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lazland 
Prog Reviewer 
Joined: October 28 2008 Location: Wales Status: Offline Points: 13293 |
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 Posted: June 18 2022 at 08:13 |
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Why, thank you, Ozgur - really kind.
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Enhance your life. Get down to www.lazland.org
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Archisorcerus
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Joined: February 02 2022 Location: Izmir Status: Offline Points: 2496 |
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Posted: June 18 2022 at 07:49 |
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Hey Steve. I finally got to see/visit your site. The upper banner, or whatever that is called, is incredibly elegant. Loved, loved, and loved the tone of the blue. One of the finest I've ever seen. The site overall looks very fine too. But most importantly, I'm very interested in your writings there. Read only a review yet, but will do a lot more in the future. It will be pure delight, I'm sure. Kudos already! 
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lazland
Prog Reviewer
Joined: October 28 2008 Location: Wales Status: Offline Points: 13293 |
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Posted: June 18 2022 at 06:55 |
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New album reviews posted today. James LaBrie, Enneade, and Heidi Talbot (Irish born folk singer, whose latest album includes guest appearance by Mark Knopfler of Dire Straits fame). Simply go to Album Reviews 2022 page and enjoy.
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Enhance your life. Get down to www.lazland.org
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lazland
Prog Reviewer
Joined: October 28 2008 Location: Wales Status: Offline Points: 13293 |
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Posted: June 13 2022 at 14:26 |
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I have to say that going back to work since I created the site is even more difficult. I have a very selfish interest in Boris remaining as PM until the end of the year in that I hope and pray for the beloved brown envelope coming through the door!
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Enhance your life. Get down to www.lazland.org
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Jared
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Joined: May 06 2005 Location: Hereford, UK Status: Offline Points: 17586 |
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Posted: June 13 2022 at 13:40 |
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Good grief Steve, you can tell you've had a few days off work! I'll try and take a look this week.
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lazland
Prog Reviewer
Joined: October 28 2008 Location: Wales Status: Offline Points: 13293 |
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Posted: June 13 2022 at 10:46 |
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First selection of historic 2010 album reviews added to Album Reviews By Year page. Reviews of David Minasian, Haken, Gazpacho, Spock’s Beard, Lunatic Soul, Peter Gabriel, Asia, The Reasoning, Mars Hollow, and Blackmore’s Night. Video of the week updated - Mr Gabriel with a Solsbury Hill montage. Sports section of Beer & News page updated with tribute to Phil Bennett, Welsh rugby legend who died yesterday. Ale of the Week added to Beer & News Page. |
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Enhance your life. Get down to www.lazland.org
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lazland
Prog Reviewer
Joined: October 28 2008 Location: Wales Status: Offline Points: 13293 |
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Posted: June 10 2022 at 08:18 |
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We do our bit!
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SteveG
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Joined: April 11 2014 Location: Kyiv In Spirit Status: Offline Points: 20521 |
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Posted: June 10 2022 at 08:12 |
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This message was brought to you by a proud supporter of the Deep State.
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lazland
Prog Reviewer
Joined: October 28 2008 Location: Wales Status: Offline Points: 13293 |
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Posted: June 10 2022 at 07:12 |
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Website updated today with reviews of albums by Ou, Von Hertzen Brothers, and Held By Trees, all on Album Reviews 2022 page.
As the day progresses, I will finish off historical album reviews from 2011 with Methexis, Wobbler, Disconnect, A Big Goodbye, Athelstone, Chest Rockwell, The Anabasis, and a little known band by the name of Yes.
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Enhance your life. Get down to www.lazland.org
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lazland
Prog Reviewer
Joined: October 28 2008 Location: Wales Status: Offline Points: 13293 |
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Posted: June 07 2022 at 06:18 |
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You are right, we do hear and write about things differently, which is great. I like the OU vocals a great deal, and my review will make a point about the universal language of rock. I am also really enjoying new James LaBrie, Von Hertzen Brothers, Held by Trees, and Enneade. My missus is leaving me to my own devices this weekend as she is going on a 4-day course, so this usually means even more music & writing, although I think it would be a struggle to do all of these in one swoop, but I might have a go. 2022 is shaping up to be a fine year for new music.
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Enhance your life. Get down to www.lazland.org
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nick_h_nz
Collaborator
Prog Metal / Heavy Prog Team Joined: March 01 2013 Location: Suffolk, UK Status: Offline Points: 6737 |
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Posted: June 07 2022 at 05:26 |
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Thanks. But I’m sure you would never follow, anyway. Your review for Ghost Toast was very different from mine, and I’m sure if you review OU that will be just as different. The way we review seems to be similar, but because we each hear things differently, the results are very different. I always enjoy your reviews, and especially when they are for albums I’ve reviewed myself, as you always note different things to me, and make me want to listen again with a new ear. That OU album is something special, though. I really do like it a lot. I know a couple of people for whom the vocals are off-putting, and I think that will be the stumbling block for a lot of people. Personally, I love the vocals, but I can understand why some might find them “difficult”. |
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lazland
Prog Reviewer
Joined: October 28 2008 Location: Wales Status: Offline Points: 13293 |
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Posted: June 07 2022 at 05:16 |
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BTW, a great review of the OU album by Nick, which I first saw on Progressive Aspect. Listening to it again now, and this review is a hard act to follow.
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Enhance your life. Get down to www.lazland.org
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lazland
Prog Reviewer
Joined: October 28 2008 Location: Wales Status: Offline Points: 13293 |
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Posted: June 07 2022 at 04:41 |
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Thanks Steve. Yes, that Bruford video is a very good one.
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Enhance your life. Get down to www.lazland.org
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SteveG
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Joined: April 11 2014 Location: Kyiv In Spirit Status: Offline Points: 20521 |
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Posted: June 07 2022 at 04:21 |
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This message was brought to you by a proud supporter of the Deep State.
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SteveG
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Joined: April 11 2014 Location: Kyiv In Spirit Status: Offline Points: 20521 |
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Posted: June 07 2022 at 04:18 |
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This message was brought to you by a proud supporter of the Deep State.
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nick_h_nz
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Prog Metal / Heavy Prog Team Joined: March 01 2013 Location: Suffolk, UK Status: Offline Points: 6737 |
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Posted: June 06 2022 at 13:53 |
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I never read ANYTHING about a release I’m reviewing until after I’ve written the (hopefully) final draft. At that point, if I have been provided with an EPK I will look at that, or if not, I might explore the artist’s website. If I have any queries before submitting my review, I will send a message to the artist and ask them. But generally speaking, I don’t really need to look at any material/website, or query with the artist for the actual review, so much as for credits, etc. I definitely don’t want to be swayed by either what others have written about the release, or even by what the band themselves have written about the release. My review is my take on the release. I don’t pretend it is “right” in any way, and I’m sure I sometimes make inferences the artists never expected and/or intended. Before I start writing, I don’t really mind how I listen to an album. In the car. While I’m browsing FB. Whatever. The first couple of times I’m just letting it soak in. I’m never going to take in all the details and intricacies this way, but it sets me up for deeper listening when I feel ready to start taking notes. There is no hard and fast rule about this. Sometimes I’m compelled to do this fairly quickly - maybe after the first time I’ve listened to the release - and other times I might be listening to it on and off for a couple of months before I know that I’m ready to write. Although I say notes, my first notes are almost a review written as a flow of consciousness as I listen. I put them away, and I’ll listen to the release two or three more times, giving it full attention. I’ll then bring back my notes/draft review, and listen again, making changes as I feel them needed. I may need to listen to the albums a couple of times while I do this, or I may not. Sometimes the final draft that results is dramatically different from those first notes, and on rare occasions, it is almost identical. |
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Jared
Forum Senior Member
Joined: May 06 2005 Location: Hereford, UK Status: Offline Points: 17586 |
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Posted: June 06 2022 at 13:52 |
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Great posts Steve, thanks. I remember starting a thread here on tribute bands (over a decade ago now) which developed into a thoroughly interesting conversation, on the sociology of them and psychology behind them. In some sense, I always found it very frustrating that a prog band could write some really good, original material, but when they tour to support the album, they are getting audiences of 50-70, whereas if they went on the road as a Genesis tribute band playing WaW through, they can quadruple the audience immediately. Too many people know what they like and like what they know.... |
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lazland
Prog Reviewer
Joined: October 28 2008 Location: Wales Status: Offline Points: 13293 |
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Posted: June 06 2022 at 13:36 |
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I might also add, by the way, that I am always tempted by the new. I love listening to the old classics, particularly if I have had a few too many, but I get far more excited by something new and something different which adds to the texture and experience of life.
Progressive rock, to me, must always move forward, and that is what I look for. It is why I am usually a little bit disdainful of tribute bands and albums which simply try to copy somebody else without adding anything new or interesting.
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Enhance your life. Get down to www.lazland.org
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lazland
Prog Reviewer
Joined: October 28 2008 Location: Wales Status: Offline Points: 13293 |
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Posted: June 06 2022 at 13:29 |
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Yes, this is interesting, so here is my response. When I listen for the first couple of times, I am usually working, or sitting on my arse in the evening popping music on my headphones whilst Glynis is watching something on the television. This is what I am doing tonight with my second listen of Solace and first of Enneade. I listen to the albums and simply try to get a sense of them, particularly whether I like them, or not. I do not write anything down at this stage, simply listen and make mental notes. When I start making rough notes, it will be when I am listening of an evening or weekend. Then, when I tidy those up, it will also be evening or weekend, because I like to give the album my undivided attention, out of respect to the artist. Mostly, the final review will be similar to the initial mental sketch I make, or the rough notes, because I know my own mind and listening tastes, although the detail is not the same, so if I describe a particular movement, instrumental passage, and etc. this will come from the later listens when I am more familiar with the album. I always try to undertake research. This might be on the meaning of a title, for example, although I very very rarely search for interviews, or other reviews, by the writers or band members as to song meanings, because I prefer to provide readers with my interpretation. This can sometimes go wrong, as it did with my views on The Leavers on FEAR by Marillion. I was a million miles away, but I was not that bothered, because it was what the song meant to me, and that is the important thing. I will always try to get the band members and their role correct and sometimes a background to the band if I think it adds to the reader’s enjoyment of the review, band, or adds some unknown knowledge. Mainly, however, I try not to do things by rote. I am a career civil servant, and bound by rules, many of them bloody stupid and senseless. Music to me is my escape from that nonsense. Music is an emotional experience, something to be lived and treasured, and I try my best to let my words convey that emotion.
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Enhance your life. Get down to www.lazland.org
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Jared
Forum Senior Member
Joined: May 06 2005 Location: Hereford, UK Status: Offline Points: 17586 |
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Posted: June 06 2022 at 13:16 |
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I think this is a really interesting discussion, actually, so these questions are to both Steves, Nick if he's around, and other reviewers who pop in here.. When you listen to a CD with a view to doing a review, does it get your undivided attention, ie do you sit at a desk with pen and paper, sketching out a framework or ideas for each track, or can you form a good basic picture, while you're driving? Also, do you read up about the background behind the recording, artists aims, band personnel (for new bands), concepts etc beforehand? Or do you prefer to listen to it 'cold' with only the liner notes on the basis that your views might be shaped by the views of others, with too much research? |
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Archisorcerus wrote: