Inside Out
Michael Sadler knows when to call it a day: After a couple of so-so studio albums and a pair of live releases (the first a fair performance of 1981’s “Worlds Apart” LP, the second an excellent harvesting of all the “Chapter” songs originally strung out across seven nonconsecutive albums), the master of the bombastic vibrato is leaving the Canadian prog-rock group.
Slide on Rye
Hill’s 1999 self-titled debut was an electric affair, a solid blues-rock effort with two or three songs displaying a penchant for Middle Eastern-accented arrangements á la Led Zeppelin or Derek Trucks. For his sophomore outing, the award-winning Arkansas singer/songwriter/guitarist takes a folk-rock route, choosing largely acoustic arrangements.
Skybucket
These guys must’ve thought the Beach Boys were singing “Let’s go trippin’ now” instead of “Let’s go surfin’ now.” Fans of Brian Wilson’s spaced-out period will love this Birmingham group’s avant pop, recorded at their appropriately named Alamalibu Studios.
Collector’s Choice
The criminally underexposed Space Opera were anything but progressive rock, contrary to the “12-String Prog Rock!” sticker on the outside of this three-year-old reissue Good New Music is bending the rules to review.
RootaVega
Mr. Banjo, meet Mr. Accordion. Mr. Accordion, meet Mr. Vibes. And of course, you all know Mr. Guitar, Mr. Bass and Mr. Drums.
