Time Is Running Out [CD-single] [Import]

time is running out [cd-single] [import]

Track Listings

1. Time Is Running Out

2. The Groove

3. Stockholm Syndrome

Editorial Reviews
Product Description
Japanese exclusive EP taken from the 2003 album, 'Absolution'. The title track is backed with 2 non-LP tracks, 'The Groove' & 'Stockholm Syndrome (Video). Copy Controlled. Avex.

Time Is Running Out,Muse,Avex Trax Japan,Alternative Pop/Rock,Britpop,England,Pop,Rock,Rock/Pop

Time Is Running Out [CD-single] [Import]

Average customer rating:

Another great trip down the MFU memory lane
The best of the three Double CDs ORIGINAL soundtrack release

The Man From U.N.C.L.E., Vol. 2

Manufacturer: Film Score Monthly
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

The Man From U.N.C.L.E.
The Man from U.N.C.L.E., Vol. 3
Man from U.N.C.L.E.
Honey West
The Saint/Secret Agent

ASIN: B0006SSQ7U
Release Date: 2005-01-04

Tracks:

First Season End Title
Vulcan Affair (Suite No. 2)
Iowa-Scuba Affair
Shark Affair
Deadly Games Affair (Suite No. 2)
Meet Mr. Solo
Giuoco Piano Affair
King of Knaves Affair: Suite No. 2
First Season Main Title [Revised]
Deadly Decoy Affair
Spy With My Face
Second Season Main Title
Alexander the Greater Affair
Ultimate Computer Affair
Very Important Zombie Affair
Dippy Blonde Affair
Seadly Goddess Afair
Moonglow Affair

Tracks:

One of Our Spies Is Missing
Third Season Main Title
Sort of Do-It-Youself Dreadful Affair
Galatea Affair
Pop Art Affair
Come With Me to the Casbah Affair
Off-Broadway Affair
Concrete Overcoat Affair
Napoleon's Tomb Affair
Alternate Fourth Season Main Title
Fourth Season (End Title)
Test Tube Killer Affair
Prince of Darkness Affair
Seven Wonders of the World Affair

Customer Reviews:

Another great trip down the MFU memory lane.......2005-10-19

Volume 2 (comprised of 2 CDs) is another first rate compilation of the series' original music and not to be missed by U.N.C.L.E. fans. The liner notes are wonderful and add a lot to ones appreciation of the music.

My only problem is that THE CDs ARE COPY PROTECTED! Considerable work is needed to get the music onto your iPod, if you really want the music in your mp3 collection. This is a major hassle and a surprise, since the first set in the series was not copy protected.

The best of the three Double CDs ORIGINAL soundtrack release.......2005-07-12

Many of us have always thought The Man From UNCLE had the best music for a TV series ever, and this three double CD release confirms this. Wow! I'd be just happy with one CD, but having SIX (three double CDs packages) is absolutely out of this world, I mean, a lifetime wait come true.

Indeed, this is an unbelievable collection of three double CDs packages with the complete series soundtrack, and I mean the complete music, not a tune is missing.

And this is the ORIGINAL Man From Uncle music. Let me stress the point: this is the four years ORIGINAL soundtrack with the original recordings as they were heard throughout the series, not a no-name orchestra doing personal versions of the stuff. The audio transfer is very, very good, the music from late episodes is even in stereo.

Each individual CD carries over 70 minutes of music. All in all there you have the four TV seasons main titles and all, absolutely all of TMFU unforgetable music.

This is not a chronological release, meaning, all CDs have a mix of music from all four TV seasons. Volume 1 is heavier on early TV seasons stuff, fans of Jerry Goldsmith will love it. Those of us who prefer what Gerald Fried and later Richard Shores did with TMFU music, then volume 2 is mandatory. If you are a fan, you can't miss any of these six CDs. However if buying all three double packages is too much for you, you must go with Volume 2, no questions asked. Volume three is the weakest of them as it brings "suites" and a whole CD with "The Girl From Uncle" soundtrack, but you have a bonus "Open Channel D" beeper.

Each package is gorgeous, each with a glossy color booklet with extensive liner notes with details on how each tune was written to a specific TV series episode and how it was used onwards. You have bios on the composers, on how the recordings were made, even an overview on how many instruments were available in each of the years the music was recorded.

So, throw away your Hugo Montenegro Man From Uncle CD, this is the REAL thing.

Average customer rating:

F.A.N.T.A.S.T.I.C.!
At LAST the complete series ORIGINAL soundtrack, the wait is over!

The Man From U.N.C.L.E.

Manufacturer: Film Score Monthly
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

The Man From U.N.C.L.E., Vol. 2
The Man from U.N.C.L.E., Vol. 3
The Man from U.N.C.L.E. Book: The Behind-the-Scenes Story of a Television Classic
In Like Flint / Our Man Flint: Original Motion Picture Soundtracks
Man from U.N.C.L.E.

ASIN: B0006SSQ8E
Release Date: 2005-01-04

Tracks:

First Season Main Title
Vulcan Affair
Deadly Games Affair
Double Affair
Project Strigas Affair
King of Knaves Affair
Fiddlesticks Affair
Meet Mr. Solo
First Season End Title
Second Season End Title
Alexander the Greater Affair

Tracks:

Foxes and Hounds Affair
Discotheque Affair
Re-Collectors Affair
Arabian Affair
Tigers Are Coming Affair
Cherry Blossom Affair
Dippy Blonde Affair
Third Season End Title
Her Master's Voice Affair
Monks of St. Thomas Affair
Pop Art Affair
Fourth Season (Main Title)
Summit-Five Affair
"J" for Judas Affair

Customer Reviews:

F.A.N.T.A.S.T.I.C.!.......2006-02-02

I've got the original music (including v2 and v3), the books (the best is Heitland's The Man from U.N.C.L.E. Book; still in print);
the 22 VHS tapes issued in the early 1990's (a haphazard collection issued in no particular order of episodes that boasted famous guest stars). Can I please get the whole series on DVD? I have not seen Mother Fear toying with Illya (The Children's Day Affair) in over 40 years.

At LAST the complete series ORIGINAL soundtrack, the wait is over!.......2005-07-12

Average customer rating:

Running out of Time
Digital Orgasm
Manufacturer: Warner Bros / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

CD Singles | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

Rave | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00000DDY5
Release Date: 1993-08-05

Average customer rating:

Best Of Daniel Band

Manufacturer: Refuge
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
Similar Items:

Run From the Darkness (+2)

ASIN: B000ENWO7A

Product Description

Songs are: 1. You're All I Need 2. Here I Am 3. Reality 4. Lustful Illusions 5. In My Mind 6. Run From The Darkness 7. Live Connection 8. Sixteen 9. Walk On Water 10. Don't Give Up 11. Rise Up 12. Right Heart 13. Bethel 14. Party In Heaven 15. Hold On 16. Running Out Of Time

Average customer rating:

Time Is Running Out
Muse
Manufacturer: Import [Generic]
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | CD Singles | Pop | Styles | Music

Rock | Imports | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Starlight
Supermassive Black Hole
Sing for Absolution
Deadstar/in Your World
Random 1-8

ASIN: B0000C846R
Release Date: 2004-02-17

Tracks:

Time Is Running Out
Groove
Stockholm Syndrome (Video)

Album Description

Taken from the 2003 album, 'Absolution'. The title track is backed with two non-LP tracks, 'The Groove' & 'Stockholm Syndrome' (Video). East West/Taste.

Average customer rating:

A Beautifully Written Piece of Art
Good, but not for the casual fan
Review from a classical musician
Doesn't do them justice.
Good, but not great

String Quartet Tribute to Muse

Manufacturer: Vitamin Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Indie Rock | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Compilations | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music

Tributes | Pop | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Knights of Cydonia
Absolution Box Set
String Quartet Tribute to the Killers
Random 1-8
The String Quartet Tribute to My Chemical Romance

ASIN: B00070Q89K
Release Date: 2005-01-25

Tracks:

Stockholm Syndrome
Map Of Your Head
Time Is Running Out
Muscle Museum
In Your World
Showbiz
The Small Print
Sunburn'
New Born
Bliss
Sing For Absolution
Saving Grace

Product Description

1. Stockholm Syndrome
2. Map Of Your Head
3. Time Is Running Out
4. Muscle Museum
5. In Your World
6. Showbiz
7. The Small Print
8. Sunburn
9. New Born
10. Bliss
11. Sing For Absolution
12. Saving Grace (Original Composition)

Format: CD

Customer Reviews:

A Beautifully Written Piece of Art.......2007-06-29

Based on a purely classical mind set, this is one of the most beautiful string tribute albums there are. Granted, Muse fans who usually don't listen to string albums probably won't appreciate it, but for the classical lover, this is the tribute album to start with. The String Tribute to Muse is an absolute masterpiece amongst tributes.

Good, but not for the casual fan.......2007-05-19

I agree very much with Brian Allen; you should only spend the money on this one if you happen to be either a big fan or strings or a big fan of Muse, and I fall very much into the latter. As far as the songs themselves, some sound beautiful. "Bliss" nearly breaks your heart as an all-string tribute. But other songs are hard-core alternative rock, like "Stockholm Syndrome" so songs like that sound awkward at best. If you like a song by Muse here and there, only have one or two of their CDs, and think, "Oh, they're alright," don't bother purchasing it. However for big Muse fans, it's a nice treat.

Review from a classical musician.......2006-02-05

I play cello in a string quartet and am a huge Muse fan as well. As far as this compilation of, perhaps, some of Muse's greatest hits, a string quartet version just doesn't depict the kind of emotional response that I get from listening to the orignal trio. I listened to some of these tracks and thought I was listening to my buddies playing Muse songs by ear and just messing around. Save your money, or better yet, for the same price go out and treat yourself to the original albums that these songs derived from (Showbiz, Origin of Symmetry and Absolution)!

Doesn't do them justice........2006-02-04

Well, before I say anything about this tribute album, let me state clearly for the record that I am a HUGE Muse fan, and always will be. I'm also very fond of classical music, so I thought this album would be incredible. Unfortunately, that assumption was way off. To me, this was basically like a bunch of recordings of people humming Muse songs. The original tracks have so much power and emotion, but these versions seem cheap and empty. If they would have had a full orchistra it would have been awesome. The string quartet just doesn't cut it, at least not for me. Of course, this is all in my humble opinion.

Good, but not great.......2005-12-06

I'll do an actual review later, but here are some of my thoughts on this album, since only one other person rated it so far. The songs all sound great, but they hardly differ from the original versions, and none of them are really that much different. Most of them sound note for note the same, but just played on the strings. This is ok because Muse has a lot of classical influence in their songs, but I wish the makers would have put more effort into this. If you're a casual fan you can skip, but if you really like string tributes or Muse you should get it. Some better string tributes, which are less basic, are the ones for Nine Inch Nails, Coldplay, and A Perfect Circle.

Average customer rating:

Great Debut Album
Discipline Debut
i have loved this band since i was 16

Push & Profit
Discipline
Manufacturer: Strung Out Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Punk | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Psychedelic Rock | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Alternative Rock | Indie Music | Stores | Music

Rock | Alternative Rock | Indie Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

astray
Unfolded Like Staircase
I Move
Discipline. Live 1995
My River Flows

ASIN: B000260FRA
Release Date: 1993-03-15

Tracks:

Diminished
The Reasoning Wall
Carmilla
The Nursery Year
Faces of the Petty
Systems
Blueprint
America

Product Description

The first Discipline studio CD moves quickly from delicate to demented. Singer Matthew Parmenter establishes pretty melodies over lyrics about uncomfortable and, at times, disturbing subjects. Running Time: 56 minutes, 14 seconds.

Customer Reviews:

Great Debut Album.......2007-01-18

Discipline is one of my all time favorite progressive rock bands and I still think it is a crime that these guys did not find more success than they did. Band leader Matthew Parmenter is one of the single most talented people I have ever had the chance to see live, and the rest of the band were equally competent on their respective instruments. By the time the band's debut CD "Push And Profit" came out the band had already been together for quite a few years and had released several cassette only albums and a live video. This album is not quite as strong as their 2nd effort "Unfolded Like Staircase", but it has a charm that is missing from the latter album. Parmenter's lyrics and vocals weave themselves around John Preston Bouda's guitar and Matthew Kennedy's bass covering subject matter that is mostly on the dark side. Every song on the album is a good one with "Diminished", The Reasoning Wall", "Carmilla", and "Systems" all being highlights. The instrumental "Blueprint" shows off what the band is capable of without words. The two shortest tracks on the album are both interesting ones. "The Nursery Year" tells the story of a child molester in first person. It is truly a disturbing piece of work made all the more sinister by the almost nursery rhyme quality to the music. This is definitely one of Parmenters most disquieting compositions. The other short one is "Faces Of The Petty" which is a four minute romp that could have been a single had it been given a chance on radio. It is a great little song. The album closer "America" takes a bleak look at the our current state (circa 1993) and again contains some of Parmenter's strongest lyrical work. I love everything about this album and highly recommend it.

Discipline Debut.......2005-01-13

A terrific debut, Push and Profit sets the stage for the excellent Unfolded Like Staircase album. Not as dark as Unfolded and it's theories on the after-life, Push and Profit is a collection of tales about the here and now.

Diminished is a good title about the insignificance one feels in this massive universe. A nice lilting piano line with violin fills. My only pet peeve is singers who say, "I yam," instead of "I am." That lazy tongue wears on my nerves, but Parmenter's voice is one I enjoy overall.

The Reasoning Wall comes very close to stealing the main riff from Tull's Thick as a Brick, with only a slight variation on that theme. The song on the whole is somewhat reminiscent of A Venture from Yes in its flow. The drumming carries a strong Bruford feel and I could still register Jon Anderson in the vocal delivery.

Carmilla appears to be a song about a girl's suicide in her bathtub, the reaper whispering in her ear as she fades. There are some strong instrumental lines; mellotron washes that swirl around your head and enough guitar breaks to keep things chugging along. Bassist Matthew Kennedy plays some solid deep end.

The Nursery Year is a chilling story of a child molester, discovered and promising revenge against his accusers. A detective friend told me about closing in to arrest a child molester and noticing he smelled sweet, like fresh baked sugar cookies. Parmenter displays that sickly sweet character in the most disturbing manner. The melody is very warm, a lullaby, which makes the effect even more disturbing.

Discipline shows they can do 70's rock and roll with Faces of the Pretty. This tune could have come from any number of bands, from Bowie's Ziggy era to Queen's Sweet Lady. It's a fun tune that makes your foot get heavy while cruisin' down the boulevard.

Systems gives me a Steely Dan vibe on the intro. Parmenter's vocal melody is soothing and catchy. Lyrical images flash through this cinematic tune. This may be my favorite track on the CD.

The instrumental, Blueprint, starts with a chase scene momentum, but veers into a slow burn with a powerful guitar solo, soaring and Gilmouresque.

The final tune, America, again has that Yes vibe to it. This is a commentary on commercialism, the loss of a person's meaningful position in society, hopelessness and abandonment.

Push and Profit is a fitting addition to any prog collection and a fine debut. After Unfolded and Astray, I would place Matthew Parmenter high in the list of those artists keeping progressive rock fresh and alive along with Echolyn, Lands End and IZZ.

i have loved this band since i was 16.......2004-07-26

in high school this band played a concert. i instantly fell in love with the music and the performance. it was deffinatly original. and now 12 years later i still remember it all, and to boot the band members were so nice to everyone. to this day the nursery year still makes me cry. wonderful job guys!!!!!

Average customer rating:

A Flawed Candle in the Darkness
Undisciplined
Best of 2004? Could very well be. Don't go astray... Try it.
Dark, Deep, and Thick with Clouds indeed

astray
Matthew Parmenter
Manufacturer: Strung Out Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Psychedelic Rock | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Alternative Rock | Indie Music | Stores | Music

Rock | Alternative Rock | Indie Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Push & Profit
Unfolded Like Staircase
Discipline. Live 1995
My River Flows
Fear of a Blank Planet

ASIN: B00023DA2K
Release Date: 2004-04-15

Tracks:

Now
Distracted
Dirty Mind
Another Vision
Some Fear Growing Old
Between Me and the End
Modern Times

Product Description

The 68-minute CD features all new tracks including the 21-minute song suite Modern Times. Produced and engineered by Parmenter, astray is decidedly psychedelic in atmosphere. Songs unfold into dreamlike improvisations that surround the listener. Bassist Mathew Kennedy appears throughout the CD, the sole guest musician on astray. Parmenter covers vocals and other audibles, including piano, guitar, drums, saxophone, violin, organ, synthesizers, marimba, Theremin, and Mellotron sounds.

Customer Reviews:

A Flawed Candle in the Darkness.......2006-12-20

While I was not always in the mood for it, I was a fan of Discipline's particularly dreary brand of progressive rock in the late 90's. If I was feeling a little introverted and evil, and after "The Downward Spiral" was worn out, "Unfolded Like Staircase" certainly met my needs. While not nearly as acerbic as Reznor, Parmenter's unique and passionate voice delivered a certain psychotic prog intellectualism that I was getting in touch with, and I developed a respect for his work. As a result, I chose to purchase "Astray" at the same time as Neal Morse's "One." I thought that "Astray" may act as a compelling foil to Morse's increasingly Christian (but still well-written) viewpoint. After all, both Parmenter and Morse have some interesting similarities as talented, charismatic, and possibly overbearing conceptualists (for entirely different reasons).

While "Astray" does not come close to exhibiting the compositional strength that Morse seems to just sweat, it is a decent listen. Parmenter has a knack for brooding, menacing atmospheres, and his thinly drawn line between confession and self-deprecation would most likely appeal to die-hard fans of old-school Fish-led Marillion, in the vein of "Fugazi." While Parmenter's approach may not be as poetic or aloof as Fish's, his tendency to shine a flashlight on uncomfortable aspects of himself is simultaneously disquieting and cathartic in a way that teeters on Goth.

Rather than a poet, Parmenter's approach is more that of a storyteller, which is both a boon and a bane. He takes considerable care to imbue his lyrics with a dramatic plot that climaxes effectively like a short story, but his desire to lead the listener through his lyrical ideas sometimes results in overlong and periocially muddy arrangements. There are several tunes on "Astray" that pass the seven-minute mark that probably could end at five (see "Dirty Mind"), but are extended for the sake of the text. However, the hooky nature and well-considered atmosphere of these songs make this aspect of "Astray" less irritating than it sounds, especially if you are a fan of lyrics.

Parmenter also proves to have significant talents as a multi-instrumentalist. On "Astray," if we are to believe his credits, he plays all instruments besides bass. If this is the case, a focused listen will reveal his significant facility on sax, piano, cello, drums, and guitar. However, of all of these it is the latter that is the least convincing. Sonically, "Astray" is a mere two or three steps away from early Pink Floyd and Peter Gabriel, largely due to the dark ambiance and introverted text. I can't help but think that if he had outsourced his guitar work that the tunes would open up to a higher level of instrumental intensity.

The Lowdown: "Astray" probably sounds best if you are driving alone in the rain. It's gloomy and sometimes overlong prog, but within the mire there are overtones of self-revelation. Fans of thoughtful and occasionally clever lyrics in this setting could certainly do much worse.

Undisciplined.......2006-03-21

I bought this album on the strength of "Unfold like staircase" by Discipline and the other reviews placed on this page. As you can see from my moderate 3 star rating I am not truly satisfied and feel that I should have better spent my hard earned cash elsewhere. I enjoyed the 20 minute epic at the close of the album but the rest of the content does not deliver. Why? Because the remaining tracks are overly repetative and lead nowhere. The essence of progressive music for me is the unpredicatability, with constant changes in pace and melody.

Further, Parmenter's guitar work is solid but uninspired, the choice to play every instrument himself (except bass) imposed limitations from the outset. Influenced strongly by Peter Hammill's songwriting style, M.P. should steer clear of emulating the VDGG frontman's enormous singing range. When Hammill hits the deep notes he sounds authentic but Parmenter sounds forced. Having said all that, I still look forward to any new offerings that Discipline may have in the pipeline.

Best of 2004? Could very well be. Don't go astray... Try it........2005-01-13

Many influences abound on Matthew Parmenter's first solo release. The Genesis school of theatrical music, VDGG's pain and anguish (Parmenter occassionally sounds very much like Peter Hammill) and early King Crimson's aural soundscape (heavily mellotronised) and even a glimpse or two of Jon Anderson styled lyric lines (in my head I could hear Anderson singing some of the vocals. Not timbre, mind you, more inflection). All in all, a healthy prog soup.

Except for the bass, all instruments are played by Parmenter. Drums, percussion, vocals, keyboards, violin, sax, guitar... It has such a live feel, it's hard to believe everything is totally overdubbed. Each instrument is played with finesse and the conviction one puts into being adept at only a single instrument. This guy could be a member in any band. Versatility is an understatement.

This album is a grower, each listen (about 15 for me) brings forth new elements and wonders. By the third or fouth listen, I was captured.

Vocally, Parmenter can be a chameleon. He changes styles and tones in an instant. From Hammill's melodrama to Anderson's wispy naivete to Gabriel's storytelling characters. Personally, I would be appreciative if he dropped the Hammill persona. It comes across as almost too imitative, rather than personal. I researched other sites regarding this release and some even credit Hammill as singing on this record. Believe me, Hammill''s name does not appear on the CD sleeve, nor on the MP website. Strange? I'll say. Discipline's last studio release, Unfolded Like Staircase features some Hamillesque vocals as well.

Musically, Astray doesn't get as heavy as the Discipline albums. There are many softer interludes and rarely do the tune reach any climatic cresendoes. The music lilts and flows. It will not lull you, however, it's piques your interest and carries you along. This is what progressive music should do. This is visual art for the mind. It's not always pretty, but it screams to been seen.

High points? The longest track, "Modern Times" has many movements, plenty of mellotron and some King Crimson power chording and eclectic themes. Over twenty minutes of shifting textures, martial beats, apocalyptical lyrics and a stunning guitar solo finale. "Dirty Mind" features wonderfully irreverent lyrcis and a playful piano accompaniment. "All my thoughts turn to dirty thoughts." Wickedly fun. "Distracted" gives me the Jon Anderson image. Too bad YES doesn't get this charged lyrically anymore. "Now" has a heavy Hammill vibe in the lyrics and delivery.

It's a strong disc. There is a lot to absorb and many sights to see and hear within the music. Just like the old Ragu commercials, "Try It, You'll Like IT."

Dark, Deep, and Thick with Clouds indeed.......2004-12-22

As the Amazon description reveals, Matthew Parmenter's first solo album Astray is the ultimate melting pot of dark, deep and heavily introspective songwriting. Parmenter is American underground prog band Discipline's frontman, but Discipline hasn't released any albums since 1997 if I'm not mistaken. I was rather surprised to find out Parmenter had returned with a brooding solo offering titled Astray, which proves to be a significant improvement in many ways. Not only that, but it is also a true 'solo' album in the way that Matthew Parmenter basically plays every instrument except the bass. He sings, plays the piano, guitar, drums, saxophone, violin, organ, synths, mellotron and a number of other instruments. His Discipline bandmate Matthew Kennedy accompanies him with his subtle bass lines. Parmenter recorded, mixed, produced and engineered Astral as well. The outcome is brilliant and his diversity has to be respected. From what I know, the only other artist who has played every instrument on a solo album is Dan Swano on his Moontower record (though the two musicians play quite a different style of prog).

"Now" welcomes the listener with a strangely beautiful piano melody that creeps into the song mixing with jazzy drumming. Parmenter's drum work is nothing short of brilliant. The way he plays with the cymbals and gives more emphasis on content rather than technique is nicely displayed here. His singing seems different; more mature in a way. There is a distinct Peter Hamill feel to be found but the music is more in the league of Gabriel-era Genesis. Brief guitar lines run underneath the dark atmosphere of the song with fat, pulsing bass throbs. All these overlapped instruments are blended to give the mosaic of "Now" its final character. I had to hear this track five times in a row before I could move on to the next song, and I must say it's still my favourite on the CD along with the 21-minute "Modern Times". The momentum is reduced as "Distracted" and "Dirty Mind" work their way through the clutter of the record. More jazz piano and an improvised instrumental section become the focal point of the songs displaying a varied complexity throughout the music. I am strangely reminded of another indie band, maudlin of the Well, while listening to parts of Astray. It must be the way the classical formation is amalgamated with free-style jazz. No one else may agree about this comparison though. The guitar work on "Dirty Mind" is very bluesy in context and it works impeccably.

A tired organ opens "Another Vision" with blurry drumming in the far edge of the mix. Parmenter's fragile vocals are delicately layered over the composition and all you have to do is close your eyes and be drawn by the intensity of his singing. By the time the song reaches its finale, you are fully convinced that Parmenter has certainly entered a realm of maturity. This is progressive music gone dark, without relying on the 'neo' tag as the music presented here sounds surprisingly fresh despite being 70's inspired. The protagonist in "Some Fear Growing Old" invites the listener to enter his mind for a moment to observe his inner conflicts about getting old. The opaque acoustic guitar complements the gloom leaving its place for a sad violin piece towards the end. Matthew Parmenter guested on Tiles' two albums before playing violin, but it sounds totally different here. "Between Me and the End" features keys and guitars sparkling without being uplifting. This song is blessed with a truly standout performance. Parmenter's singing becomes even more haunting here. The album closer "Modern Times" is easily the climax of the whole record. It kicks in with a slow, dragging and morose melody. Suddenly, 7 minutes into the song, the song explodes into a funk-driven post-psychedelia heavily centred on the bass guitar. Actually on each song, there is a moment where each instrument is pushed forward so it can shine through and add to the composition, but the bass is simply phenomenal. It drives the song forward, carries it, and never fails to add to the sinister mood. Parmenter continues to generate fresh ideas on the guitar with picking style on acoustic and electric respectively. There is even a brief synth solo at the end which oddly fits in nicely. The writing is cohesive, structured, but by no means forced. A very good ending to a very good record indeed. The booklet, packaging, lyrics and artwork are a great representation of the music this album contains. Every Progressive Rock fan needs to hear this.

But Yesterday Is Not Today-The American Art Song 1927-1972

Average customer rating:

A favorite for 30 years
Proof that American songs can be great

But Yesterday Is Not Today-The American Art Song 1927-1972

Manufacturer: New World Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Permit Me Voyage: Songs by American Composers
Just-Spring: Art Songs of John Duke
Paul Sperry Sings An American Sampler
DEBUT ~ Nathan Gunn - "American Anthem" from Ragtime to Art Song / Kevin Murphy
William Sharp

ASIN: B0000030FE
Release Date: 1996-09-17

Tracks:

The Children
Once Upon A Time
The Rose
Moo Is A Cow
Thomas Logge
Once A Lady Was Here
Song Of An Old Woman
Richard Cory
Luke Havergal
Miniver Cheevy
Strings In The Earth And Air
When The Shy Star Goes Forth In Heaven
O, It Was out By Donnycarney
Bid Adieu
My Love Is In A Light Attire
Song
On The Beach At Fontana
These, My Ophelia
Sure On Thes Shining Night
The Running Sun

Customer Reviews:

A favorite for 30 years.......2006-10-05

Like the next reviewer, I had this on record, and now have the CD. I have loved this music for 30 years. If you love 20th century American music, give it a try. I wish you as much pleasure as I have received from it.

Proof that American songs can be great.......2002-07-05

I have had the lp issue of this album for many years and have enjoyed it more with each encounter. The songs by Duke, Bowles, Citkowitz, Chanler, and Copland are based on some familiar poems, but the songs are not, themselves, well-known. I particularly have liked the witty and memorable Duke settings of E.A. Robinson's "Luke Havergal" and "Miniver Cheevy," but the real musical highlight of the disc would probably be the settings of James Joyce's "Chamber Music" by Israel Citkowitz. Donald Gramm is in fine voice for his selections and Bethany Beardslee proves again her legendary status as an interpreter of all kinds of modern music. It is definitely a good thing that this has been reissued on CD and I hope it will reach a wide audience.

Average customer rating:

GREAT Album
One Of The All Time Great Prog Rock Albums
Great American symphonic prog album.
Exceptional album.
A Very VDGG influenced nightmare.

Unfolded Like Staircase

Manufacturer: Strung Out Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Psychedelic Rock | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Alternative Rock | Indie Music | Stores | Music

Rock | Alternative Rock | Indie Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

astray
Push & Profit
Mimi's Magic Moment
Fortunate Observer of Time
My River Flows

ASIN: B000260FRK
Release Date: 1997-09-01

Tracks:

Canto IV (Limbo)
Crutches
Into the Dream
Before the Storm (part 1)
Before the Storm (part 2)

Product Description

Four sprawling epics, including the 22-minute "Into the Dream." Features vocals by Matthew Parmenter. Melodic. Narrative. Unclassifiable. Running Time: 64 minutes, 52 seconds.

Customer Reviews:

GREAT Album.......2007-06-01

It's a shame this Prog-Rock band didn't record more music. All tracks are cohesive and meaningful - Excellent CD!

One Of The All Time Great Prog Rock Albums.......2007-01-19

This is simply one of the best progressive rock albums of the 90's. The band pulled out all the stops on this one to create a masterwork of music, lyrics, and performance that reveals all that is great about progressive rock. Although the album clocks in at close to an hour it only contains four lengthy tracks; "Canto IV (Limbo)", "Crutches", "Into The Dream" and "Before The Storm". In some hands long epics like these would become overblown and boring, but this never happens here. There is no sense of any of the tracks being long, just for the sake of being long, a trap many prog bands fall into. If you are into stong intelligent lyrics you can't get much better than Matthew Parmenter's emotive dark wordplay on this disc. The thought process that went into these compositions is simply stunning. The vocals are delivered with a sense of the dramatic that in lesser hands would come off as contrived, but here is an essential part of the delivery. The music is consistently great throughout with long instrumental passages that show off the band's chops and agility. John Preston Bouda's guitar shines throughout. He has a very distinctive style that is as much a part of the success of this album as Parmenter's keys and vocals. The four tracks are all great. The opener "Limbo" has always been one of my favorites with the main character of the song residing in the Catholic concept of limbo after death. The chilling main narrative line "how can there possibly be, no more room up there for me" paints a very clear picture of the character and the infinite doom sentenced upon him. Another favorite of mine "Crutches" follows with its theme of depressive self examination. The next track "Into The Dream" is the longest on the album, clocking in at over 20 minutes, and is considered by many to be the band's masterwork. Indeed this sprawling epic is the centerpiece of the album and is just about as fine as progressive rock gets. The last track "Into The Dream" is another long one divided into 3 parts. For me it is the weakest track on the disc, but is still a great listen. Overall I honestly think that this is one of the great progressive rock albums of all time. This is not easy listening stuff, and for some may take multiple listens to really absorb all that is represented here. With that in mind the album should be a rewarding addition to any prog rock collection.

Great American symphonic prog album........2006-05-09

Ok, I admit it, I'm a sucker for long songs. With 4 songs in 64min, you get your money's worth here. However long songs alone do not always mean there's coherent songwriting. Thankfully the music presented here is utterly fantastic. The songs are epic for more reasons than just their track times. Each song evokes an emotional trip through a dark and somewhat depressing realm with little to be found as uplifting. At times it reminds me of older Genesis and King Crimson material; but at the same time it sounds nothing like either of them. I wouldn't say the music is as intricate or as complex as other symphonic prog luminariers. Instead the music is very true to the atmosphere and the instrumentation varies enough to never become tired or redundant. The vocals are at times quite sinister and tormented sounding. No growling or snarling, just darkly passionate in tone. The delivery of the music is just fantastic. I've hardly been able to pry myself away from this CD since I bought it a month ago. My only complaint is that the bass is mixed a bit too strong on this recording.

Exceptional album........2006-03-16

So he sounds like Peter Hammil and the ghost of VDGG is all over it, but this is a dam great album,much, much better than the other album (which had two awful pop songs totally out of place and thankfully short) that ruined the mood (still worth having though)and i regard as something of a potential classic of the current prog era. Matthew Parameter's lyrics are very dark and he delivers them in a scowling way the closest is Hammil's interpetations on the VDGG 'h to he' but like the Swedish band Anekdoten who are dismissed as King Crimson clones (and are given a name check on the inner sleeve for turning Matthew on to VDGG!) this isn't a clone band. There is nothing wrong in wearing your influences on your sleeve. Discipline are slightly more rockier and at times even more complex. The biggest compliment i can give them is that once i looked on twenty minute tracks with a feeling of dread (thank you 'topographic oceans' and 'relayer') but with the epics on this they are consistently inventive and intresting with a sense of melody a lot of 70's dinosaurs were sadly lacking ('works volume 1' and 'love beach' anyone?) I can't praise this highly enough and his solo album is another classic in the making.

A Very VDGG influenced nightmare........2005-01-13

Multi-instrumentalist Matthew Parmenter takes his bandmates along on a dark and sinister journey to into the dream of limbo on a pair of crutches just before the storm takes them to Eden. Or so the song titles tell... This is a dark album, but it never drags or grows boring. It is worthy of many repeated listenings and, for me, a great companion on a long bike ride. Instrumentally challenging and flowing. From the opening Kashmir meets Lark's Tongues riff, you are thrust into the tides of Parmenter's mind.

Parmenter harnesses his new infatuation with Peter Hammill and VDGG and melds it with his Genesis fixation and King Crimson influences and creates a powerful visionary album. Dreams and nightmares abound, but I never felt a depression from the music, rather I feel exhilarated and bouyant, like waking from a running dream, when you feel ready for battle and toss the blankets while searching for the demon's face.

Canto IV, with Dantesque imagery and a certain hopefulness in the face of darkness in lyrics like, "What I believe is emptiness" followed by "and kindness in our hearts." Being raised in the catholic religion, I understand his vision of what Limbo would be like, ""how can there possibly be, no room up there for me." I get shivers remembering the sobering lessons of my youth, with Pink Floyd like characters spewing forth hell and damnation. Being from Detroit, as I am, Parmenter may have had similar experiences as a child.

Into the Dream paints another grim picture, "why chase a rainbow? Best to give in," and "If the rapist must break free, from the deepest part of me, when judgment chains our darkest side, denials breeds a genocide." Can you get more dark and sinister? Yet Matthew ends the final movement with the return to the sea of the turtle, "I am free." Maybe a metaphor for death or an escape to heaven? Continuing on the religious lyric train, in "Before the Storm," Parmenter again speaks of Eden and lost innocence and the journey to return.

Add some Disciplline to your prog collection. Find Astray by Matthew Parmenter as well.

Rock Music:

Rock Music

rock music