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BEAUTIFUL BEDLAM
Beautiful Bedlam
(2021 - self release - Australia)

 https://beautifulbedlam.bandcamp.com/releases

Tight and polished like The Police/Rush/Gentle Giant with the bold progressive time changes and twists of not just those same bands, but wonderful expansions of The Mercury Tree, Porcupine Tree, Maneige, Ethos,  and various other eclectic adventurous bands. Several styles are infused including metal, jazz, alt rock, art rock, and of course a heavy dose of progressive (as has already been stated). A few slices of electronica, psychedelic, goth, and pop are also part of the charm of this many framed platter. As a debut recording, this group is instantly impressive and sounds far mature past it's years at this point. Wonderful smooth vocals, sometimes multi-stacked the way fans love Gentle Giant's method. Highly melodic, creative, and addictive upon first listen. To add to the many dimensions the band have Xen Havales on lead vocals on track #2 ('Breather'), which I hope they use again on future releases.

From Melbourne, Australia, this four piece outfit consists of brothers Luke Ancell – Guitars/ Scott Ancell – Drums & Programming/ with Ross Taylor – Keyboards & Vocals/ and James Van Strien – Bass & Vocals.Additional musicians: Lead vocals: Xen Havales (Breather), Paul Cooper (Black World), Markus Saastamoinen (I Adore), Richard Jeffrey (Sweet Oblivion), Michael Minehan (Silent To The End), Matt Belleville (Pigment) Backing vocals: Leah Hannah (Black World, Sweet Oblivion), Scott Ancell (Open World), Guitar: Scott Ancell (Two Thirds), and Shane Lieber (Dog’s Breakfast).

For music lovers who are drawn to kitchen sink inventive releases (raising my hand), this is highly suggested to those. The plus is how well it is done, and sophisticated, with both the compositions and arrangements of such, are superb. There was great care in making this album. Listeners will hear that without a doubt. Some of the moments take me back to classic early 70's greats as far as the nicely done lead vocals, even in the midst of a more metal guitar surrounded track. There the vocals are sometimes as clear and pure as if they were from one of the leads from The Association, or The Hollies, and the like. An example is 'Open World + Apparitions' (track #7). Wonderful!  And one cannot leave out mention of the 1960's groove and quasi carnival atmospheric oddity 'Dog's Breakfast' (track #9) that also has a touch of The Who in it. Beautiful Bedlam can rock it out like all the more aggressive bands as well, with that unique balance the best grunge such as Nirvana had, but the sweetness of this Aussie outfit is they bring the mellow vocals in and charm your ears so pleasantly. Just when I say that, they follow with Michael Minehan guesting as lead vocalist on 'Silent To The End' (track #11) with the most grunge/death metal cut on the album. Perhaps the listener needed to kicked out of their comfort, but it is not a bad listen. Just part of the big feast of sounds this band packs in one release. And to keep you there in this more aggressive atmosphere, the next and last song is much the same with Matt Belleville doing the guest vocals on 'Pigment'. The one difference is half way through, they do an about face bridge, then move into a Rocky Horror Picture show goth part, and lots more thrown into the punch. What a way to end the album. This is Beautiful Bedlam letting you know they are many things, but never afraid of a couple of power chord songs with devilish vocals, to keep the contrast (which should be the main adjective for this fine group) alive and well.

  ©Reviewed by Lee Henderson 2 - 1 - 2022

 
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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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