Deluge Grander - August in the Urals. 2006. D:11. Dan Britton of Cerebus Effect has hatched a new unit for his ever creative mind, Deluge Grander. Cerebus Effect was crazy enough, but this goes to the next level. Greg Walker enthused in his catalog: “One of the best American albums ever! Banco meets Anglagard meets Crimson with lots of tron and long tracks.” Well, that should setup everyone for a disappointment. Or does it? “August in the Urals” is so far in the old fashioned progressive camp, that it will appeal to one kind of fan - the old fashioned progressive rocker. This is very much in the over the top 1970s American school of complex proggy prog ala Cathedral, Mirthrandir, Pentwater and Yezda Urfa. It was bound to happen sooner or later, a band would be completely and totally influenced by obscure worldwide progressive rock. Not jazz, psych, blues, beat, classical, or anything else. Not Yes, Genesis and ELP but rather Locanda Delle Fate, Pulsar, Dun and Anglagard. Much like Wobbler, if you turn your nose up at it, then it’s probably time to admit you just don’t like progressive rock anymore. Or at least anything new that sounds old. It’ll be condemned as so darn uncool by the hipsters, that it’s likely to be considered interesting by a passing stranger. As for me, well this is the style of prog rock I like most, so almost anything like it will get a gushing review. Hardly an unbiased, fair and balanced outlook I realize. Not that it’s perfect by any means, the vocals being one of the areas that could use some improvement (maybe they could get Di Giacomo to guest?). And it’s a little short of memorable melodies and good grooves. But no complaints from me, there’s so little of this kind of music anymore, I’ll take whatever is given me. Appropriately enough, the cover is a grandiose Thomas Cole painting, the same one used by doom metallers Candlemass on “Ancient Dreams”. Who’d a thunk Baltimore would end up being the center of the universe for European prog?

GAM (Schickert, Axel, Michael) - Eiszeit. 1978. D: 10. Even though the liner notes state this was a completed album that never was released during its day, it seems more like outtakes and random studio recordings (noting sound quality and style differences). The best tracks are the ones you expect to involve Schickert, the sound on sound guitar rave-ups with great soloing. But there are other songs covering industrial, rock, ambient and even a weird vocal number. Did catch an early Ash Ra Tempel space vibe on 2 of the cuts as well. By far the best is 8 minute “Ich Bin Ein Teil” which closes the album in monster fashion. Good, but not essential.

Mushroom - Glazed Popems. 2004. D: 11. “Glazed Popems” is a 2 CD set, each representing a different side of the band. The “London” side captures the spirit of 1970, with long drifting space rock cuts, reminiscent of Pink Floyd in their “Ummagumma” state of mind - with a nod to the earliest Ohr based Krautrock scene. When Mushroom first started out, they were typical of the retro Krautrock chic crowd - that is to say, everything began and ended with Neu! Mushroom have really developed since those easier times. They no more are just a simple copy group, rather one that has completely immersed themselves into the zeitgeist of the original movement. Mellotron, flutes, electric piano, woodwinds, strummed guitar, hand percussion. Non rushed, not of our time. You almost would expect them to ask for Ethyl at the gas station. An extraordinary work, if not always satisfying. The second disc is titled “Oakland” and is consistent with their recent pursuits into the freaky funk fusion ala “Foxy Lady”. So it’s more 1974 than 1970, but still a play for an another era. Even though Mushroom perform a style of music from the past, they don’t really recall any one band or album. It’s as if they took a time machine to the past, and created their own piece of history. Mushroom are one of my favorite current bands, and their releases are uniformly strong. Nice period photos of hot naked chicks might persuade downloaders to own their own copy.