Now, this won't be to everyone's taste, let's be honest.

http://www.tigermothtales.com/audio


It's largely influenced by old and some new prog bands, such as Genesis, Queen, Utopia, Floyd and others too numerous to mention (though for me this could be a Steve Hackett solo album easily).

Let me also say I was a prog fan for the last 30 or so years, but got very bored with it. Bored with the whole prog music scene (hung around with and helped out a few bands of that ilk for a few years), and am fed up seeing so many new bands and artists trot out the same old stuff for years, slavishly copying the old prog bands, with a total lack of originality.

But a friend sent me a few tracks from this album, and first reactions were here we go again. But first listen intrigued me, second listen was enough for me to download and purchase the album. Been a very long time since I made a purchase that quickly.

Hard to pick a favourite track...but if I had to, Tigers In The Buttermilk would be it with it's nod to Genesis' Los Endos...A Visit to Chigwick (yes, a tribute to kids tv show Trumpton), and the epic, majestic closer Don't Let Go, Feels Alright.

Yes, I know, a lot of people are going to read this and think 'what the hell', but personally I think there should be a place today for music like this.

As a footnote, the guy that made the album played all of the instruments and did all of the vocals, and he has been blind virtually since birth.

A direct link to my fave track, Tigers In The Buttermilk.

Not a short song, need to be patient...give it time to kick in...but if this is your type of music, I hope you get a kick out of this...

http://tigermothtales.bandcamp.com/releases

170 views and not even a negative comment?

Come on...like I say, there should be room for all types of music on a general discussion/music forum, surely?

Bump...

Hi there Ted. Great name by the way. Just wanted to say thank you, for I am Tiger Moth Tales. Thanks for spreading the word and I'm glad you're enjoying the Cocoon experience. Everyone is being very kind thus far. Just thought I'd introduce myself and thank you for your posts.

Is this the long-awaited Thotch reunion album?

Got to say I liked this, but I like prog too. I dont think there is much originality to be had in any kind of music anymore, even prog, but it does depend on how its done, and this is nice.

For me this contains lots of reflections of Mike Oldfield. Albums like 'Songs Of Distant Earth' are truly worth checking out if you like this.

Liking the Brian Pern stuff...as a prog fan of old, and as said earlier a somewhat jaded one at that I fully understand that the genre is very ripe for picking in comedy terms.

A good point - Prog is indeed one of the hardest genres to try and come up with something original these days.

Most of the older original prog bands, those that are still going, are kind of going through the motions. Yes, IMO, are on their last legs...a revolving door of various new vocalists and keyboard players, endless tours trotting out the same old material, and new material which is just kind of...meh.

And most of the newer bands are following a similar pattern, just going out and playing the same old stuff.

Now with an album like Cocoon, you have an artist who is someone with clearly obvious musical talent and vocal ability, who has made an album drawing on influences from various progressive artists, and yet at the same time bringing his own style and influence.

Now, albums like this are very common, and frankly most of them are tedious...someone determined to make an album using influences from their musical heroes...most just end up copycat affairs...you listen for a few minutes, tick off all of the various influences...Yes, Genesis, Floyd etc...and once you know where its going you lose interest, because you have heard it a thousand times before.

I think the major difference is if the person/group can stamp their own individuality on the music, whilst referencing/making tribute to others. And yet they make no secret or pretence that they are wearing their influences on their sleeve, and are upfront about it. There is an honesty about that which I appreciate.

As I said earlier, I listened to prog for years...but in the last 5 years or so just got bored of the whole genre...the old bands are basically done...the new bands are now following a similar pattern and churning out the same stuff, playing the same old stuff live. And I have not heard anything prog-wise for years that has turned my head, which is why I started this thread, because this album did that for me.

As for Mike Oldfield, I fully agree about Songs...in fact I just bought the CD again recently as I could not find my original copy. Great album.

Have to say that my all-time fave Oldfield is Ommadawn.