PA's Battle to Stardom B1: Marillion v. Area

wow....  could two more different bands be put against each other.


Area's going down...  too few know the group... and of those... some get lost because it sure isn't easy listening...


but not without my vote it isn't hahahha

birdwithteeth11 wrote: DJPuffyLemon wrote: birdwithteeth11 wrote: Jozef wrote: Marillion. I've been listening to their early albums with Fish and I'm loving them all. By the way, who won the first PA battle to stardom? At that time, it had a different name which escapes me. The final round was KC barely edging out Yes by something like 63-60 or somewhere around there. Oh, I was actually going to ask about this after noticing not seeing KC......this time around are you using only bands that weren't in the first one? No, some of the bands this time around were in the last tournament and some weren't. The only really noticeable difference is that none of the major 4 prog bands, Floyd, KC, Yes, or Genesis, are in the tournament and that each of the original matchups in the first round was determined at random, not by ratings/popularity on this site.

Indeed. The "Ultimate Prog Tournament" which I fronted in January had those 4 contenders and was my take on some of the most influential bands in the prog movement. All bands were ranked from #1-#32 (who I thought had the best chances of winning) and then split into 4 sub-sections, resulting in #1-#8 seeds for each segment.

Some bands have made re-appearances in this one; some have not, as David said.

I'm not really familiar with either band, but I'm just going to place my bets on how I think the poll's going to win. Just cause I'm a nerd like that.

I am only familiar with Fish-era Marillion, which is OK, but nowhere as ground-breaking and original as my fellow Italians Area. No comparison whatsoever between the two bands, I'm afraid.

Don't follow these battles. Probably because my two fav's (TFK & DT) are already out. When I first saw it as a topic I thought you meant Marillion vs AreNa because that seems more like a fair battle to me .

progrules wrote: Don't follow these battles. Probably because my two fav's (TFK & DT) are already out. When I first saw it as a topic I thought you meant Marillion vs AreNa because that seems more like a fair battle to me . Why don't you fix battles between two bands from the same "league" ?

Refer to many of my posts in previous threads.

Ultimate Prog Tournament in January was 32 of what I considered to be some of the most influential prog bands of all time, ranked in four groups of 8, seeded from #1 (most likely to win) to #8 (least likely). They were then matched up similarly to any sports tournament.

This tournament, Battle to Stardom, was 32 bands. Some were featured previously in UPT, some weren't, and these matchups were chosen entirely at random. The first round matches, as well, may have been very similar while round 2 matches may prove to pit very different bands against each other.

My intent wasn't to pit very similar bands against each other. That may be for something else down the line.

Tough choice for me.. though I respect the music of Area, it is overall less enjoyable than Marillion. That does not mean I don't like Area (one of the most interesting bands I think), but Marillion is among my favourite bands, and not just "interesting". This poll is maybe apples against football, they are to different to compare really. Hm, who'll win?

Luke. J wrote: Tough choice for me.. though I respect the music of Area, it is overall less enjoyable than Marillion. That does not mean I don't like Area (one of the most interesting bands I think), but Marillion is among my favourite bands, and not just "interesting". This poll is maybe apples against football, they are to different to compare really. Hm, who'll win?

I know; the tension is killing me!

Only about 23 hours left!

DJPuffyLemon wrote: Anderson III wrote: I don't wish to agitate any Marillion fans, but it has to be said sooner or later: Misplaced Childhood strikes me as the worst prog album I've ever heard! That is the magnitude of my disliking and believe me, I'm not just saying that because of the MO thingy . I really have to ask why....though i'm sure you've argued the point tens of times already.

There are many albums that don't really do anything for me, and Childhood is NOT one of them. It seems that almost everything about the album bugs the hell out of me! The 80's sound has always been something I hate with a passion and Marillion definitely utilizes it on a dangerous level. To my ears the music sounds sterile, powerless and cold. I firmly believe that even music with sad atmosphere should have warmth in the sound and I can't find it in here.
I also have a hard time enjoying the melodies presented on the album. They lack adventure and cleverness for a fan of avant garde. I'm afraid I can't explain to the detail what it is about the melodies that lets me down, though, because I've only heard the piece twice and I refuse to play it again!
Saved the worst for the last: the atmosphere!!! It feels like Fish and the crew are begging me to cry throughout the album, though I don't really know what to cry about. There's no real beauty nor emotion in the music, but incredibly it can still be depressing as hell! If I was the guy who wears only black, writes stupid poems about death and sometimes slashes his arms, I would probably love this album... but fortunately, I'm not that guy! Misplaced Childhood is just the most depressing piece of work you can imagine, and not in the nice, moving way.

Anderson III wrote: DJPuffyLemon wrote: Anderson III wrote: I don't wish to agitate any Marillion fans, but it has to be said sooner or later: Misplaced Childhood strikes me as the worst prog album I've ever heard! That is the magnitude of my disliking and believe me, I'm not just saying that because of the MO thingy . I really have to ask why....though i'm sure you've argued the point tens of times already. There are many albums that don't really do anything for me, and Childhood is NOT one of them. It seems that almost everything about the album bugs the hell out of me! The 80's sound has always been something I hate with a passion and Marillion definitely utilizes it on a dangerous level. To my ears the music sounds sterile, powerless and cold. I firmly believe that even music with sad atmosphere should have warmth in the sound and I can't find it in here. I also have a hard time enjoying the melodies presented on the album. They lack adventure and cleverness for a fan of avant garde. I'm afraid I can't explain to the detail what it is about the melodies that lets me down, though, because I've only heard the piece twice and I refuse to play it again! Saved the worst for the last: the atmosphere!!! It feels like Fish and the crew are begging me to cry throughout the album, though I don't really know what to cry about. There's no real beauty nor emotion in the music, but incredibly it can still be depressing as hell! If I was the guy who wears only black, writes stupid poems about death and sometimes slashes his arms, I would probably love this album... but fortunately, I'm not that guy! Misplaced Childhood is just the most depressing piece of work you can imagine, and not in the nice, moving way.

the only thing I really agree with you on is the 80s sound...but when you compare it to other albums that had the overblown 80s production style, I think this is pretty passable. i never had a problem with the quality of the production myself, i think its brilliantly done.