Progawards 2009: The Winners

I haven't heard any of these albums... 'Most Obscure ProgAwards 2009?'

micky wrote: is nice to see a list that isn't populated (polluted) with 'popular' yet 2nd rate crap like Porcupine Tree.

Raff wrote: Now, if I can get things back on track a bit, what I find somewhat distasteful is that people have immediately started making derogatory remarks about the winners and the initiative in general - especially when one of our members was involved in the process. Even if I don't particularly agree with the choices, at least I am familiar with part of those albums (and a good deal of the other nominations as well), and expressed my disagreement on the basis of what I knew. Bashing a bunch of albums one has not even even heard sounds prejudiced at the very least.

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You kniw it's your bloody fault as usual, dont you? 

Raff wrote: About Sophya Baccini: the album is much better than the MySpace samples, but still it might not be what really floats your boat, Greg. She is potentially a very good vocalist, but sometimes overdoes things, and this is when people start finding her annoying.

bah...  what would Italian music be without overdoing it just a bit...

I really enjoyed the album myself..  and that isn't exactly my style of music.  I like a little teeth in the music.. but what is good is good..  even if it isn't exactly what you'd reach for first on the shelves.

A problem I found with Kotebel's earlier albums too.  in 2006, before I got Omphalos I had streamed the samples from the official page, including their one full available track "Mercury Pentacle" which I just loved.  The album was somewhat better just listening to the excerpts since it does feel long-winded and noodly.  Nevertheless, I'd like people to check out this full track (it mesmerized me and showed such great promise): http://www.kotebel.com/omphalos.htm  Not to have such a lovely operatic vocalist on board is a shame.  Speaking of operatic, I checked out  the Jury's Special Prize: Sophya Baccini "Aradìa" - MySpace, and despite my penchant for operatic vocals and music that incoprporates "classical" (to use the term loosely), I was underwhelmed with the music and even the vocals didn't quite do it for me.  I get the feeling that even though they may have gone for various lesser-known names, the jury is fairly mainstream-oriented and play it safe (the music choices I've heard have not been terribly progressive/ experimental/ out there).

I'm looking at the site to try to find out exactly how the selection process worked (I hope it was a fair process).


Edited by Logan - February 28 2010 at 14:31

I'd already heard the mypace samples of several of them.  Kotebel's Omphalos is an album I very much liked (though it felt a bit too busy, and compositionally manufactured to me in an inorganic way, but Prieto's vocals helped to elevate an accomplished work).  The newest lacks those vocals that made Omphalos special to me.

In the Best Progattitudes category, several albums were nominees that I really like, particularly Miriodor's Avanti, but I also like Present's and Aranis' (though this Aranis hasn't had nearly the impact on me as the first two albums). The winner of that category isn't bad, but I personally wouldn't put it at the same musical level as, say, Miriodor's.  Course it's largely a matter of taste.  This is their winner Outopsya "Sum" - MySpace  Mind you, I'm a fan of Miriodor (as well as Aranis and Present even if neither of these albums by Aranis or Present do I find these particularly satisfying albums by them).  It's really disappointment based on my tastes.  Outopsa's is not a style that appeals so much (and frankly, I find both compositionally and in terms of the musicianship, it leaves a little something to be desired).

Yeah, bashing them without hearing them could be bashing something which might turn out to be your favorite new album.  

Easy Livin wrote: micky wrote: sure thing Bob...   didn't realize in today's PA's that offering an opinion on their music . on a musical forum was being disrespectful.   Perhaps we should just post offensive pictures of scantily clad women and offend potential women who visit the site.  We do want to be respectful.  I can dig that.  Sorry Micky, I mistakingly assumed that a long established member such as yourself would know it was not about your opinion, but about the way you expressed it. I'll make sure and explain that next time, if it comes up again in the future. You may be interested to learn that posts such as that are usually reported to us.

hahha...  It then wouldn't surprise me that in addition to having the forum record for hidden posts..for deleted posts...  that I probably have the record for reported posts. 

Don't think I don't know that I've always probably been a pain in you alls asses

Tony R wrote: Windhawk wrote: Oh, and I agree with Mickey that Porcupine, at least in 2009, didn't offer up a release that merited an award (except possibly for recording - it was one of many with stellar mix and production). So we can safely say that it's well executed even if it is 2nd rate crap...I must have a different definition of crap..

oh hell yeah....  I love well produced crap... nothing sucks more than poorly produced crap.

and yeah....  you got ahold of the PT lovers version of the great book of words and their meanings..

on page one it has a forward by Steven Wilson..

 thou shalt find no fault in Steven Wilson or any of his music

  You know I like PT... but have not liked or thought the current trend in their music is all that progressive.. or to be honest.. simply that good.

micky wrote: sure thing Bob...   didn't realize in today's PA's that offering an opinion on their music . on a musical forum was being disrespectful.   Perhaps we should just post offensive pictures of scantily clad women and offend potential women who visit the site.  We do want to be respectful.  I can dig that.

Well then I might start a thread about how much bullsh*t RPI is....