Symphonic vs Eclectic.

Epignosis wrote: Zargus wrote: Epignosis wrote: Logan wrote: What are your favourite bands in Eclectic, Robert? I hate Eclectic prog.  I don't even know why I'm on the team.  Joking aside...I do love Gentle Giant- I've rated several of their albums with five stars. I also like King Crimson (in my opinion, this is the definitive Eclectic band), but I've never rated one of their albums a five. Van der Graaf Generator...meh...I have to be in the mood, and even then, I only like a few albums. As far as other bands go, I love The Gourishankar and The Tangent. I also just got the new SBB (my first experience with that group), and I really enjoy it. Been whondering alot of times myself why you are in the eclectic team when you dont even seem to like most eclectic stuff. You seem to be much more of a symphonic guy... This is true, but my preferences don't disable me from, for example, judging whether or not an artist belongs in the Eclectic prog category.

You're a good member of the team, and I might re-join it at some time.  It's a difficult category.  Sometimes things just shout out Eclectic, but often it's a very analytical process.  The evaluation process is always interesting and, indeed, one doesn't need to like the music to recognise the qualities that make something suitable for Eclectic.  Since it's such a mixed bag by its very nature, a team member is bound to be exposed to much music that doesn't appeal, but that does not influence whether we think something fits even if we're not enthusiastic about the job.  Okay, maybe it can somewhat, but that's why there are teams -- each person bringing his/her own perspectives.

Zargus, Rico tends to choose people who had a good general knowledge of Prog since one should be quite familiar with all of the categories since it's about music that combines various Prog styles without being dominated by any one of them.  When I joined, it was known that I was most into the "avant" side of things, but what's been great about the team is that we are varied in musical tastes, even if they intersect, so each could bring more specialised knowledge and outlook.

Oh yes, I knew you liked The Tangent, I forgot.  I was impressed with their live performances, and realised that it was the production that hadn't appealed to me.

King Crimson is king of PA, methinks.  It's my favourite of the representatives, and Larks' Tongues in Aspic ranks amongst my favourite albums in PA.  Somehow Bubu's Anabelas came closest to being my Eclectic album yardstick, but being Eclectic I guess there is no particularly definitive album.  I still have some problems with Hammill's vocals at times (still love VdGG), and GG, though my favourite some years ago has palled for me over time.  My favourites include Emmanuael Booz, Jean-Paul Prat, Kultivator, Gnidrolog, Ma Banlieue Flasque, and Jean-Pierre Alarcen.


Edited by Logan - September 17 2009 at 16:06

Zargus wrote: Epignosis wrote: Logan wrote: What are your favourite bands in Eclectic, Robert? I hate Eclectic prog.  I don't even know why I'm on the team.  Joking aside...I do love Gentle Giant- I've rated several of their albums with five stars. I also like King Crimson (in my opinion, this is the definitive Eclectic band), but I've never rated one of their albums a five. Van der Graaf Generator...meh...I have to be in the mood, and even then, I only like a few albums. As far as other bands go, I love The Gourishankar and The Tangent. I also just got the new SBB (my first experience with that group), and I really enjoy it. Been whondering alot of times myself why you are in the eclectic team when you dont even seem to like most eclectic stuff. You seem to be much more of a symphonic guy...

This is true, but my preferences don't disable me from, for example, judging whether or not an artist belongs in the Eclectic prog category.

Logan wrote: What are your favourite bands in Eclectic, Robert?

I hate Eclectic prog.  I don't even know why I'm on the team. 

Joking aside...I do love Gentle Giant- I've rated several of their albums with five stars.

I also like King Crimson (in my opinion, this is the definitive Eclectic band), but I've never rated one of their albums a five.

Van der Graaf Generator...meh...I have to be in the mood, and even then, I only like a few albums.

As far as other bands go, I love The Gourishankar and The Tangent.

I also just got the new SBB (my first experience with that group), and I really enjoy it.

What are your favourite bands in Eclectic, Robert?

Eclectic for sure.