Ruminations - May 13, 2013 (1)
by Stephanie Sollow




So, I've stepped into the wayback machine it seems. My hard drive has filled up and so it has become necessary to move files to CD to make room for new files.... But, going through those old files has revealed some well, I think they're nuggets; you might think it's drivel. The truth is somewhere in between as some is just nothing. Nevertheless, I'm sharing what follows.

But first, some context: many years ago, when I was not as wise, I would make compliation tapes for my friend, as we had moved apart but still kept in touch. We don't even do that now, sadly. Anyway, I would also write short comments on the tracks (or the albums they were drawn from) -- a practice that lead to the formation of this website 16 years ago. I should note that some (most?) are more about why the track is included and not about the track itself. I wouldn't classify these as reviews so much as... thoughts, or maybe some biographical element on the artist... and I've added some more contemporary commentary.

So, what follows are the comments I made to the sixth volume of tracks I compiled:

"The Great Escape" - Marillion - Brave: This is perhaps the best album that Marillion have ever done. It is by far the best with Steve Hogarth as vocalist. This is definitely not an album of background music. It must be heard. I have talked about this one incessantly, so I'll say nothing further except that this track is so sweeping, and musically takes you up. I can't really explain except to say one breathes the music. I haven't been this excited about an album since...I really don't remember. However, as I listen to this again, it sudden occurs to me that you will probably hear this differently, so I should be very interested to hear to your impressions. [Don't recall if I ever did - SS May 2013]

"Terracotta Army" - Landmarq - Solitary Witness: Landmarq are another in a long line of neo-progressives that have sprouted up in the wake of Marillion, IQ, and Pendragon. I comment on a geneology of all these bands later, but suffice to say now, that in some way they are all related. The Chinese buried these large terracotta figures, soldiers, with an emperor, thousands of years ago. Somewhere I read an article, something I will try to track down. At any rate, this song is told from their point of view. Well, partially. The other perspective is the emperor. Another song on this album is about Tippi Hedren, who, if you recall, was in Hitchcock's The Birds. They are considered heavy progressive, which would put them somewhere between IQ and Dream Theater. And, the vocalist, Damien Wilson, reminds me of Robert Plant at times, or David Coverdale (ex-Whitesnake). Recommended, as is their follow up CD, Infinity Parade.

"Wasted Years" - Iron Maiden - Somewhere In Time: I know, I know. Haven't I outgrown metal yet? Believe it or not, Maiden fall in between Dream Theatre and Metallica. And I don't think anyone does what Maiden does quite as well as Maiden does. This was their quasi-progressive period. And, of course, Bruce Dickinson has recently left the band to pursue a solo career. Well, we know what that means, don't we? Really, Peter Gabriel and Sting are rarities in being successful solo artists. To wit, Fish, David Lee Roth, Vince Neil. In fact, few people remember that Peter G. fronted Genesis way back when. Anyway, I've really gotten to like Iron Maiden, and well, you're stuck with this track here.

"Will It Be You?" - Saga - Saga: I've already talked about Saga a few volumes back. Still really dig them. They have a new one out entitled Steel Umbrellas. I don't know if you can find in shops or not. Tower Record in West Covina carries them, but that doesn't mean all do. This is from their first album. [Ah, I miss Tower Records... and what I like(d) about Saga is their mix progressive and mainstream rock that works on both levels; I guess they're closer to mainstream; only hear "On The Loose" on the radio though - SS May 2013]

"Nobody's Hero" - Rush - Counterparts: Well, what can I say? It's Rush. [If I recall, this album got mixed reviews, but over time more of the tracks have grown on me, though I never not liked it. This was/is one of my favorite tracks - and still very relevant today - our views on people who are gay hasn't reached a level of acceptance it should -- someday it won't be necessary for people to "come out"... as it won't be a way we define people. Whatever one thinks of the band, they did and do what they want to do and don't bow to pressure, and everything they do always sounds like Rush, even as they don't repeat themselves at all. - SS May 2013]

"Sometimes" - Midnight Oil - Diesel And Dust: I've become a big Oil fan (Oil can?). I didn't used to like them. In fact, I hated "Beds Are Burning," [why? Vocals - SS May 2013] but it grew on me. And then I got this CD and ... well, I really like them now. I guess they would be the Austrailian REM. I recommend this album as well as their latest, Earth And Sun And Moon. [I overlooked the unconventional aspects to Peter Garrett's vocals to pay more attention to the music, and their messages. Not prog, but intelligent rock to be sure - SS May 2013].

"Life On Skateboard" - Altered State - Dõs: Altered State changed their style and went grunge. I still like the album and all, but ... they left the realm of progressive rock behind, which I guess is progress of a sort I suppose. This is a track you either like, hate, or tolerate. [I preferred their debut, specifically the track ethereal "Ghost Beside My Bed" which I discovered via Greg Stone's "Stone Trek" radio show - SS May 2013]

"Whiter Shade Of Pale" - Procol Harum - Classics Volume 17 (greatest hits package): A classic. Reputedly told in a Chaucercian manner; I suppose, [that's] based on the "As the miller told his tale" line. Still a very cool classic. Atmospheric. But, to sum it up, a party that went bad and the girl's about to puke - too much alcohol. [It's the psychedelic arrangement and that Chaucerian aspect that has made me love this song... - SS May 2013]

"The Revenge of Vera Gemini" - Blue Öyster Cült - Agents Of Fortune: A very strange track. But then BOC were a strange band. Their biggy from this album is "(Don't Fear) The Reaper." And it sounds totally out of place on the album. Like they had this really cool track and needed an album to put around it. Not to say the rest of the album is crap, it's just so unlike "(Don't Fear) The Reaper." And this is one of them. Patti Smith sings in the background (and I suspect it's her voice at the beginning). Her seminal album (so I hear) is Horses and I suspect the line "No more horses, horses..." relates back to that album. I've no idea because I can't really figure out what he's on about. I have some passages figured out, but not all.

"Don't Answer Me" - Alan Parsons Project - Ammonia Avenue: More goodies from APP. This, of course, was a hit for them. So, you probably know it. You'll want to turn this up to hear it. I recorded it kind of low to begin with for some reason and I can't make it any louder. Well, I suppose I could but that would mean redoing the whole side. Just know that after the song ends, you need to turn it down again. [If I recall, the video for this track was done cartoon style... like Apt 3G style, not... Garfield . - SS May 2013]

"I Know You're Out There Somewhere" - Moody Blues - Sur La Mer: Any of the Moodys output is recommended, and this comes from their ... well not last album. Uh ... 1988 album. There's just something so likable about the Moody Blues. I don't know. I mean, here is a band that even your mum could like. Well, mine does, but I suspect that your mother and my mother aren't very much alike despite their geographical similarities. [The Moody Blues probably were prog in the early days, certainly their debut, but settled into middle of the road rock. Not a bad thing, mind. Right now, "The Voice" is going through my head... What the "mum" reference was about was that, like me mum, Tracy's mum was from Manchester, England, though there was about 10 years so that separated our mothers, mine older. They did not know each other when living there and never met while Tracy and I were friends. What that has to do with the price of tea in China, well, nothing... - SS May 2013]

"Have A Cigar" - Pink Floyd - Wish You Were Here: Great stuff. They'll go far. Oh, by the way. Which one's Pink? [I didn't have a lot to say... I don't recall Tracy being a Pink Floyd fan particularly, but Floyd are well known enough that... I like that opening bass riff, and the muscular arrangement the whole track has. My favorite track, however, is the title track...

"White Lily" - Formula - Signals: This is their second appearance on these collections. This song ... well, it sounds as if he's missing out words in his sentence, but I think they're there. I mean, heck, they're German and English isn't their first language. And, the vocalist doesn't sound so much like Peter Gabriel as he did on the other track (previous volume). But, I really like this, if not lyrically, then musically. Can't fault their musicianship. [Not sure which track I included earlier, haven't found that letter yet, but I'd guess it would be "View From The Rooftop." This title I have reviewed here - SS May 2013]

"The Seer" - Big Country - The Seer: You know who they are, so I don't need to tell you about them. This does have a really heavy Scottish feel to it. Makes sense, huh. They are Scottish. Kate Bush does co-vocals. I think she has such an earthy voice. It hits you right in the gut ... I mean ... I don't know how to explain that. Anyway, this is a BC track. I have become a big BC fan and they do have a new album out (1993) The Buffalo Skinners. I don't know what it means. [There was an arty approach to some of the music on their debut, though most know them from the title track and "Fields Of Fire." The Crossing remains, however, one my favorite CDs - SS May 2013]

"My Country" - Midnight Oil - Earth and Sun and Moon: The Oils again. Great album (and I apologize for the goof on the cassette insert) [Yeh, so not much to say; and as "Wish You Were Here" is now playing in my head, I can't even remember this track - SS May 2013]

"Aces High" - Iron Maiden - Powerslave: One of the first Maiden songs I heard, along with "Two Minutes To Midnite" (also on Powerslave) and "Run To The Hills." Despite the impressions, they are an intelligent metal band. No songs about sex, drugs and rock n roll. Intellimetal. Ooh, have I coined a phrase? Iron Maiden - the intellimetal band. Metallica - the intellimetal band. One track on this album is about the Rime of The Ancient Mariner. They have a track on Piece of Mind about Dune. On one there's a song about The Prisoner, one about The Fugitive. [I'm a was a Brit Lit major... but Lit in general... so the Coleridge thing drew me. I wasn't really much a fan of Dune in terms of story, not the storytelling... but still, that was the draw. - SS May 2013]

"Take It Or Leave It" - Saga - Images At Twilight: More Canadian neo-prog. [Apparently there was a time when I was a woman of few words - SS May 2013]

"Girl In Room 12" - Smithereens - Blow Up: And for something kind of different. On the album this was the one that immediately stood out for me. I honestly haven't listened to CD after taping this, but with over 500 that's not surprising. [oh, heck, I've got 3800 now, so this CD is lost somewhere in that much bigger crowd. And no, not prog, I know. Neither was the next/last track - SS May 2013]

"Two Princes" - Spin Doctors - Pocket Full Of Kryptonite: It fit and I liked the song. I know you know it. [I was into college rock at the time, too, you see. And I still like that stuff, even as I'm not listening to much modern rock, though I think I'd like Mumford and Sons, given I find I like "Little Lion Man"... - SS May 2013]


Not sure why this was in the queue to be made "active" and never where - but here it is now, two years later - SS/ed. May 2015








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Published on: 2013-05-13 (1528 reads)

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