The Prog Rock Album Club

Unknown Soldier · 04-12-2013, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trollheart

I don't really know. Maybe we'd choose an album, each write our review of it and we could then sort through who takes what part, like maybe I could do the intro and first few tracks, you could do the middle and US the end, or maybe we'd take another approach. Or we could review it "live" over Skype or something and write our thoughts then edit them later. I really don't know how it would get sorted but you two guys sound like you would be fun and rewarding to work with.

Just an idea...

Or do a band discography.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul Smeenus

2 points:

So is Tales from Topographic Oceans

2. Why am I not in this club???

Anybody into prog can join, the only sort of condition is that you stick around really.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big Ears

TH, count me in for the group review.

Paul, it's not up to me, but I am sure you can consider yourself in the club.

I forgot to thank Electrophonic for suggesting Frumpy. Anyone seen him?

ET went home I think.

Electrophonic Tonic · 04-12-2013, 06:40 PM

1. What were your VERY FIRST impressions on listening to the album, say from the first five minutes in?
When I first heard this a few years ago, I was taken aback by how organ driven it is. It was like listening to a less acid soaked Vanilla Fudge. And of course, hearing Inga Rumpf's voice for the first time stick in your memory.

2. What did you think of the opening tracks?
It sets the tone for an album of bluesy (German?!) prog rock. I do think the album peaks with How the Gypsy Was Born, however Good Winds only a slight drop off for me.

3. What did you think of the later tracks?
Take Care of the Illusion is the only track that leaves me wanting more, but it is still a well done track. And Duty is a great way to end the album and really lets Rainer Baumann shine.

4. Did you like the vocalist? Hate him/her? Any impressions?
I like how Inga's voice is gruff enough to match the rockier aspect of Frumpy's sound. And, as much as I prefer the music itself to vocals, it's nice to hear an original, unique singer in a prog band.

5. Did the music (only) generally appeal to you, or not?
Right in my prog wheel house.

6. Did the album get better or worse as you listened to it (first time)?
I haven't heard the album in a little over a year, and I appreciate it a lot more now compared to when I last heard it.

7. What did you think of the lyrical content?
In general, it's an interesting mix of the more mystical themes (Gypsy) and then more modern themes like on Duty.

8. Did you like the instrumental parts?
Absofreakinlutely. It's nice to hear a prog band play together as a band, while still managing to shine as individual musicians in a non-ELP, wankery kind of way.

9. What did you think of the production?
Again, it reminds me a lot of Vanilla Fudge's debut album. Thick overall with the organ just peaking out over the top.

10. How well do you already know the band/artist?
I heard about them from a fellow prog rock lover in a geology class I took 4 years ago. He got me into Yes and I got him into King Crimson. As a thank you, he showed me this video of How the Gypsy Was Born on youtube. I eventually found a CD of them at a local record shop, a $30 import, but it was totally worth it.

11. What sub-genre, if any, would you assign this music to?
Inventing pointless genres again, but bluesy prog is the first thing that comes to mind for me. But I understand the Space Prog label you guys have been putting on it.

12. On repeated listens, did you find you liked the album more, or less?
I've constantly enjoyed it as long as I've heard it, but this most recent listen bumped it up a little bit more in my opinion.

13. What would you class as your favourite track, if you have one?
How the Gypsy Was Born is such a damn good song and I'm convinced it would be on constant rotation on your decent classic rock radio station if they had any kind of name recognition.

14. And the one you liked least?
Take Care of the Illusion has the quieter part and even thought it recovers nicely, Frumpy is at their best being bombastic.

15. Did the fact that this album is a debut/sophomore/middle period or later period allow it, in your mind, any leeway, and if so, was that decision justified or vindicated?
I've heard their first album... and I honestly don't remember much about it. I've heard it many once or twice, but there are like 8-10 3-5ish minutes tracks, so it's right for you Troll

16. Are you now looking forward to hearing other albums by the band/artist?
I haven't heard their live album, but I want to find it now that I've sort of re-discovered these guys.

17. Did you get, thematically, the idea behind the album if there was one?
Ummm... I think Rainer Baumann looks like a terrified Dave Mustaine. (Check the video if you so desire)

18. Did the album end well?
As I said, I really like how Duty lets Rainer Baumann shine and the track has enough structure and interesting passages to serve as the album closer.

19. Do you see any way the album could have been improved?
Mellotron... but I believe it can do no wrong and make any prog record instantly better. But yeah, not much other than that.

20. Do you think the album hung together well, ie was a fully cohesive unit, or was it a bit hit-and-miss?
Four great prog rock tracks from the Rhineland... works for me.

Easily, 9/10

Trollheart · 04-12-2013, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul Smeenus

2 points:

So is Tales from Topographic Oceans

2. Why am I not in this club???

You are now. Welcome!

Anteater · 04-12-2013, 11:43 PM

1. What were your VERY FIRST impressions on listening to the album, say from the first five minutes in?

Groovy, proggy post psychedelic goodness.

2. What did you think of the opening tracks?

'Good Winds' kind of drags a bit, but the atmosphere has that knotty, Krautrockian haze that never ceases to be engaging. Great keyboardisms throughout the second half especially!

3. What did you think of the later tracks?

This is a fairly short album overall: 'How The Gypsy Was Born' and 'Take Care Of Illusion' both quite impressed me, but the wah-wahtastic 'Duty' was what convinced me that this was one of those albums I've been missing out on for far too long.

4. Did you like the vocalist? Hate him/her? Any impressions?

Inga Rumpf is indeed a helluva vocalist: I'm not as as crazy about her as a few of our fellow PRAC members are, but its certainly a fine fit for Frumpy's sonic excursions.

5. Did the music (only) generally appeal to you, or not?

It appealed to my golden age proghead side veraciously, but the excessively jammy nature of the record somewhat limits the scope of when I'll want to be sitting through it or not.

6. Did the album get better or worse as you listened to it (first time)?

Better, especially by the time I got to 'Duty'.

7. What did you think of the lyrical content?

Uh....good and spacey I suppose? The instruments were more comprehensible to me, lol.

8. Did you like the instrumental parts?

Yep! Everything had the drive of a sucker punch here, especially the guitar and drumwork.

9. What did you think of the production?

Fine for the era: a bit muddy by today's standards obviously.

10. How well do you already know the band/artist?

Nah.

11. What sub-genre, if any, would you assign this music to?

Heavy Progressive Rock...perhaps Krautrock.

12. On repeated listens, did you find you liked the album more, or less?

Liked it at first listen, but my impressions haven't really changed the more I've heard it.

13. What would you class as your favourite track, if you have one?

'Duty', followed by 'Take Care Of Illusion'.

14. And the one you liked least?

Probably 'Good Winds', if I HAD to pick one.

15. Did the fact that this album is a debut/sophomore/middle period or later period allow it, in your mind, any leeway, and if so, was that decision justified or vindicated?

N/A.

16. Are you now looking forward to hearing other albums by the band/artist?

Definitely, although not sure how much overall.

17. Did you get, thematically, the idea behind the album if there was one?

Not really, but I enjoyed the record from a song-to-song basis.

18. Did the album end well?

Yessir it did!

19. Do you see any way the album could have been improved?

Fuller production maybe? A little orchestral embellishment here and there might not have been too bad either....xD

20. Do you think the album hung together well, ie was a fully cohesive unit, or was it a bit hit-and-miss?

Twas quite cohesive I think, sonically and in mood. For better or for worse, you can't fault Frumpy on their consistency.

Overall Album Rating: 7 out of 10

Trollheart · 04-13-2013, 02:11 PM

Cool guys. Once again we've demonstrated our different feelings about a prog album. Nice choice ET; certainly unknown to me.

Who's up next then?

Big Ears · 04-13-2013, 02:33 PM

Is it me or did I forego my turn?

Unknown Soldier · 04-13-2013, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big Ears

Is it me or did I forego my turn?

It's you and no Phil Collins please.

Big Ears · 04-13-2013, 05:04 PM

Is 'I Am Anonymous' by Headspace (Adam Wakeman's band), from last year, okay with everyone? It's guaranteed safe for all Phil Collins sufferers.

Trollheart · 04-13-2013, 06:10 PM

Fine by me. Is he another of Rick's progeny? I was certainly impressed with Oliver; can't say I've heard of Adam....

Big Ears · 04-14-2013, 03:26 AM

Adam is Rick's second of two sons with Rosaline Woolford. Oliver is the first, although Rick has about four other grownup children from various wives. Frighteningly, Adam is 39! Like his dad, he has worked with The Strawbs and Black Sabbath (on 13 apparently). He is also a member of Ozzy Osbourne's band and the excellent Snakecharmer. As you would expect, Adam is a keyboard player, but I have seen pictures of him playing guitar on stage with Osbourne's band.

Threshold singer Damian Wilson is a member of Headspace, having also worked with Rick, and bassist Lee Pomeroy has played with It Bites!

04-12-2013, 06:40 PM	#332 (permalink)
Electrophonic Tonic Your Ad Here Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: The Twilight Zone Posts: 876	1. What were your VERY FIRST impressions on listening to the album, say from the first five minutes in? When I first heard this a few years ago, I was taken aback by how organ driven it is. It was like listening to a less acid soaked Vanilla Fudge. And of course, hearing Inga Rumpf's voice for the first time stick in your memory. 2. What did you think of the opening tracks? It sets the tone for an album of bluesy (German?!) prog rock. I do think the album peaks with How the Gypsy Was Born, however Good Winds only a slight drop off for me. 3. What did you think of the later tracks? Take Care of the Illusion is the only track that leaves me wanting more, but it is still a well done track. And Duty is a great way to end the album and really lets Rainer Baumann shine. 4. Did you like the vocalist? Hate him/her? Any impressions? I like how Inga's voice is gruff enough to match the rockier aspect of Frumpy's sound. And, as much as I prefer the music itself to vocals, it's nice to hear an original, unique singer in a prog band. 5. Did the music (only) generally appeal to you, or not? Right in my prog wheel house. 6. Did the album get better or worse as you listened to it (first time)? I haven't heard the album in a little over a year, and I appreciate it a lot more now compared to when I last heard it. 7. What did you think of the lyrical content? In general, it's an interesting mix of the more mystical themes (Gypsy) and then more modern themes like on Duty. 8. Did you like the instrumental parts? Absofreakinlutely. It's nice to hear a prog band play together as a band, while still managing to shine as individual musicians in a non-ELP, wankery kind of way. 9. What did you think of the production? Again, it reminds me a lot of Vanilla Fudge's debut album. Thick overall with the organ just peaking out over the top. 10. How well do you already know the band/artist? I heard about them from a fellow prog rock lover in a geology class I took 4 years ago. He got me into Yes and I got him into King Crimson. As a thank you, he showed me this video of How the Gypsy Was Born on youtube. I eventually found a CD of them at a local record shop, a $30 import, but it was totally worth it. 11. What sub-genre, if any, would you assign this music to? Inventing pointless genres again, but bluesy prog is the first thing that comes to mind for me. But I understand the Space Prog label you guys have been putting on it. 12. On repeated listens, did you find you liked the album more, or less? I've constantly enjoyed it as long as I've heard it, but this most recent listen bumped it up a little bit more in my opinion. 13. What would you class as your favourite track, if you have one? How the Gypsy Was Born is such a damn good song and I'm convinced it would be on constant rotation on your decent classic rock radio station if they had any kind of name recognition. 14. And the one you liked least? Take Care of the Illusion has the quieter part and even thought it recovers nicely, Frumpy is at their best being bombastic. 15. Did the fact that this album is a debut/sophomore/middle period or later period allow it, in your mind, any leeway, and if so, was that decision justified or vindicated? I've heard their first album... and I honestly don't remember much about it. I've heard it many once or twice, but there are like 8-10 3-5ish minutes tracks, so it's right for you Troll 16. Are you now looking forward to hearing other albums by the band/artist? I haven't heard their live album, but I want to find it now that I've sort of re-discovered these guys. 17. Did you get, thematically, the idea behind the album if there was one? Ummm... I think Rainer Baumann looks like a terrified Dave Mustaine. (Check the video if you so desire) 18. Did the album end well? As I said, I really like how Duty lets Rainer Baumann shine and the track has enough structure and interesting passages to serve as the album closer. 19. Do you see any way the album could have been improved? Mellotron... but I believe it can do no wrong and make any prog record instantly better. But yeah, not much other than that. 20. Do you think the album hung together well, ie was a fully cohesive unit, or was it a bit hit-and-miss? Four great prog rock tracks from the Rhineland... works for me. Easily, 9/10 Last edited by Electrophonic Tonic; 04-12-2013 at 06:51 PM.

04-13-2013, 02:11 PM	#335 (permalink)
Trollheart Born to be mild Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 404 Not Found Posts: 26,994	Cool guys. Once again we've demonstrated our different feelings about a prog album. Nice choice ET; certainly unknown to me. Who's up next then? __________________ Trollheart: Signature-free since April 2018

04-13-2013, 02:33 PM	#336 (permalink)
Big Ears Music Addict Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Hampshire, England Posts: 434	Is it me or did I forego my turn? __________________ My Journal: Rabbiting On

04-13-2013, 05:04 PM	#338 (permalink)
Big Ears Music Addict Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Hampshire, England Posts: 434	Is 'I Am Anonymous' by Headspace (Adam Wakeman's band), from last year, okay with everyone? It's guaranteed safe for all Phil Collins sufferers. __________________ My Journal: Rabbiting On

04-13-2013, 06:10 PM	#339 (permalink)
Trollheart Born to be mild Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 404 Not Found Posts: 26,994	Fine by me. Is he another of Rick's progeny? I was certainly impressed with Oliver; can't say I've heard of Adam.... __________________ Trollheart: Signature-free since April 2018

04-14-2013, 03:26 AM	#340 (permalink)
Big Ears Music Addict Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Hampshire, England Posts: 434	Adam is Rick's second of two sons with Rosaline Woolford. Oliver is the first, although Rick has about four other grownup children from various wives. Frighteningly, Adam is 39! Like his dad, he has worked with The Strawbs and Black Sabbath (on 13 apparently). He is also a member of Ozzy Osbourne's band and the excellent Snakecharmer. As you would expect, Adam is a keyboard player, but I have seen pictures of him playing guitar on stage with Osbourne's band. Threshold singer Damian Wilson is a member of Headspace, having also worked with Rick, and bassist Lee Pomeroy has played with It Bites! __________________ My Journal: Rabbiting On