Interactive Tracks Poll: Goodbye 2023, Hello 2023!

suitkees wrote: ^ Nice to see you join in again, Mila, and happy new year to you.

Mila-13 wrote: Hey Nickie, good to see you, it's been a while! I hope you are doing well? Thanks for your feedback, much appreciated as always! :) I didn't have much time to make my choice. Yes, classical music is one of our shared preferences, although in the case of Ammann, I have to admit that I was not particularly enthusiastic. There are pieces by him that I like better. But the release date and length of the piece had to be taken into account in this poll. That's why I decided in favour of my other two options. Perhaps there will be another opportunity to introduce Ammann in a more favorable light.

  All is well here, although quite cold for here!  I do love classical music of many kinds, yes, that is where we intersect.  Good to see you participating.

Thanks for the votes Nickie! Two tracks that I obviously liked this past year.

mathman0806 wrote: Thanks for the votes Nickie! Two tracks that I obviously liked this past year. I didn't say much about Pixie Ninja. They are a non-retro prog Norwegian band though they do incorporate vintage instruments (such as mellotron) with electronics. And the album credits a glockenspiel among their instruments.  The percussionist for Go Go Machine Orchestra plays a drum kit and the marimba.   I am intrigued by the use of non-traditional instruments in modern music.

I've just cast my votes, I can only find two that I like from the main list, however it appears that The Tale Of Father Robin isn't available to view in the UK (just like my original Grace Potter post wasn't viewable in Canada). Same for De Staat in the bonus list.

Edited by AlanB - January 16 2024 at 08:11

Thanks Alan for fully participating (suggesting, nominating, listening, voting for 1's and 2's, commenting). It is much appreciated.

That should be the same Father Robin track, it is short intro to the album.

As for Suitkees' De Staat choice, I did not use the link that Kees posted as that, like your Grace Potter was not available in my region. This is what he posted:

De Staat  - Burning the Flag (Red):



I almost envy you as I have the opposite issue. Choosing but three from the first set and two from the second will be challenging as I really like most of this. Most of this is so in my wheelhouse. I knew that the Squid one I chose is quite abrasive. It's actually my second fave track from that album, but I went for this as it's a bit harder edged and punchier and thought it might provide some satisfying contrast in the playlist.

Part of the joy of these for me is having one's tastebuds challenged, listening to music that is out of one's wheelhouse, being exposed to music we would not normally listen to or choose to listen to, and generally broadening our musical scope. You might like to host one of these at some time in which case the theme could fit your interests and so the music might well be particularly to your tastes. I like that challenge too of coming up with music for other people's Interactive themed polls even if it is not in my most common of musical avenues.

Again, much appreciated. :)

mathman0806 wrote: Hi Mila and Happy New Year! Glad you made it back to participate in this poll. I have some catching up to do with your suggestions.

Logan wrote: ^^ Nickie actually had changed her original pick from Another Place to These Walls. I ended up remaking that list and copying from the posts thus the discrepancy. The one in the playlist and the list of the playlist is correct.

My personal impressions after listening...

Squid: I have listened to the album Monolith, but was much put of by the vocals. This is maybe one of the more appealing tracks, but it lacks the adventurousness that the intro promises... to my ears.

Aksak Maboul: Another album I listened to, but I still don't really can get "into" it. This is a very enjoyable track though.

Pixie Ninja: This immediately clicks with me. It has something minimalist and atmospheric and sonically very rich. Wonderful!

Grace Potter: Very pleasant unpretentious but enjoyable rock. The problem is that it is up here against stiff competition for prog lovers (I guess my suggestion of De Staat will meet the same fate).

Harp: This precise track came by on the radio, last Monday. Gentle, melodic and soothing, Beautiful but a bit short - makes me curious to listen to the album.

Grave Pleasures: Another more straightforward rock track, a bit New Wave-y this time.Very nice to hear.

Zopp: A nice 70s tinged prog track which lacks the originality to my ears to be a contender here (I've listened to the whole album): too much following old formulas (yes, I am one who appreciates originality in music).

The Chronicles of Father Robin: Talking about old formulas... I've listened to this album to, because of the rave reviews, but to my ears this is even worse than Zopp: it lacks even more of that originality and is all the more formulaic to be a contender here.

Voyou: Nice and enjoyable orchestral pop-rock, but again: up against stiff competition here.

Canned Dream: Nice opening on the sax joined by a dissonant guitar and later a parlando voice. A rich instrumentation and some free jazz touches makes this quite adventurous. A great listen.

Sufjan Stevens: I always like what I hear from him (he came by in the same radio program referred to above), but it is also something on the more conventional side of things. But the arrangements are always very rich and interesting, which makes it a good listen.

Radian: Ah, something more experimental and you know that I tend to like those things. No exception here, these are intriguing sonic (electronic) post-rocky adventures. I like this.

Go Go Machine Orchestra: Another one that immediately attracts my ears; an interesting fusion of jazz rock with electro. Very subtle - despite the sometimes rocky guitar, but not very upfront in the mix - and atmospheric. Great one!

D'Virgilio Morse and Jennings: Nice guitar-voice ballad. I like the vocal harmonies, but unfortunately the lead singer has the least engaging voice.

Edenya: Hmm, not sure what to think of this one. A dark folky rock track veering towards a prog metal style before returning to the folk side of things and then up again. I'm not fan of this singing style (which seems to be the norm in female fronted prog/metal bands), which is maybe technically perfect, but it doesn't convey much emotion to me. Musically it is quite nice though.

Host: Another New Wave-y track with interesting sonic atmosphere - Depeche Mode meets Killing Joke? Nice acoustic guitar interludes, but unfortunately I don't like the oomphf-dong electro/disco beat.

Uriah Heep: I was pleasantly surprised by their new album (it almost ended up in my top 20) and this too is a great rock track. I like it, but the competition is ferocious here.

Zaho de Sagazan: I think I've heard some of her work in a radio program where she guested. This is the better kind of electro-pop. Not sure though if a whole album of this could stand the test (my personal test that is requiring some diversity in an album). This track is very enjoyable.


I very much liked the diversity this playlist had to offer! Thanks to all of you!
Now I'll have to think of how to vote...