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Haken - Fauna
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foregonillusions View Drop Down
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    Posted: August 01 2023 at 23:43
Since their Restoration EP, I've been losing enthusiasm. Each successive album seemingly exhibited a bland quality. Sure, there would be some good songs but nothing consistent. (This is, of course, just my opinion, and many would disagree.) So when Fauna was released, I didn't immediately listen to it; it was only until a few days ago that I gave it a spin, and I'm confused.

Very confused.

Every playthrough has my opinion change 180 degrees. One listening session, and I'll be displeased, but the next, I'll be at the very least content. Very baffling, and I've never encountered this before. The only immutable factor is "Elephants Never Forget," which is really good, and the best thing they've done in almost a decade. I can only hope they carry onward with this song in mind.

If anybody wants to give their thoughts on Haken's latest album or help explain this personal issue, please do. My sanity might depend on it.
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edefakiel View Drop Down
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Points: 293 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote edefakiel Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 02 2023 at 01:20
I don't like it at all. In fact, I find hard to enjoy anything after Affinity (although Virus had some interesting moments). Which is crazy, giving than I really like Charlie Griffiths' Tiktaalika and, specially, Richard Henshall's The Cocoon. Do you know what I cannot stand? Novena's Eleventh Hour. Imagine whom I blame for the downfall of Haken.

It is crazy to think that this band gave us The Mountain and Restoration. It must be the most dramatic falling from grace that I can remember in recent times.

Edited by edefakiel - August 03 2023 at 14:56
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Grumpyprogfan View Drop Down
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Points: 11635 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Grumpyprogfan Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 02 2023 at 01:33
Maybe you wanted to dislike the album, but after listening, it was better than you thought it should be. Also, your mood of the day can influence your feelings about an album.

I think Fauna is a solid 4 star release, but I like everything Haken have done so maybe I'm not the best to help you with your sanity. Good luck.
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Points: 360 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Lesanderd Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 16 2023 at 02:15
Kind of back to the roots, but still far away from The Mountain era ... few songs are ok...  the problem I have with them in recent years, is that after those experiments with djent, they never really went back, and there is no epic songs as well as  the great guitar solos
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Fauna would be my most listened-to album this year.  Objectively, I think The Mountain is superior. Subjectively, Fauna is my favorite Haken album ever. I've heard Fauna around 40 times. After the tenth time, I was addicted, anticipating every twist and turn, rewarded with happy-joy spinetingling dopamine rushes. 





Edited by omphaloskepsis - August 17 2023 at 10:33
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richardh View Drop Down
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Points: 28059 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote richardh Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 16 2023 at 21:07
There is just too much to listen to nowadays so i havent focused eneough on it to have an opinion. I really like Vector and Affinity but think The Mountain is well overrated. I get it has some strong melodies to draw the listener in but the next 2 see a more interesting evolving band for me. Wasn't mad on Virus where I feel they tipped too far on the metal side although I love the first and last tracks on that album (the last track is incredible even if its very short). Fauna is more balanced but nothing on it has really hit me in the face as yet.
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Originally posted by richardh richardh wrote:

There is just too much to listen to nowadays so i havent focused eneough on it to have an opinion. I really like Vector and Affinity but think The Mountain is well overrated.

I'm glad that I'm not the only one who thought The Mountain was overrated Ouch

I don't know what it is about Haken, but there's just some missing ingredient that's preventing me from fully enjoying their work. If I had to pinpoint it, I think there's just... too much going on in their music. Like, an overload of cool ideas, but not enough focus or nuance to balance those moments out. That's one of the biggest problems I have with a lot of modern prog bands in general - Between the Buried and Me's more recent work is another example as well. 

Of course, the ever-increasing album runtimes often don't help either... especially when I see an album that's 10-12 songs and they're almost all 6-8 minutes without any interludes or breaks in between (Thank You Scientist immediately comes to mind)
Take me down, to the underground
Won't you take me down, to the underground
Why oh why, there is no light
And if I can't sleep, can you hold my life

https://www.youtube.com/@CocoonMasterBrendan-wh3sd
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Grumpyprogfan View Drop Down
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Points: 11635 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Grumpyprogfan Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 17 2023 at 08:19
^And some like music to be complex with a lot going on. No biggie that it's not for you, same with TYS (who do have nuances and space). None of Haken records are overrated, just the opposite. In fact, most here at PA have dissed the band on their last few albums, saying they are too heavy (don't like the metal direction) and samey. And they complain about Fauna, which is not heavy and has the band exploring new musical directions. I am a fan, and have enjoyed everything they have put out, so rock on Haken.

Finally, if you want to choose a band that has too much going on in their music, Cardiacs win, by far.
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richardh View Drop Down
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Points: 28059 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote richardh Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 17 2023 at 10:08
I think I look for bands to not be like other bands so that I'm not listening to the same thing all the time. I like Haken a lot but some of their stuff resonates better than other. Anyway I don't think you have to like everything to be a fan of any band whoever they are Smile 
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Catcher10 View Drop Down
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Points: 17847 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Catcher10 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 17 2023 at 12:11
I lost interest in Haken when I saw them live honestly, on the Vector tour. Crazy loud, it was a mishmash of sounds (sure probably the mix guy was having a bad day). Every song sounded the same.....Virus was not interesting at all and Fauna is a bit better but yea nothing like their first few albums. 
I'm happy spinning their earlier albums, this metal thrashy stuff is not to my liking with them.
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Originally posted by edefakiel edefakiel wrote:

I don't like it at all. In fact, I find hard to enjoy anything after Affinity (although Virus had some interesting moments). Which is crazy, giving than I really like Charlie Griffiths' Tiktaalika and, specially, Richard Henshall's The Cocoon. Do you know what I cannot stand? Novena's Eleventh Hour. Imagine whom I blame for the downfall of Haken.

It is crazy to think that this band gave us The Mountain and Restoration. It must be the most dramatic falling from grace that I can remember in recent times.

Maybe you're getting old?Tongue
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MikeEnRegalia View Drop Down
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BTW ... this just out: 

I maintain that Virus is their best release to date. 
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edefakiel View Drop Down
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Points: 293 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote edefakiel Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 19 2023 at 05:42
Originally posted by MikeEnRegalia MikeEnRegalia wrote:

Originally posted by edefakiel edefakiel wrote:

I don't like it at all. In fact, I find hard to enjoy anything after Affinity (although Virus had some interesting moments). Which is crazy, giving than I really like Charlie Griffiths' Tiktaalika and, specially, Richard Henshall's The Cocoon. Do you know what I cannot stand? Novena's Eleventh Hour. Imagine whom I blame for the downfall of Haken.

It is crazy to think that this band gave us The Mountain and Restoration. It must be the most dramatic falling from grace that I can remember in recent times.


Maybe you're getting old?Tongue


Maybe. But here being 30yo almost counts as being young.
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King of Loss View Drop Down
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Points: 16451 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote King of Loss Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 19 2023 at 13:54
Fauna was pretty good. I have it on LP and it sounds great! For me, definitely a couple steps up from Virus and Vector.
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