I recently read about a supposedly "classic" neo-prog album by a band called ICU. The album is called "Now and Here." It gets some great reviews on Progarchives. It's from 1995, so not really old, I was just wondering if anyone here was familiar with it? Progbear?
I got a copy off Discogs, but haven't had a chance yet to listen to it all the way through. It sounded ok, but maybe not as great as the reviewers made it sound. I need to give it some full listens, but thought I'd see what people here think, if anything.
(For some reason my searches on YT weren't working before I ordered it, but I just found it. I had the title or the band name a bit off I guess.)
Last edited by Rarebird; 02-21-2021 at 06:08 AM.
La Host - Erotic Antiques
https://www.discogs.com/LaHost-Eroti...elease/4962635
Has a bit of a Twelfth Night meets Pendragon vibe in some tracks.
In fact it had Fudge Smith (Pendragon's Drummer) and Mark Spencer (who actually did a stunning version of TN's We Are Sane more recently!)
Couldn't find a cample on YouTube (try searching Erotic Antiques....)
EDIT:
To get an idea of the man's vocals AND a chance to listen to a great interpretation of this magnificent track in the process :P
Last edited by Crystal Plumage; 02-22-2021 at 05:01 PM.
HuGo"Very, very nice," said a man in the crowd,
When the golden voice appeared.
She was gold alright, but then so is rust.
"Such a shame about the beard."
Did I list Him, The Snake, and I earlier? I'm surprised, because I don't really think I ever did care for that one much. Hmm...
No, I've never heard an earlier album by them. Well, if we're excluding Marillion and Pendragon, I'd still stand by Red Jasper's "The Winter's Tale" (or, indeed, "A Midsummer Night's Dream), or the first Arena album. Or Echolyn's debut.
My two would be Jadis' "Across the Water" or IQ's "Ever".
You might enjoy this live footage then
I really enjoy Sting in the Tail as well. The Unthanks covered their (Davey Dodds') Magpie and it's great! In fact they re-covered it together with David Gilmour just a few weeks ago!
Sorry. Back to the NEO
HuGo"Very, very nice," said a man in the crowd,
When the golden voice appeared.
She was gold alright, but then so is rust.
"Such a shame about the beard."
Cool.
What can this strange device be? When I touch it, it brings forth a sound (2112)
IQ-Ever
The Flower Kings - Stardust We Are
Arena- Immortal
Pallas- The Sentinal
Jadis-Across the Water
Pendragon - Masqerade Overture
Spocks Beard- Snow
So, has Davey Dodds had some success after leaving Red Jasper? He's not IN The Unthanks, is he? I've never heard of them. Very cool that the worlds of Red Jasper and Gilmour have intersected!
I would recommend Red Jasper's "The Winter's Tale" to fans of Fish's first two solo albums. It's a bit more simplistic and lower budget, but somehow I see a similarity in subject matter and also somewhat in vocal delivery and the music itself.
EDIT: Oh, I just found the Davey Dodds album - I didn't know about this at all! Cool - songs from both the two best Red Jasper albums. This is the playlist:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...PMr6LygUEUmzfo
Davey Dodds has released another really rather good folk albums recently. Toadstool Soup. Only eight tracks but all excellent.
Red Jasper were an excellent live band. I was on their mailing list and used to get several relatively long hand-written letters from Davey, each year up until he left the band. I'm delighted he's releasing music again.
The first two IQ albums are the only neoprog albums I still regulary revisit.
Multi Story's East West, from 1985, is well worth a listen.
When I read your posts, I see you squarely in the camp of avant music. I think it's cool that you opened minded to still enjoy some IQ. I'm a symphonic fan since my teen years in the 70s. I've purchased and listened to 5 or 6 famous avant bands and I just can't get into it. Still, Magma, with the tremenous drumming, is something I can get into.
What can this strange device be? When I touch it, it brings forth a sound (2112)
I always liked (still do) this band (the are still out there)
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