A VULGAR DISPLAY OF PROG

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 hidden gems of pure progressive music without falling in any excercise of copy and paste which we can find in so many groups nowadays. Their last Album (published one year after their previous "Songs from the Lighthouse) is full of heavy and majestic moments of guitars and keyboards, mixed with songs very delicate with guitar solos which leave me breathless..(just listen to the solo of Demetrio and Magdalene).

For those of you always looking for new hidden gems, now I have just given you a good advice. Now it is up to you to discover the latest contribution to progressive music, from this fantastic group from Italy!

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 scratching. They also sound, in some track, more aggressive above the symphonic prog median. Different but still sounds very proggy and very nice.

Their music sounds challenging and strange. Not out-of-this-worldly strange but simply a little bit too modern for symphonic prog. Hard to explain but I think they do sound close to Jem Godfrey's Frost* in term of modern music element. Put that into Yes or Genesis package and KABOOM...here comes a Vulgar Display of Prog.

This piece of music is beautiful and fun. They are really talented. Production and mixing is excellent. You might need a good sound system to really appreciate the depth of sound. When I put this CD on, I felt like I was drifting into the future.

You should try it. 4.5 stars. Highly recommend!

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.

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 very very good. This album is not a disc of past but it's an album of future.... the singer Simone Baldini Tosi is very brilliant (Peter Gabriel, Geoff Mann, and my wife say Keziah Jones) a mixing very jarring !!!!!!! Any songs as very Brilliant !!!!!This musicians are single !!!!! If your wife don't like prog, I think this album it's for you, you can listen this in your car, at home with your wife, with your childrens(for 12-18 parentaldvisory), with your dog, cat, ........For me and others friends this album is an incredible success....If you like Genesis, symphonic prog, electronic sound, Metal, Neo, this album it's for you It's very difficult for me to translate my opinion because I'am french and i do't speak very good English... But this album it's a very good surprise, Moongarden it's a great great rockgroup !!!!!!!! by this ........

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.

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.

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? I don't know but they are not very fitting. In fact if they took all of these sounds out, the album might be decent. There is one song that I like though. Demetrio and Magdalen keeps away from all these sounds and stays true to the natural instruments. Not to mention the decent guitar solo at the end. Sorry Moongarden, this album deserves a cold 2 1/2 Stars. Now I add that half star because like I said, this album would be decent if it took out all the strange sounds. Overall I realize Moongarden didn't just name this album "A Vulgar Display of Prog" for no reason. Trust me, It's real vulgar. Unless your a huge fan of Neo-Prog, do not buy this album.

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 any specific prog category. There are many qualities present in their music and symphonic probably does come the closest. But it's a mixture of electronic elements and loud and bombastic sounds along with some wonderful guitar sections.

OK, onto the album. I did quite a few listens of this album to give a sound opinion. At first listen I was in the middle of a long distance drive and I cranked this one up. I was really blown away by the energy of it from the start. The production was done great and it sounded awesome in my car stereo. I was excited to see where it was going after each song. But once I got to the second half of the album I noticed a drop off of energy and I wanted to it to come back badly. By the time it was done I was wondering if this album was better in smaller doses and maybe I had overdone it by listening to it too loudly and too closely or maybe it was too new to me. So in the weeks ahead I kept on trying to find that missing ingredient on that second half of the CD. Well, it's been quite some time and I cannot seem to find the consistency on this one. I would rate the first half of the album with a very solid 4 stars and the replay value does not wane. There are some great sonic moments and some fantastic guitar solos and a high level of energy, I love it! But the second half of the album I give 2 stars, something was lacking and it's not a subtle change for me. It just loses interest for me and does not captivate me like songs 1 through 5.

So at the end I think this a good album but not essential which means 3 stars from me. I hope their next one will keep that consistency throughout. They are very talented and when it clicks, it sounds great! I look forward to what comes next...

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!

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.

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 support-act for Beardfish), one of the first Italian prog bands I ever witnessed on stage. And they made a lot of fans that evening, also due to their charismatic singer.

On A Vulgar Display Of Prog (65 minutes, 8 songs) Moongarden invites us again on an interesting and captivating musical journey, these guys play progressive rock in the true meaning of the word. The one moment it's bombastic Seventies symphonic rock (in the vein of 76-77 Genesis) with lush Mellotron and a powerful guitar sound or mellow with dreamy vocals and ambient keyboards (Demetrio And Magdalena). The other moment we can enjoy an 'Eighties Queen synthesizer sound' (Mdma) or a heavy guitar wall with rap-like vocals (Compression), what a stunning variety! And I am absolutely delighted about the interplay between the guitars and keyboards: goose bumps in Aesthetic Surgery (howling guitar with choir-Mellotron), Wordz & Badge (exciting duel between aggressive guitar riffs and choir- Mellotron) and Demetrio And Magdalena (again howling guitar with bombastic choir-Mellotron). At some moments Moongarden also sounds mellow and warm with a strong emotional undertone like in Aesthetic Surgery featuring a tender piano and melancholical vocals ("I am an artist, not God"). Those vocals are an important part of Moongarden their distinctive sound with a lot of emotion and expression, a pretty unique voice in the progrock of the last two decades.

Although this music is not always my cup of tea, I am impressed, 15 years after their debut album Moongarden Moongarden were still alive and progging!

My rating: 3,5 star.