RushFan4's New CD Thread 10- Fromuz -Seventh Story
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Forum Name: Prog Recommendations/Featured albums
Forum Description: Make or seek recommendations and discuss specific prog albums
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Topic: RushFan4's New CD Thread 10- Fromuz -Seventh Story
Posted By: rushfan4
Subject: RushFan4's New CD Thread 10- Fromuz -Seventh Story
Date Posted: April 01 2010 at 11:14
In continuation of my meager attempt to divert some PA forum discussion time away from Porcupine Tree, Dream Theater and the other usual suspects, here is my 10th installment of Rushfan4's New CD Discussion Thread. This month's recommendation is different from many of my other recommendations in that it comes from the jazz rock/fusion side of progressive rock. This month's recommendation is the newest Fromuz release titled Seventh Story.
 Here is a link to their PA page, http://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=2917 - http://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=2917 , where the track Taken can be listened to. In addition, there are 2 other songs from their previous albums. I have given this album a couple of listens now and I am enjoying it. It is mostly instrumental but there are some vocals. Although this is in the jazz rock/fusion category this is more of the acid jazz type that I really like. At times, it reminds me of my favorite band Rush. I downloaded the album from eMusic, so those of you with an account there might want to check it out.
Here is a link to the band's website where additional information can be found about them. http://www.fromuzband.com/ - http://www.fromuzband.com/
Here is a link to their MySpace page where there is a sampler of the new album, as well as some tracks from their previous two albums. http://www.myspace.com/thefromuz - http://www.myspace.com/thefromuz
The album can be purchased or downloaded from Amazon.com here. http://www.amazon.com/Seventh-Story-UZ/dp/B0039BD766/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1270137261&sr=1-1 - http://www.amazon.com/Seventh-Story-UZ/dp/B0039BD766/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1270137261&sr=1-1
Or it can be purchased or downloaded from the band's record company 10T here. http://10trecords.com/store/from-uz-seventh-story/ - http://10trecords.com/store/from-uz-seventh-story/
Here is their last.fm page where samples can be heard, but unfortunately I am not aware of anywhere where the entire album can be listened to. http://www.last.fm/music/Fromuz - http://www.last.fm/music/Fromuz
There are 3 reviews and 9 additional ratings of this album that you can check out on their PA page to see if this might interest you. Hopefully, some of those reviewers will see this thread and also participate. Please use this thread to discuss your thoughts on this album. Your likes and dislikes regarding the music and the lyrics, etc... I look forward to what I hope will be an active and lengthy discussion.
In case you missed the first nine installments of the New CD discussion thread please check them out here at these links as I am more than happy to go back to these threads and further discuss them with anyone who is interested:
Astra - The Weirding- http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=59071&PN=1 - http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=59071&PN=1
The Wishing Tree - Ostara - http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=59948 - http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=59948
Eureka - Shackleton's Voyage - http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=60977&PID=3398325#3398325 - http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=60977&PID=3398325#3398325
Lobster Newberg - Actress http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=61661&PN=1 - http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=61661&PN=1
Knifeworld - Buried Alone: Tales of Crushing Defeat - http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=62529&PID=3457937#3457937 - http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=62529&PID=3457937#3457937
Brother Ape - Turbulence http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=63402&PID=3504510#3504510 - http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=63402&PID=3504510#3504510
Black Bonzo - Guillotine Drama http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=64197&PN=1 - http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=64197&PN=1
Shadow Circus - Whispers and Screams http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=64762 - http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=64762
Roswell Six - Terra Incognita: Beyond the Horizon http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=65438 - http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=65438
I should note that for those who frown about these things, I am not a representative of any of these bands. I do not get paid to endorse them. All of these albums are albums that I purchased as downloads. Actually, I did purchase the Roswell Six CD from ProgRock records, so it wasn't a download. They are all albums that I have really enjoyed and therefore I am trying to bring them to the attention of PA members so that they may enjoy them to. Obviously, I can't guarantee that anyone else will like these albums since it is all a matter of taste, but I have a feeling that there are some of you out there who will.  I should also mention that although I am a Collaborator here at PA, this thread and recommendation is made entirely independently of my duties as a PA collaborator, and is also totally independent of the PA Artist of the Month that is endorsed by mailto:M@x - M@x , the site's owner. ------------- 
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Replies:
Posted By: E-Dub
Date Posted: April 01 2010 at 11:53
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A friend of mine designed the artwork for this album (Ken Westphal from right here in Kansas City...he also did the Proto-Kaw albums and other Livgren albums. Also did the latest by John Elefante) and he keeps telling me to check them out. E ------------- 
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Posted By: harmonium.ro
Date Posted: April 01 2010 at 12:18
| ^ He used to hang around PA in 2006-2007, If I remember well. |
Posted By: rushfan4
Date Posted: April 01 2010 at 12:33
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It does look as though you can listen to the entire songs on the 10T website. http://10trecords.com/artists/genres/progressive-experimental/fromuz/discography/ - http://10trecords.com/artists/genres/progressive-experimental/fromuz/discography/ -------------
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Posted By: E-Dub
Date Posted: April 01 2010 at 12:35
He used to. Now he's over at Power Of Prog a lot. That and Facebook. E -------------
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harmonium.ro wrote:Posted By: rushfan4
Date Posted: April 01 2010 at 12:38
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Posted By: E-Dub
Date Posted: April 01 2010 at 12:50
Not sure. I just sent him an email. I'll alert him of this thread. Listening to it right now. Seems I've dismissed them too soon. E -------------
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Posted By: harmonium.ro
Date Posted: April 01 2010 at 13:52
Cool! It's definitely a good album. The spoken parts were a good idea, though I would have preferred some different conversation subjects. |
Posted By: rushfan4
Date Posted: April 01 2010 at 14:14
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I'll need to get the headphones out and listen closer to the conversations. Unfortunately I haven't paid close enough attention yet to the subject matter. Mostly just listening to the musical parts at this point. -------------
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Posted By: artguyken
Date Posted: April 01 2010 at 15:36
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Hello, everybody! I'm glad some of you are diggin' "Seventh Story". You can hear it and all the first 2 albums either at 10T, as mentioned, or at our Power of Prog page: www.powerofprog.ning.com/profile/Fromuz and I'm there, too: www.powerofprog.ning.com/profile/Artguyken And as someone mentioned other album art I've done, you can either check it out at my FB page, or my website: www.kenwestphal.com Let me know if I can answer any of your From.uz questions. |
Posted By: rushfan4
Date Posted: April 01 2010 at 15:45
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Hi Ken, did you see my rudimentary interpretation of your artwork? Anywhere close to a proper interpretation? -------------
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Posted By: artguyken
Date Posted: April 01 2010 at 15:46
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and if you happen to be on Facebook, the official From.uz Fan Page is: http://www.facebook.com/artguyken?ref=profile#!/pages/Fromuz/115179999288 |
Posted By: Raff
Date Posted: April 01 2010 at 16:01
Hello Ken  ! |
Posted By: artguyken
Date Posted: April 01 2010 at 16:05
| Hello Raff. ? who? |
Posted By: Raff
Date Posted: April 01 2010 at 16:12
Me, Ken, the Progressor reviewer ....
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Posted By: harmonium.ro
Date Posted: April 01 2010 at 16:21
I think the concept of the cover art is something like the decay of a once classy music hall, or at least it's a contradiction between the idea of the civilization, music, maybe academism on one side and the passage of time, nature and loose creativity on the other. That's my guess. 
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Posted By: artguyken
Date Posted: April 01 2010 at 17:59
| The concept is simply my vision of a world I began creating with the first Fromuz album. There is a progression from some of the lower tiers on "Audio Diplomacy" to the surface on "Overlook" and then into one of the buildings of the town on "Seventh Story". |
Posted By: artguyken
Date Posted: April 01 2010 at 18:00
| Oh... Raff!!!! I laff! My successor at ProgressoR. |
Posted By: artguyken
Date Posted: April 02 2010 at 08:58
| Oh... I forgot to answer the frog question. I'd begun using "mechanimals" in the art for "Overlook". After I had the idea for the cascading stream staircase and pool of water, I tried putting a Captain Nemo Nautilus type submarine in, but didn't like it. Then I had an octopus, but it too, didn't fit. My illustrator friend, CB Mordan, said "what about some lily pads and maybe a mechanical frog?" It just felt right. |
Posted By: rushfan4
Date Posted: April 02 2010 at 09:06
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That's cool. It is a cool album cover. I like it. The Overlook cover is really cool too. -------------
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Posted By: Raff
Date Posted: April 02 2010 at 09:12
You know, I made a huge blunder in my Overlook review - the one I originally wrote for ProgressoR (there is an edited version of it here) - when I called its cover 'cheesy'  . In fact, it reminded me of some DT stuff... When Ken added me as a friend on Facebook, and I realized that he was the artist, I would've liked the earth to open up and swallow me whole . He's a very nice guy, and one hell of an artist too. |
Posted By: rushfan4
Date Posted: April 02 2010 at 09:47
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The Overlook album cover reminds me a little of the Transatlantic covers. -------------
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Posted By: artguyken
Date Posted: April 07 2010 at 21:49
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Raff, dear lady, you're far to hard on yourself. You are entitled to your opinion. What made so funny to me was that I was the proof reader on the review before it was posted. I thought Vitaly had written it and teased him about it. Anyway, I got a good laugh out of it and there were/are absolutely no hard feelings
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Posted By: rushfan4
Date Posted: April 08 2010 at 08:31
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It has been nearly a week, time to give this album another spin. The song Parallels is to Rush's YYZ what Porcupine Tree's Time Flies is to Pink Floyd. A serious tribute to the forefathers of prog. The song takes the YYZ riff and incorporates it within their song to develop an entirely new song, but the tribute is definitely there. I wonder what the back story is behind this, if there is any. -------------
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Posted By: Garion81
Date Posted: April 08 2010 at 11:43
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I think this is their best to date. They have matured very nicely through the three projects. They have some quirks I don't care for but overall a very fine band. The vocals on this one really add something to the music and I think are a great element addition. The vocals seem to draw the song out of the music.
As for the artwork, meh! It reminds me of very bad early Genesis music.
 (Just kidding Ken.)
 Actually he modified my Bison in my sig and added flames to it to model off his blazing bison covers. Have had the extreme pleasure of meeting Ken a few times and even attended Proto-Kaw shows together. I have some of his artwork on my wall at home and my wallpaper on my computer(s).
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"What are you going to do when that damn thing rusts?" |
Posted By: artguyken
Date Posted: April 08 2010 at 14:32
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Quirks? ha! You mean like the hollering at the beginning of the album? What's that about? I'll ask Vitaly about XYZ. Brian, that was especially funny knowing your love of Genesis and the art of Genesis. And thanks for the plugs. ;0) |
Posted By: artguyken
Date Posted: April 08 2010 at 16:08
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Vitaly told me that he did not have Rush or "XYZ" in mind at all when he wrote this, though he does admire them. As they say in the movies: "Any resemblance to persons living or dead is purely coincidental" |
Posted By: Garion81
Date Posted: April 08 2010 at 17:02
 and the military marching cadence on Overlook for another example. I thought you would appreciate that. Actually if you think about it came out as a compliment because I love early Genesis music.
We really do have to get that radio show going Ken.
I really kick myself sometimes that we couldn't find away to go see Fromuz at Bajaprog a few years ago. Now there is no festival and the town of Mexicali took abig hit from that earthquke a few days ago.  -------------
"What are you going to do when that damn thing rusts?" |
Posted By: artguyken
Date Posted: April 08 2010 at 19:52
| Kak zhal! (It's a pity! - Russian) Yes, Brian, agreed! (on all counts) |
Posted By: artguyken
Date Posted: April 08 2010 at 21:03
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I just read a strong review on a Dutch prog site, Background Magazine, which says interestingly: "But the real strength of this quartet is the fact they have composed original music. No hints of Yes, Genesis or any other classic band. The music sounds so fresh and tasty. And they bring a lot to the table: besides the standard guitars/bass/dums/keys, they also use instruments like vibraphone, marimba and tubular bells. Although their music is not strictly instrumental, there are not that many vocals on the album. Surprisingly I didn’t even miss these. The music is so lush and fantastic, it just takes me away to a much nicer place…" http://www.backgroundmagazine.nl/ (CD Reviews/F/From.uz) |
Posted By: rushfan4
Date Posted: April 08 2010 at 21:51
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I know that I am not the only one that hears YYZ on the song Parallels. -------------
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Posted By: Windhawk
Date Posted: April 08 2010 at 22:49
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I don't remember if I mentioned YYZ in particular on that song, but at least in my notes RUSH is mentioned and underlined. This band has taken me on an interesting musical journey on their 3 albums released so far. And as I understand it they have their next 2 already more or less finished as well. Oh, and hiya Ken, nice to see you popping in here :-) ------------- Websites I work with: http://www.progressor.net http://www.houseofprog.com My profile on Mixcloud: https://www.mixcloud.com/haukevind/ |
Posted By: artguyken
Date Posted: April 09 2010 at 06:15
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And I don't disagree with you, as I am not familiar with the song in question. All I know is there was no intentional similarity. My point in quoting the article is that different ears hear different things. The more familiar you are with a band, the more likelihood your ears will detect a similarity. I listened to what I could find online at iTunes and Amazon, but you know how that is, they're only 30 second clips. So I still can't comment from knowledge of XYZ. |
Posted By: artguyken
Date Posted: April 09 2010 at 10:23
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oh, hi, Olav! From.uz has a "Seventh Story" concert DVD ready for release, as well as an acoustic set of songs from all three albums that have been released. |
Posted By: artguyken
Date Posted: April 09 2010 at 14:28
| Ahah! Yes. Rush Fan, I hear it. A friend just sent me YYZ. The intro is nearly note for note. Beyond that, I hear no similarity, but the riff at the beginning. Gotcha. |
Posted By: rushfan4
Date Posted: April 12 2010 at 19:18
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The riff throughout the entire song sounds familiar to me. Maybe it is La Villa Strangiato that I am also hearing. I am tired and confused and tend to get song titles mixed up. I'll have to listen to Parallels and then YYZ and maybe other songs to figure out what I am hearing. -------------
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Posted By: artguyken
Date Posted: April 12 2010 at 21:51
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I'd love for us not to get hung-up on this one song. If you'd like to see segments from the Fromuz debut release, "Audio Diplomacy", you can watch at youtube: http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=fromuz+progressive+rock&aq=f The top half dozen are from that. Then the next couple are from a promo of the upcoming "Inside Seventh Story" DVD. |
Posted By: rushfan4
Date Posted: April 14 2010 at 08:06
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I do need to listen to Audio Diplomacy and it is near time to revisit Overlook. But in the meantime I played Seventh Story again this morning and it sounded frickin' awesome. It was my best listen yet. -------------
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Posted By: artguyken
Date Posted: April 16 2010 at 17:59
| their music is the sort that requires multiple listens! |
Posted By: rushfan4
Date Posted: April 22 2010 at 12:46
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I hope that you don't mind Ken, but as a tie in to this thread, I have created a poll for members to select their favorite Fromuz album cover. http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=66803&PID=3628603#3628603 - http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=66803&PID=3628603#3628603 -------------
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Posted By: rushfan4
Date Posted: April 26 2010 at 11:59
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I am finally getting around to listening to Audio-Diplomacy. It can also be streamed on the bands label.
http://10trecords.com/artists/genres/progressive-experimental/fromuz/discography/ - http://10trecords.com/artists/genres/progressive-experimental/fromuz/discography/ -------------
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Posted By: artguyken
Date Posted: April 26 2010 at 15:05
Mind? Not at all. Thanks much for doing it! Now we'll see if you get any participants! |
Posted By: LiquidEternity
Date Posted: April 26 2010 at 22:13
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Oi! I've been slacking. Time to write this review.
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Posted By: Garion81
Date Posted: May 03 2010 at 18:29
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been listening to it today and thinking about its appeal. Well it doesn't sound like Genesis so that is a big plus these days. I am thinking you could put this band and Liquid Tension Experiment in the same category but I like these guys more. No offense to LTE but they just don't put the same time into it the way Fromuz does. This album is stunning in its breadth of instruments and styles. I would love to hear this played live. I bet it would kill (without out the sound effect voices of course) Man does that conversation ruin the beautiful piano intro to Taken. That has always been my biggest complaint about these guys is the non musical passages they stick in there that go on for minutes sometimes. Anyway minor complaint really. I really like these guys energy and drive. BTW anyone pick up that sampler from Ten-T that has them doing Starless from King Crimson? -------------
"What are you going to do when that damn thing rusts?" |
Posted By: artguyken
Date Posted: May 04 2010 at 12:22
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I just got a message from Al Khalmurzaev, saying that they have begun work on new material. Garion, you'll get your wish with the live DVD of Seventh Story, due this summer. Sorry to tell you, though, the yelling is still at the beginning, as are the spoken parts between songs. It is fun to see them play, though. And after that, there will be a double DVD - double CD released by end of year - an all acoustic set. |
Posted By: rushfan4
Date Posted: May 04 2010 at 12:32
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Torodd has posted an interview that he did with the band here. http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=67125&PID=3640458#3640458 - http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=67125&PID=3640458#3640458
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Posted By: Garion81
Date Posted: May 04 2010 at 15:10
While I will enjoy the DVD I meant live live. In person. It is how I enjoy music best anyway. I love the phones and all the recordings but man siting right in front of a group on fire like these guys are is priceless. What I mean is like when we saw Emerson and Lake last Sunday. You hear the moog on record and it is nice. For instance I love that the bass note he hits on it just before the ending notes of Tarkus where it seems to to broaden out and flows over you. In concert that note shakes the floor if you happen to be on the same floor as the stage. It shakes your bones. There is no comparison. Same with the end of Lucky Man Hard to get that same effect form the Home theater unless you like making your neighbors angry. I mean there were pieces of dust coming down form the raised curtains and little pieces of plaster coming from the ceiling of the old Orpheum Theater in LA. Absolutely tremendous. -------------
"What are you going to do when that damn thing rusts?" |
Posted By: artguyken
Date Posted: May 04 2010 at 15:15
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We need to get you a big screen TV! Hopefully From.uz will be in the States in 2011. |
Posted By: Garion81
Date Posted: May 04 2010 at 15:19
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^ Read my edit That would be great -------------
"What are you going to do when that damn thing rusts?" |
Posted By: rushfan4
Date Posted: May 28 2010 at 08:14
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I received this quarter's edition of Progression magazine earlier this week, and the lead article is a story about From.UZ and Seventh Story. Michael Popke had nothing but nice things to say about the band and the album. He also said that Ken Westphal's album cover is a "stunning image that ranks among the finest album covers of 2010". I just thought that I would share that info here in case anyone was interested. -------------
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Posted By: artguyken
Date Posted: May 29 2010 at 01:18
| Thanks for that. I thought Michael Popke did a great job and certainly appreciated his kind remarks. |