Customer Reviews

NOSTALGIA (LTD. EDITION)

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I've been hearing about this band in chatrooms and seeing it in the "those who bought such & such also bought these" areas here on Amazon so decided to check them out. Got it late last week and have already listened to it 3 times (just finished 3rd) so that alone tells you it's worth checking out if you like this type of music.

I'll will say it's very derivative, very "been there done that", reminding me of any one of a number of bands, so don't expect anything new. Even still I found it very enjoyable, VERY Listenable and will certainly be getting more by this band. It also seems to be a good blend of classic prog and elements of the new prog, neoprog/progmetal, whatever you want to call it.

I got the version that has the 2 bonus tracks but, to my ear, the stand-out track is #6, "Am I losing Touch", which is a regular track.

Bottom line - Like I said, good CD and well worth my money. Check it out if you like good prog, just don't expect anything new. But I WILL be getting more. Anybody out there recommend which one I should get next? Some other stuff on my list first so it'll probably be mid-summer before I get another one.

This review will be short and to the point. SATELLITE is one of the best kept secrets in all of the music world. All of their albums are fantastic. My wife and I fell in love with this band ever since we purchased A STREET BETWEEN SUNRISE AND SUNSET. All I can say is buy their music. It is well worth listening too.

Satellite was founded in 2000 in Poland by the former Collage front man and songwriter Wojtek Szadkowski. The band remains primarily Szadkowski's project, recorded in his home studio, with his lyrics and music, and with band members selected by him. "Nostalgia" is their fourth release, this time from Metal Mind Productions and shows how MMP is willing to promote outside of any narrow confines.
Szadkowski states in interviews how he wants to make music that is "extremely melodic . . .a perfect connection between modern music and classic progressive rock." He says that the music favors "Moonshine" era Collage, but with more modern influences. By modern, I understand to mean heavy bass lines, minimal chord changes a la Radiohead and Porcupine Tree, and soaring and climaxing instrumental passages.
In relation to their earlier releases, though I haven't heard their most recent "Into The Night", "Nostalgia" seems to move more toward alternative rock and Rush. The songs are uplifting and easy to listen to, but not overly inventive. I found my mind wandering a lot, which actually may be the band's intention.
But something gets lost in pursuit of Szadkowski's quest to straddle the line between classic progressive rock and modern music. The music is very melodic, but not challenging. The instrumental playing is professional and tight but seems to be "by the numbers" and many times goes on for too long. I can't say I heard anything here I've never heard before - many times. In fact after a while, I felt like I could predict where the song was going after the first few minutes.
But "Nostalgia" still ends up a worthy follow up to Satellite's earlier releases. It shows the band as more mature and sounding more like an integrated unit. (From my review originally posted at progressiveears. com.)

I absolutely love this CD! It seems every time Satellite release a new one it takes me on a whole new musical adventure solidifying my existence as of the time of its release. I identify so much not only with the great music but equally with the lyrics of these songs. Especially the tracks "Over Horizon", "Am I Losing Touch" and "Is It Over". The song "Over Horizon" is equally as good as anything Genesis has ever written as the lyrics exclaim "Step out from the dark, dive on, dive on, into the river of light"! I get great visual images of them performing this track. Pure excellence and very uplifting. With the track "Am I Losing Touch" it really explains the way I've been feeling alot lately and for quite a while having lost three family members and my house and being sued. Unexplicable how these lyrics touch my soul. And then comes "Is It Over". The most reminiscent tune that somewhat resembles the first King Crimson album with it's sorrowful mellotron and touching God lyrics. It really left me wondering - Is it over? The work on this CD is brilliant! Every tune on this CD shines and I highly recommend it to anyone who really knows and loves the best old progressive rock as well as the new progressive rock. These guys mix old and new together so wonderfully it really rises above on its own. But it will take a couple of listens for it to start to really sink in. So be patient - you will be rewarded! And the cover art is great too!