1994 Albums Part Two

AFlowerKingCrimson wrote: verslibre wrote: AFlowerKingCrimson wrote: Atta boy.  You've no idea how disappointed I was to learn that Spock's Beard, not Mastermind, was opening for Fish in Los Angeles back in the late '90s. Mastermind did the whole tour up through San Francisco, but Spock's got the L.A. date. I was only going to go to see Mastermind. Mastermind played at a bar near where I used to live around 2004 or so. They actually played there twice but I missed them the second time. Anyway, I remember Bill Berends telling me that Mastermind opened up for Rush in NJ (I think maybe for the TFE tour but I don't remember for sure or even if he told me which exact tour). That kind of surprised me but in a good way. I still have my "late night with Mastermind" t shirt somewhere.

I remember Mastermind  I have two CD's of theirs, they don't get the attention they deserve, very accomplished musicians.

verslibre wrote: Logan wrote: Well, I am glad that I included Mastermind, thanks for bringing it up, Mike. It got multiple positive mentions (yourself, Verslibre, Jared) which would be more than lots of my faves would get, and I guess is more popular than I had realised. I get why a lot of people don't care for Mastermind. Bill Berends doesn't exactly have a great voice. He's an acquired taste. But throughout their discography, they have a surplus of instrumentals, and Excelsior! (with Jens Johannson on keyboards) is entirely instrumental, and right up any heavy jazz-rocker's alley. When Mastermind brought in Lisa Bouchet to be their lead vocalist on Angels of the Apocalypse, I thought they'd signed a new lease on career longevity, but it wasn't to be. It took them another ten years to release the unimpressive Insomnia. Bill Berends relocated to Brazil years ago.

And also I think some people would find it too bombastic (reminiscent of ELP in various material, and let's face it, ELP did fall out of fashion). I have taken the time to listen to a cross-section, and I do like Lisa Bouchet's vocals.

This is the first track I remember checking out when Mastermind came up in another topic at this forum at some time. "Tiger! Tiger!"



the song reminded me of Spinal Tap, but then a lot does, and that's not really a bad thing as I sincerely and unironically one might say love Spinal Tap (not just for the film, but throughout the career).

Edited by Logan - November 26 2024 at 11:50

^ The Division Bell is quite uneven.

verslibre wrote: AFlowerKingCrimson wrote: Atta boy.  You've no idea how disappointed I was to learn that Spock's Beard, not Mastermind, was opening for Fish in Los Angeles back in the late '90s. Mastermind did the whole tour up through San Francisco, but Spock's got the L.A. date. I was only going to go to see Mastermind.

Well, I am glad that I included Mastermind, thanks for bringing it up, Mike. It got multiple positive mentions (yourself, Verslibre, Jared) which would be more than lots of my faves would get, and I guess is more popular than I had realised.

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One of my favourites in the list is Pram's Helium, and here is a favourite track of mine (doubt it would be to most tastes here. Quirky, as is much that I like).



I go into Pram not long after getting into Stereolab and Broadcast, then got into some other things I relate to these artists like Komeda and Vanishing Twin.

By the way, thanks for all of the responses thus far. I may not respond to all but I usually try to read and consider all. Well, I would hope that would be the same with most anyone who creates topics at this site and should not need saying, but I said it anyway. Suffice to say, it's appreciated.

AFlowerKingCrimson wrote: Atta boy.

You've no idea how disappointed I was to learn that Spock's Beard, not Mastermind, was opening for Fish in Los Angeles back in the late '90s. Mastermind did the whole tour up through San Francisco, but Spock's got the L.A. date. I was only going to go to see Mastermind.

verslibre wrote: Mastermind, ahead of the Ozrics, because of this track, right here.

Marillion - Brave. 

Marillion > Yes > PF > Mastermind

Brave, The Division Bell, Superunknown

Psychotic Waltz but I do like that Soundgarden album.