Welcome to our humble website; possibly the world's smallest online mail-order shop for progressive rock music on CD, DVD and vinyl, but with big plans to grow. The official launch date was to have been the 1st of January, 2011, but as soon as we heard about the release of the new Mogador album (see below), we decided to open a few weeks early. As a result, some of the 'information' pages were hastily put together and do not match the standard of those of the shop (for which the CD section is complete, apart from the fact there are still many more CDs to add). Over the next few weeks, we will revise and amend the pages that don't come up to scratch, and then replace them. So please bear with us and hopefully, once these revisions have been made, the site will look great.
Album of the month
MOGADOR / ALL I AM IS OF MY OWN MAKING
MOGADOR is a three piece band based on Lake Como on the Italian/Swiss border. Mogador's music is inspired by the greats of the golden age of progressive rock; Genesis, Gentle Giant, Jethro Tull and Yes to name just a few. In Italy this genre of music still enjoys the enormous respect that it deserves. But this is certainly not to say that the music is yet another recreation of the past. The sound is firmly planted in the 21st Century. This disc, the second album from Mogador, tells the true story of an office worker who gets trapped in a lift for several days. Upon being rescued he tries to sue for damages and... Well, why not buy the album to find out how the story finishes? Vocals are English; the part of the main character in this story are sung by Richard Allen, originally from England. The album offers a series of diverse musical moods and could well change how you feel about taking the lift in future. Highly recommended, it makes for thoughtful and intelligent listening.
Tracks: 1. Unexpectedly, Friday / 2. Deep In Trouble Deep / 3. Panic! / 4. So Cold / 5. One Day / 6. Sweet Liberty / 7. Homely Smells Again / 8. A New Beginning / 9. All I Am Is Of My Own MaKing
Review:
If the debut album from Mogador was somewhat 'volcanic' (a reference to the cover); an example of how to pull out all the stops and more, then the second album displays signs of introspection. The general direction, the personality, and the weighing up of what elements were to keep from the first album and what was to throw out, have all changed the mood. The second album is all of this. After a decidedly - and unashamedly - new prog debut album, with all the inherent hallmarks, the Como based trio has chosen to reject the formula, offering instead a much more original musical take.
Mogador have undertaken the making of a concept album. 'All I Am Is Of My own MaKing' is inspired by a true-life event that took place in a New York skyscraper. An office worker gets trapped in the confined space of a lift for several days. What are his reactions? How does he feel in that situation? Mogador put forward their ideas in the form of a narrative album, and, thanks to the strong concept, the album has more to offer than its predecessor in the variety of moods, fluidity and overall dynamism.
If in the past, comparisons could have be made between Mogador and Marillion and Glass Hammer, this time out they have moved into the more eclectic and multi-dimensional area of, say, Echolyn. The music is edgy with atmosphere and claustrophobia, as well as being rich in excitement expressed in theme and tempo changes. The opening tracks; 'Unexpectedly, Friday' and 'Panic!' perfectly transmit the initial sense of horror that gives way to the trapped man's acceptance of his predicament. Listen also to 'So Cold' and the title track. As such, the album opens very much guitar led, up close and decisive, that, as the story unfolds, gives way to the introduction of other instrumental voices such as keyboards and flute.
Where Mogador really shine is in their descriptive ability; palpitations, anxiety, fear and the real sense of the character's hopelessness. This is all present in this 'flash-rock' that is so lively yet at the same time delicate and refined. Listen to 'Sweet Liberty' and the haunting Genesis-esque 'Homely Smells Again'.
All in all this is a strong album. It's inspired and always engaging, without any hint of boredom. There is a whiff of a band still trying to find it's feet, but in the end it's a project that is pulled off with aplomb.
Donato Zoppo, November 2010 (www.movimentiprog.net)