"An album, the great ones, usually deliver us a sense of continuity, a sense of form that leads to a narrative of sorts, may it be conceptual and abstract (The Dark Side of the Moon) or something thematically more coherent alongside a story (take Tommy, The lamb, Snow, etc.) There are other albums that despite being conceptual deliver a series of individual pieces that connect one with the other and forming a sense of unity, which still, carries the individual spirit of each element (The Raven that refused to sing). This is that kind of album. And album which formally, tonally and in the general idea of the music itself takes us back to the days of English Electric? The opening is a very airy piece, which serves as an introduction to the "single" of the album, it's a promising start. Then it gradually grows in complexity and the music starts to densify, lyrically and musically." s-PA

"'Grand Tour', is another genius of the British. Inspired by the seventeenth and eighteenth century customs of the Grand Tour, where young men and women traveled to expand the mind; Big Big Train has made an album of songs set in distant lands. Nine tracks lead us to an epic journey by land and sea, through time and space." d-PA



Essential Track: "Another epic 14 minute 7-part suite "Voyager" takes the similar named space vehicle as it's subject. This one begins almost immediately with a full band sound, but at a moderate tempo. It again utilizes solo and harmonized vocals to tell the story, this time, however, backed by brass and the full core band. The vocals are quite emotional and expansive, the brass and cello give it a somewhat lonely and pensive feel when the percussion stops for a while. Drums eventually come back in hesitantly as the violin plays and brings in more vocals. Just before 7 minutes, things become very epic and symphonic as layers of instruments turn this into an orchestral style, becoming very dynamic and then slipping into a suddenly progressive beat and crazy synths and guitars build this into quite a production. Tempos, meters and styles change, and then back off a bit as more vocals come in. By the closing section, things have reached another apex as emotional vocals and instrumental passages build to a climax and then cool off with a piano- led ending. " TC-PA



Read the complete reviews on Prog Archives.

Listen to samples on YouTube and buy the CD from Laser CD or wherever great prog music is sold.

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Click on the following link for a complete list of bands that have played for the NewEARS Art Rock Series

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2019-07-25
SkolHamm Asylum (Alex Skolnick, Stu Hamm) at Jewel Music Venue - Manchester, NH at 09:00 PM
Up to $55

2019-07-28
Brit Floyd - 40 years of the Wall plus Dark Side of the Moon and more at South Shore Music Circus - Cohasset, MA at 08:00 PM
$42.75 - $67.75

2019-07-31
Brit Floyd - 40 years of the Wall plus Dark Side of the Moon and more at Casino Ballroom - Hampton Beach, NH at 08:00 PM
$27 - $67

2019-08-02
The Aristrocrats - You Know What ...? Tour at The Middle East - Cambridge, MA at 08:00 PM
With Special Guests Travis Larson Band
$25

2019-08-03
THE FLAMING LIPS and THE CLAYPOOL LENNON DELIRIUM at The Palladium - Worcester, MA at 5:00 PM
$45 - $50

2019-08-08
Adrian Belew at City Winery - Boston, MA at 08:00 PM
$25 - $35

2019-08-15
Dennis DeYoung and the Music of Styx at Levitt Pavilion - Westport, CT at 08:00 PM
$50 - $165

2019-08-16
Dennis DeYoung - The Grand Illusion 40th Anniversary Album Tour at Zeiterion Performing Arts Center - New Bedford, MA at 08:00 PM
$39 - $59

2019-08-23
The Who's "Tommy" - The 50th Anniversary Concert at Narrows Center for the Arts - Fall River, MA at 08:00 PM
$27 adv, $30 day of show

2019-08-29
Umphrey’s McGee at Casino Ballroom - Hampton Beach, NH at 08:00 PM
$30.50 adv, $35.50 day of show

2019-09-05
Dweezil Zappa "Hot Rats & Other Stuff" at Casino Ballroom - Hampton Beach, NH at 08:00 PM
$24 - $59

2019-09-06
Dweezil Zappa "Hot Rats & Other Stuff" at Stateside Amphitheater - Jay Peak, VT at 08:00 PM
$30

2019-09-10
Dweezil Zappa "Hot Rats & Other Stuff" at Infinity Music Hall - Hartford, CT at 08:00 PM
$39 - $79

2019-09-11
Ian Anderson Presents : JETHRO TULL 50th Anniversary Tour at Chevalier Theatre - Medford, MA at 08:00 PM
$79 - $165

2019-09-11
Dweezil Zappa "Hot Rats & Other Stuff" at The Warehouse - Fairfield, CT at 08:00 PM
$68

2019-09-13
Kamelot - The Shadow Tour at The Palladium - Worcester, MA at 07:00 PM
With Special Guests Sonata Arctica
$17.00 - $100.00

All Events ...>>

Alex Skolnick is a true guitar hero. He is best known as the lead guitarist in the multi-million selling thrash metal band Testament. He also leads a jazz group, the Alex Skolnick Trio, and recorded an album of world music. According to a Guitar World magazine readers' poll, he is considered one of the greatest guitarists of all time and one of the fastest guitarists in the world.

Stu Hamm is a legendary bass guitarist, known for his session and live work with numerous artists, such as Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, Frank Gambale, Tony McAlpine, Richie Kotzen, as well as for his unconventional playing style and solo recordings. Since 1991 he collaborates with Alex Skolnick in numerous projects.

Joel Taylor is one of the busiest session drummers in the USA, he recorded and toured the world with greats such as Brian Bromberg, Andy Summers, Al Di Meola, Frank Gambale, Allan Holdsworth, Banned From Utopia, Yanni, Bobby Kimball, Josh Groban, Michael Buble’, Stanley Clarke, David Foster, Jeff Lorber and many others.

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2019-07-19: Watch animated video for iamthemorning’s stirring new track Song Of Psyche
Iamthemorning have released an animated video for their new single Song Of Psyche. It’s the latest material to be taken from vocalist Marjana Semkina and pianist Gleb Kolyadin’s upcoming album The Bell, which will launch on A

2019-07-19: Bangtower's "The Road We Travel" available soon
Declassified Records proudly announces the new record from progressive fusion legends Bangtower entitled “The Road We Travel” is scheduled for worldwide release on August 8, 2019. “The Road We Travel” will be available as a 9

2019-07-19: Magic Pie - Fragments of the 5th Element (Album Review)
So I’m writing a review of the new album by Magic Pie, and I figure I should be clever. The Pie is tasty, a confection, a dessert par excellence, a bit tart and sweet, etc., etc. And that doesn’t even address the “magic” part

2019-07-18: Rhino To Release Jethro Tull's STORMWATCH 40th Anniversary Edition
Jethro Tull released Stormwatch in September 1979, completing a folk-rock trilogy the band started with Songs from the Wood in 1977 and continued the following year with Heavy Horses. Certified gold in the U.S., Stormwatch wa

2019-07-18: Album Review - VICTOR LEE: Strangely Familiar
Surrounding himself with some fine musicians, Victor Lee has crafted a superb debut album, “Strangely Familiar”, released November, 2018. Victor is an Indiana, USA-based multi-instrumentalist, who brings plenty of skillful me

2019-07-17: STICK MEN with DAVID CROSS - “PanAmerica” (Live in Latin America) - 5CD LIMITED EDITION BOX SET
In August and September 2018, this lineup played in ten countries over the course of their Latin American Tour. Fans of sophisticated progressive avant-rock music rejoiced, as the legendary maestros engaged with enthusiastic

2019-07-17: 35 Years Ago: Roger Waters Returns to the Stage With Eric Clapton
The year 1984 is widely considered the greatest year in the history of pop music. MTV was showing music videos around the clock, and the fledgling channel, as well as mainstream radio and pop culture at large, was offering a

2019-07-17: Watch ex Spock’s Beard man Jimmy Keegan play new Pattern-Seeking Animals track
Spock’s Beard spin-off Pattern-Seeking Animals have released a new video showing drummer Jimmy Keegan playing through their track These Are My Things. The song features on the group’s self-titled debut album which launched ea

2019-07-17: Watch trailer for Roger Waters’ concert film Us + Them
Last week, it was announced that Roger Waters’ Us + Them concert film would be screened at cinemas around the world on October 2 and 6. The footage was captured at the former Pink Floyd man’s four-night stop at Amsterdam's Zi

2019-07-16: Items owned by late Steely Dan co-founder Walter Becker set for auction
A selection of equipment used by late Steely Dan guitarist and bassist Walter Becker is to be auctioned later this year. Julien’s will be handling the sale over two days on October 18 and 19 and it’ll include guitars made by

2019-07-16: Fernando Perdomo and The Out To Sea Band "The Architect (Tribute to Peter Banks)" Live at The Shack
Today would have been Peter Banks’ 72nd birthday.... RIP.

2019-07-15: Richard Henshall premieres new solo track Twisted Shadows with Prog
Haken guitarist Richard Henshall has premiered new song Twisted Shadows with Prog. You can listen to the new track in full below. It's the first song taken from Henshall's debut solo album The Cocoon and featured fellow Haken

2019-07-15: Devin Townsend plans on revisiting Strapping Young Lad tracks in 2020
Devin Townsend says he plans on revisiting Strapping Young Lad material on tour in 2020. The vocalist and guitarist disbanded the extreme metal group back in 2007 following the release of five albums. But as he tours the worl

2019-07-15: Awaken - Ride Like The Wind (cover) [Official Video]
"Ride Like The Wind" - a re-imagining of the 1980 hit by 5-time Grammy Award winner Christopher Cross. New arrangement by Glenn DaGrossa, Mike Marrone, and Andrew Colyer. (Click the "SHOW MORE" button.....) Guest artists on

2019-07-14: Concert Review: The Royal Affair Tour with Yes, Asia, John Lodge and Carl Palmer’s ELP Legacy in Hollywood, FL
The prog tour of the summer hit Hollywood, FL on Saturday night, July 13th when the aptly titled ‘The Royal Affair Tour‘ rolled into town. The concert event headlined by prog legends Yes, brought along more prog rock royalty

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