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NewEARS Album Of The Month "
Thirteen years after the first album, one might think that Kino’s intention to recreate their trademark sound might have been lost and replaced with the usual desire to “do something new”. There is indeed an element of that approach, but only partially. Mitchell, ruling like Zeus with a lightning rod, has seemingly resisted the temptation just to provide his latest batch of songs to his talented friends and label them “Kino”. On the contrary, while this music is as fresh as a recently-struck daisy, the familiar innovation that fans would expect from Kino is not in the slightest way absent. Accessible and diverse compositions combined with virtuoso Prog delivery and a clear intent to ‘preserve the hook’ make this album a second lightning strike for Kino. This is not “Picture”, but the spirit of that album is far from lost. Mitchell’s knack for mixing Prog with pop melodies, without allowing the result to be too saccharine, remains. That spirit is preserved on this album, and the result is the Kino we so briefly came to love, with a sharper edge, a darker view, and a more progressive production.
Kino - Radio Voltaire The usual predictable comment may be made that you will like this band if you like Frost*, It Bites, Steven Wilson, Lonely Robot and Marillion. This may be true, but it is, quite frankly, not the point. The point is rather that these four superstars, under Mitchell’s rod, have created an album that fulfills the unique Prog-pop promise made by “Picture” and yet somehow permeates new territory within the genre. There may not be plans to tour just yet, but let us hope that the Kino lightning bolt somehow becomes a rolling storm this time around. This album is sky-splitting stuff" PN - TPR 
Essential Track: "If there is an ‘epic’ on the album, it is the opening and title track “Radio Voltaire”. This moving piece starts with 1920’s radio voice-over that gives way to one of the most majestic, soaring guitar riffs you will ever hear (Mitchell clearly intends to make an early statement with this) and the composition unfurls into a varied and melodic extravaganza filled with cinematic suspense, delayed gratification and ultimate grandeur. Blundell and Trewavas make their mighty presence felt early on – the combination of the former’s trademark bass sound and the latter’s expansive but always tasteful drumming make for a rhythm section unlike any other you have heard. Mitchell’s searing guitar-work is abundant, and Beck’s keys are as fastidious and rich as ever. But is it Kino? No-one would argue to the contrary – the solid pop hooks, Prog leanings, unusual progressions, grand arrangement and conceptual message (in this case promoting freedom of expression) that Picture led us to long for so many years ago, are all there. " PN - TPR Read the review on The Prog Report. Buy the CD directly from InsideOut or wherever fine prog music is sold. NewEARS Art Rock Series: - The Regent Theatre presents - Women of Prog Rock 2018 featuring District 97, Lainey Schooltree, Laura Meade of IZZ, and Hypaspace at The Regent Theatre - Arlington, MA at 07;30 PM $25 & $45 (Patron) Click on the following link for a complete list of bands that have played for the NewEARS Art Rock Series
New England Events Dweezil Zappa World Tour 2018 – “Choice Cuts” at Wilbur Theatre - Boston, MA at 08:00 PM $30 - $90 An Evening with Steven Wilson at Berklee Performance Center - Boston, MA at 08:00 PM $39 - $49 The Ike Willis (of Frank Zappa) Project with special guest Micki Free (of Shalamar & Crown of Thorns) at Bull Run - Shirley, MA at 08:00 PM $25 Rasputina at Brighton Music Hall - Boston, MA at 08:00 PM $15 adv, $18 day of show Todd Rundgren's Utopia at Orpheum Theatre - Boston, MA at 08:00 PM $49.50-$99.50 Todd Rundgren's Utopia at Ridgefield Playhouse - Ridgefield, CT at 07:00 PM $95 - $150 (VIP) Women of Prog Rock 2018 featuring District 97, Lainey Schooltree, Laura Meade of IZZ, and Hypaspace at The Regent Theatre - Arlington, MA at 07;30 PM $25 & $45 (Patron) Renaissance - A Symphonic Journey at City Winery - Boston, MA at 08:00 PM $35 - $45 Yanni 25 - Acropolis Anniversary Concert Tour at Toyota Oakdale Theatre - Wallingford, CT at 07:00 PM $35 - $250 (Premium Package) Sun Dogs – A Tribute To Rush at TCAN (The Center for the Arts in Natick) - Natick, MA at 08:00 PM $25 & $28 Dennis DeYoung The Grand Illusion 40th Anniversary Album Tour at Warner Theatre - Torrington, CT at 08:00 PM $35 - $65 Umphrey’s McGee at The Strand - Providence, RI at 07:30 PM $30 adv, $35 day of show Dennis DeYoung The Grand Illusion 40th Anniversary Album Tour at Capital Center for the Arts - Concord, NH at 08:00 PM $39.50 - $79.50 3RDegree - The Ones & Zeros Tour at Starlight - Southbridge, MA at 08:00 PM ??? Umphrey’s McGee at Casino Ballroom - Hampton Beach, NH at 07:30 PM $28 adv, $33 day of show Sons of Apollo at The Palladium - Worcester, MA at 08:00 PM $25 - $28
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Featured Show:
 District 97 is undoubtedly the most musically adventurous rock band in the world to feature an American Idol Top 10 Female Finalist. The release of 2012’s critically-acclaimed Trouble With Machines ushered in an exciting era for the Chicago-based Progressive Rock band; In 2013, the band toured both Europe and the US with legendary bassist and vocalist John Wetton (King Crimson/UK/Asia), which was documented on 2014’s live release, One More Red Night: Live in Chicago. 2013 also saw the band nominated for a Breakthrough Artist Award by Prog Magazine. Rather than rest on their laurels, District 97 took to the studio in 2014 to record the new material they’d been honing at home and on the road. The resulting album, In Vaults (released June 2015), continued and accelerated the upward trajectory of great songwriting and incredible musicianship that’s been evident since the band’s 2010 debut, Hybrid Child. One listen perfectly illustrates why John Wetton said, “I’ve said it before, and I maintain that D97 is the best young progressive band around right now. Gifted players, great material, and a brilliant, charismatic singer in Leslie Hunt.
Prog in the News
2018-04-24: 25 YEARS AGO: THE WHO’S ‘TOMMY’ COMES TO BROADWAY 2018-04-23: Judas Priest and Deep Purple Announce Co-Headlining Tour 2018-04-22: Kamran Alan Shikoh leaves Glass Hammer 2018-04-20: New Patrick Moraz band - Random Kingdom 2018-04-20: Frogg Cafe, and Brett Kull Live on Aural Moon 2:00PM 4-21-18 2018-04-20: Glass Hammer announce new album Mostly Live In Italy 2018-04-19: Roger Waters Reveals Pink Floyd’s ‘Animals’ Is Getting a Surround Sound Reissue 2018-04-19: Watch Todd Rundgren’s Utopia Launch Reunion Tour 2018-04-19: Fates Warning: announce "Live Over Europe" album release! 2018-04-19: Dave Kerzner premieres video for his epic track Hypocrites 2018-04-18: Devin Townsend: - announces ERAS Part 1 vinyl collection 2018-04-17: Nick Mason to perform early Pink Floyd with new band Saucerful Of Secrets 2018-04-16: Crowdfunding campaign for new BASTA -CD 2018-04-16: Styx Open Up to Dan Rather in New Interview 2018-04-15: Moody Blues Perform at Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction
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