The Prog Rock Album Club

Big Ears · 03-15-2013, 07:17 AM

Aliens are like polar bears, they are usually left-handed.

Anteater · 03-15-2013, 09:09 AM

Damn you all, now I need to post this...

Trollheart · 03-25-2013, 01:48 PM

OK guys just a reminder: time to start putting your thoughts together on that Riverside album. I hope to have mine up tomorrow or Wednesday.

Anteater · 03-25-2013, 05:01 PM

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

I was thinking "Oh boy oh boy oh boy, Riverside time!!!". Mariusz Duda's voice comes roaring in like a revelation...

2. What did you think of the opening tracks?

Positively killer. The title track has a staggered, almost bluesy feel to it up until the explosive second half, 'The Depth Of Self-Delusion' has a killer, rolicking bassline and 'Celebrity Touch' is a catchy, interesting take on Jethro Tull's sound circa 1977 or so as interpreted through Riverside's postmodern approach to alt-progginess. So far I'm livin' large!

3. What did you think of the later tracks?

Stands up on near-equal ground to the first half. 'Feel Like Falling' is probably the poppiest number the band has done since '02 Panic Room' back on Rapid Eye Movement, but its quite tasty. And then you get that excellent sax outro to 'Deprived...' and the full on progassault, thematic closing stormer 'Escalator Shrine'...not a weak moment among 'em.

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

Singer/songwriter Mariusz Duda is Riverside's most distinctive element sonically if you ask me: he has a very unique tone and sense of vocal delivery that's hard to mix up with anyone else. Hell, he's one of the reasons I keep up with this band in the first place.

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

I'd been looking forward to this record for quite some time: it sounded pretty much what I expected it to sound like: technical, lots of soft/loud dynamics and some emotionally charged songwriting to propel the whole thing forward: Pink Floyd meets Peter Gabriel with the vitality of a good alternative rock band.

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

Better and better, with my admiration of the record's cohesiveness only getting stronger with subsequent listens.

7. What did you think of the lyrical content?

Straightforward/solid. Mariusz and the rest have never been much for elaborate metaphors or cleverness for the sake of it, which could be considered a point of criticism or praise in equal measure depending on your point of view. They've got a knack for damn good choruses in any case!

8. Did you like the instrumental parts?

Damn straight I did: the guitar and bass-work in particular is sublime.

9. What did you think of the production?

Very balanced and atmospheric: it's not overly showy or layered, and perhaps a tad soft on the high end. Again, a point of praise or criticism depending on what you expected out of this album going in.

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

Very familiar: 2007's Rapid Eye Movement in particular is one of my all-time favorite modern progressive rock records.

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

This is one of those records that's probably fit for the "post-prog" or "nu-prog" tag: it blends elements of modern/alternative rock with 70's-aestheticized progressive rock...and does so in an interesting way.

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

Quite a bit more!

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

'Escalator Shrine' for its great jammy feel (love the Hammond organ!) and 'Feel Like Falling' for how durned catchy it is.

14. And the one you liked least?

'We Got Used To Us'. It's not a bad song, but an obligatory ballad just doesn't stand out very much on an album with so many other great songs.

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?

Not really an applicable question: it's their fifth overall album, but that doesn't really factor in to how good or bad it is at all.

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

You bet.

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

S.O.N.G.S. is an album about people in my generation: we're educated, graduated, whatever, but many people struggle just to find a decent job or figure out what it is that gives their lives meaning: slaves to the grind as Skid Row once snarled, lol. Shining some light into that darkness of uncertainty is probably what Mariusz had in mind when the band came up with this album in the first place.

18. Did the album end well?

Very much so: 'Coda' is...a good coda, lol.

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

I wanted more sax besides that little outro on 'Deprived', damn it! (Although I have both Night Session tracks too) xD

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

Some of the other more prominent members on this forum, like Lee, dismiss S.O.N.G.S. because they were expecting some kind of huge overhaul or hardening up of Riverside's overall sonic makeup...but my opinion remains that this is probably the most cohesive and passionate record I've heard from the band in their whole decade-plus career.

I wouldn't mind a change in direction at this point, but S.O.N.G.S. is a damn fine album on its own merits. Thank you Poland!

Overall Album Rating: 8.5 out of 10

Trollheart · 03-25-2013, 06:32 PM

First, great review Ant, though I hated the opener (shock!); I'm sort of warming to it slowly now. Didn't realise the acronym: that's really clever, and something that got past me! D'oh!

But if you want more sax, grab (or ask me for) the extended CD which has two extra tracks, both entitled "Night sessions", the second of which is about 10 minutes of mostly sax work. I dont like it, but if sax is yer thing then you should be in prog heaven with this!

Trollheart · 03-26-2013, 06:17 PM

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

I really didn't think I was going to like this album, to be honest. The way the first track starts off just didn't speak to me at all and I was ready for a disappointment. That changed once track two got going though.

2. What did you think of the opening tracks?

The title track which opens the album is sung in a sort of old blues method, almost a lament with the vocals and guitar taking turns, which I didn't like. It gets going a few minutes in, and it's okay but as an opener it's one of the worst I've heard in a long time and definitely the weakest track for me. "The depth of self-delusion" was a hundred percent improvement and really it just got better from there on.

3. What did you think of the later tracks?

I've nothing bad to say about any of the other tracks. I loved "Depth" and the following ""Celebrity touch" is even better. The ballad "We got used to us" is just lovely and heartbreakingly sad, and even the big epic shines on every front.

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

I've heard but little of Riverside but I must say I do like Mariusz Duda, I think he has a strong yet gentle voice and fronts the band really well.

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

Yes, one thing Riverside have going for them --- one of the many things --- is that they're all excellent musicians. Wasn't mad about the horns though.

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

Much better once I got through the first track, as related above.

7. What did you think of the lyrical content?

Quite obscure in many ways, though they all seem to deal with the idea of isolation and loneliness, and a kind of bewilderment, being left behind as the world of technology dashes on. Definitely a plea for a return to simpler times, I feel. I particularly like the lines "Google boys and Wiki girls" in one of the songs, very appropriate and really conjures up the right images.

8. Did you like the instrumental parts?

Yes, the musicianship is excellent and through there weren't any actual instrumental songs the instrumental parts of the songs were all top-notch.

9. What did you think of the production?

I'm going to ignore this in future. Like I say, unless the production is really bad I can't distinguish the production on one album from that on another. This however was fine.

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

Riverside are a band I have all the albums of but have never really listened to one all the way through, before now. I was anxious though to see what their new one was like, and it has not in any way disappointed. I must thank Jackhammer for the original rec.

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

Progressive Rock, pure and simple. Unless you want to invent a new sub-genre, Pol-gressive Rock?

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

Much more. I've listened to it about six or seven times now and each time I appreciate it more. For an album I thought I would be writing a bad review of it's certainly surprised me.

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

"Celebrity touch", followed by "We got used to us"

14. And the one you liked least?

Title track, no question. I've warmed to it a little more now over the multiple listens, but it's still my least favourite on an album where everything else is so much better.

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?

Again, this question should be ignored if the album is NOT a debut, only. This isn't, so I'm passing over it.

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

Yes. Now that I've heard and enjoyed this I'm putting the rest of their catalogue on my "to-listen" list. Mind you, that list gets longer every week...

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

A basic look at our technological world and how people can be swamped by and even swallowed up by it. The dangers of the likes of Facebook and ITunes taking over your life, and generally a warning not to trust things that you can't see and touch. The idea too of relationships disintegrating under the incessant pressures of the modern world.

18. Did the album end well?

The choice of the tiny ballad "Coda", which revisits "Feel like falling" is a great idea, and a wonderful and low-key end to a powerful album. It also sounds a last note of hope. So yes.

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

I would perhaps have preferred the title track maybe halfway through, as for me it made a bad impression from the start. Other than that, no, nothing really.

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

Yeah, I think the basic idea ran through most of the songs and although not a concept it was very cohesive, with most of the songs referring to each other in one way or another.

Ratiing: 8.5 out of 10

Trollheart · 03-28-2013, 04:12 PM

Great reviews everyone. Interesting difference of opinion across the board. I think we've all got our thoughts in now, so is it ET up next? Interested to see what you have for us, guy...

03-15-2013, 07:17 AM	#1 (permalink)
Big Ears Music Addict Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Hampshire, England Posts: 434	Aliens are like polar bears, they are usually left-handed. __________________ My Journal: Rabbiting On

03-25-2013, 01:48 PM	#3 (permalink)
Trollheart Born to be mild Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 404 Not Found Posts: 26,996	OK guys just a reminder: time to start putting your thoughts together on that Riverside album. I hope to have mine up tomorrow or Wednesday. __________________ Trollheart: Signature-free since April 2018

03-25-2013, 06:32 PM	#5 (permalink)
Trollheart Born to be mild Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 404 Not Found Posts: 26,996	First, great review Ant, though I hated the opener (shock!); I'm sort of warming to it slowly now. Didn't realise the acronym: that's really clever, and something that got past me! D'oh! But if you want more sax, grab (or ask me for) the extended CD which has two extra tracks, both entitled "Night sessions", the second of which is about 10 minutes of mostly sax work. I dont like it, but if sax is yer thing then you should be in prog heaven with this! __________________ Trollheart: Signature-free since April 2018

03-26-2013, 06:17 PM	#6 (permalink)
Trollheart Born to be mild Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 404 Not Found Posts: 26,996	1. What were your VERY FIRST impressions on listening to the album, say from the first five minutes in? I really didn't think I was going to like this album, to be honest. The way the first track starts off just didn't speak to me at all and I was ready for a disappointment. That changed once track two got going though. 2. What did you think of the opening tracks? The title track which opens the album is sung in a sort of old blues method, almost a lament with the vocals and guitar taking turns, which I didn't like. It gets going a few minutes in, and it's okay but as an opener it's one of the worst I've heard in a long time and definitely the weakest track for me. "The depth of self-delusion" was a hundred percent improvement and really it just got better from there on. 3. What did you think of the later tracks? I've nothing bad to say about any of the other tracks. I loved "Depth" and the following ""Celebrity touch" is even better. The ballad "We got used to us" is just lovely and heartbreakingly sad, and even the big epic shines on every front. 4. Did you like the vocalist? Hate him/her? Any impressions? I've heard but little of Riverside but I must say I do like Mariusz Duda, I think he has a strong yet gentle voice and fronts the band really well. 5. Did the music (only) generally appeal to you, or not? Yes, one thing Riverside have going for them --- one of the many things --- is that they're all excellent musicians. Wasn't mad about the horns though. 6. Did the album get better or worse as you listened to it (first time)? Much better once I got through the first track, as related above. 7. What did you think of the lyrical content? Quite obscure in many ways, though they all seem to deal with the idea of isolation and loneliness, and a kind of bewilderment, being left behind as the world of technology dashes on. Definitely a plea for a return to simpler times, I feel. I particularly like the lines "Google boys and Wiki girls" in one of the songs, very appropriate and really conjures up the right images. 8. Did you like the instrumental parts? Yes, the musicianship is excellent and through there weren't any actual instrumental songs the instrumental parts of the songs were all top-notch. 9. What did you think of the production? I'm going to ignore this in future. Like I say, unless the production is really bad I can't distinguish the production on one album from that on another. This however was fine. 10. How well do you already know the band/artist? Riverside are a band I have all the albums of but have never really listened to one all the way through, before now. I was anxious though to see what their new one was like, and it has not in any way disappointed. I must thank Jackhammer for the original rec. 11. What sub-genre, if any, would you assign this music to? Progressive Rock, pure and simple. Unless you want to invent a new sub-genre, Pol-gressive Rock? 12. On repeated listens, did you find you liked the album more, or less? Much more. I've listened to it about six or seven times now and each time I appreciate it more. For an album I thought I would be writing a bad review of it's certainly surprised me. 13. What would you class as your favourite track, if you have one? "Celebrity touch", followed by "We got used to us" 14. And the one you liked least? Title track, no question. I've warmed to it a little more now over the multiple listens, but it's still my least favourite on an album where everything else is so much better. 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? Again, this question should be ignored if the album is NOT a debut, only. This isn't, so I'm passing over it. 16. Are you now looking forward to hearing other albums by the band/artist? Yes. Now that I've heard and enjoyed this I'm putting the rest of their catalogue on my "to-listen" list. Mind you, that list gets longer every week... 17. Did you get, thematically, the idea behind the album if there was one? A basic look at our technological world and how people can be swamped by and even swallowed up by it. The dangers of the likes of Facebook and ITunes taking over your life, and generally a warning not to trust things that you can't see and touch. The idea too of relationships disintegrating under the incessant pressures of the modern world. 18. Did the album end well? The choice of the tiny ballad "Coda", which revisits "Feel like falling" is a great idea, and a wonderful and low-key end to a powerful album. It also sounds a last note of hope. So yes. 19. Do you see any way the album could have been improved? I would perhaps have preferred the title track maybe halfway through, as for me it made a bad impression from the start. Other than that, no, nothing really. 20. Do you think the album hung together well, ie was a fully cohesive unit, or was it a bit hit-and-miss? Yeah, I think the basic idea ran through most of the songs and although not a concept it was very cohesive, with most of the songs referring to each other in one way or another. Ratiing: 8.5 out of 10 __________________ Trollheart: Signature-free since April 2018

03-28-2013, 04:12 PM	#7 (permalink)
Trollheart Born to be mild Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 404 Not Found Posts: 26,996	Great reviews everyone. Interesting difference of opinion across the board. I think we've all got our thoughts in now, so is it ET up next? Interested to see what you have for us, guy... __________________ Trollheart: Signature-free since April 2018