PROG ROCK FOR BEGINNERS

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1. 

   Of the Old World

   by Adrian von Ziegler
   favorite track

   Of the Old World

   Prolific Swiss composer and multi-instrumentalist Adrian Von Ziegler’s latest release is a compilation of previous works and is a great place to start exploring his catalogue. The pieces are primarily Nordic/Celtic in spirit, with mostly acoustic and orchestral instrumentation. These pieces would make excellent soundtracks for films or video games, and provide altogether transportive listening.

   1. 

      Lost Stories of Kilgore Trout

      by Vespero
      favorite track

      Dream (In memory of Edward Artemiev)

      Space-psych outfit from Russia deliver once again, serving up a delicious auditory mix. There are elements of prog, classical, and even gypsy jazz. Instrumentation is the usual: guitars, bass, drums, and also saz, mandoline, saxes, flute, synthesizers, recorder and violin.

      1. 

         Remembered in Exile: Songs and Ballads from Nova Scotia

         by Màiri Morrison, Alasdair Roberts and Pete Johnston
         favorite track

         Màiri nighean Dòmhnaill

         Lovely renderings of traditional Canadian tunes, connecting the dots between Scotland and Nova Scotia. Both Màiri and Alasdair provide vocals, Pete adds cello, and they are joined by guests on percussion, guitars, fiddle, banjo, and harmonium. Crisply recorded, yet retaining the rustic charm of the subject matter, this is thoroughly enjoyable.

         1. 

            GAPVIS

            by Roland Bühlmann
            favorite track

            Genuine

            This instrumental release from Swiss composer Roland Beuhlman is in the ambient, minimal vein. He draws on a host of influences to inform the music, from rivers and lakes to autism and literature. He plays all instruments, keyboards, synths, electric bass and guitar, expertly layering these elements into a satisfying listen. I really love the epic Secrets, but for brevity’s sake, going with Genuine.

            1. 

               The Third Sleep

               by Oak
               favorite track

               Run Into the Sun

               Norwegians Oak come back with their signature sound, most notably by their instantly recognizable vocalist. There are some edgy lyrics here, like late nights in deserted places, and the band aptly creates the atmosphere surrounding the murkiness of the settings.

               1. 

                  Moersmål

                  by Emilie Lorentzen
                  favorite track

                  Ælverhoi

                  Danish artist, member of Heilung and Euzin, and linguistics expert to boot, Emilie Lorentzen sings, plays piano, harmonium and percussion. She brings in others on additional vocals, violin and viola, jaw harp and sea shells (!), Nordic bagpipe, accordion, more harmonium, and davul. This is an enchanting Nordic folk recording, and my only complaint is that it is far too short.

                  1. 

                     Chasyng Drakens

                     by Ozbolt
                     favorite track

                     Mysteries Of The Fynbos

                     Ozbolt returns with a lovely, mostly ambient release. As always, haunting and ethereal, there is a real sense of space in the music, even though it is actually densely layered. There’s a lot of treasure to be found when one is Chaysing Drakens, it would seem.

                     1. 

                        Pony Girl

                        by Jano Brindisi
                        favorite track

                        Angelina

                        This is a collection of mostly bare-boned demos by one of my favourite singer/songwriters I find her work incredibly powerful presented in this way, as the focus is on the stories she tells of real people and real occurrences. The stark delivery keeps the performances incredibly intimate, as songs of this sort should be. Each one is my favourite track while it’s playing, but going with Angelina, as it’s a fine topical folk song.

                        1. 

                           Speed of Light

                           by Raphael Weinroth-Browne
                           This time Raphael does a take on Johann Sebastian. Bach’s Prelude to the Cello Suite in G Major. Conceived as a backdrop for a contemporary dance piece, one can easily visualize how this would play out on a stage. Raphael weaves Middle Easternisms and modern syntax into the baroque masterpiece, and, as usual, it’s a captivating listen.

                           1. 

                              Elan

                              by The Gentle Good
                              favorite track

                              Pan O’wn y Gwanwyn (Dychweliad Bychan)

                              Inspired by the Welsh landscape while living off-grid, adept guitarist and reflective singer/songwriter Gareth Bonello brings on wistful, psychedelic, and bucolic imagery. Not to be fenced in by his surroundings, he includes a rousing piece of Indian-inflected music to conjure up a desert area of the mountains where he was ensconced

                              1. 

                                 Ligament digital download

                                 by Paatos Sweden
                                 favorite track

                                 Beyond The Forest

                                 Quirky Crossover Prog from Paatos, it has been 13 years since their last release. Instrumentation is provided by the usual suspects (keyboards, electric guitars, bass, and drums), It runs the gamut from eclectic prog to jazz, to my favourite track, which offers a psychy/folky female and male duet with Opeth vocalist Mikael Åkerfeldt.