David Oliver

"Strange Angels" is the debut solo album by British guitarists David Mark Pearce. Having served the progressive rock genre as the lead guitarist for Oliver Wakemen's band, Pearce enters melodic hard rock territory with this solo effort "Strange Angels". Indeed "Strange Angels" has more in common with `80s melodic rock, even glam metal than the progressive nature of David's previous ventures. On this effort, Pearce is supported by an impressive cast of musicians most notable being Goran Edman ("YJM Rising Force") and John Payne ("Asia") both of which contribute lead vocals…

Magnus Lindberg burst onto the contemporary music scene in the 1980s with his early work Kraft (as in "power", and not the American food conglomerate and inventor of Velveeta cheese by-product substance), an avant-garde spectacular that took the "sound mass" procedures of Berio or Xenakis and wedded them to an explosive rhythmic energy. He's broadened his style since then, taking in tonal elements and even the occasional tune, but the rhythmic vitality remains, and his coloristic gifts, his ear for ever new and remarkable instrumental sound combinations, have only increased. Aura is a four-movement symphony as indescribable as it is a joy to hear. Dedicated to the memory of Lutoslawski, the piece shows its composer similarly possessed of a vibrant, communicative personal musical language. Although it plays continuously for about 37 minutes, newcomers to Lindberg's sound creations should start with the finale, a sort of dance that begins with simple tunefulness before finding itself in a sort of riotous minimalist hell. It's hugely fun, as is the entire work.