"Transatlantic aficionados already know exactly what they’re getting with The Absolute Universe, as it’s pretty much a top-notch take on the traditional Transatlantic blueprint. That could be seen as disappointing by some since it’s their first studio record in the better half of a decade. Admittedly, I’ve been as critical as anyone when it comes to artists repeating themselves too often or too overtly, so the fact that The Absolute Universe impresses so much is significant. Simply put, it nails what it's going for at every turn and contains enough irresistible moments and masterful cohesion to compensate for its palpable sameness. It keeps everyone involved—creators or listeners—firmly in their comfort zone and delivers precisely what’s always made Transatlantic so beloved. If that’s all you’re looking for, you’ll undoubtedly (and justifiably) cherish it.

Their latest journey, The Absolute Universe, falls right in line with their past triumphs. Specifically, it flows line a single conceptual suite (a la 2009’s masterful The Whirlwind) and certainly outdoes the quartet’s prior venture, 2014’s quite likable Kaleidoscope. Seeing as how the genre is known for extravagance, the fact that there are two significantly dissimilar cuts of the record—the lengthier Forevermore and the more concise The Breath of Life, each with enough variations to make both essential—is perfectly aligned with the foursome’s typical ambition. (There’s also an Ultimate Edition that houses everything plus a few physical goodies.)" JB-RN



Essential Track: "As has become increasingly common for Morse with “Similitude”, “The Great Adventure” and other albums, there are a handful of themes that are repeated throughout the album in very different guises. “Love Made A Way” is the most ubiquitous of these and it is a moving theme indeed. Used at least four different times throughout the album, it always signals the clouds parting and revealing the sun and blue sky above in typical Morse-ian fashion. Predictably, this is also used for the albums’ grand finale in a similar approach as “Broken Sky”, “A Love That Never Dies”, etc…" SM-SP



Read the full reviews on Rebel Noise and Sonic Perspectives.

Listen to samples on YouTube and buy the CD from Radiant Records or wherever fine Prog Music is sold .

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Click on the following link for a complete list of bands that have played for the NewEARS Art Rock Series

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2021-03-20
Mary Fahl (of October Project) at TCAN (The Center for Arts Natick) - Natick, MA at 08:00 PM
TO BE RESCHEDULED - Date TBD

2021-03-21
THE MACHINE performs Pink Floyd at Ridgefield Playhouse - Ridgefield, CT at 08:00 PM
$50

2021-03-25
Kansas - Point of Know Return at Lowell Memorial Auditorium - Lowell, MA at 07:30 PM
$49 - $299 (VIP)

2021-03-27
Kansas - Point of Know Return at College Street Music Hall - New Haven, CT at 08:00 PM
$50 - $125 (Postponed?)

2021-04-21
Martin Barre performs classic Jethro Tull at Ridgefield Playhouse - Ridgefield, CT at 08:00 PM
$49.50 - $104.50 (VIP)

2021-04-22
Martin Barre performs classic Jethro Tull at Tupelo Music Hall - Derry, NH at 08:00 PM
$45 - $60

2021-05-07
The Machine performs Pink Floyd at The Cabot Theatre - Beverly, MA at 07:00 PM
TBD

2021-05-08
THE MACHINE performs Pink Floyd at The Flying Monkey - Plymouth, NH at 07:30 PM
$34

2021-05-20
The Musical Box - A Genesis Extravaganza Volume 2 at Tupelo Music Hall - Derry, NH at 08:00 PM
$40 - $59

2021-05-21
The Musical Box - A Genesis Extravaganza Volume 2 at Ridgefield Playhouse - Ridgefield, CT at 08:00 PM
$60

2021-05-23
The Musical Box : A Genesis Extravaganza Vol. II at The Wilbur Theatre - Boston, MA at 08:00 PM
$35 - $50

2021-10-04
Todd Rundgren – The Individualist, A True Star at Ridgefield Playhouse - Ridgefield, CT at 08:00 PM
$90

2021-10-05
Todd Rundgren – The Individualist, A True Star at Ridgefield Playhouse - Ridgefield, CT at 08:00 PM
$90

2021-10-22
The Machine performs Pink Floyd: Unplugged at TCAN (The Center for Arts Natick) - Natick, MA at 08:00 PM
$35 - $40

2021-10-23
The Machine performs Pink Floyd: Unplugged at TCAN (The Center for Arts Natick) - Natick, MA at 08:00 PM
$35 - $40

2021-11-28
The Wizards of Winter at Tupelo Music Hall - Derry, NH at 07:00 PM
$40 - $55

All Events ...>>

Join us Friday, March 5, at 12:00pm PST for an up-close-and-personal reunion with the artists who performed at the famed El Rey Theater in Los Angeles in May of 2016 celebrating the life and music of legendary keyboardist / composer Keith Emerson.

This special event will be hosted by Mark Thompson (Mark & Brian) and will give fans the opportunity to hear these artists’ stories and personal experiences working with Keith and to see sneak previews from the upcoming Keith Emerson Tribute Concert DVD slated for worldwide release on March 11.

Guests will include: Jordan Rudess, Steve Porcaro, Gregg Bissonette, Brian Auger, Karma Auger, Jeff “Skunk” Baxter, Steve Lukather, CJ Vanston, Marc Bonilla, Philippe Saisse, Troy Luccketta, Aaron Emerson, Jonathan Sindelman, Rachel Flowers, Joe Travers, Terje Mikkelsen, Ed Roth, Mike Wallace, Mick Mahan, Rick Livingstone, Mari Kawaguchi, Jerry LoFaro, and more to be announced.

The event is FREE to watch on www.alerttheglobe.com and Facebook Live.

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2021-02-24: Top 20 Psychedelic Rock Songs on UCR
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Psychedelic music arrived sometime in the mid '60s just as musical tastes and cultural attitudes began to shift. It's difficult to pinpoint just when exactly music took that turn, but the below list of the Top 25 Psychedelic

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Sidelined by the pandemic, multigenre hero Todd Rundgren did what he often does: he looked to technology to provide human connection. And in 2021 that means mounting a live stream concert. But not a pajamas-at-home acoustic a

2021-02-22: Eternal Return’s Debut Release “Once Only” Featuring Members Of Porcupine Tree and Fripp’s Crafty Guitar School Available On NEWdOG Records
The international progressive ensemble Eternal Return is a five-piece combining various duos/trios that have previously recorded and toured together. Notably, Colin Edwin (Porcupine Tree, NoMan, O.R.k.) on bass with his frequ

2021-02-21: What Game Shall We Play Today? Remembering Chick Corea (1941-2021) on Progarchy
In late 1976, my older brother changed my life by giving me a copy of Keyboard Magazine. It was a pretty amazing periodical: in those days before digital sounds, computers and then-undreamt-of technology became the prevailing

2021-02-21: Katatonia and Leprous singers guest on new Esa Holopainen solo album
Katatonia's Jonas Renske, Leprous singer Einar Solberg and Anneke van Giersbergen are among the guest vocalists to feature on Silver Lake By Esa Holopainen, the new solo album from Amorphis guitraist Esa Holopainen, which wil

2021-02-20: SAGA - "Always There" Official Fan Video - New album "Symmetry" out March 12
SAGA STRIKE AN EMOTIONAL TONE WITH SINGLE “ALWAYS THERE” AND MAKE FANS THE STARS OF NEW MUSIC VIDEO. Today, on February 19th, Canadian prog-rock-band SAGA release a brand-new single of their upcoming album “Symmetry”, out on

2021-02-20: Andy West- (Dixie Dregs, Rama, Zen Walk, The Mistakes) on SOAL Night Live
For Episode #68 Andy West drops by to discuss his most recent musical projects like Five Times Surprise and Zen Walk. We look back on his initial musical inspirations and how he met Steve Morse and created the Dixie Dregs.

2021-02-20: Todd Rundgren’s ‘A Wizard, A True Star…Live’ To Be Released on RAINBOW SWIRL VINYL on March 5, 2021!
Rock Hall Of Fame nominee and revered musician/producer/songwriter, Todd Rundgren performs a very special live concert featuring the entirety of his classic 1973 album A Wizard, A True Star! Recorded 2009 in Akron OH, this sp

2021-02-20: The 10 Most Underrated Yes Songs according to UCR
Some Yes songs are almost universally beloved — even the most prog-allergic critic can muster praise for the symphonic splendor of "Close to the Edge" or "Heart of the Sunrise." But some songs are divisive, even among die-har

2021-02-20: Jon Anderson on Solo Reissues and 50 Years of ‘The Yes Album’
Midway through UCR's interview with Jon Anderson, the former Yes singer cuts off the conversation — not because of a sensitive question or scheduling conflict. But because the magic bird is back in his garden. "We have this b

2021-02-19: Downes Braide Association - Halcyon Hymns (Album Review)
Nostalgic reveries can offer a life-line after a year such as we’ve endured. If you’re needing a little pick-me-up to inspire better times, be they from the past or yet to arrive in the future, these "Halcyon Hymns" offer jus

2021-02-19: "Krautrock 2" out now
The 'Krautrock 2" documentary film dvd & the Special Features dvd are out now. DC: I'm a proud producer of this music documentary series. These two, the previous films, and the t-shirt below, are available at www.progdocs.com

2021-02-19: Kayak launch video for brand new single Mystery
Dutch prog legends Kayak have released a video for their brand new single Mystery, which you can watch below. It's the first song to be released from the band's upcoming new album Out Of This World, which will be released thr

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