some places it could some more punch, as there are some songs that seem to have a slow build to something bigger, and I keep expecting it to break out and explode into a big finish, but it never does and just trails off. Certainly, need to be in the right mood for this album, but it delivers some quite beautiful and moving pieces. Best Tracks: Dark Morality, Stalagmite Steeple, Die For Me, The Raging Sea. Rating: 3.5ó

Barock Project - Time Voyager

Barock Project is an Italian Prog band started in 2004 that mixes classical (mainly baroque style), with rock, jazz, and pop in a progressive rock framework. This is their 7th album, but first that I have heard from them. I only recently discovered this album and wasn't sure what to expect, but was completely blown away by how great this is. By the 2nd song (Summer Set You Free, with its viciously infectious rhythm, beat, and melody, and it's mostly in 11/8 time!), I was totally hooked. Sensational album! Superb Symphonic Prog. Great balance between the classical influences and more rockin' aspects, as well as deft handling of all the other myriad influences for a truly wonderful listening adventure. Especially appreciate the way they interwove the more eclectic proggy elements (such as odd beats and time signatures, extended instrumental passages, etc) with more mainstream melodic rock and vocal harmonies. I was particularly impressed with how they had embraced and incorporated so much 70's and 80's American prog into the mix, with notable influences from Kansas, Styx, Ambrosia, Toto, Steely Dan, and others (which is unusual for Italian prog bands), in addition to references to other classic bands (Jethro Tull, Yes, Neal Morse, etc.). It certainly does harken back to the glory days of mid-70's prog, although they also add many more modern touches as well, creating a very dynamic, invigorating, and exciting mix. Wonderful songs and structure. Great keyboards and guitars, great vocals and harmonies, and great drumming throughout. This is a concept album following a traveler lost in time, so the style also varies across the various songs dealing with different time and place aspects (12 songs, 70 minutes runtime), including a pirate-inspired sea shanty (The Lost Ship Tavern), and a jazz-rock track that features a jazz fusion intro gliding into a Steely Dan-esqe jazz-funk groove (Propaganda). Overall, a superb album, with numerous highlights throughout, and no lapses or weaknesses. This is my favorite album of the year so far. Just fantastic from beginning to end, and anyone who enjoys classic symphonic (or modern) prog should be thrilled with this album. Best Tracks: Summer Set You Free, Carry On, The Lost Ship Tavern, Voyager, Mediterranean, Lonely Girl, Propaganda. Rating: 5ó (only album so far this year to get 5ó rating).

Quick Hits (More worthwhile, quality albums that I didn't have time to fully review, wasn't as excited about, or just don't have much to say about). Just a brief description for each:

Waxahatchee - Tiger's Blood
Another strong album from this folk-rock band. Noting fancy, just enjoyable, well-crafted songs, great vocals, and basic but effective arrangements. 3.5ó

Norah Jones - Visions
Solid album of Norah's songs and vocals, but doesn't stand out among her other notable releases. 3ó

Mark Knopfler - One Deep River
Beautiful, mellow, melancholy guitar and vocals from Mark. Relaxing, immersive, and quite impressive. 3.5ó

Pearl Jam -  Dark Matter
Worthy album from Pearl Jam. Not their best, but still a good listen. 3ó

The Tangent - To Follow Polaris
Actually solo project from Andy Tilison in the Tangent style. Very good prog rock album. 3.5ó

Sykofant - Sykofant
Impressive debut from this Norwegian prog band. Explores psychedelic and heavy prog elements with a 60's-early 70's aesthetic. 3.5ó

Avett Brothers - Avett Brothers
Nice return from Avett Brothers featuring spirited folk-rock, country-rock, Americana. Fine vocals. 3ó

BlitzenTrapper - 100's of 1000's, Millions of Billions
Solid album, enjoyable tracks of a mixture of styles, but doesn't match their best. 3ó

BB’s Rating scale:

1ó – Terrible, torturous to have to listen to

1.5ó - Poor, not worth your time

2 ó – Fair, maybe a couple half-way decent songs, but sub-par overall

2.5ó – Average, OK, meh, not bad but not that good either

3ó – Good, solid album, several good songs, but not spectacular. Certainly worthy, but may not be something you come back to very often

3.5ó – Very good album. Some stellar tracks, very enjoyable overall

4ó – Great album, filled with great songs, one that you will want to come back to over and over again

4.5ó – Excellent album, beyond great, superb in every way, just short of a masterpiece 

5ó – A Masterpiece, among the greatest albums of its type, and has stood the test of time

 

That's it for now, but I may add in a few more that I didn't get to yet. But now, let's hear from you, about these or other albums. What new albums have you enjoyed so far this year?