D. Beaver ~ USA ~ Memphis, Tennessee

Combinations (1973)

---9/29/10

Memphis based progressive rock band lead by keyboardist David Beaver, formed from the ashes of another obscure group called Edgewood. Beaver's group sounds like so many of the albums coming from England at this time, especially acts found on the Dawn or Neon labels. This isn't hyper complex progressive rock, definitely more song oriented, but with plenty of variety in the instrumentals (violin, harpsichord) and song structures (there are 16 tracks including intervals). I also hear distinct references to bands such as Flash and Morgan.

---5/20/23

And you can add Yes to that mix, especially at the beginning of the album. There is a strong AOR component throughout. As stated above, it's more song oriented with not too much instrumental interplay. Overall, Combinations is an enjoyable listen. My rating remains the same, but I can find room for this title in the collection.

Ownership: 1973 TMI (LP). Gatefold. Interesting to note that David Beaver never once uses his full name in the lengthy credits on the back. Just D. Beaver. 

No reissues exist as of 3/31/25.

9/29/10 (first listen/review); 5/20/23 (update/new entry)

Somnambulist. 1996 USA-Tennessee

One of the many great progressive rock bands that appeared in the 90s and are now a distant memory but of a few. This was one of the gems in The Laser's Edge catalog of albums. While it's not exactly a retro prog album, many elements of that sound exist here. This is for hardcore prog junkies, that's for sure. A little Genesis, Yes, King Crimson, and VDGG. American style. If this is the first time you've heard of this band, grab a sample, and then buy a copy while you still can.

Ownership: CD: 1996 The Laser's Edge. Purchased new upon release. Comes in a standard digi-pak with recording details.

Glass Hammer ~ USA ~ Tennessee

Shadowlands (2004)

Sigh. Glass Hammer. Southeast Tennessee's answer to classic Yes, with all the pitfalls of modern bands trying to do such. And yet I really like this album. The music is absolutely there. But the male / female vocal approach goes far out of its way to try to derail my enjoyment of it anyway. Note I said approach, not talent. While none of the singers will win any awards, they certainly aren't egregious. But the vocals presented here contain that annoying American style - especially from the South mixed with a bit of FM hit radio - a style that seems almost like religious revival folk music. The group chorus' I think are trying to bring back the ghost of Tales from Topographic Oceans, but instead it just sounds like I'm at some River Cleansing Ritual. But what's not a sin, in my book anyway, is emulating a style as distinctive as Yes'. As long as we're not doing note for note rips, I'm cool. And they don't really. There are five tracks here, and each are very much thought through, dense, complex, and melodic. And enjoyable, despite their best attempts to push me away. 

Ownership: 2004 Arion (CD). Acquired in 2004.

10//04; 10/9/12; 10/7/14; 9/3/18 (review) 

9/3/18 (new entry)

Leviathan ~ USA ~ Memphis, Tennessee

Leviathan (1974)

Leviathan were a band from Memphis, Tennessee, who managed to squeak out one LP before being dumped into the $1 bins of the day (not so any more). Opening with a mellotron blast, one could easily be swayed into thinking this will be a full on prog rock extravaganza. Couple that with the long songs and intriguing album titles, this will be a sure fire winner along the lines of Mirthrandir or Cathedral. Right? Wrong. Leviathan are basically a hard rock band, with a few stretched ideas, and a keyboardist who loves him some mellotron (it's all over this disc). Once you buy into the correct premise, the album delivers a fine set of tunes, with highlights that include 'Arabesque', 'Endless Dream', and 'Angel of Death'. The album sort of poops out at the end, and leaves the listener with a bad taste. Sort of like eating the peas after the steak. In any case, this is an album I owned for many years (both on LP and dubious CD), and pushed them both into the sell bin. Another Mach LP copy floated my way recently, and this visit proved to me that Leviathan is a fine mid 70s hard rock album.

Ownership: 1974 Mach (LP)

1992 (first listen); 5/7/17 (review)