Discussing "Symphonic" Rock; suggestions.

micky wrote: bhikkhu wrote:     You are on the right track my brother. If you are into TfTO (one of my new passions), then you are ready for just about anything. For Genesis, I believe "Foxtrot" is a must. You may want to explore more KIng Crimson. The John Wetton era is fantastic ("Lark's Tounge in Aspic," "Starless and Bible Black," and "Red"). I will agree with Ghost Rider, and also suggest Transatlantic. I love both albums. You also may be interested in Marillion's first four albums. Their direction changed with the loss of Fish, and I don't care much for it. I also highly reccomend taking up Micky's suggestion on Italian prog. He got me into it, and it is amazing. hmm... thanks for the kind words... that said, do you consider the Wetton-era King Crimson symphonic... I admit I had my hands in on the move to art-rock for them.  That era is more characteristic of a less symphonic more avant-garde  style which of course is what sort of put them on a pedestal above many of the other groups.. like Yes.. they were never content to hit a stride in a style and perfect it.. they were always...looking over the horizon so to speak IMO.  Those albums are essential.. but if he is truly looking for only symphonic... he should look elsewhere... like Transatlantic hahah

    
Strange, I thought I had already posted this, but I looked, and it was not here.

Anyway, You are correct Micky. The KC was more of an expanding the boundaries suggestion. I figured since he took to TfTO so quickly, he could handle a lot of different things. However, we should wait a while before subjecting himto Magma.

I shall say it again: Gotic - Escenes

Very much like early Camel and likely to be your thing.

The Italian bands also are excellent.  Alphataurus is my favourite, but that's the least symphonic out of the bands I have heard.

Also, I would jump straight in with Willow's Storm Season, as it's rather more neo/prog metal sounding than symphonic.  I suggest trying Sacrament by White Willow first of all.


Edited by Geck0 - July 09 2006 at 11:17

micky wrote: Penumbra wrote: Then again, it took me several listens to really love Tales from Topographic Oceans. Now I am attached to it. :) you're a good man... once you proclaim it as one of the great albums of prog... we'll induct you into our secret little society.  Not much too it... you have to play TFTO once a week, pledge to play it through headphones to any children you have in the future, and we meet once a week and get hammered and tell old war stories...

I'm glad everyone's so enthusiastic about initiating me here! :)

You did not scare me by mentioning "Magma". What is their music like; completely experimental or very ODD or something? I'll listen to anything :D

I am in love with PFM and Harmonia! I will go for Camel today.. hehe.

Penumbra wrote: I'm glad everyone's so enthusiastic about initiating me here! :) You did not scare me by mentioning "Magma". What is their music like; completely experimental or very ODD or something? I'll listen to anything :D I am in love with PFM and Harmonia! I will go for Camel today.. hehe.

Magma -> french progressive fusion.... lyrics are sung in Kobaian.. a mixture of French, German, and total nonsense hahah.  Early albums were rather jazzy.. the later albums full blown  progressive  with everything from jazz, opera, classical, electronica mixed in.  The cream of the crop  of French musicians seem to pass through that group.  HIGHLY HIGHLY recommended.. we have some guys who REALLY know Magma much better than me.  IF interested check with them. I'd start simple if you have any jazz leaning.. the debut.. Kobaia.  Remember there are samples available here under each group on the front page...



You'll find most everyone on the site very helpfull, we love this stuff.. and nothing is better than sharing/passing on that love so to speak...

Ah, I have finally been able to find The Snow Goose album! I love it to death. The way it is strung together reminds me of something less than "Thick as a Brick" and "Passion Play", but more than "Dark Side of the Moon". By this I mean, TaaB and APP by Jethro Tull both appear to follow a common storyline, albeit sort of ambiguous. DSotM, on the other hand, follows a concept of madness-causing things in life, yet each song is seperate from the others.

The Snow Goose reminds me of what I call "Wordless Opera". This is like Tchaikovsky's and Mozart's overtures to stories in Operas. It all moves together, like a continuing storyline; truly great.

Well, I am glad to say that my playlist now encompasses all of this music (I narrowed it down to  mostly particular songs that I like as my playlist, not entirely albums): Songs are in quotations.

Yes: Tales from Topographic Oceans, Close to the Edge, Relayer, The Yes Album and Fragile. "Going for the One", "Cinema", and "Awaken" thrown in 'cause I love them.

King Crimson: Red and In the Court of the Crimson King.

Pink Floyd: "A Saucerful of Secrets", "Atom Heart Mother", Dark Side of the Moon, Wish You Were Here, Animals and Meddle.

Emerson, Lake, and Palmer: Brain Salad Surgery and Tarkus.

Rush: I've found Moving Pictures, Hemispheres, A Farewell to Kings, Caress of Steel, 2112 and Permanent Waves! These albums are truly amazing and awesome. :)

Genesis: Foxtrot, Selling England by the Pound, Trespass, Nursery Cryme.

Camel: The Snow Goose.

Harmonium: If We Had A Fifth Season.

Focus: Hamburger Concerto.

Jethro Tull: A Passion Play, Thick as a Brick.

Premiata Forneria Marconi: Per Un Amico.

Random Songs: "Jordrok", by Anglagard.
                      "Miragem" by Bacamarte.
                      "Aurora Borealis" by Pelican.

Any more suggestions? By the amount of Italian Symphonic names I have been given, it seems I should move into that area.

Well, all the obvious have been mentioned, here some good Symphonic recommendations besides Yes, Genesis, ELP and similar:

Edited by Ivan_Melgar_M - July 13 2006 at 02:44