The Flower Kings launch new single "A Million Stars" from upcoming album 'By Royal Decree' Prog icons The Flower Kings recently announced the release of their 15th studio album 'By Royal Decree', set for 4th March 2022. Now, the band are pleased to share the second single from the album "A Million Stars". Roine comments: "Never to..
Velvet Thunder albums of 2021
As 2021 draws to a close, it has once again been quite a year for music. With 2020 seeing a cataclysmic change in the landscape 'thanks' to a global pandemic; the world became a different place, live music all but disappeared, albums were delayed and bands that lived in different locations could not travel to..
Jethro Tull – Benefit: The 50th Anniversary Enhanced Edition (Parlophone)
The relentless roars of a demanding fan base can't be ignored forever... Well, it finally happened. Much chatter and argy-bargy has transpired over the last several years regarding the likelihood of Jethro Tull's third album Benefit being reissued in Parlophone's deluxe 'digibook' series of Steven Wilson remixes. It made sense, some reckoned, since it was..
Kayak announce 2022 farewell tour dates
Legendary Dutch progressive rockers Kayak have announced their farewell tour, set to take place in April & May 2022. These shows will see them perform tracks from across their career, including their latest album 'Out Of This World' released in early 2021. Originally formed in 1972, this will be the last time the band tour. ..
Anthony Phillips – Archive Collection Volume I & Volume II (Esoteric)
A walloping 101 tracks and a wealth of previously unheard gems from Ant's attic... As an admirer and fan of Anthony Phillips' music for 35 years now, it's brought me genuine joy to see so much of it thrust back into the spotlight thanks to Esoteric's tireless reissue campaign. Under the watchful eye of official..
Affinity – Affinity (Expanded and remastered) (Esoteric)
Christmas has come early this year with the arrival of Affinity, the sumptuous and expansive boxed set celebrating the English quintet's eponymous 1970 release. It's the latest restoration project in Esoteric's impressive series of reissues, and one of the most comprehensive to date. Although some old-timers may be fortunate enough to have the original Affinity..
Proud Peasant – Peasantsongs (Basement Avatar Records)
Oldfield, Crimson, Giant, Gryphon, Morricone... Proud Peasant. In December of 2014, some friends and I compiled our annual Top 10 Albums Of The Year lists, and there were very few surprises overall… but there was one. Way up near the top of my list was Flight, the charming out-of-the-blue debut from American band Proud Peasant,..
Glass Hammer – Skallagrim – Into The Breach (Sound Resources)
The second installment of a trilogy is always the deepest part of the story... As a youngster, I quickly learned from movies such as The Empire Strikes Back and books like The Two Towers that the second instalment of a trilogy is always the deepest part of the story. With the latest musical offering from..
The Watch – The Art Of Bleeding
Sunset. After missing the last bus, she walks back tentatively to the house she has rented for the summer. A house with memories of holidays long ago. She shuts the door. In the half-light, something catches her eye. A chair has been moved, ever so slightly. And the darkness is deepening. This can’t be good...
Cosmograf – Rattrapante (Gravity Dream Music)
This is another fine prog album from Cosmograf and like most of its predecessors leaves one wondering why the band remains something of a hidden gem. A casual glance at the album title will have most readers scratching their heads, perhaps wondering whether this might be a culinary album about the joys of French food..