For me, 2014 saw some rather stupendous music, some amazing festivals and tours and personal rewards beyond belief.
My position as an author at Lady Obscure Music Magazine does afford me the privilege of hearing loads of new music before the general public and I don't take that position lightly. Yes, my reviews are long but, I couldn't do the music justice if I didn't go the extra mile and, well, the artists I review don't seem to mind!
2014 saw my incredible boss at Lady Obscure, Nem Nol, have the foresight (or madness if you prefer) to make me a Senior Editor of this august webzine and I hope I continue to justify her faith in me.
Anyway, let's get onto the juicy stuff and start this review of the year 2014 with my favourite albums of the year. I've tried to whittle it down to 10 but even this final 15 I've come up with was exceedingly hard work. There have been some superb albums this year so, just because they're not on my list it doesn't make them any less worthy!
Now the first 10 are in no particular order but my top 5 are definitive and my number one choice, when revealed, will not surprise you in the least!
To start a trend, here is a band I saw at The Resonance Festival in Balham this last summer. Moheir really blew me away with their blend of progressive rock and avant-garde jazz, in my review I had this to say about them,
"‘A Rough Soundtrack’ is a rather fine effort by this Italian foursome. In places it is the epiphany of cool and in others it is a modern jazz classic. They are described as an ‘underground’ band which, to me, is slightly insulting. They should be out there in everyone’s faces and, with any luck, this album will put them at the forefront of avant-garde progressive jazz where they belong. Two words sum up my thoughts on this album – ‘buy it’!"
"The anticipation may have been killing me but, let me tell
you, it was most definitely worth the wait. Lucid is every bit as good as I
hoped it would be, in fact, it’s even better, one of the UK’s foremost and
challenging guitarists has moved the game on to a completely higher level and,
in this year that has, already, produced some stand out releases, Matt Stevens
has, for me, produced one of the most impressive albums I’ve heard yet."
Another musician who must work 24/7 is the amazing John Bassett. A solo career and being the frontman for the psychedelic heavy KingBathmat not being enough to keep him busy, he only goes and starts a new project, the brilliant Arcade Messiah. To be honest I could have picked his solo release Unearth just as easy but the grittier edge of this album got the nod.
"Arcade Messiah is
endlessly inventive, a totally immersive musical experience that allows you to
make your own interpretation of the story unfolding. It is almost unfeasible
that this was conceived and performed by one man but, it is a testament to the
undoubted skill and ability of John
Bassett that it is a seamless, epic story. Dark, bleak and full of despair
it may be but, when it is this good, that pales into insignificance as one of
the UK’s premier progressive musicians re-invents himself with assured aplomb
once again."
Legendary British proggers IQ returned in 2014 with their first album since 2009's Frequency with The Road of Bones. Complex stories woven around their signature musical style delivered a superb album, my colleague at Lady Obscure, RJ Dunn wrote these words about it.
"For the die-hard fans, The Road of Bones has all the goods we would expect from the band, with a few surprise touches. For fans new to IQ give it a taste, and another. IQ is a grower band, their nuances take time to dig in, but I warn you, once they do, you are in for life. For the band, thank you for yet another brilliant album, and thank you for a lifetime of being the soundtrack to my days."
What can I say about Simon Godfrey? Witty raconteur and an effortless ability to be funny and serious and make you stand up and listen to him. As part of Tinyfish he did the band thing and, with Shineback, he did the collaboration sort of thing and both of them were de-rigeur listens if you were into progressive music. Moving to America has robbed these shores of a premier musician but, if Motherland is anything to go by, it hasn't robbed us of some superb, heartfelt music.
"I have been waiting for this release for some time and, I am
happy to report it is everything I expected and more, Simon Godfrey is one of
those guys who happens to be a brilliant musician and a really nice guy and, in
Motherland he has produced a work of art, full of grace and
intelligence. There is verve and vigour to the songs and they connect in so
many ways, a soundtrack for the modern world perhaps, Mr Godfrey I salute you."
I don't know what it is about this hallowed land we live in but, do we produce some rather superb musicians or what? Robin Armstrong, in his alter ego of Cosmograf, is another amazing songwriter and musician who crafts complex tales that hold you in rapture and, in Capacitor, he hits the bullseye once again.
"This album is not just a piece of music, it is part of Robin Armstrong’s body and soul and you
can tell he has put everything into this, leaving nothing back. I cannot fault
this record in any way. It is musical paradise with an amazing musician as its
peerless architect. If I died and went to heaven right now, I couldn’t have
asked for any more, I have had the biggest epiphany, when it comes to music, in
my life, ever. This is not just one of the albums of the year it is one of the
best albums I have ever heard, period."
Musician, songwriter, mad genius? Who knows but the eclectic and challenging music of Emmett Elvin never fails to delight and challenge you. Bloody Marvels is a showcase of this fantastic musicians wide range of skills and was one of my surprise likes of the year.
"I must admit that this is an album that really lends
itself to you being in a receptive mood to listen to it, as background music it
just wouldn’t work, being complex and deep as it is. Sit yourself down in your
favourite chair with the lights down and a good pair of headphones on, however,
and you will be in for a treat with nuances and new ideas firing at you every time
you press play for one more listen.
‘Bloody Marvels’?, It’s bloody
marvellous!!"
I am a big fan of instrumental music and one of my favourite artists in that instrumental prog vein are With Our Arms to the Sun. These laid back Americans play some really heavy, yet extremely tuneful, progressive tracks and their latest album A Far Away Wonder thoroughly deserves a place in this list.
"This is not music for the faint-hearted but, if you say you love
music and, you don't like 'A Far Away Wonder' then your soul must have withered
and died. The band are in the process of writing completely new material for
their next, full length release, if this is what they can do when they re-work
old material then, the new album should be a wonder to behold, bring it on!"
Music with a cinematic edge, a soundtrack to our lives perhaps? Fractal Mirror don't write music like most other bands then, their music isn't like most other bands either. Vocals you will love or hate due to there sparse, laid back, mono-tonal nature and a keyboard heavy backdrop give their music a feel of stasis, music that is for the now. I just think that they write beautiful songs and it works for me, big time!
"Not just an album of songs but a journey into a world of profound understanding, ‘Garden of Ghosts’ is not for the fickle of heart or soul. It requires commitment and intelligence to fully benefit from its deeper connotations, once smitten though, you will never want to leave. Fractal Mirror are currently working on their third album and I, for one, cannot wait."
I am a huge fan of Mark Healy and his Hibernal project. His first album The Machine made my list of top albums of 2013 and he has done it again with Replacements. Blurring the boundaries between music, theatre and film, Mark has a unique outlook and I cannot rate him highly enough.
"Replacements took over my life for a good week,
I lived and breathed the whole gripping and immersive
storyline, in a world of fast food, faster internet and 24 hour news, a
recording that will take up a whole hour of your life will, most likely, not
appeal to the go faster generation of today but, if you are prepared to step out
of the fast lane and make that 60 minute commitment, you will never regret it
and will be thanking me for the rest of your days, this really is that good!
So, how did I replace it? I didn’t, I just listened to it one more time!"
Sometimes a band will come along to challenge what we expect from a genre, this year a group of loudmouths from Salford took on that mantle.
Superb live and on record, their experimental, alternative style of prog mixed with heavy doses of rock will ask you to think again about what constitutes good music. Their album World Turned Upside-Down is one of the most refreshing albums of many a year.
"You may not like it and, if you don’t, fair play but it’s
undeniably your loss. To me, this is everything that is good about independent
music today, a melting pot of stylistic influences melded into something unique
and fantastic. Dark and without any form of musical restraint it should be
consumed in one sitting and then, if you’re lucky, you will understand the
genius at work."
An album that touches my soul everytime I press play, the self-titled release from Abel Ganz is a record that will stay in my collection for the foreseeable future. Divine, beautiful, ethereal and, well, just darn good, as close to a religious experience as an agnostic can have!
"I have just listened to a musical composition that goes
further than just pleasing the senses. It is full of beauty and grace and
manages to combine musical styles that are quite disparate and deliver a
musical release that beguiles, bewitches and enthrals. This is music that will
stand the test of time and could become a legacy for this superb band. Abel Ganz has delivered what is bound
to become a highlight of this already impressive musical year, I implore you to
go henceforth and purchase this musical marvel!"
Another huge surprise of the year for me, Heliopolis' debut release City of the Sun is a slam dunk right to your cranium. A brilliant, modern take on what most people would perceive progressive music to be, it has a purity of the soul that shines through and just leaves you smiling like an idiot.
"If, like me, you like the simple, beautiful things in life,
if a ray of sunshine makes you smile and you consider yourself a ‘glass half
full’ kind of person then, you will appreciate the amazing piece of music that
I have just listened to. An absolutely superb, album that everyone should hear
at least once and, if it doesn’t leave you in a better place than where you
were before you heard it then, I’m sorry my friend, there really is no hope for
you, I’d get practicing how to spell Beelzebub now if I were you! A must buy,
go on, buy it, quick before all the copies have gone!"
I had been waiting for Tony Patterson & Brendan Eyre to release Northlands for what seemed like years! Both excellent musicians in their own right, this collaboration promised a lot and, by jove, did it deliver!! Whimsical, ethereal and plain marvellous and, boy, what a cover by Howy White!
"A totally bewitching musical experience that transports you
to another place, Northlands has
touched my soul in such a way that I will never be the same again. I am left
with a feeling of solemnity and grace, as if I am in a place where all is well
with the world and I can come to no harm. Yes, that is only a fantasy but,
while it lasts, it is one of intense joy and peace. One of the best albums I
have ever had the luck to listen to, it will continue to be part of me for a
very long time to come."
So, there you have it, the year 2014 whittled down one by one to my favourite album of the whole year and, it is not just my favourite album because of its music or lyrics. No my friends, this album is number one because it, literally, changed my life!!
I'll never forget the email that arived in my inbox with a selection of promo releases for us authors at Lady Obscure Music Magazine to select for reviews. Hidden near the bottom was the promo track The Willows from the British progressive rock act The Gift. Everything about this intrigued me form the cover through to the length of the track, long is gooood! So I chose to take it and, on the strength of one listen, opted to review the whole album when it came our way.
What a musical adventure that choice has led me on!! Never mind the fact that Land of Shadows is a modern progressive classic with amazing songwriting, superb melodies and, at its core, the heart and soul of two amazing musicians, Mike Morton and David Lloyd. I have been introduced to some amazing people, been invited to the incredible Resonance Rock Festival and it has taken my life in another direction, one that amazes me on a daily basis and, for that, I will be eternally grateful.
"Knock me down with a feather, it's happened again, we are only
into March and I find myself running out of superlatives to describe a new
release. Land of Shadows contains the raw emotion of a dark period in
Mike Morton's life, that he and David Lloyd have taken those emotions and produced
a release of sublime beauty and soul like this, that is uplifting and life
confirming, is tantamount to genius. Hopefully it will garner the critical and
commercial success it truly deserves."
So that's my top albums of 2014 but we don't end there my friends, more awards need to be given out!!
Band of the Year - A real toughie this one, there have been some serious contenders for my choice in this but, after seeing them live and seeing how they have, almost, single-handedly re-invigorated the genre I have to give to the noisy socialists from Salford, step forward Trojan Horse. If you get chance to see them live please, please take it, you won't regret it in any way, shape or form!
Solo Artist of the Year - For me, there was only ever one contender for this award. Matt Stevens is an incredible musician and works his socks off to promote himself and the music he loves. The foremost proponent of looping in the UK and an incredible performer live. Add in the fact that this bear of a man is one of the nicest guys you could meet and, ladies and gents, we have our winner!!
A highlight of Resonance was seeing Matt play live twice, first a
brilliant solo acoustic set and then a blistering, fire breathing set
with his band The Fierce and the Dead.
It was Matt's birthday that day and we celebrated with a few jars
after The Fierce and the Dead's set, a great evening!
Event/Highlight of the Year - From the first time that Mike Morton asked me if I'd like to come down and cover The Resonance Rock Festival for Lady Obscure, it was always going to be a huge thing for me. I met so many great people, not just the multitude of musicians either, the volunteers were amazing and I had the time of my life. Amazing musical acts and getting to meet some of heroes was fantastic but the feeling of togetherness was palpable.
It is a shame that there will not be a Resonance 2 next year but, when Mike is up for it again, I know there will be whole army of volunteers and a plethora of superb musicians who will be beating a path to his door!
Biggest Disappointment of 2014 - Well, this will come as no surprise to you all. THAT album, Heaven and Earth by progressive rock luminaries Yes was the definitive low of not just my year but quite a few other music lovers. A money making venture or just a poor album?, I shall let others decide, these are my final words on the matter (well, for now anyway).
"Overall Heaven and
Earth is a big disappointment from a Band who were one of the originators
of the progressive rock genre and enabled it to conquer the world. That’s not
to say that our favourite bands should ever put their feet up and call it a day
if they have something to still offer. Two of the tracks on the album show they
still have what it takes but the rest of this release really isn’t up to the
standard that they should expect from themselves or what the listeners and
fans, the people who pay good money for it, expect to hear."
Track of the Year - Well this one was even harder to pin down than band of the year but, mainly due to slow burning, blistering guitar solos and that slight hint of menace our winner is White Car by Cosmograf on the amazing Capacitor album. This track sends shivers down my spine every time I hear it, just sublime songwriting!
Album Cover of the Year - The simple and subtle cover from Abel Ganz's self-titled release
made the biggest impression on me in this year
of superlatives. Proof that less is, indeed, more.
It would sit as easily framed on your wall as it
does in your music collection. Honourable
mentions go out to Tony Patterson & Brendan
Eyre whose Northlands cover came an
exceedingly close second (and will actually be
adorning my living room wall soon) and Yes
who, despite the fact the album itself left a
hell of a lot to be desired, got Roger Dean to
produce more brilliant, fantasy inspired album
art.
Finally I would like to give a shout out to two people who have been the biggest influences on me this year.
Firstly, the founder and CEO at Lady Obscure Music Magazine. It was in early 2013 that I first got to know Nem Nol and it was in July of that year that I started writing review for the webzine. It is no small thing to say I wouldn't be the writer I am today with her help, encouragement and nurturing (no sniggering at the back!). The fact that she made me a Senior Editor this year was just the icing on the cake and, I hope I can go from strength to strength with her guidance and continually improve my writing and interviewing techniques.
Her massive enthusiasm is infectious and I know all at the webzine love writing for and being part of, our great team.
Perhaps the biggest influence on me musically, hence his nick-name of Prog Guru™, has been the inestimable David Elliott. A font of musical knowledge, not just progressive, he has taken me under his wing (god knows why, you'll have to ask him!) and given me an intensive course in prog history. He runs the amazing Bad Elephant Music label, along with James Allen and, if there was an award for label of the year, they would have won it. Add in the fact that he is an amazingly nice man under that curmudgeonly exterior and I feel it is my luck that he feels happy to impart his wisdom my way!!!
Right, I said it wouldn't be long but, once again, I miscalculated. I hope you enjoyed reading my blog and I am now firmly looking forward into 2015 which, hopefully, will surpass even this year for brilliance. Main thing I am looking forward to in 2015? Got to be Big Big Train finally playing live at Kings Place in London in the summer. New music coming from them and some other mighty fine releases, keep an eye out, it's going to be a bumpy ride!!!!
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