Top 5 epics and why?

RaphaelT wrote: [QUOTE=NutterAlert]   1. Plague of you know who - VdGG Whom? Voldemort ? . [/QUOTE 3. Meurglys III by Van Der Graaf Generator- to start with a fugue and end with a reggae with some of the greatest jazz - rock inside and tasty lyrics - these guys are crazier than Einstein with Feynman combined

spot on, Raphael! I couldn't put it better myself

Top Five Epics

Awaken – YES at their absolute most polished and balanced
Close to the Edge – YES at their most amazing and unpredictable.
Fall of the House of Usher – ALAN PARSONS PROJECT. Orchestra moving into electronic instruments, classical mixing and giving way to rock, moods being toyed with by all! Captures all the drama and angst of the story!
Dogs— FLOYD. Amazing acoustic guitars and effects, powerful singing and message

Supper’s Ready. G … Enough said. I give in.

UNDER APPRECIATED and WORTHY OF CONSIDERATION:
Hergest Ridge – MIKE OLDFIELD. What a beautiful, seemless piece of music.
Tab in the Ocean – NEKTAR. Roy can send shivers with the best of them, song after song, album after album.
Starless – KC. What a song!
Can You Hear Me? Or Trip to the Fair – RENAISSANCE. Annie et al. must be on this list. (Tout or Camp?)
The Icon – UTOPIA. Love the interplay of the three keyboardists with Todd.
Hamburger Concerto – FOCUS. Jan, Bert, and Thijs at their best. I love the playful humor of this band!
The Romantic Warrior— RETURN TO FOREVER. Perhaps not “epic” enough but these guys can play! One of the most amazing lineup of musicians ever assembled at their very best melodically and very accessible.

Close To The Edge - Yes

I'll have a different list to my(and many others) obvious list.

1. Telegraph Road - Dire Straits (the final solo is f**king incredible)
2. Nine Feet Underground - Caravan (THE canterbury epic)
3. Lizard - King Crimson (amazing jazzy epic)
4. I am the Sun pt 1 - Flower Kings (incredible song)
5. A Passion Play pt 1 or 2 - Jethro Tull (ah, so underrated, it's a MAJESTIC epic)

Edited by cacho - June 15 2008 at 11:10

VdGG - A Plague of Lighthouse Keepers - the best epic ever!
ELP - Karn evil 9
Jethro Tull - Thick as a brick
Pink Floyd - Shine On You Crazy Diamond (Parts I - IX).
Rush - 2112

Depends on exactly what you'd consider an epic, but:

1. Lady Fantasy - Camel
I love this song. An unforgettable theme and an explosion at the end rivalled only by the opening of Schizoid Man.
2. Telegraph Road - Dire Straits
I'm probably a little biased here, since this was really the song that got me into music, but I can't fault it. Scenic opening, strong and profound lyrics, Knopfler's excellent guitar additions. Sense of direction, considerable instrumental parts. Exactly what an epic should be.
3. Take A Pebble - ELP
I think this showcases just how versatile acoustic instruments can be. Seamless shifts in mood; interesting lyrics sung superbly by Lake; beautiful piano work. I love it.
4. Shine On You Crazy Diamond - Pink Floyd
I'm sure someone else has already explained this much better than I can.
5. Les Porches Du Notre Dame - Maneige
I've recently discovered this. I'm particularly fond of the piano parts and the stunning jazzy ending. It gets better with every listen.

Supper's Ready, TAAB and The Musical Box deserve a mention, but I'm sure I've added them to plenty of favourites lists already.


Edited by TGM: Orb - January 12 2008 at 14:07

1.Dream Theater - A Change Of Seasons
2.Symphony X - The Odyssey
3.Symphony X - The Divine Wings Of Tragedy
4.Pink Floyd - Shine On You Crazy Diamond
5.King Crimson - Larks' Tongues In Aspic

"Supper's Ready" was nothing but an imitation of "A Plague of Lighthouse Keepers" (as even the members of Genesis admitted), and not even a really good one. VdGG were a lot more daring than Genesis. Not that I think that "Supper's Ready" is a bad song, but it is by far not as good as its reputation. But the majority of proggers are into symphonic, and so I am not surprised by the outcome. "A Plague of Lighthouse Keepers" is too dissonant in parts for the majority to be really appreciated.


Edited by BaldFriede - January 11 2008 at 07:25

Finally get the chance to give nrs. 11/15. My top 10 is in my profile. These are not really better or less I guess

Marillion "This Strange Engine" - There's something different about this epic from the others. There's a grittiness to it during the first 1/3 or so. Then Rothery pulls off one of his best solos. Capped off by that emotional ending.

Genesis "Supper's Ready" - Exhibiting humor and wit, at it's very essence a powerful and troubling song at times. Absolute masterpiece.

Yes "Close To The Edge" - Like a blissful dream from which you never want to awaken. Very ethereal and imaginative.

Yes "The Gates Of Delerium" - I just remember being swept up the last time I listened to Relayer. I can just as easily be taken in by a piece that showcases beautiful melodies.

Camel "The Snowgoose" - I very much consider this an epic. A piece that brings you to the brink of shedding a tear or two over it's shear beauty. A masterpiece, as well.

Transatlantic "Duel With The Devil" - Beautifully constructed. Edges out "Stranger In Your Soul" just by a hair.

Transatlantic "Stranger In Your Soul" - I love the trade off of vocals between Morse, Stolt, Trewavas and Portnoy.

Spock's Beard "The Great Nothing" - Watching Morse be driven to tears while laying down the vocals (reference The Making Of V DVD) at the end. How could you not get caught up in it and appreciate what a master he is.

Marillion "Ocean Cloud" - Wonderfully produced whilst telling a compelling story. "Grendel" doesn't even come close to this song or "This Strange Engine".

Honorable Mention:
The Flowers Kings "Stardust We Are"
Neal Morse "The Conflict"
Transatlantic "All Of The Above"
Kansas "The Pinnacle"
Rush "The Camera Eye"
Frost* "Milliontown"
Dream Theater "Octavarium"

E


Edited by E-Dub - January 04 2008 at 00:21