Classic Rock Bottom

     I think it's safe to say that Rock music is dominated by male performers. That doesn't mean there aren't ladies who can compete with them. Quite a few in fact, and the rest is not far behind either, but the state is even more dire in the world of Progressive Rock. I'm not talking about Symphonic Metal, where female singers are practically a requirement. Again there are exceptions to the rule, but still there is few and far between women in Prog Rock. Often they are not full members or only listed as guests.

However Ars Nova from Japan is here to correct that.
These ladies are fast and furious.

click on the cover for samples
1. ARS NOVA - House Of Ben
from "Fear & Anxiety" CD ℗ 1992

The band plays a bombastic Progressive Rock resembling the ELP. Formed by Keiko Kumagai on keyboards, the comparison is quite accurate. The other two members were Kyoko and Yumiko, the Saito sisters on bass and drums respectively. At least I think they're sisters.

2. ARS NOVA - Chase
from "Tränsi" CD ℗ 1994

The band brings in a new (and better) drummer, Akiko Takahashi. The last name of the bass player changed to Kanazawa. Maybe she got married? The music becomes tight and menacing.

3. ARS NOVA - The Judgment Of Osiris
from "The Book Of The Dead" CD ℗ 1998

And then there were two. The bass player left and was replaced by a male bass player, credited only as a guest musician. (There is justice, after all) His name is Ken Ishita (Deja Vu). I guess Barbie wasn't gonna have Ken in her band... as a full member, that is. (Girl Power!):)

4. ARS NOVA - Ainsel
from "Lacrimaria" CD ℗ 2001

The band is back to 3 piece formation, with a twist. Mika Nakajima, the third and newest member is another keyboard player, just in case you thought they weren't enough keyboard oriented.

5. ARS NOVA - Bizarro Ballo In Maschera
from "Android Domina" CD ℗ 2001

More keyboards aren't the only upgrades. The band also released it's second album in the year.

Finally getting around to listen to, (for the first time) some music I've been putting aside (for years). Including, things from the past I recently discovered, projects I previously had, but replaced with a newly remastered version, or those simple cases, were my last years order didn't arrive on time.

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I'll take the one on the right!!!

Gotta admit that for the first 45 seconds of track one I thought this was some sort of polka-prog but they kicked in with some Deep Purple-esque keyboards and got my attention.  I kept imagining the girl on the right staring me down and then motioning to the stage manager to seek me out in the crowd and give me a backstage pass....  it could happen!!  but I digress...

It does remain interesting for the first three tracks and then *poof* the music becomes nothing but keyboards.  I would say they were onto something cool at the beginning and maybe lost their way with so many lineup changes and marriages and what not...  I even tried to google them (ok honestly to find more pictures of the gal on the right) but was unsuccessful...

Interesting post!!

They are definitely keyboard centered and adding another keyboard player made it sound more dominant, but I think the blame for the last two songs go partially to me as well. They are longer tracks and since my podsnack account only allows 5 minutes for each song I had to snip them. Subconsciously I might have chosen the part that had more keyboards and less drums.

Scott's a prevert.

Yep, definite ELP influence here. The "Chase" album cover really doesn't fit in with this music, seems more death metal to me, but it's ok. It's is kind of death-y, so I'll jus go along for the ride. 

Hmmm....you know, an interesting mix would be Bond and Ars Nova. Yes, I like Bond, especially their first album. 

I believe there was a band from the 60's called Ars Nova. This ain't them. 

youre just jealous because she chose me...

Image result for napoleon dynamite gif

Don't burn yourself out Scott.

These are the Ars Nova CD's from my later pile. The first Ars Nova CD's I bought are the newer ones. After I listened to them I went on a back catalog shopping spree. Don't be surprised if they make a return.

Never thought of that, but it would be really a match made in heaven, Bond on Ars Nova. I have their first album and that was really good. I also have another Bond album, not sure if it's the 2nd or 3rd and that was decent as well.

I did notice the existence of another band called Ars Nova, but unless they went through some extremely drastic changes, they can't be the same.

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