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BABYFLOW
Oblivious
(2021 - Wildflow Records - USA)

Listen and stream:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ci0beqAH6NI&list=PLK4dW98nwS4LLsB23w5-8snuo5FRqv3tU

Download (sorry, the physical album is sold out, unless you find an aftermarket or used copy):

https://www.amazon.com/Oblivious-Explicit-Babyflow-Anthony-Rogers/dp/B08THH9QCD/ref=sr_1_1

A very retro mix of fun and upbeat styles ranging from 60's thru 90's, psych, surf pop, sugar pop, power pop, ingredients of new wave, cold wave, post punk, classic rock, and tongue in cheek lyrics often giving the listener a smile (even a giggle). Even if a bit lo-fi, this stuff is performed extremely well, all addictive, and totally righteous music . One can tell the band is sometimes having fun, and they intend the listener to have even more, however strong issues are tackled. Their influences are supreme, with top notch acts like Beach Boys, Jan and Dean (undeniable 'COVID-19') , Todd Rundgren, The Who (very strong nod - see my end notes), the more cheerful OMD (Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark), and other Factory Records acts from that early 80's  Manchester collection in the chirpy mode (check out 'Substitute for Science' and '3 for $12.99'), and lots of other groups from the 70's ('Wrong', 'Greaser', and 'Wish Myself Away') will bring up more than a couple of famous bands that got radio fame. A whirligig of delights.

A favorite type of album for me is one that goes for a different sound with each song, keeping from ever guessing the next move. And of course all material being strong, 'Oblivious' is just that. Addressing quite a lot of controversy, this was started just before the Covid pandemic, but just two songs completed, the project had to be handled differently than planned. It was also to be the most collaborative of anything DC music veteran Anthony W. Rogers had done since before his solo career. For those interested, he used to be in bands Ten Below, and The Now. He has released three solo albums preceding 'Oblivious' (2021), including 'Identification' (1993), 'Wrong' (2015), and 'One Day- A Journal' (2018). All of them similar to this new release, with a perfect variety of pop, rock, and allsorts, also using some humor, odd touches, and concept-like order of songs, keeping the audience attached to their seats, ears glued, and attention full.

Not all fun, with some very serious and contemplative songs, a beautiful ballad like 'Rain Cloud' (the ending composition), and then the all instrumental nearly all acoustic (it does have gorgeous synthesizer strings) pastoral 'William Burns' ( a piece written about a black man hung in Maryland on October 6, 1907, for the alleged murder of white Cumberland police officer August Baker), that is not out of place, as nothing is on this album. You need to own it and absorb to fully appreciate. There is even a song ('Invisible Mask') about the controversial mask that most of us were commanded to wear if we wanted to shop anywhere. Easy to see how Trump inspired this one is, bringing the topics to present day, even if the music is rooted in earlier times. Another Beach Boy/Tom Petty nod. Even a tune about the BLM (Black Lives Matter) movement called 'Listen' is part of the lineup, that cools down a bit, and includes horns, a laid back groove, and sweet harmony. In the scheme of things, Mr Rogers has a stellar set of musicians helping hm make a fantastic release, sure to please both fans and newcomers. Great contributions from his sons Blake and Joe (Blake wrote more on this one), brothers Aaron and Sean Liller, friends Bryson Bush and Pierce Miller. Having his family so involved in this project, Anthony renamed the band Babyflow verses making it his usual solo album.

This is a limited edition of 250 vinyl albums (I have 242/250), and endless download. I LOVE what this record label says about themselves. "Wildflow. WE'RE DIFFERENT. WILDFLOW is an independent label focused on making our music projects available digitally and via vinyl records. We limit these to 250.We still believe in the sacred art of the album format. Attention spans be damned." I say HEAR HEAR!!!!   

He also used a nice painting by his wife Lisa Rayden-Rogers as the cover. A bold sun with varied blue rays. The whole affair was first based on a formula of The Who 'The Who Sell Out' which used commercials as themes, and took the music world for a spin. It certainly does keep the revolving door approach, and the entertainment value is sky high. RECOMMENDED!  

 ©Reviewed by Lee Henderson  5 - 10 - 2021


 
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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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