Now Playing Thread

[The Butterfly Man]

"Deadwing" (in my opinion the best of Porcupine Tree to this date) was also one of the albums that got played. I still can't believe how they did it. There's so much on ONE album.

Yeah, really great album ain't it!?

Have you heard their latest album The Incident already? That one's quite okay, too...

NP: Marillion - Less Is More

Less is indeed more. What an album. A big plus: My girlfriend also likes it!

I also listened to the following albums today at work:

- Oceansize - Frames

This one continues to amaze me. It's spellbinding. Only 'Sleeping Dogs And Dead Lions' is out of place, in my view.

- Mew - And The Glass Handed Kites

Poppy tunes with progressive hooks. Great singer and vocal harmonies. Danish band...

- Saybia - Eyes On The Highway

This one's grown to be one of my favourite albums. It's not so much prog but contains great songwriting and some heartwrenching lyrics. Another Danish band!

- Tamas - Guitartales

Tamas is a Hungarian guitarist, super Malmsteen-like instrumental album!

- Karnivool - Sound Awake

My Australian friends. Their debut-album reminded me of Korn at times, especially in the vocal-department. On this new album they have a sound of their own. Some long (contemporary) progressive songs with a lot of twists and turns. These guys would be huge in an ideal world.

Tom

[Nicky007]

Another Danish band!

Tom, you should try Anubis Gate, particularly their Andromeda Unchained.

You'l be amazed - Circus Maximus class, no kiddin 

Nicky.

[Manatee]

I am in a strong neo-prog mood those days, listening to a lot of 90's and 2K's IQ. Dark matter and The Lost Attic are still missing in my collection and so are the first two albums, Tales ... and The Wake. I also don't have Seven Stories .... So far, Subterranea is the album I struggle the most with. Others are pure blessing, especially AYSC, Ever and The Seventh House. A suggestion for my next purchase ?

I'm also in a neo-prog mood.  As to IQ, I'd say you can't go wrong with either of the first two (which I fairly recently picked up as Amazon downloads) or Dark Matter (which is excellent despite the fact that I'm still a bit uncomfortable with half the album being a half hour song by Englishmen about America being a big, greedy, holier-than-thou warmonger -- even though they're not entirely wrong  ).  I don't have the Lost Attic or Seven Stories yet either.

JP  Coldplay:  Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends

Everybody's ravin about this album, so I guess I oughtta get into it ... 

Nicky.

  Does this mean the rest of us have to give Celine a spin now?

Went so far as to add Mötley Crüe's Dr. Feelgood to my SL, on a warm recom by Lars Ulrich. Lars (who by the way is Danish, and still has some of the Danish accent when he speaks English  ) said that he was blown away by the sound MC had on DrF, and that the Metallica guys wanted to get some of that on their black album 

Anyone here into MC ?

I don't own any Crüe, but they're always good for a listen if you're in a party mood.  They're sort of a poor-man's Van Halen.

Also played

Black Flag:  My War

These guys were BIG in the 80's. They invented hardcore, sorta punk with some wild stuff. They were chief inspirers to a young lost kid called Kurt Cobain, and they paved the way for grunge. Far more seminal than most people are aware of today.

Black Flag brings back memories.  They were lots of fun and gave us the mighty, if odd, Henry Rollins.  "TV Party" was a big favorite in college.

"Deadwing" (in my opinion the best of Porcupine Tree to this date) was also one of the albums that got played. I still can't believe how they did it. There's so much on ONE album.

As always, I heartily agree about this one.  I also gave it a spin for the first time in a while recently, and I still rate it one of the very best albums ever recorded.

Kevin Gilbert's "Thud" and "The Toy Matinee" were also some of my new discoveries.

I keep reading this to say "The Toy Manatee". 


Recent In-Car Plays:

Anathema - Judgement     I think their new one may finally be out in the U.S.   
George Thorogood - Maverick   Not prog at all, but pure fun and perfect road music

NP: Marillion - Afraid of Sunlight   Great album, a pity I bought the 1-disk version, not knowing there was more.

I need a Jonesy visitation to get my next Marillion recommendation.  Any ideas from the rest of you M fans?  I have the above, the two Happinesses, and Marbles (plus the first three from the Fish era on vinyl).

[PH]

I keep reading this to say "The Toy Manatee". 

Me too actually!

I need a Jonesy visitation to get my next Marillion recommendation.  Any ideas from the rest of you M fans?  I have the above, the two Happinesses, and Marbles (plus the first three from the Fish era on vinyl).

Wow... just a quick reply then:
You can't go wrong with Anoraknophobia. Many people hate it, but I have no idea where that comes from!
It's got poppier songs like "Between You And Me" and "Map Of The World", but also a few nice proggy songs such as "Quartz", "This Is The 21st Century" and "If My Heart Were A Ball It Would Roll Uphill".
Actually one of my favourite Marillion albums! I think just behind Marbles!

Seasons End is also very good! "Easter" being one of Marillion's finest ballads, with a very emotional guitar solo. "Seasons End" is also very good, with nice lyrics too. And the perfect closer "The Space...".
Make sure to get the 2 disc version though! It's got "The Bell In The Sea", which is very nice too.

[Nicky007]

  Does this mean the rest of us have to give Celine a spin now?

I don't think ya need to, Greenie. René seems to be doing pretty good. Now she's pregnant with twin boys - so let's hope for the best 

I still rate it one of the very best albums ever recorded.

Yup 


OK guys, now it's off to the birthday party. Seeya on Monday .....

Nicky.

[maddox]

Iron Maiden ~ The Final Frontier

The Iron's latest album.
First spin, nothing new under the sun; Iron Maiden as we know it.

Though a first reaction would be: A Matter of Life and Death sounded somewhat better.

[Manatee]

JP: Martin Orford - Classical Music and Popular Songs
      Porcupine Tree - Deadwing
      Porucpine Tree - In Absentia
      The Pineapple Thief - Tightly Unwound

NP: Pixies - Doolittle

Startling Fact: I saw a guy with an Opeth t-Shirt in a store here!    I didn't know anyone over here had even heard of them besides me, and you guys are responsible for that.

[maddox]

Startling Fact: I saw a guy with an Opeth t-Shirt in a store here!    I didn't know anyone over here had even heard of them besides me, and you guys are responsible for that.

We plea guilty.

*hangs his head in shame.

[Draco chimera]

NP : Linkin Park's new single, The Catalyst.
It's completely weird, it sounds like nothing I heard before. Some kind of mix, with techno, rap and rock...
Fans seem to split in 2 categories : the lovers and the haters. I don't really know yet what to think of the song - except from that it's strange. Some haters blame LP for doing experimental music, saying they should return to their old stuff. I find it stupid; the song might not be awesome, but at least, the band is trying new things -even unseen before things- and no one should be blamed for that.

I remember you used to listen to LP, Nicky. Did you listen to it? The next album, A Thousand Suns, well be out soon.

[Nicky007]

First spin, nothing new under the sun; Iron Maiden as we know it.

Play some recent Priest albums instead, Mad. They'v become bigtime progressive, and they have some interesting things to say too 

Maiden have never been more than a Priest clone - with a big swagger - excellent musicians, but not really innovative 

I saw a guy with an Opeth t-Shirt in a store here!

Greenie, Opeth are currently one of the biggest metal groups all over the world 

I remember you used to listen to LP, Nicky. Did you listen to it? The next album, A Thousand Suns, well be out soon.

Yeah, Draco, I like Linkin Park, and I have four of their albums 

I'l have to get A Thousand Suns too. Thanx, Draco 


Played two great albums that I seem to be rather alone with in the Room ... or ?


David Bowie:  "Heroes"

One of my fave albums with Bowie. Lotta fine melody with Bowie's fabulous singing, catchy rhythms, and eerie, yeah real eerie - that's why Bowie never becomes pop 

On this one, both Eno and Fripp are in the mix, so it gets an extra dose of eerieness 


Korn:  Untouchables

Now, if "grunge" hadnt been applied to the Seattle groups, I could apply this designation to this album. Real grungy, and also eerie, as only Korn can do it 

Hollow Life is a lovely song. Yeah, you wouldnt expect it from these guys, but it's real etheric 

Nicky.

[Nicky007]

NP  Audioslave:  Out Of Exile

Fine rock, but not progressive. Very song based. Remind me of Pearl Jam. Chris Cornell is great and very expressive, but I miss some more exploration by the other guys, just like with PJ - and for that matter, U2, Coldplay and Oasis.

When listening to these groups, I really experience myself as a proggie. It's nice for some 3-4 songs. But then I get bored 

I'm simply far more gripped by e.g. Contagion and Scenes From A Memory 

Nicky.

[Nicky007]

JP  Deftones:  Saturday Night Wrist

Very special and exciting music (and nice equivocal title)    but doesnt quite get there, to my pantheon, to my taste 

I'm looking very much forward to listening to their recent Diamond Eyes, and I'm praying for Chi 


NP  Korn:  Untouchables (on repeat)

Oh my, this is a killer album 

Korn are definitely pantheon 

Nicky.

[The Butterfly Man]

Korn are definitely pantheon 

I gave their most recent album (Korn III: Remember Who You Are) a listen last weekend and man, was I underwhelmed. Especially by the vocals, it sounds like... garbage (not the band ) to my ears. Now I'm afraid to give other albums a listen, maybe the bit of nostalgia that's still left after this weekend regarding Korn will go away as well. .

Freak On A Leash still is a great track though, heard that one on the radio recently.


NP: Linkin Park - Hybrid Theory

Now this is another band I liked in that period of my life, but I still like them today!

Tom

[Nicky007]

I gave their most recent album (Korn III: Remember Who You Are) a listen last weekend and man, was I underwhelmed.

Tom, I havent yet heard Korn III. I read that it was sorta back to earlier.

Iac I'm very fond of the period Untouchables - Untitled, which includes See You On The Other Side and Look Into The Mirror. Great music, evocative (if maybe not epic) lyrics, very expressive singing by Jon, and the other guys are really into it (that's what makes music progressive).

So, before you give up Korn for now, give Untouchables a run.

Also keep in mind, Korn and Nevermore are very demanding (excruciating) bands - faaaaaaaaaaaar more than Coldplay 

Therefore, all the more precious when one's there 


Otoh I know that I have to get more into Oceansize - seems like a great band 

Karnivool I know I like, just have to get the albums somehow. They don't seem to have'm at Cop Main Library 

NP: Marillion - Less Is More

Less is indeed more. What an album. A big plus: My girlfriend also likes it!

Yeah, my lady too likes H-Marillion a lot.

Maybe they like the title too, a hint to us 

I tho have to admit to getting somewhat bored by'm. Guess I'd prefer more as more here 

Honestly, they seem stuck in a rut to me, complacent with givin their many fans more of the same old stuff 

Man, do I miss the craziness of Fish 

But then we have his fabulous albums .....

Nicky.

[The Butterfly Man]

Also keep in mind, Korn and Nevermore are very demanding (excruciating) bands - faaaaaaaaaaaar more than Coldplay 

Speaking of demanding bands: How are you progressing with BTBAM?

By the way, I listened to some Anubis Gate over the weekend as well. Sounds promising. Definitely worth checking out. Thanks!

Tom

[Nicky007]

Speaking of demanding bands:

Hey Tom, that's my weapon 

How are you progressing with BTBAM?

Yeah right, they are demanding - whew - almost too much for me. Well, I listen to'm now and then. Definitely unique and progressive - that's what keeps me hangin on 

But as I mentioned earlier, I'd like to see their music a bit more cohesive - I think

I listened to some Anubis Gate over the weekend as well. Sounds promising. Definitely worth checking out. So Thanks!

Yeah, who would have expected such greatness from a prog-underdeveloped country. They certainly stand out here for those who can hear 

Unfortunately one sees or hears nothing of'm in the media, not even the music magazines 

The TV rock programs are pure shit in Denmark (except for the fine BBC program Seven Ages Of Rock that was shown recently) - but hey, I didnt say that, guys

Nicky.

[erik]

NP Air - Pocket Symphony

BP: David Bowie - Reality

Played two great albums that I seem to be rather alone with in the Room ... or ?

David Bowie:  "Heroes"

One of my fave albums with Bowie. Lotta fine melody with Bowie's fabulous singing, catchy rhythms, and eerie, yeah real eerie - that's why Bowie never becomes pop 

On this one, both Eno and Fripp are in the mix, so it gets an extra dose of eerieness

So Nicky, your not alone with Bowie. He has made so many great albums and I hardly have enough in my collection, just the Platinum Collection and the last three. I'm really hooked on Heathen these days, amazing album that.

Yeah, my lady too likes H-Marillion a lot.

Maybe they like the title too, a hint to us 

I tho have to admit to getting somewhat bored by'm. Guess I'd prefer more as more here 

Honestly, they seem stuck in a rut to me, complacent with givin their many fans more of the same old stuff 

Man, do I miss the craziness of Fish 

But then we have his fabulous albums .....

Nicky.

Tsk tsk Nicky, current Marillion may not be your cup of tea, but you can hardly charge them with just doing more of the same.  From Brave onwards they've been steadily experimenting with new sounds and directions, each subsequent album being a reaction to the one before. It has given some hit and miss results (notably on This Strange Engine, Radiation, .Com, and Somewhere Else), but it's hardly complacent and resulted in some real stellar albums, i.e. Marbles, Afraid Of Sunlight and Happiness Is The Road. Marillion/Fish and Marillion/H are simply two different bands, that's all.

NP  Audioslave:  Out Of Exile

Fine rock, but not progressive. Very song based. Remind me of Pearl Jam. Chris Cornell is great and very expressive, but I miss some more exploration by the other guys, just like with PJ - and for that matter, U2, Coldplay and Oasis.

How does this one compare to their eponymous debut? I really like that one, especially Chris Cornell's vocals [yeah I know, Euphoria Morning is on my shopping list!]. I can listen to the track Like A Stone again and again.

[Nicky007]

So Nicky, your not alone with Bowie. He has made so many great albums and I hardly have enough in my collection

Great, Erik 

Bowie is amazing 

Tsk tsk Nicky, current Marillion may not be your cup of tea, but you can hardly charge them with just doing more of the same.

Thanx for the characterisation, Erik. I'l be more open to H-Marillion 

I guess my temperament just prefers/requires more raucous stuff these days.

How does this one compare to their eponymous debut?

I havent heard that one yet, Erik. I have it on my SL.

Euphoria Morning is by far the best album I'v heard with CC singing. It's a real pearl 

When you know the Eleven albums, you can hear how much Alain Johannes and Natasha Shneider put into EM 


How come no one else in the Room listens to Eleven 

You guys are really missing something great 


Here's somethin else great:

NP  Anubis Gate:  The Detached

Simply a masterpiece 

The storyline and lyrics are sci-fi and fantasy raised to theosophy, about some individuals, the Detached, who learn how to transcend/ travel in/thru space and time. The English is eminent (Erik  ), and has the transcendent dimension. The story follows a Detached, Bilao, who travels in time and space, e.g. to the building of the pyramids, and stuff happens that's pretty far out. More later 

The music is melodic progmetal, in class with Circus Maximus and Seventh Wonder (a fine triad Denmark-Norway-Sweden), and AG build up a mood illustrating the time and place and challenges that Bilao encounters.

An album that one can keep working with 


JP  Nevermore:  The Obsidian Conspiracy

Also a masterpiece 

Nicky.

[Nicky007]

NP  Silent Call  on   MySpace 

http://www.myspace.com/silentcallswe/

Andi Kravlaja was the main vocalist on Seventh Wonder's first album Become. He did a great job there 

Unfortunately, for reasons unknown to me, he was forced to leave SW. (The present singer, Andi's successor, Tommy Karevik, is great too.)

I'v been tagging Andi since then. He's now the singer in Silent Call, another fine Swedish melodic progmetal group.

Nicky.

[Draco chimera]

NP : Regatta De Blanc, The Police, on vinyl.

[funkster]

NP : Regatta De Blanc, The Police, on vinyl.

My first ever album 

[Nicky007]

NP  Manfred Mann's Earth Band: Watch

A great classic 

Nicky.

[funkster]

Greatest hits by The Police

[Manatee]

JP: Cloudkicker - The Discovery
     Cloudkicker - The Map is Not the Territory
     Cloudkicker - Portmanteau
     Cloudkicker - ]]][[[

NP: Devin Townsend - Terria

BTW, I've dabbled in David Bowie as well, although all that stuff is on vinyl and tape.  Heroes is a good one for sure, and I was also fond of Aladdin Sane and Station to Station.  Overall, he's certainly not pop, although I think he did stick his toe in the pop water now and then (Let's Dance, for instance).

[erik]

JP David Bowie - A Reality Tour [live 2003]

Just added this amazing live album to my collection for a mere € 9,99 (2cd with 33 tracks!).  Excellent mixture of old and new material and a marvellous performance. The different rendition of Loving The Alien alone is worth the price of admission, but it's all bliss from start to finish. Bowie rocks big time