Interractive Poll #? - Oldies rocking goldies

Lewian:  Comsat Angels “Psychedelic Dungeon”  Looking forward to this one, with the name.  Definitely a psychedelic, raga-like beginning.  This one has an almost garage-y edge to it, like Love when they were moving from their garage roots into psychedelia.  I like the whole feel to this, it’s a more “traditional,” song than I’m used to hearing from you, or am I just getting more used to your picks?  Either way, yes. 

Shadowyzard:  Ajda Pekkan “Ben Yanmisim”  All the Turkish stuff you post is so different than what I think of as Turkish music, obviously this is modern pop, but with a Turkish twist.  This one has a female singer, I find the combination of styles very intriguing, as you can hear the vestiges of the more traditional Turkish style.  I like this one.  Poetic Assassin “Inverti In Darkness”  Now this one, I might have voted for, in the April Fool’s poll.  The guy’s deadpan delivery is quite funny to me, although a bit less time would have made the point.

JD:  Since you stated you were changing your selections on better understanding of the poll theme, I will skip your first entries. 

Logan:  David Bowie “Dollar Days”  This of course, is very moving, especially given the circumstances of the recording.  Eloquently sung, beautiful production, understated orchestration.  The double meaning of the “dying to,” and “dying too,” lyrics are just the kind of thing that speaks deeply to me.  Lovely sax solo as well.  Song ends with a drumbeat (heartbeat), fading out. I actually haven’t heard the recording, even though it was much mentioned at the time, so thank you for making me stop and take a listen.

Hiram:  Queen “Innuendo”  Here we have the irrepressible Freddy Mercury and his ace bandmates with a  metally/prog/rock anthem.   Nice change of pace about halfway in where they slow it down and then trasition into a  flamenco burst of guitars and handclaps, becoming operatic in tone and then back to the full on electric band.  The Fall “Mountain Energei”  Drums and bass lead in to a punkish Velvet Underground sort of feel all around.  This song appears to have many levels of ways you could perceive the lyrics, some literal and pop culture references are in it, along with plenty of disdain for society.  Live version.  Interesting 2 mic technique, don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone use two at once, although I have seen people play 2 recorders at once, and even with their nose, lol (not laughing at the band here).  There is a sense of detachment, even as the intensity builds in the piece, as there is with this sort of band. 

I prophesy disaster:  Van der Graaf Generator “Mr Sands”  Starting off with wiggly vocals and keyboards, drums, all come in stronger as the wiggly vocals subside.  Snappy sort of rhythm and sing-songy vocals, not quite monotone, but close.  The rhythms shift about quite a bit, from more rapid to slower and sort of swinging along, ebbs and flows along in waves and decreases and intensities.  Another from VDGG with “Manuelle”  This one comes in with guitar meanderings (maybe some sax or brassy keys?) and cymbal crashes, more interesting to my ear, for the start than the first one.  Some strong organ hits come in with a steadier beat and now it definitely sounds like sax joining in there, with the guitar and keyboards.  We enter a more funky realm with sax and drums to the fore about halfway in, accompanied with some wailing guitar.   The general trend continues with the sax becoming more doubled in sound, along with odd organ chords thrown in here and there.  Fuzzy lead guitar comes to the fore with the organ towards the end.  And back to sax and blips on guitar and organ, the sax gets the final say at the end.

JD:  Peter Gabriel “No Way Out”  Love Peter Gabriel, this is a recording I never really heard, however.  Wangly guitar starts the piece and steady drumbeats with some keyboard/organ hits.  His beautifully expressive voice describes a scene of potential death of someone he knows.  Ends with plenty of crashy percussion and keyboards.  Very moving, especially if you’ve attended the passing of a person.  This is just fantastic, I will probably have to get this recording.  Thank you!  King Crimson “Elektrik”  Another band that I’ve loved through every incarnation.  Begins with keys/flutes then crashes into wriggly guitar intermingled with blats of other guitar.  Some spooky kind of voices come in here and there, buried way way back.  Builds wonderfully in intensity with violin-y effects on guitar.  Then the patterns shift and there is a heavier sound overall.  The sonic assault continues with a reprise of the original quiet keys/flutes passage.  Can’t vote for it, since I know it, but dang, are they ever spectacular.  PFM “Dracula Opera Rock -07- Ho Mangiato Gli Uccelli”  Starts with some pretty ominous plinks and orchestral hits and discordant keys, jumpy organ and counterpoint effected guitar.  Strident voiced male vocalist, not sure of lyrics, because of language.  I did once have a PFM LP, long ago when so much of this was being imported to the US, back in the 70’s, this was not that, obviously.  This does sound much like how I remember them.  Definite operatic/cinematic feel to this, as the title suggest.  Ends as ominously as it begins.  Joe Jackson “Fool”  Now I am late to the Joe Jackson party, but was turned on to “Heaven and Hell,” which I just love.  This one begins with repeating guitar notes, drums Joe singing in a staccato way.  Some sitar-guitar here, too?  Or could be just an effect.  I have always liked the idea of The Fool who can speak truth to power.  He sings a kind of childhood singsong tune as one of the repeated choruses.  I picture a demented royal court kind of scene to this.  Fantastic playing, instrumentally.  Robert Plant “Calling To You”  Starts with sparkly guitars and then wastes no time in hitting hard with full band kicking in, Robert Plant, another famously emotive singer, comes in strong with lots of embellishments added to his voice.  Lots of heavy orchestration to this piece, very oriental in feel, with shivery violin sounds (but may be guitar effects, not sure), as the piece comes to a fade.    Steve Hackett “Omega Metallicus”  Bass note then some whangy guitar sounds, with drums and a sort of Woody Woodpecker laugh, as more “straight,” guitar comes blazing in.  This reminds me more of a jam sort of thing going on, definitely some ace guitar showmanship, with lots of fooling about and whing-whangs, but not as structured as I expect from Hackett. (sorry about the shift in formatting, happens sometimes here).