Zip Tang

Michael Baryshnikov написал(а) к All в Nov 18 16:38:27 по местному времени:

Нello All!

Залит Zip_Tang:
(2007)LuminiferousEther
(2013)DasReboot
(2015)Private_ShangriLa

Ещё три альбома замечательной бундесовой прогрессив-рок-группы.
Разнообразно, интересно, даже где-то по-запповски. От амбиента и 8-биток, до полновесного фьюджна/джаз-рока и прог-металла.
ВЕСЬМА РЕКОМЕНДУЮ!

Enjoy!
WBR, Michael Baryshnikov.

--- wfido

Michael Baryshnikov написал(а) к All в Sep 20 19:19:22 по местному времени:

Нello All!

Залит ZipTang/(2020)_ColdComing

Добавлен ещё один диск в коллекцию этой отличной американской прогрессив-рок-группы.
Я ждал этого альбома ещё с весны и... ну, может быть, долго ждал?
Не могу сказать, что я разочарован, но... (трудно передать словами, скажем так) я ожидал большего. Видимо сказались перестановки в составе или короновирус подействовал - не знаю, а может то, что они замахнулись на концепцию в объёме альбома? Так или иначе, после бодрого "кримзоновского" начала диск переходит в категорию "неторопливого рассказа", а вот тут они периодически сползают в обыкновенную нудноту. Редко прорывающиеся новые музыкальные идеи как-то нивелируются общим, достаточно смазанным, безликим общим фоном.
Возможно, что я недостаточно внимательно слушал, возможно где-то чего-то недоглядел потому, что группа-то отличная, не хочется верить в такой промах. Впрочем, судите сами.

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ZIP TANG
Cold Coming
Eclectic Prog, 2020
(c) Review by Rivertree

If you're looking for entertaining progressive rock music, Chicago's ZIP TANG are a recommended choice indeed. Definitely experienced, since this will be album number six in the meanwhile, wow. Although, after all, their first concept album on the other side. 'She Sleeps Beneath The Fullerton Bridge' advises the cover illustration, provided yet again in a somewhat surreal, collage-like layout. Нence this is dealing with 'the journey of a girl from the near west side of Chicago, born of a mother of no means, in dire straits and with little hope of making it out of her circumstance', like the band sums it up. So this is taken from the middle of life somehow, this especially given the current times of pandemic, growing poverty and lack of perspective. As the named bridge indeed exists, even may show some real references.

Concerning the line up we will hear Fred Faller on the drums again with a solid contribution as expected. Due to Andrew Bunk though they are having a new bassist in the ranks. And his first dedication is to offer a punchy bass line for the ultimate lift-off. Perry Merritt, as usual, rules with all the other necessary duties, which also includes song writing and the sound mix. Eh, if I'll get it right, Marcus Padgett does not appear as an official band member anymore, since 2015 at least. But he can't release, you may see it like that. Or, the other way round, they can't make the next move without having him involved. Anyhow, it's a benefit either way, he will add some nice jazzy glimpes to the fold with his saxophone, that counts. Now, continuing the opened story, Marie finds herself alone and forgotten. And that's where her odyssey begins ... The lyrics are encrypted, overall formatted in rhymes, which makes it rather difficult for me when it comes to this part of the show.

Transmigration - one or two may feel the 'Cold Coming'. Physically, winter in Chicago is said to be rather heavy. As well as mentally in the same way. According to the conceptual context this is quite a challenge, I mean to deliver enjoyable rock music songs anyhow. Though it works, really. Divided in three sections, the brilliant title track proves that, rounds it all up. Please reserve enough time for this masterpiece especially. Beware of Dystopia! Surrender? No way! I'm losing my fear, as long as such albums will appear on the scene again and again. 'Cold Coming' marks a wonderful Нeavy Prog work, melodic moments all over the place, but also provided with enough rough edges. Stylistically let's say similar to the band Tiles, if you're asking for some reference. Definitely recommended, easily to check on their bandcamp page.
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Enjoy!
WBR, Michael Baryshnikov.

--- wfido