What albums did you listen to today?...continued

Modrigue wrote: ALotOfBottle wrote: There is a Polish saying (I doubt it translates to English well): "Only a cow does not change its views..." In French, it's: "Only a fool does not change its views..."

I guess it's more accurate in French.

Back at work and feeling better, so back to plenty more listening!

Comedy of Errors - Spirit
Glass Hammer – Ode to Echo
Zombi – Shape Shift
Yes - Drama
Libra – s/t
Oregon – Distant Hills
Tangerine Dream – Firewalker
Edgar Froese - Pinnacles
Blues Pills – s/t

Blues Pills – Lady of Gold – Sam, it’s not so much that it’s a bad album, far from it. It’s just that in broadening their styles and diversifying (ie there’s more R&B, pop, soul and country elements than on the first album), they’ve moved away from the bluesier guitar-driven stuff of the first album (which is probably more interesting to use `proggies’!). There’s several standout tracks, as well as one or two total throwaways that are completely forgettable, and it’s nice to hear a few keyboards this time, but it perhaps lacks the bite and energy of the first one, even if it frequently has better tracks.

Thanks, Sagi...spent over a week sick as a dog, buried shivering under a mountain of blankets. I don't know if I was delirious with fever or truly interested as I spent hour after hour lying on the couch watching the current Olympics!

Yep that's the English version of the Libra LP...On the morning mere hours before my flu kicked in with a vengeance, I attended a local record fair and came across that LP, as I looked at it I thought `I'm certain that's the band Doug and Sagi go on about', although I was thinking it might have been their second album (the cover threw me)!

You know, as I've started listening to it since then, even though I still think that it doesn't have much to align it with the proper theatrical/classical/symphonic RPI discs, it really doesn't sound too different from PFM's `Chocolate Kings/Jet Lag' period, and I will say that the English vocals in this instance are probably among the best I've ever heard from an Italian band.

Banco del Mutuo Soccorso - s/t Jesus Christ, I can't believe how good this album is. Every listen makes me approach it in a much different way. Today, it was all melodic and beautiful, yesterday, it was rather mysterious and well-crafted. Man, this is so good. Loooove it!

News From Babel - Sirens and Silences/Work Reumed on the Tower Truth be told, I had never heard this one before. It's a strange creation, I must say. It encourages many qualities that I've found in IPOL-era Henry Cow, but also is quite similar to Kew. Rhone. by John Greaves and Peter Blegvad. This listen opened suprisingly few door for me, I will definitely need to revisit, now that I know what I'm dealing with. So far, so good!

Cervello - Melos Another first listen. I really appreciate how these guys manage to achieve the fullness that keyboards add to prog, without actually using any. Twin guitars interplay beautifully, in a very unique way, different than say Wishbone Ash, and the vibraphone (one of my fave instruments of all time) just sits very well in the music. The compositions are great and the album is really pleasant!

I've just finnished building my new vinyl storage (from Ikea, duh ) now that the renovation in my house has ended. Maybe I will finally get to listen to the records I bought in London over a week ago. I hope so!

Dennis Wilson - "Pacific Ocean Blue"

Meltdowner wrote: I didn't think it was a bad album either. I also agree about the keyboards and the lack of energy. Maybe they'll release a live album that puts the studio versions to shame </span> <span style="line-height: 18.2px;"> </span>

I was going to say that the version I got came with a bonus DVD, and sure enough, the performance was top-notch, full of energy and constant jamming. I kind of wish they'd just start recording their songs live in the same way, because, sure enough like the first album, the jamming/extended soloing passages are virtually non-existent on the new studio disc.

But again, I don't think us `proggies' are really the audience they're hoping to click with. There's definitely an element to their music that is trying to appeal to the currently popular retro sound, of maybe something like that Adele singer, and let's face it, even the Blues Pills singer sounds pretty similar to her quite often.

Finally got to try out some of the records I bought!

Magma - 1000 Centigrades If you ever thought your vinyl is in mint condition, you have not heard this one. I mean, it sounds as if nobody ever even moved it. You can't hear anything in between the pieces. And the peeps at Jazz Village did such a great job with this one (dunno if they also remastered this one). Everything sounds incredibly full, warm. Man, that's amazing. And listening to records on headphones is also great, had not realized until today.

Tangerine Dream - Alpha Centauri A very nice VG+ I'd say. There are a few crackles and pops, but they are rather unnoticable through those amazing drones. It sounds great, full, very "giant."

Tangerine Dream - Atem It was together with Alpha on that double 1976 reissue by Virgin. This one is in a slightly better shape than the previous one, however, still VG+. Obviously, Atem is much more drony than Alpha, so the pops that are, might be easier to notice through the static soundscapes.

Banco del Mutuo Soccorso - Darwin! I can't seem to dig this one even half as much as their debut. The perfect harmony from the eponymous album seems to be absent here. It's sure good, but I think, if I will ever like it, it will take me some time.

Semiramis - Dedicato a Frazz I hate to come across as very picky, but I did not go crazy about this one either. So far, I failed to hear anything outstanding. The compositions seem just good for me. The musicianship is very good, though. I look forward to hearing it again soon.

Buon Vecchio Charlie - Buon Vecchio Charlie Thanks for the recommendation, José!  It's a very good record with some great moments. The interpretation of In the Hall of the Mountain King seems a bit... untrue, they changed a few notes, which sounds weird, but still, they have the ability to make some great passages.

Moar vinyl tomorrorw.

Sagichim wrote: I definitely prefer HR material and overall style, as for Tubular Bells although it has its moments I don't like the sound it's going for. I think Ommadawn is his masterpiece, very close for being perfect imo. Btw what's the 2010 reissue? The one with the demo versions?

Agreed Sagi!! Love Ommadawn!
Absolutely love it. Even have a 24/96k copy of it. It's a jaw dropper.
My favourite.

ALotOfBottle wrote: Banco del Mutuo Soccorso - Darwin! I can't seem to dig this one even half as much as their debut. The perfect harmony from the eponymous album seems to be absent here. It's sure good, but I think, if I will ever like it, it will take me some time.

King Buffalo - Orion