Ariel (Australian Cross-Over)

Well that  first album, callled A Strange Fantastic Dream (1973), is not entirely consistent. Out of the 11 songs, I would say about 5 of them (Jamaican Farewell, No Encores, Garden of the Frenzied Cortinas, Chicken Sh*t, & And if it Wasn't for You) are fully prog while the rest are just quirky rock n roll.

Ariel did record a rock opera and concept album in 1974, called The Jellabad Mutant, that wasn't released until 2002. That album is completely consistent with the prog material imo. Enough so that I think The Jellabad Mutant might be more representative of their prog contributions. The album has a total of 9 songs, but only 7 of them relate to the Jellabad Mutant storyline (which are tracks 1-6 & 9, although track 8 does follow the same sound as the rest of the album while track 7 is very out of place).  Which is why I think tracks 7 and 8 were put on the cd to fill in time, for the most part.

Their third album, Rock n Roll Scars (1975), may also be more consistent then their first album (either that or my definition of prog rock is broader than most). Out of 11 from that album, I would say that most of the album (about 8 songs) is relevant to prog rock. It should be noted that half of Rock n Roll Scars contain re-recordings of past Spectrums/Indelible Murtceps songs.

Here's the eight songs I was talking about by the way:
Keep On Dancing (With Me)
Real Meanie
Men in Gray Raincoats
Launching Place Part II
We are Indelible (this one might not be all that prog, but I include it since it is one of Spectrum's best known songs)
I am the Laughing Man
What the World Needs (is a New Pair of Socks)

Now their fourth and final studio album, Goodnight Fiona (1976), would be the "weakest" of the four. Still a very great album though, but I would say that only 3 songs (Take me for a Ride, Goodnight Fiona, Redwing) would bring some interest to prog rock fans. Although the last song on the album has very good melodies, vocal arrangements, instrumentation.

So hopefully some of you will agree with my above statements and get Ariel into ProgArchives.

Edited by AmericanProgster - March 03 2010 at 11:45

Haha, yeah no problem. Unfortunately, though, thats not the only disco styled song Ariel recorded. On their last album there's a song called Rock Critic that is very disco. I didn't want to mention it because I didn't want to scare anyone away! But yeah, I'll get those songs to you in a day or two.

*raspberry* Figures. You are very welcome anyways. Although I have to say I'm questioning the decision. I mean unless a band is so ridiculously prog, it seems that its automatically going to be an uphill battle. Now, I know that their 4 albums are not completely prog from start to finish but I guess I thought the material they did have were pretty damn convincing.

Oh well, prog related it is then. So whenever that can be done I would be very appreciative for Ariel to be considered for it.

For what its worth, thanks anyways!