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avestin 
Special Collaborator 
Honorary Collaborator Joined: September 18 2005 Status: Offline Points: 12625 |
 Topic: U Totem - s/tPosted: December 31 2007 at 21:06 |
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Yes, I was expecting the same as well.
Anyway, I understand why her voice would irritate Alan (A B Negative); maybe with repeated listening it might sink in (and then again, maybe not; not everything will appeal to everyone).
By the way, there is now a U Totem DVD-r that James Brigsby is offering in his label website (Rotary Totem) - http://www.rotarytotem.com/home.html
There's also one by Motor Totemist Guild.
You'll find there the albums of both bands, and also Nimby, the latest Brigsby project.
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Logan
Forum & Site Admin Group
Site Admin Joined: April 05 2006 Location: Vancouver, BC Status: Offline Points: 35665 |
Posted: December 31 2007 at 21:02 |
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A Prog fan who doesn't like Judy Garland; sacrilege! ;)
The other thing she reminds me at times of is Shirley Bassey (think James Bond's Goldfinger). Probably not a fan of Bassey either. As for me, I gotta love her James Bond stuff. Some terrific vocal arrangements to boot. It's interesting, because I expect far more people would have a problem with the music than the vocals. |
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A B Negative
Forum Senior Member 
Joined: May 02 2006 Location: Methil Republic Status: Offline Points: 1594 |
Posted: December 31 2007 at 15:33 |
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I'm not a fan of Judy Garland or Dagmar Krause so Emily Hay's voice doesn't appeal to me. It's a shame because I really enjoy the instrumental sections.
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"The disgusting stink of a too-loud electric guitar.... Now, that's my idea of a good time."
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avestin
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator Joined: September 18 2005 Status: Offline Points: 12625 |
Posted: December 31 2007 at 15:25 |
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Me too, it's part of the charm of this album for me. Emily Hay has this way to twist her voice and sing in different ways and amidst all that there is her special way of singing (One Nail Draws Another chorus).
If I had more musical background in theory and history of music, I'd write an essay about this album. I'll leave it to the experts (if any is interested).
Edited by avestin - December 31 2007 at 15:26 |
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Logan
Forum & Site Admin Group
Site Admin Joined: April 05 2006 Location: Vancouver, BC Status: Offline Points: 35665 |
Posted: December 31 2007 at 15:15 |
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I love the singing. Emily Hay reminds me a bit of Judy Garland singing Somewhere Over the Rainbow" at times (in "One Nail Draws Another" and the male has a terrific voice in that song). I like that musical quality, but then, I enjoy musicals. In Strange Attractors, it can be reminiscent of Daghmar Krause.
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A B Negative
Forum Senior Member
Joined: May 02 2006 Location: Methil Republic Status: Offline Points: 1594 |
Posted: December 31 2007 at 15:05 |
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The music's good but I really don't like the singing. |
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"The disgusting stink of a too-loud electric guitar.... Now, that's my idea of a good time."
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avestin
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator Joined: September 18 2005 Status: Offline Points: 12625 |
Posted: December 30 2007 at 19:23 |
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I have a problem giving albums a five star rating (and there are a few minor things I don't like about it, so... but still). But this is indeed one album that deserves it.
A sublime album! Get it, get it, get it!
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Bj-1
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator Joined: June 04 2005 Location: No(r)Way Status: Offline Points: 31274 |
Posted: December 30 2007 at 19:18 |
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Indeed it does
 Essential = 5 stars on PA
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RIO/AVANT/ZEUHL - The best thing you can get with yer pants on!
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Logan
Forum & Site Admin Group
Site Admin Joined: April 05 2006 Location: Vancouver, BC Status: Offline Points: 35665 |
Posted: December 30 2007 at 18:58 |
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Both U Totem albums are brilliant, but I have a particular thing for the debut -- it's beyond good; it's sublime. I actually waited too long before I got the album, I had it in my head that US progressive music was less of a priority than other countries. That and the name is just so reminiscent of Universal Totem Orchestra (and Runaway Totem to a lesser extent). I actually like U Totem even more than 5UU's and Motor Totemists Guild (which are both excellent). What a super group.
I hadn't noticed this thread before when I bumped an older U Totem thread, but having recently acquired the excellent Strange Attractors, I wanted to bump this too. Just to add the other reviews from this site...
U TOTEM — U Totem Review by sinkadotentree (john davie) Prog Reviewer
Posted Monday, October 29, 2007, 23:23 EST
U TOTEM — U Totem
Review by Sean Trane (Hugues Chantraine) Special Collaborator Prog-Folk Specialist
Posted Friday, May 25, 2007, 04:35 EST 
RIO/Avant-Prog
(Studio Album, 1994) Avg: 3.75/5 from 2 ratings
U TOTEM — Strange Attractors
Review by progadicto (Ivan Avila)
RIO/Avant-Prog
(Studio Album, 1990) Avg: 4.06/5 from 11 ratings Review by Cappa
Posted Wednesday, September 01, 2004
vidalaac@terr
Excelente RIO (Rock In Oposition) band, following the likes of the
British prog rockers Henry Cow. This is their first album and an
impressive one at that, recomende for anyone interested in progressive
rock at its best.Posted Saturday, April 24, 2004
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A B Negative
Forum Senior Member
Joined: May 02 2006 Location: Methil Republic Status: Offline Points: 1594 |
Posted: October 29 2007 at 07:08 |
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I've ordered the CD on the strength of this review, can't wait to hear it!
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"The disgusting stink of a too-loud electric guitar.... Now, that's my idea of a good time."
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oddentity
Forum Senior Member
Joined: June 28 2005 Status: Offline Points: 248 |
Posted: October 29 2007 at 04:18 |
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I agree this is a great album. One Nail Draws Another has to be one of the best progressive rock songs ever composed. Beautiful, complex, rich playing from all concerned.
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Apsalar
Forum Senior Member
Joined: June 06 2006 Location: gansu Status: Offline Points: 2888 |
Posted: October 29 2007 at 00:02 |
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An oxymoron, perchance... wisely foolish? ;) Any chance a sample might be heading in my general direction? .... ingenious cover, by the way, does it come in vinyl? Edited by Black Velvet - October 29 2007 at 00:09 |
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avestin
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator Joined: September 18 2005 Status: Offline Points: 12625 |
Posted: October 28 2007 at 18:02 |
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No way you're a fool, you're like a walking encyclopedia of all things experimental... One album doesn't take that away from you.
That is very annoying! I have a similar situation right now with two albums I ordered.
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honganji
Forum Senior Member
Joined: September 21 2005 Status: Offline Points: 571 |
Posted: October 28 2007 at 17:58 |
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怒!!!
 !!!!
Though I ordered it at HMV Japan on September 24, it doesn't arrive to me, yet!!!! So I can't hear the masterpiece!
 Do I have to cancel it, and should reorder at other shop....? I'll wait till November 1. |
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Apsalar
Forum Senior Member
Joined: June 06 2006 Location: gansu Status: Offline Points: 2888 |
Posted: October 28 2007 at 17:43 |
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I must confess I still have not heard this album, I feel quite the fool
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Sckxyss
Forum Senior Member
Joined: May 05 2007 Location: Canada Status: Offline Points: 1319 |
Posted: October 28 2007 at 17:33 |
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Why did you not give this 5 stars?! I didn't note a single scrape of negativity in that review. Even if it did only deserve 4.5-4,9, that still rounds up to 5
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avestin
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator Joined: September 18 2005 Status: Offline Points: 12625 |
Posted: October 28 2007 at 17:08 |
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Excellent suggestion.
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Rocktopus
Forum Senior Member
Joined: March 02 2006 Location: Norway Status: Offline Points: 4202 |
Posted: October 28 2007 at 16:12 |
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I love all the different Totem bands. Everyone into this must check out Non Credo starting Happy Wretched Family.
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Over land and under ashes
In the sunlight, see - it flashes Find a fly and eat his eye But don't believe in me Don't believe in me Don't believe in me |
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avestin
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator Joined: September 18 2005 Status: Offline Points: 12625 |
Posted: October 28 2007 at 16:02 |
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If you like this album, may I suggest Motor Totemist Guild's City Of Mirrors? It is not the same thing, but has very much a similar sound and maintains the use of 20th century classical music (which is part of what MTG brought to the U Totem album I presume as I hear this influence of theirs quite heavily in U Totem).
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Bj-1
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator Joined: June 04 2005 Location: No(r)Way Status: Offline Points: 31274 |
Posted: October 28 2007 at 13:18 |
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Great, great album! I haven't got time to listen to it more than a few times though, but based on these listening I can safely say that it's excellent!
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RIO/AVANT/ZEUHL - The best thing you can get with yer pants on!
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U Totem - s/t
Topic Options
Logan wrote:
A Revelation. 
I admit i had a tough time with this one.Maybe i shouldn't have been
too surprised as i'm not a big fan of the 5UU's either.This band is a
combination of the 5UU's and MOTOR TOTEMIST GUILD.I hate to say
anything negative about it when it's held in such high esteem by most
who have heard it. "One Nail Draw's Another" opens with various sounds
with no real melody until after a minute.Drums,female vocals and sax
provide that melody with piano joining in.Dissonant sounds before the
song kicks in with about a minute of heaviness before various sounds
come and go.Some cool vocal arrangements 5 1/2 minutes in,with lots of
piano 3 minutes later.Those vocal arrangements are back 10 minutes
in.I'm not a fan of the female vocals after 11 1/2 minutes as various
sounds end it. "Two Looks At One End" opens with an uptempo melody with
vocals,that comes back later on.The rest is slower paced with different
instrumental sounds coming and going. "Dance Of The Awkward" is an
instrumental with piano,drums and flute leading the way.Horns late.
"Both Your Houses" features female vocals,vibraphone,percussion and
horns.Someone is screaming as the male vocals sound so smooth.The
drumming by Kerman is great later on.Mournful flute ends this my
favourite song off of this album.Meaningful lyrics in this one as well.
"Yellow Umbrella Gallery" has different people taking turns speaking as
various instruments are played. "The Judas Goat" is a 10 minute track
that opens with flute and horns.It kicks in before 1 1/2 minutes.Female
vocals 3 minutes in with drums and piano.The song continues along
without vocals until 7 1/2 minutes when they return with some strange
sounds.A full sound follows becoming quite heavy.Nice. "Vagabonds Home"
features many tempo changes with many sounds coming and going.Female
vocals before 5 minutes.A solo flute melody 7 1/2 minutes in.The song
starts to come to life 9 minutes in.Vibraphone,drums and the return of
vocals create this life.A nice melody follows.Strange sounds to end it.
Obviously the playing is excellent,but what they have created is only
good in my opinion. 3.5 stars. 
Do I have to cancel it, and should reorder at other shop....? I'll wait till November 1.