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ALEX REX
Andromeda
(2020 - Tin Angel Records - UK)

https://alexrex.bandcamp.com/album/andromeda

Each recording by Alex Rex is anyone's guess as to what rabbit will be pulled out of the hat. The mixtures of folk, blues, gospel, stage, and dramatics among other styles keeps the listener braced for the unexpected, or tricks their senses as the next tune approaches. A revolving sound of Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, Roxy Music, Kevin Ayers, Dr John, Leonard Cohen, Jerry Lee Lewis, with touches of Tom Waits, The Sensational Alex Harvey, occasional small mountain town church choir, and of course some residue of his former band Trembling Bells (minus the lead  female vocals). One minute of twist and shout, groove to church organ, jumps from classic rock in the mode ranging from Steppenwolf, The Waterboys (Mike Scott), and Arthur Brown, to folky depths reminding of Roy Harper, then to the grit of country legends like John Prine.  And don't forget the Salvation Army band spirit that may pop up. Perhaps the album is less schizophrenic than the previous releases, or than all the references I have suggested here. But it does contain the same dizzy journey that makes Alex Rex so addictive, inviting and ultimately exciting.

This is only the third album by the band, however Alex Neilson has been either a workaholic or a very prolific musician, or both. His involvement seems endless in one music act after another. 'Andromeda' has members Rory Haye (who played on Trembling Bells - 'Dungeness' album and on the 10 inch 'The Auld Triangle' release) on bass, electric guitar, piano, acoustic guitar, & vocals /  Audrey Bizouerne (who did the cover artwork and photography) on bass, & vocals /  Richie Merchant on cornet & trumpet /  Lavinia Blackwall (did split CD with Directing Hand 'What Put The Blood' where she was acquainted with Alex and also guested on Trembling Bells. She also did artwork  and performed vocals, organ, glockenspiel, and autoharp, for vinyl only release by A cappella traditional music group Crying Lion, who features Alex Neilson too.)‎ on piano & vocals / Alasdair C. Mitchell and Paddy Coyle on electric guitar / Jill O'Sullivan on electric guitar, violin, and vocals /  Chris Geddes on Hammond organ /  Dave McGowan and Tim Davidson (3) on pedal steel guitar /  Georgia Seddon on piano, organ, and vocals /  Marco Rea on slide guitar, and vocals  /  Ross McCrae (played on Crying Lion with Alex and Lavinia) on trombone /  Ailbhe Nic Oireachtaigh on  viola /  Amanda Nizic, Debbie Armour, & Shirley Collins on vocals / and Mr Alex Neilson (under the moniker here sa Alex Rex) on lead vocals, drums, and piano. The choir is Glad Café Kid’s Choir. Tom Chick did inner sleeve and back cover photos. The album was recorded by Luigi Pasquini. I am certain I left out other details about each artist but too much ground to cover and more explorations for the reader who is curious and interested enough.

The raw beauty of this band is how many sources they tap into and present in their own special way. There is an ominous title called 'Funeral Music For Alex Rex' which instantly brings fear to fans. It begs the answer to the obvious question; is this the last album from the band? For all that is holy and good I hope not. In fact there are many lyrics throughout that could suggest either an end or at least a change. But in retrospect, the previous releases have a gamut of topics that roam the land of depression, sadness, doubt, and other often cryptic poetic verse. This is just part of the fantastic universe of Alex Rex.

From the intro of narration by Shirley Collins to the industrial commentary on 'I'm Not Hurting No More' (which may require the official censorship sticker for language), which features some great distorted guitar the likes of what Mike Oldfield did on Kevin Ayer's 'Song From The Bottom Of A Well' (from ' Whatevershebringswesing' - 1972), the seriousness of atmosphere leaves no doubt as to the depth that intends to be explored. The scope of music one can absorb on 'Andromeda' is amazing. Alex is quite a bit more unorthodox, anti-commercial, and sociably induced than most of the comparisons given, except Arthur Brown. Much less "marketable" but that is good for us. All I can suggest to newbies is to take a comfortable seat, buckle in, and be prepared to be dazzled with a formula like you've never heard before. The last lyrics are 'Nothing can heal or destroy you better than time'. Such prophetic words. A GIANT RECOMMENDATION!

  ©Reviewed by Lee Henderson  4 - 18 - 2020
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BIG BEAUTIFUL NOISE
 

A  magazine focused on inventive, progressive, and creative music in any genre that stands out from the rest
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ACQUA FRAGILE
Moving Fragments
(2023 - Maracash - Italy)


https://maracashrecords.bandcamp.com/album/moving-fragments


  A group who have the uncanny talent of keeping their classic  sound along with staying up tpo date. This amazing return is from 1970's Italian progressive rock outfit, with frontier man lead vocal Bernardo Lanzetti, who made this band and some PFM albums so specifically brilliant. At this decade, to expect more beauty would be a fantasy, yet it is set before your ears, even with the first notes, this masterpiece of Italian, (and not only Italian) progressive rock that certainly grasps the notion of what the genre of "progressive" was always meant to be. ACQUA FRAGILE create another sweetly classic knockout recording, not with even a heavy breath of past to present effort.  In fact, it sounds and feels more authentic than ever.  Bernardo sounds as if he never aged a week, and all muscians present are at full force, not passing up the chance to make another massively classic album.   An album to put Acqua Fragile at the top of the few chosen progressive rock choices of all time. The first song ('Her Shadlows Torture' 05:52 - editors note:  A misspell on the 'Shadows' which is on Bandcamp at this writing - but is correct as 'Her Shadow's Torture' on physical CD)  hug you and give all relief, as to any possible doubts of a long awaited fourth album by this top notch Italian band. I claim it will leave your heart lay bleeding. Grab the spectral energy and enjoy a glimpse of beautiful cocoon birth.

  Not one song is with sacrifice, even a wink of lamb. In fact, some elements are added to further enchance and stun the audience, such as inclusive female vocals by Rossella Volta. The bulk of the outfit is Piero Canavera (drums, percussion, vocals),  Franz Dondi (bass), Bernardo Lanzetti (lead vocals, guitar, Glovox),  Stefano Pantaleoni (keyboards),  Claudio Tuma (guitars), with special aid by (aforementioned vocalist Rosella Voita) ,  Gigi Cavalli Cocchi - drums (1,6),  Sergio Ponti - drums (4,9), Stef Burns- guitar (2),  Brian Belloni - guitar (4),  Davide Piombino - 7 string guitar (5),  and David Jackson - sax & flute (6). Could you ask for more?   After one listen you cannot want more. Thank Maracash label (Italy) for standing behind so many great Italian artists who have done the blood, sweat, and tears in earlier years, and deserve the attention now.
Although the band name translates to 'Fragile Water', it might be better described as Precious Water at this point and time in our decreasingly cared for world. Perhaps even better, Rare Water. The beauty of this entire recording is apparent, true, sincere, and a step forward. Better than one would dream of, past the point of how all old fans could imagine, and  actually done in the upper atmospheres of what anyone could have dreamed of. Everyone is top notch and most of all, Lanzetti is 100% present, making it another masterpiece.  It is my deep recommendartion for all fans of both classic progressive rock and the new fields of progressive music to give this a direct and full attention (no distractions) listen. RECOMMENDED.
  ©Reviewed by Lee Henderson 1 - 19 - 2024


 

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