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BUSH GOTHIC
Beyond The Pale
(2019 - Fydle Records - AUS)

https://bushgothic.bandcamp.com/album/beyond-the-pale-2

Bush Gothic have a most unique style that blends traditional folk with swarming arrangements, containing elements of classical, period theater, avant-garde, eclectic rock, world, and almost anything else one can imagine. The songs are sophisticated in both composition and execution, heavy on the storytelling, and easy on the ears.
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Presentations are lush and mostly spacious with a good deal played at a medium pace, sometimes containing surprise injections. The bulk of the material is sung by multi-instrumentalist/composer/lead vocalist Jenny M. Thomas, who has a gentle delivery and dreamy voice. She also performs on violin, viola, banjo mandolin, piano, and traditional banjo.   Dan Witton sings lead on 'The Ballad of 1891', which his grandmother wrote back in 1950. He plays double bass, the piano on 'Streets of Forbes' and backing vocals. Chris Lewis plays drum kit and percussion, and piano on 'Past Carin’,and sang backing vocals. Enrichment of the music comes from The Lonely String Quartet: Jason Bunn, viola, Luke Severn, cello, Sarah Curro, violin, Zoe Black, violin. All songs arranged by Bush Gothic.

This is their 3rd album, and most developed, although this same rustic foundation with atmosphere and dramatic touches has been their trademark throughout. Originally the group was called 'Jenny M. Thomas & The System' (on their debut 'Bush Gothic'), then they became Bush Gothic as a band.  The title 'Beyond The Pale' comes from a time during the 14th century, when a fence made of stakes marked the part of Ireland that was under English rule. Known as ‘The English Pale’, when one dared travel beyond the 'pale' it was to leave behind English law and what the English considered civilized society. Thus, the song topics range from tales of convicts, worker plights, and a wall full of imagines that the music and words carry brilliantly. The album is a somewhat sombre, elegant and extremely lovely recording, bleeding with sadness, sincerity, and honestly florid with the past.

At times the music has a sparse country flavor, yet reminds one of more of the slower ballads of The Blue Nile, with a gentle passion, and a sweet soul bearing state. No matter what plateau Bush Gothic move to, the pieces soak you in a breathlessness and beauty, that defies reality. From start to finish, the ornamental inventive gorgeous tunes will overtake you, make you warmhearted, and shake off whatever negative feelings your day might have brought on. EXTREMELY and HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. A BEST OF 2019 without doubt. The physical CD is a beautiful gatefold with booklet inside that opens up into a collectors poster. Outstanding in every possible way.  

  ©Reviewed by Lee Henderson  4 - 13 - 2019
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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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Payments of any amount (all donations, no matter how small, are truly cherished) can be sent by PAYPAL  to:
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This magazine exists on kind donations and music related advertisements (although the ads are limited and in no way accepted for favors in reviews). All funds are used to pay for website, domain, and the endless hours of work that is required to keep the reviews and various information  in process. Any donation is extremely appreciated. Thank you.
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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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