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Next up, Trigger's Broom. (If you know, you know.😊)
So, Atomic Rooster are a franchise now, which is mad. But taken on its own merits, this is a really fun album, in the style of the original band.
Atomic Rooster: 'Circle the Sun' (2015)
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Next up, Trigger's Broom. (If you know, you know.😊)
So, Atomic Rooster are a franchise now, which is mad. But taken on its own merits, this is a really fun album, in the style of the original band.
Atomic Rooster: 'Circle the Sun' (2015)
#NowPlaying
Apparently this album came about due to record company shenanigans, and should never have been released. I'm not surprised - it's truly, gut-wrenchingly awful. It sounds even worse 50 years on than it did at the time.
Humble Pie: 'Street Rats' (1975)
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Apparently this album came about due to record company shenanigans, and should never have been released. I'm not surprised - it's truly, gut-wrenchingly awful. It sounds even worse 50 years on than it did at the time.
Humble Pie: 'Street Rats' (1975)
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If anyone wants to exemplify a difference between 'prog' and 'progressive', give this a spin. It's brilliant prog, but thoroughly retro, so in no way progressive.
Me. I couldn't care less - it's hugely enjoyable.
Lars Fredrik Frøislie' 'Gamle Mester' (2015)
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If anyone wants to exemplify a difference between 'prog' and 'progressive', give this a spin. It's brilliant prog, but thoroughly retro, so in no way progressive.
Me. I couldn't care less - it's hugely enjoyable.
Lars Fredrik Frøislie' 'Gamle Mester' (2015)
#NowPlaying
Once again, a bit late posting this.... I can't remember the last time I bought an album solely due to its cover! Only later did I find out that they are a Spock's Beard offshoot. Pretty decent.
Pattern-Seeking Animals: 'Friend of All Creatures' (2025
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Once again, a bit late posting this.... I can't remember the last time I bought an album solely due to its cover! Only later did I find out that they are a Spock's Beard offshoot. Pretty decent.
Pattern-Seeking Animals: 'Friend of All Creatures' (2025
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It's no coincidence that, after more than 30 years, Motorpsycho released a self-titled album. This beauty references elements from multiple past albums, while giving it all an interesting new spin. It might just be one of their very best.
'Motorpsycho' (2025)
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It's no coincidence that, after more than 30 years, Motorpsycho released a self-titled album. This beauty references elements from multiple past albums, while giving it all an interesting new spin. It might just be one of their very best.
'Motorpsycho' (2025)
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All I knew about Ambrosia before was that they featured prominently on The Alan Parsons Project's 'Poe' album, so I was keen to give this a spin. Glad I did - it's terrific. Too easy to dismiss it as prog-lite; it's far better than that. Classy.
'Ambrosia' (1975)
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All I knew about Ambrosia before was that they featured prominently on The Alan Parsons Project's 'Poe' album, so I was keen to give this a spin. Glad I did - it's terrific. Too easy to dismiss it as prog-lite; it's far better than that. Classy.
'Ambrosia' (1975)
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A new album from Gazpacho is always welcome, and this is no exception. A little more accessible than most of their albums, it may not be their finest work but it's still one of the best of the year.
Gazpacho: 'Magic 8-Ball' (2025)
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A new album from Gazpacho is always welcome, and this is no exception. A little more accessible than most of their albums, it may not be their finest work but it's still one of the best of the year.
Gazpacho: 'Magic 8-Ball' (2025)
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The one before the all-time classic... but it's still brilliant. Corea, DiMeola, Clarke, White... what a band!
Return to Forever: 'No Mystery' (1975)
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The one before the all-time classic... but it's still brilliant. Corea, DiMeola, Clarke, White... what a band!
Return to Forever: 'No Mystery' (1975)
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2 more 1975 albums I missed earlier in the year, from artists I was aware of but have never listened to. I rather enjoyed both albums, and will investigate both artists further.
Melissa Manchester: 'Melissa' / Grover Washington Jr.: 'Mister Magic' (1975)
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2 more 1975 albums I missed earlier in the year, from artists I was aware of but have never listened to. I rather enjoyed both albums, and will investigate both artists further.
Melissa Manchester: 'Melissa' / Grover Washington Jr.: 'Mister Magic' (1975)
#NowPlaying
For the rest of the month I'll be listening to my favourites from this year. First up, the latest from UK veterans IQ. A fine addition to their catalogue.
IQ: 'Dominion' (2025)
#NowPlaying
For the rest of the month I'll be listening to my favourites from this year. First up, the latest from UK veterans IQ. A fine addition to their catalogue.
IQ: 'Dominion' (2025)
#NowPlaying
A bit delayed, but here's the random album for 15/12 - the Stones' misguided/brave (delete as aporopriate) stab at psychedelia. I love it - many others don't. Not least the band members!
The Rolling Stones: 'Their Satanic Majesties Request' (1967)
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A bit delayed, but here's the random album for 15/12 - the Stones' misguided/brave (delete as aporopriate) stab at psychedelia. I love it - many others don't. Not least the band members!
The Rolling Stones: 'Their Satanic Majesties Request' (1967)
#NowPlaying
Digging around to find albums from 'xxx5' years I haven't checked out yet (there are a few🤣), I see I've not heard this. It's okay, but inevitably it pales against his 60s/70s classics.
But the abysmal 'Emotionally Yours'?😱🤬
Bob Dylan: 'Empire Burlesque' (1985)
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Digging around to find albums from 'xxx5' years I haven't checked out yet (there are a few🤣), I see I've not heard this. It's okay, but inevitably it pales against his 60s/70s classics.
But the abysmal 'Emotionally Yours'?😱🤬
Bob Dylan: 'Empire Burlesque' (1985)
#NowPlaying
My problem with FYC's debut 40 years ago was Roland Gift's mannered vocals. My problem with FYC listening now... is Roland Gift's mannered vocals. Vowel-mangling does not equate to emotion.
The musicianship is great, though.
'Fine Young Cannibals' (1985)
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My problem with FYC's debut 40 years ago was Roland Gift's mannered vocals. My problem with FYC listening now... is Roland Gift's mannered vocals. Vowel-mangling does not equate to emotion.
The musicianship is great, though.
'Fine Young Cannibals' (1985)
#NowPlaying
I Monster's Jarrod Gosling's side project seemed to be his main project for a few years, which is when he produced this prog gem. Crammed with interesting ideas. A treat for the ears. I would even deploy the word 'cornucopia'....
Regal Worm: 'Pig Views' (2018)
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I Monster's Jarrod Gosling's side project seemed to be his main project for a few years, which is when he produced this prog gem. Crammed with interesting ideas. A treat for the ears. I would even deploy the word 'cornucopia'....
Regal Worm: 'Pig Views' (2018)
#NowPlaying
So. Alan Parsons Project - I liked 'Poe' and, more recently 'I Robot', but otherwise I can take or leave 'em. Expectations weren't high for this, but in its mid-80s way it's not too bad. Beautifully produced, obvs.
The Alan Parsons Project: 'Stereotomy' (1985)
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So. Alan Parsons Project - I liked 'Poe' and, more recently 'I Robot', but otherwise I can take or leave 'em. Expectations weren't high for this, but in its mid-80s way it's not too bad. Beautifully produced, obvs.
The Alan Parsons Project: 'Stereotomy' (1985)
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Having finally got round to watching the documentary 'Becoming Led Zeppelin', this is an obvious choice. Whilst I prefer their later albums ('III' onwards), it's fun to revisit this remarkable debut.
'Led Zeppelin' (1969)
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Having finally got round to watching the documentary 'Becoming Led Zeppelin', this is an obvious choice. Whilst I prefer their later albums ('III' onwards), it's fun to revisit this remarkable debut.
'Led Zeppelin' (1969)
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I feel the need for one of the greats. To the 12 year-old me, it was 'Dancing' and 'Battle' that immediately appealed, but 50 years on it's 'Firth' and 'Cinema' that are the all-time classics. One's tastes mature, eh?
Genesis: 'Selling England by the Pound' (1973)
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I feel the need for one of the greats. To the 12 year-old me, it was 'Dancing' and 'Battle' that immediately appealed, but 50 years on it's 'Firth' and 'Cinema' that are the all-time classics. One's tastes mature, eh?
Genesis: 'Selling England by the Pound' (1973)
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For some reason, I've not heard any Haken albums later than this. Which is ludicrous - each of the earlier albums is worth a listen. On balance, this is my favourite so far - and not just because it's the shortest! Prog metal at its finest.
Haken: 'Vector' (2018)
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For some reason, I've not heard any Haken albums later than this. Which is ludicrous - each of the earlier albums is worth a listen. On balance, this is my favourite so far - and not just because it's the shortest! Prog metal at its finest.
Haken: 'Vector' (2018)
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There's no way I could understate how much I hated this when I first heard it. Such a disappointment - far too 80s, far too long, horrible production. Thank goodness for the 2019 remix - now it's just mediocre.
Pink Floyd: 'A Momentary Lapse of Reason' (1987)
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There's no way I could understate how much I hated this when I first heard it. Such a disappointment - far too 80s, far too long, horrible production. Thank goodness for the 2019 remix - now it's just mediocre.
Pink Floyd: 'A Momentary Lapse of Reason' (1987)
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I've gradually been working through the BÖC catalogue, but I haven't reached this one. Not sure what to make of it. On the surface it's pretty standard mid 80s rawk, but the old BÖC breaks through every now and again.
Blue Öyster Cult: 'Club Ninja' (1985)
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I've gradually been working through the BÖC catalogue, but I haven't reached this one. Not sure what to make of it. On the surface it's pretty standard mid 80s rawk, but the old BÖC breaks through every now and again.
Blue Öyster Cult: 'Club Ninja' (1985)
#NowPlaying
So, when Mrs McP uses the phrase 'road to nowhere' in a conversation this morning, there can only be one outcome....
Talking Heads: 'Little Creatures' (1985)
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So, when Mrs McP uses the phrase 'road to nowhere' in a conversation this morning, there can only be one outcome....
Talking Heads: 'Little Creatures' (1985)
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Whilst I marginally prefer 'Floating World', this runs it pretty damm close. Has there ever been a more underrated band than Jade Warrior? I adore all their 70s albums.
Jade Warrior: 'Way of the Sun' (1978)
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Whilst I marginally prefer 'Floating World', this runs it pretty damm close. Has there ever been a more underrated band than Jade Warrior? I adore all their 70s albums.
Jade Warrior: 'Way of the Sun' (1978)
#NowPlaying
When I buy a new album, I generally play it a few times, then leave it for some time - often a year or more - to see whether or not I agree with my initial verdict.
Which is why I can confirm that this is a masterpiece.
Fish: 'Weltschmerz' (2020)
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When I buy a new album, I generally play it a few times, then leave it for some time - often a year or more - to see whether or not I agree with my initial verdict.
Which is why I can confirm that this is a masterpiece.
Fish: 'Weltschmerz' (2020)
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This album is stylistically all over the place, as might be expected from Roy, but sadly it's nowhere near as interesting as the excellent 'Boulders'. Too 'poppy' for my taste.
Roy Wood: 'Mustard' (1975)
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This album is stylistically all over the place, as might be expected from Roy, but sadly it's nowhere near as interesting as the excellent 'Boulders'. Too 'poppy' for my taste.
Roy Wood: 'Mustard' (1975)