So we go with the Semi-Final Round.
Just as Friday had done last year, Jethro went back to the traditional format in this round, pitting two albums directly against each other in two matchups. Unlike Friday, he elected to pair up #'s 1 and 2, and #'s 3 and 4. We'll see how it works out.
Here's the breakdown:
Italy is considered a prog hotbed of the very highest caliber, and this one makes no exception. Album is consistent and is centered around electric guitar supported by a variety of synth and keys. It expresses all the emotions found here to the max. Here, it's romantic, there it's dark. There is a sense of tension as well, and it can be hypnotic at times. No necessarily need of vocals for doing so. When the vocals are sparsed, the instruments tightly express. Album is very melodic, and not many heavy parts to be found but heaviness is in their DNA, as shown in their previous albums.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DESnpZqOndg&list=PLuS4U--ALmIFO31OkVeIZTh6s4Fum09K1
track 1 is a teaser. Please skip it.
vs.
Swiss prog with some Genesis elements that also uses a wider variety of instruments and plays some "heavy" bits here and there plus some vocals a la Peter Hammill. First half of the album is great but its second half, the 22 min title track, is a top tier prog epic and the true star of the record
youtube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WxJ0zOleXBs&ab_channel=ProgLine
and
SBB
Memento Z Banalnym Tryptykiem
SBB is a criminally slept on polish prog group that have made some of my favorite records in all of music. I love their songwriting and musicianship, and that's on full display on this record in particular. This record is a great show of strength for the group's abilities, from flashy exciting jazz fusion to the somber, Spanish-influenced wails of a lone guitar, these guys know how to make a melody. And I want to make sure everyone knows that.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iq2WKo5s8e8&ab_channel=EricDeRosaProg
vs.
For his 4th solo album, Finnish composer and bassist Pekka Pohjola (1952-2008), one of the greatest Scandinavian musicians of all time, puts everything he had: his sense of melody, boundless love for jazz and prog rock, Mr. Frank Zappa's teachings and an absolutely unique look at the nature of neoclassical music. This instrumental record is a 32 minute entity joined not only by a brass section, but also by the strings and woodwinds of the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra. An ambitious album that, for once, achieves its lofty goals, and in spectacular style to thrill.
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/13jsiukSg8oNVBKACx3X3f?si=4cZ0GZskTBSc6kFIfAyfog
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SVDUIxuUWxE
These two match-ups will determine who meets for the championship. Because we've all heard these albums multiple times now, this time, the vote is due by Thursday, May 12. I'll see you then, or shortly thereafter.
