Ashley Davies – ‘Gold’ (2022)
Ashley Davies’ new album is a grand piece of mostly instrumental music that searches for gold and somehow manages to deliver melodic mythological mystery.
Something Else!
How Van Halen’s Jaw-Dropping First Album Ruined My Sex Life (Again)
Van Halen’s self-titled debut arrived 45 years ago this week with a cover photo that was kind of primal and unhinged. I just knew I had to have it.
Returning to One of Yes’ Most Overlooked Eras: ‘The Ladder’
John M. Gouldin breaks down five less-heralded albums Yes released between 1996-2001, continuing with 1999’s ‘The Ladder.’
Van Der Graaf Generator – ‘The Bath Forum Concert’ (2022)
This well-recorded 2022 concert from the Bath Forum finds Peter Hammill and Van Der Graaf Generator in superb vocal and instrumental form.
Dave Stryker – ‘Prime’ (2023)
‘Prime’ by the Dave Stryker Trio is what happens when massive musicianship meets well-honed chemistry.
Bob Mintzer, Snarky Puppy, Grace Fox + Others: Big Bands, Big Sounds and Big Results
Big band music: What does that mean? Apparently a lot of different things to a lot of different musicians.
How Velvet Underground Created the DIY Movement With ‘White Light / White Heat’
The Velvet Underground released ‘White Light / White Heat’ 55 years ago this week. Lou Reed later rightly described it as “the Statue of Liberty of punk.”
Returning to One of Yes’ Most Overlooked Eras: ‘Open Your Eyes’
John M. Gouldin breaks down five less-heralded albums Yes released between 1996-2001, continuing with 1997’s ‘Open Your Eyes.’
Thomas Truax – ‘Dream Catching Songs’ (2023)
Thomas Truax’s ‘Dream Catching Songs’ thrillingly spins with gadgets, weird combustions, Budgie the drummer, urgent electric guitar and the odd idea or two.
Tobin Mueller – ‘Prestidigitation’; Kansas – ‘Another Fork in the Road’ (2022)
Is this jazz? Is this rock? Is this “progressive” – and if so, what does that mean? Tobin Mueller and Kansas lead us back into an age-old discussion.
