Exposé Online

A Marriage of Unbelievable Sounds —
A Profile of Manooghi Hi

There are no direct flights between Mumbai, India and Seattle, Washington. But that doesn't stop the international collaboration called Manooghi Hi from bridging the gap between the two cultures. The band got its start a few years ago when Mehnaz Hoosein, who had a million-selling career as a pop singer in India, connected with Ava Chakravarti in Seattle.  » Read more
(Posted by Jon Davis 2011-06-01)

Area(CD) = Level π * Krautrock² —
The Uwe Cremer Interview

In the never ending battle of independent musicians against pop music there are those who continue to remain true to their roots and love of progressive music, especially Krautrock. One such is German musician and composer Uwe Cremer. He is not a household name, but his music has appeared on well-known labels (Garden of Delights and Musea). On a recent trip to Cologne, Germany I had the opportunity to enjoy a delightful afternoon with Uwe aka Level ∏ over a few beers.  » Read more
(Posted by Henry Schneider 2011-06-01)

3 Leg Torso - Animals & Cannibals

Cartoon soundtracks and movie music come to life on Animals and Cannibals, the fourth 3 Leg Torso album (their first in seven years). Considering that this elite ensemble hides under cover...

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(Posted by Jeff Melton, Scott Steele 2011-06-01)

Abacus - Destiny

With a self-important air and a melodic core harking back to 70s progressive kitsch (think voice and piano themes in certain Styx, Foreigner or Toto songs), Abacus’ sixth studio album...

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(Posted by Alan K. Lipton 2011-06-01)

Abarax - Blue Room

Abarax were a band whose original purpose was to fill the void left by Pink Floyd’s absence. Their 2006 debut, Crying of the Whales (now out of print), did reveal a taste for languid...

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(Posted by Paul Hightower 2011-06-01)

Aidan Baker - Songs of Flowers and Skin

Amid the bulk of BLR releases, to which such adjectives as “noisy,” “chaotic” and “abrasive” are regularly applied, it’s easy to forget that there’s...

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(Posted by Jon Davis 2011-06-01)

Alex Carpani - The Sanctuary

Some may recall composer / keyboardist Carpani’s Waterline album from a few years back, or his outdoor performance with guitarist Tony Spada at the 2008 (and sadly final) Baja Prog...

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(Posted by Peter Thelen 2011-06-01)

Alexander Berne - Composed and Performed by Alexander Berne

This lavish set presents composer / sound-designer / musician Alexander Berne in a variety of settings, mostly on his own, but with other contributors at times. Taking them in the order listed on...

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(Posted by Jon Davis 2011-06-01)

Algernon - Ghost Surveillance

Lately I've been listening to a lot of music that is labeled "post-rock," and like many genre labels, there is a point at which it becomes meaningless. World's End Girlfriend,...

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(Posted by Jon Davis 2011-06-01)

All Over Everywhere - Inner Firmaments Decay

I really wanted to like this one. It’s keyboard-heavy symphonic rock with female vocals, with some good ideas in both composition and arrangement. But after listening to it in a number of...

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(Posted by Jon Davis 2011-06-01)

Anderson / Wakeman - The Living Tree

Yes's Jon Anderson and Rick Wakeman have enjoyed success both within and without the group. Considering that both are on the outs with their previous band, it makes sense that the two would...

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(Posted by Jeff Melton, Scott Steele 2011-06-01)

Aqua - Aqua

Aqua were a German band who had some success in the 80s as a mainstream hard rock band. What is little known is that they began as a progressive rock band, but unfortunately never released any...

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(Posted by Henry Schneider 2011-06-01)

Aranis - Roqueforte

This is the third album by Aranis, a Flemish chamber quintet that’s been around a few years. I don’t recall many details about the band’s second album from 2007, but I do remember...

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(Posted by Peter Thelen 2011-06-01)

Aun - VII

Aun is the Montreal duo of Martin Dumais (guitar, synths, violin, bass, and programming) and Julie Leblanc (synths, guitar, and percussion) who create powerful droning noise soundscapes, much the...

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(Posted by Henry Schneider 2011-06-01)

Aviva - Peer Gynt in Favour

It’s a shock to hear music you've known all your life bent in new directions for new purposes. I still remember envisioning how my four-year-old self would have wept at The...

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(Posted by Alan K. Lipton 2011-06-01)

Aviva Omnibus - Nutcracker in Fury

Picture, if you will, channeling the essence of Metallica, Keith Emerson, and Ralph Lundsten to play Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker with demonic abandon and you might have some glimmer of...

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(Posted by Henry Schneider 2011-06-01)

Awenson - Wizard

Wizard is the second album by Awenson (aside from self-produced CDR releases), whose first was released under the name Awen, and whose real name is Joël Bernard. These two long...

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(Posted by Alan K. Lipton 2011-06-01)

Baraka - Inner Resonance

Baraka was a 1992 non-narrative film similar in scope to Koyaanisqatsi, and if this Japanese trio did indeed name itself after that film, the widescreen range of instrumental...

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(Posted by Alan K. Lipton 2011-06-01)

Believe - World Is Round

Believe are one of the fastest working bands in the progland, this being their fourth album in five years. Founder Mirek Gil (ex-Collage) seems to feel that success will come from building an...

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(Posted by Paul Hightower 2011-06-01)

Benoît Delbecq Trio - The Sixth Jump

Piano trios can be a gnarly musical beast. In the case of pianist Delbecq, trio pieces transpire in real time, with a quiet classy reserve that gently tugs the listener through subtle changes....

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(Posted by Jeff Melton, Scott Steele 2011-06-01)