Now Playing Thread

[Nicky007]

Yngwie Malmsteen - Unleash the fury

My GOD (no, not you, Yngwie!), this is heavy and melodic.

Agree, Deenie, this guy is by all means underrated in prog circles. OK, he is an egomaniac (very un-Swedish), and that's prob why so few top prog musicians wanna play with him, but he does make great albums, and, prob surprisingly for many, he is modest with the guitar flourishes on his studio albums.

Nicky.

[Bupie]

Now Bupie (with the risk of triggering Napoleonic abominations), don't you think that AF are more exciting than Nightwish ?  - I'd better add 

Frankly ? My answer is a big NO    So far, after listening to Decipher (which is really growing on me, though), Invisibles Circles and the latest After Forever, I would say that After Forever are good but that there is simply no competition with Nightwish. After Forever's music is probably more technical, the band members are probably better musicians but their songs are far less enjoyable than Nightwish's to my ears. Nightwish, although being undoubtly cheesy and mainstream, provides me the emotion that I don't find in most prog metal bands (Dream Theater excepted). But maybe it is just because Nightwish isn't prog ?  Hmm, embarrassing question on a prog rock forum 

Since the Room is now swarming with Frenchies, I thought I'd listen to some French prog:

NP  Spheric Universe Experience:  So Cold  (from Mental Torments)  (on repeat)

Surprisingly good ! 

Don't know them but I will check.

NP Nightwish - The Poet and the Pendulum  Blame it on you, Nicky, you put me in the mood for that  (actually, that's not true, I was already playing Dark Passion Play)

[Nicky007]

Nightwish, although being undoubtly cheesy and mainstream, provides me the emotion that I don't find in most prog metal bands ...

OK Bups, I can follow you here. I too have some fave groups and musicians that are not so prog but that have some great emo (e.g. Ten and Elton John) 

... (Dream Theater excepted).

But here I'm completely at odds with you, Bups. How can you like DT (admittedly the greatest) and not Symphony X, Circus Maximus, Seventh Wonder, Spheric Universe Experience, Riverhead, and a whole horde of great bands that have arisen in the wake of DT ?

Beats me ... but maybe it's très francais ? 

Nicky.

[Teunis]

The Lens - A word in your eye

[Bupie]

But here I'm completely at odds with you, Bups. How can you like DT (admittedly the greatest) and not Symphony X, Circus Maximus, Seventh Wonder, Spheric Universe Experience, Riverhead, and a whole horde of great bands that have arisen in the wake of DT ?

Beats me ... but maybe it's très francais ? 

Nicky.

Well. First ... I don't know any of those bands at the exception of Symphony X. And from Symphony X, I only know DWOT, which I find good, and V, their best album for many fans, where I only like two songs (which are great, though), the rest of the album leaving me completely cold despite the mandatory ten listens 

Second, Dream Theater are in a league of their own. Their music is so diverse and (most of the time) emotional that you can only respect and admire them (well, it doesn't go as far as Mike's political opinions  ).

NP Dream Theater - Surrounded

[Nicky007]

... from Symphony X, I only know DWOT, which I find good, and V, their best album for many fans ...

Bups, you must get Paradise Lost, imo beyond doubt their best, although I was a big SyX fan even before. Russ' singing is sooo powerful on PL, there's less thrash and more substance, and the lyrics, inspired by Milton's great drama, are very visionary. This is one of the bands that really strive to further the great Western traditions.

... the mandatory ten listens 

Glad that I could teach you somethin, Bups. But that really is mandatory with serious music, aint it guys ? 

Second, Dream Theater are in a league of their own.

No doubt about that 

... well, it doesn't go as far as Mike's political opinions  ).

What are you critical of there, Bups ?


NP  Therion:  Gothic Kabbalah 

Nicky.

[Bupie]

Bups, you must get Paradise Lost, imo beyond doubt their best, although I was a big SyX fan even before. Russ' singing is sooo powerful on PL, there's less thrash and more substance, and the lyrics, inspired by Milton's great drama, are very visionary. This is one of the bands that really strive to further the great Western traditions.

I have already promised and I will ... but let me try to get into Ten first 

What are you critical of there, Bups ?

I don't think this forum is the right place to discuss it, Nick. But let's say that the last section of his website's FAQ leaves me, hum, .  An incredibly detailed FAQ, though.

NP  Therion:  Gothic Kabbalah 

Yes, I should try them too

NP ... nothing since reminding me of this FAQ made me sad

[PH]

I don't think this forum is the right place to discuss it, Nick. But let's say that the last section of his website's FAQ leaves me, hum, .  An incredibly detailed FAQ, though.

You mean his answer to the question: "What is the meaning of life and all answers to the cosmos?"
(Answer: "For me, it all comes down to a simple philosophy: "Eat my ass and balls"")

[Nicky007]

... but let me try to get into Ten first  

Glad to hear that you're motivated now. The quality varies lots on Essential. I can recom that you initially concentrate on the best songs, because then also the lesser ones will follow better. The gems imo are Through The Fire, Yesterday Lies In The Flames, Till The End Of Time, The Name Of The Rose / Wildest Dreams.

Along the way I realised that The Twilight Chronicles is a better and more integrated album. All songs on this one, except the last, are terrific. I regard Twilight in league with and comparable in style to Contagion  

So now I'v said it again. But it seems necessary with you roomies    

I don't think this forum is the right place to discuss it, Nick. But let's say that the last section of his website's FAQ leaves me, hum, .  An incredibly detailed FAQ, though.

OK, I'l check it up myself. Thanks for notifying me, Bups  

Yes, I should try them too [Therion: Gothic Kabbalah]

OK, it's not in my top league, but it's so special that I think it belongs in a proper prog collection.

NP ... nothing, since reminding me of this FAQ made me sad

Hey Bups, play something uplifting ... hm, just lookin through my CD collection, seems like everything here is pretty daaark   ... but how about Robbie Williams' Feel or Phil Collins' Can't Stop Loving You ?  

Nicky.

[Nicky007]

"Eat my ass and balls"

OK, I'l leave that to his wife    but my immediate interpretation would be that he's saying what the wise Jiddu Krishnamurti said a century ago, and what several wise people have said through the ages:  You go figure out your own answer !

Nicky.

[maddox]

You mean his answer to the question: "What is the meaning of life and all answers to the cosmos?"
(Answer: "For me, it all comes down to a simple philosophy: "Eat my ass and balls"")

LOL. 

NP> Ayreon - Zero One


..


.


What else? 

[cabo]

right now - Harbour of tears from Camel. Excellent album... and Andrew Latimer on guitar!!

[PH]

Perhaps this may come as a surprise but:

Jean-Michel Jarre - Magnetic Fields
1. Magnetic Fields - Part 1

Wooooow, very nice!
"Bassie & Adriaan" anyone?

-Paco

[The Butterfly Man]

OK, I'l leave that to his wife

Did you know that DT (read: Mike Portnoy) sometimes replace the original lyrics with something to do with that 'ass and balls' phrase when playing live? A couple of examples I remember from the top of my head are:

- As I Am ('To the doubtful I demand, eat my ass and balls')
- The Mirror (Instead of 'Hypocryte' MP shouts 'Ass and balls!')
- Fatal Tragedy ('Without love, without truth, you can eat my ass and balls')

A funny example of something during the recent Chaos In Motion-tour is the song Constant Motion. Instead of 'Apocalyptic mind debris' MP sings 'Apocalyptic James Labrie'.

NP: Dream Theater - Raise The Knife

Tom

[Bupie]

You mean his answer to the question: "What is the meaning of life and all answers to the cosmos?"
(Answer: "For me, it all comes down to a simple philosophy: "Eat my ass and balls"")

No, this one is not particularly brilliant either IMHO but I was thinking about another one a little bit higher on the list ...

Glad to hear that you're motivated now. The quality varies lots on Essential. I can recom that you initially concentrate on the best songs, because then also the lesser ones will follow better. The gems imo are Through The Fire, Yesterday Lies In The Flames, Till The End Of Time, The Name Of The Rose / Wildest Dreams.

I will play it tonight, I swear.

Hey Bups, play something uplifting ... hm, just lookin through my CD collection, seems like everything here is pretty daaark   ... but how about Robbie Williams' Feel or Phil Collins' Can't Stop Loving You ?  

Well, I quite like Feel. But those days I have the new Lukather album to uplift me (beware, PH, it could be dangerous for your ears  )

NP Steve Lukather - Ever Changing Times  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CO7e4bYVvaU  OK, I admit the video is nothing special, to say the least ...

[PH]

No, this one is not particularly brilliant either IMHO but I was thinking about another one a little bit higher on the list ...

I know which one you mean, but I wanted to quote this particular sentence to show how intelligent and thoughtful Portnoy is...
So he actually IS a mindless, fast-drumming, cimbal-hitting, ass- and ball-less, swearing idiot!

Sorry...

But he's in a great band!

-Paco

[Deenfan]

No, he isn't.



I'm playing through the amazing and wonderful new Magnum - Wings of heaven live.

My mood is on the rise.

[Manatee]

right now - Harbour of tears from Camel. Excellent album... and Andrew Latimer on guitar!!

Somehow I've managed to never hear a single song by Camel, but everyone seems to think highly of them.  Any recommendations for a good album of theirs to start with?

[maddox]

Some samples from Caamora on their website. 

[PH]

No, he isn't.

Some samples from Caamora on their website. 

Wow, very much Clive-ness here!
Brilliant, brilliant.


-Paco

[cabo]

Somehow I've managed to never hear a single song by Camel, but everyone seems to think highly of them.  Any recommendations for a good album of theirs to start with?

All albums from Camel are excellent IMHO, but "I can see your house from here" from 1979 and "Harbour of tears" from 1996 should give you a good start I regard "I can see your house from here" as my personal favourite. With Ice, Hymn to Her etc.... Coming of Age from 1997 is a live recording that captures the band live with a moderne sound and could also be a great intro, You can buy it on cd or dvd. Camel is an awesome live band.
Full discography here: http://kneeling.co.uk/frames2.asp?pages/camel/default.asp

Camel jukebox: http://www.camelproductions.com/camel_jukebox/jukebox.html

Andrew Latimer is one of the best guitarist in the world, such feeling and tone.... very underrated.

[Nicky007]

... ass- and ball-less ...

If he was, it wouldnt make much sense that he invites people to "Eat my ass and balls", now would it, Paco ? 

No, I think it's great that a celebrity like MP can make some silly pranks. It connects well with me iac 


Just saw the film about Paul McCartney's concert on The Red Square. Very touching 

Had Putin and Gorby as guest stars    Putin has been a big Beatles fan all through his life. Think about it: The boss of the KGB for many years, and the present boss of Russia. Several Russian historians and artists commented that Beatles with their music and image had done more to give the Russians their freedom (well, relative iac) than all the nukes and dissidents. - Says somethin about the power of music 


NP  Dillinger:  Calculating Infinity

I dont think they actually succeed in that, but their attempt sure's great 

And it keeps me awake for a while yet 

Nicky.

[PH]

If he was, it wouldnt make much sense that he invites people to "Eat my ass and balls", now would it, Paco ? 

When your ass is bitten off, there's not much left, or what?

No, I think it's great that a celebrity like MP can make some silly pranks. It connects well with me iac 

You think so? To me Mike sounds very immature.
Not that immature is nessecarily bad, but in this perspective, I think it is.

[Peter]

NP Steve Lukather - Ever Changing Times  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CO7e4bYVvaU  OK, I admit the video is nothing special, to say the least ...

Nice. I like it. A lot.

Here's an interesting story: On Johnny Carson's Tonight Show when asked "What is it like to be the greatest guitarist on Earth?" Eddie van Halen answered "Go ask Steve Lukather"

[PH]

Yeah, Bupie! That song of Steve Lukather is really good.
Very catchy, and not too Toto-ish.

-Paco