R e v i e w s
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Spiritual Progressive Rock Artist Reviews |
XP; Yes; Young Earth; Yum Yum Children; Zomo
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XP (USA -CO) XP (93); Ten Songs (99) XP is an independent, unabashedly Christian rock band with some rhythmically proggish tendencies on a few of their songs. The best album is their newest, Ten Songs, and it starts off with a bang with their tune Prayin' Man. My favorite of their songs, it sports an odd-time jamming rhythm and some to-the-point lyrics. There is also a unique rendition of the classic hymn Nothing But the Blood on this one (called Nuthin'). Although they bill themselves as progressive rock, they don't quite live up to that. Nevertheless, these guys are better than 90% of what passes for CCM music now days, and their lyrics, while not quite poetic, certainly aren't watered down. If you are looking for classic 70's prog a'la ELP, I wouldn't bother with XP. But if you enjoy older Petra or your basic creative power rock of the late 70's with an evangelistic bent, XP might be for you. These guys are worth checking out just to read the individual musician's bio's on their web page - quite hilarious. http://www.xpband.com/
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Yes (UK) Yes; Time and a Word; The Yes Album; Fragile; Close To The Edge; Tales of
Topographic Oceans; Relayer; Going for the One; Tormato; Drama; 90125;
Big Generator; ABWH, Union, Talk, Open Your Eyes; Keys to
Ascension I, II Yes is one of the premier progressive rock bands from the 1970's, and from the beginning their music has been steeped in spiritual themes, thanks to the creative if obtuse lyrics of their angelic singer, Jon Anderson. I've talked to a number of people who were led toward belief in God through the lyrics of Yes, and although only Rick Wakeman is currently a professing Christian. Songs like Heart of the Sunrise, And You and I, Siberian Khatru ("Christian..changer..all round..saviour.."), The Revealing Science of God ("Relayer, all the passion spent on one cross.."), The Gates of Delirium, Awaken (inspired by Calvin Miller's poetic Christian novels, The Singer, The Song, etc), Parallels, Onward, On the Silent Wings of Freedom, The Meeting, Lift Me Up, etc., all touch on spiritual longings and can even be interpreted as Christian in places. Some newer songs with Wakeman on Keys to Ascension II are awesome, especially the song Mind Drive, which is vintage Yes. Jon's spiritual philosophies have moved through the gamut of religious ideas over the years, with his latest phase being a new age philosophy that embraces reincarnation and following his spiritual guru, Devine Mother. The Ladder, released in 99 was a disappointment for me, although many Yes fans really liked it. 2001's Magnification was better, and the orchestral parts instead of a keyboard player were surprisingly tasteful. Rick Wakeman rejoined in 2002, and is currently on tour with Jon Anderson in the UK. One can only hope that Mr. Wakeman lends his considerable talents to any new studio projects the band has in store, and that Jon finally finds the truth he's been forever searching for. {dt}
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Young Earth (USA -CO) CPR, Volume 2 Young Earth is a prog band featured on the CPR Volume 2 CD made up of Bill Rebsamen, Chuck Law, David Walliman (now in Glass Hammer) and Kirk Gaither. See more about them at: http://www.youngearth.net
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Tasty Thanks; Dufusized; Used To Would've Leon Goodenough's quirky band, called by some King Crimson meets the B-52's, is a delightful blend of vintage Telecaster guitars, odd time signatures, whacked out organs, Frippian rhythms, and modern alternative vocals about God and His many wonders. Dufusized is the more eclectic of the three (and thus the best), although harder to find than Used To Would've, which is readily available new or used on the Internet. Tasty Thanks, their debut, has more folk rock leanings, a 'la The Violent Femmes. There are a few samples from the band up on http://www.mp3.com if you have a hankering. If you like the Yumsters, you might try out Goodenough's prog-punk band, the Clergy, as well. Leon told me that he has a new Yum Yum album in the works, so expect something cool in the fall of 2002! {dt}
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Z
Zomo is a new proggy female-fronted Christian groove-metal band. They are influenced by King's X, Platypus, Tool, etc. Here's their Myspace profile page where you can listen to them: http://www.myspace.com/zomoband
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