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Zombywoof View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: July 13 2011 at 00:08
Originally posted by The Dark Elf The Dark Elf wrote:

<DIV style="BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none; TEXT-ALIGN: left; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; : transparent; COLOR: #000000; OVERFLOW: ; BORDER-TOP: medium none; BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; TEXT-DECORATION: none">I have wound up the 1st Aniversary of the Dark Elf File with another 30 acoustic rock albums for your review in The Greatest Acoustic Rock Albums of All Time, Part 2 - A Dark Elf File 1st Anniversary Special:http://darkelffile.blogspot.com/2011/07/greatest-acoustic-rock-albums-of-all_12.html
<DIV style="BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none; TEXT-ALIGN: left; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; : transparent; COLOR: #000000; OVERFLOW: ; BORDER-TOP: medium none; BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; TEXT-DECORATION: none"> 
<DIV style="BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none; TEXT-ALIGN: left; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; : transparent; COLOR: #000000; OVERFLOW: ; BORDER-TOP: medium none; BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; TEXT-DECORATION: none">
<DIV style="BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none; TEXT-ALIGN: left; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; : transparent; COLOR: #000000; OVERFLOW: ; BORDER-TOP: medium none; BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; TEXT-DECORATION: none">And so, 50 albums in all. Thanks again, everyone!P.S. And yes, Zombywoof, I did mention Comus. Wink


Nicely written, once again, Dark Elf. I loved seeing all of the Tull (my favorite band) and The Decemberists and Comus were excelent surprises. The things that the guitarists do on that record are phenomenal! Its dissonant, its ugly, its scary, disturbing, and beautiful all at once.
Continue the prog discussion here: http://zombyprog.proboards.com/index.cgi ...
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: July 12 2011 at 17:35
I have wound up the 1st Aniversary of the Dark Elf File with another 30 acoustic rock albums for your review in The Greatest Acoustic Rock Albums of All Time, Part 2 - A Dark Elf File 1st Anniversary Special:

http://darkelffile.blogspot.com/2011/07/greatest-acoustic-rock-albums-of-all_12.html
 
And so, 50 albums in all. Thanks again, everyone!

P.S. And yes, Zombywoof, I did mention Comus. Wink
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: July 09 2011 at 00:37
How about "First Utterance" by Comus? I hope to see it in the second part!
Continue the prog discussion here: http://zombyprog.proboards.com/index.cgi ...
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: July 09 2011 at 00:13

WTF? It's the 1st Anniversary of The Dark Elf File!

In honor of the event, I am presenting a special two-parter on The Greatest Acoustic Rock Albums of All Time. Here is Part One for your aural edification:

http://darkelffile.blogspot.com/2011/07/greatest-acoustic-rock-albums-of-all.html

Thanks to everyone on Prog Archives who stopped by and commented. Your support is greatly appreciated. Part Two will be available for your perusal in a few days.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: June 19 2011 at 10:37
Available for your perusal over on The Dark Elf File,
The Greatest Blues Rock Albums of All Time, Part II ....
 
 
17 more superlative blues rock releases for your aural edification.



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Direct Link To This Post Posted: June 07 2011 at 22:07

Available for your perusal over on The Dark Elf File: The Greatest Blues Rock Albums of All Time, Part I ...

 
The first fifteen albums, a whole mess o' blues with copious notes and occasional snide remarks.
 
Cheers!
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 25 2011 at 12:36

Available for your perusal over on The Dark Elf File, the final 20 album installment of my overview of progressive rock: "Manic Digressions! The Greatest Albums from the Progressive Rock Era, Part III ", available here...

I've also included a list of selections from more current progressive releases of the 80s, 90s and 00s. Enjoy!

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Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 27 2011 at 07:55
Originally posted by The Dark Elf The Dark Elf wrote:

Actually, Angalgard's Hybris is one of my favorite "newer" albums (I know referring to an album that came out in 1992 as "new" might be odd, but bear with me Wink).[/QUOTE]

Also one of mine! Smile I don't see a problem with calling it one of the "newer" releases. (along with others like Unfolded Like Staircase by Discipline).
And with about the even-newer ones like Phideaux, Moon Safari, Simon Says, Wobbler, White Willow, Flower Kings, Magic Pie, Kotebel, Little Atlas, Deluge Grander etc.
Some of them simply try to recreate past achievements (and some of them admit it), while others try to carry on what was done before and take over from there (not always successfully, but at least they try).

[QUOTE=The Dark Elf] There's a release with Par and  Steve Hackett and an Italian musician named Lo Muscio that I'd like to hear. Have you heard it yet?
No, I haven't, not even aware of it, but I'll look it out, thanks for the tip!


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Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 27 2011 at 00:24
Originally posted by avestin avestin wrote:

Well, I was referring more to the 90s resurgence in the form of Angalgard, Anekdoten, Par Lindh Project. Echolyn etc. or the later bands in the end of the 90s and beginning of the 00s.

But I disagree with regards to Opeth's progressiveness. I don't find it hard at all to categorize any metal band as progressive regardless of the type of vocals. I don't see how the vocals would make it unprogressive. You may not like them, that's perfectly understandable, but it doesn't make Opeth not progressive. They don't just "throw in some progressive flourishes" you need to listen much more carefully than that. And in the case of Opeth he him self, Akerfeldt, admits to draw influence as much from classic rock and prog (Camel, Deep Purple and others) as from old school metal. But I don't compare them to "classic prog", I just hear (and am not alone) progressive writing in their music and in other metal bands, whether they be the "classic" prog metal or the extreme ones. 

Anyway, that is not my intention to discuss Opeth's music or metal, I was more interested whether you'd cover more recent prog eras and the various scenes (American, Scandinavian, French, Japanese etc). 
 
Actually, Angalgard's Hybris is one of my favorite "newer" albums (I know referring to an album that came out in 1992 as "new" might be odd, but bear with me Wink). I'm also a fan of Tool, Porcupine Tree and Apocalyptica (on occasion). Par Lindh's Middle-earth compositions (The Dark Cave, etc.) are excellent. There's a release with Par and  Steve Hackett and an Italian musician named Lo Muscio that I'd like to hear. Have you heard it yet?
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 26 2011 at 22:56
Originally posted by The Dark Elf The Dark Elf wrote:

Originally posted by avestin avestin wrote:

Will you also cover more recent periods of progressive music "activity"? I'd be interested in reading your take of, say, 90s so-called resurgence of progressive music.  
 
The final 20 album installment of the current piece will include an added extra bit on my favorite "new era" albums, but I am going to devote a separate article in regards to newer albums of, as you say, the "so-called resurgence of progressive music".
 
To be honest, what a lot of posters on this forum refer to as progressive music bears little resemblance to what we of an older generation would refer to as "prog". For instance, I find it hard to categorize a thrash or death metal band like Opeth as "progressive". Just because they throw in some progressive flourishes here and there does not make up for the idiotic growling and shrieking. Growling and shrieking were never a hallmark of classical, folk or jazz influenced prog bands of the 70s. It is really unfortunate and detracts from their music, and the lead singer has a fine voice when he doesn't imitate an extra from The Exorcist. They seem to have more influences from older bands like  Korn or even Type O Negative than bands like Yes or ELP.

Well, I was referring more to the 90s resurgence in the form of Angalgard, Anekdoten, Par Lindh Project. Echolyn etc. or the later bands in the end of the 90s and beginning of the 00s.

But I disagree with regards to Opeth's progressiveness. I don't find it hard at all to categorize any metal band as progressive regardless of the type of vocals. I don't see how the vocals would make it unprogressive. You may not like them, that's perfectly understandable, but it doesn't make Opeth not progressive. They don't just "throw in some progressive flourishes" you need to listen much more carefully than that. And in the case of Opeth he him self, Akerfeldt, admits to draw influence as much from classic rock and prog (Camel, Deep Purple and others) as from old school metal. But I don't compare them to "classic prog", I just hear (and am not alone) progressive writing in their music and in other metal bands, whether they be the "classic" prog metal or the extreme ones. 

Anyway, that is not my intention to discuss Opeth's music or metal, I was more interested whether you'd cover more recent prog eras and the various scenes (American, Scandinavian, French, Japanese etc). 




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Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 26 2011 at 22:42
Originally posted by avestin avestin wrote:

Will you also cover more recent periods of progressive music "activity"? I'd be interested in reading your take of, say, 90s so-called resurgence of progressive music.  
 
The final 20 album installment of the current piece will include an added extra bit on my favorite "new era" albums, but I am going to devote a separate article in regards to newer albums of, as you say, the "so-called resurgence of progressive music".
 
To be honest, what a lot of posters on this forum refer to as progressive music bears little resemblance to what we of an older generation would refer to as "prog". For instance, I find it hard to categorize a thrash or death metal band like Opeth as "progressive". Just because they throw in some progressive flourishes here and there does not make up for the idiotic growling and shrieking. Growling and shrieking were never a hallmark of classical, folk or jazz influenced prog bands of the 70s. It is really unfortunate and detracts from their music, and the lead singer has a fine voice when he doesn't imitate an extra from The Exorcist. They seem to have more influences from older bands like  Korn or even Type O Negative than bands like Yes or ELP.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 26 2011 at 21:53
Originally posted by The Dark Elf The Dark Elf wrote:

Originally posted by avestin avestin wrote:

I enjoyed reading it, thanks


 
No, thank you for stopping by!

Will you also cover more recent periods of progressive music "activity"? I'd be interested in reading your take of, say, 90s so-called resurgence of progressive music.  
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 26 2011 at 18:55
I saw the link in your signature and started reading. It's great! Keep it up!
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 26 2011 at 18:48
Originally posted by avestin avestin wrote:

I enjoyed reading it, thanks


 
No, thank you for stopping by!
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 26 2011 at 18:17
I enjoyed reading it, thanks


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Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 23 2011 at 14:15
More Manic Progression! Great Albums from the Progressive Rock Era, Part II...

 
The second installment of a three-part exposition on the sixty greatest rock albums from the Progressive Era (in my opinion, of course, but then subjectivity and blogs are relatively synonymous).
 
As always, your comments are welcome. Cheers!


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Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 16 2011 at 22:11
Originally posted by AtomicCrimsonRush AtomicCrimsonRush wrote:

Thanks Dark Elf
You know your blog kept me interested for hours today! I didnt get any house work done LOL
 
I learnt much from your attack on the Rock n Roll hall of fame. I posted some comments on your site
I learnt some good news too from the RnR hall of fame website..
!
 
Alice Cooper has been inducted in the HOF this year - by Rob Zombie!
 
There is hope for Rush after all.
 
Peace and prog on!
 
I'm glad my literary style stalled your work ambitions. Wink
 
Yes, Cooper got voted in after I wrote the piece you were referring to. However, it's ludicrous and a sham that Yes, Rush, Jethro Tull, Moody Blues, and King Crimson weren't inducted 10 or 20 years ago. As I stated, it is plain that there is an obvious predjudice against prog at the HOF, and it is due to Jann Wenner, Dave Marsh and other other New York twits who can't stand progressive rock. They won't even allow those bands on the ballot for voters to choose. It is utter B.S.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 15 2011 at 21:27
Thanks Dark Elf
You know your blog kept me interested for hours today! I didnt get any house work done LOL
 
I learnt much from your attack on the Rock n Roll hall of fame. I posted some comments on your site
I learnt some good news too from the RnR hall of fame website..
!
 
Alice Cooper has been inducted in the HOF this year - by Rob Zombie!
 
There is hope for Rush after all.
 
Peace and prog on!
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 15 2011 at 18:02
Originally posted by AtomicCrimsonRush AtomicCrimsonRush wrote:

Reading the Prog Rock list there were no surprises as to most of those choices though it was interesting you chose Gabriel's debut, Gentle Giant's Octopus is a strange choice - perhaps their worst album IMHO, and I thought i had heard all the quintessential albums but then you added Procol Harum Live with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, Santana III is one of the only Santanas I dont have, so I will try to get hold of that, anyway, thanks for the list and the way you justify each inclusion is admirable.
 
 
Thanks for dropping by ACR! Octopus is Gentle Giant's most accessible album, in my estimation. I am not a great Gentle Giant fan, in any case. The whole "progressive for progressive's sake" leaves them too cold for my blood. To me it's a toss up between Octopus and In a Glass House (which will appear in the next installment) as to which is their best. As far as Peter Gabriel's 1st album (Car), I remember hearing it in high school, and was blown away at how much more I enjoyed Gabriel without Genesis. I still do. Both the Procol Harum and Santana albums are amazing. Give them a listen.
 
 
Originally posted by AtomicCrimsonRush AtomicCrimsonRush wrote:

haha, nice one! I know from my blogs the contentious issues that arise when compiling a list. Some of the choices do not seem to make sense but that's Prog!
 
 
maybe you could transfer some of your research here to a blog too!
 
on that note, I will continue now to read the jazz fusion section...
 
 EDIT: All those albums are worth mentioning esp Hot rats, Blow by Blow and Mahavishnu's debut!
 
Choosing albums is a very individualized medium, but I am very firm on what I like and what I consider good, and as a musician I can appreciate really well done albums (whether they are prog, hard rock, blues, jazz or classical).
 
No, not another blog! One is enough for me, and I also write lengthy reviews for blogcritics.com, so I literally have no time!
 
And I'll be stopping by your site. Thanks again!
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 15 2011 at 15:50
Reading the Prog Rock list there were no surprises as to most of those choices though it was interesting you chose Gabriel's debut, Gentle Giant's Octopus is a strange choice - perhaps their worst album IMHO, and I thought i had heard all the quintessential albums but then you added Procol Harum Live with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, Santana III is one of the only Santanas I dont have, so I will try to get hold of that, 
anyway, thanks for the list and the way you justify each inclusion is admirable.
But you are totally right in your disclaimer:
 
"Honestly, is it not enough to say that Close to the Edge and Thick as a Brick are truly great and important albums? Is it even necessary to stamp #1 on Dark Side of the Moon or Court of the Crimson King for them to receive validation as landmarks of their genre? I love all these albums in their own, eccentric manner, and each has been influential in my personal musical experience. As for omissions based on obscure personal preferences, critics' marginalia, and unrepresented sub-genres, make your own damned list. I am sure you will like it better."
 
haha, nice one! I know from my blogs the contentious issues that arise when compiling a list. Some of the choices do not seem to make sense but that's Prog!
 
 
maybe you could transfer some of your research here to a blog too!
 
on that note, I will continue now to read the jazz fusion section...
 


 EDIT: All those albums are worth mentioning esp Hot rats, Blow by Blow and Mahavishnu's debut!


Edited by AtomicCrimsonRush - February 15 2011 at 15:59
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