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TheLamb 
Forum Senior Member
Joined: November 18 2005
Location: Israel
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Points: 416
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 Topic: Sleepytime Gorilla Museum?
Posted: June 17 2007 at 08:50 |
I have never heard much avant prog, so I thought I would listen to some avant prog samples on prog archives, and Sleepytime Gorilla Musem's sample song was amazing IMO, so I got their album "Of Natural History" and I was wondering what is the public's opinion about this band... What do you think about them?... I must admit I find "Of Natural History" a handful... very much so, Im not used to this kind of music, it is hard to handle, although it does have amazing moments....
Opinions about Sleepytime Gorilla Museum? Other Things you think a avant prog newbie like me should know?
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Bj-1
Special Collaborator
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Joined: June 04 2005
Location: No(r)Way
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Posted: June 17 2007 at 09:10 |
Brilliant band. Their whole studio discography is excellent! Of Natural History is their best one, but their two others are highly recommended as well.
BTW, If you want another challenge, check out Mr. Bungle's Disco Volante.
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RIO/AVANT/ZEUHL - The best thing you can get with yer pants on!
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Badabec
Forum Senior Member
Joined: November 14 2005
Location: Germany
Status: Offline
Points: 1313
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Posted: June 17 2007 at 09:13 |
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Well, a friend of mine is heavily into this stuff, I do not know all the bands he listens to, but it's stuff like Idiot Flesh and Sleepy Time Gorilla Museum.
We often listen to it when I visit him and the first time I listened to
that stuff I could not really take it up but the oftener I listened to
it the more I liked it. I would not say I am in that stuff, but I hope
I will get into it soon. It is excellent music, but it is very stodgy.
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Mesmo a tristeza da gente era mais bela
E além disso se via da janela
Um cantinho de céu e o Redentor
- Antônio Carlos Jobim, Toquinho & Vinícius de Moraes - Carta ao Tom 74
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Prognancy
Forum Newbie
Joined: October 17 2006
Location: Germany
Status: Offline
Points: 36
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Posted: June 17 2007 at 09:50 |
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Sleepytime Gorilla Museum are one of these amazing one of a -kind bands whose music is surely not easily digestible but very rewarding if you take your time. I love their new output "In Glorious Times" which is now on heavy rotation on my stereo system. And I have yet to discover their other albums. Actually there is a lot to discover in their music, even after dozens and hundreds of times of listening to it. It is not simply music, it is an experience. Yeah, I want to see one of their live shows in Germany!
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Odd-Time-Signature
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blazno
Forum Senior Member
Joined: March 13 2006
Location: Slovenia
Status: Offline
Points: 218
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Posted: June 17 2007 at 10:44 |
SGM are an amazing band, every album they have is brilliant!!! Not an easy listen at first but after a few spins music becomes more and more locigal(   ) and enjoyable. Saw them live two months ago... well, absoulutly amazing, probably the best show I ever saw! You have to see to believe what this guys (and a girl) are all about: it's not only the music but the overall concept...it's a SGM-cabaret  !!!!! Defenatly one of my favourite bands!!! If you like SGM try also Discus, Mr Bungle, Miladojka Youneed. Also can't go wrong with the classics like Henry Cow, Samla Mammas Manna, Frank Zappa, John Zorn if you want to get know avant-prog/RIO subgenre.
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Ghandi 2
Forum Senior Member
Joined: February 17 2006
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 1494
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Posted: June 17 2007 at 13:42 |
Yes, they are great. Considering that Of Natural History is only beaten by Hot Rats and Grand Wazoo by Frank Zappa in the avant category, I'd say they're pretty popular (especially for an avant group and since Hot Rats and Grand Wazoo aren't even avant)--although of course many other albums have a higher average, but they have less than 35 reviews.
There's lots to discover in avant, but if you're looking for stuff in a similar vein to SGM (although by no means derivative!), you might like Pop Tari and Chocolate Synthesizer by Boredoms and In Extremis by Thinking Plauge. I am very fond of Hella, too. I honestly can't recommend Mr Bungle because I don't think smashing together genres while still remaining firmly within the confines of the genres is very interesting, but a lot of people like them. It's your decision. Also, Samla Mammas Manna and Henry Cow are obligatory RIO mentions, although they're not very similar to SGM.
In any case, be sure to drop by the RIO thread as well. We can always use more particpants. :)
Edited by Ghandi 2 - June 17 2007 at 13:52
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MusicForSpeedin
Forum Senior Member
Joined: July 22 2005
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 613
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Posted: June 17 2007 at 13:45 |
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You really need to get into Mr. Bungle if you like this band. Other avant bands that you may like would be Miasma and Carousel of Headless Horses, Guapo, Estradasphere, Secret Chiefs 3, Deserts of Traun, Thinking Plauge, and Hella.
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el böthy
Prog Reviewer
Joined: April 27 2005
Location: Argentina
Status: Offline
Points: 6336
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Posted: June 17 2007 at 16:34 |
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Absolutly awesome, original and intelligent. This band is one of the very best of this last decade or so, by far. Their music is exceptional, Im sometimes in awe to how good they can make noises, growlings, and furious percussion sound. This guys are gifted, and I love the vocals, both male and female.
Of natural history is a total masterpiece, quite hard to get into, it took me some time to get to listen to the whole thing through, but once you achieved that, you are in for a tread. Their latest album In glorious times is also a must-have, and it might be a better place to start, its a bit easier to digest, but still, every song is a trip, and I never hear the same thing twice, there is always something else to discover in their music.
Glad to see they are getting the "promotion" they so rightfully deserve!
Edited by el böthy - June 17 2007 at 16:35
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"You want me to play what, Robert?"
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Psychedelia
Forum Senior Member
Joined: January 27 2006
Status: Offline
Points: 238
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Posted: June 17 2007 at 17:00 |
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I really dont see why this band are so popular here. To my ears they sound like a mess of heavy metal. It is unstructured and unmusical. I really cant think of a redeeming factor.
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Another emotional suicide, overdosed on sentiment and pride
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lightbulb_son
Forum Senior Member
Joined: March 20 2006
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 965
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Posted: June 17 2007 at 17:06 |
I absolutely love them. Brilliant music, at some times I think it even rivals Mike Patton's work with Mr. Bungle for the best avant-garde.
If you liked Of Natural History I would highly recommend their latest album, In Glorious Times.
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When the world is sick
Can't no one be well
But I dreamt we were all
beautiful and strong
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Ghandi 2
Forum Senior Member
Joined: February 17 2006
Location: United States
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Points: 1494
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Posted: June 17 2007 at 18:03 |
 Psychedelia wrote:
I really dont see why this band are so popular here. To my ears they sound like a mess of heavy metal. It is unstructured and unmusical. I really cant think of a redeeming factor. |
Well not everyone likes avant-garde music. What *I* don't understand is why, when a thread about a group with any degree of popularity and is "controversial" in any way is made, people have to come into it and mindlessly bash the band in question. Is calling them unmusical and irredeemable in a positive thread about them really helpful ro the discussion or to the forum at large?
Bah, SGM will always be better than Mr Bungle because at least they're original. ;-)
Also, another obligatory avant suggestion is Alamaailman Vasarat, and if you're looking to match the sheer weirdness of SGM, The Residents are hard to beat. A personal favorite of mine is Taal; however, they were moved to Art Rock from Avant-prog several months ago, which is a justifiable choice, but unfortunately one that makes it impossible for them to be on the top 20 list.
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thellama73
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Joined: May 29 2006
Location: United States
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Points: 8368
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Posted: June 18 2007 at 10:48 |
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In my opinion, SGM are the best band currently making new music. And they only seem to get better with time. I can't wait to see what they turn out next.
I would recommend checking out Art Bears, as they were very influential on SGM, and as others have said The Residents.
Edited by thellama73 - June 18 2007 at 10:51
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Spyro
Forum Newbie
Joined: June 18 2007
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Points: 27
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Posted: June 18 2007 at 11:29 |
Psychedelia wrote:
I really dont see why this band are so popular here. To my ears they sound like a mess of heavy metal. It is unstructured and unmusical. I really cant think of a redeeming factor. |
sounds like a winning formula for todays prog fan 
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StyLaZyn
Forum Senior Member
Joined: November 22 2005
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 4079
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Posted: June 18 2007 at 12:29 |
I listened to the sample song here but couldn't find the attraction. Of course weird random "music" doesn't do much for me.
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thellama73
Collaborator
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Joined: May 29 2006
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Posted: June 18 2007 at 12:32 |
StyLaZyn wrote:
I listened to the sample song here but couldn't find the attraction. Of course weird random "music" doesn't do much for me.
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While certainly weird, I can't see how anyone could think their music is "random."
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The Miracle
Prog Reviewer
Joined: May 29 2005
Location: hell
Status: Offline
Points: 28427
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Posted: June 18 2007 at 17:13 |
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Get Of Natural History without hesitation, it's a wonderful album, the newone is almostas good. Saw them live last Thursday and they were absolutely amazing live. They appeared much heavierlive than on the albums though. My left ear just stopped ringing yesterday.
BTW if you haven't heard Mr. Bungle yet get Disco Volante first of all, it's my favorite album ever(well, second).
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Finnforest
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Joined: February 03 2007
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Posted: June 18 2007 at 19:17 |
Two suggestions: Miasma and the Carousel is an avant/rio genre title that is quite easy to get into. Opus Avantra is another good choice if you like Italian 70s bands. Discus is great fun too. I guess that was three.
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...that moment you realize you like "Mob Rules" better than "Heaven and Hell"
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el böthy
Prog Reviewer
Joined: April 27 2005
Location: Argentina
Status: Offline
Points: 6336
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Posted: June 18 2007 at 20:23 |
Ghandi 2 wrote:
Psychedelia wrote:
I really dont see why this band are so popular here. To my ears they sound like a mess of heavy metal. It is unstructured and unmusical. I really cant think of a redeeming factor. |
Well not everyone likes avant-garde music. What *I* don't understand is why, when a thread about a group with any degree of popularity and is "controversial" in any way is made, people have to come into it and mindlessly bash the band in question. Is calling them unmusical and irredeemable in a positive thread about them really helpful ro the discussion or to the forum at large?
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In a way it is. Its not like he says THIS IS CRAP, he said "to me ears", so its his opinion, In a thread about "X" you can talk good or bad about it, as long as there is no harm in what you say, I dont think its a problem, he just wanted to let us know what he thinks about the band.
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"You want me to play what, Robert?"
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heyitsthatguy
Forum Senior Member
Joined: April 17 2006
Location: Washington Hgts
Status: Offline
Points: 10094
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Posted: June 18 2007 at 20:29 |
The Miracle wrote:
Get Of Natural History without hesitation, it's a wonderful album, the newone is almostas good. Saw them live last Thursday and they were absolutely amazing live. They appeared much heavierlive than on the albums though. My left ear just stopped ringing yesterday.
BTW if you haven't heard Mr. Bungle yet get Disco Volante first of all, it's my favorite album ever(well, second).
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he said he has Of Natural History already People tend to make Mr. Bungle comparisons with SGM and though I love both bands, I personally don't see how they're similar other than in weirdness. Fantomas is quirky fun, but if you're not a fan of Patton's antics then stay away (meaning if you don't like Mr. Bungle you probably won't like Fantomas) In the jazzier vein, try John Zorn's band Naked City. Their first album helped set a standard in the modern "avant-prog" scene and its impact can still be felt (though perhaps not as strongly) in bands like Secret Chiefs 3 and Estradasphere, specifically the multi-genre encompassing songs
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Drew
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Joined: June 20 2005
Location: California
Status: Offline
Points: 12600
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Posted: June 18 2007 at 20:55 |
Psychedelia wrote:
I really dont see why this band are so popular here. To my ears they sound like a mess of heavy metal. It is unstructured and unmusical. I really cant think of a redeeming factor. |
agreed
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Sleepytime Gorilla Museum?
