DAYS BETWEEN STATIONS

Days Between Stations is the creative partnership between guitarist Sepand Samzadeh and keyboardist Oscar Fuentes. The duo came together in Los Angeles in November 2003, and named the band after the 1985 novel by Steve Erickson. The band’s sound – Samzadeh calls it “art-rock,” Fuentes labels it “post-prog” – reflects their varied influences, as well as a shared disregard for stylistic boundaries... more

BILLY SHERWOOD

We are much honored this month to have Billy Sherwood (CIRCA:, former YES) as our interview guest. He just released his new CD titled "At The Speed Of Life". Currently, beside his solo projects he is one of the members of the band CIRCA:, formed by ex-YES members Tony Kaye and Alan White, along with Jimmy Haun. They released their first solo album in 2007, followed in 2008 by a live DVD. They are currently in the studio working on their second solo CD...more

Kate BUSH / Never For Ever

1980‘s “Never For Ever” is Kate’s 3rd album. The album was co-produced by Jon Kelly & Kate herself. One of the most interesting things about this album is that it is the first record by a British female artist to top the UK album charts. (Wikipedia). Kate’s progressive approach to music reaches its peak with Never For Ever. She tastefully blends different genres including folk, oriental, rock, classical and jazz. Unlike her first two albums which she wrote on piano, this one was written on synths... more

DAYS BETWEEN STATIONS / Self Titled

Days Between Stations is a new band, with a soon to be released self titled debut album from the indie label Bright Orange. The album is engineered by Evren Goknar, who worked with the Capitol Mastering team (Queensryche, Heart, Sammy Hagar, Red Hot Chili Peppers).

This is an instrumental album with the taste of classic progressive rock / avant-garde era. I can sense the band members were highly influenced by Pink Floyd, King Crimson and some parts even made me think of Alan Parsons. I do not know the story behind the album, and I might be way off with my interpretation but from the song titles I can picture this story: Pain and struggle that one goes through after the loss of a loved one. The album as a whole sounds very much like a soundtrack in this sense. The opening song “Requiem for the Living” starts with intense synthesizers with the slow addition of keyboards. The sound is very emotional, you can picture a movie’s beginning, even before the first scene, with this kind of intro you know something is not right and you are about to witness a dramatic situation. And soon enough, you hear this male voice, sort of singing an eastern funeral song. The second part of the song is mostly the part that makes me think of Pink Floyd. The bass during this part is literally singing. The title makes it very clear that this song reflects the pain and struggle of the living since the ones who are gone can no longer feel anything. “Either / Or”, the second song on the album continues in the same direction and I see how these two connect together. Since the first song has a very down tempo and sad beginning, I picture a scene of a very recent death, the pain has not subsided yet for the one who is left behind, but as the hours go by, the reality hits and that’s why we hear the sad and screaming voices.

From the title of the song “How to Seduce a Ghost” I already know we are not talking about bad ghosts. It still has a chilling beginning but builds up to be a soft “one last possible try” to reach the dead. “Radio Song” is the one that sounds closer to the contemporary electronic music, however it still has a new wave feel to it, until you hear the end with the sax and trumpet.

The last song “Laudanum” has 4 parts: A Long Sad Good-Bye, Everyone is Here But You, Nowhere and The Wake. At this point the album turns into something more avant-garde still with psychedelic roots. The most interesting thing about this long song is that each instrument has its own different rhythm and melody lines, and you can identify each one of them perfectly because they don’t overlay on each other and this brings richness to the sound. Third part of the song, “Nowhere” is haunting. You will hear long single notes that hang forever, and this really gives you the feeling of “emptiness” or “nothingness”. “The Wake”, last part of “Laudanum” is like the calm “after” the storm, with the feeling of “life goes on although it doesn’t make much sense, so I will get up in the morning and get a cup of coffee or something and try to survive”.

I really like this album and can easily picture these guys making a movie soundtrack. Special kudos to the bass player.

Hande BURDG