Yes: Great New Side Project
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Category: Progressive Music Lounges
Forum Name: Prog Music Lounge
Forum Description: General progressive music discussions
URL: http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=13568
Printed Date: February 22 2025 at 10:32
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Topic: Yes: Great New Side Project
Posted By: kirklott
Subject: Yes: Great New Side Project
Date Posted: October 25 2005 at 19:48
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During the Yes hiatus, Chris Squire has reformed his pre-Yes band, The Syn. The band has a new album coming in the couple weeks, and it sounds excellent, with classic Yes influences (obviously) as well as a strong influence from 70s Genesis (lead vocals, guitars, etc.). You can find MP3 samples here: http://www.spv.de/scripts/ktrack_e.asp?nummer=48732&label=ns - http://www.spv.de/scripts/ktrack_e.asp?nummer=48732&labe l=ns Happily, the music is nothing like 60s Syn, which was more pysch-mod. This is very clearly 70s-style prog. If the tracks are as good as the samples, it should be the best Yes side project since the 70s. the band's web site: http://www.synmusic.net/index2.html - http://www.synmusic.net/index2.html ------------- "Progressive rock is the key to the continuance of human evolution." - Charles Darwin |
Replies:
Posted By: el böthy
Date Posted: October 25 2005 at 21:00
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Yes music with Genesis like vocals...and Chris Squire? If you tell Mr Fripp is the guitarist Ill crap my pants right here, right now! ------------- "You want me to play what, Robert?" 
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Posted By: Damen
Date Posted: October 25 2005 at 21:41
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I love the Syn, including their psych stuff. ------------- "It's amazing that we've been able to put up with each other for 35 years. Most marriages don't last that long these days." -Chris Squire |
Posted By: King of Loss
Date Posted: October 25 2005 at 21:43
I need to hear this 
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Posted By: kirklott
Date Posted: October 26 2005 at 10:05
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The vocals definitely are similar to early Gabriel. And the quality of the music seems to be much higher than Squire's recent Conspiracy side projects, which were more mainstream. ------------- "Progressive rock is the key to the continuance of human evolution." - Charles Darwin |
el böthy wrote:Posted By: flying teapot
Date Posted: October 26 2005 at 19:51
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heard the clips, sounds very good, I had never heard Syn, is this what the original stuff was like? The music sounds very much like Chris Squire, and I can hear influences from Fish out of the water..which I love. Also proves for once and for all that Chris is one of the greatest Bass players Looking forward to this one. |
Posted By: RaphaelT
Date Posted: October 27 2005 at 10:11
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The Syn was something like pre - Yes, featuring Pete Banks and Chris Squire. Maybe Chris should once again go to La Chasse and meet Jon - we will at last have new Yes album!! History repeating itself? ------------- yet you still have time! |
Posted By: Eddy
Date Posted: October 27 2005 at 14:10
| wow! this sounds like it came straight out of the early 70's, thats amazing. the way prog is getting more popular these days, it just needs a push from a famous progster to be put back into the spotlight, this sounds real god damn good.. |
Posted By: bluetailfly
Date Posted: October 27 2005 at 14:19
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Mr. Fripp is the guitarist!!!!! ------------- "The red polygon's only desire / is to get to the blue triangle." |
Posted By: zabriskiepoint
Date Posted: October 27 2005 at 14:33
che ni da para que te kgues. |
Posted By: Orbert
Date Posted: October 27 2005 at 19:55
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Oh man. I have seen threads about The Syn at the YesFans forums, but I always skipped them, figuring it was people discussing the old Syn. I had no idea. Thanks for the tip. I will now seek out some new Syn. ------------- In and around the lake... 
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Posted By: Norm Cash
Date Posted: October 28 2005 at 09:54
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I posted on this subject last week, just after I'd heard The Syn's version of "Time And A Word" on Stellar Attraction Prog Rock Radio. That track absolutely blew me away! Somebody needs to do the appropriate business and get this band on the Prog Archives website!! ------------- 
"We did it....you and me! Put him right under the table!" |
Posted By: Phil
Date Posted: October 28 2005 at 10:04
Me too! |
Posted By: Dick Heath
Date Posted: October 28 2005 at 13:01
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To clarify some confusion, Gary Husband has e.mailed me this: Regarding the subjects you mentioned, The Syn for me was only ever going to be a "stand-in" situation and I was never part of the band as it is officially and on their new album. I was simply enlisted for the tour... which didn't end up happening anyway!! That's the scoop there. I still might get asked if their regular drummer (Jeremy Stacey) is busy doing something else, so... it's pretty much left like that. I'm just a dep.
But doesn't answer the question: why was It Bites' Francis Dunnery another name in the frame, and like Gary Husband included in press-release photos of the anticipated touring Syn ? |
Posted By: hcnoer
Date Posted: October 28 2005 at 13:47
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It sounds rather good, looking forward to it (= And it's a lineup to die for... |
Posted By: hcnoer
Date Posted: October 29 2005 at 08:09
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btw, is Pete Banks included in this "new" Syn? |
Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: October 29 2005 at 11:58
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This is my first post. I think this project is interesting in several ways. For example, I think it is a nice path for old musicians, to either reform old bands OR to form complete new ones, instead of milking a dying cow, so to speak. More of this. You don't HAVE to stick to a winning horse, always and forever Thanks. |
Posted By: micky
Date Posted: October 29 2005 at 12:18
me three! ------------- The Pedro and Micky Experience - When one no longer requires psychotropics to trip |
Posted By: StarshipTrooper
Date Posted: October 31 2005 at 03:46
Well. I guess Im a lucky guy seeing as I will be going to the London Syn concert in two weeks. ------------- 
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Posted By: kenmeyerjr
Date Posted: October 31 2005 at 22:15
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Well, Chris Squire's solo album is probably my favorite Yes solo album, so I will definitely try to be on the lookout...if only my memory wasn't so terrible... ------------- If you like art of musicians, check my site (the music section) and tell me what you think! http://www.kenmeyerjr.com |
Posted By: Chris S
Date Posted: November 01 2005 at 02:32
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Wow.....amazing sounding stuff. Great thread and gonna hunt this album down as soon as possible. Squire has always been the ,most consistent...not so? ------------- ...As I venture through the slipstream, between the viaducts in your dreams...[/COLOR] |
Posted By: samuel.jeronimo
Date Posted: November 01 2005 at 12:18
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It looks a little like genesis, doesn't it?
------------- http://www.jeronimosamuel.no.sapo.pt - SAMUEL JERONIMO |
Posted By: BleedingGum
Date Posted: November 01 2005 at 12:53
Oh..no... you should now crap your pants.    ------------- ...this is called....BleedingGum ... ! |
Posted By: GatesOfDelirium
Date Posted: November 01 2005 at 15:19
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I am definitely intrigued.
------------- 
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Posted By: VanderGraafKommandöh
Date Posted: November 02 2005 at 11:37
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I heard about this band a little while back after trying to find out
further information about the Stacey brothers (Jeremy Stacey is the
drummer in The Syn) after I saw them guesting at a Gov't Mule gig at
the Mean Fiddler way back in March I think... I thought this
project looked intriguing indeed... Also, Chris Squire played guest bass on a Gov't Mule track (Sun Dance) in 2002 (or there abouts) and it's great. You can find it on Deepest End Volume 2 (or if you have the English box set (including both volumes), disc 2). Definitely worth a listen. Oh, I forgot to mention a guest appearence by Tony Levin too... who has also guested with them in concert and played 21st Century Schizoid Man... -------------   
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Posted By: Phil
Date Posted: November 02 2005 at 12:03
I've got tickets to see The Syn at the Marquee club on 15th November.
In preparation I bought a 2 CD set of material from 1965-2004
yesterday, the promised new studio album not yet on the shelves. The
old stuff is interesting but in truth not so great; the newer tracks
seem much better though a version of Time and A Word in which Chris
provides vocals is disconcerting, as in part he speaks the vocals and
it reminds me of a record made by William Shatner!!
All in all the vocals aren't so great, but I reckon they'll be good on
stage. I'll still get the new album though. Let you know! |
Posted By: kirklott
Date Posted: November 02 2005 at 22:08
From what I've heard, the new music is totally different from the old - after all, there's nearly 40 years difference. For we proggies, I think the new music is the way to go (the album Syndestructible), which you can get on Amazon here: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B000BKUX2E/qid=1130987086/sr=8-2/ref=pd_bbs_2/103-9581272-0840611?v=glance&s=music&n=507846 - http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B000BKUX2E/qid =1130987086/sr=8-2/ref=pd_bbs_2/103-9581272-0840611?v=glance &s=music&n=507846 The old stuff I've heard is more mod-pysch swinging 60s London, and frankly not as cool as a lot of other music from the period. And it's not prog. But the new album, for me, sounds like it might be the best prog album of 2005, along with K2 "Book of the Dead." And btw, The Syn just announced a half dozen US East Coast / West Coast tour dates for Jan 2006: http://www.synmusic.net/index2.html - http://www.synmusic.net/index2.html ------------- "Progressive rock is the key to the continuance of human evolution." - Charles Darwin |
Posted By: kirklott
Date Posted: November 02 2005 at 22:10
Francis Dunnery was supposed to play guitar for The Syn on the aborted More Drama tour. Too bad - It Bites was a great band. ------------- "Progressive rock is the key to the continuance of human evolution." - Charles Darwin |
Posted By: kirklott
Date Posted: November 02 2005 at 22:12
Banks was originally involved in the reunion (Squire was not), but there was a falling out of some kind. As usual, Banks got super bitter. Anyway, Squire is on board now, which is more thrilling to me, although it would have been cool to have both. I like Banks' solo stuff. ------------- "Progressive rock is the key to the continuance of human evolution." - Charles Darwin |
Posted By: kirklott
Date Posted: November 02 2005 at 22:13
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Dude, just pre-order it on Amazon right now! Apparently the release date has been pushed back one week to Nov. 8 ------------- "Progressive rock is the key to the continuance of human evolution." - Charles Darwin |
Posted By: kirklott
Date Posted: November 02 2005 at 22:17
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Squire is definitely VP of Quality Control for Yes. That said, Open Your Eyes (which was supposed to be a Squire solo album) is among Yes' weakest albums, and the first album from Conspiracy (Squire/Sherwood side project) was pretty weak. Although the second Conspiracy album has three or four great songs. And Squire has never turned out anything truly awful, like Anderson's The Promise Ring or The More You Know. Heck, I don't even listen to Deseo or Change We Must. ------------- "Progressive rock is the key to the continuance of human evolution." - Charles Darwin |
Posted By: kirklott
Date Posted: November 13 2005 at 11:09
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Anyone heard the whole album yet? ------------- "Progressive rock is the key to the continuance of human evolution." - Charles Darwin |
Posted By: kenmeyerjr
Date Posted: November 14 2005 at 11:08
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I am listening to this release right now...so far, I love the music, but the vocals are a tiny bit disappointing, as I was hoping to hear Chris singing all the time (loving Fish out of Water). The vocals seem somewhat pedestrian, but maybe I just have to get used to it. Here's hoping the rest of the album have some Chris vocal leads on it! ------------- If you like art of musicians, check my site (the music section) and tell me what you think! http://www.kenmeyerjr.com |
Posted By: Phil
Date Posted: November 14 2005 at 11:30
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I've got the album, "Syndestructable", have listened to it several
times, it's good but it's not great. Nothing at all like "Fish Out Of
Water", I would have to say! The lyrics and melodies
are all quite strong, the vocals (all by Nardelli) are a bit weak as are some of the
arrangements. Most tracks are around 8 minutes, the final song "The
Promise" is a 13 minute epic that probably justifies them being
labelled "prog" (if we're into attaching labels!). The tracks are drive
along at a fair pace, there isn't the complexity you'd find with Yes. "Cathedral of Love" is the single and the most melodic number; "Golden Age" has hints of "Comfortably Numb" in the tune; my favourite track is "Golden Age" which has the best riff. All medium-heavy rock I would say (I'm not very good at describing it am I?). I had also bought (mistakenly thinking it was the new album) a 2-CD compilation of Syn material, "Original Syn", the first disc being their old stuff - scrappy in places - the second disc being 2004 recordings with Peter Banks (also of original Yes fame) and one track, Illusions, was very good indeed, ending with a nice guitar/moog duel. Sadly Banks did not work on the new album. I'm off to see the band tomorrow night (Tuesday 15th) at the Marquee in London, looking forward to seeing Chris Squire in a smaller venue. I have a gut feeling the music will be much better on stage than on record, it sounds like the sort of music that needs to be played live. I'll let you know! If anyone else can make it please let me know! Tickets are £15, gig stars 7.30. |
Posted By: kenmeyerjr
Date Posted: November 14 2005 at 20:27
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Nice to see someone agrees with me about the vocals...man, I was so looking forward to a Fish Out of Water, part two...my mistake. Why would someone work so long and hard (I assume) on a project and have vocals that seem so laid back and lazy? Ah well, it is not bad, just not great...almost seems like a waste of the music, which is pretty good (again, tho, no Yes or Squire solo). ------------- If you like art of musicians, check my site (the music section) and tell me what you think! http://www.kenmeyerjr.com |
Posted By: kirklott
Date Posted: November 14 2005 at 21:48
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Well, the toughest role to fill in a band is always the singer, esp in prog. I mean, I would like Rush but.... I haven't received my copy of the album yet, but Nardelli does sound a bit like Gabriel or at least Shaun Guerin (sp?). And he sounds at least sounds at least as good as Billy Sherwood. Which, btw, if you want to hear some Squire lead vox, I'd check out the second Conspiracy album "The Unknown." It's more neo-prog or art rock than symphonic, but a couple tracks are very very proggy indeed, especially New World which has some of Squire's best bass playing since the 70s. It's on Amazon. ------------- "Progressive rock is the key to the continuance of human evolution." - Charles Darwin |
Posted By: kenmeyerjr
Date Posted: November 16 2005 at 11:04
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Thanks, kirk, I will try to find that conspiracy cd, sounds good ------------- If you like art of musicians, check my site (the music section) and tell me what you think! http://www.kenmeyerjr.com |
Posted By: lunaticviolist
Date Posted: November 16 2005 at 11:59
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The only Syn song I've heard is 14 Hour Technicolour Dream on the Nuggets box set. The music was great, but the vocals were terrible. Does the new Syn have the same vocalist as the original Syn? ------------- My recent purchases: 
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Posted By: Phil
Date Posted: November 16 2005 at 12:07
Steve Nardelli is the vocalist now, and was on most of the original Syn material, though off hand I can't say about this particular track. I do have "Orignal Syn" compilation which includes 14 Hour techniclour dream, which I believe is the same version as you have. I'll check later and post back. I would say that the vocals on the new album "Syndestructable" are OK but not great, however I still enjoyed the album (and the Syn launch gig I saw last night!) |
Posted By: lunaticviolist
Date Posted: November 16 2005 at 16:54
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I just got the album. I'm on the second track, and it sounds great. The vocals are pretty good. ------------- My recent purchases:
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Posted By: Phil
Date Posted: November 17 2005 at 04:32
It is the same vocalist (Steve Nardelli) but it isn't representative of how he now sounds, or what the music on the new album is like. I would recommend the new album. |