Under the Radar Music: 2014

Happy Family, Japan

News: As of April of 2019, the band has called it quits. Last check: February 15, 2020

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Eccentric Orbit, USA-Massachusetts Inactive

Retro prog

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Latest release: Creation of the Humanoids (2014)

---UMR notes

Creation of the Humanoids (2014)

10 years after their debut, Boston's Eccentric Orbit returns with another fine retro prog effort. All instrumental, the group goes through lengthy and complex tracks that never sit still too long. Great analog instrumentation such as woody bass, Mini-Moog, (faux) Mellotron, and violin make for a very pleasant listen throughout. There's no guitar but the guitar synth gives us a facsimile of the sound. About the only thing holding this back from the higher echelons is that it's not very - umm - eccentric. Rather this is a well studied release. Nothing meanders and each space has a purpose. It's not the reckless abandon of amateurs that propels the all-time greats. This is prog rock made by prog rock fans. If I were to create a progressive rock album, it would probably come out something like this (though not near as accomplished). It's difficult to be uniquely creative this far along in the process. But if you love progressive rock from the 1970s, this is an album you're going to want to hear and likely own.

Attack of the Martians (2004)

A long time ago, I reviewed a then new album by the Israeli group Trespass for Gnosis. The review basically states that if you like keyboard trio proggy prog circa 1972, then you must own Morning Lights. Well... same deal here. Maybe less similar to the Dutch group Trace and more like the Japanese virtuoso Motoi Sakuraba, but this still delivers the goods all day and all night. With some added and varied instrumentation, these guys could create that extra dimension similar to how Pochakaite Malko did on Laya. Special recognition to bassist Bill Noland, who likes to rip out some fuzz bass from time to time. Fuzz bass + mellotron = me like. Opener and closer are the definite highlights, as the aggressiveness plays well for Eccentric Orbit. This album drew almost straight 10s from the Gnosis rat pack (of which I'm part of), and I'm guessing that’s more a reflection of the nothing new assessment. But I tend to be generous to these kind of musical cheeseburgers and grade it a point higher. Big League stuff from the next iteration of Pye Fyte, itself a much neglected late 90s winner.

2006; 11/2/14 (new entry); 9/10/23

Druckfarben, Canada

News: Looks like the 3rd album went by the wayside. Right now Phil Naro is dedicating his time to Yessongs (tribute band). Last check: February 15, 2020

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Fusion Orchestra 2, England

News: Nothing significant since 2015. Last check: February 15, 2020

The Morrigan, England Disbanded

Progressive rock; Prog Folk; Celtic folk

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Last album: Hidden Agenda (2002)

They were still active when I first published this post, but no more.

Hidden Agenda (2002)

And The Morrigan's recording career appears to have concluded with Hidden Agenda. Featuring a capture-the-imagination medieval city center painting, and with a title hinting at a possible byzantine hidden agenda, perhaps we can expect this to be The Morrigan's most progressive and thought provoking album to date? The answer is no, it's more of the same: A solid mix of progressive rock originals and unique rocked out interpretations of English folk traditional music. Which is hardly a bad thing. I've always appreciated The Morrigan more for their handwritten material, and tracks like 'In the End', 'The Other', and the 10 minute 'A Night to Remember' do not disappoint. In fact the latter track is arguably The Morrigan's finest moment. If this is indeed their swan song then they went out on a good note. Here's to hoping they will reconsider, and release an album of entirely original material and recognize their immense talent in full.

Masque (1998)

Masque continues in the same manner as The Morrigan's two previous releases. There is the usual blend of original material mixed with creative progressive rock arrangements of traditional medleys. Whereas Wreckers sounds like an extension of Rides Out, Masque sees The Morrigan stretching out to new horizons - with more sophisticated arrangements and an overall heavier sound. Like Wreckers, The Morrigan held back their more adventurous material until later in the disc. Highlights include the heavy and complex progressive rock track 'Moonghost', the Cathy Alexander dominated 'The Traveller' with its Hackett-esque guitar, the jazzy variation of the traditional 'Dribbles of Brandy', and the Ozric Tentacles (with vocals) inspired 'The Demon Lover'. A very fine album.

Wreckers (1996)

Six years after everyone ignored Rides Out comes Wreckers which basically sounds like a re-recording of Rides Out - though the tunes are indeed different. There hasn't been much progression since, and it appears they are trying to re-energize or regain their old audience - or perhaps attain a new one with their first CD on the established English Garden label (which incidentally was an offshoot of the Background reissue label that was focused on some of the most obscure 1970s UK folk rock rarities). I also hear a timid try in a few places for a Dead Can Dance styled Darkwave sound, though they were a day late and a dollar short on that front. There are two odd tracks towards the end of the CD (both originals) that show that The Morrigan are looking to break out from their standard sound. 'Wheels Turning' is a good try at the 80's New Wave of British Progressive Rock sound as popularized by Marillion and Pallas. And 'When the Rain Comes Down' has a reggae base complete with Moog synthesizers, once again demonstrating their Festival Scene roots. So given this premise, I'd have to say Wreckers is the most superfluous album in their canon. Certainly it's a fine work, and if you haven't already heard Rides Out then the sound will be most revelatory on initial impact I'm sure.

Rides Out (1990)

On paper at least, England's The Morrigan doesn't sound like my cup of tea. In essence, The Morrigan play rocked out versions of English traditional folk songs. Or self-penned tracks that sound like English traditional folk songs. Fortunately I happened upon Rides Out not long after the CD release, and was captivated immediately. Not only are these spirited reproductions - or originals - but there is definitely a psychedelic/heavy rock slant to their approach (and guitar sound), reminding me of some of the early 70s greats like Mellow Candle or The Trees. The female vocals and recorders - heck the entire production - are crystal clear and one can be forgiven for breaking into a jig mid-song. It's apparent the band had roots in the UK Festival scene of the mid 80s, though by 1990 the band had honed their sound to a professional level. Not surprisingly I found myself enjoying the original material best, but if in a positive mood, the whole album works well together. A wonderful find, especially if you tire of the endless Public Broadcasting Company's tepid vision of said sound.

8/26/14 (new entry)