Now Playing Thread

[Nicky007]

What is this Eurovision you two speak of?

More like Europissin

But... but... but... they were in your pantheon?

Nope, never!

When I started collecting prog cd's some 12 years ago - and shortly after became a member of the Room - I bought a bit in the wild, often inspired by Roomies' recoms, like Enchant and Marillion.

Fish-Marillion of course is brilliant and pantheon, H-Marillion somewhat, and Enchant had so few shining moments that I knew I wouldn't be listening to the albums anymore.

Actually, Paxi, I've been pretty good with my choices for pantheon groups, looking back. Only with two groups did I change my mind: Metallica went automatically pantheon initially, then I doubted and they went out, but even tho they don't make me fly, they're so groundbreaking and true to their roots that they'r definitely pantheon - today I have no doubt at all

Mercenary - well, I was so eager to get a Danish group into my PP, so I was a bit fast there. I tried to convince Jonesy, as you might remember, but he held back, fortunately, and I realised that they weren't quite good enough to be pantheon (for me).

Since then three Danish groups have made it to my PP - Royal Hunt, Anubis Gate, Beyond Twilight - and all these are pantheon, so I'm more than satisfied with the Danish scene

Just get the Danish media to play them. Only once have I experienced it: An AG piece was played in a radio rock program. (The host made it clear that it was out of the ordinary )

There are some RH songs that are so well-crafted that, if they were played in the radio, then they would get a lot of people to listen. Instead we have all this mediocre stuff braying outta the radio and TV. I simply don't getit

Yeah, we like you.

Good one - smartass

Sometimes, even gods fall ... Interesting that a Christian has such an intense use of a pantheon, though 

This time I noticed that it was you, Bupie

Well, look above. I really can't remember why I had to buy three Enchant albums (it was three, not four), but in those days I was really buying on impulse.

Now I only buy cheap albums off the cuff (2-4 Euros).


Played today:

David Bowie:  Earthling

My fave Bowie album currently


The Doors:  L.A. Woman

I'm crazy about the first three Doors albums - Self-titled, Strange Days, Waiting For The Sun - and I added many of the songs on them to my Classic Songs list - man there's so much melody and magic - but then they started drifting off into a very American mainstream direction, and Jim Morrison got himself badly alcoholised, so by the time that they got to L.A. Woman, the last album made while Jim was alive, most of the magic was gone


Disillusion:  Gloria

This is a severely underrated band, pantheon with me

I still have to get into Gloria properly. Their first album, Back To Times Of Splendor, lives up to "Splendor", and despite the title, it's fully up to date (2006), melodic dark progmetal.

- Nicky

[Bupie]

This time I noticed that it was you, Bupie

Yes, you noticed well ... but it was rather easy since I am pretty much left alone in the Room these days : Teunis pays his daily visit to confirm that we share most tastes (but not all), PH comes once in a while to write a few nice words for you and then you show up to react. It is a pretty well established process. I like it   

Now I only buy cheap albums off the cuff (2-4 Euros).

It's wise since there is so much music available at an affordable price.

I'm crazy about the first three Doors albums - Self-titled, Strange Days, Waiting For The Sun - and I added many of the songs on them to my Classic Songs list - man there's so much melody and magic - but then they started drifting off into a very American mainstream direction, and Jim Morrisson got himself badly alcoholised, so by the time that they got to L.A. Woman, the last album made while Jim was alive, most of the magic was gone

What I like best about the Doors is ... Meg Ryan in the Oliver Stone's movie. She is my personal LA woman 

NP Threshold - For The Journey

On intensive repeat. Still nothing new but pretty much everything good 

[Nicky007]

a few nice words for you

My daily beating

Well, I don't share as much music with you guys as I used too. That's why I don't post so much anymore.

I'm into more intense/advanced/extreme (your choice ) music now.

I comment stuff that I find interesting, and I mention newfound music that I listen too, and see if there's a reaction.

I still feel connected to the Room, as you can see

It's wise since there is so much music available at an affordable price.

When I have a bit more monetos, I buy new and rare stuff, mostly at Amazon (like recently the first three Morbid Angel albums), and when resources are low, like now, I visit the second-hand shops. Some influx of cd's is necessary, else I go nuts

What I like best about the Doors is ... Meg Ryan in the Oliver Stone's movie. She is my personal LA woman 

Nice one, Bupie

Yeah, Meg Ryan is no matter where she turns up

However, Waiting For The Sun and Strange Days are true masterpieces, highly original and still very enjoyable.

I never bought in to Jim Morrison being the great poetry genius, but his lyrics and singing fit the music well.

NP Threshold - For The Journey

I too plan to get this album

- Nicky

[maddox]

Ayreon - [Universal Migrator Part II; Flight Of The Migrator #04] To The Quasar [8:42]

Good idea! 

[PH]

Good idea! 

JP:
Flying Colors - "Second Nature"

NP:
Threshold - "For The Journey"

Both albums are really strong. They probably will be somewhere in my top five of 2014 releases.

[Bupie]

NP Billy Joel - Turnstiles

Still paying a rewarding visit to Billy Joel's back catalogue. No prog of course but most of the time beautifully crafted songs. The 70's albums can be seen as Elton John's US counterpart/competition. This one makes me think of EJ's Madman Across The Water.

[maddox]

NP> Evergrey ~ Hymns for the Broken

Heard some pretty good words about this album and although I'm not a big Evergrey fan, I decided to give it a go.
King of Errors sounds sounds promising.

[Nicky007]

Still paying a rewarding visit to Billy Joel's back catalogue. No prog of course but most of the time beautifully crafted songs. The 70's albums can be seen as Elton John's US counterpart/competition. This one makes me think of EJ's Madman Across The Water.

You're right about "beautifully crafted songs". And that should be credited too

And you're also right about the parallel with Elton John

I do however think that EJ was more of a genius than BJ. Many of EJ's songs were not only well-crafted but highly original. One cannot really say the latter about BJ.


Davoid Bowie:  Outside  and  Earthling

Very experimental and original

Any other Bowie fans here ?

- Nicky

[maddox]

Any other Bowie fan here ?

- Nicky

Yep.

[Nicky007]

Yep.

What are your Bowie faves, Mad ?

Mine are Diamond Dogs, Ziggy Stardust, Earthling, Outside, and Station to Station

- Nicky

[funkster]

You're right about "beautifully crafted songs". And that should be credited too

And you're also right about the parallel with Elton John

I do however think that EJ was more of a genius than BJ. Many of EJ's songs were not only well-crafted but highly original. One cannot really say the latter about BJ.


- Nicky

How much of Elton's success is down to Bernie Taupin ? 

[Nicky007]

How much of Elton's success is down to Bernie Taupin ?

He seems to have inspired Elton a lot. I don't find his lyrics ingenious, but if they inspired Elton to make his magic, then they definitely have their merit.

Funky, how are you re Bowie ?

- Nicky

[Nicky007]

You guys are tooo much. Do you have to go into a looong deeep meditation to answer the questions "Do you like Bowie?" and "Which of his albums do you like?"


Played:

Jeff Beck Group:  Self-titled

Jeff Beck is pantheon with me on the basis of his great Guitar Shop album (from 1989). But JBG (1972) really bores me. It's as if they had jammed for a while, then decided to record, and splashed together some lyrics. This cd goes out


Beatles:  Help!

This is where rock'n'roll becomes rock. There are some great songs on Help! - Yesterday of course, but also Ticket To Ride, and It's Only Love - but else it's pretty much do didi do didi etc.

Their next album, Rubber Soul, is the first rock and thus prog album in history (1965). It was a revolution !!!

- Nicky

[Teunis]

You guys are tooo much. Do you have to go into a looong deeep meditation to answer the questions "Do you like Bowie?" and "Which of his albums do you like?"

My favourite Bowie album is 'The Singles Collection' . Seriously: it's the only one I own and I play it so now and then. Favourite track probably 'Under Pressure' with mr. Mercury. Also dig 'Wild Is The Wind' and 'This Is Not America'.

np: IQ - The Road Of Bones

[Nicky007]

My favourite Bowie album is 'The Singles Collection'

Teunis, I meant Mad and Funky. They were in the Room when I asked. I thought my questions were easy to answer

Thanx for your answer, Teunis. Looks like Bowie doesn't fill much in your listening

- Nicky

[Bupie]

Scary Monsters is my first real encounter with Bowie. I was more impressed with all the fuzz about its release than with the music (Fashion  ). I remember rather clearly the Ashes To Ashes video, though.

I don't know Bowie enough (maybe he will be the subject one of my next travels back in time ?) but I sure dig some of his old songs a lot. Ziggy Stardust comes first of course, then enter Heroes, Under Pressure, This Is Not America (the related movie impressed me a lot as a kid). But as you can see, I only have sparse references ...

NP DeeExpus - King Of Number 33

Maybe the album that has grown the most on me after a very slow and low start. Totally amazing stuff 

[Bupie]

NP AC/DC - Highway To Hell 

[maddox]

What are your Bowie faves, Mad ?

Mine are Diamond Dogs, Ziggy Stardust, Earthling, Outside, and Station to Station

- Nicky

Aladin Sane, Heroes, Ziggy Stardust, Station to Station, Lets Dance (yeah, really), Earthling Space Oddity, The next Day and ... Tin Machine.
Don't really know why the majority neglected the Tin Machine album but I like the album.

Quite a big list, ain't it?
But then again, the man has some serious discography. 

[maddox]

Teunis, I meant Mad and Funky. They were in the Room when I asked. I thought my questions were easy to answer

Thanx for your answer, Teunis. Looks like Bowie doesn't fill much in your listening

- Nicky

They were easy to answer.
The only problem is that I had to go to work and just got back home.

Sorry for the delay, folks. 

[Nicky007]

They were easy to answer.
The only problem is that I had to go to work and just got back home.

Sorry for the delay, folks. 

Thanx, Mad

The thing is that if I don't catch you guys in the Room, I usually never get an answer to my questions. It's only Teunis and Paxi who stick to a conversation - till now

But then again, the man has some serious discography. 

Yup, Bowie rules

Quite a big list, ain't it?

Mad

Don't really know why the majority neglected the Tin Machine album but I like the album.

OK, Thanx for the tip

Scary Monsters is my first real encounter with Bowie. I was more impressed with all the fuzz about its release than with the music (Fashion  )

Fashion I skip nowadays

But as you can see, I only have sparse references ...

Try Earthling and Outside, Bupie. They're my Bowie faves these days.


NP  Sagoth:  The Power Cosmic

This of course beats everything

- Nicky

[Teunis]

pp: Knight Area - Nine Paths
jp: Knight Area - Hyperdrive (First impression: they keep improving themselves. Definitely heavier, but great. Goosebumps prove that  )
np: Pendragon - Men Who Climb Mountains (First listening. Needs some more listenings, but safe to say I'll like it more than 'Passion', which was a bit of a disappointment).

[PH]

Today I had a fun day. I had a day off (which is always good) and so had my little brother. So we decided to play Pro Evolution Soccer on the PlayStation. Like old times.
And I played Flying Colors' "Second Nature" and some of "For The Journey" by Threshold, most of Opeth's "Pale Communion" and half of Neal Morse's "Songs From November". I even added a bit of Devin Townsend's "Addicted".
And no complains! Probably because he was on the winning side of the football game.

[PH]

JP:
Threshold - "Hypothetical"
This album is highly regarded on most review websites. It is indeed very good, but somehow the most recent Threshold albums are more appealing to me.

JP:
Threshold - "For The Journey"
This is quickly becoming my favourite album of theirs. The writers duo of Karl Groom and Richard West is very effective. Especially Richard is very gifted since I seem to like his songs best. Which is also probably why I like recent albums more. Richard was not part of the writers team on "Hypothetical" if I read it right.

[PH]

JP:
Flying Colors - "Flying Colors"

NP:
Flying Colors - "Second Nature"

Their second album is something special. They have taken a big leap forward.
I tried to compile a little list of my favourites from both albums:

1. Blue Ocean (7:03)
2. The Storm (4:43)
3. Forever In A Daze (3:51)
4. Love Is What I'm Waiting For (3:29)
5. Infinite Fire (11:59)
6. Open Up Your Eyes (12:23)
7. Mask Machine (6:06)
8. The Fury Of My Love (5:11)
9. One Love Forever (7:21)
10. Cosmic Symphony (11:53)

Total: 1:13:59


And then they should add a bonus disc with all the other songs on it.
Now that would make a perfect album!

[Teunis]

Today I played my latest purchases:
Knight Area - Hyperdrive
Pendragon - Men Who Climb Mountains
Threshold - For The Journey

I agree with PH, this one is so good, probably my favourite . It's a great progyear, it'll be a hell of a job to make a top-10 of 2014 releases. And 2015 will bring great albums too: e.g. Toto, DeeExpus, Sylvan, Subsignal .