Album Reviews

SAGA
Network
The Chapters Live
(InsideOut)
I remember when Saga was a young pup of progressive rock, but at nearly 30 the Canadian band is one of the grand old men. Network finds the group regaining its pomp rock majesty after a couple of lackluster efforts, maximizing its melodic strengths with tight arrangements, short song lengths and Michael Sadler's fruity but controlled vocals. Longtime diehards might be more excited, however, by The Chapters Live, in which the band performs, in order, the various songs with chapter designations that have been scattered over its body of work. Since that group contains classics like "No Stranger," "No Regrets" and "It's Time," it's a treat for Saga fans, though it may be a bit much for skeptics. Michael Toland [buy it]

THE MATT SANDY BAND
Song of the Day, Vol. I
(Matt Sandy Band)
Luckily, it's not like me to judge a record by its cover. Actually, that's just like me. I expected Song of the Day, Vol. 1, the latest from New York based Matt Sandy Band, to be overloaded with short, one-off tunes. Being the solid judge of material that I am, a few listens confirmed my freakish talent. I am fully open to the idea that I just don't get Sandy's, ahem, adjusted sense of art. But the bottom line is that there are very few tracks on this record that would actually pass for songs. Each of the 22 tracks was written over the course of a single day, which goes a long way toward explaining the quality of the tunes. Unless you have a particular taste for the band, take a pass on Song of the Day. Lance Looper [buy it]

ROGER LEN SMITH
A Better Place
(Roger Len Smith)
Singer/songwriter Roger Len Smith follows up his strong second album My Best Friend with A Better Place. Not to cast aspersions on the previous platter, but the title might as well be A Better Record. Smith and his many musical friends (including fellow tunesmiths Garrison Starr and Shawn Amos and Wallflowers keysman Rami Jaffee) pare back the arrangements just slightly, eliminating some of the lusher textures for a straightforward, rootsy presentation. Smith's positive outlook on life is contrasted by recognition of this universe's darker aspects, which keeps snarls like "You Don't Mean It" and "Can't Get Next to You" from becoming bitter and smiles like "You Know You're in Love" and "Still Can't Believe This Life" from getting too sweet. Like his spiritual comrades Amos and Dan Israel, Smith puts a sincere soul into smooth sounds. Michael Toland [buy it]

ROINE STOLT
Wall Street Voodoo
(InsideOut)
Stepping outside the Flower Kings, both literally and metaphorically, singer/guitarist Roine Stolt conjures up Wall Street Voodoo. Stolt's fourth solo record is two disks' worth of political and social commentary wrapped in vaguely bluesy rock and pop tunes; there's some prog rock fairy dust, of course, but this is definitely not a Flower Kings record. Former Spock's Beard leader and current CCM darling Neal Morse adds his distinctive vocals to a couple of tracks. Michael Toland [buy it]

TARANTULA AD
Book of Sand
(Kemado)
The work of Tarantula AD isn't that far off the well-beaten path of so-called "post rock" (one of the more ridiculous genre designations of the past decade) in its classical structures and instrumental dynamics. But Book of Sand has a different feel. The trio is as interested in metal as classical music; there are as many passages of power chord/cello duels as there are quiet, atmospheric laments. Elements of Latin exotica and even progressive rock pop up as well, shining some light into the often dark corners. And, as the album graphics attest, the band takes itself less seriously than it takes its music. Very impressive. Michael Toland [buy it]

TOMMY AND THE TERRORS
Unleash the Fury
(TKO)
Unleash the Fury starts off with ear-rattlin' punk and mashes the pedals through all 15 tracks. The music I could do without, but the energy of the band was catchy and I found myself enjoying this record much more than expected. The songs don't change much; the band rages through tune after rabid tune with a pretty static tone. Punk is a dish best served live, and the Terrors are no exception. Lance Looper [buy it]

UHF
All Our Golden Tomorrows
(Second Story)
All Our Golden Tomorrows, from Portland's UHF, is less psych-pop and more traditional rock. Jordan Leff's guitar playing sets the tone for a slightly darker take on the Northwestern pseudo-Springsteen sound. The songs are good and the record is well-produced, but the subject matter and tone don't mix. Front man Jeremy Leff's vocals don't really come across as moody as the songs are probably meant to be. But, intentions aside, All Our Golden Tomorrows is a pretty solid disc with plenty of airplay potential. Lance Looper [buy it]

VALIS
Champions of Magic
(Small Stone)
Once again into the cosmic maelstrom we go, with Valis as our guide. The Seattle band doesn't alter its approach on its third album (which is actually a reissue of its first album, retitled with extra tracks), playing its spaced-out heavy rock like it's the day before the aliens come to spirit it away. The Connor brothers unleash the beast on guitar with passion and sunfire, while Wesley Weresch underpins everything with his electronic ephemera. "Love Loader," "Indian Giver" and "Universe" roar like comets on a collision course with Earth, while "Pilots House" flies straight into the acid-laced sun. Amazingly, the band finds time in its starborn agenda for the unusually earthbound, delightfully catchy "Pass Me By," which is close to a pop song as Valis is ever likely to come. Champions of Magic is the space metal necromancy Monster Magnet was never quite able to achieve. Michael Toland [buy it]

VAN DER GRAAF GENERATOR
Godbluff
Still Life
PETER HAMMILL
Fool's Mate
(Astralwerks/EMI)
Van Der Graaf Generator split following its 1971 masterpiece Pawn Hearts, but reconvened in 1975 for another set of records. Godbluff and Still Life continue the band's eccentric progressive rock vision, adding a bit more traditional melody and new overtones (like the funk rhythms in Godbluff) underneath Peter Hammill's forbidding visions. Both are as strong as the band's earlier, more celebrated work. In between Van Der Graaf's lives, Hammill restarted his solo career with Fool's Mate, recorded with the assistance of VDGG members past and present, as well as Robert Fripp. The album is a set of meditative, intimate progressive pop songs, with less of Hammill's ranting and more peaceful (and sometimes melancholy) wonder. It's a lovely and disarming record that stretches the boundaries of Hammill's talents without avoiding the aspects that made him stand out in the first place. All three reissues boast warmly remastered sound and a plethora of demos and bonus tracks. Michael Toland [buy Godbluff] [buy Still Life] [buy Fool's Mate]

THE WORKS
The Works
(Subliminal Sounds)
Sweden's Works have ties to their country's psychedelic upstart Dungen, but the band is its own entity. Sure, the Works and Dungen share a fascination with organic 60s psych sounds, but the latter's predilection for Nordic folk music is nowhere to be found in the former. "Follow Me There," "Everybody" and "I Saw the Ocean" rock out without leaving melody or texture behind, while "Numb and Blind" moves into the trippy waters psych fans expect. There aren't any surprises on this record, at least not for acid heads, but the Works do their work very well. Michael Toland [buy it]