ProgBlog
DISCovery
The original aim of the blog was to promote discussion about all and any facet of progressive rock but from time to time, bands and musicians contact ProgBlog with new prog-related material that they want to expose to a wider audience; ProgBlog's album of 2017 An Invitation by Amber Foil was one such approach.
The range of styles ProgBlog has been exposed to through this route has helped to expand and challenge my listening habits but time constraints have meant that not all submissions have received the attention that they deserve.
The DISCovery section has been introduced to better serve the requirements of musicians who contact ProgBlog with the aim of increasing the audience for their music; without music there can be no discussion of music.
Contacts
Bandcamp: https://twilightfields.bandcamp.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSNA0u4SoLdSLrxXTRgARyw
Twilight Fields - Songs from the Age of Ruin
The year 2019 finds the human species standing at a crossroads, with only two possible directions: survival or extinction. I personally agree with Allister Thompson, the creative mind behind Twilight Fields, that it is the proper place of artists to contribute their strong and clear voices to dialogues that could lead to our survival and renewal.
Songs from the Age of Ruin is an uneasy but compelling song cycle that begins with the bombing of Hiroshima and the absurdities of the atomic age and proceeds to tackle such difficult topics as homelessness and economic inequalities (Lazarus), the evils of populism and political repression (Demagogue, Taken Away), the toxicity of social media communication (Offended), animal rights (The Animal’s Song), and the utter stupidity of war (Soldier Song). It concludes with a three-part ‘climate change suite’ (Why Did We Do It?/Loss/Barren Planet) that lays bare the tragic human consequences of catastrophic climate change. The album also contains two cover versions, Bruce Cockburn’s 1984 Canadian top 40 hit Lovers in a Dangerous Time and Thin Lizzy’s Holy War, both of which fit the bill for reflecting uncertain times though tackling a Thin Lizzy song, one very highly regarded by fans, is a brave move.
In order to convey these sorrowful, angry messages, Twilight Fields cites influences from a wide range of genres including prog, folk, folk-rock, psych rock, post-rock and shoegaze.
Songs from the Age of Ruin is a warning to the present and an apology to a possible future.
Allister Thompson says: “Growing up, certain passionate, activist musicians were very influential to me. So much so that I’d say they changed and shaped the person I would eventually become. In addition to my usual ambient, dream-pop and progressive rock influences, this album pays grateful homage to such artists as New Model Army, Billy Bragg, Killing Joke, Midnight Oil, Pink Floyd, and The Levellers, as well as older influences like Leon Rosselson, Bob Dylan, Robert Wyatt, and Phil Ochs. There has never been a more crucial time for musicians to step up and add their voices to the chorus of reason necessary to take us back from the brink of total destruction."
