Bizarre Ko.Ko.Ko. ~ Austria

00 Time (1984)

---1/21/11

Regular readers of the CDRWL know that I'm quite fond of the Berlin School of sequencer based electronic music. And that's where Bizarre Ko.Ko.Ko. fits in perfectly. In fact, this is version 2.0 of Cultural Noise, an LP from my collection that I fawned over way back when. This isn't that dissimilar from Cultural Noise, though it's clearly moving away from the Tangerine Dream influence, and adding an overall darker mood. Mellotron, sequencers, and guitar are all present, especially early on. It begins to deconstruct towards the end, making it sound more like an early Klaus Schulze effort (think Cyborg). Really a fine effort and a must hear for EM fans.

---3/16/26

That was the original CDRWL entry, penned after acquiring the LP. This is my first revisit since and I'll add it here to UMR.

One can't talk about Bizarre Ko.Ko.Ko. (would like to know the reasoning behind that moniker) without referencing Cultural Noise. And that's because they are 2/3rds of the same band. Looks like it was Gerhard Lisy who sat this one out. The crazy titles stayed in place as well, with 'Retracting The Reflected Consciousness Of All Having Come To Into Being' taking first prize. And look at that cover. What the hell were these guys into? Alien insanity, that's what. If curious, the cover was done by one of the two members of the band: Walter Heinisch. Clearly Hans Rudolf Giger was an influence here.

Musically these guys were still entrenched into the analog 70s. No hints of 1984 here. This isn't their "Poland" or "Drive Inn" album, that's for sure. Some very inventive sequences can be heard, especially on B1. I referred to B2 as deconstruction, but there's plenty of sequencing there too.  

Ownership: 1984 Synoptik (LP). Acquired in 2011.

No CD reissues as of 3/16/26. Has been reissued on LP.

1/21/11 (review); 3/16/26 (update / new entry)

Gargantua ~ Poland

Gargantua (2003)

---2004

This album didn't meet my expectations as they were set to believe a Magma, King Crimson, and Gentle Giant combination. Naturally I took that to mean Mekanik meets Red meets Power & The Glory. But it could also mean Uppsala meets Discipline (still don’t hear any Gentle Giant I’m afraid). Modern sounding, very jazzy in the piano, digital-80’s style synths, clean and distorted guitar runs. Their sound sometimes reminds me of the new French group Nil, but in a different genre altogether. Expectations are funny, but now that I have my head around this, I’m enjoying it a lot more. Jazzy Zeuhl with Crimson moves. Something very different than anything else overall.

---3/16/26
 

There's these albums in my collection that I have zero recollection of. Gargantua's debut is one of those. Fortunately I have prior notes like the above. Despite a UMR era listen, I didn't enter the album into this site then. So I'll do that now. What does this third listen reveal?

Well it definitely belongs to the avant prog genre. Charted counterpoint rock music is how I hear and envision it. While we don't hear this sound so much from Poland, we do from neighboring Czech Republic. And I think that's where our signposts are: Uz Jsme Doma, Combo FH, MCH Band, Aku Aku, Dunaj, etc... The Polish vocals are a unique twist. The Zeuhl reference is real in that Univers Zero sort of way. And the guitars can get violent like Present does on occasion.

When the music is over, you begin to realize you've experienced something highly unique. None of the contents are groundbreaking, yet the way it's arranged and presented is just that. Groundbreaking. This is one of those albums I'm really glad to own, but if someone offered me something else like it, I'd probably take a pass. Strange, and perhaps illogical, that mindset is. But that's how I feel. One is enough, I submit.

Ownership: 2003 Ars Mundi (CD). Booklet with lyrics in Polish plus recording details. Acquired in 2004.

2004 (review); 6/20/17; 3/16/26 (update)

Gargantua went on to release one more album which I've yet to hear.

3/16/26 (new entry)

Sensations' Fix / Franco Falsini ~ Italy

Sensation's Fix (1974)

---5/12/07

I didn't know until recently that Sensations' Fix even had a self-titled debut album. Apparently it was only a promo and not sold through stores (ED: I was later to find out it was a sound library album), despite sporting a unique cover. It's a little more underproduced than their later material, but it unmistakably has the Sensations' Fix space rock sound. Much of the material represents earlier versions of songs that would show up later on Fragments of Light though some of the material is entirely unique to this release. 

---3/16/26

A few years after those notes, Universal released the 6th volume of their Progressive Italia series. And today, I'm hearing the album for the first time in 15 years from that same CD. Such an interesting album really. While generally regarded as their debut, this is probably true from a chronological recording data standpoint. Fragments of Light had been released by Polydor in 1974, though it remains unclear if this sound library album was sent to stations before or after that fact (note the misspelled group name). Consider that Portable Madness was also released in 1974, there's only so much time in a year. Musically this sounds like a raw demo. The kind of album that a metal band would release on cassette before maybe hitting the big time with an LP contract. Which certainly doesn't make it a bad album. One can already hear the great ideas Falsini had in his head, and his guitar playing is as soulful as ever. The sound is demo quality for certain. Hollow and thuddy. Part of the charm I think. The CD is taken from vinyl, so it's difficult to know how the original tapes may have sounded. And the odds of me obtaining the original LP are slim, especially since it was never for sale in Italy, much less here in the US.

Speaking of which, all these years later, and the reissues of Sensations' Fix remain an embarrassment. If there was ever a group who needed professional treatment, it's these guys. A box set of carefully mastered tapes would be amazing. Do those tapes even exist? Who knows. Only the Falsini anthology Music is Painting in the Air gives us any clue of what the possibilities may be.

Ownership: 2010 Universal (as part of the 6 CD box set Progressive Italia Gli Anni '70 Vol. 6). Acquired in 2011.

5/12/07 (notes); 2/5/11; 3/16/26 (update)

 

Franco Falsini - Cold Nose (1975)

Franco Falsini's only solo album takes in one part Manuel Gottsching, one part Richard Pinhas, and three parts of the outer galaxy he apparently emigrated from. Analog wedgy electronics, and thick oozing heavy guitar shards define the sound palette, whereas the melodies are pulled from his own Sensations' Fix cookbook - you'll hear plenty of snippets from Fragments of Light and Portable Madness within. I would love to see the movie that was inside of Falsini's mind during this recording. Essential head space music.

Ownership: 

1975 Polydor Special (LP). Acquired in 1989.

2010 Universal (as part of the 6 CD box set Progressive Italia Gli Anni '70 Vol. 6). Acquired in 2011.

1989; 2/5/11; 11/21/17; 5/25/18 (review)

Portable Madness (1974)

And here we have... the single greatest space rock album of all time!

No small claim that. Not an irreverent throw out to grab one's attention. Not an epiphany on the 4th beer. No - this is pretty much where I've stood for the 26 years I've owned the album. Last night it comes up again, and reminds me that it is, indeed, the single greatest space rock album of all time. Of course, not everyone will agree with that, and probably the it's overrated crowd will be along here any minute.

Twisty, turny, kinetic, psychedelic, jumpy, murky, primordial, psychotic, and melodic are just a few adjectives that come to mind here. The opening two numbers are great enough, but once 'Phase One and Phase Two' starts spinning in multiple directions, you are sucked into the vortex of another world and dimension. If this doesn't happen to you, then stop surfing the net, watching TV, texting on Facebook with a Russian hooker, or vacuuming the rug. Start from the beginning and pay close attention. OK you there now? Good, so now by the time you get to 'Pasty Day Resistance', you have reached what I consider the single greatest space rock track of all time. There's more twists and turns on this five and half minute track then I've heard on full double albums. 'Leave My Chemistry Alone' will finally polish you off, and presumably you're in a cold sweat by now. The album closes with two relatively sane compositions, and tries to return you to Earth, but doesn't quite get there. You are lost forever.

The fuzzy photograph on the front cover, taken in the same spirit as Big Foot and the Loch Ness Monster, tells you all you need to know about its provenance. This can't be Italian - nor German as it may seem - but something from another galaxy.

Ownership: 

1974 Polydor (LP). Textured single sleeve. Acquired in 1991.

CD: 2009 Universal (as part of Progressive Italia Gli Anni '70 Vol. 1 - The Universal Music Collection). Acquired in 2009.

1991; 5/28/09; 9/19/12; 10/27/17 (review)

Also own and need to review: Fragments of Light; Finest Finger; Boxes Paradise; Music Is Painting In The Air

10/27/17 (new entry)

Diagonal ~ England

Diagonal 4 (2021)

As noted recently for the newest Jordsjo, Viima, and Hooffoot albums, I took a lengthy break from buying retro prog albums. God knows I already have enough of the real thing from the 70s, plus just about every newer act since the 1990s playing similar. As with those three bands, Diagonal were a favorite, and it was only a matter of time before I got back on the saddle of the 1970's progressive rock horse. I skipped over their 3rd album, which received mixed reviews, though I'm betting I'd enjoy it. Perhaps I'll acquire it some day too. In any case, I've revisited both Diagonal albums in recent years, much to my continued satisfaction. And my reviews stayed static, meaning I captured properly what I heard initially. Let's see if there newest one ignites my imagination in a similar fashion.

Right away they start off with the psychedelic guitar, which is always a plus in my book. Melodic sax enters, and we are back into the 1971 English landscape. As noted below, Diagonal do not play in the tradition of the English prog bands that made it big in America. But rather those that played the UK club circuit to reasonable success, before hanging it up or changing their sound dramatically. When talking retro prog, Diagonal is about the only band that tread down this path. One whose trail still needs clearing. After hearing the album in full, I'd declare the opening two tracks as the winners of the bunch, as they are more representative of their trademark sound.

While Diagonal has always put out LP length albums, this one is on the short side. Ironic then, that on 4, the band stretches out more into languid guitar based jams. There's less kinetic changes here, and leans in towards space rock, a twist that begins to reveal itself about halfway through. With that in mind, I don't think Diagonal was able to scale up on their first two albums. At least from my point of view, though one can hardly blame a band for trekking a new path forward. I'm sure repeated listens will enlighten me further. A well done album, though I'm not sure if I'm willing to say it's essential. At least yet. ProgArchives, for their part, rates it Diagonal's highest with the caveat it also has the least amount of ratings.

Ownership: 2021 Cobblers (CD). Digipak with lyrics and recording info. Acquired in 2026.

3/16/26 (review)

 

The Second Mechanism (2012)

If the debut laid down the premise that Diagonal were to be the retro progressive rock band to be reckoned with, then The Second Mechanism fulfills that conclusion. Perhaps more studied than their first opus, with even more twists and turns to keep the modern short-attention-spanned listener completely enthralled - ironic given Diagonal's 1971 disposition. But such was the state of that era - and ours. Diagonal are a band that have gone from great to greater, and I can only imagine what they will come up with next. Let's hope the group continues to explore these paths that were not as tread upon as many people might initially presume. Diagonal are walking the little known side trails from the main highway. And there are many aural treasures to be found.

Ownership: 2012 Metal Blade (CD). Digifile. Acquired in 2013.

1/29/13 (review); 10/11/23

Diagonal (2008)

Diagonal are the first modern UK band, that I know of anyway, to truly capture the essence, atmosphere, and sound of the original progressive rock movement from 1970-1971 England. Many groups have come along and tried their hand at generating the sound of Yes, Genesis, ELP, Gentle Giant, Jethro Tull, Pink Floyd, Renaissance, King Crimson, and Van der Graaf Generator. And while all of those groups are worthy of imitation, they only represented a fraction of the original UK movement. Of course, they were the ones that made the big time, so it's more than understandable how they attracted more admirers than others. But Diagonal has clearly absorbed the record collections of the deep divers - in particular the Neon, Dawn, Transatlantic, Vertigo, and Deram labels and their stable of bands. With Diagonal you'll hear references to bands such as Cressida, Samurai, Raw Material, T2, Beggar's Opera, Gravy Train, Spring, Clear Blue Sky, Diabolus, East of Eden, and Indian Summer. But here's the most important part to understand: They have absorbed the influence, not copy it. And so you get an entirely new album within a familiar context. And because the band has clearly studied this era in depth, not to mention incorporating the period instrumentation (mellotron, Hammond organ, Fender Rhodes, fuzz bass/guitar, sax), they are able to create an extract of the genre. What that means for us modern buyers is an enhanced product - perhaps even exaggerated. For my tastes, Diagonal have created the perfect retro progressive rock album. An album to be held up as an example of how to do it right. If you're a student of the genre, then let Diagonal be your teacher.

Ownership: 2008 Rise Above (CD). Slipcase. Acquired in 2009.

2009; 1/20/11 (review); 4/21/18

1/20/11 (new entry)

Manfredo Fest ~ Brazil

Brazilian Dorian Dream (1976)

My only encounter with Manfredo Fest prior was the hyper obscure EP that I - more or less - rediscovered about seven years ago. Dutifully added it to Discogs, and some economics flunkie sold it for $15. When the next $1000+ copy moves, I'm sure he'll feel smart. Which is why I stopped adding things to Discogs. Too many slow brains out there to trust with these sort of rarities. Triggers me. If only Carolina Soul had a copy first. Here's my review of that EP, and my experience with it, and how it started my Unknown Vinyl Records blog (which I've fallen terribly behind on, and I have so much more to add there). Discogs shows an ownership of 2. The smart person that grabbed the $15 copy (I presume). And me. Those might be the only two copies left on the planet.

Which gets us to Brazilian Dorian Dream, which is by far, the most known and popular of Fest's albums. I was sold on its contents in about - oh - 25 seconds. Starting off like every album that features The Northettes, Fest proceeds to bring out the Mini Moog and electric piano, the rhythms go on fire, and Roberta Davis provides the beautiful airy wordless vocals. It is about perfect, and it only gets better from there. Have to think that Sergio Mendes' Primal Roots had a role in the sound displayed here. Someone astutely compared this album to Cortex's Troupeau Bleu, where there are many similarities. Which recalled my own observation of Cortex reminding me some of Cos, taking us back to our Canterbury roots. This isn't a Canterbury album of course, but it has that feel-good optimistic sound, with brilliant songwriting. Perhaps had Fest added an electric guitar, or a flute, then Brazilian Dorian Dream would have gone to even a higher plane. I'm more than happy to be on the mountain he scaled as it is.

Ownership: 2020 Far Out (CD). Booklet has only the original liner notes. Taken from vinyl but it does sound good. Acquired in 2026.

3/16/26 (review)

3/16/26 (new entry)

Michal Urbaniak ~ Poland

Live At Lile Eule, Bremen (1972)

After the last two sessions with early Michal Urbaniak, which proved to be pretty rough, I didn't have high hopes for a full 2 CD set of live material from the same era. All the pieces are taken from those two albums, and then extended. I'm not sure I'm up for all of this, but I'll at least let it play for a bit and see if some of this gels in a manner I can appreciate.

They waste no time getting into the noisy action with 'Winter Piece' from the debut, complete with Ursula's scat and a drum solo. Next up is a 28 minute centerpiece circling around 'Valium' from Paratyphus B. This will be telling.

Yea, no surprise, but this goes way beyond my interest level in jazz, rock, or music in general. Truly avant garde, one has to admire the creative spirit here. Would prove to be a tough task to emulate what Urbaniak and the gang are doing here. I can't imagine a "Michal Urbaniak Group" cover band.

I'll toss this in a box, and either sell it one day later, or trade it locally to anyone who is interested in it. I know that his later albums are far more to my tastes, and I'll update this post when I get to them.

3/9/26 (review)
 

Inactin (1973)

Back into the Sound Pieces set. Paratyphus B proved to be too "out" for my tastes, let's see how Inactin does.

Yes, a bit better. A little more focused, though its clear Urbaniak had no intention of going mainstream here. The German influences are more to the fore, and there's clearly some of that Krautrock experimentation going on. Mixed with free jazz. Every once in a while they catch a groove and you begin to think this might be more towards jazz rock. Then it shifts gear into atmospheric jazz, and a lot of noodling. Ursula sounds even more wacked out here. Not easy listening for certain.

Next up will be the live show. 

See Paratyphus B for ownership details. This title came from a VG record, curious why they didn't find a better one to use for their CD. Not so rare in Germany.

2/23/26 (review)

Paratyphus B (1971)

I'm largely ignorant of Michal Urbaniak's extensive canon of work, though I've been aware of him since I started crate digging in the middle 1980s. Some like-minded friends were into him, though I never pursued in earnest. I recall very little about his music that was played for me back then.

As I listen to Paratyphus B, I can understand why I probably didn't pursue. You really have to be in the mood for stuff like this. Released only in Germany on the Spiegelei label, you can hear the avant garde jazz of the era almost immediately. Urbaniak provides a very adventurous type of electric violin, miles away from the likes of Jean-Luc Ponty. On the final track he plays the saxophone in similar fashion. Future wife Urszula Dudziak is very much into scat singing, and she is at once energetic and atmospheric, occasionally at the same time. Electric piano also gets a workout. The three piece rhythm section rounds things out. 

This title is a bit rough for my ears. The melodic jazz parts work really well in this setting, but it gets very noisy in places that I don't find pleasant or comforting. Not sure how this CD set will turn out. Depends on where I land with the other recordings. I don't mind owning music like this, as it provides a stark contrast, just not too much of it please. More to come.

Former ownership: 2023 Made in Germany (3xCD). Part of Sound Pieces. Tri-fold digipak with historical liner notes inside the digipak. Obviously mastered from vinyl (or a noisy tape). Acquired in 2026.

2/9/26 (review)

Also once owned: Body English

2/9/26 (new entry)

Eat Static ~ England

Science Of The Gods (1997)

If I'm to accept the premise of Eat Static, then I most certainly can appreciate the alien conspiracy of me suddenly listening to a lot of their albums. Must be divine intervention. Haha. In any case, back in 2006 when I acquired a few of their titles, this was in that stack. Unfortunately the CD was wrecked (despite claims to the contrary from the seller), and I ultimately gave it away (it played fine). Lo and behold, there is this title sitting in a local record store's buck bin, this time in mint shape. Well, we can't have that, so let's scoop it up and make another go at it. Will I have more of an Implant or De-Classified experience?

I didn't realize Steve Joliffe, the old Tangerine Dream warrior, played on this. Just one track 'Keyll', but interesting all the same. Supposedly he plays reeds, but it's not in the traditional sense. My best guess is the sound is from a saxophone but heavily distorted. It's just one note essentially.

The album is a bit too much on the bleepy / blippy side for me to engage much with. It's head boppin' music for sure, and would be for great exercise dance music. But for sit down listening? Not so much. Looks like it fell into the Implant category.

Former ownership: 1997 Mammoth (CD). Multi foldout booklet with artwork and recording details. 

3//06; 3/9/26 (review)
 

Abduction (1993)

Well look at this, Abduction was randomly selected much sooner than I expected. As noted on Implant, this title is the last to be evaluated for permanence in the collection (as much as any album can claim such). Let's see how it goes, after being pleasantly surprised by the more recently acquired De-Classified.

This title used to be a treadmill regular before I took up trail running in 2009 (which I have yet to relinquish to this day - every day). So for three years I'd sweat profusely to this album many times. 

There's a distinct sound of India in the vocals, sampled percussion, and scales used here. Which made me think of Goa Trance. Some very interesting dissertations out there describing how Psychedelic Trance became the inheritor of the term. Others maintain it to be separate. It is really fascinating how many subgenres there are to the broader EDM. I do appreciate the effort to distinguish even if many feel that genres have become too scientific.

For me, I don't really have too much of this kind of sound, and if I do, they are more in the organic space rock realm. Not so much synthetic. As I listened through the CD, I tried to remember my "treadmill sequence". I'm not entirely sure of this, but I believe it was between tracks 3 and 6, which is about the right length for the workout.

So do I keep this? It's a serviceable album, easy to listen to, though not entirely engaging. Given its current low value, I'll keep it around. But its day is coming soon. I definitely enjoyed the newer title to this.

 

Ownership: 1995 Attic (CD). Acquired in 2006.

3//06; 12/29/25
 

De-Classified (2007)

You can see my history with Eat Static in the Epsylon review, and by the time I revisited Implant, I figured I had all I need here from the duo going forward. I honestly had no idea Eat Static went much past 2001, but it's obvious that is not the case. I found this mint CD in the 69 cent bin a few months back, and there's no way I was going to let it sit there untouched at that price. Let's see what we have here. 

As I put the CD in the changer, we're back to the usual radio and TV samples from the space age past, obsessing over UFO's. Then comes the boom boom boom, and weeeeeeee, let's dance. As I allowed the music to continue on, I noticed the energy level on this thing is off the charts. I mean it's relentless. I really had no intention of keeping De-Classified, but it's infectious. Maybe it's because I rarely listen to music like this anymore, so it's refreshing. Ozric head honcho Ed Wynne guests on two of the tracks (not on guitar unfortunately).

Ownership: 2007 Solstice (CD). Six panel poster booklet with nice artwork and recording details. Acquired in 2025.

10/8/25 (review)

Implant (1994) 

There was a brief time I got into these interesting techno styled albums. Eat Static was sort of a gateway drug for many of us psych heads, since they were a side project of none other than Ozric Tentacles. Though most assuredly geared towards the dance crowd, the compositions do move along in progressive rock fashion: Changing themes and tempos often to make for interesting listening sessions. The question I ask myself is how many of these do I need? I didn't load up too much, and have ditched a couple of Eat Static's already. I started with Epsylon (see below), and also own the 2xCD debut, Abduction, and this title. The first two are baked in, and I have a higher rating on Abduction (which will get its day in court soon enough). Yea, this is one too many.

Former ownership: 1995 Planet Dog (CD). Acquired in 2006.

3//06; 11/7/24 (review)
 

Epsylon / Lost in Time (1993 / 1995)

Back in the early 90s, I was quite the Ozric Tentacles fanatic. It seemed they could do no wrong. When I first heard about Eat Static, I was intrigued, but given they were described more or less as a "techno" band, I steered clear. Money wasn't plentiful and needed to be allocated carefully. In 1997, a fellow collector sold to me a good number of his CDs for pennies on the dollar. Among them included Epsylon, this version being the 1995 Mammoth release that also included their 1993 EP Lost in Time.

Also in 1997, I got hitched. Me being the wise old veteran at 32, she a wide-eyed 23. Of course we dated for over a year, but there's still so much to learn about each other as all married couples understand. On one particularly memorable road trip, I pushed Epsylon into the CD player and off we went. Oh, and about 15 minutes later, my beautiful young bride (still is beautiful, turns out) is having the time of her life. Dancing in the chair, banging her head, woo-hooing. Well then, I said to myself - I should stock up on more of this kind of music! Odd, she didn't act that way when I played Guru Guru's UFO. Hmm.

The interesting thing about Eat Static is there's no mistaking their Ozric roots. Take away the analog instrumentation and add synthetic beats, and you have Eat Static. The music isn't dull even for sit down listening. It twists and turns regularly. For my tastes music like this has a natural ceiling of about a 3.5 stars with a couple of outliers. Epsylon / Lost in Time hits up against that. If for whatever reason you haven't heard much music like this, then Epsylon is as good a place to start as any. Note above story.

As for today, some 22 years later, does said wife have much interest in Eat Static? Oh hell no. However all of our nieces and nephews are very much into what is more broadly known as EDM. They're dancing their brains out. Good for them. Still no takers for Guru Guru.

Ownership: 1995 Mammoth (CD). This version includes both Epsylon and Lost in Time. Acquired in 1997.

1997; 12//04; 2/22/19 (review)

Also own and need to review Prepare Your Spirit

Also once owned: Crash and Burn

2/22/19 (new entry)

Boud Deun ~ USA ~ Virginia

The Stolen Bicycle (1998)

The Stolen Bicycle is the 3rd, and as it turns out, last studio album from this fine Americana Jazz Fusion group from Virginia. For each album, Boud Deun increased the complexity in favor of melodic development. As with anything in life, when you move the lever from one side to the other, you hit upon a peak in the middle. And for Boud Deun that was clearly Astronomy Made Easy, where they balanced everything just right.

The album is certainly technically proficient, and there's much to absorb. However, the songs are somewhat interchangeable. Take the 14 part (yes, 14) 'Churches' as an example. Seems I could randomly program the entire suite, jumble them in any order, and have the same experience. There's just not much in the way of a composition with a purpose. It's 14 random jams - albeit tightly played and skilled. I thought my perception coming out of the 2024 listen may have been a bit too critical, but as I sit here and jot down some thoughts, I'm forming the conclusion what this album means to me. The other two have special time and place memories for me, while we hear a group growing together in an exciting way. The Stolen Bicycle is Boud Deun's day at the office. It becomes understandable, then, that the band may have felt the same way. They said everything they wanted to, and decided to hang it up.

It's a fine album, and I'll hold onto it for now, especially since its value in the marketplace is too low for this kind of quality. I'd rather keep it for a random listen somewhere down the line. I should stress it is a very good album, but is missing some key ingredients I listen for. ProgArchives has a different point of view, and rates this their highest. It is, for certain, more professional. If such things matter to you.

Ownership: 1998 Cuneiform (CD). Booklet with a children's story written by guitarist Shawn Persinger. Acquired in 1998.

1998; 2/22/24; 3/9/26 (review)
 

Fiction and Several Days (1994)

I waxed on below about Boud Deun for the Astronomy Made Easy album. The debut is a bit rougher and less focused, but no less pleasurable. Great guitar and violin work can be heard here, with some inventive songwriting. These guys were at the forefront of the 90s American progressive rock renaissance. As an aside, it appears this is two albums sewn together. Quite literally Fiction ...and... Several Days.

To add, I enjoy covers like this one, with the rusted farm equipment and a chicken on the back. Real America.

Ownership: 1995 E.H.P. (CD). Acquired in 1995.

1995; 6/18/20 (review)

Astronomy Made Easy (1997)

Boud Deun represents - for me at least - the optimism of the late 1990s. Both in life and in music. In particular, progressive rock had really found its footing again, and new and exciting bands were cropping up all over the world. Boud Deun's privately pressed debut was met with great enthusiasm, so much so that America's premier progressive rock label at the time, Cuneiform, scooped them for their roster rather quickly. Because of this association with the label, you'll often see Boud Deun tagged with the Avant Prog genre, but that is simply not the case here. Cuneiform, especially in those days, were promoting various kinds of progressive rock, beyond their core base. And it didn't hurt that Boud Deun were practically neighbors with the label, hailing from northern Virginia.

The regional note plays a role in their music as well. One can point to the Dixie Dregs as perhaps the blueprint for their sound, at least when The Dregs were focused on jazz fusion verse country rock. But it also becomes clear that Boud Deun had a knowledge of worldwide progressive rock. Their sound mixes in European styled jazz rock but with a touch of Appalachia. And a sophisticated kind of symphonic fusion, that we also find in Europe and Japan. Let's be clear: Astronomy Made Easy does not pull a single punch - it's very intense folks. But here's the kicker - it's also highly melodic, so that it does stay in the memory banks. Technical plus melody plus regional folk customs + rockin' out = success.

On a personal note, I brought along a pile of CDs before I was to be married in April of 1997. It was the long road trip from Denver (where I resided at the time) to Dallas (where I grew up). If I were to associate one album from that period of time - it's this one. So nostalgia plays a big role in my own subjective viewpoint. What's more interesting here for those reading this is... I hadn't heard the album in 22+ years since then. And guess what? I remembered much of it. It came back as each track unwound itself. I often read this is one of those highly technical albums that is academic overall. I beg to differ.

Ownership: 1997 Cuneiform (CD). Die-cut booklet. Acquired in 1997.

1997; 11/15/19 (review)

Also own and need to review The Stolen Bicycle

4/15/20 (new entry)

Univers Zero ~ Belgium

Ceux Du Dehors (1981)

I was surprised to learn that I haven't covered a single Univers Zero album in UMR. I had really tired of the band in the last 20 years, and sold off all the later titles starting with Heatwave and ending with Clivages. But I kept their classic 2nd through 4th albums, of which this represents the middle. So might as well get started here, an album I haven't heard since the 90s I'd submit. If any of the other Univers Zero albums walk back in here, I can readdress them at that time.

It starts off in a hellish mode, chamber music for the 5th rung. I had forgotten that there was mellotron here, an instrument that I would never associate with the music of Univers Zero. Once the music settles down, the mood only goes darker. Game of Thrones styled classical music, 30 years before the fact. Definitely not an album to pick up ones' spirits (well, I know a couple of guys who do get excited at hearing this). This is sit down, take a deep breath, and lower the lights music. Just make sure there is some light. 

I definitely appreciate the album more when they incorporate rock elements (especially on 'Combat'), though that certainly isn't their main premise. I'm not sure avant prog is really the right genre for Univers Zero. They've been shoehorned in for a lack of a better tag. When I was in my 20s, they were called RIO, but that was even more vague given that it was never meant to be a genre, but rather an attitude. Chamber rock isn't much better. Give them credit, Univers Zero is unique within the musical landscape.

Subscription copies came with an additional one sided 7 inch, that was later added to the CD reissues ('Triomphe Des Mouches'). It's similar to the shorter and darker tracks on the album proper with some martial percussion.

I'll probably never be the world's foremost Univers Zero fan, but I can appreciate greatly what they're doing. Variety is good for the collection. I'll probably hang onto these three, which I've had forever, and likely stop there. More to come.

Ownership: 1981 Recommended (LP). Acquired in 1992.

1992; 3/8/26 (review)

Also own and need to review: Heresie; Uzed; Crawling Wind

3/8/26 (new entry) 

2026 Revisits of prior UMR entries Vol. 1

First grouping of 2026.

Mo.Do. - La Scimmia Sulla Schiena Del Re

Eclat - Le Cri de la Terre

Forgas Band Phenomena - Acte V

Simon Jones - Melanie & Me

Opus III - Opus III & Friends

BullAngus - Free For All

Wishbone Ash - There's the Rub

Sincerely Antique (1973)

Gnidrolog - In Spite of Harry's Toe-Nail + Lady Lake

Coryell / Mouzon - Back Together Again

U2 ~ Ireland

October (1981)

I'm pretty much drawing a line in the sand with U2. Their first three albums, not coincidentally all released while I was still in high school, are the albums I enjoy the most. After that, U2 lost me. Though to be fair, almost all mainstream artists lost me as I began my deep dive journey into the 1970s European progressive rock underground while in college. But even in reflection, I cannot relate to U2, starting with The Unforgettable Fire, on any level. 'Bullet the Blue Sky' from Joshua Tree is the only exception. 

One could make the argument that October is their most experimental work, or at least not self-consciously experimental.

You can read my history with U2 below, largely due to an influence of a friend. He's the same guy who inspired me to really appreciate Kansas and early Chicago. A wise fellow he was (and is, I hope).

Ownership: Island (CD). Early commodity pressing.

3/7/26 (review)  

Boy (1980)

I had a chum in high school - and still a friend I keep up with on occasion -  who was a huge U2 fan. He was a "Born Again" type and U2 was a great way to get authentic underground rock and still be with the Faithful. He'd play me this and October all the time in the car (dubbed cassette of course), and I remember liking them. But here we are close to 40 years later and I never bothered to own them - and haven't even heard them since! I really like U2 at this stage. I prefer them in upbeat punchy mode more so than their later moody works. Especially when they became way too self-conscious of who they were. Good memories.

Ownership: 1983 Island (LP). Slightly later US pressing (the first domestic release was 1981 incidentally).

12/2/21 (review)

12/2/21 (new entry)

2026 Fusion / Jazz Journal Vol. 2

Weather Report - Heavy Weather. 1997 Columbia Legacy (CD) (1977). This is Weather Report's most known and best selling album, one that I never truly connected with. Of course all copies I've found prior were commodity LP pressings, and usually in VG condition, which can be distracting. The 69 cent bin comes through again with this wonderful looking CD. Let's see if my viewpoint changes. The album opens with their trademark hit song 'Birdland'. This is a song we played when I was a stage band performer in high school. I didn't like it much then, and honestly, I still don't. It's too... happy I think. Something about it. The title is a misnomer as well, nothing heavy about the album whatsoever. My understanding is that Weather Report did not like to be associated with the fusion crowd, and of the albums I've heard, I have to agree with them. On Heavy Weather, the music veers closer to ECM, and even smooth jazz territory. If requested to choose a favorite track, I'd go with B2 or B4. I have yet to encounter a Weather Report album I feel compelled to keep, including their earlier avant garde works. But I'll keep trying, as I'm up for revisiting some as well as there's a few I missed altogether. (3/7)

*Kenji Mori Quintet - Firebird. 2020 Craftman / Three Blind Mice (CD) (1977). I picked this reissue up a few years ago, and had a relatively high rating on it, though recall nothing about the contents. The album starts off like a psych work though quickly gets into some boppy sax. Not really my style. The second track is Nino Rota's 'Time For Us', a pretty track that Mori's flute gives the Lloyd McNeill treatment, if not too comfortable and predictable. This leads to the two part title composition. The rhythm lays down a deep groove while Kazumi Watanabe solos on the guitar and Mori responds on recorder and sax. Nothing particularly incendiary from either though. The second half gives us a sunnier tropical feel with similar solo results. A solid entry, not really kozmigroov, not pure jazz, not fusion, but elements of all the above. I think I rated it a bit high though. Probably won't keep for the long haul but OK for now. (3/2)

*Bjorn J:Son Lindh - Ramadan. 1971 Metronome Sweden (LP). It was only a couple of years ago I revisited Cous Cous from my collection and, while it was enjoyable on an easy listening level, decided to let it go. I bought Ramadan at the same time, and presumed that it would be similar. I hadn't heard the album since acquiring it 25 years ago. I was pleasantly surprised to learn that the two are very different. Ramadan is much more funky and even progressive at times. I've always enjoyed Lindh's flute work, and the key ingredient here is Kenny Hakansson on guitar. He of Kebnekaise fame. Unlike Janne Schaefer, Hakansson brings a psychedelic flair to the proceedings. Though I wish he had an opportunity to light it up more. Three of the eight tracks are more acoustic in nature and these are the middle eastern themed compositions. Otherwise it's a fine kozmigroov funky flute extravaganza. A bit surprised this album doesn't have that much cachet. It's relatively inexpensive despite never having been reissued on CD. Regardless, I'm definitely holding onto this. Features a nice gatefold cover as well. (2/25)

* - Keeping for the collection

Sepultura ~ Brazil

Beneath the Remains (1989)

Sepultura first came across my radar while still in college, and to my ears back then, they were just too primitive for me to get into. They were getting rave reviews in the metal mags at the time. I believe I first heard Morbid Visions (1986) which, even for fans, is some tough sledding. And that was really it for me and Sepultura. Which is too bad, because by the time of Beneath the Remains, we would have been on parallel paths for where we wanted thrash to go. I was deep into the Euro prog underground by then, and while still very much interested in proggy thrash, I guess I had already written off Sepultura. My loss.

Fast forward to 2017, and now I'm traveling down to Sao Paulo for business. In order to be on time at work Monday morning, it requires a late Saturday night flight from the US. Thus leaving Sunday afternoon open for strolling and a nice dinner. Fortunately my company allowed us to stay at ritzy hotels in safe, leafy neighborhoods. Like the Jardins. And what do people on Sunday do in Sao Paulo? They walk Avenida Paulista. There's many music acts you can catch for free while walking. Including metal. And there were at least three bands emulating Sepultura who were legend by that point. They were all fun to watch and got me into the mood to check some of their material out.

A couple of years later I ended up acquiring five titles on CD in a bulk buy, including the one I'm listening to now. I didn't write about it then, so Sepultura makes its UMR debut today. Beneath the Remains is on the heavier and darker side of the thrash genre, recalling the German groups Kreator and Destruction. The riffs are inventive and change quite a bit. While it's not really progressive in the traditional sense, the riffs are mixed up quite a bit to keep it interesting. Similar to Dark Angel in that way. The vocals are one step away from death metal, very angry and to the point. Not as powerful or accomplished as Tom Araya of Slayer, but we're in the same ballpark. Overall I think this is where I wanted to hear Exodus go, and they never did. Beneath the Remains is further proof that the late 80s were the golden era of thrash.

The first bonus track is a cover of a Mutantes song, done Sepultura style and sung in Portuguese, so there's something to ponder. 

Ownership: 2007 Roadrunner (CD). Booklet with lyrics and historical liners. Acquired in 2019.

11/23/19; 3/2/26 (review)

3/2/26 (new entry)

2026 Folk / Country Journal Vol. 1

*Crosby, Stills & Nash. 1990 Atlantic (CD) (1969). The one CSN album I can listen to. Of course not having the reprehensible Neil Young on board helps with that. As for the other guys, well, they are (or were) knuckleheads, but not so insufferable. What makes this debut successful is it's a far cry from your typical protest hippy folk rock album. A1 and B1 bring in early progressive rock ideas. A3 is beautiful. B4 is another solid effort. 'Wooden Ships' really is something special, and one is left wishing CSN had pursued this trek more often. The Ides Of March version is even more stunning. I've owned this album in one form or fashion since college (usually on LP). Just picked up this CD for a buck at an estate sale, and checking it out again. Might as well keep this first edition US CD unless I luck into an audiophile CD or LP somewhere. It's been happening a lot lately for both formats, much to my happiness (note America review below as but one example). (3/2)

Dando Shaft - An Evening With. 1970 Decca (LP). Picked this one up at an estate sale smack dab in the middle of the pandemic (2020) in a mountain town northwest of here. A most famous sale for UMR as that's where I scored my original Eden Ahbez for cheap. This was a good door prize though. I didn't write about it then, so thought I'd check it out one more time as I'm likely to sell the LP at the next record show. Though I'm usually averse to folk music, and generally find English folk as puzzling to why it's so highly prized. Comus and Jan Dukes de Grey (Mice and Rats), oh yea, sign me up. But most English folk sounds, you know, like English folk. With that premise, I find Dando Shaft better than most, which is why I kept it for the last five plus years. B1 is particularly nice. A3 is hauntingly atmospheric. I can live without the silly A4, but otherwise it's an inoffensive English folk album. Not bad at all, but sticking to my premise of selling it. (2/24)

*America - America. 2013 Audio Fidelity (SACD) (1971). This was part of that incredible audiophile CD collection I acquired back in November. Almost all of it already sold, and most went quick. I held this one back for myself to revisit. Though I doubt I ever gave it a serious listen prior, and certainly not an audiophile copy. As noted here on a journal entry about five years ago, I really enjoy a handful of America's songs, but have never really embraced one of their albums. This debut features 'A Horse With No Name' (though not to be found on first press original LPs), one of the greatest folk rock songs ever written, and I never tire hearing of it when it comes across the speakers at any store I may be visiting. The other two known songs here are the formidable 'Sandman' and the decent 'I Need You'. Is there anything else here? Ah yes, plenty as it turns out. The opener is excellent, and 'Three Roses' would have been worth adding to the Greatest Hits album, though I don't think it ever received much airplay. A6 is another excellent song. The hidden great track here is saved for the next-to-last 'Donkey Jaw', proving that America could have had a swing through the underground had they so desired. I can pass on A4, B3, and B6, but the rest is very good to great. Keeping this one. (1/3)

* - Keeping for the collection

Hooffoot ~ Sweden

Phantom Limb (2025)

Phantom Limb is the third effort from the Swedish retro prog / jazz rock band Hooffoot. I documented their debut, but never did get around to writing anything down for their second. I'll get to it eventually.

Without having the context of their sophomore effort in mind, I'll have to jump from the debut to here. Well, for one, there's no Latin culture influence this time. It's much more entrenched into the jazz rock world of the early 70s, but without the pyrotechnics often associated with the style. The music is composed with improvisation tightly controlled yet visible, making it for an enjoyable and entertaining session. Hooffoot leaves you guessing where they're going next, which is usually a hallmark of a great album and is the recipe for new results on repeated listens. The instrumentation remains steadfastly retro, sticking with analog gear pre-1980. 

As always, it helps to have a reference album to grab onto. Provides the guardrails for a comfortable listen. They aren't near as jumpy as, say, Anglagard, Wobbler, or that branch of the Scandinavian retro prog tree. I couldn't find what I was looking for in UMR, so I dug through my hard drive. Maybe Metrognom? Who remembers this Norwegian band from 2006 whose sole album Twangyluck came and went without much notice? That album also possessed four lengthy instrumental pieces. They did, however, also feature sax, so a diversion, but that may be the closest I get here. I need to revisit that album and place it here in UMR. Of course, Berits Halsband (noted below) also had four instrumental tracks as well, though they were a bit more psychedelic and featured trumpet.

For me, especially at this point. Hooffoot's Phantom Limb is extremely easy to listen to. As I said about Viima's last album, it's so very much in my comfort zone. Perhaps even more so. You won't hear me say this too much these days, but I'm very much looking forward to their next album, and I'll pounce on it quicker next time.

Ownership: 2025 Paura di Niente (CD). Embossed trifold digipak. Acquired in 2026.

3/2/26 (review)
 

Hooffoot (2015)

Hooffoot are from the southern Swedish city of Malmo, and are an excellent representation of a Swedish progressive rock band... from 40 years ago. Like their forefathers, the band is rooted in jazz, but fascinated with rock. And Latin culture. Sound odd? Not in Sweden would it. So combine Kvartetten Som Sprangde, Sabu Martinez, Ablution, and Mendoza together. Then go back exactly 40 years to one of the all-time Swedish jazz rock greats, and just now being discovered (finally): Berits Halsband. "Oh hello Miles Davis, Kebnekaise, and Flasket Brinner - nice to meet you!". And then enters the room this jumpy, kinetic 90s group called Anglagard (perhaps you've heard of them?). Funnel the lot of them into the blender and grind, mash, grate... Hooffoot. 

Ownership: 2015 Paura di Niente (LP). Gatefold. Acquired in 2016.

2/12/16 (review); 8/3/17; 11/10/25

Also own and need to review The Lights in the Aisle Will Guide You.

2/12/16 (new entry)

Spirit ~ USA ~ Los Angeles, California

Clear (1969)

The standard narrative here is that Spirit's first two albums are classics, but their 3rd was thrown together, and is a lesser (but still good) effort. Apparently the band themselves felt that way as well. 

Some folks point to the use of instrumentals as proof. Yea, I mean, we wouldn't want music to get in the way of a potential smash hit. B1 is brilliant, something you would think came from an English prog album a few years later. Leading the way, of course, was King Of The Clucks critic Robert Christgau, a loathsome (in many ways) holier-than-thou creature that I point to as responsible as anyone for holding back everything I enjoyed in music, especially progressive rock and heavy metal. I remember his crappy guides from the 80s where he derided every single prog album that I liked. Can you imagine what he'd say if he'd heard the hardcore Italian ones? Oh good grief. I can only imagine the reviews from future historians that state "speaking from the era in which he lived, misguided critic Robert Christgau opined the following:" Haha. How did I get here? Oh I just saw he criticized 'Ice' as "indicative of how "incredibly empty" the band can be as well." Yep, right out of his playbook. Triggers me. The Dean of American Rock Critics - my butt.

So is it correct to say that Clear is a step down? Hmm, that's a tough one. There are a few lesser songs on here, especially on Side A (3,5,6) which is their bread and butter talent. But they also bring some crisp 1969 styled psych singles to the table. And I like the classical and jazz oriented instrumentals. I appreciate when a successful band experiments with the formula a bit, regardless of the circumstances. The Beatles made a career out of doing just that. Don't hear anyone say boo about them, now do you? Right, Christgau? Ironic he has Christ in his name, actually.

The bonus tracks include '1984' which was my introduction to Spirit way back when I was an early teen. I liked it then and I still do. I just could never figure out which album it was on. Haha. I didn't know it was a 45 only release until many years later.

Ownership: 2010 Ode Epic Legacy Europe (5xCD). Original Album Classics. Acquired in 2021.

10/22/21; 3/2/26 (review)
 

The Family That Plays Together (1968)

Right from the beginning you'll hear one of Spirit's classic anthems 'I've Got a Line on You', harkening back to their strong songwriting skills displayed on the debut. Released at the tail end of 1968, Spirit demonstrated they were ahead of their time (especially in the US), eschewing standard hippie fare, embracing the psychedelic with a jazzy, and even progressive rock, slant. Unlike the debut, there are no extended pieces.

As with Blue Oyster Cult, your interest in Spirit's individual albums will fall squarely on whether or not you like their songs, rather than sophisticated arrangements or highly technical solo instrumentation. I'm not too keen on A6 or B4, but otherwise I find The Family That Plays Together a pleasant listen.

I love that respected jazzer Marty Paich was involved with these guys in their early days. Clearly Ed Cassidy's influence there. As with Sabicas and Joe Beck, you don't usually see that kind of generational interaction in the early days of rock. Though Spirit were built that way from the beginning.

The five archival bonus tracks are more instrumental in nature, and mellower. They're very much in the same style as the album, especially within the jazzier spectrum (recorded near the same time). I found that any one of these would have resulted in a slight upgrade to the album proper.

Ownership: 2010 Ode Epic Legacy Europe (5xCD). Original Album Classics. Acquired in 2021.

10/24/21; 2/2/26 (review)

 

Spirit (1968)

After the original insane lockdowns of the pandemic, the magnanimous government of Colorado "let us" have a bit of our freedom back. So glad we live in a free country. A teaser of the communism to come I guess. Hey, it wasn't safe. Ya-huh. In any case, as soon as I could go to estate sales and thrift shops, I did. With my stupid mask on. 

I bring this up on the Spirit post, because for whatever reason, the first LPs I was finding right away were from them. Most not in the best shape. A year later (still under some sort of edict), I found the five CD Original Album Classics series, and I sold off the LPs, and that was the end of my initial Spirit exploration.

Except I didn't document any of those listens, beyond some brief notes for Clear. The exception to my Spirit renaissance was the first album, as I'd randomly picked up their CD some 15 years earlier. I'll start here and also review the others in the coming weeks.

I consider Spirit a highly unique band. They didn't rely on instrumental prowess, or any other crutch, to hide their inability to write a song. And that was their strength - an innate ability to craft melodies. And they were strong arrangers. So, yes, perhaps 'Taurus' being the most famous with a chord progression most known as 'Stairway to Heaven'. I'm one to give Zep a break here, as they most certainly fleshed it out much further, and only one central theme is familiar. Best guess it was a subconscious event rather than purposeful deceit. If one is to call out an instrumentalist, it most certainly would be the guitar of Randy California. And really love his acidic tone when employed.

There's elements of psych, jazz, and early prog concepts. The Beatles songcraft is also apparent at times. The exception to the tightly woven songs is the lengthy album closer 'Elijah" that shows the band were comfortable with instrumental jamming as well. Here, the flow recalls the Doors a bit. Or vice-versa.

The bonus tracks, on the other hand, seem to refute my claim about them being songwriters first, and jammers second. Really enjoy this side of Spirit as well. I hear these bonus tracks as essential to the overall experience.

Ownership: 
1996 Ode Epic Legacy (CD). Booklet with full historical liner notes and four bonus tracks. Acquired in 2005.

2010 Ode Epic Legacy Europe (5xCD). I only kept the original Legacy CD for the liner notes, and that it possesses little value. Otherwise, the bonus tracks from all the CDs are here too. Acquired in 2021.

2005 (first listen); 2/18/18; 1/27/26 (review)

Will be reviewing albums 3 through 5 in the coming weeks.

1/27/26 (new entry)

True Myth ~ Canada ~ Ontario

True Myth (1979)

---12/14/09

Much was made at the time of release that True Myth's sole album was the first ever all digital recording from Canada. I guess it's ironic, then, that the album remains unissued in digital format. This is obviously a big budget affair, complete with a thick gatefold cover, lengthy liner notes, and a brilliant production. Musically, even though it's from Canada, it has much in common with the US Midwest prog rock scene of the mid 1970s. 1979 was a little late for an album like this, and there's the expected obvious commercial AOR moves. Excellent high energy piano work recalling Festa Mobile, for an obscure reference. A good album that is generally panned by the progressive rock community. But I have a soft spot for this kind of stuff and recommend it to those who like groups such as Ethos, Styx, and Sunblind Lion.

---3/2/26

That entry was for the CDRWL, and shortly thereafter, a CD appeared out of Japan on Belle Antique. The album now makes its debut on UMR. 

Named for keyboardist and principle songwriter Tom Treumuth, the London, Ontario based band were blessed with a large budget. How successful album sales were would be anybody's guess, but there's plenty of supply in the used marketplace. I didn't mention it above, but once again Gentle Giant can be used as a reference here, a very common occurrence for the region. In reflection this album really should have made the big time. It has everything that was expected from the era, including great songs, production, and musicianship. Special mention goes to guitarist Tony Cook who lights it up on more than one occasion. Excellent mellotron on B1. In reflection, the album is more progressive rock oriented than I had realized before. All the short form tracks pack in a lot of ideas per bar.

Perhaps it was just too progressive for its own good, and there really isn't any notable hooks that linger after the listening session has stopped. Which is why novelty records tend to do better in real time, though they rarely age well. A3 was probably their best shot, sounding quite a bit like same era Supertramp.  An impressive debut, but sadly it was to be their last. Though there's no doubt the band would have been forced to adapt to the upcoming New Wave trends or go underground. The latter option would be doubtful.

Ownership: 1979 Warner Bros. (LP). Gatefold. Multi page poster lyric and historical insert made to look like tractor feed printer paper. Acquired in 1992.

1992; 12/14/09 (review); 3/2/26 (update / new entry)

To-Mera ~ England

Delusions (2008)

Over 11 years ago I purchased the first two CDs by To-Mera and recall them being quite different from the norm. With a female vocalist. Who has the perfect name of Julie Kiss. According to my notes this is the first title I heard by them. Those listens both went undocumented, so let's see what Delusions has to offer.

Something different. With a female vocalist. Who has the perfect name of Julie Kiss. I can see why I was intrigued from the off. Anyone who has read UMR for any length of time will know that I embraced tech thrash and prog metal from the beginning in the 1980s, and have always had an ear for metal bands looking to extend beyond the norm. But not too much, to be honest. Some metal bands took that idea to the extreme, and sounded more like a cut and paste exercise in random thought. To-Mera manages to make these lengthy songs interesting throughout. And they go beyond the usual prog metal twists and turns as they offer various musical forms not usually associated with the genre at all. Not as a side show, but rather intertwined within the song. That's the magic really. These guys are as nutty as another British collective going by the names of Inner Sanctum, Fifth Season, and Synaptik. Keyboards play a major role in their sound, and what I really appreciate is the different timbres applied. Not the usual digital plastic pad with the standard samples. I like the integration of soft jazz and pop here and there. And Miss Kiss can carry a tune, and not sound like the typical bird with a broken wing. They are a talented bunch for certain. The metal is on the heavier distortion side, yet another plus.

To be honest I never fully embraced the "female fronted symphonic metal" genre all that much. More inoffensive than enlightening. I remember guys in the late 90s swooning over Within Temptation, Nightwish, and that whole lot. "Could listen to Cutie Du Jour sing the phone book" as I recall. To-Mera is completely different. Much more innovative and jarring. Challenging but in a good way. Somewhat similar to Dimensions era Believer, though not really thrashy. 

Had Delusions been released in the early 90s, I'd have played it multiple times, predicted all the changes, and it would likely be one of my favorite metal albums ever. This is only my second listen, long past my impressionable stage. While no chance for nostalgic remembrance, it nonetheless passes any objective measure. Quite enjoyable.

Ownership: 2008 Candlelight (CD). Booklet with lyrics, artwork, and recording details. Acquired in 2014.

11/23/14; 2/23/26 (review)

Also own and need to review Transcendental.

2/23/26 (new entry)

Viima ~ Finland

Väistyy Mielen Yö (2024)

It's been ages since I last checked in with Viima. The 2010 revisit of their debut (below) is the last time I've heard a note from this fine band from Finland. I was quite enthused about the group through their second album, and then they disappeared after years of promising a third effort. That third album day finally arrived a couple of years ago. I broke down and decided I unnecessarily needed another Viima effort, even though I have plenty of this type of sound already. I keep saying I'm done adding to my collection more of the same. Old habits die hard.

Singing defiantly in Finnish, like fellow countrymen Sammal and Malady, Viima go about making progressive rock the 1974 way. That would include instrumentation. Flute, Rhodes, organ, mellotron, and psychy electric guitar. Along with a rhythm section that feels an obligation to provide a challenging meter or three. All Genius Hans Essentials. I've said it before, but sometimes going back to my roots maintains my collecting enthusiasm. As much as I enjoy exploring new avenues, I also appreciate returning home and curling up in the familiar bed while watching an old TV episode. With hot chocolate. And these beautiful gatefold covers also bring me back to the golden age. Comfortable. Yes, comfortable is the right word. 

Ownership: 2024 private (LP). Gatefold. Acquired in 2026.

2/23/26 (review)

  

Ajatuksia Maailman Laidalta (2006)

It’s getting to the point that everything that’s from Finland is great. They are to the current decade what the French were to the 1980s. And thank goodness for that. Wasn’t sure what to expect here. Was told it was Finnish folk prog, and about the only band I associate with that is the obscure and rare Scapa Flow. It’s not really like that however. Even though it’s sung in beautiful Finnish, the album has more of a UK feel than one from continental Europe. The female vocals are one distinguishing factor. What’s interesting to me are the guitar breaks, which are rooted in hard rock – a clear departure from the acoustic folk psych of the base material. I quite liked this one.

Ownership: 

2006 private (CD).

2018 private (LP). Gatefold with lyrics. Acquired in 2022.

12//2006 (review); 3/15/10

Also own and need to review Kahden Kuun Sirpit.

3/15/10 (new entry)

Jun Fukamachi ~ Japan

Spiral Steps (1976)

I'd heard a couple of 70s Jun Fukamachi albums back in my CDRWL research days, both rating out well, though I never purchased anything. Until now. Spiral Steps is a new title for me, and the reviews sounded promising, so I grabbed a new CD online. Let's see how it goes.

The first two tracks are, to be nice, not really what I'm looking for. Both are funky fusion of the ear friendly variety, a sound that was all too common in the mid 1970s. While expertly played, it lacks the innovation or melodic immersion I'm seeking in that genre. Starting with the title track, Fukamachi moves towards jazz fusion, with complex horn charts, and rip roaring solos. The rhythm section is insane. This leads to the three part 'Scoto Phonobine', which takes the title track as a blueprint and runs with it. Type 1 is in the same jazz fusion style, Type II is atmospheric electronic (a welcome diversion), whereas Type III goes about destroying the studio with a fiery ending. Always the best way to end an album leaving one more satisfied than they probably should be. The album is inconsistent, and at times sounds more imitative than creative.

Another way to listen to Spiral Steps is to take in the wide array of keyboard timbres. Fukamachi possesses a smorgasbord of the latest keyboard technology 1976 had to offer. Which, in todays world, would be the preferred sounds over 2026's latest and greatest. Fender Rhodes, Hohner Clavinet, Hammond Organ M-6, ARP Odyssey, Minimoog, Solina Strings Ensemble, and Oberheim Digital Sequencer all get featured, some dramatically.

Not sure where I stand on this title, but I heard enough for this CD to earn shelf space. I'm sure, at some point, other Jun Fukamachi albums will find their way here, so I'll create a page.

Ownership: 2018 Universal Japan (CD). Booklet with liner notes in Japanese. Acquired in 2026.

2/23/26 (review)

2/23/26 (new entry)