verslibre

Apart from an instrumental called "Corkentellis" on 2008's 10,000 Days (which is one of Saga's better "latter day" albums), you're right. The instrumental crescendos and interplay on songs like "Don't Be Late" and "Careful Where You Step" are the reason I got into Saga in the first place. It's cool they're still recording (MIchael was only gone as lead vocalist for one whole album), but they have an approach they don't like to veer from. The earliest albums are the best, of course, and I include Heads or Tales in that lot.

Hahaha!

That song is good! These guys still have it. Autobuy!

New blogs are being added at http://blowmeuptom.com/leykis101/!'>http://blowmeuptom.com/leykis101/! Better yet, they should tune in: Leykis streams live M-F at 3PM Pacific on http://blowmeuptom.com/ -- plus, every Thursday at 5PM is a new "Leykis 101" segment! * Don't spend more than $40 on a date! * If you don't hit it on the third date, quit it! The "4 Leykis Rules" women must stick to: - long hair - stay thin - sex anytime - shut up LOL!

The new Leykettes and the ON Tequila girls are HOT. I hope I can go to the next event.

Pix from Leykis' first listener party since 2009 in Long Beach, CA: http://http://blowmeuptom.com/listener-party-pics/

Il Balletto di Bronzo's live disc from the '90s (as a trio of keyboards, drums and bass) is a corker!

Somehow I missed this thread! What I find most interesting is the reconnect between Bob Hartman and Volz, Lawry, Weaver and Mark Kelly (where's he been?). John Schlitt made it sound like Bob was happily retired and done with music. Or so he thought? I wonder what John thinks of this? Either way, the Beat The System line-up back together is crazy stuff. The site is pretty barebones. It's designed to promote the CD and not much else. Does anyone know if they intend to record a full new album? Greg's voice sounds good on the samples, and his is clearly one of the best ever in rock. Up there with Lou Gramm, Mickey Thomas, etc. I like the John Schlitt "era" up through Wake Up Call, plus Jekyll & Hyde. Once Bob took a mentor role and was no longer actually within the band, things were less interesting.

OOPS. I hit "Start a new topic" by accident. I posted my reply in the Back To The Rock thread. Please delete this.

My favorite Italian prog band is Goblin, the guys responsible for those great film scores (mosttly for Dario Argento's horror epics, and some other movies). They also recorded two splendid original studio albums, three if you count the one-off reunion without original keyboardist Claudio Simonetti...and THAT CD rocks, too. The pre-Goblin band Cherry Five also released one classic album, in '75. I also enjoy Nuova Era, Apoteosi, Le Orme, Pandora, some Banco, etc. I just don't like them as much as Goblin.

Damn The Machine is a classic. How anyone can write it off as boring and uninspired is beyond me. Whatever happened to the singer, Dave whatshisface? He was great on this CD. I wish they'd done a second DTM album. At least we have Ohm.

It is so close...Heaven & Hell or Mob Rules? They both have so many classic songs: "Neon Knights," "Heaven and Hell," "Country Girl," "Voodoo," "Sign Of The Southern Cross," "Falling Off The Edge Of The World," "Over and Over"...tough decision! Talk about a split. I'm going to go with Mob Rules for now, just to be, ah, different.

Fave BOC...hmmm. Probably a tie between Agents and Mirrors. Those two have some truly xlnt material, esp. "The Vigil." Cultosaurus Erectus also rocks. I saw BOC in '03 and they actually performed "The Vigil"—I was surprised! They also did "Black Blade." If they'd thrown in "Veteran Of The Psychic Wars" the night would've been perfect!