Friday13th: Summer of Prog Preliminary

Friday13th 05.28.18	Eligibility: You must be a regular/non-alt sputnik user to submit a progressive rock album. The album must have fewer than 30 votes/ratings and cannot be a repeat from the past Prog tourneys (just ask and I should remember). The album must also be readily available through a free, online streaming resource (like youtube or spotify). HOW TO SUBMIT: Comment with your band and album name and WITH A SHORT DESCRIPTION ON WHY YOU LIKE THE ALBUM. PLEASE POST A LINK TO THE ALBUM STREAM. I will upload the information given on the list to confirm your admission. General Rules: You must listen to each album at least once before voting. You may vote for your own album when matched up. There will likely be 16 contestants locked into this tournament. By entering, YOU ARE SAYING “I’M GONNA JAM ALL OF THESE AND PARTICIPATE IN VOTING.” Failure to participate may lead to you being kicked out of the contest. "Spectators" can vote as long as they hear both albums, aren't alts, etc. Schedule: Each discovery (first time, head-to-head) match will last a week long. Should be about nine weeks. I suggest jamming the album multiple times, researching other similar albums, or commenting with your thoughts on the albums.
Papa Universe 05.28.18	The Future Kings of England - Who Is This Who Is Coming? Will add the remaining requirements later.
Papa Universe 05.28.18	Beguiled be not, fellow progress seekers, this album's echoic and atmospherically distancing nature is not minimalistic, nor is the production a rip-off of the ancient prog rock forefathers, but a mere naive wish and an attempt at refurbishing the old sound now so clearly fading away. Coincidentally, 'fading' is also the best way to describe the music here, it sounds distant, melancholic, but hopeful, as if taken from an old grainy sepia-filtered film the cover indicates. https://open.spotify.com/album/4M4p6Wczy7nAfyjTjgvyrn?fo=1
Friday13th 05.28.18	got it! looks interesting
e210013 05.28.18	It seems we are in another unforgettable prog journey. From the names I could see till now, I'm sure of that. So, I'm going to discover my knight for the tournament very soon.
wham49 05.28.18	as stated prior Strawbs/Ghost, will get back later with the specifics https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDBDmLcMgwU&index=1&list=PL94gOvpr5yt0EyGOAcLtWgWTpkzbtgRrQ
Sabrutin 05.28.18	Interesting, the picks so far give me a mysterious vibe. I've got two albums that fit the bill, I'll choose one asap
Papa Universe 05.28.18	I feel like I will love 2 just because of the Lovecraftian name.
Sabrutin 05.28.18	I feel like I will dig 3 because of your description :D
e210013 05.28.18	Last year I brought here an album of the classic era of prog, the album of Quarteto 1111. This year I bring here an album of our times. So, I would like to nominate: Il Bacio Della Medusa - Discesa Agl'Inferi D'Un Giovane Amante This is an album that despite is going to drink very deeply in the classic prog era, shows clearly a new path, a path that the modern prog bands should must follow. This is a truly retro-Italian prog album, a great representative of the modern Italian prog rock and in the same line of the best Italian prog albums, of the 70's. I must confess that since I listened to it I felt in love with it. I even dare to say that few albums impressed me as much, as this album did. In the last couple of years, I think only this one and "Mathematical Mother" of UTO, the great winer of the last Friday's tournament, impressed me so deeply. Besides, I really think that some of the best prog which is being made, at the moment, comes probably from Italy. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNGMYMnzstI The album is also avalable on Spotify P.S.: Because of Friday's tournament, I decided to do a break in my prog journey through the world of Yes to devote all my time to it. So, only in the end of it I'll be back with my reviews about the Yes world. Meanwhile, I decided to published a review about the album of Il Bacio Della Medusa. So, if you want, you can read it in order to have more information about this concept album. Besides, this album deserves to have better known on Sputnik, by all prog heads.
bgillesp 05.28.18	Triana- Hijos Del Agobio A bit of a darker take on things (as you might can see from the cover), Triana write some gorgeous progressive flamenco rock surrounding political and social unrest in Spain. While not as immediately gratifying as their debut, El Patio, it unfolds its darker genius with repeated listens. https://open.spotify.com/user/secarl/playlist/2gv7KTuvs6NppMF3kj5qNd
e210013 05.28.18	Nice. From what I can see we have here great and very diversified stuff. I'm very curious about the rest.
bgillesp 05.28.18	Im so excited for the proggy goodness
SCREAM! 05.28.18	Midnight Sun - Walking Circles Although I might never have been the biggest Chicago fan, the way Midnight Sun infuse some heavier prog and psych rock moments gives that style just the kind of kick in the pants it needed. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5B2aoI5wJCA
bgillesp 05.28.18	e, your quarteto rec last year started me on a latin binge that led me to my rec this year along with many albums now among my favorites
e210013 05.28.18	Man, I'm very glad, indeed. You can see that we Latin countries have great prog stuff, too. If you take a look to Italy, and you'll be astonished with the amount of quantity and quality of the stuff of them. This year I also bring here another Latin album, this time Italian. And I'm very glad to see here on this tournament an album of my neighbors, the Spanish people, too. Last year a Portuguese album and now a Spanish album. Great.
Sabrutin 05.28.18	Il Paese dei Balocchi - Il Paese dei Balocchi Very symphonic, it's mostly instrumental. Despite the busy beginning, the music mostly aims to be atmospheric and to create ambience instead of flashiness, with a few vocals appearing through the mist every now and then (sometimes only as a backing choir). It's definitely the kind of album that begs to be listened to all the way through in one sitting. It is also an album that Opeth's Mikael Akerfeldt digs very much as he said during a concert a few years ago, after speaking of risotto. Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/6vf61m6EBxQjm9hXJxsJ2c?si=-Z3Yqo3ESWKmmBBwrTTDGQ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xcdHAfCh6aQ&t
hansoloshotfirst 05.28.18	Sammal - Suuliekki Finnish retro prog (a bit psych) rock released this spring. It's clearly inspired by several big names from the 70's, but it handles these influences tastefully instead of desperately trying to mimic them. The songs are diverse and the compositons on point allowing the album to develop a pleasant flow. Overall it's just a beautiful, at times kinda whimsical, good time. Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/7G1r7QHRRcdGPGh9S72TT1 Bandcamp: https://sammal.bandcamp.com/album/suuliekki
Snowdog808 05.28.18	I'll have to listen to some of these tonight. This tournament looks fun to participate in.
Friday13th 05.28.18	@hansolo welcome man, interesting you found a 2018 album!
TwigTW 05.28.18	Last year I entered something difficult, so this time it's going to be nice and easy... Badger - One Live Badger. Badger was formed by Tony Kaye after he left Yes, and this is their debut album. I expected a keyboard heavy album, but I think this actually has a nice balance between the keys and guitar. It was recorded live before a Yes show, and Jon Anderson co-produced it, so I guess the break-up was amicable. It's on YouTube ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gbRiEHm-rO0
zakalwe 05.28.18	I’m in. Diagonal - Diagonal. Modern prog that harkens back to the past with skill, swathe and obligatory beards.
manosg 05.28.18	Won't be able to participate but have a feature so that more people might join.
Jethro42 05.28.18	Gosta Berlings Saga - Detta Har Hant Gosta Berlings Saga is an original, instrumental modern prog act centered around brillant electric guitar and keyboard interplays. They take their influences from symphonic prog, jazz-prog, folk and there is an obvious post rock vibe into the mix when we look at their persistent song progression and build-ups. It's on spotify, but I don't have an url address. If it's too much trouble, I have another album to suggest.
Jethro42 05.28.18	@zak, what a coincidence! I was to name your album as a reference for my entry, but I didn't remember it was named Diagonal - Diagonal. Instrumentally, it's similar to Gosta Berlings Saga... @e21, good choice, friend! Long live Italian prog!
e210013 05.28.18	Thanks, Jethro. This time is my turn to nominate an Italian album, as you did in the last year. It seems we are going to have two, mine and Sab's album. An Italian classic and a modern one. It will be great. Long live Italian prog, really.
Divaman 05.28.18	I know a few of you in this tourny are familiar with this one, but here's my pick: Mostly Autumn - Sight of Day I reviewed this one last year. This is the most recent (2017) release from this 7-piece British progressive rock band. They have been said to draw from various prog rock giants of the past, such as Pink Floyd, Jethro Tull, Genesis and Camel, with various Celtic and folk elements also apparent. The band features both male and female lead vocalists. A couple of my favorites on this album include "Once Around the Sun", which has a little bit of Kansas flavor (the band, not the state), and "Only the Brave", a tale of warriors past and present that let's the band rock out some. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aDXQzF64wVQ&list=PLvsMxKocnnz7zRYNiYeOG8KIyoQmzwqRG The album is also up on Spotify.
Divaman 05.28.18	I'm already excited. Looks like some really interesting entries so far.
SharkTooth 05.28.18	Carmen - Fandangos in Space A fun mix of flamenco and progressive rock filled with exciting tales of gypsies and bullfights, this is a record which really deserves more attention from people https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-BfI38_q38 You knew it was coming Friday
bgillesp 05.28.18	3 spots left
SharkTooth 05.28.18	holy shit there's another flamenco prog album in this tourney I know what I'mma be matched up against
Divaman 05.28.18	I remember Carmen!
Papa Universe 05.28.18	I loved that one big Strawbs album, so I hope to love this one too.
Papa Universe 05.28.18	"I feel like I will dig 3 because of your description :D" oh you lovely creature
MrSirLordGentleman 05.28.18	I still have no candidateeeeeeees uuuuuuuughhhhhhhhhhh
SharkTooth 05.28.18	psst..."fuzzy duck" jk that album prob won't make it past the first round
MrSirLordGentleman 05.28.18	Don't think Fuzzy Duck's that prog really It's more like Deep Purple for me
Friday13th 05.28.18	yeah I didn't think Fuzzy Duck was very prog. @Shartooth AHORA BZZZZZZZZZ
Titan 05.28.18	you guys out-prog me by a long mile
Friday13th 05.28.18	I'm gonna throw Fripper's in if we need to
smaugman 05.28.18	Blood Red Tape by Portal (CAN)
Friday13th 05.28.18	@smaugman k can you give me a link and a description?
smaugman 05.28.18	^very obscure prog rock/metal band from canada, while they're an unknown band, the music is familiar is some weird way, like the music isn't whacky prog, but rather complex prog hard rock. the sound is quite similar to OSI, if anybody has of them. definitely recommended for anyone in here at least
smaugman 05.28.18	the album is on apple music and spotify https://open.spotify.com/artist/3wT14WvJCRBZBcgezY451k i dont use spotify but hope this link works.
smaugman 05.28.18	and the songs on youtube
smaugman 05.28.18	https://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/68355/Portal-%5BCAN%5D-Blood-Red-Tape/ here's a review by me
Friday13th 05.28.18	I added Fripper's rec and we now have 16. We filled up pretty quickly. I'll give everyone till the end of the day, and if there's demand I'd be okay with going to 18 or 20.
zakalwe 05.28.18	Nice one for doing this dude. Best thing on sput!
Friday13th 05.28.18	Thanks, Zak. @TwigTW I'm shocked and embarrassed I had never heard of Badger before.
neekafat 05.28.18	Can you do Peter Gabriel -OVO? It technically jas 34 votes but it's ciminally underrated
Friday13th 05.28.18	@neekafat can't do that. If you have another choice we could still take it if we get another person in.
Jethro42 05.28.18	I'm surprisingly familiar with a big half of the bands and/or albums.
SharkTooth 05.28.18	yo someone recommend SBB - Memento z Banalnym Tryptykiem
wham49 05.28.18	ok 13 here it is Like most great bands of certain era, the Strawb's Ghost album is hard to pin down. It has great pieces of classic prog, but there is more going on. It uses great melodic and atmospheric tones to put you in a great state of mind. The album keeps coming at you till the only thing you want to do is flip it back over for another go, early prog in all its glory
bgillesp 05.28.18	I was hoping Zig would get in with an art bears rec since he just reviewed them
bgillesp 05.28.18	Also I'm super excited to listen to sharks album. I hope we aren't matched up though because I want both ours to go far
Sabrutin 05.28.18	This will be very interesting. Badger is perhaps the most "famous" album of this bunch, but I needed an excuse to check it out thoroughly. Similar story for Strawbs and Mostly Autumn. I knew of the existence of Sammal but decided to not check the album out, so again this will be an excuse to do it. I'm curious to hear Midnight Sun, big fan of Chicago's adventurous/experimental stuff before the 80s. Also the artwork is cute. 20 entries would make for a long tournament but the idea of a summer-long thing is cool
bgillesp 05.28.18	18 would make for a 3 way finale, 20 would make a double 3 way semis
SCREAM! 05.29.18	These contests always contain a few gems that I keep spinning for years to come. Looking forward to this
Divaman 05.29.18	Nice group. Only artists I'm previously familiar with are my own plus Strawbs (but not this album), Carmen and Golden Earring (and to be honest, I'm barely familiar with the latter two - remember they used to get some airplay, but don't remember much else). Looking forward to learning about all of these albums.
SharkTooth 05.29.18	So I'm listening to 6 because it's the obvious match- up with my pick and I really like the vocals and darker tone, however I'm not a fan of the synths, they seem to get in the way and sound a bit cheesy which sucks because I love everything else going on here I hope they grow on me because I don't want them to kill my interest in the album
gagnonov 05.29.18	my description for 2: spooky music for weddings
Friday13th 05.29.18	We have our 16 and we're kicking off!
Zig 05.29.18	Oh, shit. I got here too late.
e210013 05.29.18	Yeah, Zig. It was a pity. Maybe next year. Still, you can follow the tourney, and I think you can vote too, as an outsider. It already happened before. Talk with Friday 13th. Um abraço, amigo.
MrSirLordGentleman 05.29.18	oh well, I still want to check most of these, since I've only heard Carmen btw, if Carmen doesn't go against Triana, I'll kill u Friday bro
Friday13th 05.30.18	@Gentleman you'll have to wait and see!
bgillesp 05.30.18	No don't put is together! We both have to move on!
Frippertronics 06.05.18	Uber belated descrip for the Earring This well-beloved Dutch rock group, by the time of their 1970 self-titled, had progressed in a decade's time from run-of-the-mill nederbeat to bluesy psych jams and by their 1973 smash hit "Moontan," had merged progressive rock with long-form rock jams flavoured by blues and brass. Yet, the self-titled is more deeply rooted in Jethro Tullian flute rock at one moment, then straight up Who-vian rock the next.