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[Manatee]

JP  Enochian Theory  on  MySpace

Very special moody medium-heavy prog. Reminds me of Tool and Riverside.

A butterfly brought me the news 

http://www.myspace.com/enochiantheoryband


NP  Primordial  on  MySpace

Dark medium-heavy metal with a Celtic folk strain. Reminds me of Anathema.

http://www.myspace.com/primordialofficial


Both highly recommended 

Nicky.

I'll definitely make note of these and check them out soon -- both sound promising.  Had a busy few days, so haven't had the chance yet.

Fair enough, but of course I'm curious by now which tracks you think are a bit less inspired and could have been left off in your opinion? Roll Eyes

Ok, since I talked about it, I guess I owe Erik an answer here.  Please take note that I am NOT saying these are bad songs or not worth having -- in fact I like most them.  I simply feel they're not the strongest on Contagion and might have been slightly hampered by the need for concept continuity.  Again, I am in no way bashing Contagion, which I think is a splendid album and gleefully play regularly.  This is simply my opinion as to what songs make Contagion possibly not quite as great as Pepper's Ghost and The Visitor (which is another concept album, but it's remarkably consistent nevertheless).  Being my 3rd favorite album by one of my favorite bands is certainly not so bad!  Ok, here are some of my not so favorites from Contagion for the above reason (but I repeat, still good songs):  An Angel Falls, Neverending Night, Tsunami, Mea Culpa, Cutting the Cards.  The last is a bit of an exception in that I actually don't really like it very much.  Certainly it's not bad, but it comes in rather low on my list of Arena songs -- just doesn't appeal to me that much.  Obviously many will disagree with my assessment (probably most of you).  That's ok, and I fully intend to preorder The Tinder Box the moment that becomes an option.   

JP  Heart  on  MySpace

Fine radio-friendly songs with great singing by the sisters Wilson.


JP  Three Days Grace  on  MySpace

Remind me of Nirvana and Godsmack.


Despite these two groups being multi-platinum selling, they seem to be rather unknown in the Room  Huh

I quite enjoyed early Heart.  I have Dreamboat Annie and Little Queen on vinyl.  Haven't heard them much lately, but if I find them for a bargain price, I'll probably do the vinyl replacements.

Heard some Three Days Grace, although I'd be hard pressed to tell you what songs they were -- they get commercial radio play here.  My vague impression is that they have some decent songs but don't particularly stand out from several of the other fairly modern rock albums.  Admittedly, I haven't done an in-depth investigation though.


And to Steve, yes yes, I must get a copy of Voices in my Head for sure.  The impressive live DVD bonus disc with ADHD makes it pretty clear that a live Riverside album is a must-have.

JP: Arena - Contagion  as research to answer the awkward question I answered above.
NP: Arena - Immortal?

Since I don't bother to set iTunes to stop the music when an album ends, so it runs into the next alphabetically if I leave it alone...  Ascension (one of my faves from Contagion) follow by Chosen (my fave from Immortal?) is a killer 1-2 punch.   

[Steve Jones]

I quite enjoyed early Heart.  I have Dreamboat Annie and Little Queen on vinyl.  Haven't heard them much lately, but if I find them for a bargain price, I'll probably do the vinyl replacements.

I don't know what the current situation is, but when I replaced my pre-MTV Heart vinyl a year or two back, most of it was at cheapie prices on Amazon.  Most of them have a couple of extra tracks on, including a live version of 'Stairway to Heaven'.  I don't know about pricing of the MTV era stuff, as I bought that on CD at the time.

And to Steve, yes yes, I must get a copy of Voices in my Head for sure.  The impressive live DVD bonus disc with ADHD makes it pretty clear that a live Riverside album is a must-have.

Not sure if you know, but that CD is half live, half studio.  So you need it for the tracks you haven't got anyway! 


NP: Sparks - Kimono My House

[Teunis]

Neal Morse - One

[erik]

Ok, since I talked about it, I guess I owe Erik an answer here.  Please take note that I am NOT saying these are bad songs or not worth having -- in fact I like most them.  I simply feel they're not the strongest on Contagion and might have been slightly hampered by the need for concept continuity.  Again, I am in no way bashing Contagion, which I think is a splendid album and gleefully play regularly.  This is simply my opinion as to what songs make Contagion possibly not quite as great as Pepper's Ghost and The Visitor (which is another concept album, but it's remarkably consistent nevertheless).  Being my 3rd favorite album by one of my favorite bands is certainly not so bad!  Ok, here are some of my not so favorites from Contagion for the above reason (but I repeat, still good songs):  An Angel Falls, Neverending Night, Tsunami, Mea Culpa, Cutting the Cards.  The last is a bit of an exception in that I actually don't really like it very much.  Certainly it's not bad, but it comes in rather low on my list of Arena songs -- just doesn't appeal to me that much.  Obviously many will disagree with my assessment (probably most of you).  That's ok, and I fully intend to preorder The Tinder Box the moment that becomes an option.

Thanks for the effort and the answer, Greenie, I won't hold it against you I wouldn't want to miss those tracks as you've already guessed and for me they fit in perfectly. I really like the acoustic intro of Cutting The Cards with Rob almost spitting out the words and the second part is vintage Arena jump-a-long (Jericho, Enemy Without, etc). It's good there's some different views, otherwise we wouldn't have much to discuss here

And ..... ? [Jeff Buckley - Grace]

I have this one for quite some already, Steve Hogarth's H band version of Dream Brother made me investigate. Remarkable, chilling album that you have to be in the mood for. Still struggling with it a bit somehow, but it's worthwhile.

[Manatee]

I don't know what the current situation is, but when I replaced my pre-MTV Heart vinyl a year or two back, most of it was at cheapie prices on Amazon.  Most of them have a couple of extra tracks on, including a live version of 'Stairway to Heaven'.  I don't know about pricing of the MTV era stuff, as I bought that on CD at the time.

The Wilsons are apparently big Led Zep fans.  Under the name "The Lovemongers," they do a nice cover of Battle of Evermore on the Soundtrack to the movie Singles .  Excellent CD, btw: also includes solo Chris Cornell, Soundgarden, Pearl Jam, Alice in Chains, Mother Love Bone, Paul Westerberg, Mudhoney, Screaming Trees, Jimi Hendrix, and Smashing Pumpkins  -- lots of Seattle bands there, unsurprising since the movie takes place in Seattle.

Not sure if you know, but that CD is half live, half studio.  So you need it for the tracks you haven't got anyway! 

I didn't know that.    I was going to get it anyway, but that makes it doubly required.

[Manatee]

JJP: Gazpacho - Tick Tock

JP: Blind Ego - Mirror

So far I rate this a minor success:  I really like the first two songs a lot.  Several in the middle are not bad but don't really grab me, then the ones at the end seem fairly strong but still not as good as the first two.

NP: R.E.M. - Eponymous

[Nicky007]

I have this one for quite some already, Steve Hogarth's H band version of Dream Brother made me investigate. Remarkable, chilling album that you have to be in the mood for. Still struggling with it a bit somehow, but it's worthwhile.

"Chilling" 

If it's Jeff Buckley's Grace you mean, I'd say super-emo. Man, he pours out his soul 

NP: Sparks - Kimono My House

Yeah, I remember Sparks. Long time ago, man. Lotta fun, and I found the music excellent too at the time 

... Alice in Chains ...

Talkin about which, they'r just releasing a new album these days, "Black Gives Way To Blue", and the secret's out: It's great !!!

They still have that very, very special sound that we grungies love 

Got William DuVall on vocals and guitar (as the replacement for Layne), and he seems to be just the right man for the job 

http://www.myspace.com/aliceinchains

Nicky.

[Iggy]

NP Subterranea - IQ

On the way to work today I managed the whole trip in the time it took to play Harvest of Souls which has got to be one of the greatest tracks of all time. After this Bedlam Fayre was just starting which means I get to listen to Pepper's Ghost on the way home. 

[Steve Jones]

Just: Iron Maiden - The Clairvoyant (live single)
Now: Ian Gillan - Glory Road

[Manatee]

JJP - Marillion - Happiness is the Road Parts 1 & 2
JP- Marillion - Marbles
NP - Porcupine Tree - The Incident

Damn, what a great album this is.   

[Manatee]

Even Later Last Night: Enochian Theory - about 5 songs on MySpace

Gave this band a try courtesy of Nicky and his butterfly informant.   

The do indeed have potential.  I think they're a band you need to live with for a while (i.e., probably a grower) to really get what they're doing, but they've got a good sound to them.  I think the Tool comparison is apt, no as sure about the Riverside.  They do have a more refined, yet in a way heavier, component to them than the Tool-like factors.  I'm thinking maybe a touch of Opeth.  In any case, definitely worthy of some more time spent listening.     Thanks, guys.  -- I'm assuming this particular butterfly is a male.   

NP: Singles (film soundtrack) - Various Artists, most of the really good variety.

Starts off with perhaps my fave Alice in Chain songs, "Would?"

[Steve Jones]

The Tangent - Not as Good as the Book

[Manatee]

JJP: Devin Townsend - Ocean Machine
JP: Devin Townsend - Physicist
NP: Primordial - (4 songs on MySpace) Checking out the other recommendation from Nicky and his butterfly.

[Manatee]

NP: Primordial - (4 songs on MySpace) Checking out the other recommendation from Nicky and his butterfly.

Those guys have some serious marbles.      I'm going to have to listen to them again.   


NP: Collective Soul - Hints Allegations & Things Left Unsaid

A rather high quality example of rock ordinaire from the '90s.   Nothing that's going to blow you away, just some pretty good songs with catchy hooks.

[The Butterfly Man]

I'm assuming this particular butterfly is a male.   

Why would you think so?

But good to see that you seem to like Enochian Theory!

NP: Marillion - Happiness Is The Road volume 1: Essence

The Butterfly Informant (a.k.a. Tom)

[Steve Jones]

Just: Marillion - The Thieving Magpie
Now: IQ - The Lost Attic: A Collection of Rarities (1983-1999)

[Iggy]

NP Smoke & Mirrors - Arena

[Manatee]

NP: Porcupine Tree - The Incident   

A strong Best Album of 2009 Candidate   

I guess this has been a pretty good musical year, even if the new Arena doesn't make it (which seems probable).

[Bupie]

PP Martha and The Muffins - Far Away In Time
     Squeeze - East Side Story
     Steve Winwood - Arc Of A Diver

NP The Undertones - Positive Touch

Early 80's morning ...

[The Butterfly Man]

NP: Porcupine Tree - Lightbulb Sun

I always forget what a wonderful album this is! Russia On Ice remains really great, even when you're hearing it for the 1000th time!

Tom

[Deenfan]

NP Subterranea - IQ

Absolutely MAGNIFICENT!

[Iggy]

Absolutely MAGNIFICENT!

Yes indeed.

NP Yesterday is a friend - Believe

[Steve Jones]

NP Yesterday is a friend - Believe

That was quick!


Just: Pallas - The Wedge
Now: Porcupine Tree - The incident.  For about the squillionth time

[erik]

"Chilling" 

If it's Jeff Buckley's Grace you mean, I'd say super-emo. Man, he pours out his soul 

You're right, wrong choice of words , should have typed haunting or something similar.

NP Muse - The Resistance

I really like it. Seems they have managed to record their most symphonic and poppy record at the same time. Healthy dose of Queen influences too.

[Iggy]

That was quick!

No point in hanging around Mrs I is on redundancy notice.