EventsTuesday Wonderland | Esbjörn Svensson Trio
The Esbjörn Svensson Trio has the same core arrangement of a piano, upright bass, and drum kit as most modern jazz trios, but they’ve given it a little twist using synthesisers/effects from time to time. For the first time, I’ve come across a band that’s added a hint of rock to modern jazz rather than the other way around.
Samuel Jackson Five
I’ve been told to never judge a book by its cover, and I suppose that could easily translate into a band and its name. But when I saw the band The Samuel Jackson Five, I thought, “How could I go wrong with this purchase?” I now have all three of their releases and love every one of them.
The Cancer Conspiracy
The Cancer Conspiracy is from a rather unlikely place, Burlington, VT. Let’s be honest, Burlington has a lot going on for itself… for example, it’s “the smallest U.S. city that is the largest city in its state” and it is THE place to get your teddy bears. But it’s not exactly where I’d expect to find a progressive rock band of this caliber.
Irepress
An interview with Bret Silverberg, lead guitarist, on the topics of the inspiration for their band name and making quality rock music, their recent album release and shows with God Is An Astronaut, and what its like playing in live shows without a lead singer.
Sol Eye Sea I | Irepress
I was literally refreshing the Irepress iTunes store page to make sure I got this album as soon as I could. I haven’t found another band quite like Irepress. I could probably come up with some concoction other rock/metal/experimental bands that might indicate what you’re in for when you buy Sol Eye Sea I (2009), but where’s the fun in that? Half the appeal of Irepress is that they’re largely unpredictable.
Organic Warfare | Phronesis
Organic Warfare is a diverse and vibrant modern/progressive jazz album. The album is a journey itself, but never diverges too far into unfamiliar territory. There is an ample selection of moods and tempos, but not delivered all at once. Every track leaves you wanting more as if it were just an appetizer and you just ordered the house sampler. This is an amazing debut for Phronesis and I can’t wait to see how they’ll continue to push the envelope in progressive jazz.
Parhelia
I just love the feeling of getting the inspiration to write a review before even finishing my first listen of an album.
The Mercury Program
The Mercury Program just puts me right in the zone to focus and enjoy whatever I’m working on.
Self-Titled | God is an Astronaut
I’m not sure I could have found this album at a better time. I was in need of a really good new release, and it’s even better that this one is from one of my favorite bands. Despite the fact that a God is an Astronaut concert was the birth place of Obnoxious Listeners, I somehow forgot about their upcoming release… almost.
Elf-Titled | The Advantage
I can understand a band covering a song in a manner that expresses the song in their own unique way or rearranges the song into a different genre, but typically I don’t condone bands that produce releases strictly of covers. However, I’ve come across an exception to the rule that both impresses and creates a sense of nostalgia. I’ve heard countless bands cover classic NES games, but not quite in the way The Advantage as tackled the concept.
