New Album Roundup - Summer 2024, Part 2

New Album Roundup - Summer 2024, Part 2

Here are more great albums that came out over the Summer months (July, August, September) of 2024.

Jon Anderson & The Band Geeks - True

A wonderful, resurgent album from the former lead vocalist (and musical heart) of Yes. Jon's solo output has been a mixed bag, with some really good work, but also some mediocre or lackluster endeavors, and often quite different from the music of Yes. But here he returns (having just turned 80 yrs old!) with one of his absolute best works, and back to a style and sound quite reminiscent of classic Yes through the years. This has been made possible by his collaboration with a top-notch band of exquisite musicians, The Band of Geeks, who started out as somewhat of a Yes Tribute band, playing note for note recreations of classic Yes music, as well as some other Prog band classics. Great musicians, well-versed in the Yes style and sound, and they contribute immensely to the success of this album, much more than just a back-up band, as they are a true band that creates great musical moments in their songs, arrangements and solos. Despite his years, Jon's voice still shines (a bit more frail than previously, but still bright and clear) and this set of songs are great and work beautifully throughout the album. Kicking off with the wonderful True Messenger, we know right away that the classic Yes sound is back, triumphant and going strong. The next song, Shine On, also has the Yes sound, but more of the style of 80's Yes (90125 era), a bit more slick and commercial, but joyously radiant. As the album goes on, there are some ballads and songs more in the style of Jon's other solo work, but elevated by the masterful band and arrangements behind them. There are even a couple of 'epic-length' tracks in Counties and Countries and the album centerpiece highlight, Once Upon a Dream, that are right up there with some of Yes' classic tracks. Altogether, a wonderful, uplifting listen that is bound to put a smile on your face and warmth in your heart, especially if you are a fan of the glory days of Yes. Best Tracks: Once Upon a Dream, True Messenger, Shine On, Realization part2, Counties and Countries, Still a Friend. Rating: 4.5ó 

Pure Reason Revolution - Coming Up to Consciousness

This the 6th album from this British Crossover Prog band, and 3rd since they re-formed in 2018. Very strong album and a solid step forward from their previous album, Above Cirrus (2022), which was not quite as strong as its predecessor, Eupnea (2020).  Wonderful mellow vocals and beautiful melodies leading to darker, heavier rock elements and crossover prog appeal. The album consists of 8 main songs separated by very brief (15-30 sec) instrumental interludes, consisting of moody synth chords. The main songs are good atmospheric melodic prog with strong melodies and vocals. Best Tracks: Betrayal, Useless Animal, The Gallows, As We Disappear, Bend the Earth. Rating: 3.5ó

 

Dilemma - The Purpose Paradox

This progressive rock band from the Netherlands originally formed in the 90's, released one album, then disbanded, but re-formed many years later to release a new album in 2018, Random Acts of Liberation, and now they are back once again with a very strong album in The Purpose Paradox. They blend beautiful vocals and melodies with a heavier prog core. Generally open songs with somewhat mellow vocals, melodies and harmonies, which then often build to much heavier riffs, flirting with but never fully delving into prog metal (which is a good thing). Generally synth-heavy, but also with some really good guitar work, and those great vocals and catchy melodies. Sort of like mixing Toto with Dream Theater, which so happens to work very well. Best Tracks: Sanctuary, Outer Light, Not Enough Now, Thunder, Electra. Rating: 3.5ó

Haven of Echoes - Memento Vivere

This is a relatively new prog band from Germany, and their 2nd album, following 2022's acclaimed The Indifferent Stars. Interesting blend of dreamy pop vocals (somewhat reminiscent of 80's bands such as Tears For Fears, Talk Talk, and Crowded House) and moody atmospheric vibe juxtaposed with darker, heavier rock sections, creating sort of dream vs. nightmare scenarios (best shown in the 14 min It Walks Among Us and the album closer, Assimilation). They take their time letting the songs emerge and play out, consisting of just 4 tracks (each 8-17 mins long). Creates a uniquely beautiful melodic but dark atmosphere and backs it up with some powerful rock elements. Best Tracks: Assimilation, Non Sum - Non Curo, It Walks Among Us. Rating: 3.5ó
 

Burton Cummings - A Few Good Moments

This one just came in at the close of Summer (late September). Here's another album from an aging legendary rock vocalist (formerly of The Guess Who) that is also a triumphant, unexpected delight!. Burton Cummings (who is my choice as the greatest rock vocalist of all time), at 76, returns with his first new studio album in 16 years, a surprisingly strong album that shows off not only his still wonderful vocals, but his impressive songwriting as well. Although his voice doesn't have the full richness or power it once had, he still sounds great here, but the real strength of the album is the songwriting and variety of the music presented. Mature, well-crafted songs of varying styles that could only come from a rich lifetime of experiences, as he looks back and explores his life, the changing world around him, and what he has learned along the way. A packed album, with a full 17 songs, including many that would have fit right in with The Guess Who. Though mostly light to medium rock, blues, and ballads, Burton shows he can still rock with the best on several tracks here, and delivers a diversity of pleasing styles. And the songs benefit from the expertise of his long-time back-up band (The Carpet Frogs) with some very tasty arrangements and fills. Its obvious Burton has spent a lot of time crafting these songs and they are just a joy to listen to, masterful melodic pop-rock majesty. Best Tracks: My Rhythm and My Rhyme, A Few Good Moments, Shape I'm In, Heard It On The News, Shoot Me Down, Sanity, Up to the Minute, Market My Letters. Rating: 4ó
 
Here's some quick hits (very brief comments) for a buch more quality albums from this summer that I didn't have time to more fully review, wasn't quite as thrilled with, or didn't have as much to say about, but are all albums worth checking out.

More Quality Prog

SJS - A Sequence of Mistakes

 Australian prog band features a soothing , mellow, and very enjoyable mix of ambient, atmospheric, and new agey prog-lite, with just enough pop and rock vocals and melodies and rhythms to keep things moving and interesting throughout. 3.5ó
Myth of Logic - Light at the End
Primarily the work of U.S. (Florida) multi-instrumentalist-vocalist, Scott G. Davis, this is the finale of his 3-album concept project, Here and There Trilogy. Fine keyboard-oriented classic-style prog, with many stellar moments and playing, but some ups and downs (vocals not that strong). Overall very good. 3.5ó
Trojka - Strobemorke
Modern melodic prog band from Norway. Eclectic mix ranging from tender ballads to intense outbursts, featuring abundant elements of jazz and pop, extended instrumentals and catchy melodies.  3.5ó
Kalandra - A Frame of Mind
Norwegian alternative folk band delivers atmospheric melodies with beautiful female vocals, some darker, powerful, and melancholic moments, and eerie musical landscapes. Some similarities to Exploring Birdsong, but less keyboard-driven. 3.5ó

Others

King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard - Flight b741

Fun album of blues-rock with elements of southern, country, and folk rock rom this chameleon band (never know what they're gonns do. Very enjoyable, but I get the impression they're just playing with genres rather than being fully invested in the music. Rating: 3.5ó

 

Motorpsycho - Neigh!

Compilation album of leftover tracks of various recording sessions from this versatile band. But as is common with these types of albums, it is a mixed bag featuring a variety of styles, with some really good songs, others just OK (Can't match their other recent albums). Rating: 3ó

 
Old Pros
Focus - 12

Current reformation of this classic 70's prog band from the Netherlands. This is mostly instrumental jazz-rock with classically-inspired solo piano interludes. Excellent musicianship, but somewhat routine jazz fusion. 3ó
Deep Purple - =1
Solid, if somewhat generic, rock album from this legendary band. Nothing new or essential here, but nice to hear that they can still rock competently. 3ó
Nektar - Mission to Mars
Latest regrouping of classic prog band (bassist Mo Moore only original member left). More straight rock than prog at this point, but still some nice prog in the extended instrumental sections. Enjoyable, but can't touch the classic era. 3ó
Nick Lowe - Indoor Safari
Consummate songwriter and entertainer, Lowe's albums are always enjoyable, and here he's ably backed by Los Straitjackets. Lowe's crooning soft rock set over Los Straitjacket's early 60's surf rock style. 3.5ó

Disappointing?
Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds - Wild God
Nick's talk-singing over a gospel-tinged chorus and arrangements doesn't do much for me, but others may appreciate his lyrics. 2.5ó
Jack White - No Name
White gets back to garage rock, blues rock, and punk blues on this uneven album, which many acclaim for coming back to a sound closer to the White Stripes, but just seemed OK to me. 2.5ó 

Several more interesting prog-related releases. Competent, well-played, but didn't stand out. 

Karfagen - Land of Chameleons 3

Maya - Fading Tomorrow 3

The Windmill - Mindscapes 3

Hourglass - Voids & Visions 3

Rendezvous Point - Dream Chaser 3

Ice - Man in the Moon 3

Bent Knee - Twenty Pills Without Water

klark.sound - What is Music 3

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 about it for now. It was a busy summer, lots of great music. And the fall is already looking great too, as many cool new albums have already come out in October, with more coming November. Will probably do another of these roundups next month, before I do the year-end wrap-ups in December.Let me know what have been some of your favorite albums of the past few months.