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Arjen Anthony Lucassen: The Theory of Everything

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Psychedelic Paul View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Psychedelic Paul Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 07 2022 at 12:06
The second awesome Ayreon album. Is this the real life, or is this just Actual Fantasy? Is this another 5-star masterpiece!? You decide. Any way the wind blows, doesn't really matter to me. If you like operatic rhapsodies of a bohemian nature, then this is the album for you. Smile
 
5 stars  1996: Ayreon - Actual Fantasy - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_kuZo0rkJOWSkm1nycw8m--Ny-6TBtvIE0
 


Edited by Psychedelic Paul - April 09 2022 at 12:23
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote Hugh Manatee Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 07 2022 at 18:19
Originally posted by Psychedelic Paul Psychedelic Paul wrote:

The second awesome Ayreon album. 
 
5 stars  1996: Ayreon - Actual Fantasy - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_kuZo0rkJOWSkm1nycw8m--Ny-6TBtvIE0
 

Ah yes, this is more like it. To me this is a huge improvement from the first release. There is a lot more restraint on show and it seems like Lucassen isn't trying to cram as many guest musicians as he can into each track. This is an album I would have no trouble listening to again and again.

A solid four star album for me (I would have to live with it a bit longer to see whether it qualifies for five stars).


Edited by Hugh Manatee - April 07 2022 at 18:20
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Psychedelic Paul Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 08 2022 at 09:57
Ayreon completes the hat-trick of 5-star masterpieces with another Dutch treat! Once you've ventured Into the Electric Castle, you won't want to leave. It's such a lovely place, any time of year, and if you want an all-star line-up, you can find it here, including:- Martin Westerholt & Sharon Den Adel (Within Temptation); Damian Wilson (Threshold); Fish (Marillion); Anneke van Giersbergen (The Gathering); & Edward Reekers (Kayak). Hug

5 stars 1998: Ayreon - Into the Electric Castle - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_nJN9lXkdyI331mwBfyksfLEdHoUekiH_Y



Edited by Psychedelic Paul - April 08 2022 at 12:38
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote progaardvark Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 08 2022 at 10:24
Originally posted by Psychedelic Paul Psychedelic Paul wrote:

The second awesome Ayreon album. Is this the real life, or is this just Actual Fantasy that this is another 5-star masterpiece!? You decide. Any way the wind blows, doesn't really matter to me. If you like operatic rhapsodies of a bohemian nature, then this is the album for you. Smile
 
5 stars  1996: Ayreon - Actual Fantasy - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_kuZo0rkJOWSkm1nycw8m--Ny-6TBtvIE0
 

If you ever get a chance to listen to the re-recording of this called Actual Fantasy Revisited that came out in 2004, I recommend it. It's a nicer mix with a real drummer (Ed Warby) this time.




Edited by progaardvark - April 08 2022 at 10:26
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Psychedelic Paul Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 08 2022 at 10:36
^ The album link above is actually for Actual Fantasy Revisited, mainly because I couldn't find the original Actual Fantasy album on YouTube. Embarrassed
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Psychedelic Paul Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 09 2022 at 01:32
Take a musical trip through time and space with Ayreon aboard the Universal Migrator - and you don't even need a TARDIS!  Smile The Dream Sequencer album features an all-star ensemble of intergalactic travellers, including:- Lana Lane; Floor Jansen (After Forever); Edward Reekers (Kayak); Damian Wilson (Threshold): & Neal Morse (Spock's Beard).

5 stars 2000: Ayreon - Universal Migrator Part 1: The Dream Sequencer - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PVOsr4GKrzU





Edited by Psychedelic Paul - April 09 2022 at 01:38
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote Cristi Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 09 2022 at 01:39
I predict the way this is going, Ayreon will have a 5 star discography. LOL

If you give Transitus 5 stars, I'm gonna roll on the floor laughing. LOL
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Psychedelic Paul Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 09 2022 at 01:44
Originally posted by Cristi Cristi wrote:

I predict the way this is going, Ayreon will have a 5 star discography. LOL

If you give Transitus 5 stars, I'm gonna roll on the floor laughing. LOL
I was thinking the same thing too, but I'm afraid the Universal Migrator Part 2 "only" gets a 4-star rating from me. Smile
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote Jared Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 09 2022 at 01:46
Originally posted by Cristi Cristi wrote:

I predict the way this is going, Ayreon will have a 5 star discography. LOL

All these 5 star reviews.... Ermm

Cristi, is it possible that I might have missed something, and should revisit their entire discography?

Embarrassed
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote Cristi Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 09 2022 at 01:47
Originally posted by Psychedelic Paul Psychedelic Paul wrote:

Originally posted by Cristi Cristi wrote:

I predict the way this is going, Ayreon will have a 5 star discography. LOL

If you give Transitus 5 stars, I'm gonna roll on the floor laughing. LOL
I was thinking the same thing too, but I'm afraid the Universal Migrator Part 2 "only" gets a 4-star rating from me. Smile

When I was listening to them, I found the second Migrator album better, more entertaining than the first one. LOL
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Psychedelic Paul Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 09 2022 at 01:50
Originally posted by Cristi Cristi wrote:

Originally posted by Psychedelic Paul Psychedelic Paul wrote:

Originally posted by Cristi Cristi wrote:

I predict the way this is going, Ayreon will have a 5 star discography. LOL

If you give Transitus 5 stars, I'm gonna roll on the floor laughing. LOL
I was thinking the same thing too, but I'm afraid the Universal Migrator Part 2 "only" gets a 4-star rating from me. Smile

When I was listening to them, I found the second Migrator album better, more entertaining than the first one. LOL
It comes as no surprise that you have a different opinion to me again. Tongue
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote Cristi Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 09 2022 at 01:57
Originally posted by Psychedelic Paul Psychedelic Paul wrote:

Originally posted by Cristi Cristi wrote:

Originally posted by Psychedelic Paul Psychedelic Paul wrote:

Originally posted by Cristi Cristi wrote:

I predict the way this is going, Ayreon will have a 5 star discography. LOL

If you give Transitus 5 stars, I'm gonna roll on the floor laughing. LOL
I was thinking the same thing too, but I'm afraid the Universal Migrator Part 2 "only" gets a 4-star rating from me. Smile

When I was listening to them, I found the second Migrator album better, more entertaining than the first one. LOL
It comes as no surprise that you have a different opinion to me again. Tongue

the first Migrator if I remember right is more synth driven, space rock pastiche, well, sort of. 
The second Migrator is more metal oriented, quite the opposite to the first I guess.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Psychedelic Paul Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 09 2022 at 02:09
^ I prefer Space Rock pastiche over Metal every time. Tongue
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote Cristi Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 09 2022 at 02:12
Originally posted by Psychedelic Paul Psychedelic Paul wrote:

^ I prefer Space Rock pastiche over Metal every time. Tongue

It depends, I would not make that a rule. 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Psychedelic Paul Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 09 2022 at 02:16
Originally posted by Cristi Cristi wrote:

Originally posted by Psychedelic Paul Psychedelic Paul wrote:

^ I prefer Space Rock pastiche over Metal every time. Tongue

It depends, I would not make that a rule. 
That's true. I've heard some poor Space Rock albums and some very good Metal albums. Smile
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Psychedelic Paul Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 09 2022 at 12:33
The journey continues for Ayreon's Universal Migrator. Whereas the first melodic Migrator album was clearly aimed at Prog-rockers, this heavier sequel is designed to appeal to the Metal-heads amongst us. Smile
 
4 stars 2000: Ayreon - Universal Migrator Part 2: Flight of the Navigator -  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvWTIYnQcuY
 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Psychedelic Paul Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 10 2022 at 08:32
Calling All Ayreonauts! This is the first compilation album from Ayreon, only this is a compilation with a difference, as it consists entirely of previously unreleased material with alternate versions of Ayreon songs. If you want to save money and buy only one Ayreon album, then this is the one to buy.  Ayreonauts Only represents the best of the best of Ayreon's five previous studio masterpieces.  Thumbs Up
 
 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote essexboyinwales Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 10 2022 at 14:00
3 fantastic musical things happened to me within a month during late 2011: I saw Marillion live for the first time (in Birmingham), I saw Les Miserables in the West End for the first time with my wife, and I bought my first Ayreon album - The Human Equation. No album before or since has blown me away so much on first listen, and it remains in my top 5 albums, very possibly it’s my favourite.

The Theory Of Everything and Into The Electric Castle are not far behind; The Dream Sequencer is also a 5-star album. The other early albums are also extremely good. I found The Source to be somewhat of a letdown and Transitus was a real disappointment….

But I absolutely adore the gentle giant that is Arjen Lucassen and will never miss an Ayreon album, or any of his other side projects come to that! Love Star One!!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Psychedelic Paul Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 10 2022 at 15:05
^ I'm still looking forward to checking out Transitus for the first time, despite some of the negative things I've heard about the album, and Star One will be coming up here soon when I run out of Ayreon albums to listen to. Smile
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote Hugh Manatee Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 10 2022 at 19:39
Originally posted by Psychedelic Paul Psychedelic Paul wrote:


5 stars 2000: Ayreon - Universal Migrator Part 1: The Dream Sequencer - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PVOsr4GKrzU

[tube]https://youtu.be/p-_BhSaG0qU[/tube


Sorry, you're moving a bit fast for me, so I've got a bit of catching up to do.

Here is where the saga well and truly takes shape. A concept for sure, but a loose concept that is designed to be able to join up a number of subjects across time into a single bundle. It is meant to be listened to as a whole and as such nothing really stands out. Unless you've got the time to listen to the thing as a whole there is little point in listening to it at all IMHO.

There is no doubting the musicianship and professionalism on display here but the lyrics tend towards the mundane for me. Not unpleasant but not essential, except as part of the bigger picture.

Three stars for me. 




Edited by Hugh Manatee - April 10 2022 at 22:37
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