ROCKING HORSE MUSIC CLUB

Do you know the saying: to jump out like a rabbit from a hat? You will need it in a moment. There are cases, as you know, when we are convinced that a situation is under complete control, that (as the saying goes) all the pieces in the game are already known and dealt, and suddenly something appears that disrupts this previous comfort and order and even forces us to make quick changes. Of course, this fact can be described more colorfully, that something hits us like a bolt from the blue. Regardless of the words and descriptions, the most important thing is the fact that the apparent balance changes due to the appearance of such an element... well, let's say it - such an album. Even more, it forces us to almost completely revise our view on the topic: good albums of the first half of 2025.

But let's start with American literature and a brief recollection of the writer, vagabond, and rebellious rebel - Jack Kerouac. He is probably best known as the father of the Beat Generation and the author of such novels as: "On the Road", "The Drahma Bums" and "Big Sur". He made a particularly deep impression on many generations of musicians; John Lennon, Bob Dylan, Syd Barrett (Pink Floyd), David Bowie, Van Morrison, Fish (Marillion) and members of The Doors and King Crimson all cited him as a person who had a huge influence on their work and worldviews and paid him musical tribute over the years. And in fact, when we talk about this writer, we usually stop at the novel "On the Road", which is a flagship example of the jazz-poetic post-war, drug-induced era of the Beat Generation and at the same time a book created as a result of recording "spontaneous stream of consciousness prose". However, we should not forget his other literary attempts. One of them is the unfinished short story "The Haunted Life," which the author began writing in 1944 and which, unfortunately, never saw completion. It was this unfinished short story that became the basis for the latest album by the Rocking Horse Music Club, "The Last Pink Glow," which was released on May 9 of this year. And although the band collaborated on writing the lyrics with Jim Sampas, the literary executive of the Kerouac Estate, often using Kerouac's words from the short story as lyrics, the result of this collaboration is very, very musical, and less connected to literary studies.

Rocking Horse Music Club - despite its blues-folk sounding name, one could say it is a "veteran" of progressive rock in its slightly eclectic form combining symphonic rock with elements of American music, blues, electronic and orchestral music. This is a band that, while creating its three previous albums ("Every Change of Seasons" from 2018, "Which Way the Wind Blows" from 2019 and probably the most famous double album ? "Circus of Wire Dolls" from 2023), had the opportunity to work with such musicians as: Steve Hackett (Genesis), John Helliwell (Supertramp), Greg Hawkes (the Cars), Kenwood Dennard (Brand X), Noel McCalla, Chris Difford (Squeeze), David Cross (King Crimson), Tim Bowness, John Hackett, Amy Birks. By the way, I will just mention that the double album "Circus Of Wire Dolls" was named album of the year by ProgRadio.com.

And that rabbit out of the hat? It was the appearance of the latest release that changed my perspective on the list of the most interesting (I omit the word best) albums of this year. When it started to seem that new albums by Echolyn, The Flower Kings, Cosmic Cathedral, Karmakanic and other "aces" would take the top places on it, the song "The Haunted Life" with guest appearance by Mr. Tony Banks (Genesis) was played and well it may be the most beautiful song of this year. And well the carefully constructed structure of the best, best albums has to change.

Other compositions are no less impressive than the song "The Hounted Life".

"Haunted" begins the album with a beautiful guitar intro and captivating keyboard playing, as well as delicate, narrative vocals. The whole thing simply flows and seduces and lulls from the very first chord. From the very first moment we enter a musical world from which there will be no escape, which will sweep us away and enchant us. Please do not fight this feeling.

And although the second composition begins in a slightly unconventional way, its indie-rock character, lightness and carefreeness, together with the jazz sound of the trumpet, should appeal to lovers of "swinging" rhythms. "It's the Small Things" - please do not be misled by the title - it is not a small thing, it is a very melodic composition with an unconventional ending.

Please follow the words of the title of the six-minute song "If We're Silent & We Listen" - be quiet and listen. The fourth track on the album, despite the heavier sounding guitar, is a wonderful rock march with a simple melodic line and captivating arrangement. And the keyboards... please listen to the heavenly melody that begins in the fourth minute.

"The Ballad of Joe Martin" - acoustic guitar, Dylan-like vocals, slide guitar, some folk-country lineage and violin. It is not known whether it is "Dylan" or maybe "The Waterboys", but how it sounds. Can folk be reconciled with neo-prog? In the case of this song, I think so. Please focus on the third minute of this song.

"Changing Channels" ? no please do not change the channel. If I called for obedience above (be quiet and listen), then here total insubordination is indicated - do not change the channel. Otherwise you will lose the opportunity to commune with a conglomeration of symphonic, orchestral and progressive rock. And in the case of this song, it would be a loss that cannot be made up for.

The second of the ballads on this album - "The Ballad of Wesley Martin" - like a discordant piano, whose disharmonious sound is softened by the lyrical vocals and orchestration can be the cause of the swaying, which manifests itself in the impossibility of any change until the end of the whole thing. "Splitting Atoms" returns to the neo-progressive mood, returns to the delicate keyboard passages, returns to the heavenly atmosphere of peace and travel in spite of space and against the hourglass of time. Just close your eyes and go to the sung "land of gentleness".

I don't know if you will be able to "return to Earth" after listening to the previous track, but I am afraid that a moment after this return you will have to fly away again on the sounds of the song "Restless Wanderers" to another supersensual reality. Or maybe just not return...

And although the penultimate composition on the album is not a typical ballad, you cannot hide its folk- country roots. But after all, the album draws inspiration from the work of Kerouac - a vagabond, a beatnik, so the place of "Big City Small Town Blues" with its blues sound and folk arrangement is most justified.

And at the end, the band serves up a nearly thirteen-minute suite "The Last Pink Glow", which once again simply forces us to go on an extraterrestrial sonic journey, in which the concept of time loses its meaning and becomes unimportant. There is nothing more important, nothing exists, there is only our flight, our journey through lands to which our unfettered imagination and the length of sounds lead. It is an endless journey from which you will not want to return. I guarantee it. And at the end, let me just remind you "The Haunted Life" featuring Tony Banks (who was also the co-creator of this song) may be the song of the year. Please just let yourself be carried away by its magic.

This is the fourth release by The Rocking Horse Music Club. And although the name, well, isn't very progressive, "The Last Pink Glow" will break into your hearts, minds, souls and stay there for a long time. And the band itself is a musical "cooperative" formed by Brian Coombes, Justin Cohn, Patrik Gochez, Brenden Harisiades, Mike McAdam, Myron Kibbee and Eric Wagley. In 2024, guitarist Andrew Rotunno joined the group. You may come across a slightly extended version of the album's title. Sometimes its title is given as: "The Last Pink Glow. An Interpretation of Jack Kerouac's The Haunted Life".

"The Last Pink Glow" - the pink glow... or maybe a new musical spark in the firmament of 2025...? And so to the complete end. We also have our own Kerouac, our own - Marek Hlasko - if there was an opportunity, it is worth remembering.

Rewiev published at MLWZ.pl

A sprawling concept double album, or more appropriately, a prog rock opera featuring a wide variety of musical styles. Never heard of them? Well, not many have. Rocking Horse Music Club is a music collective/collaboration based out of Rocking Horse Recording Studios in Pittsfield, New Hampshire, USA. The primary contributors are singer/songwriter Brian Coombes, a veteran prog musician/producer and owner of the Recording Studio; Justin Cohn, singer/songwriter/guitarist, and singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Patrick Gochez, and supported by Brendan Harrisiades (bass), Myron Kibbee and Mike McAdam (guitars), and Eric Wagley (drums), as well as numerous other local, regional, and guest musicians to fill out the instrumentation and sound. The music tells the story of a man who has spent a good portion of his life creating a miniature circus of figurines made of wire, string, and cloth. As he nears the end of his life, he imagines the dolls each telling their own stories, with human thoughts and emotions, which actually reflect aspects of his own life. Thus, the story is told from several different voices (and featuring a series of guest vocalists). On the surface, it is the story of a miniature circus, but it's really about a man looking back on his life, his work, the people, his successes, his failures, his regrets. The different voices also provides the opportunity for many different musical styles. But whether or not you follow or are moved by the compelling story, it is the music that is the show here, and it is quite wonderful and breathtaking throughout. This expansive collection features 22 songs, ranging in length from 1 and a half to 8 and a half minutes each, for a total of over 95 minutes of music (which really doesn't even seem long at all because the songs are so good throughout). Guest artists include: Amy Birks, Tim Bowness, Caroline Carter, Evelyn Cormier (American Idol), David Cross (King Crimson), Kenwood Dennard (Brand X), Chris Difford (Squeeze), John Hackett, Greg Hawkes (the Cars), Noel McCalla (Mike Rutherford/Manfred Mann), Kate St John (Dream Academy), and Rob Townsend (Steve Hackett). Overall, because of the variety of styles, it is a bit hard to categorize or compare to other works (genre-defying?), but the closest may be somewhat along the lines of a concept album by the Alan Parsons Project, featuring light melodic progressive rock, with much pop, rock, and symphonic influences, as well as musical theater, chamber pop, and aspects of jazz and blues, and even a taste of glam rock thrown in. Although it has an original sound, there are brief glimpses of many other bands that pop up, including Genesis, Pink Floyd, Coldplay, Queen, Supertramp, The Pretenders, John Lennon, among others. Overall, the songs are touching and beautiful, with great melodies, themes, and recurring motifs. Of particular note is the impeccable production, arrangements, and attention to detail, always with the seemingly best combination of instrumentation and musical flourishes that are just right for each song, whether that might be strings, horns, clarinet, or whatever, and always most tastefully done. This is not an album that will hit you over the head, but in so many subtle and emotional ways just works immensely well, with just wonderful, beautiful songs throughout. All the songs work here, whether it is a tender duet ballad, such as Would You Be My Downfall, or the more raucous shot of glam rock in It's Not About You. Thus the list of best songs could go on and on, but I have narrowed it down to those I love the most. A truly wonderful album, that needs more love and respect.

Best tracks: Animate in 5/8, So Little Left, Cut From a Different Cloth, It's Not About You, 0300, SY22, Burn, All Shall Be Well, Every Show Must End, To Reach the Other Side, Flowers in November, and really all the rest. Rating: 5 stars

This latest album (their 3rd) follows after their stunning and monumentally great prog rock opera Circus of Wire Dolls (2022), and this is a worthy successor and a great album on its own. Although this new project, which is based on the writings of Jack Kerouac and his Novella 'A Haunted Life' in particular, lacks the full depth and breadth of that previous masterpiece (with its sprawling scope, style, and numerous guest artists), it nonetheless maintains the beautiful songwriting, exquisite production, and impeccable arrangements and instrumentation throughout. Rocking Horse Music Club is a music collective/collaboration based out of Rocking Horse Recording Studios in New Hampshire, USA, led by primary composer/keyboardist (and studio owner) Brian Coombes. Consisting of 11 tracks and 61 min runtime, the Club has delivered another sumptuous feast of an album. This album takes a bit darker, more brooding tone than the previous album, but also features a variety of musical styles, incorporating prog elements with pop, folk, jazz, and blues to showcase various aspects of Kerouac's writing, and featuring the sweet vocals of Justin Cohn throughout. There's only one guest artist featured on this release, but it is a rare treat, Tony Banks (Genesis) contributes his keyboard sounds and artistry, and shares songwriting credit, on the lovely track A Haunted Life, which has a definite Banksian quality. In fact, multiple songs on the album have a mid-career Genesis feel to them (period from Trick of the Tail to Duke), which reflect the strong influence they have on Coombes' music. But a variety of styles highlight the album, from the slow jazz-funk of It's the Small Things (ala Steely Dan), the rootsy folk-rock of Ballad of Joe Martin, the engaging progressive pop of Changing Channels, to the blues-rock (via Pink Floyd vibe) of Big City Small-town Blues. A darker symphonic prog is evident on If We're Silent And We Listen, an upbeat instrumental prog interlude in Restless Wanderer, and more Genesisian style in the anthemic Splitting Atoms, which builds to an Afterglow-like grandeur. The album concludes with the extended title track for a most satisfying finale. Best Tracks: Changing Channels, Splitting Atoms, Ballad of Joe Martin, It's the Small Things, The Haunted Life, If We're Silent and We Listen. Rating: 4.5

If you're not familiar with the crossover prog band Rocking Horse Music Club, Circus of Wire Dolls is an excellent place to start. Few things grab one's attention like an epic double-disc rock opera packed with special guests.

The album is the brainchild of songwriter and producer Brian Coombes, who runs Rocking Horse Studios in New Hampshire, USA. Along with his fellow bandmates (mostly other resident musicians at the studio), Brian invited a long list of guest musicians to bring the many characters of this rock opera to life. These include Amy Birks, Tim Bowness, Caroline Carter (Miss NH 2017), Evelyn Cormier (American Idol), David Cross (King Crimson), Kenwood Dennard (Brand X), Chris Difford (Squeeze), John Hackett, Greg Hawkes (The Cars), Noel McCalla (Mike Rutherford/Manfred Mann), Kate St John (Dream Academy), and Rob Townsend (Steve Hackett).

"On the surface, the record tells the story of a man who creates a miniature circus out of wire, string, and cloth," Brian explains. "But it's really about a man looking back at his life, his work, the people who entered and exited his world, his successes, his failures, his regrets."

At 95 minutes and 22 tracks, Circus of Wire Dolls offers an abundance of music, cutting across multiple genres. Prog influences abound (think Genesis, Rush, Pink Floyd), but there are plenty of other musical styles woven in, making it even "proggier." The album hits a sweet spot for fans of melodic and accessible prog?think more Tommy, The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway, or Jesus Christ Superstar than Operation: Mindcrime by Queensrÿche.

This album is easy on the ears, with no fillers, and it's clear that an incredible amount of care and effort went into its production. It's one of those rare albums best enjoyed as a full journey, from track 1 through track 22. The sound is warm and lush, augmented by orchestral instrumentation and rich backing vocal arrangements. Vintage keyboards, including mellotron, optigan, celeste, and the famous Mrs. Mills and Challen pianos from Abbey Road, contribute to its distinctive sonic palette.

While the list of guest vocalists is impressive, special recognition should go to the band's three resident singers, who do a fantastic job?particularly Justin Cohn in the lead role of PT Wolfe. His falsetto-infused voice is a highlight. A standout track, "0300" (Oh-three hundred, i.e., 3 AM), showcases Justin's vocals and Brian's songwriting. While not the most overtly "proggy" song, it's a memorable centerpiece.

As you'd expect from such an ambitious project, the album artwork is equally striking, featuring the storyline and full lyrics to help listeners follow the characters and who is singing each part.

If you appreciate melodic and accessible crossover prog, Circus of Wire Dolls is a hidden gem that deserves your attention.