I Recommend...

Too much Avantgarde can damage your brain

Edited by avestin - July 02 2006 at 09:38

^^^

Edited by avestin - July 02 2006 at 00:52

Anyone who is a fan of latter day Porcupine Tree but who has not heard their earlier albums here's what I recommend:

I would like to recommend following little known band - Les Projectionnistes. They are mixing jazz-rock with avant-garde elements. The only their album I have "Copie Zero" is a superb listen and a must for RIO/avant/Jazz-rock lovers.

Edited by eugene - June 30 2006 at 17:58

I would like to recommend the band Nosound To all those lovers of early Porcupine Tree and No-Man.

The deubt album is entitled Sol29



Track listing

1. In the white air (6:57)
2. Wearing lies on your lips (4:20)
3. The child's game (2:46)
4. The moment she knew (9:38)
5. Waves of time (2:07)
6. Overloaded (6:13)
7. The broken parts (6:24)
8. Idle End (9:43)
9. Hope For The Future (5:57)
10. Sol29 (10:01)


Just a few quotes that might interest people

"...This is very good material, and I think you are going in the right direction
for sure - I would certainly retain as much control as possible by continuing
to do as much as possible yourself, at least until your "vision" is defined..."

Steven Wilson of Porcupine Tree

&

"Out of all the Porcupine Tree and No-Man influenced work we've received at
Burning Shed, Giancarlo Erra's Nosound project is very probably the best.
Displaying musical sensitivity along with some haunting melodies,
interesting chord sequences and expressive guitar solos, his music shows
genuine potential."

Tim Bowness of No-Man

Visit http://www.seaoftranquility.org/reviews.php?op=showcontent&id=3498 for an in depth review of the album.

Here are some links concerning the band:

www.nosound.net/ Offical website where you can listen to some of the music and read up on many reviews

www.myspace.com/nosoundnet Their MySpace page, where you can sample 4 songs.

A nice website about progressive music in different countries and parts of the world and also by genres etc. with reviews:

Edited by avestin - June 27 2006 at 03:29

Now getting on with business, my next recommendation.

I would like to recommend John Zorn - Taboo And Exile (Music Romance Volume II).

A lot of people seemingly have not heard his material other than what he did with Naked City. With a massive catalogue, it is really hard to know where to start. For me this I think this would be a great place begin, hence why I am recommending this album.   

I'm to lazy at the momemt to go searching for another reivew, so you are going to have to put up with mine


“Taboo and Exile (Music Romance Volume II)” is the second addition to the “Music Romance” series. The series themes focus around the issue of lost innocence. For those who have not heard the first album “Music for the Children (Music Romance Volume I)” makes direct references to childhood experiences; expressing the ideas firmly and clearly alongside extensive linear notes. Volume II touches upon more sinister concepts than childhood, giving the album an overall dark atmosphere. In comparison to volume I this album takes a more cryptic notation. In the front spread of the booklet there is a picture of a half naked girl; depicting the thin line between the grasps we have upon the innocence in our lives. There is only one quote accompanying the album, which reads as follows:

“A white room with white curtains hides the face of a sleeping child, barely a child, barely asleep, leaving nothing but an image, the sky’s double, to discover one’s innocence.”

I find it important to discuss the meanings behind this album before touching upon the musical aspects. “Taboo and Exile (Music Romance Volume II)” becomes a far more personal affair in comparison to the first volume; not to mention most of his other works. Due to the lack of linear notes we are left to use our own imagination to devise meanings behind the songs. I hold the album close to me for the reason of personal context I have development over the numerous listenings.

Now to describe the music:

“In The Temple of Hadajarim” sets the dark mood right from the start, beginning with a hypnotic percussion loop accompanied by lust strings. As the piece Evolves Jamie Safts’ piano takes charge of the song, taking us on a jazzy journey. This is a beautifully dark and compelling song, setting up the perfect reflective mood for the rest of the album to come.

The tranquil mood is broken into shardes as the first notes of “Sacrifist” pound through the speakers. The drumming plays a large feature in this song, as they do in the rest of the album. You could easily classify this piece as metal, drawing close influences from the heavier side of King Crimson. Fred Frith and Marc Ribot grace us with some amazingly frantic guitar work, displaying their astounding technical skills in both improv and structured surroundings.

“Mayim” takes us through a complex interplay between the violin, cello and bass. At times we are lulled into an enticing sense of security only to be quickly confronted by a restless desperation. Throughout; the Dark atmosphere is built up in a theocratical way forming a certain urgency prevailing over the piece. It is during performances like this I can comprehend the acclimations for the violin being the devils instrument.

With “Koryojang” we are confronted once again with hypnotic drumming. The song creates almost an earthy atmosphere somewhat similar to the calmness after a storm. Subconsciously as the song evolves, ambient background noises weave there way into the song producing a trance like effect. For me this song has its roots in deeply within Darkwave; every time I listen to this song it reminds me of “Arcana’s – Le Serpent Rouge”.

“Bulls Eye” is a short interlude piece which unfortunately sticks out like a sore thumb. The song sounds much like a ‘70s punk band accompanied by the intense vocals of Mike Pattern. For me this track really doesn’t do anything for the album, but luckily doesn’t wreak the overall mood.

“Zeraim” is a beautiful piece which could slip nicely into Zorn's Masada works. He uses the tonal values of the violin to their fullest beauty, lacing complex melodies effortlessly with soft percussion and a gentle piano line.

For me “Thaalapalassi” acts as the centre piece of the album and without a doubt my favourite track on the album. ‘Dark’ is not a strong enough word to relate the emotions conveyed by this song, sounding very close to what some have sited as “ambient heavy metal”. This is quite an experienmental piece; starting solely with an ambient sound scape. Layering each instrument the song builds up engrossing the listen with anticipation of the nearing crescendo; not dissimilar to the technique most post-rock/metal bands take aboard. After climaxing the piece rears back into experienmental ambience, slowly fading away into nothing. With words, I cannot express the darkness presented in this song, but in ways I am reminded of Sunn o))) and King Crimsons more experimental works.

"Makkot" acts like “Zeraim’s” sister track, drawing upon many similar influences. The track has slight touches of folk and acts as a stark contrast to the terrifying “Thaalapalassi”. It posses a very Masaha-esque sound. This is not surprising looking at the line up for both for pieces - Mark Feldman on violin, Erik Friedlander on cello, and Greg Cohen on bass; also known as the “Masada String Trio.”

“A Tiki for Blue” yet again takes another turn in terms of genre. This is a very laid back piece of surf orientated music and for me personally one of the down point of the albums.

John Zorn’s only feature comes on “The Possessed”, but he sure makes his presence known. Flirting his phenomenal talents on the sax in just about every register possible. I think I am always going to be bias when it comes to discussing the master ship of his instrument, but this is truly an impressive performance.

“Oracle” is a strange almost trance like song. The base line is built up overtop a persistent percussion loop and cello. The whole monotonous feeling is added upon by the childish Japanese vocals. There are no actual lyrics but she precedes throughout the entire song to moaning the same nonsense line over and over. As unappetising as this may sound it is quite a digestible track.

“Koryojang (end credits)” finishes the album off nicely with an indigenous sounding percussion loop, slowly fanding out into nothing.

“Taboo and Exile (Music Romance Volume II)” is one of the most accessible albums I have heard by John Zorn. I would recommend this as a great starting place for those making their first step into his material. Music wise I find this album to be comparable to his Naked City works, only toning down the intensity several notches. A wide variety of genres are explored throughout the album; which is the case with nearly his whole discography. For most parts this is a breath of fresh air to main bulk of his inaccessible albums, though I would not go as far as saying this is easy listening. Hight recommended!



For those wanting further information discussing his works, you will find this site extremely informative:
www.omnology.com/zorn01.html
    

Edited by Black Velvet - June 26 2006 at 21:31

Black Velvet wrote: DreamTheater wrote: avestin wrote: DreamTheater wrote: Oh dude... I see both pages on "Metal-Archives". The first band including also "Doom Metal"... i hate it. The second band including also "Goth Metal"... i hate it too. Sorry dude.   Who are you talking to and on what subject? I talked about the first recommend ><'' Hmmm... I think there has been some mistakes here. Dream Theater, there has been a  rather confound missjudgement in the identity between the two bands state above. Each have nothing in common with the Metal bands you have likened them too. Yes there are metal bands of the same name but have nothing in common with these recommended bands. Carpe Diem. Is a very good French Symphonic Prog band. You will be able to listen to one of their tracks here on this site. Thanks eugene from introducing me to this band  http://www.progarchives.com/Progressive_rock_discography_BAND.asp?band_id=843 and Morpheus. Is a jazz fusion band from german, which I consiquently know little about. But you will able to read a little more about them here: http://www.progarchives.com/Progressive_rock_discography_BAND.asp?band_id=1318 Also this is a thread is meant for people to recommend music they love without the fear of prejudice from other forum members. And hopefully expand our views on prog as a whole. Peace

avestin wrote: DreamTheater wrote: Oh dude... I see both pages on "Metal-Archives". The first band including also "Doom Metal"... i hate it. The second band including also "Goth Metal"... i hate it too. Sorry dude.   Who are you talking to and on what subject?