I'll take my prog, but pass on the side of folk

Presto Ballet

I originally bought this cd for my brother’s birthday, but Kurdt Vanderhoof has been a favorite guitarist of mine for a long time. Was introduced to him by my brother’s friend when he gave Byron the first Metal Church album. Although not a fan of the thrash metal scene the album and the following two had some great guitar parts. Then came his band Vanderhoof and I was pleased to discover he found Deep purple. Now with Presto Ballet he seems to have discovered the late 70’s prog style. Instead of the overindulgent noodling that is persistent in today’s prog rock, here we find riffs from the guitar, runs on the organ and a singer whose voice is right for the music rather than another instrument to blend in. Throughout the cd you can choose which band from the 70’s they are borrowing from (especially the Marillion like guitar parts) but they make them their own. A surprising nice trip to the past with a flair for the future. 3.5

Roger Waters Hitchhiker

Not sure about Pink Floyd or Roger Waters. Remember listening to this cd on my long drives home from Rochester. Of course in those days there were extra stimulus to enhance the experience. Now minus this I find myself in flux. Sometimes I find the music brilliant and full of layers, building to the crescendo that is timed perfectly. Others it’s here comes the choir let’s get ready for the end. At times all the singers are perfectly blended to the songs, especially when he stays in the lower key. Then I listen to the lyrics and especially when he gets in that scream whining stage wish he would keep quiet. There is much Floyd, especially The Wall, in this cd with many a song bringing reminders of pieces past. What Roger Waters does prove once again is that Clapton is great when he doesn’t have to shoulder the load. 3.0

Roger Water Amused

It seems for this cd Roger Waters decided that he was going to spend some time playing in the studio. While with Hitchhiker he surrounded himself with a band, here he used studio greats. Members of Toto, Wire Train, and a slew of other great musicians were probably hired because they were used to recording this way. Yes Jeff Beck and Don Henley appear (One good, one not so good) but this is Roger playing with toys. His sound is the same, big choruses, spoken word singing, mad at something, and incredible choral background. 3

The Kills

Nice fuzz guitar. Good him her harmony vocals, plus love hate lyrics. Like the fact as a two piece they have the feel of bringing in other instruments. Cool hipster feel to the music giving it the sound of a dingy basement tape. 3.0

Dave Alvin

Never was a big fan of The Blasters so now that Mr. Alvin has taken some of the rawness out of his music he loses me even more. At times the guitar work is brilliant in his slow rockabilly/rock riff and solo vibe he has had. But whenever his vocals come in, the songs come to a screaming halt. This cd has all the faults that all the recent folk cds we have reviewed lately. One or two good songs early on the disc, then followed by a lot of sameness throughout. 2.0

Pernice Brothers

Yeah another folk cd. While the songs here are far superior to those on Dave Alvin’s, it does suffer a bit if listened in one sitting.

Topic

1 Dave Grohl, since the last time we had this question he got to play with Zeppelin in front 100,000 people

Dave Murray being the quiet guy who wrote a lot of the riffs for Iron Maiden. The idea they went from a punk/metal club band to playing to the masses would be a fun ride.

Corey Taylor. Yes I’d have to deal with the slip knot years, but what he is doing with Stone Sour and as a solo artist lends me to believe he gets it. An artist that knows he’s lucky to be where he is and is going to take advantage while he can.

2 Queen, Iron Maiden