Unto Us a Prog Legend is Born
Printed From: Progarchives.com
Category: Progressive Music Lounges
Forum Name: Prog Recommendations/Featured albums
Forum Description: Make or seek recommendations and discuss specific prog albums
URL: http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=127210
Printed Date: February 23 2025 at 11:04
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 11.01 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Unto Us a Prog Legend is Born
Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Subject: Unto Us a Prog Legend is Born
Date Posted: September 03 2021 at 14:22
Unto Us: a British Neo-Prog band who sound so good, I feel like shouting it from the Tower of Babel. Oh Boy. Are you in for a treat. This is one of the best prog albums you're ever likely to hear In a Lifetime! The Human Landscape is the name of the album and just between These Four Walls, the singer sounds remarkably like Mike Hollis of Talk Talk. This is the one and only album from Unto Us, so there's no Plan B. Enjoy!   2014: Unto Us - The Human Landscape - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLikNHjJ_cxzBHjFKgjaPkFXlVRQ1o5ejb" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLikNHjJ_cxzBHjFKgjaPkFXlVRQ1o5ejb These Four Walls Track Listing 1. Tower of Babel 2. Boy 3. In a Lifetime 4. A Human Landscape 5. These Four Walls 6. Plan B
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Replies:
Posted By: The Dark Elf
Date Posted: September 03 2021 at 16:22
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Meh. I didn't think there could be a thing as Big Big Train-lite. But there you have it. Much of what is called neo-prog has a sameness that I find repugnant. ------------- ...a vigorous circular motion hitherto unknown to the people of this area, but destined to take the place of the mud shark in your mythology... |
Posted By: dr wu23
Date Posted: September 03 2021 at 21:25
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They do sound somewhat like Big Big Train but interestingly they are both crossover prog and not neo prog. Who would have thunk it?  ------------- One does nothing yet nothing is left undone. Haquin |
Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: September 04 2021 at 00:57
I haven't heard any Big Big Train, so I'll listen out for them approaching at the next station. Hopefully, I'll find some Common Ground with Unto Us.
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dr wu23 wrote:Posted By: Chaser
Date Posted: September 04 2021 at 03:30
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Hmmmmm... Sounds fairly generic and formulaic to me, so I have to agree with the other comments I think, for me, Unto Us will be staying with them, and not coming unto me. ------------- Songs cast a light on you |
Posted By: chopper
Date Posted: September 04 2021 at 03:43
| Not a bad album, it has a kind of 80s feel to it. Hardly a 5-star masterpiece of prog though. |
Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: September 04 2021 at 04:15
It wouldn't be the first time (and probably not the last time) I've overrated an album by giving it 5-star masterpiece status.
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Posted By: chopper
Date Posted: September 04 2021 at 04:38
*Cough* Mostly Autumn *Cough*
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Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: September 04 2021 at 05:34
I was thinking of Mostly Autumn too, mostly.
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Posted By: SteveG
Date Posted: September 04 2021 at 06:11
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Album review: 2 star album. End of review. ------------- This message was brought to you by a proud supporter of the Deep State. |
Posted By: BlazeMaker
Date Posted: September 04 2021 at 08:21
| Hello, I am new to the forum you got any suggestions? |
Posted By: The Dark Elf
Date Posted: September 04 2021 at 08:26
Yes, when it comes to rating 5-star albums, do not listen to Psychedelic Paul. ------------- ...a vigorous circular motion hitherto unknown to the people of this area, but destined to take the place of the mud shark in your mythology... |
Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: September 04 2021 at 08:29
You could try one of Mostly Autumn's 5-star albums. 1998: For All We Shared - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdktF-lL0yEZZGWIfFT6kVSIhBY4ZgDEL" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdktF-lL0yEZZGWIfFT6kVSIhBY4ZgDEL 1999: The Spirit of Autumn Past - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdktF-lL0yEbiPd8jMGas61uXd4LOznPi" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdktF-lL0yEbiPd8jMGas61uXd4LOznPi 2001: The Last Bright Light - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdktF-lL0yEbvBIUnq5y_UDBjPmi9FJhC" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdktF-lL0yEbvBIUnq5y_UDBjPmi9FJhC 2001: Music Inspired by The Lord of the Rings - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdktF-lL0yEbyF28C2EYG0kHXkFh6grhA" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdktF-lL0yEbyF28C2EYG0kHXkFh6grhA 2001: The Story So Far - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdktF-lL0yEZGhG71Phkf_dcAvkiqwqH" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdktF-lL0yEZGhG71Phkf_dcAvkiqwqH - 2003: Passengers - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdktF-lL0yEaCQOCMBGAFozb7EQvId7Oa" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdktF-lL0yEaCQOCMBGAFozb7EQvId7Oa 2003: The Next Chapter - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdktF-lL0yEbmJ0gkAsWw-qijzdzn2I7A" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdktF-lL0yEbmJ0gkAsWw-qijzdzn2I7A 2003: Live at the Grand Opera House - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdktF-lL0yEZprsagIiCElxZkWDQ26Mos" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdktF-lL0yEZprsagIiCElxZkWDQ26Mos 2004: The "V" Shows - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdktF-lL0yEbf1-0xkGjrqWNY2tj8MN12" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdktF-lL0yEbf1-0xkGjrqWNY2tj8MN12 2004: Pink Floyd Revisited - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdktF-lL0yEZJvg6ykEsII2xZDyerU_wK" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdktF-lL0yEZJvg6ykEsII2xZDyerU_wK 2005: Storms Over Still Water - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdktF-lL0yEbpbrV-OC1jpCSZCQ8pmmM2" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdktF-lL0yEbpbrV-OC1jpCSZCQ8pmmM2 2006: Heart Full of Sky - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdktF-lL0yEbzEGM5N74-dFh2cfhiNzWa" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdktF-lL0yEbzEGM5N74-dFh2cfhiNzWa 2008: Glass Shadows - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdktF-lL0yEYVtRu54s7ZRVKbZ0YLWYau" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdktF-lL0yEYVtRu54s7ZRVKbZ0YLWYau 2009: Live 2009 - Part I - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdktF-lL0yEYNCZ3x5s3r3QPVy2guCCNp" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdktF-lL0yEYNCZ3x5s3r3QPVy2guCCNp 2009: Live 2009 - Part II - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdktF-lL0yEaEsVA3Wyn88JARGwQx_3zT" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdktF-lL0yEaEsVA3Wyn88JARGwQx_3zT 2010: That Night in Leamington - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdktF-lL0yEZXiAFbgjZRyxTS_O5mysf0" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdktF-lL0yEZXiAFbgjZRyxTS_O5mysf0 2010: Go Well Diamond Heart - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdktF-lL0yEbB4VQCQ1otAByVsr84oUX3" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdktF-lL0yEbB4VQCQ1otAByVsr84oUX3 2011: Still Beautiful - Live - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdktF-lL0yEbR9agKM6mRBncmPr3NKO3c" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdktF-lL0yEbR9agKM6mRBncmPr3NKO3c 2011: Live at High Voltage - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdktF-lL0yEYtkZPlBp1fb7JbnA1a0h0z" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdktF-lL0yEYtkZPlBp1fb7JbnA1a0h0z 2012: The Ghost Moon Orchestra - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdktF-lL0yEbOga6VYzuPvS1YEClVEX4L" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdktF-lL0yEbOga6VYzuPvS1YEClVEX4L 2013: Live at the Boerderij - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdktF-lL0yEbJ27ZaTZ06zADFuBiSEoxw" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdktF-lL0yEbJ27ZaTZ06zADFuBiSEoxw 2014: Dressed in Voices - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdktF-lL0yEYGB1ySTx5btuFKU8NyAq-5" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdktF-lL0yEYGB1ySTx5btuFKU8NyAq-5 2015: Box of Tears - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdktF-lL0yEYvJZvjmtdNPgUI0OPuXLpl" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdktF-lL0yEYvJZvjmtdNPgUI0OPuXLpl 2017: Sight of Day - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdktF-lL0yEYb5zkWi3lW3fpB8kxEPOoQ" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdktF-lL0yEYb5zkWi3lW3fpB8kxEPOoQ 2019: White Rainbow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdktF-lL0yEYS1FQj-rj1KtgixMRIh_c2" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdktF-lL0yEYS1FQj-rj1KtgixMRIh_c2 |
Posted By: Logan
Date Posted: September 04 2021 at 08:56
Definitely not a three stars better than Blackstar album by my reckoning.  ;) At least it didn't resonate with me nearly so much on an emotional or intellectual level (EDIT: I should note though that I don't have the same history with the performers on the topic album as I do with Bowie, so it's a very different kettle of fish -- context matters). To each his or her own, however. I didn't listen to all of it, but what I heard I found competent yet still overly mediocre, bland and generic. I find the sound a bit thin, and I don't hear enough originality to think of this as a masterpiece that one would just need to tune ones ears to and become acclimated to to recognise the brilliance and sublime nuances. Maybe I'm just not open minded and open eared enough That said, it could grew on me as I haven't yet even given it a full listen (was bored with it). I did like various tracks more than These Four Walls. It's not bad to my ears, not really good to my ears (competent as I said), but instead falls into the murky twilight zone of forgettable. That said, I could imagine many into certain types of more melodic Prog (kinds of Neo-Prog and Crossover Prog, those two categories cross over) liking this and getting a decent average rating. For my tastes it may be a two, but from what I've heard I probably would give it a three (rounded up from 2.5) for PA. I wouldn't rate it though, at least not now, because it's not really my style and I don't like to do such things outside my wheelhouse.First post of the day and quite lousily expressed. I listened to some of it yesterday, but didn't want to come across as on the too negative side. I don't think it's bad; more middling, didn't excite me. I could see myself returning to it though, and on second listen to some of the music I did prefer it so maybe I would just need to acclimate to it, or be in the right headspace, and some of the music on the album did appeal more to me than others. I would be surprised if this does take on legendary status as I don't think it's a remarkable achievement. Would have to think, what makes this unique, trailblazing, particularly poignant, deep, or just noteworthy in some way, as a future classic and sets it apart from the crowd?
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Posted By: Nogbad_The_Bad
Date Posted: September 04 2021 at 09:28
This is good advice. ------------- Ian Host of the Post-Avant Jazzcore Happy Hour on Progrock.com https://podcasts.progrock.com/post-avant-jazzcore-happy-hour/ |
Posted By: SteveG
Date Posted: September 04 2021 at 10:38
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^ Word. ------------- This message was brought to you by a proud supporter of the Deep State. |
Posted By: Logan
Date Posted: September 04 2021 at 11:29
| ^ And five star politicians. ;) Joking, but I do think that ones general ideologies and political perspectives corelate to our tastes in music and other art. One is more likely to appreciate certain attitudes and modes of expression. |
Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: September 04 2021 at 12:10
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^ Judging from the comments so far, it looks like I'm in a minority of one in regarding this album as a 5-star masterpiece, so what's new!?
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Posted By: Logan
Date Posted: September 04 2021 at 12:21
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^ I actually looked up the album at rateyourmusic yesterday, and it has two reviews, one being four stars and one five and an avergae of 3.19 over 15 ratings https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/unto_us/the_human_landscape/" rel="nofollow - https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/unto_us/the_human_landscape/ By the way, RYM does classify it as Neo-Prog (of course they don't have a crossover prog classification) At PA there are no reviews, but it has an average score of 4.19 over 14 ratings. You and the notorious Svetonio (as did Puzart) gave it a five. You may be alone in this topic, but not in PA. On a tangent from my personal perspective (not saying this would relate to how you feel): I once spent considerable hours researching and writing a bio for PA which I suggested due to an album that I adored (I still conservatively only rated it four after the first review went up)only to have a two star review go up a few hours after the addition. It's one of the rare times I have felt absolutely deflated due to a negative reaction to music I love. I thought momentarily, why bother with all the effort (and a sleepless night) when this is all its worth to someone? I felt like I was being invalidated by the review. Then I thought differently and was okay with it. |
Posted By: SteveG
Date Posted: September 04 2021 at 12:50
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At least Svetonio liked Lark's Tongues In Aspic. ------------- This message was brought to you by a proud supporter of the Deep State. |
Posted By: Cristi
Date Posted: September 04 2021 at 12:52
ouch! now that's a burn.
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Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: September 04 2021 at 13:02
...And at least I'll never be accused of overrating King Crimson's albums....or VDGG's albums. By the way, who's Svetonio?
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Posted By: Nogbad_The_Bad
Date Posted: September 04 2021 at 13:47
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Which pretty much says it all. ------------- Ian Host of the Post-Avant Jazzcore Happy Hour on Progrock.com https://podcasts.progrock.com/post-avant-jazzcore-happy-hour/ |
Posted By: cstack3
Date Posted: September 04 2021 at 17:46
I immediately enjoyed the opening guitar licks, very tasty! I'll keep an open mind, thanks for the recommendation! ------------- I am not a Robot, I'm a FREE MAN!! |
Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: September 05 2021 at 00:26
I'm glad you like it. Unto Us have been compared with Big Big Train, but that's a band I'm unfamiliar with, so to my ears, the music of Unto Us sounds fresh and original.
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