RIO Drop-In Centre
Printed From: Progarchives.com
Category: Progressive Music Lounges
Forum Name: Prog Bands, Artists and Genres Appreciation
Forum Description: Discuss specific prog bands and their members or a specific sub-genre
URL: http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=23750
Printed Date: November 27 2024 at 10:37
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 11.01 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: RIO Drop-In Centre
Posted By: The Hemulen
Subject: RIO Drop-In Centre
Date Posted: May 24 2006 at 07:10
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Hello chaps!
I haven't been around much recently (deadline's n' all that - not yet behind me but ah f**k it) so I've decided to start what should hopefully be a very useful and informative thread for a lot of members.
RIO is not an easy aspect of prog to get a grip on. Apart from the aggressively abnormal nature of the music itself, it's harder to find info on and know where to begin. I'm setting this thread up as a way for proggers who are interested in learning more about RIO and all that it entails to throw their questions in here for myself and other members with a bit of knowledge on the subject to clear things up, point people in the right direction and so on.
So. Any questions?
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Replies:
Posted By: avestin
Date Posted: May 24 2006 at 07:27
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Well I have a specific question about several bands which I am interested to listen to. They are:
http://www.progarchives.com/Progressive_rock_discography_BAND.asp?band_id=2168 - HAMSTER THEATRE , http://www.progarchives.com/Progressive_rock_discography_BAND.asp?band_id=2039 - INTERFERENCE SARDINES , http://www.progarchives.com/Progressive_rock_discography_BAND.asp?band_id=1677 - MYRBEIN and http://www.progarchives.com/Progressive_rock_discography_BAND.asp?band_id=2286 - RAMLÖSA KVÄLLAR .
Hamster has no bio and only one review (by http://www.progarchives.com/Collaborators.asp?id=4771 - RoyalJelly ) giving it 5 stars.
Sardines has a short bio, one review for http://www.progarchives.com/Progressive_rock_discography_CD.asp?cd_id=11191 - Mare Crisium and two for http://www.progarchives.com/Progressive_rock_discography_CD.asp?cd_id=9329 - Zucchini .
Myrbein has a bio (by Lise) and a short review.
Ramlosa has no bio and no review (only rating).
So, what do people who know any of them think? They don't have many albums (Myrbein and Ramlosa have only 1 album), but is it worth hunting? There are other bands I want to listen to, but let us start with these first.
------------- http://hangingsounds.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow - Hanging Sounds http://www.progarchives.com/ProgRockShopping.asp" rel="nofollow - PA Index of prog music vendors |
Posted By: The Hemulen
Date Posted: May 24 2006 at 07:32
| I'm not familiar with a lot of the bands you've mentioned there, it must be said, but Hamster Theatre I can vouch for as being jolly good fun. They're nothing earth-shattering, so I'd say 5 stars is a little generous, but if you fancy some playful RIO with an acoustic feel then they're well worth checking out. |
Posted By: VanderGraafKommandöh
Date Posted: May 24 2006 at 07:35
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Just a quick question... 3/4 de Trio are under Art Rock, yet I've seen them likened to Taal... comments?
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Posted By: Snow Dog
Date Posted: May 24 2006 at 07:37
Her name is Rio............. ------------- http://www.last.fm/user/Snow_Dog" rel="nofollow"> 
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Posted By: krusty
Date Posted: May 24 2006 at 08:59
^^  Perhaps you would like Duran Duran included on the archives Snowy?  ------------- http://www.humanism.org.uk/site/cms/contentChapterView.asp?chapter=309" rel="nofollow - Humanism |
Posted By: Snow Dog
Date Posted: May 24 2006 at 09:09
^^^Now you mention it........
------------- http://www.last.fm/user/Snow_Dog" rel="nofollow">
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Posted By: Harkmark
Date Posted: May 24 2006 at 09:17
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Regarding Myrbein: Check out this website, where you will find live recordings from 1979 as free mp3s, including their cover of "Larks tounges in aspic pt. II" from "Myrornas krig": http://members.chello.se/anders.lonnkvist/myrbein/ - http://members.chello.se/anders.lonnkvist/myrbein/ |
Posted By: RoyalJelly
Date Posted: May 24 2006 at 09:20
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I have a very high opinion of Hamster Theatre, because of their sheer musicality...the way they effortlessly mix various styles, the ingenuity of the instrumentations and arrangements, and the subtle beauty of the compositions (which have a lot of Eastern European folk and modern classical influences). Not earth-shattering in the sense of heaviness, but they can go there too. But I'm only familiar with the one album so far. There's other samples on their website, and on their myspace.com site, and they're all quite brilliant.
A band closely related, because they share a lot of members, is Thinking Plague. The album "In Extremis" I would recommend without further ado, because it's firmly routed in RIO influences (Henry Cow, Art Bears), but totally original. They also use more classical prog influences, like Yes, in a totally post-modern way...Bob Drake plays on his similiarity with Jon Anderson's voice, and his bass playing is full of ass-kicking Squire influences. The same tendencies can also be heard on 5uu's "Hunger's Teeth", also with Drake. There's also a great project with him, Frith and Cutler, called The Science Group. The 2nd album by them has Mike Johnson (instead of Frith) on guitar, and practically anything he plays on is brilliant (Hamster Theatre included). |
Posted By: Aaron
Date Posted: May 24 2006 at 09:33
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I have found that of all the genres, RIO was the hardest to get into, and I still don't listen to it all that much, I'd like to but I am on to other things at the moment. The first album that I heard of the genre was Univers Zero's 1313, which I love. Then I pick up Heresie and the first two Present albums. That's when my RIO purchasing came to a halt. Though I do plan on picking up the third UZ album, because I have heard wonderful things. Is RIO always as dark as UZ?
Aaron
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Posted By: Joren
Date Posted: May 24 2006 at 09:45
Thanks for the link Harkmark.
 Pretty nice stuff. Moreover, I found out that ProgArchives didn't list their homepage yet, so I added it to their entry: http://www.progarchives.com/Progressive_rock_discography_BAND.asp?band_id=1677 - http://www.progarchives.com/Progressive_rock_discography_BAND.asp?band_id=1677
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Harkmark wrote:Posted By: Alucard
Date Posted: May 24 2006 at 12:10
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Dear Dr. TP, every time I put a Henry Cow CD on, my girlfriend throws sharp objects at me.I am so desperate. Could you please tell me what to do? yours truly
Alucard
PS: The Canterbury team is adding some lesser known bands. Do you know the French Band 'Anaïd', and when yes would you file them under Canterbury or RIO? ------------- Tadpoles keep screaming in my ear "Hey there! Rotter's Club! Explain the meaning of this song and share it" |
Posted By: Empathy
Date Posted: May 24 2006 at 12:17
No questions at the moment, but good to see you're still around, TP! 
------------- Pure Brilliance: 
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Posted By: avestin
Date Posted: May 24 2006 at 12:31
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To all loyal fans of all that is considered freak and disharmonic: I am a fan of UZ and also Thinking Plague. In Extremis is an exceptional album imo (I like less the album A History of Madness), and I don't have a UZ album I don't like (there are some I like less, but no album I think is bad) 5UU's is also one of my loved bands - I only have Crisis in Clay and Hunger's Teeth. I also like Miriodor, particularly Jongleurs Elastique. Ahvak's self titled is a very good album. (although I would have let the rare vocals out of it). I have recently listened to Far out and Far East Family Band but I need more listens to fully appreciate it, although it sounds good on initial listens. Of course Sleepytime... and Discus as well (less good than other bands, but entertaining nevertheless). Hoyry Kone is another favourite (I love Finnish bands). THere are more, but I'll stop here and I'll write them as this discussion evloves. ------------- http://hangingsounds.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow - Hanging Sounds http://www.progarchives.com/ProgRockShopping.asp" rel="nofollow - PA Index of prog music vendors |
Posted By: VanderGraafKommandöh
Date Posted: May 24 2006 at 12:33
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Taal Alamaailman Vasarat Just to add two more. Mr. Bungle as well. -------------
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Posted By: avestin
Date Posted: May 24 2006 at 12:38
Damn, I forgot to mention one of the best bands I heard in a while - Taal Alamaailman Vasarat (as Jimbo told me: Hammers of the Underworld) is great as well. ------------- http://hangingsounds.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow - Hanging Sounds http://www.progarchives.com/ProgRockShopping.asp" rel="nofollow - PA Index of prog music vendors |
Posted By: memowakeman
Date Posted: May 24 2006 at 12:51
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Banda Elastica is a Mexican band which has been influenced by those Big RIO artists, you can check them!
and yes... Taal is awesome!!  ------------- Follow me on twitter @memowakeman |
Posted By: aramg
Date Posted: May 24 2006 at 13:17
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Does Zappa fall under RIO or Avant-Prog? What about Captain Beefheart?
------------- Aram |
Posted By: VanderGraafKommandöh
Date Posted: May 24 2006 at 13:29
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Guys, you mean Taal are great. I hear they're in the studio, so I hope to expect an album soon, here's hoping! I love Alamaailman Vasarat, what a fantastic band! I cannot wait to hear Hoyry-kone. -------------
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Posted By: Sean Trane
Date Posted: May 24 2006 at 14:07
Nothing alike, really!!
4/3 de Trio is a sort of progressive Noir Desir (if that can help  ) I like their first album and the second is a posthumous release after the death of one of the member------------- let's just stay above the moral melee prefer the sink to the gutter keep our sand-castle virtues content to be a doer as well as a thinker, prefer lifting our pen rather than un-sheath our sword |
Posted By: Aaron
Date Posted: May 24 2006 at 15:28
I don't know Aaron, that's a good question. Maybe someone here can enlighten us, so we don't have to find out for ourselves.
Aaron
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Posted By: progreviews
Date Posted: May 24 2006 at 15:57
Ha. The short answer is no. The slightly less short answer is: go check out bands like Samla Mammas Manna, just to name one. No one would ever call them "dark". ------------- http://www.progreviews.com/"> 
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Posted By: Trickster F.
Date Posted: May 24 2006 at 16:27
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Question: shouldn't RIO and Avant-prog be seperated?
-- Ivan ------------- sig |
Posted By: eugene
Date Posted: May 24 2006 at 17:32
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Taal is my favourite band since I got to know them about an year ago. I do not think they are RIO. I do not know which subgenre they belong though.
Cro Magnon "Bull?" is becoming my all time favourite album of RIO.
And the best ever band from ex-USSR territory - Horizont - are one of finest and greatest RIO bands I ever heard.
Universe Zero, Art Zoyd, Ensemble Nimbus, Miriodor etc etc etc - are all very good, and there is one practically unknown band called "Les Projectionnistes" with their masterpiece album called "Copie Zero". Highly recommended!
------------- carefulwiththataxe |
Posted By: walrus333
Date Posted: May 24 2006 at 18:07
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I havent heard much of the RIO/Avant category except for Alamaailman Vasarat, and Captain Beefheart. Is there a difference between RIO and Avant prog? ------------- If anyone knows where I can get a copy of some Flute and Voice (Indo-Prog/Raga Rock) albums please PM me! Many thanks! |
Posted By: Moatilliatta
Date Posted: May 24 2006 at 20:18
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I suppose this would be a good place to ask...
I want to buy some Samla Mammas Manna music, but I'm stuck on which ones to buy. I have these three in mind: Maltid, Klossa..., and Familjesprickor. I don't want all three (at least not yet), but I can go for two. Which two?
Also, which is the best Miriodor album? I've been leaning towards Parade (+ Live at Nearfest) or Mekano. ------------- www.last.fm/user/ThisCenotaph  
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Posted By: cucacola54
Date Posted: May 24 2006 at 20:30
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IMO buy Maltid and Klossa first, then Famili and Kaka ------------- Most listened albums last week 
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Posted By: robertplantowns
Date Posted: May 24 2006 at 21:37
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RIO stands for Rock in Opposition and was a movement in the late 70s led by Henry Cow to show their opposition to the music industry. Henry Cow started the festival which included the bands Henry Cow, Stormy Six, Samla Mammas Manna, Univers Zero, and Etron Fou Leloublan. Art Zoyd and Art Bears which was an offshoot of Henry Cow, would later join the movement. The original festival featured bands with different styles and at the time at least, RIO referred to the movement rather than a specific style of music. Now RIO has become synonymous with avant-prog which is why the two are smushed together here at the archives, but a true RIO purist will tell you that RIO music was a movement at a particular point in time that cannot be resurrected by other groups. Newer avant prog groups such as the 5UU's, Miriodor, Thinking Plague and Guapo can be considered "RIO influenced" but not truly RIO themselves. Avant-prog refers to music that came after the RIO movement that took what some avant garde bands did and ran with it. Avant-prog although while being effectively synonymous with RIO to most people, is a much broader genre and includes all avant-garde rock. ------------- 
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Posted By: robertplantowns
Date Posted: May 24 2006 at 21:37
RIO stands for Rock in Opposition and was a movement in the late 70s led by Henry Cow to show their opposition to the music industry. Henry Cow started the festival which included the bands Henry Cow, Stormy Six, Samla Mammas Manna, Univers Zero, and Etron Fou Leloublan. Art Zoyd and Art Bears which was an offshoot of Henry Cow, would later join the movement. The original festival featured bands with different styles and at the time at least, RIO referred to the movement rather than a specific style of music. Now RIO has become synonymous with avant-prog which is why the two are smushed together here at the archives, but a true RIO purist will tell you that RIO music was a movement at a particular point in time that cannot be resurrected by other groups. Newer avant prog groups such as the 5UU's, Miriodor, Thinking Plague and Guapo can be considered "RIO influenced" but not truly RIO themselves. Avant-prog refers to music that came after the RIO movement that took what some avant garde bands did and ran with it. Avant-prog although while being effectively synonymous with RIO to most people, is a much broader genre and includes all avant-garde rock. -------------
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Posted By: avestin
Date Posted: May 25 2006 at 00:42
I agree with Cucacola54 advice on Samla. If you want only one, the best choice is going chronologically from the choices you said.
Regarding Miriodor, I prefer Jongleurs Elastiques to Mekano. Parade is also a worthy to buy. All three are very good but the two top for me are Jongleurs and Parade. ------------- http://hangingsounds.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow - Hanging Sounds http://www.progarchives.com/ProgRockShopping.asp" rel="nofollow - PA Index of prog music vendors |
Posted By: RoyalJelly
Date Posted: May 25 2006 at 06:42
I think both Zappa and Beefheart have actually each created a genre unto themselves...in the same way that one can speak of "Felliniesque" aspects of a movie, photo, or anything (the word is actually in the dictionary), one can easily speak of Zappaesque aspects in someone's music...Beefheart's music is also clearly a musical universe unto itself, which had a strong influence on many avant-punk bands, etc. I think it would be wrong to label either RIO, although both waged constant war on the industry. Most or all of the RIO musicians (who came from the aforementioned movement) were influenced at an early point by Zappa & the Mothers, and many by Beefheart...this influence was also felt by most early prog bands, from the Beatles to Yes, etc. |
Posted By: The Hemulen
Date Posted: May 25 2006 at 08:08
Not at all. RIO can be full of fun (albeit very mischevious fun). If you want to hear a lighter side to RIO then try Swedish mentalists Samla Mammas Manna for size! |
Posted By: The Hemulen
Date Posted: May 25 2006 at 08:11
I too have noticed this puzzling phenomenon whenever I play my girlfriend Thinking Plague or Absolute Zero. I suggest you make sure any heavy, sharp or in any way weapon-like objects are removed from the surrounding area and placed in a secure environment before sticking on the Cow next time. |
Posted By: The Hemulen
Date Posted: May 25 2006 at 08:13
The closest fit for those two is avant-prog, I guess... but as Jelly said, they created a genre unto themselves. This is true for many avant-prog bands, however. They're square pegs in a world of round holes. |
Posted By: The Hemulen
Date Posted: May 25 2006 at 08:15
New tasty Taal goodness? Can't wait!
Alamaailman Vasarat = Effin' wonderful.
Hoyry-Kone - You mean you haven't heard them yet? You're in for a treat, mate. |
Posted By: The Hemulen
Date Posted: May 25 2006 at 08:19
In an ideal world, yes. The way the archives has arranged the two has caused a lot of confusion for some people. Hence "Is Zappa RIO?" queries. The trouble arises partially out of the "When do we say enough?" issue and also the difficult cases such as Thinking Plague and 5uu's who are clearly heavily grounded in RIO sounds but are not part of the actual RIO scene. So basically, it's better to live with something slightly inadequate than end up making it worse by trying to make it better. IMO. |
Posted By: Aaron
Date Posted: May 25 2006 at 08:23
well, i listened to a few samples and although they were good, just not my kind of music, i like it to be a bit more serious, give me another band besides SMM
Aaron
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Posted By: The Hemulen
Date Posted: May 25 2006 at 08:26
So you want serious but not dark? Hmm. I guess Absolute Zero aren't really THAT dark. They wear their darkness on their sleeves, so to speak.
And also maybe try some avant-prog rather than pure Rock In Opposition. A bit of Taal or Alamaailman Vasarat, mebbe. |
Posted By: Trickster F.
Date Posted: May 25 2006 at 09:03
I may be completely wrong when I say this, but if a group is so strongly rooted in a type of music, despite not fitting in terms of location and time, shouldn't they be still included because of the musical similarities alone? Then we can move RIO groups to a RIO category, and those who have no relation to RIO to be in an Avant-Garde category.
-- Ivan ------------- sig |
Posted By: Joren
Date Posted: May 25 2006 at 09:45
Absolute Zero and Alamaailman Vaserat aren't very dark indeed, and still pretty serious. Then again, Absolute Zero's music could also be described as some sort of very heavy, avant-garde form of Jazz Rock/Fusion. You can listen to a sample track here:
http://www.progarchives.com/Progressive_rock_discography_BAND.asp?band_id=681 - http://www.progarchives.com/Progressive_rock_discography_BAND.asp?band_id=681
You could also try "The Festival Of Death" from The Residents. The album it's from is very serious and at the same time not very serious. On "The Festival Of Death" you can hear some pretty "serious" (it depends if you take it seriously or not, really
 ) and not very dark avant-garde stuff. Especially the ending part (with the tuned percussion) is great. http://www.progarchives.com/Progressive_rock_discography_BAND.asp?band_id=1770 - http://www.progarchives.com/Progressive_rock_discography_BAND.asp?band_id=1770
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Posted By: Joren
Date Posted: May 25 2006 at 09:55
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Aaron, I forgot: a beautiful piece of avant-garde music (serious, not dark):
http://www.progarchives.com/Progressive_rock_discography_BAND.asp?band_id=1471 - http://www.progarchives.com/Progressive_rock_discography_BAND.asp?band_id=1471
Listen to: "A Carrot Is As Close As A Rabbit Comes To A Diamond" (it might not sound so serious to you, but just try it
 ).Apart from that, it's pretty necessary to have a sense of humour and/or a liking of dark music if you're trying to listen to RIO and/or Avant-Prog.
"Does Humor Belong In Music?" - FZ
PS I hope you find something you like.
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Posted By: ShW1
Date Posted: May 25 2006 at 10:32
I've written a review about Hamster, which i will post somewhen in the future.
meanwhile i put a tutorial of it here, i hope it will help
Sorry for the english believe, me its frustrating to try to say something in a lengwige you dont know well enough. i hope you'll understand what i'm trying to say in general.
i gave it 4 points but it deserves 5 points as well, so i agree with RoyalJelly. Due to my own personnal taste, it is 4 points.
REVIEW:
Ok I see they are on the archives, so I can give my review. Even thogh im not shure that this kind of music could be described as progressive rock, not that is matter much to me. Carnival contains very complicated compositions, with many kind of modern classical techniques, and rock elements, such as instruments like drums, electric guitars, and rock ideas in general, combined with many more influences. So it cannot be defined as classical music, and actually, what can be more exiceted than that? Art rock at the higest level, that pushing the bounderies to the limit while remain hounting and captivating.
As I mentioned before, there are a lot of influences here from many music styles, its all very eclectic. Marches bands, klazmer, even the 90s electronics represented here in few compositions, along with folk/traditional music. In addition to some modern classical ideas, rock styles and many more. Especially I liked the klazmer parts, it is done very well. The jumps between styles can occure even at the same track. Personally I prefere the more relaxed compositions and less jumpy, even thogh the jumps are justified, it doesn’t occure because someone lost control, it is done to give andralamusia enviroment, kind of carnaval. I liked compositions such as jeanne marie, tick fever ,drunken penguin tango (which suit exactly to the name description), the cat song, wonderful klazmer, and a reluctnas farewell which ends up the record, and ends with a wonderfull accordion notes in the unique style of Dave Willey. there are lot of unusell instrumants combinations which is unpredictabley works: trombone goes with toys instruments like harmoniume, melodica, guitarron, , cheap electric guitar along with real electric guitar, woodwinds, mandolin, acoustic bass, drums, and to add spice to that, a little bit electronica. It all create a very colorfull and original environment in short, these guys are remarkable talented and creative. It is recommended to follow them in their various bands and projects. For all who look for originall and innovative music that do not just repeat on things done in the past, it is worthwhile to look after these people. They are all come from the west of US which seemed to be THE geographical era right now for any innovative and original music. About the rating: I was little miser here, the overall quality could defenitly fit to 5 points, but to definit something as a masterpiece it is also a matter of personall taste, kind of filling etc. I, personally didn’t got that speciall filling of masterpiece even thogh the very high quality. I think excellent addition to any prog collection can describe it well, and that’s enough. You can take it as 4.5 points. |
Posted By: progreviews
Date Posted: May 25 2006 at 13:55
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Some of my all-time favorite RIO/avant-rock (the difference is mostly semantic and it's mostly pointless to debate it) albums, among the relatively better-known stuff:
5uu's - Hunger's Teeth Art Bears - The World as it is Today Etron Fou Leloublan - Batelages Henry Cow - In Praise of Listening Henry Cow - Western Culture Motor Totemist Guild - City of Mirrors Present - High Infidelity Shub Niggurath - Les Morts Vont Vite U Totem - U Totem Univers Zero - Heresie Univers Zero - Uzed I'm sure I'm forgetting some. Note that I don't consider bands like Alamaailman Vasarat or Taal to be "avant"... but I also don't want to get into hair-splitting categorization arguments, so I'll leave it at that. ------------- http://www.progreviews.com/">
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Posted By: Syzygy
Date Posted: May 25 2006 at 17:51
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^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
All good choices Brandon. I personally rate Winter Songs as Art Bears' finest moment, but it's a tough call. Some other favourites (using the RIO/Avant label somewhat loosely)
Not all of these are in the archive yet, but when I get the time there will be some more additions. ------------- 'Like so many of you I've got my doubts about how much to contribute to the already rich among us...' Robert Wyatt, Gloria Gloom |
Posted By: VanderGraafKommandöh
Date Posted: May 25 2006 at 18:01
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Is Hasse Bruniusson going to be added? (I don't think he has, he may have...) Anyhow, I've heard some samples and I quite liked them, is this typical of SMM?
-------------
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Posted By: Syzygy
Date Posted: May 25 2006 at 18:03
QUOTE=robertplantowns]
RIO stands for Rock in Opposition and was a movement in the late 70s led by Henry Cow to show their opposition to the music industry. Henry Cow started the festival which included the bands Henry Cow, Stormy Six, Samla Mammas Manna, Univers Zero, and Etron Fou Leloublan. Art Zoyd and Art Bears which was an offshoot of Henry Cow, would later join the movement. The original festival featured bands with different styles and at the time at least, RIO referred to the movement rather than a specific style of music. Now RIO has become synonymous with avant-prog which is why the two are smushed together here at the archives, but a true RIO purist will tell you that RIO music was a movement at a particular point in time that cannot be resurrected by other groups. Newer avant prog groups such as the 5UU's, Miriodor, Thinking Plague and Guapo can be considered "RIO influenced" but not truly RIO themselves. Avant-prog refers to music that came after the RIO movement that took what some avant garde bands did and ran with it. Avant-prog although while being effectively synonymous with RIO to most people, is a much broader genre and includes all avant-garde rock. [/QUOTE] I have bumped into Chris Cutler once or twice on my visits to ReR and I may put this question to him myself. I doubt if he's particularly aware of this site, but you never know...
Most of the bands in the RIO/Avant prog category are distributed by ReR Megacorp and have worked with some of the original RIO musicians so there is a clear link. Zappa and Beefheart were both in Recommended Records (ReR's precursor) 'cutural heritage' category, along with Faust (whose albums were rereleased via Recommended), Magma and Sun Ra, to name but several. Clearly the musicians themselves are less bothered about strict categorisation than the fans.
As Brandon pointed out, the difference between RIO and Avant Prog is basically semantic and not worth worrying about. ------------- 'Like so many of you I've got my doubts about how much to contribute to the already rich among us...' Robert Wyatt, Gloria Gloom |
Posted By: Joren
Date Posted: May 26 2006 at 06:32
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Fans are usually more "fanatic" than musicians.
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Posted By: The Hemulen
Date Posted: May 26 2006 at 10:00
The only Bruiniusson solo stuff I've heard is Flying Food Circus, and if you mean that then the answer is "sorta". That album certainly shares many characteristics with SMM but is also quite different in its own way. It's safe to say, though, that if you like one you'll like t'other. Samla are essential, Geck0, and I've no hesitation in recommending them to you. Get Maltid, Klossa Knapitatet and Kaka.
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Posted By: Aaron
Date Posted: May 26 2006 at 11:23
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ok, just listening to the tracks available on the site
heres what i liked
Absolute Zero - pretty good, surprising to me because i don't really like any modern bands
Art Zoyd - fantastic, i really like this
Alaimaailan Vasarat - very enjoyable, strange syle
Art Bears - I guess i sort of like this, but i think i would like to hear more from them
French TV - although you can hear the modern sound, it's enjoyable, although it's getting better as i am listening to it, pretty good
Gatto Marte - good
henry cow - good, wish there were more tracks available on the site
h-cone - i like this a lot actually, although it is making me realize how symphonic these bands can be sometimes
Mike Keneally - alright, this is pretty good to, but this RIO stuff is losing my interest at this point, it's not even that difficult to get into any more, all the oddness is getting predictable, hopefully some later tracks spark my interest again, maybe this guy is just lame or something, i dont know, maybe i am saying this because there may be a lot of w**kering going on here
Mr. Bungle - don't actually like this, but 4 years ago, i would have been all about this band i am sure (I feel liket his band should have some connection to Steve Vai, don't know why, am I right?)
Not sure whose goofiness i prefer more, The Residents or SMM, either way, i don't think either is that great
Sleepy Time blah blah blah - this music is so over the top, i hate it
Taal - pretty good, nothing special, pretty symphonic again
John Zorn - meh, i feel like some of these guys are missing the original idea behind RIO and rehashing the same sh*t over and over again
awaiting comments hahaha, but i am definitely pick up some Art Zoyd, goddamn that was good
Aaron
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Posted By: progreviews
Date Posted: May 26 2006 at 12:10
heh. Zorn has absolutely nothing to do with RIO (aside from collaborating with Fred Frith once in a while). I guess Naked City (one of the PA tracks) could have some similarity to stuff like Ruins. But Masada? How exactly does Ornette Coleman-style avant-jazz gone Jewish rehash RIO?
Cool that you liked Art Zoyd so much, kind of surprising since they're sort of like Univers Zero who you didn't seem to like (and they're just as dark). Nazca, Decibel, etc etc are worth checking out if you like this style. ------------- http://www.progreviews.com/">
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Posted By: Aaron
Date Posted: May 26 2006 at 12:47
No no, I really like Univers Zero, especially 1313, and I expect to get their third album sometime soon. It's just hard to listen to their albums sometimes. I think the first track on Heresie is a little too long, and seeing as I always listen to album in full from beginning to end, that song stretches my patience and I usually give up on it. Trust me, I like dark music, but Heresie is about as dark as you can get.
Aaron
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Posted By: Alucard
Date Posted: May 26 2006 at 12:48
Thanx so much TP, I just double-locked my electric chainsaw.
BTW you didn't answer my PS.
 Does anyone know the French Band 'Anaïd'? Canterbury or RIO? ------------- Tadpoles keep screaming in my ear "Hey there! Rotter's Club! Explain the meaning of this song and share it" |
Posted By: progreviews
Date Posted: May 26 2006 at 13:13
Ah! I misunderstood. Yeah, you should definitely go for the other UZ albums then, none of them are quite as dark as Heresie. That one's my favorite actually, but Ceux du Dehors and Uzed are also absolutely awesome. Their newer stuff (since their reunion in 1999) is actually way less dark - the new live album has a good overview of that material. It's very good, quite different stylistically from the Heresie days but still good. If you want the *really* dark stuff check out Present and Shub Niggurath ------------- http://www.progreviews.com/">
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Posted By: VanderGraafKommandöh
Date Posted: May 26 2006 at 13:25
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Aaron, you won't get the full feel of Taal from the sample tracks, you need to hear the two albums in their entirety, as they vary quite from track-to-track. Both albums also have a loose concept behind them. Thanks Trouserpress, I'll see what I can do with obtaining some SMM. I am quite interested in hearing Shub-Niggurath and Present too, because I like dark music. Yes, it was samples of tracks from Flying Food Circus I believe. Sounded good from what I can remember. -------------
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Posted By: eugene
Date Posted: May 26 2006 at 13:53
TAAL
- 100 pct agree with above - should be listened to from beginning to end and then again and again, and then you hooked.Shub-Niggurath - never heard but it's just included in my list to look for.
Flying food circus - I like it very much, but IMO it is not as quirky as SMM or say Ensemble Nimbus.
Can recommend Ensemble Nimbus "Scapegoat" + "Garmonbozia" - also with Bruniusson on with Hakan Almkvist at the wheel and Kirk Chilton on violin - great band.
------------- carefulwiththataxe |
Posted By: proger
Date Posted: May 26 2006 at 14:32
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well RIO\Avant is my one of my fav progrock styles. strangley I have a good contact with that styles. here some good RIO bands that I love:Thinking Plague,taal,henry cow,VDGG(can I call them Avantprog?),john zorn,present,univers zero... I dont know why but I dont love Frank zappa, what can I do??? ------------- ...live for tomorrow... |
Posted By: proger
Date Posted: May 26 2006 at 14:34
yes john zorn's naked city is his main album( and he is preety avantprog) ------------- ...live for tomorrow... |
Posted By: smcfee
Date Posted: May 26 2006 at 22:54
Ramlosa Kvallar means "Music Without Frames" and was a 70s band with Lars Hollmer. But they are really more about exploring Swedish folk themes in a rock context; something many RIO bands of the time did, but of tangential interest to an avant-prog collector. I think the other bands were addressed. Regards, Sean / ProgQuebec |
Posted By: Aaron
Date Posted: May 28 2006 at 17:55
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going to pick up a Art Zoyd album soon, which one do you recommend?
Aaron
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Posted By: eugene
Date Posted: May 28 2006 at 18:01
"Phase IV" is my favourite one out of 8 albums of theirs that I have.
------------- carefulwiththataxe |
Posted By: DallasBryan
Date Posted: May 28 2006 at 18:05
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boy that stuff will clear the women out of the room!
ever listen to Material's Memory Serves? Fred Firth, Bill Laswell, etc one of the better progressive avant garde albums that I have heard, from the early 80's. |
Posted By: Aaron
Date Posted: May 28 2006 at 18:10
how is Les Espaces Inquiets, I really like that Ceremonie song
Aaron
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Posted By: eugene
Date Posted: May 28 2006 at 18:26
It's very good one and can be treated as direct continuation of Phase IV.
Generally they are all not bad except for their latest - it's only noise - could not understand the point of it at all. Also Faust got it's great moments but there are many very dull parts. Otherwise both part of Marathonnerre, Generation Sans Futur, Musique Pour L'Odyssee, and Symphonie Pour Le Jour Ou Bruleront Les Cites are all very good.
And I have not heard Berlin and Mariage of Heaven and Hell (free translation from French as far as I can remember).
------------- carefulwiththataxe |
Posted By: Aaron
Date Posted: May 28 2006 at 18:27
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thanks, maybe i'll grab both
Aaron
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Posted By: VanderGraafKommandöh
Date Posted: May 28 2006 at 22:16
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Don't give up on Taal, Aaron, just to remind you. You're missing out on two excellent albums.
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Posted By: avestin
Date Posted: May 29 2006 at 01:36
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Two questoins/remarks: Absolute Zero - I have their album Crashing Icons which is a crazy musical journey, and I like it a lot.
Does anyone know if they are still active, cause their site isn't telling much and it has been about 5-6 years since that first release?
Another band - BIRDSONGS OF THE MESOZOIC .
I have Petrophonics and The Iridium Controversy Which I think are very good.
What do you think of http://www.progarchives.com/Progressive_rock_discography_CD.asp?cd_id=4638 - Sonic Geology ? Is it different than these two mentioned above? What other albums do you recommend me getting?
Thanks ------------- http://hangingsounds.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow - Hanging Sounds http://www.progarchives.com/ProgRockShopping.asp" rel="nofollow - PA Index of prog music vendors |
Posted By: Syzygy
Date Posted: May 29 2006 at 17:21
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Sonic Geology is an excellent album, although obviously the music developed and the line up changed between those early recordings and Pterophonics/Iridium Controversy. In my opinion Sonic Geology is probably the most accessible and engaging BOTM CD, although not as fully realised as some of their later albums. ------------- 'Like so many of you I've got my doubts about how much to contribute to the already rich among us...' Robert Wyatt, Gloria Gloom |
Posted By: avestin
Date Posted: May 30 2006 at 01:26
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Thanks Chris. I also want to mention Ahvak (dust) from Israel which released a self titled album in 2004 with Dave Kerman. High standard recording with complex compositions not too far apart from other groups in that genre, but this does not diminish from the end result, which is a delight to RIO fans. Another one I like, although I expect them to get better is the French Nebelnest, who released two albums, of which I have the 2nd one called - Nova Express. Oddly enough it is here under Symphonic prog (a mistake soon to be corrected). There are clear influences from Univers Zero here, but it is no clone. They excel at taking a center musical idea and going a bit wild with it in a mix of jam/improvisation and calculated composition. I like this veyr much, but I still think it lacks something hard to describe to really get me going. The musicianship is very good and it is a recommended album. ------------- http://hangingsounds.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow - Hanging Sounds http://www.progarchives.com/ProgRockShopping.asp" rel="nofollow - PA Index of prog music vendors |
Posted By: The Hemulen
Date Posted: May 30 2006 at 09:00
AZ are indeed still active. Considering that they've been together in some form or another since the late 70's, I believe, yet only have the one studio album under their belt I think a good deal of patience is required, here. From what I've gleaned off other websites (their homepage is dormant, alas) a new release is imminent, and should take the form of a DVD containing 100% new studio material. I'm assuming the visual content will be mostly animation as it's a STUDIO DVD rather than a live one, but who can say? All I know for certain is that AZ ain't dead and whatever they do next it's bound to be the most crucial avant-garde release of the year (whichever year it finally is).
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Posted By: The Wizard
Date Posted: May 30 2006 at 09:17
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The only Rio I know is Zappa, The Residents, a Captain Beefheart. They're all great and I didn't have much trouble getting into there music. I'm thinking about looking further into the scene at some of Mike Pattons groups. -------------  
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Posted By: The Hemulen
Date Posted: May 30 2006 at 09:22
Just to be anal... none of these chaps you've mentioned are Rock In Opposition. You'd be much safer referring to them as avant-prog.
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Posted By: The Wizard
Date Posted: May 30 2006 at 09:35
Damn it!
 -------------
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Posted By: avestin
Date Posted: May 30 2006 at 10:47
TP, a bit off point here, I need your help with Lars Hollmer. Go here and read my last post please. Thank you! http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=22683&PID=2000533#2000533 - http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=22683&PID=2000533#2000533 ------------- http://hangingsounds.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow - Hanging Sounds http://www.progarchives.com/ProgRockShopping.asp" rel="nofollow - PA Index of prog music vendors |
Posted By: Joren
Date Posted: May 30 2006 at 12:59
I think Les Espaces Inquietes is out of print at the moment... |
Posted By: Joren
Date Posted: May 30 2006 at 13:00
YES! Both are extremely dark. I especially like Present!  |
Posted By: Joren
Date Posted: May 30 2006 at 13:02
Maybe just DVD-A(udio)? |
Posted By: Raff
Date Posted: May 30 2006 at 13:07
That's "steam machine" for you, sir... The Finns are really creative with their band names! And such a thriving musical scene...  (just showing off my knowledge of Finnish  )Back IT, I have extremely little knowledge of RIO, but I'd be interested to find out more. Perhaps it'll never become my favourite subgenre, though I think it's so important for the evolution of prog, that any self-respecting prog fan should know at least something of the most important bands. |
Posted By: avestin
Date Posted: May 31 2006 at 00:58
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I use another forum collab for my Finnish knowledge (guess who)... He told me that Alamaailman Vasarat is Hammers of the Underworld. I was very much in the wrong direction trying to guess what it was... Ghost Rider, I will be happy (as others here will too, I'm sure) to recommend you bands and albums we appreciate and love, plus help you listen to some of it. ------------- http://hangingsounds.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow - Hanging Sounds http://www.progarchives.com/ProgRockShopping.asp" rel="nofollow - PA Index of prog music vendors |
Posted By: avestin
Date Posted: May 31 2006 at 14:51
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Two more questions: 1. I was wondering if anyone knows this Japanese band - ../Progressive_rock_discography_BAND.asp?band_id=2272 - KROKO ? |
Posted By: eugene
Date Posted: May 31 2006 at 17:08
Well, above is similar to what I thought when I started to listen to RIO: "Interesting, but probably not my cup of tea". I saved on my hard-disc about 15 albums by various RIO/avant bands in mp3 format, and listened to them very occasionally in the beginning, but step by step I got hooked by almost all of it. Mind you RIO/avant is very variable genre, and you might be totally enchanted by one band and extremely repelled by the other.
You should not necessarily go for "most important" bands (if there are such) - for example, I do not think Cro-Magnon are ultimately important in Belgium chamber division, but still they produced one of my favourite albums in the whole subgenre - namely "Bull?".
So try it (several times) - it can be very rewarding!
------------- carefulwiththataxe |
Posted By: VanderGraafKommandöh
Date Posted: May 31 2006 at 17:30
 The album to scare off Grannies, wives, husbands, children, cousins, cats, dogs... Nice! I guess this is where it all started, way back in 1971. -------------
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Posted By: Zac M
Date Posted: May 31 2006 at 17:34
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Yes, Hopper's "1984" and Wyatt's "End of an Ear" are both two of the first (if not the first) RIO albums.
------------- "Art is not imitation, nor is it something manufactured according to the wishes of instinct or good taste. It is a process of expression." -Merleau-Ponty |
Posted By: Joren
Date Posted: May 31 2006 at 17:51
Hmmm... I didn't know that.  I still need to investigate both their discographies.
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Posted By: VanderGraafKommandöh
Date Posted: May 31 2006 at 17:55
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It's very very very very weird! Rock Bottom is an absolute essential album to a progrock collection, trust me! -------------
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Posted By: Zac M
Date Posted: May 31 2006 at 18:02
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I didn't think it was that odd, but I listen to really weird stuff, so
that's probably why. Parts of Hopper's album are even more bizarre,
definitely not music you would play around a large crowd or party,
unless you wanted them to leave!
------------- "Art is not imitation, nor is it something manufactured according to the wishes of instinct or good taste. It is a process of expression." -Merleau-Ponty |
Posted By: VanderGraafKommandöh
Date Posted: May 31 2006 at 18:06
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Las Vegas Tango Part 1 Ooooh, this is excellent, reminds me of parts of Rock Bottom. I find it quite listenable too actually, but I'm weird! -------------
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Posted By: avestin
Date Posted: June 01 2006 at 12:30
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I have gotten hold of Zaar self titled release from this year. I
need to listen to it more, but for now I fond it to be a good addition
to the RIO/Avant prog band list in PA. The problem is that there isn't much info available, as their website is non-functional. This is what their label Cuneiform has about them: This is the debut album by a quartet of musicians who know exactly what they want to do and who already have a totally distinctive ensemble sound! Guitarist Yan Hazera and drummer Michael Hazera are alumni of the great band Sotos, who spent 8 years honing their sound. After Sotos disbanded, they wanted to persue a similar musical vein, utilizing elements of chamber rock, zeuhl, improvisation, Rock In Opposition structured complexity and even French folk traditions. They found an excellent bassist and then gave themselves the unique edge of adding a vielle a roue (hurdy gurdy) player. The vielle a roue dates back to medieval times and has several strings which vibrate by turning a crank attached to a resined wheel. You play a melody by pressing keys on the instrument, while the other strings drone. It's a marvelous instrument and it sounds like nothing else; in this context, it often sounds like a cross between a Mike Ratledge-style electric organ, a cellist and bagpipes! This album includes two lengthy pieces, with several shorter works as well, giving the album a nice balance. While you can certainly hear echoes of Sotos on this album, I think that Zaar have already moved further than Sotos and have the possibility to appeal to a greater number of listeners. Excellently recorded by Bob Drake, who captured the rich overtones of these four instruments - not an easy feat! A band with a unique voice who are in the great French tradition of excellence in 'left-field' rock. http://cuneiformrecords.com/bandshtml/zaar.html - http://cuneiformrecords.com/bandshtml/zaar.html   ------------- http://hangingsounds.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow - Hanging Sounds http://www.progarchives.com/ProgRockShopping.asp" rel="nofollow - PA Index of prog music vendors |
Posted By: VanderGraafKommandöh
Date Posted: June 01 2006 at 12:34
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MikeEnRegalia listens to Zaar, I believe Assaf, he maybe able to help you.
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Posted By: avestin
Date Posted: June 01 2006 at 12:42
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You're right James, Thanks! ------------- http://hangingsounds.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow - Hanging Sounds http://www.progarchives.com/ProgRockShopping.asp" rel="nofollow - PA Index of prog music vendors |
Posted By: progreviews
Date Posted: June 01 2006 at 15:14
Here's a review of Kroko's Furia: http://www.progreviews.com/reviews/display.php?rev=krok-fur - http://www.progreviews.com/reviews/display.php?rev=krok-fur As for The Art Box, I went for it and I don't regret it. The 2 remix CDs don't get played very often in my house, but the packaging alone is worth the extra expense! And the remasters sound gorgeous. I'm a total Art Bears fanboy, so take my word with a grain of salt, but I highly recommend this box set. ------------- http://www.progreviews.com/">
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Posted By: progreviews
Date Posted: June 01 2006 at 15:15
Here's my review of the Zaar album, with links to a couple other reviews you might be interested in on the left-hand sidebar: http://www.progreviews.com/reviews/display.php?rev=zaar-zaar - http://www.progreviews.com/reviews/display.php?rev=zaar-zaar ------------- http://www.progreviews.com/">
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Posted By: avestin
Date Posted: June 02 2006 at 04:30
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Thank you Brandon ! I will read those reviews with great interest. ------------- http://hangingsounds.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow - Hanging Sounds http://www.progarchives.com/ProgRockShopping.asp" rel="nofollow - PA Index of prog music vendors |
Posted By: The Hemulen
Date Posted: June 02 2006 at 08:30
| That Zaar album sounds TASTY AS HELL!! RIO + Hurdy Gurdy has to be a good thing, surely? |
Posted By: avestin
Date Posted: June 02 2006 at 10:32
Did you have a chance to listen to it yet? What do you think? ------------- http://hangingsounds.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow - Hanging Sounds http://www.progarchives.com/ProgRockShopping.asp" rel="nofollow - PA Index of prog music vendors |
Posted By: The Hemulen
Date Posted: June 03 2006 at 10:01
Sssh! Don't let on!
 I'll give you a PM when I've had a chance to listen it (which'll probably be tonight). |
Posted By: avestin
Date Posted: June 03 2006 at 13:39
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Another band worth investigating (Geck0, you might wanna listen to this one). An Israeli band which takes Kleyzmer and some RIO and Jazz and mingles it into one. KRUZENSHTERN & PAROHOD Here are some links: http://www.parohod.net/index.html - http://www.parohod.net/index.html (offical site with several songs in Streaming) http://www.progreviews.com/reviews/display.php?rev=kap-songs - http://www.progreviews.com/reviews/display.php?rev=kap-songs http://planet.nana.co.il/jester7/Artists/Kruzenshtern_&_Parohod.html - http://planet.nana.co.il/jester7/Artists/Kruzenshtern_&_Parohod.html http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=13063583 - http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=13063583 - http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=13063583 (this is the myspace with some samples) RIO team members, please go here: http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=24205&PID=2008615#2008615 - http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=24205&PID=2008615#2008615 ------------- http://hangingsounds.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow - Hanging Sounds http://www.progarchives.com/ProgRockShopping.asp" rel="nofollow - PA Index of prog music vendors |
Posted By: progreviews
Date Posted: June 03 2006 at 23:58
LOVE these guys, great recommendation. Songs is awesome; I still need to hear their first one The Craft of Primitive Klezmer I believe. The label distributed a late-2004 live recording on dimeadozen a little while ago that's pretty hot too. Awesome band. Punk-jazz-klezmer. ------------- http://www.progreviews.com/">
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Posted By: Syzygy
Date Posted: June 04 2006 at 15:01
I have now been able to listen to the Zaar album several times and I'm pretty impressed. The sound is midway between Magma with Didier Lockwood and King Crimson with David Cross. Seeing that these are two of my all time favourite bands, Zaar were bound to do it for me. The opening 20 minute epic is excellent, as are several of the shorter pieces, but overall the album is a bit uneven. I felt that way about Sotos' debut though, and the follow up was brilliant, so I expect great things from Zaar in the future. ------------- 'Like so many of you I've got my doubts about how much to contribute to the already rich among us...' Robert Wyatt, Gloria Gloom |
Posted By: avestin
Date Posted: June 05 2006 at 10:16
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I haven't heard Sotos yet. How are they compared to Zaar?
------------- http://hangingsounds.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow - Hanging Sounds http://www.progarchives.com/ProgRockShopping.asp" rel="nofollow - PA Index of prog music vendors |
Posted By: Apsalar
Date Posted: June 06 2006 at 15:37
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I have Sotos's - platypus. Having not heard any of Zaar's material I cannot compair the two. Would high reconded their 'platypus' album. For influences; I find the most prominent being Univers Zero with touches Magma. They build up some very beautiful dark atomspheres. 'Wu' the epic upon the album is stunning, very complex and evocative showing some outstanding musicanship. Hope this helps... in short the albums is worth getting! |