New Porcupine Tree and Marillion CD's

Two of my all time fave bands came out with CD's today.

I've read some less than thrilling reviews of the new Marillion album Somewhere Else and tried not to be influenced, but I gotta say I'm pleasantly surprised. OK, it doesn't have the overtly proggy stuff like Marbles (Ocean Cloud, Invisible Man, Neverland) but I think it's solid effort none-the-less. I think some of the subtleness may sneak up on some people in the long run, ala Afraid of Sunlight.

Luckily I heard the new PT last week via one of those "advanced copies" (thx you know who) . I picked up the official copy today at Twist and Shout along with Marillion. Every listen to Fear of A Blank Planet gets better. It could be their most mature and complete album to date. To me it really blends a lot of their best elements. It even repeats a couple motifs from Deadwing and In Absentia (I think on purpose...certainly Steven Wilson wouldn't borrow from the past without a purpose me thinks). I dunno, don't be fooled the Fear Of A Blank Planet video is all I can say . Sure the album draws from modern social concerns, but the music also helps "deal" with those issues like good/relevant music can. Can't wait to see this stuff live on May 15th at The Fox!

Pindral on YouTube

Check out some vids from our last show on PINDRALvision.

Save Net Radio

In case anyone's not aware the future of internet radio is at risk. New royalty fees devised by the RIAA and Sound Exchange may all but put many small independent stations and shows off the internet. These stations/shows are often the only exposure independent bands can get. Check out Save Net Radio for more info and sign the petitions.

Progressive Music discussed at Coors Field

Odd conversation heard at the ballpark. Attended the Rockies home opener yesterday with a couple of the Pindral guys and another friend. There were two guys behind us talking music...one guy says there's so much music these days that defies traditional categorization, take the band Tool he says. One might say they are industrial or maybe progressive rock. He then says he thinks they are heavy progressive rock. They continue to talk and Rush comes up and the one guy says he likes them because they make complex yet accessible music and do amazing instrumentals like XYZ...then the guy sitting next to me who was obviously eavesdropping too looks back and corrects the guy...that's YYZ. Never thought I'd hear anyone utter the term "progresive rock" at the ball park. They also talked about Roger Water's Radio Kaos. Later, Steve Finley comes up to bat late in the game and Tom Sawyer is his "batting music." Pretty cool.