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[PH]

Now that sounds really strange!!

It is!

Krautrock definition: Krautrock (also called "Kosmische musik") is a German avant-garde / experimental rock movement that emerged at the end of the 1960's. It was intended to go beyond the eccentricities developed by the wild psychedelic rock universe of the US, by giving a special emphasis to electronic treatments, sound manipulation and minimal hypnotic motifs (continuing the style of "musique concrete" and minimalist repetitive music but within a more accessible environment).

Krautrock put the emphasis on extended and ecstatic instrumental epics, neglecting the format of conventional psych-pop songs. The term Krautrock was first used by the British music press in a very derogatory way. The term rapidly found a better reputation in underground music circles and finally gained a certain popularity (thanks to the Brain-Festival Essen...)

The Krautrock movement is widely associated with notorious bands such as Popol Vuh, Amon Duul, Faust, Neu!, Ash Ra Tempel, Agitation Free, Guru Guru, etc. With their own particular artistic expression, these musical collectives provided rocking psychedelic incantations, mantra like drones, melancholic lugubrious atmospheres, long and convoluted collective improvisations, binary repetitive drum pulses, fuzz guitars, feedback, primitive electronic noises, hallucinatory ballads, and garage blues rock trips. Krautrock can be described as an anarchic, intense, acid, tellurian, nocturnal, spacey, dark and oniric "adventure" through rock music.

The most consistent years of the Krautrock scene cover a relatively short period from 1970 to 1975. After their first spontaneous, hyperactive and psychedelic efforts, the bands generally split up or declined into other musical sensibilities, more in line with mainstream rock or with ambient soundscapes.

Each region develops its particular musical scene, interpreting differently the Krautrock musical structure. For instance the Berlin school focused on "astral" synthscapes, weird electronic experimentation and acid jams (Ash Ra Tempel, Agitation Free, Mythos, The Cosmic Jokers, Kluster...), The Munich scene offered fuzzed out (Eastern) psych rock mantras with some folk accents (Popol Vuh, Amon Duul, Gila, Guru Guru, Witthuser & Westrupp...). Cologne and Dusseldorf underground scenes focused on happenings, political rock, electronics, pulsating rhythms and clean sounding Krautrock (Floh de Cologne, La Dusseldorf, Neu! Can...).

This musical cartography is correct in the absolute but naturally reveals some variations and exceptions. This intriguing and freak 'n' roll 1970's German scene enjoyed a rebirth in recent years thanks to a large number of reissues (of long lost classics) published by several independent labels (Spalax, Garden of Delights, Long Hair Music...) as a direct result of Krautrock's musical inspiration of modern post rock bands. There are actually some neo psychedelic rock bands who try to hold up Krautrock, and who notably find a major place to express themselves during the historical Burg Herzberg Festival in Germany.

To be honest, most music in that genre is not really my cup of tea...
According to ProgArchives.com my favourite genre is:
- Neo Progressive (a lot!)
- Heavy Prog
- Progressive Metal
- Psychedelic/Space Rock
- Symphonic Prog (many!)
- Crossover Prog (some)
- Eclectic Prog (a bit)

If you want to hear something strange, you should listen to what ProgArchives describes as "Zeuhl"...
(not my cup of tea either)

-Paco

[Nicky007]

As far as I know, "krautrock" as used nowadays refers to any rock played by a group or person based in Germany.

Yeah, Zeuhl: That's music by Christian Vander's group Magma and some other groups inspired by them. I decided to give it a shot, and purchased one of the most popular Magma albums among fans, Mekanik Destruktiw Kommandoh (as if that wasnt enough, there are umlauts and accents over several of the letters, partytime for Mad  ). That was a year ago, and I can't any longer remember what it sounded like, only that it was real far out. CV has even developed his own language, which he sings in, so even if the lyrics make sense (I don't know), you have to put in a lot of effort to interpret them.

But currently I'm spinning my neglected CD's, so at some point I'l get back to Mekanik 


NP  Circus Maximus:  Isolate 

Deenie, you should be proud of these guys 

OK, I'm in a devilish mood, so I wanna give Tom a sleepless night: Tom, who do you like better, Circus Maximus or Opeth ?

Nicky.

[Nicky007]

NP  Kamelot:  Forever  (on Karma)

Will you revive
From the chaos in my mind
Where we still are bound together
Will you be there
Waiting by the Gates of Dawn
When I close my eyes forever.

The philosophers of prog 

Deenie, you should be proud of Khan 

Nicky.

[maddox]

The Floiwer Kings - Meet The Flower Kings

Track: [01] The Truth Will Set You Free

31 minutes. I'll be here for a while. 

[Deenfan]

Shadow Gallery - Carved in Stone

Good call. Probably the best album from the last millennium.

[The Butterfly Man]

OK, I'm in a devilish mood, so I wanna give Tom a sleepless night: Tom, who do you like better, Circus Maximus or Opeth ?

Lucky me, I was already in bed when you posted your message so it had no influence whatsoever on my sleeping!

But you sure ask a lot of me now Nicky...If we base the decision purely on the most recent (studio) album I think Circus Maximus will win, albeit with a very narrow margin. However, if we look at the entire discography of both bands I think I would go with Opeth because I simply like every single album they released. Maybe this is a bit of a false comparison seeing Circus Maximus only has 2 albums out but I don't rate The First Chapter half as high as I rate Isolate. Which doesn't mean that I don't like The First Chapter, far from that actually. I only think that Isolate is superior. Regarding Opeth, I feel that they are able to retain a certain level of consistency from album to album without ever repeating themselves or becoming predictable.

On a sidenote, I think I can make a better decision after Circus Maximus releases their third album. If I like that album as much as I like Isolate, then maybe Circus Maximus will pass Opeth. I guess only time will tell...

Tom

Oh and Nicky, rest assured, a lot of thinking went into this post and now I've got a headache...so now I'll need a lot of beers tonight!

[PH]

Kayak - Night Vision
2. Miracle Man

So far this album sounds really good!
Miracle Man even sounds a bit like Arena in some moments.
The first song Icarus was also a good one!
Anyone into these Dutch proggers?

-Paco

[Nicky007]

NP  Elton John:  Someone Saved My Life Tonight  (on Captain Fantastic)

Elton John, the Grand Master of songwriting 

This song is one of the most beautiful love songs - eva 

So hark, ye callow roomies 

Nicky.

[PH]

So hark, ye callow roomies 

You know... you're a strange man.
One time you think nothing is heavy enough and now you say you listen to Elton John...

Anyway, now listening:

The Tangent - The Music That Died Alone
1. In Darkest Dreams Part 1: Prelude - Time For You

Ahhh yes! Works very good on repeat too!
Like like like!

-Paco

[Appelmoes??]

Savatage - Back to Reason

Though I prefer the TSO version 

[Deenfan]

A fine song.

Haven't heard the TSO version. Heard a double live thing a few times, but I was bored by it, which came as a surprise to me.

[Nicky007]

But you sure ask a lot of me now Nicky ....

Nice, Tom, thanks 

I agree with you, except that I consider Ghost Reveries a notch better than Opeth's previous albums, and on par with Isolate.

And I'm sure looking forward to Watershed and the third Circus.

Oh and Nicky, rest assured, a lot of thinking went into this post and now I've got a headache...so now I'll need a lot of beers tonight!

Hope they were good, Tom !  Which sorts are your faves ?


NP  A.C.T:  Imaginary Friends   

Just got it today in Malmö Skivhandel - very fitting, as the group is based in Malmö 

Hey Paco (waving)   

Nicky.

[PH]

NP  A.C.T:  Imaginary Friends   

Just got it today in Malmö Skivhandel.

Hey Paco (waving)   

Good boy.

Now listening:
Johann Sebastian Bach - Air In The G String

Nice music to make your homework by.

-Paco

[maddox]

Good boy.

Now listening:
Johann Sebastian Bach - Air In The G String

Nice music to make your homework by.

-Paco

[maddox]

What!? I really like the 2007 remixes of the Images & Words tracks! And the alternative version of Through Her Eyes is hauntingly beautiful with that sax-solo! Sure, there's not thát much new content for existing fans, but I think it serves as a nice collection of songs for potential new fans. After hearing what DT has to offer, I'm sure they are willing to delve deeper into the magic world of Dream Theater.

I agree with you about the three new remixes and about Through Her Eyes Tom.
Basically it are the old songs but with a new coat. Well done and i must say i kind of like those better than the original ones to some extend.

But...

I must make something clear about myself: I hate edits of any kind of songs. Especially songs of DT are not made to be edited in whatever way. It's just not done. 
Home for instance. That one is a huge song, one of their best long-songs but when edited i'm left with this feeling: 
Why not make it a bit more interesting for the listeners both old and hopefully new?
I would've loved to hear the version of Pull Me Under in the way it was supposed to be. Including the bits of Erotomania.
And why not some special live version?
Also a new recorded version of any kind of song, preferably an oldie would have been great too.

A lot of you know that i'm a huge DT fan and i hate to say this but the fact remains (for me that is ) that this album could've been better.

Maybe this all is the result that it was released by DT's old record company and DT didn't had much influence in it but...



But i wouldn't say it's total crap just because i'm a huge DT fan.   

[PH]

Yeah yeah, I know what you're thinking, but that would be "thong" in English, Mad.

-Paco

[Nicky007]

Air In The G String is hauntingly beautiful with that sex-solo!

Spread the responsibility  

Good boy.

OK, now I got it: It's the Special Edition from 2007 of their second album Imaginary Friends (2001) with Bonus Material: Catherine, and The Making Of Imaginary Friends (dvd).

Are you envious now, Paco ?  

I  guess one could call this genre "pixie metal"  


Yesterday I listened to DT's Live At Budokan. Man, Master JP plays ace, admirable, august, best, breathtaking, choice, cool, elegant, elevated, exalted, excellent, exquisite, fab, fine, glorious, gorgeous, grand, greatest, in orbit, lofty, magnificent, majestic, marvelous, matchless, noble, optimal, optimum, outstanding, peerless, prime, proud, rad, resplendent, solid, splendid, splendiferous, splendorous, standout, state-of-the-art, stunning, sublime, super, superb, superior, superlative, tops, unrivaled, very best, zero cool  

Source: Thesaurus.com.

Nicky.

[PH]

OK, now I got it: It's the Special Edition from 2007 of their second album Imaginary Friends (2001) with Bonus Material: Catherine, and The Making Of Imaginary Friends (dvd).

Are you envious now, Paco ?  

Totally not! I already have it for about a year! And it's gooooooooooooood!

[Nicky007]

Maybe this all is the result that it was released by DT's old record company and DT didn't had much influence in it but...

OK, this explains a lot. Thanks for mentioning it, Mad. Looks like the record company figured they could get an extra buck or two out of DT's hardwon popularity, and like I can do without this release 

Nicky.

[Nicky007]

You know... you're a strange man.
One time you think nothing is heavy enough and now you say you listen to Elton John...

You know, Paxi, I aint that strange when you know my criterium: Genius !  I'm constantly on the lookout for Genius - and I find it in full measure in Elton John's music, as well as in Dillinger, and A.C.T.

So a toast to Genius - and these three agents of Genius 


NP  Imaginary Friends  (on repeat)   

Nicky.

[Teunis]

Today:
Satelllite - Into the Night
Riverside - Rapid Eye Movement

np: Shadow Gallery - Tyranny

track: Spoken Words 

[PH]

Jean Michel Jarre - Equinox
3. Part 3

Ahhhh very relaxing music.
Somehow I really dig this stuff.

-Paco

[Nicky007]

What's really strange, Paxi, is that you're listening to music from my youth, and I'm listening to music from your youth.

Wrong soul for wrong body ?   

Nicky.

[Nicky007]

NP  DT:  Live At Budokan

The WBG   

Nicky.

[PH]

What's really strange, Paxi, is that you're listening to music from my youth, and I'm listening to music from your youth.

Wrong soul for wrong body ?   

Hahaha you're right!
But I'm very happy with my body!
So I rather keep this one.

Genesis - Duke
2. Duchess

Yeah!! Very good! (And veeeeeeeeeeeery old )

-Paco