Interactive Poll #-50 Lesser Known Prog

Kees:  Frutería Toñi “ traspié”  Here we begin with a sort of orchestral/jazz sound of whimsy.  Keys, some sort of flutes/oboes? and strings all dance along with an enchanting, syncopated drumbeat.  Male vocalist, with a pleasant voice is introduced.  This is very engaging, even though I’ve no idea what he’s singing about.  Violin comes soaring in, then back to the vocals, which become a little more vehement, although it’s all generally very laid back and light in feel.  Very pretty, dancing with the horns and such, then a fun little break ensues, and back again to the violin.  The pace suddenly picks up with the bass and drums at the front, then sliding horns and keys, almost like another piece entirely, with the singer becoming much more emphatic.  They slip off into a bass and horns forward jam while the singer continues in his more strident manner, ending up with wailing a bit.  Then back again to the very jazzy feel of the band, with horns at the fore.  Abrupt ending.  Stephan Thelen “Road Movie”  Bass opens the piece, with fuzzy guitar washes and drums quickly joining in.  There is an effected guitar whangling along also, with drippy, echo-y notes.  Some very angular guitar lead notes come along, then more of the drippy, echo-y, whangling ones reenter.  Really enjoyable and intriguing lead guitar follows, kind of surf-guitar influenced.  Space-type rock, I always enjoy music like this, and this is no exception.  Some feedback-y and echo-y guitar licks are played, we’re now about halfway in, with drums and bass happily bubbling along under.  Some nice psych is peppered in, and the piece seems to slow, although it’s just the guitar that is doing a long, slow something, drums and bass and steady as can be, and as before.  Not sure which of your two I enjoy more, either.  Very pointed and effected guitar comes along for the ride.  Definitely great driving music!  Heckadocious, this one will be difficult! 

Onsegen Ensemble – “Think Neither Good Nor Evil” – Nice, solid and heavy mostly guitar prog with some added embellishments and instruments (like the flute and brass here) that keep things interesting.  The choirs they add in are nice too.  The 2^nd half almost has a cinematic feel to it. 

Art Metal (Jonas Hellborg) – “Art Metal” – Excellent sounding art metal/jazz with a lot of changing textures and moods.  At times it is quite structured and other times it is very free and improvisational.  Quite an amazing track with that bass just kicking butt, and that whirlwind of an ending just cements it.  I love this kind of stuff, so this is my favorite out of your two selections.

Robert:

Alejandro Matos – “El Infierno de los Buenos” – An interesting track which grows in tension slowly as it goes along.  The melody doesn’t change much which works against it, but the entire track itself, at least instrumentally, works similar to a suite with the melody taking on variations as it goes.  The music is pretty good, but it might be a bit too long as the variation in the melody is not enough to keep it interesting for 18 minutes.  Otherwise, it is well written, well sung and well performed.

K W:

Snakefinger – “The Picture Makers Vs. Children of the Sea” – Anything with Snakefinger in it has got to be good…or if not good, at least it is very interesting.  Unfortunately, I’m only really familiar with a lot of what he did with The Residents, so his solo stuff is mostly new to me, like this track.  You get that cool fuzzy guitar sound and odd vocals that you can expect on this track, sung and spoken, almost in a conversational way at times.  I love the oddball sound of this track, and of course I love the guitar work here.  It takes an interesting left turn after 4 minutes, going minimal with more of a harmonized chant before blasting off with another melody.  Snakefinger is a brilliant composer and is way too unknown.

Daddy Cool – “Make Your Stash” – Here we have more quirky goofiness, but in a more psychedelic style which is mostly apparent in the instrumental breaks.  The vocals sound like they could become unhinged at any time.  I have always had a strange attraction to this quirky style, so I like this one too, but I would have to go with the Snakefinger track as my favorite of the two.

Mira:

Rascal Reporters – “Egos Explode” – As you know, I’m already a fan of this band and I love the album this comes from.  This track makes my head whirl (in a very good way) with all the synth washes and crazy beat that shows up later in the track.  This is the kind of quirkiness I love, but since I’m already familiar with this one, it is out of the running for a vote from me at least.

Louis De Meiulle – “Discoteak” – Another great track from a rather unknown artist.  Love the animation that goes with the music, it’s perfect.  I have also done a review on this album and love it a lot.  The beat is a bit more consistent with this one, but that actually gives this track its appeal for me.  The composition is complex and excellently orchestrated.  If I wasn’t already familiar with either of these tracks, I would vote for either of them, but for some reason, this time around, I found De Meiulle’s a bit more enchanting.  Great selections!

Will:

I was really looking forward to hearing your choices.  I wish you hadn’t deleted them.

Doug:

Jonesy – “Ricochet” – Love the funky introduction that establishes itself and continues through the track.  I also love that 70’s sound.  The vocals are nice and smooth even with the appealing funkiness of it all, and that cool, spy-movie vibe.  I wish it wouldn’t fade out so quickly on that guitar solo at the end.  Everything about this is good and I think I’ll be exploring their music (and looking for it on vinyl) thanks to your submission here. 

Odin – “Life is Only” – This one continues that great 70’s vibe, but this time around, it is heavier and a tad more complex.  This one is a more serious sounding track.  I love the churning organ throughout.  Not a big fan of the vocals, but it’s not a major issue.  The instrumental section is also nice in the 2^nd half.  My preference is with your first selection.  Thanks for bringing the 70’s vibe and featuring lesser known bands from that era.