Classic Rock (Phil Collins lives, run for the hills)

Protein Junkie said:
Jon Anderson and the Band Geeks -True
Anderson and the Band Geeks emerge from touring the Yes classics with their new album “True”.

Arguably Jon’s first foray into the world of progressive rock since his collaboration with Roine Stolt on “Invention of knowledge”.

It is asking a lot of any erstwhile fan of Yes to listen to this offering without reminiscing the halcyon days of Yes or indeed the current iteration of the band.

The album kicks off in grand style with “True Messenger” which immediately showcases the prowess of the Band Geeks. A solid opener reminiscent of the ABWH/Union era.

“Shine On” is a commercial four minute track interspersed with some prog wiggle. Jon funks the track up with a style etched from The Ladder.

“Counties and Countries” is a 10 minute track which in some ways takes me back to those aforementioned halcyon days. Great instrumentation and memorable chorus.

“Build me an Ocean” is Jon in a reflective calm mood. Unfortunately his phrasing and voice sounds more like The Living Tree.

Jon and the BGs bounce back with “Still a friend” Yet again Jon is backed by some Tormato style syncopation and energy and this track would sit comfortably on that album.

“Make it right” commences with some neat Spanish guitar work and evolves into a decent melodic ballad better than Ocean.

“Realisation part two”flows straight from the previous track. Dominated by Jon’s vocals and tinged with ethnic sounds.

“Once upon a Dream” shades of 90125 here at the start of the albums epic length track. Again so hard to distinguish this from old Yes. It does Meander a bit in places without a destination but then also has shades of “Awaken” with great musicianship.

“Thank God”. A love song to Jayneee. Fairly bland ending to be honest - think of Abilene.

In closing I am left still ruefully aware that Jon will forever be a lot more than 1/5th of the band I used to adore so much. This album “shines on “ far greater than the Yes official iteration especially in the first half.
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Thanks for posting that. I must admit with Awaken my favourite track and 90125 my favourite album I had no choice but to pop Once Upon A Dream on.

You’re so right, I can hear shades of that strident eurphoric chiming section of Awaken on there (as well as a few lyrical references to Yes of yesteryear I think). You’re also right about the odd meandering moment, but considering his vintage we really have no right to expect such high quality output from him do we. It really is a marvel.
:-)
 
Protein Junkie said:
Jon Anderson and the Band Geeks -True
Anderson and the Band Geeks emerge from touring the Yes classics with their new album “True”.

Arguably Jon’s first foray into the world of progressive rock since his collaboration with Roine Stolt on “Invention of knowledge”.

It is asking a lot of any erstwhile fan of Yes to listen to this offering without reminiscing the halcyon days of Yes or indeed the current iteration of the band.

The album kicks off in grand style with “True Messenger” which immediately showcases the prowess of the Band Geeks. A solid opener reminiscent of the ABWH/Union era.

“Shine On” is a commercial four minute track interspersed with some prog wiggle. Jon funks the track up with a style etched from The Ladder.

“Counties and Countries” is a 10 minute track which in some ways takes me back to those aforementioned halcyon days. Great instrumentation and memorable chorus.

“Build me an Ocean” is Jon in a reflective calm mood. Unfortunately his phrasing and voice sounds more like The Living Tree.

Jon and the BGs bounce back with “Still a friend” Yet again Jon is backed by some Tormato style syncopation and energy and this track would sit comfortably on that album.

“Make it right” commences with some neat Spanish guitar work and evolves into a decent melodic ballad better than Ocean.

“Realisation part two”flows straight from the previous track. Dominated by Jon’s vocals and tinged with ethnic sounds.

“Once upon a Dream” shades of 90125 here at the start of the albums epic length track. Again so hard to distinguish this from old Yes. It does Meander a bit in places without a destination but then also has shades of “Awaken” with great musicianship.

“Thank God”. A love song to Jayneee. Fairly bland ending to be honest - think of Abilene.

In closing I am left still ruefully aware that Jon will forever be a lot more than 1/5th of the band I used to adore so much. This album “shines on “ far greater than the Yes official iteration especially in the first half.
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It's a really good album. I've played it three times now but will be playing it more.

The album cover though is a contender for the worst in the history of prog.
 
big gaz said:
Will Albert don the Godzilla head again ( Free trade hall laser beams, fireworks, strobes and fucking Japan ) ;-)
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We lasted four songs. He simply couldn't sing, and his guitar playing was basic at best. Absolutely dire.
I guess he was BÖC's drummer for good reason.

And less of the "fucking" Japan please. That was where I first saw them, snd they became one of my favourite bands ever. ;-)
 
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MCFCTrick said:
We lasted four songs. He simply couldn't sing, and his guitar playing was basic at best. Absolutely dire.
I guess he was BÖC's drummer for good reason.

And less of the "fucking" Japan please. That was where I first saw them, snd they became one of my favourite bands ever. ;-)
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I liked Japan and have all their albums now but wouldn't say they are one of my favourite bands ever; I like a lot of bands though so the list is long. Most of the audience that night didn't take to them though - as you will know.
 
MCFCTrick said:
We lasted four songs. He simply couldn't sing, and his guitar playing was basic at best. Absolutely dire.
I guess he was BÖC's drummer for good reason.

And less of the "fucking" Japan please. That was where I first saw them, snd they became one of my favourite bands ever. ;-)
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When I mention Japan ( 1976 synth , British make up wearing 3 piece, not what you expect to open for BOC ) Never been to Japan :-)
 
big gaz said:
When I mention Japan ( 1976 synth , British make up wearing 3 piece, not what you expect to open for BOC ) Never been to Japan :-)
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Five piece to start, four in last incarnation, officially. Never a three piece.
Yeah, a mismatch with BOC in 78.
Ironically, like Girl and Hanoi Rocks after them who also got pelters for their images, many of the same denim n dandruff dullards embraced the similarly imaged, but far FAR sonically inferior shite like Poison, Vain etc ....funny old game.
Ps, yup, spent a month in Japan the country. Loved it too. :-)
 
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As well as the co-op arena up here, unsurprising to see Maiden’s London offering on their tour next summer is a big outdoor gig at the London Stadium.

Steve Harris will be loving that, and bet it’ll be a dream come true for him to play at the home of his beloved Hammers. You’d think it will be a good show that one.
 
KearsleyBlue said:
Have you heard the new song? Its hideous.
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The new Linkin Park song has been pretty well received, by their fans (I've not heard it)
The new singer has received pelters, she was 'brought up' but maybe not still connected with the Scientology cult, which basically go against everything Bennington stood for....and publicly defended some bloke who was on trial for rape (I believe) who was then found guilty!!
Heard her sing a few old LP songs live....she's abysmal, absolutely murdered them.
 
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