I Recommend...

 

The Canadian art-rock band Hamadryad. Melodic rock, soft vocals, crunchy guitars, lush keyboards, beautiful melodies... what more can you ask for?

 

 

 

Two albums thus far:

Conservation Of Mass from 2001

 

Safe In Conformity from 2005

 

Both of the same quality, in my opinion and both worth getting, if you like your rock both melodic, yet keeping its harsher side.

 

 

 

They bagged many styles: Jazz>Fusion>Electronic>Symphnic Prog>Classical Adaptions>Funk with loads of Synths and so on.

 

Try "Epilogus", "Misc Recordings" and "Bartok".

The following is taken from Donella's website:

"

In 1974 the LP "Introspezione-Donella Del Monaco" came out, in which Donella is accompanied by the group Opus Avantra, comprising Alfredo Tisocco (composer, pianoforte and keyboards) Giorgio Bisotto (musical theorist and electronic passages), the violinists Pier Egidio Spiller and Enrico Professione, the 'cellist Riccardo Perraro, with Luciano Tavella on the flute, Tony Esposito on the percussion and special effects and Pierdino Tisato on the drums.  The musical genre was defined as progressive with classical overtones and in its own way created a boundary genre somewhere between rock, contemporary, electronic and classical music. There followed the "Lord Cromwell" CD, followed by "Strata" in 1989 and "Lyrics" in 1995. Donella subsequently founded Opus Avantra studium, with whom she recorded numerous CDs which she produced personally (see Opus Avantra studium).

"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I have both Introspezione - Donella Del Monaco and Lord Cromwell (plays suite for seven vices) which I recommend to adventurous listeners who like combination of several genres (classical, avantgarde, symphonic and folk).

 

 

 

 

I have his release from 1978 named "10.000 Anos Depois entre Vénus e Marte".

This has a spacey atmosphere to it, slightly symphonic in nature but more leaning to space rock and psychedelic rock. As is said in their bio, Eloy can be a point of reference (but not too sound alike).

 

What is the album about? here is what is said in their bio here in PA:

 

You can read the many reviews here, which usually praise this band, and justifiably so. I also like the sound of the Portugese language sung in this album.

Those who like Eloy, the use of lush keyboards and good acoustic guitar work, spacey atmosphere and psych rock reminiscent of 60's psych should look into this.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The first is the German band Albatros (note the single S as opposed to the next band I will introduce) - http://www.progarchives.com/Progressive_rock_discography_BAND.asp?band_id=1573

 

A single album named Garden Of Eden they released in 1978, containing only 3 songs, but long tracks (two over 10 minutes and the third almost 20 minutes) and those are said to be shortened versions...

As is said in their biography here:

"The band was a sextet and consisted of Peter Breitbarth on guitar, Thomas Büscher on drums, Achim Hubricht on bass, Harald Hubricht on keyboards, Christian Köppen on piano, Hansi Köppen on vocals and Jürgen Polzin on congas."

It has nice keyboards (which are too hidden in the background and I don't mean the piano sounding keyboards), crude sounding guitars which give it a slightly psych sound, but it is more of a symphonic inclined album and the tag Art-Rock probably fits this.  

I consider this a nice find and it is availble on CD now, although the vynil should be a real treat to hear...

 

 

 

Now for the second. This band is called Albatross (two S). This band is definitely a symphonic band, and comes from Illinois, USA. So, what do you have here? Not something original, that is true. ELP and Yes do come to mind (actually more than come to mind...). But still, do you suffer from listening to this? No. It may not worth seeking it especially, but if you ever have the chance to get it, then why not? Just be aware of the "clonality" factor.

Anyway, it is an enjoyable album, good musicianship and beautiful tunes. And since I have it, I disregard the obvious similarities and simply enjoy the music.

 

 

 

 

 

Enjoy.

 

 

 

 

Even though I don't have too much time this week for PA, this is no excuse to leave this thread unattended. The music must go on.

 

So a short mention this time due to lack of energy (I feel like this:    .... ):

 

Mentioning this band to Zeuhlians is practically useless, cause they must know it by now. But for those who might have skipped this for some reason, or for people looking to take a dive to Zeuhl and for those who want a musical adventure or simply want something a little but different than the prog they are listening to, I want to recommend this album (to which I hope to finish a review soon):

Koenjihyakkei - Angherr Shisspa http://www.progarchives.com/Progressive_rock_discography_BAND.asp?band_id=1218

In the vain of Magma (but not copycat), this has the hallmarks of Zeuhl (dominant bass, excellent drum work by Tatsuya, theatrical and semi operatic vocals) and it is done with excellent precision.

 

Let me recommend you read the two reviews from Ansen (The Miracle) and Chris (Syzygy):

 

This is not the only album by them which is recommended, by the way.

 

When I have more time this week (or the next), I hope to have some more rec's and some more obscure ones so that we can highlight the hidden corners of the forgotten and the lost...

 

Enjoy,

 

Assaf

 

 

 

I will help you with that, just give me a day or two.