Rickter Scale Show 161 - 2007 Sample

[Rick and Roll]

airing Sunday, December 30 from 8-11 PM EST

and Monday, December 31 from 1-4 PM EST

Let's end 2007 with some music with three full CD's - the established US band Little Atlas, venerable Canadians Saga, and newcomers from the UK, The Reasoning. At the end, we'll sample two songs from two releases sure to be in my year-end top 5...all music on this show from 2007.

Little Atlas - "Hollow"

Hollow
Silence
Paranoiac
Contumacious
Preying
Orderly
Hiding
Stage
Symbiosis
Special

Nice curt one-word titles, no bullshitting around. Steve Katsikas and company have put out another winner. Their debut "Surface Serene" was a pleasant enough debut, but "Wanderlust" was third on my top discs of 2005 (only surpassed by Salem Hill and Magic Pie). The lyrics are decidedly darker, very psychological. The music also reflects this tone.

The writing is more democratic, with much contribution from guitarist Roy Strattman (that's a perfect guitarist name), drummer Diego Pocovi, and bassist Rik Biagi. Rik was in chat during my play of "Wanderlust". With Ric (aka "Fremder") also present, we had Rik Ric and Rick!

Look forward to seeing what's next for the band. I ran into Steve in October at the Porcupine Tree show in Cincinnati (he moved from Florida to Kentucky), and I promised to get the disc, it just took me awhile.

The Reasoning - "Awakening"

Awakening
Chasing Rainbows
Playing the Game
Aching Hunger
Sacred Shape
Fallen Angels
Shadows of the Mind
Within Cold Glass

Matthew Cohen formed this band with Dylan Thompson after Matthew's departure from Magenta. Picking up Gareth Jones and singer Rachel Jones (from Karnataka), the band has three strong vocalists. There are hints of Magenta and Karnataka, but it's a classic British new prog sound.

I've had these guys as myspace friends for a long time, but it took a nudge from our man Rogor Mortis for me to hear them in full. And I'm happy I did. The third track "Playing the Game" has a stunning chorus that will stick to you like chewing gum on your ribs.

Saga - "10,000 Days"

Lifeline
Book of Lies
Sideways
Can't You See Me Now
Corkentellis
More Than I Deserve
Sound Advice
10,000 Days
It Never Ends

While not nearly as dynamic as it's 2006 namesake by Tool, "10,000 Days" is classic Saga. Strong melody and outstanding interplay between Ian Crichton and Jim Gilmour. The instrumental "Corkentellis" is a tease of what this band can truly do when the reins are off. Although they are in my short list of favorite bands, Saga often plays it safe. The last three songs drag, and I expected a better sendoff to singer Michael Sadler's leaving the band. But the first six songs more than make up for the last three. Hopefully we'll have another "10,000 days" of Saga music in the future.

To round out the show,

Porcupine Tree - "My Ashes" from "Fear of a Blank Planet"

and

Magic Pie - "Pointless Masquerade" from "Circus of Life" (can you say top disc of 2007?)

This will do it for the 2007 stuff until Wojtek's year end countdown in February (to be replayed on this show). Next week will promise some progressive obscurities!