Alters - MILD. 2007 Poland

Alters are somewhat typical of modern progressive bands who do not blend their influences together as a cohesive whole, but rather attack each segment on their own. Or what I call "genre hopping". So there's no "brand identity" as it were. Just various parts and pieces pasted together. You'll hear everything from the usual prog suspects (Yes, KC, Genesis), to Miles Davis, Stockhausen, Polish stalwarts (SBB, Nieman), complex French prog, mid 70's Pink Floyd, etc... There are of course, as with any album like this, some really great parts to enjoy and savor. But once they've moved on, you won't hear anything like it again. It's an Around the World tour in... 52 minutes.

CD: 2007 Lynx

Last listen: August 7, 2017

Taal - Mister Green. 2000 France

On their debut album, Taal carefully skate the fine line between progressive rock and musical genre hopping. There is a difference. The former integrates influences into the full composition, whereas the latter throws a bunch of mud on the wall on the hopes something will stick. The first three tracks demonstrate that Taal are a force to be reckoned with, taking the 1970s French progressive masters into the modern age regarding instrumentation (heavier guitars, better production techniques) as well as filtering the best moments of the past. But once 'Ragtime' begins, Taal takes everything to the next level. Suddenly there's no comprehensive whole, and various factions are at war with each other as to what the album's music is to be. Something akin to ordering a Supreme pizza, where there's tons of ingredients, but someone in the kitchen lost focus on the crust, sauce, and cheese. (I always think in terms of food. In fact, what's in the fridge right now?...). In any case, there's still plenty of tracks to enjoy on their own, primarily 'Aspartamus', but the craziness detracts from what could have been a focused piece of art.

Ownership: CD: 2000 Musea. Standard jewel case release

Removed from collection (2020)

2001; 9/11/16 (new entry)

Hominido - Estirpe Litica. 2014 Chile

Hominido was formed from the ashes of Le Desooorden, the fine Chilean group that we've featured in the past. Hominido features the rhythm section of the prior group, along with a new guitarist, and guests on violin and trumpet (also former Le Desooorden alumni). Most importantly they've recruited a female vocalist, thus giving the band its most distinctive quality from their previous endeavor. And I appreciate that she sings in her native Spanish. Hominido follows a similar path of crafting music that is highly creative, with a strong penchant for mixing of genres - but with a modern progressive sound, most notable in the extensive use of metal guitar. Perhaps most impressive is Hominido's dedication to diversity. On "Estirpe Litica" one will encounter the sounds of India ('Shalagram Shila'); Arabia ('Simun'); instrumental jazz/metal fusion ('Eterno Retorno'); ambient tropical ('Mi  Roca Interna'); progressive rock (title track); and atmospheric lounge ('Salar'). I was less impressed by the more straight-up prog metal like 'Cabeza de Piedra', 'Insano Devenir', and 'Adoquines Queretanos'. I had secretly hoped that 'Magma' would be Zeuhl influenced, but no such luck, though it's a fine neo psychedelic track in its own right, so yet one more style emerges.

For those who enjoy high minded concept albums, Hominido states that "Estirpe Litica" is a: "Conceptual album shows, through music, the ancestral relationship of humans with stones, narrating the changes that this causes them to be used in countless everyday situations related to the construction of homes, temples, worship elements tools, defense of rivers, major roads pavement ancient, aqueducts, etc." 

Overall Hominido has carried on the Le Desooorden legacy quite well. Those looking for adventurous progressive rock music and who tend to favor genre cutting, will find much to enjoy here. Recommended.

Ownership: CD: 2014 private

9/3/14 (new entry)

Pandora - Alibi Filosofico. 2013 Italy

Just when you think you've got Pandora figured out as an Italian retro progressive rock unit, out comes Alibi Filosofico. They really do open up Pandora's Box on this one, and throw caution to the wind. If one thought Pandora was out of the metal business, then the band made sure there was no doubt they are back in. Only one minute into the release, not only are metal guitars back in vogue, but now they've introduced thrash amongst the usual prog rock mayhem. So perhaps they've decided to go the same route their fellow Italians Garden Wall did? Well.. no, not that either. There's also piano concerto's, straight jazz bits, folk, traditional prog metal, and Banco Del Mutuo Succorso inspired retro progressive Italiana. My only complaint is much of the material is geared towards genre hopping moreso than a fully integrated solution (I see I'm starting to mix my work terms into my music reviews - need to retire). This is a trend we've seen quite a bit over the last decade, and this technique gives the appearance that it's more progressive than it really is. The early 70s masters would use influences or snippets of other genres, but they were rarely self-contained pieces as we find on Alibi Filosofico. Overall, it's a very creative release, though I found myself enjoying the predecessor a bit more.

Ownership: CD: 2013 BTF/AMS

6/28/14 (new entry)