My ten favourites in random order: Giant Sky, Dream The Electric Sleep, Mystery, Galahad, Pallas, Bend The Future, Peter Gabriel, Steve Wilson (skipped the previous two but this album did lure me back), Blackbriar and Dominic Sanderson.

Also really enjoyed: Exploring Birdsong (Ep), Pendragon (Ep), Hackberry, Pledge of Healing, Marek Arnold (Artrock Project), Edward Reekers (Liberty Project), Downes Braide Association, Cyan, Tiger Moth Tales, Karmamoi, John Lönmyr, Jordsjø, Dave Kerzner, Madlen Keys, Black Cat's Eye, Residuos Mentales, Lumsk, Seven Reizh...

Best reissue: the Camel box set Air Born, what a feast. And also David Longdon - Wild River, Fish - 13th Star and Marillion - Seasons End.

Particularly look forward to the new Big Big Train album and also the BBT weekend at the Boerderij in September.

Thanks Teunis, it was a great evening! Really enjoyed both sets. Gildenlow played his new album and three older tracks. With three guitarists it really sounded great and the new album is playing here now.

Galahad were on fire from the start with the track Alive, with the massive synth sounds of Dean Baker setting the scene. It was great to see them after all this time and the setlist was excellent with Guardian Angel, Empires Never Last, Sleepers, The Last Great Explorer, Shadow In The Corner, This Life Could Be My Last, The Long Goodbye and Seize The Day. Underrated band IMHO that are still going strong.

Quote from: erik on Sat, 2024-02-10, 19:55:29On my way now to see him live, together with Galahad - the latter was the main driver for going but look forward to his set as well and will pick up the new album.

Have fun

pp: Moon Safari - Himlabacken - Vol. 2

np: The Pineapple Thief - It Lead To This

QuoteAlso listened to that one today. Twas very nice! It's the first time I listen to a Kristoffer Gildenlöw album. Do you know the others? Are they as good?

I recently bought his previous two albums and have been enjoying them. Not prog really but really good. On my way now to see him live, together with Galahad - the latter was the main driver for going but look forward to his set as well and will pick up the new album.

Quote from: PH on Thu, 2024-02-08, 21:13:29It's the first time I listen to a Kristoffer Gildenlöw album. Do you know the others? Are they as good?

'Know' is a big word. I remember listening to previous albums once or twice, but this one seems better indeed. Will listen more often for sure!

Today:
Ayreon - Actual Fantasy
Arena - The Theory Of Molecular Inheritance
Gazpacho - Demon
Leprous - Pitfalls

np: The Pineapple Thief - It Leads To This

On Spotify. Already ordered it, but not in my record shop yet. Sounding great again ...

Quote from: Teunis on Thu, 2024-02-08, 19:55:43Kristoffer Gildenlöw - Empty

Also listened to that one today. Twas very nice! It's the first time I listen to a Kristoffer Gildenlöw album. Do you know the others? Are they as good?

Also played Caligula's Horse again with their latest album "Charcoal Grace". An excellent follow-up to the great "Rise Radiant". The first ten minute song The World Breathes With Me is fantastic!

And I played Haken's "Fauna". Somewhat in the same ballpark.

Also tried something new:
"Plastic Death" by "Glass Beach", which to me sounds influenced by Radiohead.

Wikipedia says:

QuoteGlass Beach (stylized as glass beach) are an American indie rock band from Seattle. Their music has been described as "heavy indie rock", blending influences including punk rock, math rock, and mid-century jazz. They cite some of their musical influences as Jeff Rosenstock, They Might Be Giants, and The Brave Little Abacus.

I don't know any of those artists, although I have heard of the name 'They Might Be Giants'. A nice name I might add.
Anyway, Indie Rock apparently. Not bad, and among the better of the lesser albums I've heard on my 2024 discovery journey.

Another one I tried was "Othervoid" by Transit Method. Not too bad either. The main problem I have with this band are the vocals. Not really a great singer, and it's as if he's screaming the lyrics. There's a little bit of a punk sound in the music as well. At least, I think so, I'm no expert on punk at all...

Their website says:

QuoteThe punk-metal riffs and dueling guitars on [the song] Psychometry evoke Mutoid Man and Iron Maiden, while the vocal harmonies and trad-metal gallop of The Outside recall Mastodon and Thin Lizzy.

Well, there you go.

In the end, it might not end up in my top ten of 2024, but it definitely has it's moments!


I like discovering bands that are balancing on the edge of my favorite genre. Sometimes you come across something nice that you would never have discovered otherwise.

Kristoffer Gildenlöw - Empty

Quote from: Peter on Tue, 2024-02-06, 09:47:22appeared in my "Discover Weekly" on Spotify, on my commute to work this morning. Sensational. So fresh, when a Piano appears in Rock music.
Looked him up, and found out he's in TOTO, also! Never knew his name, shame on me....

Shame on you indeed . From his (only) solo album 'Forgotten Toys'. A way too short, yet enjoyable album!

pp: Neal Morse - The Restoration ~ Joseph: Part Two

np: Moon Safari - Himlabacken Vol. 1

appeared in my "Discover Weekly" on Spotify, on my commute to work this morning. Sensational. So fresh, when a Piano appears in Rock music.
Looked him up, and found out he's in TOTO, also! Never knew his name, shame on me....

Good idea PH, could have been mine . 2023 was a rather good prog year. Here are my favourite albums:

1. Moon Safari - Himlabacken Vol. 1
I agree with you PH, was blown away by this album. Beautiful harmony vocals, uplifting symphonic music, a number of great solos, epics, goosebumps so now and then. Also my number 1 .

2. Subsignal - A Poetry Of Rain
I was expecting a lot from this album and was not disappointed. Favourite track: Marigold. Going to see them live on 19th April in Hengelo. It's been a long time wish to see them live, can't wait .

3. Soen - Memorial
This band always delivers quality. Though the tracks are sounding 'bit of the same', it never gets boring imo. Probably will attent their gig on 4th October in Nijmegen.

4. Overhead - Telepathic Minds
A stunning album from this Finnish band. The title track and 'War To End All Wars' are so beautiful. Recommended!

5. Mystery - Redemption
I always order their new albums in advance and never regret is. Beautiful keyboard-oriented neo-prog, though the guitars are present enough as well.

6. Riverside - ID.Entity
Not my favourite release of them, but a fine album it is. Favourite track is 'Big Tech Brother', which is fading out way too soon .

7. Neal Morse - The Dreamer ~ Joseph: Part One
Where does he get all his inspiration from? Never a weak album, a great story too. But I have to say that I like the second part more.

8. Steve Lukather - Bridges
Not that proggy, but the Toto guitarist builds a bridge between Toto and his solo albums. Can't go wrong, certainly not for a Toto fan like me.

9. Steve Thorne - Malice In Plunderland
Also more pop than prog. I own all his album and I have to say that I had to play this one very often to really like it. Most of the time those are the best albums, but you have to find the time. There is so much great music.

10. Bruce Soord - Luminescence
The frontman of The Pineapple Thief with a very personal and great album.

Honourable mentions:
Comedy Of Errors - Threnody For A Dead Queen
RPWL - Crime Scene
The Foundation - Mask

Disappointments:
Mariusz Duda - Afr AI D and I've heard better music from Pattern Seeking Animals ...

2024
Indeed, The Restoration - Joseph: Part Two is excellent, expecting a lot from the new Pineapple Thief album which will be released at the end of this week. IQ is busy in the studio and like PH also looking forward to a new Frost* album.