Now Playing Thread

[Bupie]

I do like Kansas, and I'm under 40! Apart from the ubiquitous Dust In The Wind, my first acquaintance with them were the tracks Carry On Wayward Son and The Wall on a compilation tape I got from an (older, there you have it) uncle when I was in highschool. I had a "best of" album for a while, but as happens more often I found it unsatisfying, generally I prefer albums over compilations, because songs out of the album context and the mixture of different eras of one band just doesn't work (for me at any rate). And especially in prog, greatest hits isn't quite the best of in the true sense In the end I subsituted it by Song For America, Leftoverture and Point Of Know Return. Kansas may be a bit of an odd fish, but there's much to like and enjoy, worth checking out as Bupie has already stated.

Thanks ... young man    And you're sooo right about compilations or greatest hits !

NP Nothing but I am beginning to feel the lack so I am singing loud in my office.

[maddox]

Robby Williams - Swing When You're Winning

Track: [08] Mr. Bojangles

[maddox]

I'm in an Iron state right now.

Iron Maiden to be precise.

Track: : The Rime Of The Ancient Mariner 

[Steve Jones]

Kansas - Point of Know Return.

Having the cover in my hand (rather than squinting at a tiny pic on the net) confirms it is one of the albums I used to own, the back cover in particular clinches it.  I need to listen to the CD a lot more, but so far I think it's a good, solid album.  Good enough to encourage the purchase of more Kansas CDs, certainly, but not good enough to send me into an Osada Vida style rave. 

[Steve Jones]

Black Sabbath - Dehumanizer.  I know this probably isn't thought of as a classic Sabbath album, but it's one of my faves.  In fact, in these mp3 years, I can see I've played it almost twice as often as it's nearest competitor - the mighty Sabotage. 

[Steve Jones]

Muse - Showbiz.

For me they've never bettered this release, although Black Holes comes close.  I'm not always in a Muse mood (sometimes I find the Radioheadish wall-of-lo-fi-sound moments somewhat wearing) but when I am (today!) they rawwwwwwwk! 

[Bupie]

Kansas - Point of Know Return.

Having the cover in my hand (rather than squinting at a tiny pic on the net) confirms it is one of the albums I used to own, the back cover in particular clinches it.  I need to listen to the CD a lot more, but so far I think it's a good, solid album.  Good enough to encourage the purchase of more Kansas CDs, certainly, but not good enough to send me into an Osada Vida style rave. 

Since I just read that you are in the mood for some "intellimetal", I suggest that you  listen again to Lightning's Hand solo(s)   

[Teunis]

Darwin's Radio - Eyes of the World

[Steve Jones]

Since I just read that you are in the mood for some "intellimetal", I suggest that you  listen again to Lightning's Hand solo(s)   

I shall be sure to give the matter due consideration. 

NP: Howard Jones - Human's Lib. Gotta be honest, this is nowhere near as good as I remembered it.  Good songwriting in places, but let down by typical 1980s disposable production values and lightweight sound quality.  Things that have me poking around the back of the hi-fi to see if one of the cats has pulled a cable loose. 

[Steve Jones]

Mercenary - Architect of Lies.

By and large, skull-crushing growlly death metal that doesn't let up and takes no prisoners.  Prog content marginally less than Slipknot having a w*nk in a convent. 

I was hoping for something in the Nevermore TGE vein, but this isn't really the same kind of thing.  I don't hate it and I'm not saying I won't get into it, but it might take some work.

One or two bits sound vaguely like the masculine side of Nightwish.  I'm trying to hold onto that thought and build from there...

[Nicky007]

NP  Nevermore:  The Politics Of Ecstasy 

This one starts with a blast, continues blasting, perserveres in blasting, and ends with a blast 

Whew, unbelievable stuff !


Yeah, Stevie, I agree, Nevermore are just that notch better than Mercenary, but then again, they're American, and after all, the best prog metal groups, all considered, are American, aint they ?  (hey, man, just forget 1776 for a moment)

In my book, Mercenary range together with Opeth, Circus Maximus, and Seventh Wonder in the Scandinavian top league of pm.

But for my survival's sake, I hope they're better than Anthrax, Stevie 

Nicky.

[Nicky007]

Muse - Showbiz.

... I'm not always in a Muse mood ...

Muse is the sorta stuff that I listen to together with Ms   

There's "prog mode" and there's "romantic mode" 

"Together we're invincible !"

Nicky.

[Steve Jones]

(hey, man, just forget 1776 for a moment)

I don't know 1776.  Can you recommend a CD to start off with? 

Muse is the sorta stuff that I listen to together with Ms   
There's "prog mode" and "romantic mode" 

Thanks for the tip-off, I really had no idea.  I shall e-bay them right away. 


NP: Saga - Worlds Apart. 

[Iggy]

Galahad Emopires never last

I normally listen to more than one CD on the way home but today it was quick. Yay for the school holidays.

[Steve Jones]

Peter Gabriel - Secret World Live.

Adult pop/rock with a hint of World music - what Genesis might have become had Gabriel stayed. 

[Nicky007]

One or two bits sound vaguely like the masculine side of Nightwish.

Stevie !

Yeah, aint much b*ls (more b*bs) in Nightwish, more like "got your b*ls in the run of the mill" 


NP  Mercenary:  Architect Of Lies

You're right, the beginning of Architect is somewhat tame.  Maybe they were trying to catch some new audience 

However, with Track 4, This Black And Endless Never, it gets real good tho 

Nicky.

[Iggy]

Peter Gabriel - Secret World Live.

Adult pop/rock with a hint of World music - what Genesis might have become had Gabriel stayed. 

I think I saw that tour at wembley in the round.

Superb.

Np Gothic Kabbalah by Therion

[Iggy]

Stevie !

Yeah, aint much b*ls (more b*bs) in Nightwish, more like "got your b*ls in the run of the mill" 


NP  Mercenary:  Architect Of Lies

You're right, the beginning of Architect is somewhat tame.  Maybe they were trying to catch some new audience 

However, with Track 4, This Black And Endless Never it gets real good tho 

Nicky.

Oh joy just when I thought it was safe to save money.

[maddox]

Iron Maiden - Revelations

[Deenfan]

So which one, Deenie (from Wikipedia):

Millennium (Backstreet Boys album), a 1999 album by The Backstreet Boys
The Millennium, a 1960s band led by Curt Boettcher
Millennium (Earth, Wind & Fire album), a 1993 album by Earth, Wind & Fire
Millennium (Front Line Assembly album), a 1994 album by Front Line Assembly
"Millennium" (Front Line Assembly song), a single from the album
"Millennium", 1994 song by Killing Joke from the album Pandemonium
"Millennium" (song), a 1998 song by Robbie Williams from the album I've Been Expecting You
Millennium Records, a record label
Millennium (compilation album), a reggaeton album released under Machete Music




NP  Mercenary:  The Hours That Remain 

Take Circus Maximus, add an extra shot of heavy, and a dash of Linkin Park, and you got Hours.

I'm simply breathless 

Nicky.

You silly man. Try with one 'n', as spelt by yours truly.

[Steve Jones]

Mercenary - Architect of Lies.  Again! 

A bit of a grower, this one.  I was initially a bit confuddled as I was expecting a prog element that just ain't there.  But having spun it a couple of times since realising it was really a growl extravaganza, I can appreciate it better for what it actually is, rather than what I expected it to be.  Comparisons are odious, I know, but I'd characterise it as a heavier Nightwish, with extra growls instead of female vocals.

"Bloodsong", "This Black & Endless Never", "Isolation", "The Endless Fall", "Death Connection", "Black & Hollow", "Execution Style".  Certainly a sprinkling of uplifting songs for those of a sunny disposition.  I wonder if they're available for children's parties?*

I'd give it a cautious recommendation.  In other words, if you like this kind of thing then fine, but if you live in the land of Mellotrons then perhaps not. 


* We normally book Gary Glitter, but he doesn't seem to be returning his calls.

[maddox]

Porcupine Tree - Nil Recurring EP

[Steve Jones]

Kansas - Point of Know Return.

This really is rather good, one of those that gets better the more you play it.  Seems to get more proggy, too! 

[Bupie]

Mercenary - Architect of Lies.  Again! 
Comparisons are odious, I know, but I'd characterise it as a heavier Nightwish, with extra growls instead of female vocals.

You mean as if Marco was the only one to sing ? 

Kansas - Point of Know Return.

This really is rather good, one of those that gets better the more you play it.  Seems to get more proggy, too! 

NP Nightwish - Phantom of the Opera

Hey, Nicky, join us and let's party 

[Iggy]

24 carat purple