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A VULGAR DISPLAY OF PROG

Moongarden

Symphonic Prog


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Moongarden A Vulgar Display of Prog album cover
3.57 | 103 ratings | 11 reviews | 18% 5 stars

Excellent addition to any
prog rock music collection

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Studio Album, released in 2009

Songs / Tracks Listing

1. Boromir (6:50)
2. Aesthetic Surgery (10:00)
3. MDMA (7:15)
4. After MDMA "From Lezooh to Miryydian" (5:00)
5. Wordz and Badge (8:15)
6. Demetrio and Magdalen (6:35)
7. Enter the Modem Hero (8:00)
8. Compression (16:30)

Total Time 68:25

Line-up / Musicians

- Simone Baldini Tosi / lead & backing vocals
- David Cremoni / electric, 12-string & Paradise guitars
- Cristiano Roversi / keyboards, 12-string electric guitar, bass pedals, turntables, loops, producer
- Mirko Tagliasacchi / bass
- Maurizio Di Tollo / drums, percussion

With:
- Marco Tafelli / rhythm guitar (1-3)
- Massimo Menotti / guitar loop (4)
- Eddy Cavazza / rhythm guitar (5,7,8)
- Mike Ill / vocals (8)
- Rivka / vocals (8)
- Zef Noise / vocals & violin (8)

Releases information

Artwork: Gigi Cavalli Cocchi and Samuele De Sarno

CD Distilleria Music Factory ‎- DMF-CD01 (2009, Italy)

Thanks to luc4fun for the addition
and to projeKct for the last updates
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MOONGARDEN A Vulgar Display of Prog ratings distribution


3.57
(103 ratings)
Essential: a masterpiece of progressive rock music(18%)
18%
Excellent addition to any prog rock music collection(48%)
48%
Good, but non-essential (26%)
26%
Collectors/fans only (7%)
7%
Poor. Only for completionists (1%)
1%

MOONGARDEN A Vulgar Display of Prog reviews


Showing all collaborators reviews and last reviews preview | Show all reviews/ratings

Collaborators/Experts Reviews

Review by Marty McFly
SPECIAL COLLABORATOR Honorary Collaborator
4 stars It should be symphonic, but I find first track more like neo-prog. Just listen to "Boromir" (play on The Lord of the Rings?) and you'll see. I suppose that categories aren't so important. but "Aesthetic Surgery" soon proves in which genre this stands. "Midma". full of long and wonderful solos (this kind of guitar playing, style, fantasy-like). 65 minutes gives a lot of space for long songs. For example interlude like, 3 minutes filler Or "Demetrio..." with again, impressive guitar solo. Track names are weird, it's because of almost concept like themed album. I suppose that (at least some parts are) it's about modern life. Synth sounds in "Enter the Modem Hero" are supporting feeling of computer. And last song, "Compression" first minutes offer easy to do trick. Forget about world and flow away with mellotron supported, light prog sounds. And true prog will come later, don't worry. I have very ubiquitous feeling about this album. Very intriguing one, full of things which merely escapes your reach and stays out of reach. And out of ... heard.

The question is, what is so vulgar about it ? 4(-), for too much synths and electronica.

Review by Windhawk
SPECIAL COLLABORATOR Honorary Collaborator
4 stars An interesting effort from this veteran Italian band, extending their musical scope in some rather unexpeted directions this time around.

The main foundations of this album is still neo-progressive rock of the vintage variety though. Rich, multilayered soundscapes where keys, synths and, unless I'm mistaken, mellotron reigns supreme, backed by steady bass, dampened guitar themes and lead vocals - eerilie similar to Seal in sound as far as the latter goes. Most of the songs strech well beyond the 5 minute range as well, and may indeed be described as "A Vulgar Display of Prog" to some extent.

However, blended into this stylistic expression you'll find quite a lot of electronic and industrial elements this time around. Ominous, dark, rhythmic sound layers or swirling electronic textures, dissonant guitar bursts and other musical elements pulled from the effects catalogue of an act like Nine Inch Nails are effectively utilized to expand the musical palette on most tracks here. Not to the extent that any of these efforts venture outside of the contemporary sounding symphonic landscape, but often enough to add variation and some unexpected developments to the proceedings.

And on closing epic Compression we're also served a chaotic, dissonant atmospheric segment followed by a rap-inspired spoken word sequence. The latter which may probably alienate quite a few hardcore prog fans, but which I feel suits this particular effort perfectly.

A strong album, and while those who wants their prog made following the purity laws might not appreciate this album, those intrigued by artists with a desire to add innovative elements to their musical ventures might want to check out this disc. In particular if symphonic progressive rock of the neo-progressive variety normally is regarded as likeable.

Review by Epignosis
SPECIAL COLLABORATOR Honorary Collaborator
3 stars I've enjoyed much of this album initially from DJ Tony's radio show on AIIRadio.net, a show which is excellent for hearing new progressive rock bands and other independent artists (and entertaining in its own right as well). Moongarden's 2009 album, A Vulgar Display of Prog, with its apparently kiddie-drawn cover (from a child who presses too hard on the pencils), offers a generous amount of music, laced with thick electronic sounds, but I can only be enthusiastic for about half of it. Indeed, the "epic" of the album isn't one at all, as it starts off wonderfully but moves into territory that is disappointing and hard to listen to. Still, the album is brilliant in many places, and deserves an audience- just beware that it wanders into some untraditional territory.

"Boromir" A swirling electronic texture followed by powerful electric guitar begins the album. The verse is over some sputtering electronic music as blasts of electric guitar and Mellotron fill out the discordant refrain. The main theme is quite fluid and very fitting.

"Aesthetic Surgery" The electronic sound concluding the first song flows directly into this one, and after a light bit of piano, a completely new song begins, this one with a progressive alternative rock style. A heavy riff takes over soon, with various electronic tones cutting through in various places.

"MDMA" Astringent guitar and obtrusive electronic tones move right into this song. The vocal melody and bass work, however, are particularly strong. The lead guitar solo is another highlight.

"After MDMA "From Lezooh to Miryydian"" This interlude might do for a lengthy automobile advertisement on TV, the ones that have the fancy sedan speeding along a mountainous road and making tight turns (because no other cars exist on that stretch of road, of course)- very commercial music but not bad.

"Wordz and Badge" One of the heaviest tracks, this is borderline heavy punk, eventually using a distorted bass and light drumming underneath the forgettable verse. While the vocals are decent, the best part from me is that slippery synthesizer solo during the second half, as the rhythm section just grooves along. The stammering electric guitar that follows, however, just doesn't do it justice.

"Demetrio and Magdalen" This is some lighter fare from the band on this album, with easygoing electric guitar, Mellotron, and a good rhythmic backing. The vocals are pleasant, if a little overbearing. There's a lengthy guitar solo during the second half, but I must admit, the piece loses my attention there.

"Enter the Modem Hero" This is a challenge to get into, because the electronic music is so overwhelming and borders on tacky. The vocals don't help much either. Other times, it sounds like neo-1980s pop music.

"Compression" Beginning with light percussion and guitar, this piece has a Mellotron that is a bit artificial in context. Compositionally, it is simplistic, and sounds like an old R&B love song (Al Green or Marvin Gaye, perhaps). The electronic Eastern sounding bit after this is a mess though, honestly. In fact, I think it's really annoying and ruins what could have been a spectacular progressive pop song. Instead, it drags on, puttering along, with sickening synthesizers. The hip-hop section is equally embarrassing and difficult to listen to without cringing. Overall, it's drawn-out and does nothing for me except for the delightful first segment.

Review by Tarcisio Moura
PROG REVIEWER
4 stars This is a hard album to rate. I can´t say they play my favorite kind of prog, but it would be extremely unfair it is not very good and competent. Their mix of such heterogeneous and theorically incompatible styles (synphonic prog, metal, punk and, eletronic just to mention a few) is not exactly original. However, the results are: they all work tremendously well, the initial chaotic style translating into a very harmonic and pleasant loose structure that makes sense just after a couple of spins. Some people here says their base is neo prog, but I see nothing here that reminds me of what I call neo. So forget it if you think you´ll hear anything in the vein of Marillion, IQ, Collage, Flamborough Head or any other great ones form past or present. (they might as well started that way, but this is really my first entry into this band and if that´s so, very little, if any, hint of neo is left by now)

From what I understand, they are pretty much a symphonic prog rock band. A VERY modern one, so I guess not everyone got it yet. Their musicanship and musical knowledge is astonishing. But it is really their songwriting skills and the arrangements (mixing incredibly well elements form past and present) that makes them stand out so well. Every tracks is quite a trip and nothing here is too predicable. And still we can hear lots of familiar stuff like Beatles-like mellotrons and Gensesis sounding moogs on the same tune (Compression). Their versatility is breathtaking, but they know how to keep things enjoyable, coherent and melodic despite all the twists and turns their music take on every track. My favorite track is Aesthetic Surgery but I think that the opener Boromir is a good exemple of how to write something so complicated and bold with a discernible melody line.

Production is very good and there is no fillers. All the tracks are worth hearing with atention.

Oh, and I loved the irony of the album´s title (nothing to do with Pantera´s A Vulgar Display Of Power?) .

A very interesting band that I´m really eager to hear their earlier stuff. Some more conservative progheads will probably cringe at their use of several modern clichês as part of their playing to bring something quite unique. But that´s what made prog music what it is, ins´nt it? Prog was always about breaking the rules. As it is this band is simply great and honors the tradition.

Rating: 4 strong stars, at least. Excellent addition to any prog rock music collection. Highly recommended for the true proggers!

Review by ProgShine
COLLABORATOR Honorary Collaborator
2 stars Italian band Moongarden was born in the early 90's and A Vulgar Display Of Prog (2009) is so far their most recent record. Everything in this package made me not think about Prog Rock and I get it and I was almost right...

The album starts with 'Boramire' and you can notice that the band is trying to be modern. Prog is there but at the same time something in not 'quite right'. Maybe blame the heavy David Cremoni guitars. Glues on the first track comes 'Aesthetic Swegery' and once again the electronic bits made me cringe.

'Mama' and 'After The Madman' continues bringing us lots of electronics. This will be only changed in 'Wordz And Badge' that is heavier, including the bass. Here the band tries to mix Nu Metal (?!?) with Prog Rock. To save a bit of the album we have 'Demetrio And Magdalen'. Good melodies and acoustic guitars. Good track. 'Enter The Modern Hero' sees the band modern again.

The closing track 'Compresion' is the longest (around 17 minutes) and tried to evoke Prog back, but it's too late. Especially at the 13 minutes mark when we have some rap (?!?) parts.

Moongarden was trying to change? Reach new audience? Fail! I've seen that in another flop: Quidam's Saiko. Both mediocre albums.

Latest members reviews

3 stars Moongarden has turned into a very interesting progrock band since their debut album entitled Moonsadness from 1994, although this album (2009) is only their eight studio-album in 20 years (their latest is Voyeur from 2014). In 2010 I attended a Moongarden gig in The Netherlands (they were suppor ... (read more)

Report this review (#1932536) | Posted by TenYearsAfter | Saturday, May 19, 2018 | Review Permanlink

3 stars I love the title of this album! Was the music found on it just as good? I was somewhat familiar with Moongarden before getting Vulgar Display of Prog. They had been hit and miss for me on previous offerings but I wanted to give this one a fair shot. It's really hard to label this band into ... (read more)

Report this review (#390393) | Posted by cutsofmeat | Sunday, January 30, 2011 | Review Permanlink

2 stars Now most Neo-Prog I can at least stand but this just does not work for me. Neo-Prog often uses strange synthesizers with keyboards, but Moongarden just goes to far. Where do all these sounds come from? Are they from the keyboards or just some computer generated sounds that were added when recording ... (read more)

Report this review (#362805) | Posted by let prog reign | Friday, December 24, 2010 | Review Permanlink

5 stars waouhhhhh!!!! I have see Moongarden fot the Prog-résiste Convention at Verviers in Spirit of 66 (Belgium). I by this album after a great concert, monday morning, I listen this album for a firstime and before this is my favorite album...It's different of anothers albums of moongarden but It's ve ... (read more)

Report this review (#243376) | Posted by younnn | Tuesday, October 6, 2009 | Review Permanlink

4 stars Beautiful piece of music. Moongarden "A Vulgar Display of Prog" is a new interpretation of modern prog. They've grown out of their previous release and heading toward unknown territory. They play symphonic prog, yes they still do, but with many modern synth and sometime with beatbox and disc s ... (read more)

Report this review (#236918) | Posted by Jadittir | Thursday, September 3, 2009 | Review Permanlink

4 stars Frequently I find people asking what is meant as prog nowadays and what can be the future of progressive music. Very difficult question and very few know the answer. If you ask me what is the future of progressive music, I can reply you, suggesting to listen to this band. Their Albums are real ... (read more)

Report this review (#220287) | Posted by luc4fun | Monday, June 8, 2009 | Review Permanlink

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