Through the Fire With HSAS: A Gem In The Rough

Review and discussion on the 1985 release from Sammy Hagar, Neal Schon, Kenney Aaronson, and Michael Shrieve.

Relevant Links: Short film Miss You

Crafting a Dialog: Frank Zappa's "You Can't Do That On Stage Anymore vol. 5"

Part five in a six part series! Review and discussion on Zappa's 1992 entry in the You Can't Do That On Stage Anymore catalog.

2021 Album Preview Series: Rhapsodies in June

Brief impressions of albums in play for June 2021, including:

black midi – Cavalcade (2021)
Lyle Workman – Uncommon Measures (2021)
Japan – Quiet Life (1979)
The Biology of Plants – Vol. 2 (2018)
Transatlantic – The Absolute Universe: The Breath of Life (2021)
Steven Wilson – The Future Bites (2021)

Relevant Links:

Text post on early Porcupine Tree

And on Steven Wilson’s first solo album

And on The Raven That Refused to Sing

Text post on Transatlantic’s Kaliedoscope

Howard Jones' Dream Into Action: The Optimist's Prime

 Review and discussion on Howard Jones' 1986 album Dream Into Action

Yes, Not Yes, and Arc of Life

Review and discussion on the self-titled debut by Arc of Life (2021) with a special look at its context in Yes’ history and the ways in which it is (and is not) Yes.

Relevant Links:

Open Your Eyes review that sets up some 90s Yes history

Preview post that includes a look at Gleb Kolyadin

The text post from 2014 that predicts the Arc of Life lineup

For more of my previous writings on Yes, follow the tag at the bottom of this post.

Matthew Sweet's 100% Fun: Stick With the Basics

Review and discussion on Matthew Sweet's 1995 power pop classic 100% Fun.

Relevant Links: 70s inspired animation by Eva Landry

2021 Album Preview Series: May Music Showcase

Previews of new music for May 2021, including:

Mogwai – As The Love Continues (2021)
Fugazi – Steady Diet of Nothing (1991)
Ghost Against Ghost – Still Love (2017)
Deep Thoukus – Deep Thoukus (2020)
Rick Wakeman – The Red Planet (2020)
Cynic – Traced in Air (2008)

Relevant Links:

Asteroid animation from Anselmo La Manna

Fugazi images from MaRoZa

Destino sync by Igor Baliun