Now Playing Thread

[Nicky007]

To Nicky:
I listened to Pink Floyd - Animals, last night and really liked it!
I have to listen to it again though, to fully appreciate it.

That's really great, Paco, particularly because imo Animals is musically the most difficult album to appreciate from Floyd's great period from Atom Heart Mother to The Wall. Lyrically it's a bomb, showed that Roger was a great philosopher beside his amazing musical abilities.

The logical follow-up for you would be to have all albums from Atom to The Final Cut, the latter which is also greater lyrically than musically imo.

If we're talking about the absolute greatest rock bands, in terms of musicality, innovation, philosophy, and influence on other musicians, imo it's Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, and Dream Theater. I realise that this stands to debate, and I'd be happy to hear other opinions.

Nicky.

[Nicky007]

NP  Ten: The Twilight Chronicles 

This group is really a wonderful surprise for me.

This is their latest album, from 2006.

Actually, Ten's sound is similar to Threshold, so anyone into Threshold should go for Ten. I just find that Ten rock more.

Nicky.

[maddox]

Elemental Journey - Project X 

Give it a listen folks. It's very nice. 

[PH]

That's really great, Paco, particularly because imo Animals is musically the most difficult album to appreciate from Floyd's great period from Atom Heart Mother to The Wall. Lyrically it's a bomb, showed that Roger was a great philosopher beside his amazing musical abilities.

The logical follow-up for you would be to have all albums from Atom to The Final Cut, the latter which is also greater lyrically than musically imo.

I will check them all out. Starting from Atom Heart Mother till The Final Cut (or even more).

If we're talking about the absolute greatest rock bands, in terms of musicality, innovation, philosophy, and influence on other musicians, imo it's Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, and Dream Theater. I realise that this stands to debate, and I'd be happy to hear other opinions.

Don't forget to add Genesis to that list Nicky. In my opinion (and in many) they are the most influential band in prog. As is Yes (which I don't really like), that one surely belongs to that list too.

NP:
Spock's Beard - V

I like it.
But REALLY, come on, their latest is soooo much better!


-Paco

[erik]

If we're talking about the absolute greatest rock bands, in terms of musicality, innovation, philosophy, and influence on other musicians, imo it's Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, and Dream Theater. I realise that this stands to debate, and I'd be happy to hear other opinions

Don't forget to add Genesis to that list Nicky. In my opinion (and in many) they are the most influential band in prog. As is Yes (which I don't really like), that one surely belongs to that list too.

Agree Paco, Genesis and Yes should definitely be in that list, but even more so King Crimson. The great Crim is really one of the founding fathers of the prog genre with their classic debut released in 1969, when Genesis, Yes and Floyd where still searching for their musical identities with interesting and promising first albums, but hardly with prog classics. Furthermore, King Crimson has always, up to the present day, been really innovative - progressive in the true sense of the word.

However, Nicky's statement talks about the absolute greatest rock bands, not prog bands, which leaves even much more room for discussion.. At least The Who should be included then as well!

Ah and Paco, good to hear that you're getting into Floyd and that you like Animals!

[erik]

I need to get more coffee: I forgot to mention Rush!!

[Nicky007]

Agree Paco, Genesis and Yes should definitely be in that list, but even more so King Crimson. The great Crim is really one of the founding fathers of the prog genre with their classic debut released in 1969, when Genesis, Yes and Floyd where still searching for their musical identities with interesting and promising first albums, but hardly with prog classics. Furthermore, King Crimson has always, up to the present day, been really innovative - progressive in the true sense of the word.

Very interesting, Erik.

In my youth, I rarely heard Crim. In those days, more than today, it was mainly a question of what friends were listening to, and none of mine were into Crim.

Recently I got their debut, and I must say that it's exciting. Guess I should have something more recent too. What do you recom?

> However, Nicky's statement talks about the absolute greatest rock bands, not prog bands, which leaves even much more room for discussion.. At least The Who should be included then as well!

The Who were great, and became just as big as Zep and Floyd - but as innovative and philosophical? And Pete was a good rhythm guitarist, but never did anything real exciting, nothing comparable to Jimmy and Dave, Pete more created an atmosphere for Roger.

I'm more willing to accept Genesis and Yes among the absolute greatest, although for me they aren't entirely up there with Floyd and Zep; but I certainly accept different opinions on that.


NP  Yngwie Malmsteen: Black Star (from Rising Force) 

Surprisingly good, cool atmosphere, cool playing.

Previously considered Yngwie as a showoff, but I must say this demolishes my prejudice.

In the same genre as Steve Vai, and seemingly as good.

Nicky.

[Nicky007]

I need to get more coffee: I forgot to mention Rush!!

But not in the same class as Floyd, huh?

Nicky.

[bluepony]

Yup, I'm nearing the magic "30" and I'm already slowly deteriorating

Oooooooh, poor Applemoes??! 

[erik]

Very interesting, Erik.

In my youth, I rarely heard Crim. In those days, more than today, it was mainly a question of what friends were listening to, and none of mine were into Crim.

Recently I got their debut, and I must say that it's exciting. Guess I should have something more recent too. What do you recom?

King Crimson has had several periods and different line ups, key albums for each period:

Late '60s/early '70s: their debut In The Court Of The Crimson King. Those mellotrons!

Mid '70s: the classic line up Fripp-Wetton-Bruford, Red. A sparse and raw album, the instrumental title track and album closer Starless are truly amazing. The album Larks Tongues In Aspic is also highly recommended.

'80s: Fripp-Belew-Levin-Bruford, Discipline. Awesome "comeback" album.

'90s up to present: The Power To Believe. A very dark album with an almost industrial edge to it, nuovo metal they call it themselves. Just listen to the instrumental track Level Five, apocalyptic riffing! The '90s comeback album Thrak is also very good, the period of the "double trio" (2x drums, 2x guitars, 2x bass!). In this recent period they also split up into 4 smaller fractals, the projekcts, experimenting and improvising outside the Crimson format. Not a good place to start, but interesting to explore if you like their regular albums and want to go further. The Deception Of The Thrush is a nice introduction compilation to the different projekcts.

The Who were great, and became just as big as Zep and Floyd - but as innovative and philosophical? And Pete was a good rhythm guitarist, but never did anything real exciting, nothing comparable to Jimmy and Dave, Pete more created an atmosphere for Roger.

I'm more willing to accept Genesis and Yes among the absolute greatest, although for me they aren't entirely up there with Floyd and Zep; but I certainly accept different opinions on that.

Well with Tommy, The Who did release one of the first rock operas in 1969 already...

[Rush] But not in the same class as Floyd, huh?

I'd say that Rush is a league of their own, with the same line up from their second album up to now and a stream of no less then 18 (!) studio albums without any real bums and going through lots of different phases, moving from garage rock to classic heavy prog to synthy new wave to modern rock. Rush rules big time!

[Nicky007]

NP  Ten: This Heart Goes On (on Twilight)

Got stuck on this one. Addictive song, man.

Part of it is actually on MySpace:

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=115373167

Give it some runs and see if you don't get just as addicted as I.

I'm not goin to give you any of the lyrics this time, because then I'll just have Bluey "reminding" me .... 

Nicky.

[Nicky007]

The Power To Believe. A very dark album with an almost industrial edge to it, nuovo metal they call it themselves. Just listen to the instrumental track Level Five, apocalyptic riffing!

Looks like that's the one for me. Thanks, Erik.


> Well with Tommy, The Who did release one of the first rock operas in 1969 already ...

Man, did we listen a lot to that one! At parties we'd plonk on our acoustics and sing "Tommy, can you hear me" and stuff. And of course the obligatory chillums. I'm really getting myself worked up here, "Tommy, can you hear me", plonk, plonk 


> Rush rules big time!

OK, I actually have four albums by them. Promise I'll play them during the weekend. But then a beer from you 

Nicky.

[erik]

> Rush rules big time!

OK, I actually have four albums by them. Promise I'll play them during the weekend. But then a beer from you 

mmm, I think you owe me a beer because I'm helping you (re)discover what a great band Rush is
Which albums btw?

[erik]

> The Power To Believe. A very dark album with an almost industrial edge to it, nuovo metal they call it themselves. Just listen to the instrumental track Level Five, apocalyptic riffing!

Looks like that's the one for me. Thanks, Erik.

Looking forward to your impressions when you've listened to it!

[Nicky007]

... without any real bums ....

You were the one with the real bum, Erik. I was wondering what you meant with "treal bums". But Appy keeps entertaining me with semantic novelties, so I kinda take'm in stride nowadays 

Nicky.

[erik]

You were the one with the real bum, Erik. I was wondering what you meant with "treal bums". But Appy keeps entertaining me with semantic novelties, so I kinda take'm in stride nowadays 

Nicky.

Well if this remark of yours implies what it seems to, that you don't consider Rush as having released any bums, then I applaud it

[Nicky007]

mmm, I think you owe me a beer because I'm helping you (re)discover what a great band Rush is

OK, but do you like Carlsberg and Tuborg? I prefer Belgian and Dutch beer - more taste. Mmm, already looking forward to a cool Blue Chimay this evening, but I have to wait, as I promised both Ms 007 and Pusle not to become an alcoholic.


> Which albums btw?

Permanent Waves, Moving Pictures, Counterparts, Snakes And Arrows.

Funny, right next to my Saga collection.

What do you particularly like about Rush, Erik?

Nicky.

[erik]

OK, but do you like Carlsberg and Tuborg? I prefer Belgian and Dutch beer - more taste. Mmm, already looking forward to a cool Blue Chimay this evening, but I have to wait, as I promised both Ms 007 and Pusle not to become an alcoholic.

I prefer Belgian and Dutch beer as well, and as you're having a Chimay that means you can get Belgian beer in Denmark too

> Which albums btw?

Permanent Waves, Moving Pictures, Counterparts, Snakes And Arrows.

Funny, right next to my Saga collection.

What do you particularly like about Rush, Erik?

All four excellent, but you're still missing out a lot!

I suppose you mean what do I like in their music, not which albums; Rush just has this amazing vibe, pure energy that oozes from virtually every song they've recorded. I love the way they combine virtuoso playing with catchy concise songwriting. They simply ROCK! And the lyrics are profound and philosophical, which should appeal to you too!

[bluepony]

I'm not goin to give you any of the lyrics this time, because then I'll just have Bluey "reminding" me .... 

Nicky.

[CompanyCroydon]

Band Of Rain- Art's and Allurements, Nice bit of Goth/Prog!

[Nicky007]

I prefer Belgian and Dutch beer as well, and as you're having a Chimay that means you can get Belgian beer in Denmark too

Hey, that really makes sense, Erik 


> I suppose you mean what do I like in their music, not which albums; Rush just has this amazing vibe, pure energy that oozes from virtually every song they've recorded. I love the way they combine virtuoso playing with catchy concise songwriting. They simply ROCK! And the lyrics are profound and philosophical, which should appeal to you too!

Yeah, I'll keep these things in mind, Erik.

Nicky.

[bluepony]

NP: several of TEN's sound samples on their myspace site

(See, Nicky, I'm doing my homework!!) 

[PH]

Bjorn Lynne - Return To Witchwood
2. On The Morrow Of Today


Ahhh yes... relaxing music.
Very nice!


-Paco

EDIT:
4. The Alchemist
Wow, what a nice song! Very medieval, but with a nice electric guitar solo.

Purely instrumental medieval soft rock. Recommended to everyone in the room here!
(Bjorn Lynne says he's influenced by Clive Nolan (amongst others) and this is sometimes VERY clear!)

[Nicky007]

NP: several of TEN's sound samples on their myspace site

(See, Nicky, I'm doing my homework!!) 

You were actually the last person I expected to do it, Bluey, because a lot of Ten's music is veeery romantic, but they have their heavy rockers too - lots of variation.

So, what's your experience of it?

Nicky.

[PH]

Now playing:

In The Eyes Of The World (The Flower Kings) as heard on ProgArchives.com
Hmm... this is not bad at all...
Tomorrow I'm going to listen to Paradox Hotel again, maybe the lightbulb will appear above my head this time.


-Paco