Mini album review: Pain of Salvation

Pain of Salvation - Road Salt One

Wow, this is turning into a one-per-year review... I'll try to get back at it, even though I know that there's probably next to nobody who reads these. But I don't mind, it still exercises my English writing skills (I'm French-Canadian born, if you care to know...). Anyway, now on to the mini-review.

I have a love/hate relationship with Pain of Salvation. Or should I say love/indifference, because I don't hate them at all. There are many songs from them that I love, some albums even, namely Remedy Lane, 12:5 (one of very few live albums I actually like), and The Perfect Element. On the other hand, I have difficulty listening to other albums in their entirety. Be comes to mind, as well as Scarsick. But what I do appreciate from them, which is a constant in their music, is that they don't limit themselves to a style. They explore many facets of rock music, and they're not afraid to do it.

Speaking of exploring... Their latest album, which came out just about a month ago, is another different one. I hadn't read a lot about it, so it was kind of a surprise to me. Although I didn't expect anything in particular about this album, I didn't expect this! If you happen to have the special edition of the album, you'll hear the opening track What She Means To Me, that sounds like it was stolen from a Queen album from the 70's. It may sound like they were copying Queen, but I've never heard anyone do it this well. It sounds absolutely great. But that track is very short, and makes it seem more like an intro than anything else. I wished there was more of it.

But then it goes on to the second track (or first one on the regular version), No Way. Sounding very different from the first, Queen-like track, here again they're doing something that very few bands know how to do well today: sounding like a flashback to the 70's rock/blues scene, a bit like how Jethro Tull sounded before going almost strictly prog. I'm thinking the like of Tull's Benefit album. Also in the next tracks you'll find more variety, including the haunting Sisters, a very soulful Of Dust, and a track that sound as if you're in a circus (?). But all in all, the album is very early-70's sounding, using elements form rock, blues, soul, psychedelia and prog of the time, and done very well. Even some sound textures are reminiscent of the 70's, mostly the vocals: when Gildenlöw sings louder, the sound distorts, like you would hear on an early Zeppelin record.

I don't know if people will notice, but personally I think Pain of Salvation just came out with a gem.

My rating: ****½

Pearl Jam Vitalogy music caps

I'm in the process of selling my LP collection for two reasons: I don't use them, and haven't used them for many years (I don't have the setup to play them anymore, and even if I did, I can't say that I would play them), and to try to make a little bit of money on the side. I haven't been really successful fulfilling the second reason, since I only started by selling the less valuable (but still desirable) albums I have. After all of eBay's and Paypal's (now owned by eBay) fees, I probably make roughly $0.25 to $0.50 per album. Only a couple of exceptions where I made around $2.00, and two other ones I made about $10 each. Basically, at this point I'm just making myself a reputation. But in the spirit of making money (just a little bit of it though, mind you, I don't expect much), I was briefly looking at my CD collection. Would I possibly have something of value in there? I just may...

I used to listen to Pearl Jam, obviously that's why I own a couple of albums of theirs. If I still had the Ten album with the extra tracks, I bet that would have been worth a bit more than the regular version of the CD. But I already sold that one in the past. I do, however, have their Vitalogy album. Nothing special there, sure. The album itself I would have a hard selling for more than a couple of bucks on eBay. But I might have a little accompanying extra that would be of value. I remember when you bought the album when it came out, you could fill in a coupon for a chance to win tickets to see them live. Also, to participate, you had to collect all three of what they called "music caps". I don't remember how many of them you had with the CD purchase, but I just know I have three different ones. So it seems like I have them all. One thing I don't know though, is if they have any value. Does this package have any value more than just the regular CD? Mind you, it's also the original release of the album, with the 34 page booklet. I think there was a re-issue of it in a more standard jewel-case format, because I saw a square version of the cover art, while the original is shaped more like a book. But even so, there probably are millions of copies of that original version out there anyway. Also, I still have the said coupon, which you had to fill in to participate.

The reason I'm thinking this surely has some value, is because I'm finding absolutely no information on this on the web. I tried Google Web, Google Images (mind you, I quit after a dozen pages or so of images), Wikipedia, eBay's current selling items and completed items. Nothing comes up.

So anyone has a clue? Does anyone even remember this? Should I go to the Antics Roadshow with this?

Mini DVD review: Gentle Giant

Gentle Giant - Giant on the Box

Gentle Giant is really a band apart from all the other progressive rock bands. Basically, they are all classically trained, so they excel on their main instrument, as well as at least one other. But that's not really what puts them apart, but what does is the complexity of most of their compositions, both instrumentally and vocally. Unfortunately, also because of this, sometimes their music is hard to digest. But there is a consensus about their musical prowess.

This DVD is really a jewel. It contains, in addition to old interviews and pictures, two concerts that were filmed for TV. One was filmed in 1974, the other in 1975. Yes, its age really shows, like watching a movie from the 70's, but its qualities are still there. The concerts are untouched (unlike modern concert DVD's where they record multiple shows, remix everything to have the best performance, even retouch some parts in the studio, sometimes resulting in non-matching sound and video - I just dislike that, as it is non-representative of the true performance), the sound is pretty good considering the period, and the musicianship can be qualified with the word 'awesome'! Instruments vary from the common guitar, bass, multiple keyboards and drums, to violin, cello, flute, trumpet and xylophone. All played like masters (in my point of view anyway). Even some songs that I do not totally enjoy on record, I enjoyed much more seeing them perform it live. And I like the variations they did live, which puts a new twist to the songs. My only complain is I wished the shows were either longer, or the set-list from both shows be different from each other, because all the songs of the 30 minute concert were played in the 50 minute one. But hey, at least we have this.

So in a few words, if you're a fan of the 70's prog, even if you do not like Gentle Giant, you will probably enjoy this DVD. And for those who like them, well obviously, it's a must!

My rating: ****½

Mini album review: Porcupine Tree

Porcupine Tree - Nil Recurring

Don't get me wrong, Porcupine Tree's latest full album, titled Fear of a Blank Planet, is an excellent one. But for some reason, I haven't been drawn to it as much as I have been so to Deadwing and In Absentia, their two previous albums. Maybe it's the subject of the album that depresses me a little bit...

But now they have released Nil Recurring, which is sort of a companion EP to Blank Planet. If I recall correctly, Steve Wilson, the leader of Porcupine Tree, did not want Blank Planet to be too long an album. It clocks in at 50 minutes, and it is fine like that. Would they have added the content of Nil Recurring, not only the album would have been too long, but it wouldn't have fit on a single CD... But anyway, back to the music... I admit that I've enjoyed Nil Recurring more than Blank Planet. I could say it's short and sweet, in a positive way. It has the typical Porcupine Tree signature sounds of the few latest albums, which is more mainstream than what they used to do before that. It has those mellow parts and heavy parts, catchy melodies and complex rhythms, and spacey feels. The guest electric violinist added a very nice touch as well.

So needless to say, I ended up listening to this EP more often than the full album. Usually an EP from a band is more targeted to the fans, but this EP, which is almost 30 minutes in length, I would say is actually a good introduction to the band, for those who do not know them, as much as a 'for fans' item.

My rating: ****½

Mini album review: Coheed and Cambria

Coheed And Cambria - Good Appollo I'm Burning Star IV, Volume One: From Fear Through The Eyes of Madness



Although this band has been increasingly popular in the recent months, as of last week I had only heard the name, along with positive comments about them. But after I came across their albums, I decided I was due to try them out...


A fan of the band recommended I start with his favorite album, which has quite a lengthy title: Good Appollo I'm Burning Star IV, Volume One: From Fear Through The Eyes of Madness. I’ll call it ‘IV’ (that’s what you see on the album cover anyway). The person in question explained to me that not only it was a concept album, but that all their four main studio albums are based on a sci-fi comic book series, so they are part of the same story, in which Coheed and Cambria are the two main characters. That’s why, I presume, some people like to call them a ‘concept band’, as opposed to bands that make ‘concept albums’.



Well, let me tell you that I was VERY pleasantly surprised. The style is refreshing. Some say it’s Progressive Rock, although in some music stores, they’re classified under Punk. I think they are neither, although I do recognize those styles in there. There are a few acoustic bits, and many heavy parts, but all the way through, the melodies are very catchy. I’m a sucker for vocal harmonies, and on this album, I can say it is rare that there isn’t any vocal harmonies. The singer has a high pitched voice, which some people might not like, but I do like it. At this point anyway, I would not want it otherwise. They would not sound like Coheed And Cambria anymore... All in all, very accessible and melodic, with a heavy penchant.


I’m not certain with which band I could compare them, would I be ask how do they sound. For some reason I first thought of a less progressive version of A.C.T - oh wait, bad comparison, there are much better chances that you actually heard C&C than A.C.T... Let's say then, a less experimental, more accessible Mars Volta. The vocal pitch reminds me of Geddy Lee of Rush, although it's not the same vocal style. Plus an alternative side similar to Muse. But in the end, they are hard to describe. I recommend you go to their official web site, where you can listen to some of their material yourself. Highly recommended.


My Rating: * * * * ½

An unfortunate accident (update)

It's been nearly a month now. My brother is at the Sacré-Coeur hospital in Montreal. Since he got there, he has gotten one of multiple skin grafts he will be having, as well as a muscle graft. They did not do a bone graft after all, but they did put a metal plate in his ankle. They also have removed the cast he had on his left arm, so that they can start moving it a bit at the physiotherapy sessions. Speaking of physio, he did start it, but for his upper body only, and left leg. His right leg is really not ready for this.

So for now, the skin and muscle grafts seem to have taken well and the doctor is happy with it, but he also said that he cannot promise anything. So for now it looks promising, but there's always the chance that it won't turn out well. And that's not speaking of how it's gonna go in physio even if all the grafts turn out OK. It will hurt at first for sure, but will it keep on hurting...

We did not have the chance to go and see him since he's been to Montreal. It's not that long of a drive, but it is a good 2 hours, so there is some organising involved, mostly for the kids. Anyway, worst case I guess is that I will go alone. It would probably be the simplest solution, but not necessarily the most preferable one. Annie would like to come as well, but I know the kids would prefer not coming, so... We'll see...

My brother himself is doing OK, but it is rough. He does have times though that he is sad about all the situation. He often apologizes to my parents when they go see him. Also frustrated at the fact that he was not doing anything wrong, or stupid, when the accident happened. He finally had found a bunch of decent people to hang out with, and they were just our for a promenade. And the time and money spent (he gathered money and has been reasonable in his spending for two years to be able to pay cash for his motorbike) seem to be wasted in a flash. After his first graft also, there were moments where he was in excruciating pain. He is going through rough times.

Another side of the situation that worries me is his job. They sent him a fruit basket at first, but since then, there has been no contact, unless it was him calling his boss. No one from there went to see him. And understandably, he is sad about that as well. He had asked if he could get a laptop from work so that he could take a look a things, even if it would just to pass the time, but his boss refused. Probably my bro's replacement has to use the laptop or something, but I feel like they are letting him go. I mean, he is in the private sector, and they have no idea when my brother will be well enough to go back, and when he will be, it would probably be part time only at first. And his job requires him to travel a lot... The odds are somewhat against him. Again there, he finally found a job he likes, giving his 100%. What will he be doing if he does not recover very well?

I guess the only thing he can do for now is take things one day at a time, and be courageous. At least he has friends and family who goes to see him regularly. We will go as well, soon...

An unfortunate accident

My brother had for a long time, dreamed of having a motorcycle. He was finally able to get one a couple of years ago, and was extremely happy about it. He had to part with it because he could not afford it at the time. This last summer though, he bought another one since he could financially. And again, he was ecstatic about it.

He became part of a motorcycle group that organise trips. They have a web site on which people post a destination, and whoever wants to go can join them. My bro chose one, which was planned for last Sunday, destined to go from Montreal (that's where he lives) to Lake Georges in the State of New-York. That's a decision he is going to regret making, for the rest of his life...

The route is the 9N, and is very sinuous. But nothing dangerous at all. It's a paved country road, and there are lots of lodging areas along the way. It's a very nice drive actually, along, of course, Lake Georges. There was one curve though, that went down slightly steeper than the others, and turned left at the same time. For now, what we know and what my brother remembers, he made a judgement error, and put on the brakes while he shouldn't have, and his bike just went sliding to the side, hitting the metal guide rail. he fell over the rail, and the bike bounced back on the other side of the road. This resulted in a severe ankle fracture on his right leg, a dislocated shoulder on the left, and multiple bruising on his ribs, shoulder back and left arm.

Let's say that when my mother called to give me the news later on that Sunday, I expected the worst - you know what "worst" I mean... So although we did not know at that point the exact extent of his injuries, at least I knew he was still alive, and he did not have something really bad like a broken neck, which could lead to paraplegia or quadriplegia. So I went by to my parent's house, because now, we had to decide what to do. I'll spear you all the different discussions and arguments we had to come to this decision, because family matters differ from one family to the other, but in the end we decided that me, my sister and my father would go to see him the day after.

The 6.5h drive down there went very smoothly. Upon arriving to the hospital, which was the Albany Medical Center, a very reputable hospital and it showed, I expected it to be harder to take when seeing my brother. It wasn't as hard as I expected, but there was a sadness that grew in me. He had a neck harness, but fortunately it was just to prevent his head from going on the side too much when asleep, as it would not be good for the bruises (and he did sleep a lot because of the morphine and, well, because his body was in a healing process). His left arm was strapped onto his body, so that it does not move while the shoulder, replaced from dislocation, heals. Hi ankle, part of his calf and his foot had metal pins coming out of them, with metal bars to hold everything together, a bit like a cage, to prevent everything from moving (I know there is a name for that thing, but I don't remember it at the moment). Not a nice sight to see, mostly with part of the foot had an oval-shaped opened wound, about 6cm wide. My father was not able to watch this when it was uncovered... So in other words he was in pretty bad shape, although he was stable, and he could move all his members, even the toes on the side of his broken ankle.

Today, which is 4 days after the accident, he will be transported at a hospital in Montreal. He will be staying there until he is well enough to start physiotherapy. So this will surely be many weeks. The physio might be done at a hospital in Gatineau, near me and our parents. I expect the healing process will be long and tedious for his right leg mainly, but hope is there and my brother can be strong when needed.

We're hoping for the best.