Welcome

Being somewhat of a tech-geek and needing some way to easily share some of my initial thoughts about CDs - and other things - I've started this blog. It relates to the main website at www.progressiveworld.net.

It also, in a way, replaces the old Ruminations section from PW's initial site (now under Articles/Editorials). Which, if you are only visiting this blog, won't make much sense.

So, firstly, an introduction. Progressiveworld.net was started in 1997 as a review site for progressive music releases - rock, ambient, metal, etc. We've published more than 4500 hundred reviews in that time (although as of this posting, we're in the midst of an upgrade/transfer so not all 4500 show up - yet - on the main site). Plus you'll find an assortment of interviews, DVD reviews, a gallery, news, and more.

I, Stephanie, am the publisher/contributing editor and creator of the site; there are and have been as many as a dozen contributors over the years, so it's not a one person operation.

So, what is on the editor's CD player right now? And what does she/do I think of what I'm hearing? In a quick snapshot we have comments on a few:

Solstice Coil - A Prescription For Paper Cuts: Solstice Coil are from Israel. Here's a band that at one moment I think is a bit RIO-ish (Rock in Opposition) at others symphonic prog and at others neo-prog... all at the same time. Interesting, intense and at times... dramatic.

Presto Ballet - The Lost Art Of Time Travel: From the US, Presto Ballet are prog rock group with a definite 70s influence, leaning more towards the hard rock of the era rather than the prog. Shades of Rush and Styx in their sound, featuring Kurdt Vanderhoof on guitar (ex-Metal Church).

Rousseau - At The Cinema: Either my memory is faulty, but I don't recall that their earlier works were so soft-rock/AOR. There's even a bit of a country rock feel to one piece that seems so much like something from Don Henley. At another moment, it's of Fish that I think. I've been listening with out the tracklisting, so that's why I've not included track names here; of course, the full-on review that'll be posted shortly will. It's not a bad CD, but it's very...bland.

Well, that should do it for this first blog. More to come.