Joined: August 06 2015
Location: The Netherlands
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Points: 856
Posted: September 22 2016 at 02:34
The difference is that I listened to BC&SL before I heard Awake. Awake may indeed be more original/unique which defenitely has value, but still BC&SL is an album I like better.
Joined: August 06 2015
Location: The Netherlands
Status: Offline
Points: 856
Posted: September 22 2016 at 01:50
As I'm going further with the band which is currently my most played probably, Gentle Giant, I find that I prefer their older work to the later. In A Glass House and The Power And The Glory are truly sophisticated and creative albums, I can't feel the music the way I did with earlier songs. They both are a little less atmospherical. There still are moments which are really moving. Both are worth 8.5.
Another album I listened to quite some times lately is Awake, which also feels slightly like "just another album". Which I understand is also part of the prog metal sub-genre. Still a nice album, with awesome moments that stand out. I'd regard to the album as comparable to Black Clouds & Silver Linings but overall it offers slightly less for me to really enjoy; 7.
Joined: August 06 2015
Location: The Netherlands
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Points: 856
Posted: August 28 2016 at 13:24
As I'm listening to An Inmates Lullaby I realise my musical preference has developed over the last couple of weeks in the sense that I'm really enjoying songs with a very specific mood/ambience. I have this experience a lot with Gentle Giant, very thematic music with unique textures which take you to a sort of dreamworld which I appreciate a lot.
Another 2 great GG albums. I find Three Friends to be a little boring at times but has its outstanding moments just like the preceeding two, which makes it a 8.5 for me. It also appears as a little less eclectic to me.
Now the follow-up is a whole lot better, I like the (sort of) new direction with short songs which aren't very extended but very complicated and compact. So many layers and things to pay attention to that you can listen to it endlessly, a 9.5; just beats out Acquiring The Taste IMO.
An album I can't really get into is VDGG's H To He... Maybe time will make it better, but I have yet not succeeded in listening to the whole in one time. It's not even Peter Hammil's vocals, because I can appreciate what he does and like (not love as I do with other singers) his singing, but the music just really bores me, think I'll try it later on again.
H to He is very hard to get into. Not for starters. I put it aside for a number of years before I could get into it, but now it is my third favourite VdGG album, after Still Life and Godbluff.
Joined: December 20 2010
Location: Tomorrowland
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Points: 12723
Posted: August 21 2016 at 05:54
DDPascalDD wrote:
An album I can't really get into is VDGG's H To He... Maybe time will make it better, but I have yet not succeeded in listening to the whole in one time. It's not even Peter Hammil's vocals, because I can appreciate what he does and like (not love as I do with other singers) his singing, but the music just really bores me, think I'll try it later on again.
Having read most of your prog journey I wouldn't give up on VdGG just yet. Try any one of their to most popular albums = either Pawn Hearts (their most sonically extreme, but still very recognizable as classic UK-prog) of the more structured Godbluff. Both should fit nicely along with your King Crimson, Gentle Giant and Genesis albums. I can't guarantee instant love but I would be surprised if you'll find them boring.
Joined: August 06 2015
Location: The Netherlands
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Points: 856
Posted: August 21 2016 at 04:53
Another 2 great GG albums. I find Three Friends to be a little boring at times but has its outstanding moments just like the preceeding two, which makes it a 8.5 for me. It also appears as a little less eclectic to me.
Now the follow-up is a whole lot better, I like the (sort of) new direction with short songs which aren't very extended but very complicated and compact. So many layers and things to pay attention to that you can listen to it endlessly, a 9.5; just beats out Acquiring The Taste IMO.
An album I can't really get into is VDGG's H To He... Maybe time will make it better, but I have yet not succeeded in listening to the whole in one time. It's not even Peter Hammil's vocals, because I can appreciate what he does and like (not love as I do with other singers) his singing, but the music just really bores me, think I'll try it later on again.
Joined: August 06 2015
Location: The Netherlands
Status: Offline
Points: 856
Posted: August 13 2016 at 11:18
I saw the addition and the praising comments in the thread so I already kind of thought of listening to it. It's awesome! So many going on and it just keeps going, with a lot of different genres very interestingly adapted, around 3 minutes a very interesting sort of latin jazz with metal influenced accompinent (I wish they went on some longer with more piano), also undeniable some early Crimson (part C); but despite the many changes it remains an addictive sound. Oh and that overture is very nicely done, great idea to do an overture at the very end.
Though... Maybe I just have to get into it more (probably the case), but it feels like too much and misses cohesion over all. That's first listen though, so actually I should get to know the piece more to know if it really misses cohesion- which is a very personal standpoint of course. Also it doesn't take away the lots of effort there must be put in composing and arranging this whole piece!
Joined: December 28 2006
Location: Norway
Status: Offline
Points: 11401
Posted: August 13 2016 at 06:22
DDPascalDD wrote:
Just listened to the Major Parkinson vid.
They know how to adjust to this time but maybe a little too much for my taste. The sound is great, but what I appreciate less is the singer and the length, and therefore depth, of the songs.
So nice for a listen or two, but I'm afraid it won't be much more for me.
Oh well, no one band will have a universal appeal :-)
If you tend to desire length, you should probably try out another Norwegian band at some point, just added to the Progarchives database this week. Shamblemaths, whose debut album consists of three songs, the shortest of them clocking in at the 10 minute mark. They do have a bit more of a foundation in 70's prog as well, with some distinct avant orientations.
If you have 28 minutes to spare at some point, you can have a go at the opening track of that album here *chuckles*
Joined: August 06 2015
Location: The Netherlands
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Points: 856
Posted: August 13 2016 at 05:55
Just listened to the Major Parkinson vid.
They know how to adjust to this time but maybe a little too much for my taste. The sound is great, but what I appreciate less is the singer and the length, and therefore depth, of the songs.
So nice for a listen or two, but I'm afraid it won't be much more for me.
Now this is exactly what I always wanted to hear! Great complex composition and endless eclecticism through the whole album, kept very compact without many filler. Gentle Giant fits my taste very well. Just listening and analysing this without doing anything else doesn't bore me for a second. I've also searched for some sheets which makes it even more impressive if you read that while listening. Two outstanding albums to add and many more to come (based on what I've read).
Gentle Giant: 9
Acquiring The Taste: 9.5
Glad you enjoyed GG, one of my favorite prog bands if not my favorite. Just wait till you get to In a Glass House!
Joined: December 28 2006
Location: Norway
Status: Offline
Points: 11401
Posted: August 12 2016 at 13:56
Dropping in here to toss you a curveball, before I forget about it.
In this case by one of the contemporary eclectic bands I'm rather fond, and for easy inspection purposes here's a live DVD ripped to YouTube by them. You should get a notion by the end of the second song here on whether or not this is a band that might merit further inspection.
File it for a possible future inspection, at your own leisure.
Joined: August 06 2015
Location: The Netherlands
Status: Offline
Points: 856
Posted: August 12 2016 at 13:38
Now this is exactly what I always wanted to hear! Great complex composition and endless eclecticism through the whole album, kept very compact without many filler. Gentle Giant fits my taste very well. Just listening and analysing this without doing anything else doesn't bore me for a second. I've also searched for some sheets which makes it even more impressive if you read that while listening. Two outstanding albums to add and many more to come (based on what I've read).
Joined: August 06 2015
Location: The Netherlands
Status: Offline
Points: 856
Posted: August 02 2016 at 06:41
The Crimson albums. They get better almost every album. I adore moments of ITCOTCK, but just moments, which makes it an 8. Then ITWOP is just the same thing again but slightly worse... 7. Lizard is quite a surprising album with an amazing beginning and ending track, an equal 8 to The Court. Even more of a surprise was the first spin of Islands, that was amazing! It may be the most unique I've heard, because its influence from old music, worth 9.
Second era Crimson brings 3 outstanding albums in a row. Starless And Bible Back shows the very experimental style, but IMHHO less through-composed then the other 2 and so a little messy. It's pretty consistent though without filler which makes it a 9. Then Larks' is the one I've had most trouble with getting into, it really took me half a year! But was it worth it! Easy Money is my favourite but I love all tracks, 9.5. Red is the one I still love the most but just beats Larks', 9.5.
With Discipline they went to a totally different direction and I think it was a good choice and has a great sound, but I still prefer the previous era as it has more lengthy songs and they say a little more, I rate Discipline with 8.5.
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Pascal's Prog Journey
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DDPascalDD wrote:
