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Rivertree View Drop Down
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Points: 17628 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 12 2007 at 14:27
Originally posted by Prog-jester Prog-jester wrote:

Originally posted by Rivertree Rivertree wrote:


For me Disen Gage and The Gourishankar are the surprising russian bands ...


Have you heard INFRONT? I guess you did! Their "Wordless" album is avalaible for free listening via their LastFM page.

Also I got a promo from them, which contains 13-min footage of their live show on Moscow INPROG fest back in 2005 (Erik, have you seen it too? ). I hope it's avalaible via their site or LastFM page.Otherwise I'll ask them to upload it, because it's EXTREMELY SPECTACULAR !!!



Unfortunately I had not enough time to listen to INFRONT, Igor.
But hey man - it's promised Tongue

So it will need some other turnarounds for me to write a review with a passably substantial content Sleepy

If there is any chance to listen to the promo - let me know ...


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Points: 17628 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 12 2007 at 14:29
Originally posted by Prog-jester Prog-jester wrote:


On APPLE PIE - I agree with Erik, this is when "SPOCK'S BEARD's clone" (as someone unattentive might say) turns to be more original and challenging band than their "prototype". Very melodic and sometimes even AORish, they're less intriguing and eclectic than THE GOURISHANKAR, but everything's on its right place - they're great band in their own way, and I'm impatiently waiting for another release from them!


Apple Pie is too much AOR in my opinion - but I'll give it a new try Wink


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Points: 5872 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 12 2007 at 15:10
Have some news from INFRONTers. First of all they successfully played on SKIF festival (dedicated to Sergey Kuryohin, a prominent firgure of Russian Avant and Experimental Art and Music). Also guys had rotation on Polish radio, along with new Kaipa and Genesis (a pleasant company ).

And there's a surprise - brand new song that won't be featured on a new INFRONT album!!! Total outtake!

Morning Combinatorika (by band's permission)

Enjoy!!!
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Points: 17628 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 12 2007 at 15:35
Originally posted by Prog-jester Prog-jester wrote:

Have some news from INFRONTers. First of all they successfully played on SKIF festival (dedicated to Sergey Kuryohin, a prominent firgure of Russian Avant and Experimental Art and Music). Also guys had rotation on Polish radio, along with new Kaipa and Genesis (a pleasant company ).

And there's a surprise - brand new song that won't be featured on a new INFRONT album!!! Total outtake!

Morning Combinatorika (by band's permission)

Enjoy!!!


Hey - very funky/groovy   Tongue

a compelling Jazz Rock tune
Thanks for the suggestion, Prog-jester


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Points: 5872 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 12 2007 at 15:37
Promised quick looks on AVIVA and KARFAGEN (see my reviews later )

AVIVA - they've impressed me with their variety and eclectic nature (mix ambient, ELPish prog and piano-driven avant altogether!), but failed to hold my attention after the 7th track. These last tracks (8-11) sound just like a too long coda. Hence I'd give it only 3.5 stars

KARFAGEN amused me with their melodic side (a great pile of tunes to hum in bathroom ...no, really there are excellent jams like "Through A Stream Of Images" or "The Great Circus" and "Retrofall" is an awesome ballad), Anton has wonderful gift of writing catchy yet proggy motives...Use of accordion and sampled bagpipes made me wonder in a good way too. But overall I feel there's NO improvement comparing to their debut, which was perfect in its new agy CAMELism . This one is longer, a bit more easy-listening (while not new-agy) and even has one boring track (number 7) - IMHO. So, this is a bit better (4 stars), but still ain't perfect.

Thanks for enduring these boring messages of mine, hope it'll make you more informed somehow...
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Points: 1043 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 14 2007 at 18:40
Originally posted by eugene eugene wrote:

Originally posted by Dirk Dirk wrote:

^Prog-jester, i have 4 albums from  bands from Russia/Ukraine now, Little Tragedies - Sixth sense,Lost world-Awakening of the elements, Infront-Wordless and Karfagen-continium. Didn't like LT (not too good vocals and a bit static) and Lost world (too much high energy drinks) too much. Infront and Karfagen are very different from each other but both very good. What's the next russia sphere album i need to pick up you think?

 
Notice you asking Igor, howevere reading that you (exactly as myself) like Karfagen and Infront as opposed to LT, I feel like I have to suggest Aviva (!) and Gourishankar to you. IMO Aviva is the best contemporary band from ex-Soviet territory, and Gourishankar is also very good.
 
And if you do not mind RIO/avant tendencies within Symphonic Prog - you must get both albums by Horizont - great stuff!!!
Thx Eugene, Igor sent me links to Disen Gage and Gourishankar some time ago,  i liked Disen Gagen and planned to get it at the time but Hans (from Progwalhalla) didn't have it in stock at the time so i'll listen some more to the link before troubling him with finding it for me. I  downloaded the Gourishankar album from their site, interesting music for sure.

 
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Points: 7659 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 14 2007 at 18:48
Apple Pie too much AOR, Rivertree? Give it a few more listening sessions and you will have a totally different opinion Thumbs%20Up
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Points: 4338 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 14 2007 at 18:51
Originally posted by artguyken artguyken wrote:

I've been listening to Lost World's "Awakening of the Elements" quite a bit lately. I've not heard their earlier albums, but this one is all instrumental. According to their website, fans began to beg them to not sing -- and they obliged with AotE. Great stuff, with flute and violin; very high energy music. I'm reminded of Helmet of Gnats, but cranked up a few notches.
 
First impression is they have a LOT of things going on differetn instruments and styles.  I'll have to listen a few more times but I do like it.
 
 


"What are you going to do when that damn thing rusts?"
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Points: 7659 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 14 2007 at 18:54
Well Garion81, good to read that you like Lost World because at this moment I am really delighted about Russian bands, especially Lost World their album Awakening Of The Elements is great, so varied and dynamic, to me this seems an element of the new Russian prog movement Clap
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Points: 2703 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 15 2007 at 07:08
Originally posted by erik neuteboom erik neuteboom wrote:

Apple Pie too much AOR, Rivertree? Give it a few more listening sessions and you will have a totally different opinion Thumbs%20Up
 
It's always very good to hear dfferent opinions. As long as it is an "appreciation thread", I'd rather witheld my further comments about this band and album, but I will post something for sure in "what you dislike about russian prog" thread as soon as one appears, if anyLOL.
 
Sorry to be negative here, but there are quite a few really good Russian prog bands lately, really deserving wider recognition and praise.
 
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Points: 187 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 15 2007 at 07:38
Originally posted by eugene eugene wrote:

Originally posted by erik neuteboom erik neuteboom wrote:

Apple Pie too much AOR, Rivertree? Give it a few more listening sessions and you will have a totally different opinion Thumbs%20Up
 
It's always very good to hear dfferent opinions. As long as it is an "appreciation thread", I'd rather witheld my further comments about this band and album, but I will post something for sure in "what you dislike about russian prog" thread as soon as one appears, if anyLOL.
 
Sorry to be negative here, but there are quite a few really good Russian prog bands lately, really deserving wider recognition and praise.
 


Earlier Dirk said they didn't care for the vocals of Little Tragedies ( The Sixth Sense ) and I responded that they are a bit overly dramatic. I had it on in the car the other day when my 19 year old son got in. His comment: "Sounds like a soap opera!"

My son is not a lover of prog; quite the contrary, but I thought it was an interesting observation.


Edited by artguyken - May 15 2007 at 07:41
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Points: 187 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 15 2007 at 07:58
Originally posted by erik neuteboom erik neuteboom wrote:

Today I played New Faust by Little Tragedies, incredible, what an outstanding and exciting blend of classical, folk, Classic Seventies Symphonic Rock and heavy metal, for sure it will be in my 2006 Album Top 3 Clap

By the way, the symphonic thread got more and more competition, today yet another interesting thread, good luck Prog-jester Wink



I've wondered about New Faust. Are you also familiar with Sixth Sense? How are they similar and how are they different?
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Points: 7659 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 15 2007 at 08:09
Well Artguyken, here are my reviews:
 

LITTLE TRAGEDIES — New Faust

Review by erik neuteboom (erik neuteboom)
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4%20stars One of my favorite albums of the last years is Return by the Russion formation Little Tragedies. So I was very excited to hear that they had just released a 2-CD, after a first listening session I can only conclude that Little Tragedies is a new progrock sensation! The focus is on the bombastic keyboard play, this man is obviously inspired by Keith Emerson featuring flashy synthesizer runs and swirling Hammond organ but he also delivers some delicate harpsichord play in more mellow parts. The interplay with the powerful, harder- edged guitar work is very exciting, it often sounds like a blend of ELP and Ayreon because of the heavy, propulsive guitar riffs and fiery, flowing guitar soli. The Russion vocals give an extra dimension to the music, it often reminds me of Hungarian progrock band Omega. Despite the two CD’s and the long running time of some tracks (even at about 30 minutes), Little Tragedies never bores, I am sure that many progheads who love ELP, the keyboard driven Japanese prog like Gerard and Ayreon will be delighted about this outstanding, very exciting Russian formation! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

 

LITTLE TRAGEDIES — The Sixth Sense

Review by erik neuteboom (erik neuteboom)
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4%20stars I was still in a sheer euphoric mood about their previous effort entitled New Faust when I received this new album by Russian symphonic progrock sensation Little Tragedies. After a first listening session, I concuded that the obvious ELP and Gerard hints are less and there is also more variation and originality. In fact Little Tragedies has developped into a progrock band that can compete with the current top bands like The Flower Kings, The Tangent and IQ, their only problem is that the vocals are Russian, not really accessible.

The first song The Sixth Sense is loaded with bombastic keyboards (especially Hammond organ and fat synthesizer flights) and heavy guitar riffs, it sounds like “ELP meets Ayreon” but the warm and distinctive Russian vocals give an extra dimension. The next track Bird is a kind of musical Pandora’s Box: first a Floydian atmosphere with dreamy saxophone and fragile slide-guitar, then an accellaration featuring sparkling piano, propulsive guitar riffs and great interplay. This is followed by sensitive electric guitar work and an organ solo, then suddenly a spectucalar break with sensational synthesizer sounds and heavy metal-guitar riffs, impressive!The other ten songs sound melodic, very tasteful, elaborate and especially varied, from dreamy with sensitive piano/warm vocals and compelling with Latimer-inspired guitar to fluent with fiery guitar/saxophone and sumptuous with lush keyboards. The interplay between the harpsichord and howling guitar in some songs sounds very delicate. My highlight on this CD is the track You And I: first sparkling piano, sensitive guitar and warm vocals, then a wonderful classical piano piece and finally a great build-up with bombastic Hammond organ and flashy synthesizers, accompanied by a dynamic rhytm-section, breathtaking! My conclusion: Little Tragedies has made a great album, very varied and loaded with good musical ideas and excellent soli on several instruments. Just check their MP3 files or try to get their CD’s, highly recommended!

 
                                                                    Thumbs%20Up


 
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Points: 187 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 15 2007 at 08:10
Originally posted by Prog-jester Prog-jester wrote:

Thanks Ansen

BTW, right now I'm listening to Ukrainian Symphonic/Fusion instrumental band ER.J.ORCHESTRA(http://www.erjorchestra.kiev.ua/eng/).AWESOME!!! Download their stuff from MUSIC page, you won't regret!!! Imagine CLEARLIGHT mixed with CRIMSON and ANGLAGARD!!!


Hey EVERYBODY what are you waiting for? Download it too!!!It's legal and free!!!Great(despite the low quality)!


Wow! I'm glad I went back and was re-reading this thread! There's some gorgeous music here by Er J Orchestra. The problem with a board like this is the cost factor! LOL! There's always some new music to buy, although for now I'll just enjoy the download. Thanks PJ!

From what I've heard so far (listening for the first time as I type), Er J Orchestra sounds much like Pat Metheny's orchestral outings, particularly Secret Story. If you like PM's SS, I recommend you check out Er J Orchestra. and vice versa.


Edited by artguyken - May 15 2007 at 09:10
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Points: 187 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 15 2007 at 09:06
Thanks, Eric, for the Little Tragedies reviews!
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Points: 5872 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 15 2007 at 10:53
You bet, artguyken, this thread is extremely useful!!!

Yes, ERJs are quite impressing, but they also bear that easy-listening approach one can dislike (IMHO). I have no problem with it, and I look forward to other stuff from them.

Considering Lil' Tragedies - I wonder what new 2CD album shall bring...they haven't released it yet, as far as I know, but I hope it will be not worse than others

And wish they'd only sing less! ...
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Points: 187 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 15 2007 at 11:05
Originally posted by Prog-jester Prog-jester wrote:

You bet, artguyken, this thread is extremely useful!!!

Yes, ERJs are quite impressing, but they also bear that easy-listening approach one can dislike (IMHO). I have no problem with it, and I look forward to other stuff from them.

Considering Lil' Tragedies - I wonder what new 2CD album shall bring...they haven't released it yet, as far as I know, but I hope it will be not worse than others

And wish they'd only sing less! ...


Agreed. To be honest, I wish most bands would play more and sing less. Too many times the words get in the way. I can only understand about 5-10% of what's being sung by LT, so I have no problem with lyrics getting in the way of my musical enjoyment. Some people only want to hear singing they can understand. I find that singing in another language moves the voice into the realm of musical instrument, away from communicator of ideology or philosophy. All depending, that can be a good thing!
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Points: 2703 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 15 2007 at 11:34
^^^Do you know that they sing Nikolay Gumilev genius poetry, which I love a lot as a poetry but absolutely can't stand this vocalist's performance 
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Points: 5872 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 15 2007 at 11:57
^ seconded

Besides I'm afraid the same goes to this poetry as a part of LT's music. Good on its own, but ridiculous in Prog - IMHO again
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Points: 17628 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 15 2007 at 15:18
Originally posted by erik neuteboom erik neuteboom wrote:

Apple Pie too much AOR, Rivertree? Give it a few more listening sessions and you will have a totally different opinion Thumbs%20Up


That's exactly what I'm doing, Erik. Wink
I'm not treating it easy and it takes at least 5 or 6 rounds before I am rating. Embarrassed
You noticed my review? I gave faire 3 stars!
But as I posted before - I'll give it a new try  ...

I agree - there's actually a lot of exciting stuff  from Russia (and the neighbourhood)
and it makes me very curious what is following (Prog-Jester is suggesting?)


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