Now Playing Thread

[Nicky007]

Deadwing is, in fact, one of the best albums recorded ever ever ever ever ever.     

Yup, can't be said too many times 

Quite curious to hear the coming PT album 

Nicky.

[Teunis]

Pendragon - Kowtow

[maddox]

Devin Townsend Project ~ KI

What a pleasant album this is!

[maddox]

Blackfield ~ Live In New York

[PH]

Devin Townsend Project ~ KI

What a pleasant album this is!

And that without the influence of drugs, alcohol and porn! (see iO pages' latest issue, interesting article!)


Now playing:
Nothing...

Worrrrrrrking really hard now! By tuesday I have to know the names and some facts of 150 different plants...  (and some birds and insects too)
And by monday I should have finished a LOT of schoolwork...

... ... ...

It's too much...

[Iggy]

Pictures at Exhibition - ELP

Probably my favourite ELP CD.

[maddox]

Tick Tock

[Iggy]

Deadwing - Porcupine Tree

[PH]

Rebecca St. James - If I Had One Chance To Tell You Something
3. You Are Loved

This song always brings me to tears.
Beautiful! And with a beautiful meaning, and singer.

-Paco

[Bupie]

Pendragon - Kowtow

JF Pendragon - Kowtow 

NP Marillion - Clutching At Straws   

[Nicky007]

Deadwing - Porcupine Tree

So, what's your take, Iggy ?

This albums seems to be the current mascot of the Room (as long as Arena aint gettin their act together) 


NP  Vanden Plas:  Christ-0

I spend some time with Dumas' book every day, partly cause it's a terrific book (similar to Shakespeare's dramas), and partly to improve my French. (Of course, I look up every word that I don't master fully; else one simply can't learn a language thoroughly; at this point I do about a page a day.) Yesterday eve, I figured that it was a long time since I'd heard VP's album, so I put it on my Walkman, and it sure was a great revisit. I went even deeper into their story, and I was thus confirmed that they really have given the epic their own very dramatic twist.

I'v already said a lot about both book and album earlier in the Room, so I'l just sum up:  Great book, and great album 

Nicky.

[PH]

Now playing:
Frank Klepacki (with Jarrid Mendelson) - C&C: Tiberiun Sun soundtrack

Again! It works so well! At first I didn't like this soundtrack too much, but now I think it's one of the best of Frank Klepacki.

Track 12 is playing (The Defense). This one is by Jarrid Mendelson and it is really good!
The songs that he has composed are more electronic, while Frank's compositions are more rock.
But these two should write more songs together.

-Paco

[Teunis]

Toto - XX

[erik]

NP Audioslave - Audioslave
The track Like A Stone is for me in Nicky's terminology a "stuck on song". Cornell has a great voice.

Have been playing:
Supertramp - The Autobiography Of
Arena - Immortal?
Anathema - A Fine Day To Exit
Peter Gabriel - Secret World Live
Led Zeppelin - Remasters

Music after Anathema?

King Crimson of course.

In The Wake Of Poseidon

Hmm, I'd say "Floyd of course", but the Great Crim is an excellent choice as well. The Progwereld special indeed does inspire to listen to the old albums again! I'm in the process of substituting the antique cd versions for the remastered 30th anniversary editions now (and the original master edition of Court), even more reason to listen them all over again

NP IQ - Are You Sitting Comfortably

I am listening to this one for something like the 233 333th time and it is still painful to my mind that this album is so despised by critics AND fans since I find it so riddled with great melodies, harmonies, stories ... 

Call it the Ten syndrom if you wish  but I just don't get it 

Next to this one, I am thinking of playing Pendragon's Kowtow and Marillion's Holidays In Eden and I send a big NAY to all the prog ayatollahs that don't stand one drop of pop in their ocean of prog 

Sorry but I needed it (and I admit that there is more than a few drops on pop in AYSC ...  )

I really like Kowtow and Holidays and don't mind a bit of pop, but must confess I don't have or have heard the Menel albums of IQ (do have the rest). I'll take your recom and give AYSC a try, Bupie.

Paco, Maddox, Teunis, good to see you to promoting Satellite, marvellous music. Collage's Moonshine is still a treasured album of mine but Satellite even surpass the Collage stuff I think.

Regarding PT - Deadwing, still don't have it, tracks like Shallow and Halo hold me back. Look forward to the new one though, thanks for the info Paco, sounds promising!

[PH]

Paco, Maddox, Teunis, good to see you to promoting Satellite, marvellous music. Collage's Moonshine is still a treasured album of mine but Satellite even surpass the Collage stuff I think.

Yes, Satellite really is a very good band! And recommended for Arena listeners, but also Marillion, Genesis and Pink Floyd fans. And even you don't like any of those bands, I'd still recommend it to anyone, since it's just so good!

Regarding PT - Deadwing, still don't have it, tracks like Shallow and Halo hold me back. Look forward to the new one though, thanks for the info Paco, sounds promising!

Seriously Erik, that's a CRIME. Personally I think Shallow and Halo are really good songs, but they might be a bit heavy perhaps? Or maybe too shallow?
But you can't go wrong with The Start Of Something Beautiful one of the best songs on the album.

I'm playing it now, just to remind me!

[erik]

Seriously Erik, that's a CRIME. Personally I think Shallow and Halo are really good songs, but they might be a bit heavy perhaps? Or maybe too shallow?
But you can't go wrong with The Start Of Something Beautiful one of the best songs on the album.

I'm playing it now, just to remind me!

I don't mind heavy, but I do think these songs are indeed a bit shallow and repetitive, they turn me off
But I understand there's a lot of great other PT songs on the album, so maybe I should just get over it (these 2 songs) and get it (the album).

[erik]

In the same way that many Marillion 'fans' don't like H-era stuff and often admit they haven't listened to any albums since Fish left!  I've often been struck by the similarity between ex-Marillion and ex-Queensrÿche fans.

I don't think everything by a given artist should be treated with blind, fawning admiration.  I'm the first to admit that I like older Genesis stuff more than the 80s+ equivalent and I don't much go for Hagar-era Van Halen.  I don't know (or even care) where one might draw the line between fans and non-fans.  But I can't help thinking that folk who so vocally dislike the greater part of an artist's catalogue are very clearly not fans, whinging b*st*rds seems more the mark.  Not people I'd accept input from when making purchasing decisions

[...] As to fans and their attitudes toward bands that have changed enough to have "eras," I think there are instances when the bands have changed so much as to be essentially a new band in the new era, although I'd agree that if you admired the music pre-change and the band still includes some original members, you ought to at least be willing to give the new stuff a listen and see what it's like, even if it's not what you'd come to expect from that band.
I agree with Steve about Van Halen; they just flat out weren't as good without DLR, although they did do an occasional good song with Sammy (and it seems clear that Sammy would be a lot easier guy to get along with).  Marillion, I think really is a different band with Hogarth than with Fish.  I think it's legitimately possible to like one and not the other.  h is growing on me, but I'm basically having to get to know the band all over again -- both the vocals and the instruments are so different from the Fish-era, that I doubt most people would guess it was the same band without being told the name.  Initially, Genesis did an impressive job of "being the same band" without Peter Gabriel (which I rate as a good thing since Gabriel Genesis is among my all-time favorites).  They eventually metamorphosed into something less (IMO) than what they were, but I think in that case, the change actually came a while after the change in "eras."

I can understand when you're passionate about a band with a front man that is an important core of their sound and stage performance, that it's difficult to give the successor a fair chance. You may miss out on great stuff though, an open mind/ear can be so rewarding! And even if you manage to listen with an open mind, it may turn out not to be your thing because the band has just changed too much. Along the same lines, a band might of course change/progress/evolve to an extent that the fans of the first hour don't like them anymore, even without a change of vocalist.

I think Genesis basically retained their essence throughout all the changes (you just need Tony Banks for that). I do consider Fish and H era Marillion as two very different bands though, agree with Manatee there. I like both eras very much, but have a preference for the H era now (although I started with the Fish era, but after he had left for quite some time already). For me it's a bit like worlds colliding when current Marillion play Fish era songs live, like at the last convention. I really have to switch gears mentally to enjoy that (but of course always do in the end ).

[erik]

NP Aragon - The Angel's Tear.

[Manatee]

Seriously Erik, that's a CRIME. Personally I think Shallow and Halo are really good songs, but they might be a bit heavy perhaps? Or maybe too shallow?
But you can't go wrong with The Start Of Something Beautiful one of the best songs on the album.

I'm playing it now, just to remind me!

I have to agree with Paco 100% here.  While those two songs maybe don't rate quite as high with me as the sublime Lazarus and The Start of Something Beautiful, I still think they're pretty great.  I think Deadwing is PT's best album -- in fact, I think it's almost the best album by anyone.  The only song on the album that I'd say is less than great is Glass Arm Shattering, and that one's merely good.      Then again, things would be pretty boring if we all liked exactly the same things about every piece of music.  Still, if you already like the band, I've got to believe there's enough on there that you'll want to own to make up for a couple (relatively short) songs you're not a fan of.

NP: Devin Townsend Project - Ki


P.S. Steve has gone missing.  I hope he didn't get a bad biscuit!

[PH]

I have to agree with the almighty Paco 100% here. As always. He's such a great guy!

Thanks Man!

NP: Devin Townsend Project - Ki

What are just standing there?! Tell us what you think already!


Now Playing:
It's late already and I'm doing homework, so I can only play the Tiberian Sun soundtrack again!

08. Gloom

Yes, it's really creepy and great at the same time. Interestingly this is actually a remix of some sort. Or better yet, a successor. If I remember well this song was actually called Gloom 2 in-game. The original Gloom is on the C&C: Red Alert: Aftermath soundtrack.
It probably doesn't interest any of you.


-Paco

[Iggy]

So, what's your take, Iggy ?

This albums seems to be the current mascot of the Room (as long as Arena aint gettin their act together) 



Nicky.

I really like it it was one of my first PT buys.

I think Mr Wilson is a very talented guy.

[Nicky007]

I think Genesis basically retained their essence throughout all the changes (you just need Tony Banks for that).

For once, I really disagree substantially with you, Erik:  True, Tony's sound is an essential part of Genesis, but in my analysis, Phil's personal vicissitudes, and his ensuing need for confirmation, dominated the direction Genesis took, in a commercial direction - let's face it: They sold out.

The era from Foxtrot to Duke is the essential Genesis era, Foxtrot being still somewhat raw compared to the mature masterpiece Selling England, and Duke being at the transition from a true seeking progressive band to a band that wanted to aggregate fans and play stadiums (and play golf).

Interestingly, Ray Wilson had some hopes of getting Genesis back on the right track, but since he matched Tony and Mike so badly, who seem to have been quite complacent with their now celebrity status, the album turned out rather perfunctory.

And this aint pure speculation:  When I hear their self-titled album, I'm simply bored, I regard it as a duty to listen more to it (while Abacab still grips me here and there), and Cryme is a bit too raw to grip me (and the guys needed an album to get to know each other), while pretty much everything from Selling England to Duke has become pure bliss to me.

OK, guys, let me have it now 


Two other great albums:

JP  DT:  Six Degrees

One of their nine best studio albums 

Actually, Greenie, this may just be the DT-album that you could click onto. (You won't get away with using "DT" for Devin  ) Tellya why I think so:  My first acquaintance with DT was some seven years ago, when I started tete-a-tete-ing with Ms 007. (Bupsie likes this sorta terminology  ) Her two oldest sons were avid Petruccians (today they're more like hip-hopping), and Ms liked some of the melodious parts of I&W (got it right this time, guys  ), Awake, Scenes, and Seasons. I got gripped by the scintillating musicianship of the guys, but at that time the music didnt really grip me. In fact, when I entered the Room two years ago (I think it was), I still wasnt convinced of the genius of DT, even tho more and more people I was meeting were lauding'm. But since the roomies at that time (basically the same fans as today + Appie (who's before yer time, Greenie)  and John (in black)) were rappin so much about DT, particularly Six Degrees, I thought, hm, better show some action. So I got SD, and tellya, it didnt need much playing before I was totally engrossed, and the other DT-albums (at the time) followed in course - except the first, which has always resisted me due to Charlie's miscasting there.


NP  Nevermore:  Enemies Of Reality

One of their seven best studio albums 

But probably the harshest, and therefore not advisable for tyros.

It starts out like a Stalin's organ, and you ask yourself "How much more can I take of this" (during the initial runs), but after the first three tracks come some moments of - for Nevermore, surprising - tender melody. You get just that moment to think "Aaaah", and then the barrage starts again. But make no mistake: This aint pubertarian punkmetal, this is musical intelligence of the highest order, just not all that pleeeasant - but guys, who said prog need be pleasant (all the time) ? 

Nicky.

[Nicky007]

I think Deadwing is PT's best album. 

Yup, I agree. I have to add that, as I said earlier, intitially I only really enjoyed Lazarus (well, how can't one). It's very much due to you guys that I kept on with Deadwing, but then after some ten runs, I was totally captivated. Such wonderful music 

... in fact, I think it's almost the best album by anyone.

Except Devin's stuff 

P.S. Steve has gone missing.  I hope he didn't get a bad biscuit!

Yeah, his absence is resounding in the Room. Who else can remind us of our ignorance of rock 

Nicky.

[Steve Jones]

P.S. Steve has gone missing.  I hope he didn't get a bad biscuit!

Steve has been spending quality time with his pets of late, rather than tw@tting around on the internet.  Our oldest dog has just suffered her second stroke, which obviously entails some running around from the veterinary point of view, not to mention the general care and affection angle.  Although substantially improved now, her days are clearly numbered if only because of her age (I think I said this before, when she had her first stroke) and this focusses my mind on the need to spend quality time with loved ones (animal or human) while you can.

when I started tete-a-tete-ing with Ms 007. (Bupsie likes this sorta terminology  )

There are many important ingredients in a rewarding relationship.  Love. Trust.  Respect.  And, as you've clearly identified, a quality pair of tetes are nearly always somewhere at the top of the list


NP: David Lee Roth - Your Filthy Little Mouth

[Nicky007]

And, as you've clearly identified, a quality pair of tetes are nearly always somewhere at the top of the list

That was sooo subtle, Jonesy 

a quality pair of tetes are nearly always somewhere at the top

I actually also prefer them there 

Our oldest dog has just suffered her second stroke, which obviously entails some running around from the veterinary point of view, not to mention the general care and affection angle.  Although substantially improved now, her days are clearly numbered if only because of her age (I think I said this before, when she had her first stroke) and this focusses my mind on the need to spend quality time with loved ones (animal or human) while you can.

Yup, understandable 

NP: David Lee Roth - Your Filthy Little Mouth

What's it like ?

Nicky.