Rickter Scale Show 163 - ABBA

[Rick and Roll]

As in Azureth, Black Bonzo, and Ars Nova!

I was going to call this show "The ABC's of Prog" or something similar, but my "C" band (Combination Head) didn't get here yet. So I decided to spin the Ars Nova - hadn't heard it and was curious. So as I was typing the name the title of the show just fell out. And I'll bet you did a double-take!

airing Sunday, January 13 from 8-11 PM EST and Monday, January 14 from 1-4 PM EST

Azureth - The Promethean Syndrome (2007)

The Promethean Syndrome
Being Alive
Breakaway
Chains That Bind
Beyond The Boundaries
Flight of Prometheus
Shadow of a Man II
Into The Nowhere
Garden of Ignosense
A New World

Pretty heady prog...I just purchased both of their CD's. Been wanting to hear it for some time...it can rock in spots but its mainly melodic in nature. A fine listen...

Black Bonzo - Sound of the Apocalypse (2007)

Thorns Upon A Crown
Giant Games
Yesterday's Friends
The Well
Intermission - Revelation Song
Ageless Door
Iscariot
Sound of the Apocalypse

When I saw they were playing Rosfest I didn't give it a second thought. Then a good friend said that I MUST listen to this disc. So as with the Azureth, I picked up both of their discs (thanks to Greg Walker). I almost pissed my pants...what a great record. 70's prog with a current sound. Has an edge to it, just excellent. Looks like a dogfight with Magic Pie for best of 2007.

Ars Nova - Biogenesis Project (2004)

Introduction
Escape
Mother Earth
Metamorphosis
Humanoid's Breakfast
Against the Meteors
Trust to the Future

Although I don't own any of their records, I have a long history with the band. Early on (mid 90's) they played Progscape in Baltimore, with a fledgling Anekdoten, Glass Hammer, Discipline, Echolyn et al... and blew eveyone away with their vibrant keyboard ELP-laced power trio prog. They made several trips to Orion to play, in the intimate setting. I kind of lost track recently, and wanted to check this one out. It's more bombastic than what I was expecting. This is a "space opera"...and if you're looking for someone to guest on such a disc, a perfect one would be Arjen Lucassen (Ayreon). He indeed is present, and plays guitar on tracks 1,2,7. Also appearing to sing is Gianni Leone from Il Balletto Di Bronzo and Lucio Fabbri from PFM on violin. Not keeping up with the band, I wasn't used to hearing guest musicians and vocals. It adds a lot to the sound, and I'm glad they expanded the music.

I'm really not sure what's on next week...not lacking for options, just plain not sure. Love that ABBA...