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NewEARS Album Of The Month
"AutoMoto Animus is [the new] studio album by American progressive rock multi-instrumentalist, singer/songwriter, Phideaux Xavier. He has released several progressive & psychedelic-inspired albums since 2003. His latest opus, Automoto Animus was originally supposed to release last fall (2025), but it was being delayed because of his dayjob (General Hospital) keeping him too busy, and needing a producer to finish up. On July 6th, Bloodfish Media will finally release his first full-length release since the highly-acclaimed 2018's Infernal.
Phideaux Xavier - AutoMoto Animus The new album features a vast array of guest musicians including; Joe Berardi, Fernando Perdomo, Ariel Farber, Kira Roessler, and Vince Meghrouni. Drawing influences from the likes of Jethro Tull, David Bowie, Pink Floyd and Genesis, AutoMoto Animus continues his signature blend of symphonic, psychedelic, and art-rock. The album features intricate and sweeping arrangements, where it efficiently and successfully balances the profound with the absurd. AutoMoto Animus, and its all eight lengthy tracks, introduces rich, mid-tempo folk and rock elements layered with the artist's trademark vocals. The music is thought-provoking and sonically seductive, providing an extension of his previous symphonic sound on Infernal, rather than a radical departure from it. Thus, the release balances complex, multi-layered instrumentation with beautifully accessible melodies. The sound is fresh and crisp, the album is chock-full of interesting ideas reflecting an innovative approach to the songwriting and often very complex arrangements. Lyrically, AutoMoto Animus finds Phideaux still keenly observing the world around him, a collection of mysterious, thought-provoking, nostalgic, personal and emotive lyrics. B-MR "WOW! This album simply must be heard by anyone who appreciates artistically presented well-produced and well-written songs. I really need to go back and dig into Phideaux's back catalog much deeper if this album is indicative of his style. I was leaning toward a 4.5 rating, until Legend of Mary Jo took it into the next level. 4.75 stars or 95%. The race for best prog album of 2026 just got even more difficult to decide!" y-PA  Essential Track: "The 14 minute + "Legend of Mary Jo" delivers a wider palette for exuberant storytelling (I do hope I get the tale right), the instrumental stage is set for the spotlight to shine on the lyrical content, when in 2062, a prophet called Amy will come for you, riding on a white stallion, but Mary Jo will defy the odds and save us all. Phideaux is no Pavarotti (very few are) but here, he hits all the crucial high notes with a languorous dedication, giving even more depth to the titanic struggle, trumpets sounding in the background. For a moment, this musically recalls the epic Gordon Lightfoot classic "the Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald", as it has a slight folky structure, the honky-tonk piano not withstanding. The saxophone blurts in wonderfully , at the most opportune time, adding some brassy shine to the proceedings. Then, out of the blue, the assault on the senses begins, initiated by a basalt bass undertow, slashing guitars, dense mellotronic cascades, and tectonic drumming entering the fray, as if the Wake of Poseidon was an inspiration. The final chapter is repeated from the onset, this time slower and more deliberate, as if fatigue would have kicked in. You never walk alone, as they say in Liverpool." t-PA Read the full reviews on Metal Revolution, and Prog Archives. Listen and watch the videos on the artist's YouTube Channel. Buy the Album from progrock.com , The Band Wagon USA , or wherever great Prog music is sold. NewEARS Art Rock Series
There are no NewEARS show announcements at this time Click on the following link for a complete list of bands that have played for the NewEARS Art Rock Series New England Events
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NewEARS Featured Show:
7/18 - Bally's Twin Rivers, Lincoln RI 7/19 - The Cabot, Beverly MA  Legendary producer/songwriter/guitarist Todd Rundgren [] will be embarking on a tour across the United States! Entitled "Damned If I Do", this tour promises to include plenty of fan favorite songs. Says Todd, "It's always a challenge for me because my audience is so diverse, I never know what they're in the mood for. I want to make sure we have all the musical ammunition we need to satisfy the spectrum." Todd's band for the Damned If I Do tour will feature Gil Assayas (Keys), Bruce McDaniel (Guitar), Prairie Prince (Drums), Bobby Strickland (Horns), and Kasim Sulton (Bass). Latest New England Prog News:
Also coming to New England in July:
 Coming to New England in July: 
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Season 12 of the NewEARS Prog Show has come to an end. Please enjoy our summer shows on Delicious Agony Progressive Rock Radio. And now also on House of Prog - Saturdays 3-5 PM   Click here for Season 4-12 and the latest podcast from Delicious Agony - Progressive Rock Radio Click here for a complete list of artists that have appeared on the NewEARS Prog Show Season 1-3 NewEARS Prog Show Sponsors
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