TEE "The Earth Explorer"

TEE is a five piece flute front progressive rock band from Tokyo, Japan. Their so-called 'European' sound is unique considering their far-east origin. The imaginative tunes with complex ensembles and rhythms will definitely catch the attention of prog lovers all over the world. Their sound will remind you bands like Camel, King Crimson, Asia Minor or even Frank Zappa on some parts. The band was formed in 2004 when... more

Shawn PHILLIPS

At the kick off of his 2010 tour Shawn Phillips sat with us at a 24 hour diner in Davenport, IA to grant us a very special interview. At his insistence, it would be very informal. One should not expect otherwise from this splendid human being.

The hours prior to this meeting over midnight breakfast were now a recent memory, but...more

You may not know his name but you have definitely heard his music more than once or twice in your life. Maybe on HBO, or on MTV, or on VH1, Comedy Central, Discovery Channel. Doesn't ring the bell? How about American Idol Rewind, or Dr. 90210? We had interviewed Kevin Bartlett a couple of years ago when his second solo album GLOW IN THE DARK was released. Bartlett has been quiet since that time but but he has been secretly brewing new projects. A few months ago he had put a new song...more

Peter Hammill, founding member of Van Der Graaf Generator, released his 28th solo album " nearly 3 months ago. He recently got back home from a short tour covering North America, Canada and Italy. In the 70's when bands like...more

FRIGHT PIG Barque At The Lune *** REVERSAL OF GRAVITY Scuba Gear ***

Track listing:

Queen’s 1975 release is arguably the most pivotal in the band’s career, as it shows an already fearless and remarkably talented rock band changing rock music in ways that would not be fully realized until years later. There are many good reasons that A Night at the Opera shines and is regarded by many as the jewel in the Queen’s crown. Talent for both songwriting and musicianship rings forth from each of this band’s four members, culminating in a true rock and roll classic.

The main reason that Queen’s sound -and many of its songs, specifically- is known by most everyone is simple. The songwriting is classic, allowing the melody of each song to reach its fullest potency without dominating at the expense of other aspects. ANATO is a true album -a full collection of songs which bear the cohesive identity of its artist. This might seem like an overstatement as each song from ANATO has its own unique identity (note that each member is credited with writing). Though it might be due to the fact that Queen is a tight musical unit or some other mysterious quality, this release is a solid slab of rock history if, for no other reason, than it offers such a variety of revolutionary sounds.

Sounds such as what? Although there is more than enough straight ahead rock and roll to please the listener’s need for distortion, ANATO accentuates the listener’s pleasure with so much more. And this is where the progressive comes in with Queen. This band could deliver a tasty, classic guitar riff but they never forgot how to push the envelope.

Death on Two Legs (Dedicated to…)

The first track is a bombastic rocker on par with other classic Queen tunes such as Killer Queen and Stone Cold Crazy, Death on Two Legs is a perfect blend of classic rock riff-age and that quintessential, over-the-top gang backing vocal. A Queen classic. Here’s a lyric sample:

Lazing on a Sunday Afternoon

The first of three songs on the album which share a rag-time, 20’s melody feel. On one hand this tune is a much-needed breather after Death… with all of its bombast. On the other hand it reminds the listener of the incredible talent that awaits them that can deliver such a turn of events. Mercury is a rock pianist extraordinaire. This, along, with his unmatched vocal sound, turn the entire record, and the listener, on their ears only two songs in. Lazing also features the intricate lead guitar work of May helping to establish him as one of rock’s fiercest and ground breaking guitarists.

I’m in Love with My Car

Drummer Roger Taylor’s only songwriting credit on ANATO is offered next. Jumping right back into the guitar-heavy side of Queen, the band revs it cool with a slower, hold-out-the-power-chords groovy tribute to the automobile.

Taylor sings here as well. Because his high, thin voice is so unique, it becomes easy for the listener to tell how complementary his voice is to the dangerous backing vocal trio of Mercury/Taylor/May that has under girded so many of rock music’s best songs. A fun song and a classic within the context of such a masterful album.

You’re My Best Friend

Brian Deacon shines next with the album’s most commercially viable tune. If you haven’t heard this song on pop or rock radio sometime in the past 30 years you haven’t been listening. Written simply as a tribute to his wife, Deacon’s Best Friend has become a timeless rock 'n' roll classic, being heard now on rock radio, adult contemporary and pop rotations everywhere. A simple but masterful pop song, this reveals Mercury as a sweet crooner in a fashion that helped make him instantly recognizable to that first generation of listeners.

‘39

Brian May steps forward offering a mid-paced and melodic acoustic based song about space travelers who return to Earth only to find that time moved faster at home than it did for them. This is a bittersweet song. Although many do not think of songs like this when they think of Queen, this has got the classic sound for the band.

Sweet Lady

It’s back to guitar driven in the vein of Death on Two Legs. Beginning as a mid paced and beefy rock tune, this track jumps up quite a bit for the chorus. This song displays Mercury’s classic sense of melody.

Seaside Rendezvous

This ditty hops to the same rag time feel that Lazing on a Sunday Afternoon established. This song proves that Mercury does not need a wall of distortion behind him to rock the vocals. His incredible sense of melody shines without the typical hard rock sound.

The Prophet’s Song

The Prophet’s Song looms and lumbers forth with an intensity of Biblical proportions. A mid paced, vocal-driven first half drives relentlessly to an acapella section which disturbs even those who like the song. Musically speaking, this song is on par stylistically with Black Sabbath of this same era. Mercury’s layered vocal parts once again shine, forcing the listener to heed the warning!

Love of My Life

This piano driven ballad falls gently underneath Freddie’s bittersweet vocals. At this point on ANATO, one is surely convinced that Mercury can adapt his vocal style to make the listener accept and feel what he is singing, whether it’s a stomping energetic hard rock song or a gentle and weeping song like this. With accompanying instruments such as cello and harp, this ballad tugs the heart in typical Queen ballad fashion. Heartbreaking and excellent.

Good Company

Brian May offers forth his own rag time tune. Featuring a slight jumping rhythm, May’s guitar work never fails to entertain and astound. His vocal tone and style are an exceptional counterpoint to Mercury’s as well. Even though the pace on this song is about the same or faster than the others on this album, Good Company stands well on its own among the heavy rock feel of the rest of ANATO. May’s lyrics are some of the best in rock music, then and now. A great story and a great lesson.

Bohemian Rhapsody

Maybe you’ve heard this song before? Where? Try anywhere! Let’s begin by stating the obvious. This song is one of rock and roll history’s greatest. A mind-blowing composition of epic proportions. It would surely not be an understatement to claim that only Mercury and company could both conceive such a song and execute it. This song alone surely does act as a fair encapsulation of the band’s writing and skill set.

The first half of the song plays forth as a steady and crooning rock ballad. The guitars then come in and usher a typically brilliant Brian May solo. Three minutes in the listener is surprised by a vocal driven, layered and textured section which features many different parts, some solo, most gang vocal. The last third of the song bring it all together with the guitars. The popularity of this song is definitely due to its shocking originality.

Five Stars for fusing pop music sensibilities with a progressive ethic.

NELSON LEE