Another Roadside Attraction (Canada) - Progressive Rock Music Forum

It's yet another of those private pressing albums from around that time - Sky Blue Studio, as you say. The reference was ARA-001. The only comments I have found about the music was this: "Mundane AOR songwriting with uber-flashy dual-keyboard symphonic-prog style solo twiddling. Sorta like when Rick Wakeman guested on that Kansas album..."

And there's this from Gnosis2000: http://gnosis2000.net/reviews/anotherroadside.htm

Mike McLatchey, 22-August-2002, 'Another Roadside Attraction'

"It's quite strange that the opening track on the only album by Canada's Another Roadside Attraction would start out sounding like something from a Grobschnitt album, but for the most part that's just an aberration. This album is unusual for a Canadian progressive rock album in that it doesn't have a lot of the French/Quebecois strains that inform bands like Pollen, Contraction, and Harmonium, nor is it folky in the slightest. The music is generally led by a twin keyboard attack which often means a piano base under synths, similar to the approach of Argentines Pablo El Enterrador. For the most part, this is an accessible rock album whose similarity to symphonic rock groups is mostly due to the preponderance of keyboards, particularly in the instrumental sections which bear the influence of Emerson, Lake and Palmer. Most of the vocal-led sections, however, are more conventional while still being elaborately arranged. The vocalist reminds me of Chapman from Family quite a bit, but not quite so warbly - he's adequate, but not a standout. Some of these parts remind me of the song-oriented material from second generation progressives like England or Druid, yet these generally flow quite well with the more complex keyboard-led moments. It's a good album overall, melodic and accessible like many Canadian symphonic groups, but somewhat unusual with its somewhat song-oriented style and keyboard overdose."

I actually quite liked it - I guess Iván's team should take a look at them, but there's no way it'll get added to the site unless we can find him enough info to make a proper bio for them (including a picture of the band).

Hmm, the first track sounds like fine symphonic prog, but the rest is mostly AOR-based. But still prog, I'd say, so I'll notify the Crossover Team for the evaluation.

Cool. I tried to find a back cover or something with a picture but no dice. GentleGiant, if you still have the band picture that would be great.

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Guests Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Guest Group	Topic: Another Roadside Attraction (Canada) Posted: December 01 2011 at 06:56
	Little info that I found. Personnel: David Dobko / keyboards Paul Saunders / vocals Armin Leonardo / keyboards Michael Grace / percussion Self titled album from 1979, recorded at Sky Blue Recording Studio, Toronto, Canada.

yam yam Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Senior Member Joined: June 16 2011 Location: Kerberos Status: Offline Points: 5814	Posted: December 01 2011 at 11:52
	It's yet another of those private pressing albums from around that time - Sky Blue Studio, as you say. The reference was ARA-001. The only comments I have found about the music was this: "Mundane AOR songwriting with uber-flashy dual-keyboard symphonic-prog style solo twiddling. Sorta like when Rick Wakeman guested on that Kansas album..." And there's this from Gnosis2000: http://gnosis2000.net/reviews/anotherroadside.htm Mike McLatchey, 22-August-2002, 'Another Roadside Attraction' "It's quite strange that the opening track on the only album by Canada's Another Roadside Attraction would start out sounding like something from a Grobschnitt album, but for the most part that's just an aberration. This album is unusual for a Canadian progressive rock album in that it doesn't have a lot of the French/Quebecois strains that inform bands like Pollen, Contraction, and Harmonium, nor is it folky in the slightest. The music is generally led by a twin keyboard attack which often means a piano base under synths, similar to the approach of Argentines Pablo El Enterrador. For the most part, this is an accessible rock album whose similarity to symphonic rock groups is mostly due to the preponderance of keyboards, particularly in the instrumental sections which bear the influence of Emerson, Lake and Palmer. Most of the vocal-led sections, however, are more conventional while still being elaborately arranged. The vocalist reminds me of Chapman from Family quite a bit, but not quite so warbly - he's adequate, but not a standout. Some of these parts remind me of the song-oriented material from second generation progressives like England or Druid, yet these generally flow quite well with the more complex keyboard-led moments. It's a good album overall, melodic and accessible like many Canadian symphonic groups, but somewhat unusual with its somewhat song-oriented style and keyboard overdose." I actually quite liked it - I guess Iván's team should take a look at them, but there's no way it'll get added to the site unless we can find him enough info to make a proper bio for them (including a picture of the band).

GentleGiant Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Senior Member Joined: January 09 2006 Location: PantagrueLand Status: Offline Points: 445	Posted: December 02 2011 at 01:57
	I can provide the tracks list and a picture with band members. Edited by GentleGiant - December 02 2011 at 11:44
	BeGiantForADay "This British band is just the cup of tea for aficionados who demand virtuosity,progress and originality in their mix." http://rateyourmusic.com/~GentleG

harmonium.ro Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator / Retired Admin Joined: August 18 2008 Location: Anna Calvi Status: Offline Points: 22989	Posted: December 02 2011 at 15:34
	Hmm, the first track sounds like fine symphonic prog, but the rest is mostly AOR-based. But still prog, I'd say, so I'll notify the Crossover Team for the evaluation.

Windhawk Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator Joined: December 28 2006 Location: Norway Status: Offline Points: 11400	Posted: December 07 2011 at 09:36
	Added to Crossover. An artist picture would be nice to get :-)
	Websites I work with: http://www.progressor.net http://www.houseofprog.com My profile on Mixcloud: https://www.mixcloud.com/haukevind/

Guests Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Guest Group	Posted: December 07 2011 at 11:43
	Cool. I tried to find a back cover or something with a picture but no dice. GentleGiant, if you still have the band picture that would be great.

GentleGiant Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Senior Member Joined: January 09 2006 Location: PantagrueLand Status: Offline Points: 445	Posted: December 08 2011 at 05:05
	Band picture in yours PM box
	BeGiantForADay "This British band is just the cup of tea for aficionados who demand virtuosity,progress and originality in their mix." http://rateyourmusic.com/~GentleG