Sticky Situation: A Review of GEPH’s Apophenia

The Chapman Stick is not an instrument you’d expect to see when going to a local metal show. In fact, the only thing you’re less likely to see than a band with one Chapman Stick is a band with two Chapman Sticks — and that’s exactly what you’ll find with Boston-based GEPH. Self-described as “Progressive… Continue reading Sticky Situation: A Review of GEPH’s Apophenia

Album Review: Power, by Staring Into Nothing

California trio Staring Into Nothing released their album Power via Antares Records in November 2017, featuring twelve tracks of politically minded, piano-focused prog rock.  The single “Big Brother” shows their penchant for commentary, but the lyrics are a little too “on the nose” for my taste: Opening track “Puritans” was more nuanced and included some nods… Continue reading Album Review: Power, by Staring Into Nothing

Getting Down with The Stick: An Interview with Geph

An instrumental trio with two Chapman Sticks and two guys named Josh walks into a bar…. And mesmerizes the audience with their virtuosic space metal.  I don’t know how to make a joke out of it, but that’s pretty much what happened at Fiddler’s Green this past December when Geph played.  Brought into our local… Continue reading Getting Down with The Stick: An Interview with Geph

Baldwin’s Choice: King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard

King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard. It’s an Olympic band name that such a huge band deserves. They consist of seven members – three guitarists, two drummers, multiple vocalists, bass and a guy who plays a mean harmonica. They’re also huge in terms of popularity, recently selling out every date on a headlining US tour.… Continue reading Baldwin’s Choice: King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard

Album Review: Jacqui L’s PLANET PARALLEL 5

Prog rock and electronica fans should take an intergalactic visit to PLANET PARALLEL 5, where they’ll find Jacqui L’s eerie, ethereal music.  Released in May 2017, the keyboard-centric album (in all caps on purpose) takes listeners on a tour of Jacqui L’s mysterious planet.  Jacqui L isn’t all serious though — after all, her website… Continue reading Album Review: Jacqui L’s PLANET PARALLEL 5

Baldwin’s Choice: Magma

It’s satisfying to know that there’s a progressive rock band out there that takes the negative tags associated with the genre and runs with them. French progressive band Magma have answered critical statements like “pretentious,” “bombastic,” and “pompous” with a “hell yes we are” defiance since the early 70s. And they remain to this day… Continue reading Baldwin’s Choice: Magma

Bair Grills: Sorceress by Opeth

After 34 years of listening to a wide spectrum of musical genres, few bands that I’ve encountered have transcended labels and specifications to the degree that Opeth has. Most groups fit comfortably into a niche, but others defy description by such menial means. With Sorceress, founder and frontman Mikael Akerfeldt continues his magnificent musical progression.… Continue reading Bair Grills: Sorceress by Opeth