One good thread deserves another 
I first saw Stride at the PPIV pre-party along with the similarly surprising Prymary. I didn't remember much specifically about Stride's performance except that I was really impressed, that they did a great cover of 2112, and that the chorus for one song was stuck in my head....
...for almost two years...
That song was Face the Day. When Shane Dubose sent me Stride's 3-song demo in late 2004, I finally got to hear the whole thing all over again, and was reminded what a great song it was. The other two songs on that demo, How Far and Imagine, were also very good.
When I saw Stride was playing the main stage at PPVI, I was very excited to see them perform again. I got my butt down to the front and close up, which I usually don't do (although this year I spent more time on my feet than any previous year). I awaited the set with a bit of trepidation of the "let down factor"; surely, having loved Face the Day for so long, I would be disappointed by everything else new they played.
No such problems. They played a new song I had never heard before (Alive) which gave me the same shivers of delight that Face the Day had. It was one of my favorite sets of this year's ProgPower.
I also, of course, purchased Stride's brand new CD Imagine from Ken Golden at the merch tables. Like their set itself, I was a bit worried about the let-down factor. Surely, the entire CD could not rock my world like a couple of individual songs did?
But again, no such problems. I already knew I'd like the three songs from the demo, but even Face the Day was given a new edge to it - they either re-recorded some parts or remastered it, I think. The new instrumentals held up against most of Music Machine. The songs I had never heard before, like The Waiting, Alive, etc also hold their own against the rest. The Waiting will be one of my top 10 songs of the year. The closing track of the CD, Time, is a treat for us old Triumph fans as parts of it are very reminiscent of Time Canon off Thunder Seven.
Doesn't matter to me whether this is "prog" or not, simply put, Stride offers a chunk of wholesome melodic goodness that inspires head banging and singing along with every listen.
So there.
Ken
I first saw Stride at the PPIV pre-party along with the similarly surprising Prymary. I didn't remember much specifically about Stride's performance except that I was really impressed, that they did a great cover of 2112, and that the chorus for one song was stuck in my head....
...for almost two years...
That song was Face the Day. When Shane Dubose sent me Stride's 3-song demo in late 2004, I finally got to hear the whole thing all over again, and was reminded what a great song it was. The other two songs on that demo, How Far and Imagine, were also very good.
When I saw Stride was playing the main stage at PPVI, I was very excited to see them perform again. I got my butt down to the front and close up, which I usually don't do (although this year I spent more time on my feet than any previous year). I awaited the set with a bit of trepidation of the "let down factor"; surely, having loved Face the Day for so long, I would be disappointed by everything else new they played.
No such problems. They played a new song I had never heard before (Alive) which gave me the same shivers of delight that Face the Day had. It was one of my favorite sets of this year's ProgPower.
I also, of course, purchased Stride's brand new CD Imagine from Ken Golden at the merch tables. Like their set itself, I was a bit worried about the let-down factor. Surely, the entire CD could not rock my world like a couple of individual songs did?
But again, no such problems. I already knew I'd like the three songs from the demo, but even Face the Day was given a new edge to it - they either re-recorded some parts or remastered it, I think. The new instrumentals held up against most of Music Machine. The songs I had never heard before, like The Waiting, Alive, etc also hold their own against the rest. The Waiting will be one of my top 10 songs of the year. The closing track of the CD, Time, is a treat for us old Triumph fans as parts of it are very reminiscent of Time Canon off Thunder Seven.
Doesn't matter to me whether this is "prog" or not, simply put, Stride offers a chunk of wholesome melodic goodness that inspires head banging and singing along with every listen.
So there.
Ken
