If you like what you hear, please support the band by buying the disc, to ensure they can continue to bring you Something For The Weekend! And please do let us know if you discover something you enjoy.
Published 3rd December 2017
1: SLUG COMPARISON - IIb
Selected by: Andy Read
Country: Canada
Sub-genre: Crossover
Description: Regular readers will know my fondness for everything so far created by Canadian band Fen and more latterly their frontman/guitarist Doug Harrison under his inventively entitled solo project. As seems to be increasingly favoured by independent artists, this is the second in a series of EPs. The first was covered in Edition 142 earlier this year. These two songs, in memory of a close friend, are more reflective and acoustic-based, but will please all fans of Doug's amazing voice and his ability to communicate a deep sense of meaning and emotion in his music, especially in the starkly-stunning second track.
Listen to it now: Album on Bandcamp
More Information: Artist website
2: I AM THE MANIC WHALE - Gathering The Waters
Selected by: André de Boer
Country: UK
Sub-genre: Progressive Rock
Listen to it now: Album on Bandcamp
More Information: Artist website
3: SUBURBAN SAVAGES - Kore Wa!
Selected by: Raffaella Berry
Country: Norway
Sub-genre: Eclectic/Avant Prog
Listen to it now: Album on Bandcamp
More Information: Band website
4: DREAMGRAVE - Monuments (EP)
Selected by: André de Boer
Country: Hungary
Sub-genre: Progressive eclectic rock
5: DELUGE GRANDER - Oceanarium
Selected by: Raffaella Berry
Country: USA
Sub-genre: Modern eclectic symphonic prog
Listen to it now: Album on Bandcamp
More Information: Artist website
2: I AM THE MANIC WHALE - Gathering The Waters
Selected by: André de Boer
Country: UK
Sub-genre: Progressive Rock
Description: Whoop whoop!! What a pure and utterly brilliant progressive rock album this is. Following all known prog rules, I Am The Manic Whale again manage to deliver an unbelievable new album called Gathering The Waters. It is an album that has the quality and impact of ten of your best personal prog bands altogether! Lasting over an hour, with three songs over 10 minutes, this is perfectly overwhelming and a real world class release. Highly recommended.
Listen to it now: Album on Bandcamp
More Information: Artist website
3: SUBURBAN SAVAGES - Kore Wa!
Selected by: Raffaella Berry
Country: Norway
Sub-genre: Eclectic/Avant Prog
Description: From Norway’s hotbed of interesting progressive music comes the first album by Suburban Savages. In this project, Trond Gjellum (drummer with the excellent Panzerpappa) is joined by members of other Norwegian bands for an album that marries angular Avant and Zeuhl modes, post rock and electronics with the whimsical accessibility of the Canterbury sound. Kore Wa! is an intriguing, truly eclectic effort in which energy and melody are not mutually exclusive.
Listen to it now: Album on Bandcamp
More Information: Band website
4: DREAMGRAVE - Monuments (EP)
Selected by: André de Boer
Country: Hungary
Sub-genre: Progressive eclectic rock
Description: New from Hungary! After their 2014 full album Presentiment, this is the first of a set of three EPs. It’s called Monuments and I’m especially happy and thrilled with the third and closing long track The Passing Faith in Others. It offers everything you like (and more) in a progressive, eclectic setting, all played and sung in a brilliant way. I am already looking forward to the next two EPs, hoping that Dreamgrave will continue aiming for this specific genre that will make them really stand out!
Listen to it now: Full album on Bandcamp
More Information: Artist website5: DELUGE GRANDER - Oceanarium
Selected by: Raffaella Berry
Country: USA
Sub-genre: Modern eclectic symphonic prog
Description: The second instalment of Deluge Grander’s planned seven-album series, is a completely instrumental album, one that often turns classic symphonic prog on its head. Accompanied by a sizable cast of collaborators, composer Dan Britton blends airy orchestral soundscapes with generous helpings of world music, jazz, experimental music and even cinematic flourishes reminiscent of Ennio Morricone. A special mention for the almost surrealistic titles that outline a story told in 80 minutes of complex, yet surprisingly fluid music.
Listen to it now: Full album on Bandcamp
More Information: Artist website