"When Hasse Fröberg & Musical Companion released their debut album "Future Past" in 2010, it was an unexpected revelation as one of the year’s top prog-rock releases. An extended hiatus by Fröberg's main band The Flower Kings between 2007 to 2012 afforded his own project to come to life and three albums later they have released "Parallel Life". Fröberg has chosen well regarding his musical companions: this is a killer band who know how to deliver on stage as well as in the studio. As the lead vocalist, main songwriter and second guitarist, Fröberg's name may belong front and center but one of his strengths is knowing who should have his back and support his vision, as this Companion dutifully does."

"After four good to excellent albums, HFMC is starting to feel like one of prog's best kept secrets. It's time to let that cat out of the bag. Hopefully "Parallel Life" will broaden their exposure and grow Sweden's prog-rock reach even further. The colorful album art from ace artist Ed Unitsky should help pull some eyes towards this band, too. These are top-notch musicians surrounding an engaging lead man, writing melodic, accessible and intelligent progressive rock. While The Flower Kings (who are also releasing a new album later this year) hold much greater recognition, it's time for HFMC to come into a spotlight of their own. Grab this album and their debut "Future Past" too, while you’re at it. Good listening is ahead, my friends. SM-SP



Essential Track: "The title track 'Parallel Life' is the longest piece that the band have ever delivered and is an impressive opener. A slow symphonic buildup over the first minute is interrupted by the band kicking into gear, giving the impression of a live show; it's an engaging way to start an album. Fröberg's vocals finally enter triumphantly at the three minute mark, singing "Everyone’s a prophet" over an eastern scale. Pulling off a convincing 21-minute epic isn't an easy endeavor, but what this one has going for it are strong melodic sections, sung with earnestness from Fröberg. "What you give is what you get, no time for regrets, don’t you forget what goes around comes around" is sung almost as an anthem. These are melodies that will stay with you and ultimately make this extended piece fly by. Of course, there are long instrumental sections in between the vocals, with Kjell Haraldsson providing three different keyboard solos in a row, Anton Lindsjö getting in a beautiful guitar solo and even Ola Strandberg bringing in choice fills throughout. All of the HFMC musicians are truly stellar. The piece closes with a climactic three minute progression that draws "Starship Trooper’s" Würm to mind. It's the kind of ecstatic classic progressive rock form that could continue endlessly, and indeed it feels almost sad to not get a least a couple more minutes worth of development. Still, this epic is pretty much worth the price of the album right here…we're off to a good start." SM-SP



Read the complete review on Sonic Perspectives .

Listen to samples and buy the CD from Glassville Records 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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2019-11-14
Carl Palmer's ELP Legacy at The Bull Run - Shirley, MA at 07:30 PM
$42

2019-11-16
An Evening with Mindset X & Friends at Jewel Music Venue - Manchester, NH at 08:00 PM
$10

2019-11-17
Trans-Siberian Orchestra - Christmas Eve and Other Stories at DCU Center - Worcester, MA at 03:00 PM
$46.50 - $76.50

2019-11-17
Trans-Siberian Orchestra - Christmas Eve and Other Stories at DCU Center - Worcester, MA at 08:00 PM
$46.50 - $76.50

2019-11-23
Trans-Siberian Orchestra - Christmas Eve and Other Stories at SNHU Arena - Manchester, NH at 03:30 PM
$59.50 - $79.50

2019-11-23
Trans-Siberian Orchestra - Christmas Eve and Other Stories at SNHU Arena - Manchester, NH at 08:00 PM
$59.50 - $79.50

2019-11-23
Carl Palmer's ELP Legacy at The Flying Monkey - Plymouth, NH at 07:30 PM
$35 - $47

2019-11-24
The Pineapple Thief (with Gavin Harrison) at The Sinclair - Cambridge, MA at 08:00 PM
$30 - $35

2019-11-24
Trans-Siberian Orchestra - Christmas Eve and Other Stories at XL Center - Hartford, CT at 03:00 PM
$45.50 - $75.50

2019-11-24
Trans-Siberian Orchestra - Christmas Eve and Other Stories at XL Center - Hartford, CT at 07:30 PM
$45.50 - $75.50

2019-11-27
CHON and BETWEEN THE BURIED & ME at The Palladium - Worcester, MA at 07:30 PM
$27.50 - $30

2019-12-12
Thank You Scientist with Bent Knee and The Tea Club at Stage One - Fairfield Theater Company, CT at 07:30 PM
With Special Guests Bent Knee
$22

2019-12-14
The Tubes at The Flying Monkey - Plymouth, NH at 07:30 PM
$44 - $54

2019-12-19
The Wizards of Winter at Tupelo Music Hall - Derry, NH at 08:00 PM
$40 - $55

2019-12-19
The Tubes at Infinity Music Hall - Hartford, CT at 08:00 PM
$49 -$69

2019-12-20
After The Fall performing "Early Light" in its entirety at Buttonwood Tree Performing Arts Center - Middletown, CT at 08:00 PM
TBD

All Events ...>>

If there's one thing that is undeniable about the Somerset, England-bred progressive rock band, The Pineapple Thief, it's that the group is definitely consistent when it comes to delivering high quality, polished bodies of work. In the band's twenty-year career, Pineapple Thief has released a total of twelve studio albums, six live albums, and five EPs. Most of these were commercially well-received by music enthusiasts around the globe.

In 2016, legendary session and touring drummer, Gavin Harrison, contributed his percussion talents to the band's eleventh full-length musical offering entitled, Your Wilderness. Then prior to the release of The Pineapple Thief's latest album, Dissolution, it was announced that he had become the band's full-time drummer, increasing the band's stock as one of the most sought-after musical acts across the pond. Now, two years since Harrison has taken on full-time duties as the band's drummer, the five-man band is preparing to embark on a stateside tour to close out the year.

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2019-11-13: Tool Announce Expanded Book Edition of ‘Fear Inoculum’
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2019-11-10: In The Court Of King Crimson: An Observation Over 50 Years
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2019-11-09: DAVE KERZNER and NICK D’VIRGILIO Remember KEVIN GILBERT and GIRAFFE on the Anniversary of Their Performance of THE LAMB LIES DOWN ON BROADWAY: “This Show Changed Our Lives and Careers.
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2019-11-08: New Flower Kings 'Waiting For Miracles' release today
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2019-11-08: The Keith Emerson Estate Announces the Release of the ‘Selections From Emerson Plays Emerson and Other Works’ Music Transcriptions Book – OUT NOW!
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2019-11-08: Listen to Marillion’s reworked orchestral version of Fantastic Place
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2019-11-08: Glass Hammer release teaser trailer for new album Dreaming City
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2019-11-08: Steven Wilson and Tim Bowness release two new No-Man tracks
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