STUPID DREAM

I had BBQ last Saturday (hey Norn Iron gets warm occasionally). A few non-proggers were knocking around. They were introduced to PT with Deadwing. Went down very well. Then Stupid Dream ... Maybe it was the time of night, maybe it was the vast quantities of wine & good scran. Anyhow ...

Even Less sounded haunting and angsty (is that a word???) but cools down to a nice chuggin' heavy heart beat. Test passed ... absolute silence from the boys as we move on to Piano Lessons. Pleasant conversation ensued over the boppy syncopation. Wifeys mooch around for an approving listen and dance. Sweet.

Once again silence for Stupid Dream. It was odd because we'd set a telescope up & you could see the Cassini divison in Saturn's rings. The reason I mention this is that the chatty warm conversation was cut short by a significant silent WOW when they looked thorugh the scope. It was exactly the same with the PT....

And then there is that shared inane grin when something really hits the groove. Slave Called Shiver. Mmm feel the bass. It's the sort of mutual feelgood factor song that you expect from The Tragically Hip (well from Road Apples or Fully Completely) ...

Can prog be groovy??

Don't Hate me tapped into that semi-melancholic vein that pleasnat boozy evenings inevitably engender. Oh but I love that bass. Reminds me a bit of Nic Karn (?) that really tall bloke from Japan. Got to be said it does drag on a bit .... boys left to refuel.

Luckily wifeys returned in time for This is No Rehearsal. Once more poppy but hold on. Listen to the lyrics. And what's this: a Wah-Wah breakdown? Steady on chaps! The up-tempo is takes the gathered masses (well 5 of us) back to early 80s new wave.

Everything quietens ... Baby Dream in Cellephane (is that the same as Cellophane??). THe wifeys leave in disapproval of the title. It's nice, but since one of the boys is a big Kings X fan he reckons it doesn't pass muster (Gretchen goes to Nebraska or Out of the Silent Planet I am told are far better).

Stranger by the Minute rescues everyone. The embers are glowing red in the BBQ. The wifeys are listening with approval. The lads are enjoying it to. Definitely pop. Even a little cute bluesy lead ... but the lyrics are without doubt, or as some pretentituous people would say .. peradventure ... prog.

Smart Kid is too intimate and odd for this time ... "stranded here on planet earth ... it's not much but it could be worse" ... OK.... back slowly out of the room retaining eye contact.

We end with Tinto Brass ... this is so 80s when it kicks off .. but just great. then it sound as if U2 have been brought in to guest ... followed by Jon Anderson's tripped out nephew ... and then our own little metal head nephews join in. what is going on???

Well this is prog but not as we know it Jim.

But wait Stop Swimming reminds us that it's the end of the album and makes sure that you leave with a serious downer. Just when you thought life was good "maybe it's time to stop swimming". Right. OK. Where is the eject button? rummaging around the dark shed .. embers now dying. Ahh there it is.

Quick find Lightbulb Sun....

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