| # | Artist | Song (click to play) | Album | Year | CD label | My Gnosis Rating |
| 1 | Forever Einstein | My mule wouldn't walk in the mud so I had to put 17 bullets in her | Down with Gravity | 2000 | Cuneiform | 11 |
|
Forever Einstein are a trio of guitar, bass, and drums. Despite the lean
line-up, the music is highly evocative and stylistically rich. The
rhythm section often has some sort of rumble going, which reminds me
of Guigou Chenevier's playing with Volapuk or Etron Fou. The guitar
of Chuck Vrtacek constantly shifts through different tones and styles
of playing, sometimes sounding like rockabilly, jazz, surf-rock, or just
plain quirky rock music. A very recommendable album for those interested in
some challenging music that is at the same time very accessible.
I especially like this song because it sounds like an early 60's spy
movie of the Peter Sellers / David Niven variety with music by Henry
Mancini.
Forever Einstein | ||||||
| 2 | Richard Leo Johnson | Cheek to Cheek \ Dance in Heaven | Language | 2000 | Blue Note | 10 |
| Richard Leo Johnson is an acoustic guitar player whose music is of a happy and lyrical nature. I am reminded of things like Oregon, Alex DeGrassi, or Michael Hedges. Richard is joined on this album with many guest musicians including Paul McCandless (of Oregon), Warren Haynes (of the Allman Brothers) and Andy Rinehart. He has many prior releases including several that are only on cassette tape. As demonstrated in his life performances, Richard is not content to maintain the status quo with the guitar, but, explores other sonic possibilities of the guitar including strange percussive techniques. | ||||||
| 3 | Scott McGill | Industrial Blowout | Ripe | 1999 | Laser's Edge | 10 |
|
"Scott McGill is one of the best new guitar talents on the scene today.
Unlike his work with Finneus Gauge, "Ripe" puts McGill's guitar right out
front showcasing his standout skill. Backing up McGill are fellow Hand Farm
mates Chico Huff on bass, and Vic Stevens on drums. Keyboardist Demetrious
Pappas also appears on two tracks. All of these musicians are outstanding at
what they do complimenting McGill's compositions with dexterous complexity.
"Ripe" is an excellent exhibition of guitar driven jazz (this really is not a
rock album) that is a must for fans of this genre. " - Steve Sly
Scott McGill's Hand Farm | ||||||
| 4 | Mauve Sideshow | Hide in the Rain | Mauve Sideshow | 1993 | Ventricle | 9 |
|
Experimental electronics accompanied by ethereal and sometimes tortured
vocals. Perhaps more of an "aural experience" than music in the traditional
sense. Mauve Sideshow is only one of many such projects on the Ventricle
label.
Ventricle | ||||||
| 5 | French TV | Clanghonktweet | 5 Live: Yoo-Hoo | 1997 | Pretentious Dinosaur Records | 12 |
| French TV are one of the great (relatively) unknown American progressive rock bands. Since 1984 the band has intermittently released 5 studio and 1 live album of complex and adventurous music with elements of Frank Zappa, Henry Cow, and ... (Spinal Tap?). This instrumental live album is perhaps the best place to start for an introduction to the band. | ||||||
| 6 | Ad Infinitum | Immortality | Ad Infinitum | 1998 | Kinesis | 9 |
|
"Ad Infinitum is a 6 piece band formed in 1997 by former Cathedral keyboardist
Todd Braverman. The boys in the band blatantly set out to make a 70's style
progressive rock album, right down to the cover art by Roger Dean. The band
lists Yes, Pink Floyd, Kansas, Rush and Genesis as their influences, and the
styles of these artists are paid homage throughout this disc. Musically the
album is excellent with standout performances from everyone involved. The
band uses two lead vocalists which add a bit of variety to the proceedings.
If you are looking for something experimental this band may not be for you,
but if you love 70's style classic progressive rock, done very well, this
album should be right up your alley. " - Steve Sly
Ad Infinitum | ||||||