Swap a CD: 15 Recently Posted CDs in Progressive Rock

Stereolab - Transient Random Noise Bursts With Announcements

Stereolab — 2013-05-24T16:42:48-05:00

On Stereolab's first proper American full-length, the group skillfully dissects past musical genres and recombines them in their own Dr. Moreau-like sonic laboratory-garage. The recording is among Stereolab's least labored, most groove-oriented efforts. There are experiments like the French-pop-flavored "Pack Yr Romantic Mind," but it's mostly a lovely, loud, decadent '90s rock record. The song titles reference obscure equipment, the sounds are made with arcane instruments, the repetitive guitar work is directly lifted from Michael Rother, and the cover image pledges devotion to vinyl (the musical obscurantist's medium of choice), but somehow the band never comes off as snobbish. Stereolab's music would not only spawn dozens of imitators, but the very stuff they drew inspiration from (Esquivel, Can, Moondog, Os Mutantes) was suddenly the starting point for any self-respecting hipster's record collection. More important, it totally rocks ("Our Trinitone Blast") while beaming sunny vibes ("Jenny Ondioline"). --Mike McGonigal

Roger Waters - Wall: Live in Berlin 1990

Roger Waters — 2013-05-24T13:59:21-05:00

Roger Waters staged this all-star revival of his Pink Floyd grand opus 11 years after the Floyd original and 7 years after The Final Cut, his last work with the band. It's a curious artifact of its time, as evidenced by the presence of the Hooters. Enlisting a mish-mashed cast of turn-of-the-decade stars, ranging from the Scorpions to Bryan Adams to Joni Mitchell, Waters attempts to give his production a new relevance. And, of course, where timeliness is concerned, there was some other business involving a wall going on in Berlin 'round about then. But aside from scattered highlights from the likes of Van Morrison (whose commanding "Comfortably Numb" makes one long to hear more from the Van the Man in a rock setting) and Sinead O'Connor ("Mother" is yet another example of her estimable interpretive powers), this Wall isn't so imposing as its studio predecessor. --Steven Stolder

Tangerine Dream - Rockoon

Tangerine Dream — 2013-05-24T01:15:56-05:00

Tangerine Dream - Dream Remixes

Tangerine Dream — 2013-05-24T01:15:38-05:00

CD reissue of this title from the innovative German Electronica outfit, one of the most influential instrumental outfits of the 20th century. Tangerine Dream has never produced anything calculated to make the masses jump off their chairs and start screaming Top 40 tunes, but they have managed to have an immense impact in the world of Electronic and soundtrack music. Their 107 (and counting) studio, live and soundtrack releases have their own driving hypnotic pieces that might differ from release to release, but they are all uniquely Tangerine Dream. Document. 2009.

Moody Blues - On the Threshold of a Dream

Moody Blues — 2013-05-22T09:23:38-05:00

Danny Cohen - Dannyland

Danny Cohen — 2013-05-22T00:48:13-05:00

Kings X - Tape Head

King's X — 2013-05-21T21:37:38-05:00

On their seventh studio album (their first for the Metal Blade label) King's X gets back on the right track with 'Tape Head', featuring 13 tracks. 1998.

Utopia - Redux '92: Live in Japan

Utopia — 2013-05-21T17:12:26-05:00

Alan Parsons Project - Eve

Alan Parsons Project — 2013-05-21T16:52:50-05:00

Japanese-only SHM-CD (Super High Material CD) paper sleeve pressing of this album. SHM-CDs can be played on any audio player and delivers unbelievably high-quality sound. You won't believe it's the same CD! Includes the same bonus tracks that appear on the EU/US expanded editions. Sony/BMG 2009.

Tangerine Dream - Lily on the Beach

Tangerine Dream — 2013-05-20T17:12:13-05:00

Adrian Belew - Young Lions

Adrian Belew — 2013-05-20T13:14:20-05:00

Todd Rundgren - Liars

Todd Rundgren — 2013-05-19T15:02:47-05:00

"Liars" is Todd Rundgren?s first all new studio album in a decade. Rundgren recorded, produced and mixed this exciting new album at his home studio in Hawaii. He wrote all 14 songs, performed all the vocals and played all the instruments himself. "Liars" tells the truth: Todd Rundgren has returned with one of his strongest efforts ever.

Mickey Hart - Mickey Hart's Mystery Box (Reis)

Mickey Hart — 2013-05-18T12:21:30-05:00

Moving beyond the worldbeat percussion of Planet Drum and At the Edge, the Grateful Dead percussionist makes a pop crossover move in partnership with Sade producer Robin Millar and the English vocal sextet The Juleps. An automatic buy for Deadheads. --Jeff Bateman

Love 666 - American Revolution

Love 666 — 2013-05-17T13:33:41-05:00

Styx - "Styx - Greatest Hits, Part II"

Styx — 2013-05-14T20:04:46-05:00