The Amazing Pudding

Reappraising Ian Anderson’s ‘Minstrel in the Gallery’
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Reappraising Ian Anderson’s ‘Minstrel in the Gallery’

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 / 5 August 2015
Minstrel in the Gallery seems as autobiographical as any Jethro Tull album, before or after, and there is a vulnerability and sensitivity that the songwriter was simply growing into.
Keeping the Acclaim: The Legacy of Coheed and Cambria’s ‘Good Apollo, I’m Burning Star IV’
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Keeping the Acclaim: The Legacy of Coheed and Cambria’s ‘Good Apollo, I’m Burning Star IV’

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 / 11 June 2015
A decade after its release, Coheed and Cambria's third full-length album remains the group's highest benchmark, as well as one of the genre's best modern albums.
Jethro Tull: Back to Basics (Sort Of)
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Jethro Tull: Back to Basics (Sort Of)

By
 / 20 March 2015
After the back-to-back-to-back brilliance of their previous three albums, a letdown seemed inevitable; amazingly, Ian Anderson & Co. raised the bar, instead.
Genius. Doesn’t. Fade: A Conversation With Steven Wilson
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Genius. Doesn’t. Fade: A Conversation With Steven Wilson

By
 / 13 March 2015
Revered English musical visionary Steven Wilson discusses the inspirations, methods, and reflections that helped create his newest solo opus, Hand. Cannot. Erase.
Miraculous Metropolis: A Reflection on Dream Theater’s ‘Scenes from a Memory’
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Miraculous Metropolis: A Reflection on Dream Theater’s ‘Scenes from a Memory’

By
 / 23 January 2015
Fifteen years after its release, Dream Theater's fifth LP remains not only the quintet's truest masterpiece, but arguably the greatest progressive metal album ever made.
The Moody Blues: Masters of the Mini Epic
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The Moody Blues: Masters of the Mini Epic

By
 / 21 November 2014
While so many of their progressive rock contemporaries were writing novels in the form of side-long suites, the Moody Blues were masters of the short story.
What He Has Sown: A Conversation With Bruce Soord of the Pineapple Thief
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What He Has Sown: A Conversation With Bruce Soord of the Pineapple Thief

By
 / 21 October 2014
The Pineapple Thief mastermind delves into the making of Magnolia, the [un]fair criticisms of fans, and the joys of modern Opeth, among many other topics.
How About Some Unironic Love for Emerson, Lake & Palmer?
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How About Some Unironic Love for Emerson, Lake & Palmer?

By
 / 19 September 2014
Love them or loathe them, Emerson, Lake & Palmer wore immoderation like a badge of courage.
Wond’ring Aloud: A Conversation with Jethro Tull’s Ian Anderson
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Wond’ring Aloud: A Conversation with Jethro Tull’s Ian Anderson

By
 / 8 August 2014
As the creative mastermind behind Jethro Tull, Ian Anderson is often considered one of the most distinct musicians of the past 50 years.
Ripe with Rich Attainments: Jethro Tull’s ‘A Passion Play’, Reassessed
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Ripe with Rich Attainments: Jethro Tull’s ‘A Passion Play’, Reassessed

By
 / 24 July 2014
A Passion Play tends to draw the most resistance from even prog-rock aficionados; it obliges time and attention to let it work its charms.
Benighted by Beauty: The Legacy of Opeth’s ‘Still Life’
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Benighted by Beauty: The Legacy of Opeth’s ‘Still Life’

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 / 12 June 2014
Still Life's narrative borders on Shakespearean levels of romantic tragedy and social commentary, making it the most poetic and philosophical in Opeth’s catalogue.
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Never One for Striped Trousers: Talking Shop with Steve Howe

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 / 8 May 2014