ROSFEST RELATED BAND NEWS - Ed Unitsky special appearance at RoSfest 2009
Current mood: artistic
Category: Travel and Places
RoSfest is pleased to announce this year's new RoSfest Logo created by Ed Unitsky!
Ed Unitsky has been our Official Artist of the Rites of Spring Festival first creating the Official 2007 RoSfest logo and followed by the stunning 2008 RoSfest logo. Having just completed our 2009 Rites of Spring Festival Logo, Ed has accepted our invitation to be our guest at the 2009 RoSFest!!!!! Ed will be making his debut public appearance at the 2009 Rites of Spring Festival!
That's right folks! Ed will be our guest as our Official RoSFest Artist. We will be making a special event arrangement for Ed to meet and greet his fans during the festival. You won't want to miss this historic occasion so make sure you have your tickets!
Ed is the world renowned progressive rock cover artist and is recognized as one of the most innovative and creative artist of our time. To date Ed has created artwork for The Flower Kings, The Tangent, Guy Manning, ProgDay Festival, ProgSol Festival, Etherfysh, Oresund Space Collective, Starcastle, Tempustry, Moongarden, Laurie Larson, Tadashi Goto, Tomas Bodin, Aquaplanage, Unitopia, and many others.
Tomas Bodin - ’CINEMATOGRAAF’ Lower Price
Current mood: artistic
Category: Music
Tomas Bodin - 'CINEMATOGRAAF' Lower Price
/GOT FROM TOMAS BODIN' BLOGS/
www.myspace.com/tomasbodinkeyboard
" Hi everybody
From now on it..s possible to buy my new Cinematograaf for 15 Euros incl. shipping all over the world.
Review from DPRP
"Cinematograaf" is Tomas' sixth album a richly textured album with dynamic moods of power and softness. Its unique blend of instrumentals with classical and traditional styling along with stategic sound effects interlace to create a magical mix that will lead you to belief you are truly engaged at the "Cinematograaf". Track titles include "An Ocean In Between", "Spanish Ballerina in Love", and "Six, Six, Six".
Vatican ’forgives’ Lennon for ’more popular than Jesus’ remark ...
Current mood: happy
Category: Religion and Philosophy
Vatican 'forgives' Lennon for 'more popular than Jesus' remark
More than 40 years after Christians were infuriated by the Beatles' claim that they were "more popular than Jesus", the Roman Catholic Church has made peace with the Fab Four.
By Nick Squires in Rome
All is forgiven: the Vatican has made its peace with the Beatles
Saturday's edition of the Vatican's official newspaper absolves John Lennon of his notorious remark, saying that "after so many years it sounds merely like the boasting of an English working-class lad struggling to cope with unexpected success".
In a lengthy editorial marking the 40th anniversary of the Beatles' famous White Album, L'Osservatore Romano heaps lavish praise on the British band.
"The talent of Lennon and the other Beatles gave us some of the best pages in modern pop music," said the newspaper, which has recently tried to shake off its stuffy image by covering popular culture events such as the Oscars and inviting articles from Muslim and Jewish contributors.
Only "snobs" would dismiss the Beatles' songs, which had shown "an extraordinary resistance to the effects of time, providing inspiration for several generations of pop musicians", said the newspaper, regarded as the Vatican's official mouthpiece.
It was in March 1966 that Lennon made his infamous claim.
"Christianity will go," he told a reporter from the Evening Standard.
"It will vanish and shrink We're more popular than Jesus now - I don't know which will go first, rock and roll or Christianity. Jesus was alright, but his disciples were thick and ordinary. It's them twisting it that ruins it for me." T
he boast provoked outrage, particularly in the United States, where conservative Christians burned piles of Beatles albums. The band received death threats and radio stations, particularly in the South, stopped playing Beatles records.
More than a decade later Lennon said he was glad of the furore he had caused. "My life with the Beatles had become a trap," he wrote in 1978.
"I always remember to thank Jesus for the end of my touring days; if I hadn't said that the Beatles were 'bigger than Jesus' and upset the very Christian Ku Klux Klan, well, Lord, I might still be up there with all the other performing fleas! God bless America. Thank you, Jesus."
Flower Kings & Ecco Prog Fest: 29 Nov 2008, Moscow
Current mood: artistic
Category: Music
Flower Kings & Ecco Prog Fest: 29 Nov 2008, Moscow
(NEWS GOT FROM "InRock - Russian music magazine" ) www.inrock.ru
Flower Kings & Ecco Prog Fest: 29 Nov 2008, Moscow.
www.flowerkings.se
Actually, a copy of Inprog festival myspace blog...
I hope I can finally announce... long and hard in the making: Ecco Prog Festival!
Ecco Prog Fest is a logical continuation of InProg, which will happen with help of Ecco Shoes, danish footwear company. Everything else will be the same: lots of good progressive music, top Russian and foreign bands, celebration of progressive music and so and so.
First Ecco Prog Fest (or 6th InProg, call it as you like) will be headlined by... drum roll please...
FLOWER KINGS from Sweden!
Russian bands include: Batisfera, Kostarev Group and Apple Pie.
It will be in Moscow's B2 club (www.b2club.ru).
See more info at www.inrock.ru/eccoprogfest
www.myspace.com/inrock www.inrock.ru
InProg is an international Progressive rock festival in Moscow, Russia, organised by the Russian InRock music magazine.
You can read wikipedia article about festival in English: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/InProg
Chuck Negron - Presented with Career Achievement Award!
Current mood: artistic
Category: Friends
We have just learned that our dear friend Chuck Negron will be presented the "Career Achievement Award" at the Hollywood Music Awards, Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, CA on November 20th, 2008.
Chuck, a founding member of Three Dog Night has an extensive portfolio of timeless Number 1 hits. Please join us in congratulating Chuck for being honored for his career contributions!!!!
For more info please visit http://www.hollywoodmusicawards.org/main_event.php
Chuck's bio info. - http://www.myspace.com/chucknegronformerlyofthreedognight
"From a humble Bronx, New York apartment to success and wealth far beyond anything he could imagine, the Chuck Negron story is an amazing saga.
For what could have ended on a deadly downbeat is today a wonderful story that gives us all hope and faith that miracles do happen.
Rock-n-Roll first made a difference in Chuck's life in the late 1950's. By the age of 15, he had recorded his first single record and performed at the world famous Apollo Theater with his vocal group "The Rondells."
A stone cold dead silence ensued as the curtain rose on the Rondells. "We were not just the only white group on the bill," Negron recalls, "we were the only white people in the building. But by our second verse, something magical happened.
The audience started to cheer us on." That night Negron learned an important lesson, that music transcends all barriers and differences that people might have.
"That's the power of music." Soon after his Apollo triumph, the teenage Chuck Negron and the Rondells began haunting Manhattan's famous Brill Building. "I came to believe that the difference between a good singer and a great singer was the songs they sang.
I looked to see who was writing the great hits of the early rock-n-roll years. The same names came up over and over again; Leiber and Stoller, Goffin and King, Mann and Weil, Bacharach and David, among others." They would go from office to office in hopes of meeting some of these great writers to sing for them. They performed 10 to 20 times a day for publishers as well as record companies.
COLLEGE OR MUSIC
By 1961, it was decision time for his future. Chuck had received several scholarships to play college basketball. In addition, he had a desire to pursue a music career. Chuck decided to do both. He accepted an athletic scholarship from Allan Hancock College in Santa Maria, California, which was just a few hours from Hollywood. Chuck was later recruited by Bill Sharman, coach at Cal State, Los Angeles, a "stones throw" from Hollywood and the recording industry. Now in California, attending college and playing basketball, obtaining a recording contract was next on Chuck's agenda. Columbia records came calling after Chuck and the Sorenson Brothers had radio success in central California with two single releases, "Sharon Lee" on the Marlinda Records and "I Dream Of An Angel" on the Heart Van Label. In 1965, Columbia Records signed Chuck Negron-Rondell to a recording contract. With his hoop life now behind him, Negron arrived in Hollywood to make a reputation as a recording artist and performer. "I learned a great deal while on Columbia. The producers and A&R people had total control. They picked all my songs, the arrangements and ultimately how the world would see me. I learned you must be more than just a singer. You must be able to define yourself in some special way. A unique vocal style, image or presence, through your song writing, or ability to pick great songs, arrange and produce them."
REACHING BACK TO HIS ROOTS
In 1967, Chuck Negron became a founding member of Three Dog Night. A vocal trio whose roots would be in R&B, rock-n-roll and urban doo wop, but, whose music would be totally new and unique. Chuck felt one thing might be missing. Great Songs! Chuck went back to the publishers who represented the great writers he loved as a teenager. These publishers would also introduce Chuck to new, up and coming writers. Chuck brought Harry Nilsson's "One" (Is The Loneliest Number) to the group. Chuck also selected and sang lead on Elton John's first song to be released in the U.S., "Lady Samantha." He also picked and sang Paul Williams' "Old Fashioned Love Song" and "Out In The Country," Laura Nyro's "Eli's Coming," David Loggins' "Pieces of April" and Hoyt Axton's, "Joy To The World." Chuck also discovered many other new writers as well. Built around the pop soul vocals of Negron and Wells, great songs, brilliant musicians and a powerful three part harmony – few bands were as consistently popular in concert or on the music charts. In an era when Jimi Hendrix, The Rolling Stones and Motown were competing for chart position, TDN dominated the charts and sold 50 million records by 1975 – 90 million records sold to date.
A CAREER WITHIN A CAREER
The world was introduced to Chuck Negron and Three Dog Night in 1969 by the breakthrough – and the band's first million seller "One." Driven by Chuck Negron's solo lead vocals on 4 million selling singles, three 1 records , (one which topped the charts for six weeks, "Joy To The World,") five top 5 hits and seven top 40 hits, Negron put and kept Three Dog Night on the charts for six years. His soaring, soulful, four octave range and unique vocal styling became a part of the American landscape. His gut wrenching performance on the band's follow up hit to "One", "Easy To Be Hard" is now a pop classic, as is his beautiful and smooth vocal on "Old Fashioned Love Song." Chuck's unmistakable voice exclaiming "Jeremiah Was A Bullfrog" on the multi-Grammy nominated and 1971 Record Of The Year, "Joy To The World" is today a part of Americana, securing a place for Chuck Negron as one of the great singers in rock and pop.
While Chuck was with Three Dog Night they had a phenomenal 18 consecutive top 20 hits, 21 top 40 hits, 8 top 10 hits and 4 number one hits - not to mention 5 top 10 albums and 11 top 20 albums. "We were a self-contained band who performed all the music on our records," Negron explained. "We picked all the songs, arranged them and were totally involved in production. We never had an A&R person or any record company interference. The band contractually had artistic control." Few bands were as popular in concert. They pioneered stadium extravaganzas, prompting Rolling Stone Magazine in its 1972 cover story to exclaim "More Gold Than the Stones!" "Bigger Crowds Than Credence!" "Fatter Purses Than Elvis!" Some of their opening acts were the likes of Rod Stewart, Aerosmith, ELO and co-headliner billing with Led Zeppelin.
BEGINNING TO END
By 1975, two original members were unable to continue and had to be replaced. In fact, the sex, drugs, rock n roll existence, had taken its toll. Soldiering .. their last million selling single, ironically titled "The Show Must Go On," the band released their last top forty hit "Til The World Ends" which reached number 32 on the pop charts. Both recordings were selected, arranged and sung by Chuck.
Chuck Negron had a great career within the band's career. He gave the group their first million seller and fittingly their last. Three Dog Night called it quits in 1976."
Earlier this year, Unitopia shot their very first film clip and it’s now been uploaded to YouTu
Current mood: artistic
Category: Music
Earlier this year, Unitopia shot their very first film clip and it's now been uploaded to YouTube!
It is absolutely incredible!!!
Unitopia has been very busy doing radio and press interviews and have also received some great reviews. Here are a few for you to have a look at!
Incredible (five stars out of five)
Take a moment to digest the album art that you see above you (you can view an enormous version by clicking on it).
Now, The Garden is a masterful and enormous piece of progressive rock as multifaceted as the complex album art that accompanies it. Similar in some ways to Genesis, Magic Pie and the Flower Kings, Unitopia offers progressive rock of the highest caliber: beautiful symphonic arrangements backed by superb instrumentation and strong vocals. In addition, it's an album that constantly surprises the listener.
The Australian band Unitopia began in 1996, but did not release an album until nine years later with the debut, entitled More than a Dream. It's an album that, as guitarist and keyboardist Sean Timms explains, "was a labor of love, something we did in our infrequent spare time. We weren't necessarily recording an album, just writing a collection of songs for our own enjoyment." The album was well received, though it was received by very few. The Garden, on the other hand, is seeing wide release on Inside Out Music.
The Garden is a collection of fifteen songs spread across two CDs--each CD totaling about fifty minutes. It is not a concept album, but it does have a leitmotif of "redemption" as described by Timms. "It is an album about hope coming from despair," says Timms. There's a ton of content here, with songs ranging from under two minutes to over twenty minutes. In short, variety is a definite characteristic of the album, and one of its greatest strengths.
This album is, instrumentally, about as flawless as an album can be. There are more instruments on this album than I can count, and they're all used to great effect. For example, the first track, One Day, opens with a beautiful piano melody and the vocals of singer Mark Trueack. On the next track, however, there's far more going on--orchestral arrangements, tribal percussion, flute, saxophone, clean guitar, overdriven guitar, etc. There are so many sounds in this song that I can't rightly identify them all--and I loved every minute of it. Throughout the remainder of the album, the band presents yet more instrumental sounds. In fact, the midsection of the album's other epic, Journey's Friend, approaches progressive metal, with instrumentation that gets quite heavy and a vocal delivery that, in my best attempt to describe it, sounds a bit like Brian Johnson from AC/DC.
Yet for those not keen on AC/DC, fear not (it's a very loose comparison, anyway). Throughout the rest of the album, vocalist Mark Trueack delivers a stellar performance that can best be described as the perfect balance of Peter Gabriel and IQ's Peter Nicholls (who himself sounds very much like Peter Gabriel). In essence, fans of bands such as Genesis and IQ should find plenty to like here. However, the vocal melodies, in many cases, seem even more melodic than the offerings from similar bands. As a result, Trueack's vocals seem more accessible, and may very likely appeal to those who aren't fans of Gabriel.
Lyrically, the album remains strong for a majority of the tracks, though the later songs begin to sound more generic lyrically. On those tracks, love becomes the theme, and it is treated in a very straightforward way, as on the track "Love Never Ends," which proclaims "Our love takes me to a higher place..." and so on. Ultimately, the lyrics aren't bad, but they're hardly memorable in many places. Yet, in songs like "The Garden," they're more open to interpretation and more liable to cause some deep thought in the listener.
The Garden is a stunning album--beautiful, powerful, and incredibly fun to listen to. It's full of changes and surprises, yet it is consistently strong. Fans of progressive rock will agree: 70s style progressive rock has never been done quite like this--not even in the '70s. Unitopia deserves a spot with the best artists of the current progressive rock scene.
Andrew Kauz - www.progressivemelodies.com
It's really pretty interesting when a band comes totally out of the blue and surprises me.
It doesn't happen all that often; either that means that I am hard to please or that I'm jaded. I'm not 100% sure. But I could probably count on the fingers of one hand the number of 'new' bands (i.e., only 1 or 2 albums out) that I've come across that have caught my ear and not let go of easily. Sleepytime Gorilla Museum (in 2003) and Viima (2007) are two that come to mind immediately as bands that caught me completely unawares and hit something that made their music addicting to me.
I'm not 100% sure that Unitopia fits that bill yet, but the fact that I keep going back to their latest album, The Garden, speaks volumes.
Unitopia is an Australian sextet releasing their second album, a 2-CD set, on InsideOut Music. The press release, which I received with the album, compares the group to the Flower Kings, Van der Graaf Generator, King Crimson and…Men at Work?
Yeah, one of those things is not like the other. I'm not sure where they got the Men at Work angle unless it's just because that band is also Australian, but that's neither here nor there. Repeated listens make it hard for me to even find links to Crimson and VdGG, unless it's the fact that all three bands have features some sax playing in their music. Nor really can I compare Unitopia to the Flower Kings…unless it's the fact that like TFK, Unitopis draws some influence from bands like Yes and Genesis. The music is generally pretty uplifiting and bright…positive sounding music. I also hear some serious Queen bits as well…the track "Don't Give Up Love," despite the possibly slightly cheesy title, is filled with Queen-isms, from layered choral vocals to harmonised guitars. Mark Trueack's voice does bear some comparison to Peter Gabriel (and perhaps Ray Wilson as well)…while not a dead ringer for Gabriel, they share a similar dark, slightly raspy lower tenor vocal range.
Unitopia tosses a lot of music at the listener on this release; the two CDs total about 101 minutes of material. Included are a pair of epics…"Journey's Friend" is a 5-part suite that opens the second half of The Garden, while the 22-minute title track features some of the more overt Genesis bits, including a closing section that doesn't necessarily mimic the end of "Supper's Ready" as much as works in a similar stylistic arena. "Journey's Friend" maybe sounds a bit Transatlantic-ish as well…and considering that Transatlantic was intended in many ways to mine classic progressive rock styles, this may not be surprising. The heavy section some 9 minutes in, with thick, throaty almost screamed vocals and powerful orchestration, is wonderfully balanced by a pastoral section that immediately follows. The shift might be disruptive, but it's a great sue of light and shade to create tension.
The shorter tracks have much to offer as well. I am particularly enamoured of "Give and Take," complete with lushly arranged vocals and guitar playing from Matt Williams (I am assuming) that sounds like textbook Steve Howe. I also get a feel that is similar to the material on Genesis' Calling all Stations release (a pretty criminally underrated album, if you ask me, and perhaps fodder for a future article)…it'd not sound out of place surrounded by songs like "Uncertain Weather." "321" is another powerful piece…written as a tribute to the bravery of the Beaconsfield miners, Brant Webb and Todd Russell and the tragic death of fellow miner Larry Knight following the tragic mine collapse at the Beaconsfield gold mine in northern Tasmania on 25 April 2006. It's evocative lyrically, and the music matches the mood and tension with aplomb.
Throughout the release, many things remain constant. Monty Ruggiero's drumming is solid, while Tim Irrgang contributes some nice percussive flourishes that I can't help but call Australian…there's a bit of tribal/Aboriginal rhythm there that I'd like to think he adds. Sean Timms and Matt Williams are excellent guitarists, playing with a bit of flash but keeping the song as main focus. Shireen Khemlani's bass playing deserves special note; fluid and graceful, she's mixed up just enough to maintain presence without distracting from the rest of the musicians. Mark Trueack, as mentioned above, is an enjoyable singer to listen to, with a delivery that is effortless and rich.
I'm impressed by Unitopia, and find The Garden to be a pretty refreshing slice of melodic, symphonic prog. Don't let the press release sway you away…this is no Flower Kings pastiche, but a band using the same influences to create something that sounds pretty uniquely their own.
Bill's Prog Blog
Reviewer: Eric – The Review Busters
With a cover like this you would think the latest from progressive rock band Unitopia would be too hard to handle. That is far from the truth, The Garden is a beautiful album that takes the listener on a journey they will never forget anytime soon.
This double disc release is defiantly one for the ages. Unitopia offers a unique blend of progressive rock with some symphonic parts that are incredible. If you never heard of this band then you will want to pick up everything they have to offer, The Garden is a non stop ride into a progressive sound that is easy on the ears, yet at the same time it offers everything you would have ever wanted from a progressive release.
Unitopia never saw a wide release for their first album More Than a Dream. With InsideOut Music reaming up with the band hopefully progressive rock fans will find something they have missed. The Garden is 15 tracks from a band that puts in enough emotion to power into everything, giving it that sound that is note worthy on so many accounts.
The instrumentation on this album is stunning. Words can not explain how I felt when I heard the progressive masterpieces The Garden and Journey's Friend. These two tracks are defiantly the glue on there discs. They give you that sense like you are watching a movie right before your eyes, which is something I always look for when I am listening to a progressive release (progressive music tends to be that strong).
Lyrically this album takes a few turns that might make the sound stale. Some of the tracks on this album have emo sounding lyrics. Thankfully this doesn't happen all the time as some tracks go more into making the listener think.
Final Verdict
Overall I think The Garden is a fantastic album. If I had one problem it was defiantly the lyrics, but only at times. Everything else is top notch, making this a progressive album that you should not miss. Pick up The Garden immediately.
Rating 9.25 out of 10
Here's one for our German speaking fans…
Australien ist bekannt fьr giftige Viecher, britische Verbrecher und цde Wьstenlandschaften. Nebenbei soll es auch noch ganz gut zum Urlaub machen sein und gelgentlich gibt es dann auch noch ein paar, die fьr lдnger dort bleiben wollen. Muss wohl doch was haben, dieser Kontinent am anderen Ende der Welt.
Unitopia kommen genau aus dieser Gegend, die ja fьr ihre harte Gangart im Rock bekannt ist, und wollen uns mit progressiven Trдumerklдngen verzaubern. Dafьr haben sie auch nicht an Personal und Material gespart. Sieben Leute haben sich hier zusammengefunden und diese bieten mit rund 100 Minuten auch einiges an Musik. Die Haupttдter sind Mark Trueack (Gesang/Percussion) und Sean Timms (Keyboard/Mandoline/Gesang), doch da das nicht ganz ausreicht, haben sie sich noch eine Gitarre (Matt Williams) geschnappt, die auch gleich noch etwas Banjo spielen, einen Bass (Shireen Khemlani), ein Schlagwerk (Monti Ruggierio), etwas mehr Percussion (Tim Irrgang) und damit die geblasenen Instrumente nicht zu kurz geraten, darf Mike Stewart gleich Saxophon, Flцte und Klarinette spielen. Da ihm das nicht langt, gibts halt noch ein wenig Percussion und Keyboard fьr ihn dazu. Abwechslung muss hier einfach geboten sein.
Das Doppelspiel beginnt mit dem Opener "One Day", der das Konzeptwerk mit Keyboard und Gesang erцffnet. Und schon haben wir einen ersten von vielen Hцhepunkt geboten. Der Gesang von Mark Trueack ist Kunst und weiЯ sich stets dem Gesamtkonzept anzupassen. Da es sich bei "The Garden" um ein Konzeptalbum handelt, gibt es natьrlich eine Handlung, die einen durch die 100 Minuten begleitet. Es handelt sich hierbei um eine Reise durch Raum und Zeit. Also alles ganz sphдrisch, wobei man eigentlich doch immer am gleichen Platz bleibt, da es mehr um den Raum und die Zeit in uns geht. Es hцrt sich irgendwo esoterisch an, ist aber vielmehr eine Frage an sich selbst, die aus Verzweiflung Hoffnung gewinnen will. "Was muss ich an mir verbessern, um eine positive Verдnderung bei anderen hervorzurufen?" wollen die Musiker dem geneigten Hцrer mitgeben und so ohne ist die Frage auch nicht.
Mit dem ersten opulenten Track, dem 22minьtigen Titelsong, geht es dann in Richtung Flower Kings oder auch King Crimson. Es werden Klangteppiche gewoben, zwischen denen sich sowohl die Gitarre als auch der Gesang oder einmal ein Blasinstrument oder eine Keyboardmelodie erheben darf. Alles wunderbar aufeinander abgestimmt, um ein Gefьhl der Harmonie zu schaffen. Dies ist wirklich Musik, die dazu anregt, die Gedanken ziehen zu lassen, sich zurьckzulehnen, zu genieЯen und vцllig neue Ideen aufzugreifen.
Da ich niemanden mit meiner Review erschlagen will, werde ich nun nicht auf jede einzelne Nummer ausufernd eingehen, aber soviel mag gesagt werden: Es handelt sich bei diesem Album um eines der abwechslungsreichsten, facettenreichsten Werke, die ich zu hцren bekommen habe. Dabei haben sie es aber geschafft, dass das Gesamtwerk hцrbar bleibt. Es ist nicht in Frickelei oder Spielorgasmen verkommen. Auch wenn die Gitarre mal zwischendrin, wie z.B. in "Angelique" oder "Inside The Power", zeigen darf, was sie kann, so hдlt sich auch das im Rahmen des Gesamtwerks.
Am Emotionalsten wirkten auf mich die beiden Tracks "When I'm Down" und "Don't Give Up Love" von der zweiten CD, bei denen Schmerz und positive Lebenseinstellung sehr deutlich zum Ausdruck kommen. Was nicht bedeuten soll, dass die anderen Tracks irgendwie in irgendwas nachstehen wьrden. Ausfдlle gibt es keine.
Schlussendlich kann ich nur sagen, dass ich ьber alle MaЯen beeindruckt bin. Hier wurde fьr mich Musik gespielt, die man nicht nur hцren, sondern auch fьhlen kann. Wer Melodien von Helmut Krausser kennt, wird wissen, wie ich das meine.
Wer Musik nicht nur zum Grunzen, Bangen oder brachial Rumoren braucht, sondern auch mit Bands wie Alan Parson Project oder die genannten King Crimson etwas anfangen kann, muss hier einfach zugreifen. Ich kann diese CD auch 1000 Minuten ununterbrochen hцren. Kauft, Leute, kauft! Ganz entschieden mein Album des Jahres.
Anspieltipps gibts hier keine. Spendiert dem Album die benцtigten 100 Minuten eures Lebens. Am Besten mehrmals.
By tlarz - Published: October 30, 2008 - Country: Australia - Released: 2008 - Label: InsideOut - Australian artrock-progband Unitopia, has released their second album
"The Garden" it is a concept album and a double at that.
Cd 1 " The garden"
Opens with a beautiful ballad like song, that could have been out of a Procol Harum album, even the singer sounds like Gary Brooker. Excellent stuff!!
Track 2 " The Garden" (22:35 min.) are the first of two epic tracks on this fine outing, delivering everything and anything you could ask for in modern artrock progmusic !!
Track 3 "Angeliqua" a powerful track that opens with beautiful female chanting, oriental style (yes I kid you not) building up to a very strong tune with lots of breaks and varied sequences.
Track 4 "Here I Am" again a beautiful ballad (with gusto) it actually has radio play potential ( yes it becomes an earhanger, after a few spins!!).
Track 5 " I Wish I could fly" an amazingly lyric piece with classical music style, orchestra, acoustic guitar and a warm ambient feel to it!!
Track 6 "Inside The power" somehow reminds this reviewer of Pink Floyd in their softer mood. That's a good thing!!
Cd 2 "The Journey"
Kickґs off with the second epic on this fabulous release: "Journeys Friend" (16.28 min.) an imaginative tune with broad strokes of musical genres, into even jazzy themes at times, broken with powerchords and superb lead guitar, blended with thundering intervals…and before you know it theyґre (Unitopia) into a beautiful sequence (again Procol Harum comes to mind!) It is quite amazing!!
There are many more tracks on this masterpiece (Oh yes it is!!) But hey…go buy it and find out!!Its been a long time since ive heard such well trimmed, imaginative, well delivered, varied, beautiful, powerful and excellent music from ANY band!!! This is a MASTERPIECE!! >From ethnic sounding drum sequences, to latin inspired introґs, over beautiful themes with soaring guitarsoli, imaginative sax, flute, clarinet vignettes, superb vocals (all round) to powerful themes with brilliant keyboards and powerchord guitar, Unitopia has a great feel for emotion, feelings and their compositions shows just that!! And thatґs just a little taste of what to expect when you listen to this fabulous bandґs second outing!!
I must say that I cant hear (the newsletter claim) any resemblance to Van Der Graaf, King Crimson or Flower Kings!! But, what I do hear are a band that is excellent, mature, unique and as of this moment (in my honest opinion) are in the BIG league of progressive/artrock bands today!! Unique and Utopia spells: UNITOPIA!!!
This superb concept album (and band) MUST be on the toplist of absolutely brilliant newcomers/best act in 2008!! I LOVE THIS BAND, their music on this album are awesome!! Way to go guys, I cant wait for the next outing!!
OH, great coverart too!!
Let me put things clear form the start: this album is pure prog magic! This "Garden" by the Aussie proggers "Unitopia" is a musical paradise. Never before, and I repeat, never before, did an album have such an impact on me after the first listen.
Throw away your "best of the year list" and search for the nearest record store.
If there is one cd you absolutely must buy this year, let it be Unitopia's "The Garden".
This is not just another fine release by Inside Out (Unitopia just signed a three album deal and thus is the first Australian band ever to be connected to Inside Out), but a first class album. This CD is not only top class within its genre, but goes far beyond the boundaries of what critics consider to be progressive rock music.
What really matters in music are SONGS and this album is packed with high class songs.
This is only there second release (Unitopia released their debut album "More Than a Dream" in 2005) and it looks like this band already reached its creative peak! Rarely do bio's, included in promotional copies for the press point out exactly what the music stands for and thus very often the band can not match the high expectations created by the inner line notes written by record companies.
Not this time. Every word written down in this press release does perfectly say what this music is all about.
This is music to dream along to, to enjoy and to develop visions.
Surely the band is influenced by other prog acts. I can hear echoes of Trans Atlantic, Gabriel, Marillion, IQ, Spock Beard and Elbow but there is so much more.
The voice of lead singer Mark Trueack is absolutely stunning. His voice has the fragility of Brian Wilson, the warm vocal "timbre" or Peter Gabriel and the narrative and emotional strength or Fish.
Despite the fact that this a double album (its running time is more than 100 minutes and that it is build around a rather abstract concept: "What do I need to change in myself in order to elicit a positive change in others?") "The Garden" will hold your attention all the way through.
All songs are multilayered, carefully arranged but transparent.
It's impossible to point out the number of instruments that are used to produce this album, but transparency remains the key word!
This album is a tribute to the great symphonic rock bands of the 70-ties, but has both feet in the year 2008.
Once again Inside Out confirm their fantastic eye for talent.
Just like any other Inside Out release also the album cover for this release is brilliant. The artwork was done by Ed Unitsky (famous for his work with The Tangent and The Flower Kings) and he did a great job.
There still is a lot to tell about this album eg the final track is a tribute to the Beaconsfield miners who died in a tragic accident and that its musical influences not only come from the fields of classic progressive rock, but also from jazz, hard rock, classical music,fusion, world music and so many more styles, but… I cant' go on for ages.
Just listen for yourself. This album is a must have! I rarely give albums a maximum rating. But to give this album a 9.5 out of 10 would be unfair.
This album is perfect! If you are a music lover and you have a special place in your heart for progressive music, buy this album.
If you don't like this album, I will pay your money back. Unitopia's "Garden" is my number one for this year!
Reviewed by Patrick – Prog-Nose
http://www.prog-nose.org/news.php?item.237.6
============= UNITOPIA - (yu-nih-to-pi-E): meaning living together as one in a place of ideal perfection especially in law, government and social conditions.
Our music is dedicated to a hurting world and we truly believe that world peace and the love of all mankind are attainable goals.
There's still time to suggest artists for nomination for the Progressive Rock Hall of Fame! You have until December 1 to do so, members can suggest artists and vote. It's $25 per year and it is tax-deductible. Your membership helps fund the awards ceremony, concerts and compilation CDs that help up and coming Progressive Rock artists along with the winners, by promoting them to radio. To join just click here: http://www.progressiverockhalloffame.com/membership.htm
Or if you'd like to just wear your true colors, we now have some Progressive Rock Hall of Fame apparel:
RoSfest Gold seat tickets on sale November 1st - 2009
Current mood: confident
Category: Music
GOLD SEAT TICKETS GO ON SALE THIS WEEKEND FOR THE 6th ANNUAL RITES OF SPRING FESTIVAL
Tickets will go on sale this Saturday, November 1st at 12:00 noon EST for the 6th annual Rites of Spring Festival, which is set to take place at the Keswick Theatre in Glenside, PA on Friday, May 1st, Saturday, May 2nd, and Sunday, May 3rd, 2009.
The performing bands for Friday include - Baltimore Maryland band Iluvatar, Brazil's premier progressive rock band Apocalypse, and the legendary Nektar. Saturday's line up includes California's eclectic and innovative ensemble Estradasphere, New Orleans hard rockers Abigail's Ghost, Jem Godfrey's UK band Frost, and French headliner Lazuli. Sunday's lineup includes UK Rockers Touchstone, followed by Swedish group Moon Safari and Italy's Mangala Vallis lead by former PFM and Acqua Fragile lead singer Bernardo Lanzetti and headlining our Sunday night slot is John Lees' Barclay James Harvest.
As a special added bonus we have Silver Pipe playing at the RoSfest host hotel Holiday Inn bar at 11:30 PM on Friday night after the main headliner. Tickets are only $5.00 each.
Tickets go on sale this Saturday, November 1st at 12:00 noon EST. Friday tickets are $40.00; Saturday and Sunday Gold seat tickets are $225.00 You can order your tickets online at http://www.rosfest.com/Ticket_Info.htm or call the following numbers (484) 432-7357 | (816) 769-1667 | (215) 840 - 5789
Be sure to visit www.rosfest.com for more information and check the ticket info tab and look for the link that will be activated at noon at the bottom of the page.
Regular seat tickets go on sale on January 2nd 2009 at 9 AM available through Ticket Master.
Aquaplanage and Ed Unitsky are proud to announce the fruit of a recent collaboration.
Category: Music
A collaboration of visualisation and music
Aquaplanage and Ed Unitsky are proud to announce the fruit of a recent collaboration. The English based outfit commissioned Ed to provide the cover art for their debut release 'Aquaplanage'.
With his unique approach and trademark otherworldliness, Ed has rendered a visual landscape that perfectly complements the sonic territory of Aquaplanage. Ed has captured perfectly the balance of reflection and intensity inherent in the music of Aquaplanage, and provided a visual signature for their own unique brand of progressive rock.
Aquaplanage are the creative offspring of Fragile the internationally applauded Yes tribute act who have toured extensively with Steve Howe of Yes, and been endorsed by Rick Wakeman through regular airplay on his Planet Rock digital radio show.
Connections with the Yes legacy are strong and a flavour of this legendary act can be heard in the music of Aquaplanage. However, their debut release embraces much more than the influence of Yes, and in many ways is a contemporary celebration of the wider art form. The ghosts of Floyd, Tull, Genesis, Crimson and many others can be sensed in a reframed and wholly original take on this classic art form.
It was for this reason that the band sought out Ed Unitsky. Ed's work with a wide range of acts operating left of centre of the mainstream music agenda marked him out as someone who could articulate in visual form the essence of Aquaplanange. The art speaks for itself and words cannot do justice to the emotional resonance provoked by Ed's interpretation of this majestic debut release. The marriage of the everyday and the surreal, the exploration of the mind and the inner consciousness, are shared passions for Ed and Aquaplanage
You can find out more about the artwork of Ed Unitsky and his involveme
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