Andrew WK - RIO/Avant-Prog
Printed From: Progarchives.com
Category: Progressive Music Lounges
Forum Name: Suggest New Bands and Artists
Forum Description: Suggest, create polls, and classify new bands you would like included on Prog Archives
URL: http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=65524
Printed Date: February 23 2025 at 05:35
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 11.01 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Andrew WK - RIO/Avant-Prog
Posted By: Harry Hood
Subject: Andrew WK - RIO/Avant-Prog
Date Posted: March 05 2010 at 00:00
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Ok, before I even get started here, I'm already expecting a lot of replies like "Andrew WK, isn't he that dumb novelty party rock guy?". And I'm here to say, no. He has publicly stated very recently that the Andrew WK from I Get Wet is a completely different person than the current Andrew WK, who appeared on every album from The Wolf to his most recent 55 Caddilac. And what do you get when you listen to albums like The Wolf or Close Calls with Brick Walls? You get a very interesting blend of the bombastic anthemic stylings of Bruce SPRINGSTEEN, combine it with the compositional chops and quirks of Frank ZAPPA, and add years of classical training. That is to say, you have one of the most important and underappreciated figures in recent prog history. He has also successfully blended music with performance art in ways that would make acts like GENESIS or THE RESIDENTS blush with envy. His music, and his entire career make up a big overarching philosophical statement. The overall message being that one should love who they are and love life for what it is. His most recent album, 55 Caddilac consists soley of a series of classical piano improvisations, with the overall message being that it is "an album recorded by a free man". With nothing but the piano as an instrument, Andrew WK tells the story of someone obtaining a classic car and loving every minute of it. With no lyrics he describes everything, from seeing the car for the first time, that moment of the eninge beginning, and the thrill of drving at night. His music can be very dense and multilayered, but it must be noted that there are no session musicians at work here. Every instrument is performed and produced by Andrew WK himself. And with the exception of his first album, he is also the sole writer of all his recordings. I know I'm required to provide a sample of the artists music to demonstrate why they should be added. How about I reccomend his entire discography. That's right. Andrew WK's entire discography is streaming for free on the front page of his own website. http://www.andrewwk.com/ - http://www.andrewwk.com/ . No "30-second samples", no "hot tickles", he puts it all out there cold. But if you really want to hear why Andrew WK should be included, I recommend starting with Close Calls With Brick Walls. It's the best Frank Zappa album that Frank Zappa had no involvement in. It's everything prog should stand for. It's an amazing musical journey that not only explores the boundaries of music, but of life. Listening to this album, you may actually learn something about yourself. So, in conclusion, I consider it a crime that this artist hasn't been included already. Not only would his inclusion create lots of additional hits for the site because of the artists popularity, but it's also more musically viable than so many other things out there in mainstream music right now. It's challenging, it's exciting, it's fun. It's everything prog should be. It's everything I believe prog can be. ------------- 
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Replies:
Posted By: Man Overboard
Date Posted: March 05 2010 at 00:04
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For! ------------- https://soundcloud.com/erin-susan-jennings" rel="nofollow - Bedroom guitarist". Composer, Arranger, Producer. Perfection may not exist, but I may still choose to serve Perfection. Commissions considered. |
Posted By: Tsevir Leirbag
Date Posted: March 06 2010 at 21:38
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We'd like to evaluate this band, but we NEED samples for that.
We can not (all members of the team) buy all his albums to evaluate him... ------------- Les mains, les pieds balancés Sur tant de mers, tant de planchers, Un marin mort, Il dormira - Paul Éluard |
Posted By: Logan
Date Posted: March 06 2010 at 21:48
You don't need to buy them, as he said:
Just did a google search and here's his myspace (might make things easier): http://www.myspace.com/andrewwk - http://www.myspace.com/andrewwk |
Tsevir Leirbag wrote:Posted By: Tsevir Leirbag
Date Posted: March 06 2010 at 21:59
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Oh, I hadn't read that well...
Thanks, we will check. I'll post it in the team thread right now. ------------- Les mains, les pieds balancés Sur tant de mers, tant de planchers, Un marin mort, Il dormira - Paul Éluard |
Posted By: progkidjoel
Date Posted: March 06 2010 at 22:28
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Listening to Close Calls With Brick Walls now, will come back later. ------------- 
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Posted By: Henry Plainview
Date Posted: March 06 2010 at 22:39
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Haha, I saw something about I Get Wet a while ago, and they were saying it was so good because he wasn't being ironic at all and people who thought it was stupid and terrible are so cynical blah blah blah. With Cadillac, at least, that shows me that's not really true, so this was at least worth the time since it validated my negative world view. I listened to a good chunk of Brick Walls, and I seem to be out of step with the majority of this site on what constitutes "progressive", so I'll remain silent on that, but I'm 100% positive that is not avant-garde in any possible way. There was a piano intro that reminded me of part of One Size Fits All (don't remember the specifics of either) and there were a couple other half-moments of Zappa, but the only other connection was goofy lyrics. The rest of it was pop-rock and tacky keyboards.
------------- if you own a sodastream i hate you |
Posted By: progkidjoel
Date Posted: March 06 2010 at 22:55
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Close Calls With Brick Walls
1st track - sort of slow and soft intro. 2nd track - slow synth with soft vocals. 3rd track - Horribly cheesy 'party' anthemic song about never going to bed. 4th track - What I said for the last one, except about remembering a night forever. 5th track - Sounds like another really average anthemic rock song, this time about drugs. 6th track - Another pop rock track, sounds incredibly similar to the last few. Basically all of the tracks so far have also had a super similar drum rhythm. Have no idea what this one is about lyrically. 7th track - Same as the last few with piano instead of distorted guitar for the main melody. Same intro drum rhythm again. This time about not needing sisters and only needing one brother (?!) 8th track - Another predictable guitar and drum rhythm with some synth chords here and there. This one is about Las Vegas. 9th track - Soft piano track consisting of a few chords which lasts for about 45 seconds. 10th track - Piano intro, but then the same drum rhythm with the lyrics 'I Wanna See Ya Go Wild' 11th track - Sped up piano intro, and an orchestral harmony, which then goes into another insanely predictable pop rock guitar lead melody with some touches of synth here and there. Lyrics about being high. 12th track - A fairly random bass rhythm with some eerie vocals and lyrics; only Zappa-ish sound so far imo. Lasts for about 30 seconds. 13th track - Bursts into another super predictable drum and guitar rhythm. Basically continues like this the whole time. 14th track - A very Zappa-ish guitar intro which becomes more predictable and poppy after about 30 seconds. Then goes into some pop rock, although its a little heavier than the rest of the pop tracks. 15th track - A song about a man called Andy who lives on a mountain. Predictable pop rock which is super repetitive again. 16th track - The first slightly proggy sounding track, but it only sounds proggy for about 10 seconds and then it sounds like fairly average pop rock again. 17th track - Has a slightly Mothers Of Invention sounding vocal rhythm and repetition. Then gets some nice piano with drums playing. The lyrics 'Slam! John! Against The Brick Wall!' are continued throughout. A nice little background guitra solo as well. Not overly good but far better than anything else so far. 18th track - Nice piano chord intro, nothing really special. Then picks up an arena/glam rock rhythm and guitar melody. Continues until the track ends. I don't see how this is evenly slightly avant or prog, but the collabs should have a listen as well I guess. The only track I enjoyed sounds like a Zappa rip-off and the rest either sound like Journey or a generic punk band to my ears. I wouldn't say it even makes prog-related, although thats up for the collabs to decide; just my two cents. -------------
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Posted By: Logan
Date Posted: March 06 2010 at 23:16
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I have now listened to the myspace and I just don't see it at all. I couldn't see it any prog category or Related, and certainly not Avant Prog. But "prog" means different things to different people. Still, I think this is much too far a stretch from what I've heard (and I've certainly suggested artists that would stretch the bounds of PA). Here's his wikipedia bio: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_W.K. - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_W.K. |
Posted By: Man Overboard
Date Posted: March 06 2010 at 23:37
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You guys are silly, especially the one who made the song-by-song list. Gentle Giants songs are all short too! Like most good albums, a single listen will not give up its secrets, and attempting to do so will just make you look foolish. ------------- https://soundcloud.com/erin-susan-jennings" rel="nofollow - Bedroom guitarist". Composer, Arranger, Producer. Perfection may not exist, but I may still choose to serve Perfection. Commissions considered. |
Posted By: Henry Plainview
Date Posted: March 06 2010 at 23:49
If something is so subtly avant-garde that I can't tell it's avant-garde on my first listen, then it's not actually avant-garde.
------------- if you own a sodastream i hate you |
Posted By: progkidjoel
Date Posted: March 06 2010 at 23:52
I didn't make any judgements about the progressive quality judging by the song length; I merely stated which songs were shorter; and I'm fairly certain that listening to this several more times will make any difference to what I've already said, other than a slightly more in depth analysis which states the same things I've said before. -------------
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Posted By: Evolutionary Sleeper
Date Posted: March 07 2010 at 00:15
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Just doesn't fit into avant-prog, sorry.
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Posted By: Man Overboard
Date Posted: March 07 2010 at 00:19
guess i'd better give fz a call and tell him he didn't try hard enough  ------------- https://soundcloud.com/erin-susan-jennings" rel="nofollow - Bedroom guitarist". Composer, Arranger, Producer. Perfection may not exist, but I may still choose to serve Perfection. Commissions considered. |
Posted By: WalterDigsTunes
Date Posted: March 07 2010 at 00:30
| April Fools!!....!!.... wait a minute, its barely March 7th... |
Posted By: Henry Plainview
Date Posted: March 07 2010 at 00:37
No, he didn't, actually. While, based on the poll I made, nobody else agrees, it is obvious to me that FZ should be in Eclectic, since the vast majority of his work has absolutely nothing to do with avant-garde music. I'll gladly give him Weasels Ripped My Flesh as an avant album, but for every one of those in his discography, there are ten Overnight Sensations. And the music Andrew WK briefly alludes is unquestionaly part of that vast majority. ------------- if you own a sodastream i hate you |
Posted By: Man Overboard
Date Posted: March 07 2010 at 00:50
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^ honestly I also think it'd fall closer under the eclectic banner. It's big enough, sweeping enough, and just so meticulously crafted (no, really). Still, dude's status as having a hit single a decade ago will cause many to pass judgment prematurely ------------- https://soundcloud.com/erin-susan-jennings" rel="nofollow - Bedroom guitarist". Composer, Arranger, Producer. Perfection may not exist, but I may still choose to serve Perfection. Commissions considered. |
Posted By: Henry Plainview
Date Posted: March 07 2010 at 01:10
I'm pretty sure everybody in this thread read that part of the OP and so also listened to at least part of Brick Walls. ------------- if you own a sodastream i hate you |
Posted By: Logan
Date Posted: March 07 2010 at 01:17
LOL Most agree, including myself (I had voted yes but had discussed it elsewhere before), that Frank Zappa would fit Eclectic Prog better.
http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=54742&PN=1 - http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=54742&PN=1 |
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[57.63%]Posted By: bwenner
Date Posted: March 07 2010 at 01:29
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Sounds like a really thorough team of experts here. I liked the blatant failing to read the entirety of the OP's post, and the judging of the music based on preconception and first impression. Because, true value is based on what adjectives your brain comes back to you with after it quickly rifles through its junk heap of learned associations. I like your style, Prog Archives. It's very Berlin Wall. {image excised for coarse, potentially offensive language - L.} ------------- I'm such a nonconformist, I don't conform to not conforming. |
Posted By: Henry Plainview
Date Posted: March 07 2010 at 01:46
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Haha, I had actually forgotten most of the plebes had agreed with me, Logan. But from what I heard (around the way) the Eclectic people don't want to take him and Avant doesn't want to give him up, since his albums alone are like 20% of the subgenre...
Harry, you've lit the beacon and drawn the hordes of the Andrew WK fan club to the gates of Minas Tirith! BUT GUESS WHAT BALROG!  ------------- if you own a sodastream i hate you |
Posted By: A Person
Date Posted: March 07 2010 at 02:13
 I agree with Henry. And I think that first impressions are rather important in determining "progness". Usually I can see why an artist is/should be included here from the first few listens, it has nothing to do with me liking that artist, which has taken many months in some cases. |
Posted By: progkidjoel
Date Posted: March 07 2010 at 05:19
It doesn't take more than one listen for me to tell you that what I listened to wasn't avant, which is the basis of this thread; not how many listens it takes to appreciate or truly judge music. -------------
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Posted By: Tsevir Leirbag
Date Posted: March 07 2010 at 12:33
Sorry, but my vote is "No" as well.
I think it means that the band is rejected. ------------- Les mains, les pieds balancés Sur tant de mers, tant de planchers, Un marin mort, Il dormira - Paul Éluard |
Posted By: Logan
Date Posted: March 07 2010 at 13:56
I don't claim to be an expert in anything, and did read the opening post (I'm not an avant team member, I'm just posting my impressions. I appreciate it when people take the time to listen to my suggestions and comment even if I don't agree with their conclusions and try to engage them in debate about the merits. That's usually part of the fun, and I like can of worms suggestions that makes one re-evaluate PA's parameters). I have listened to the music at the homepage as well as myspace, and I just don't think it's right for PA. I had no preconception. With some I listen various times since I'm unsure, but this time my ears felt sure. Incidentally, what brings you to PA and are you an appreciator of progressive rock generally? What are you favourite bands/ artists in RIO/Avant? Frankly, for a first post, I found it odd (hope you don't mind me excising the image from your post, but it was inappropriate). Since it's been rejected for Avant, would you like to try to make a case for it another category? Kudos to Harry on a very well-written suggestion post even though I don't think it fits based on my impressions of the music (different people haver different ideas of what is includable under the progressive rock umbrella, have different ideas of how categories should operate, different levels of inclusiveness, and different ideas on what direction they would like to see the site take). I know that I've offered quite a number of left-of-field suggestions that didn't end up being accepted (and in various cases they weren't officially rejected or accepted). And kudos on a suggestion that managed to reach multiple pages. A great many receive hardly any replies. |
Posted By: Windhawk
Date Posted: March 07 2010 at 14:00
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Hmm, I had never heard of this dude before - but I can say this: The tracks I sampled from the recommended album reminded me more of good old Bonnie Tyler than Frank Zappa. There's something Steinman-ish about these tracks. If Meat Loaf gets added to the archives somewhere sometime, it should be time to bring this dude back in contention. ------------- Websites I work with: http://www.progressor.net http://www.houseofprog.com My profile on Mixcloud: https://www.mixcloud.com/haukevind/ |
Posted By: Raff
Date Posted: March 07 2010 at 14:04
Greg, don't you recognize a troll when you see one? How do you call someone who registers on a site just in order to insult it and its members ?
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Posted By: Logan
Date Posted: March 07 2010 at 14:08
| Yes, Raff, and I have certain suspicions, but I'm not as direct as some others. |
Posted By: Raff
Date Posted: March 07 2010 at 14:11
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It's not me! I swear!
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Posted By: Logan
Date Posted: March 07 2010 at 14:53
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Certainly not even though you do have some similarities... both female for one thing. ;) Anyway, I guess anyone who like Frank Zappa and Tom Waits can't be all bad. |
Posted By: Raff
Date Posted: March 07 2010 at 14:57
Oh, make no mistake, if someone decided to allow 'open season' here, I'd be more than glad to offer my very honest opinion on some people ... Perhaps without using too much profanity, but equally effectively! |
Posted By: Windhawk
Date Posted: March 07 2010 at 15:01
Better get started on writing my defensive statement then *chuckles* ------------- Websites I work with: http://www.progressor.net http://www.houseofprog.com My profile on Mixcloud: https://www.mixcloud.com/haukevind/ |
Posted By: Tsevir Leirbag
Date Posted: March 07 2010 at 21:14
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Three "No" votes, definitely rejected. ------------- Les mains, les pieds balancés Sur tant de mers, tant de planchers, Un marin mort, Il dormira - Paul Éluard |
Posted By: Man Overboard
Date Posted: March 07 2010 at 22:59
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*smh*
------------- https://soundcloud.com/erin-susan-jennings" rel="nofollow - Bedroom guitarist". Composer, Arranger, Producer. Perfection may not exist, but I may still choose to serve Perfection. Commissions considered. |
Posted By: progkidjoel
Date Posted: March 07 2010 at 23:08
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I didn't mean any offense with my post, I gave a quick opinion and I didn't expect it to be received the way it was by bwenner. I stand by what I said though, which is that I don't think a million listens would've made me think of that album as Avant. -------------
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Posted By: Man Overboard
Date Posted: March 07 2010 at 23:12
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Is there a way this discussion could then, perhaps, be shifted towards discussing this band in another genre than another twenty posts of condescension? I'm sorry you guys accept some extraordinary cult experimental pop groups and not others, but how can we shift this in a positive direction? ------------- https://soundcloud.com/erin-susan-jennings" rel="nofollow - Bedroom guitarist". Composer, Arranger, Producer. Perfection may not exist, but I may still choose to serve Perfection. Commissions considered. |
Posted By: progkidjoel
Date Posted: March 07 2010 at 23:14
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I guess he could be suggested to Prog Related, I have no idea how what they'd think of him though; I'll step down from this discussion from here on in. -------------
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Posted By: Henry Plainview
Date Posted: March 08 2010 at 01:43
No. In fact, it's what I live for.
It's nice that Harry has perfect pitch and can name chord progressions from other works. That's far more than I can do. But I also have listened to quite a bit of "unusual" music, and I cannot understand how one could come to the conclusion that there is anything about Brick Walls that is unusual or uncanny in any way. Besides a few Zappa-esque moments, I don't hear a single thing that sets it apart from the pop-rock I hear on the radio all day, other than that usually major artists don't choose such an obnoxious keyboard tone. Yeah, sometimes he has overdubbed multiple vocal harmonies for the choruses, which is something people do all the time.
So does Paul McCartney.
I've already talked about Zappa, but if you can't hear the difference in avant-ness between The Residents and Andrew WK, I really don't know what to say.
Oh come on, we just said no, and Walter made a joke because that's what he does. You don't need to act like we kicked Harry in the nuts and then pissed on him. But I forgive you for voicing your opinion on a forum anyway!
We're being rude? She called us communists (and not even the good Communists, German communists!) and posted a stupid image macro (that bypassed the profanity filter!). This is hardly a thoughtful reflection on the general tendency of the internet users to jump to conclusions. What would checking IPs accomplish? We're saying that she's trolling (because she is), not that it was Harry's alt. I'll admit that I was confused enough by its sudden appearance that I thought it for a second, but I knew that Harry wouldn't do such a ridiculous thing.
It's more like making an honest mistake about what constitutes ProgArchives' acceptance at all, and again, what exactly did we say to hurt your feelings so badly? I certainly don't see anything to warrant your condescending post (and after calling us condescending!), but maybe I'm biased by my non-love of Andrew WK.
I'm the classiest motherf**ker around, no problem.
------------- if you own a sodastream i hate you |
Posted By: Windhawk
Date Posted: March 08 2010 at 13:27
As I remarked previously, I don't hear too much special in this artists work really. Some quirky details do spice up the proceedings a bit, but the core foundation of the music is very much mainstream-oriented as I hear it. Unlike what I've heard of Zappa I might add, where the quirky features are the foundation and the mainstream-oriented details are the additional spices. The Steinman-tinged melodramatics might make this artist viable for prog-related in some distant future perhaps, but as of today I can't really see this artist making it into the database here. The music might be good - and it is well put together - but as far as I'm concerned it lacks finesse and sophistication. I have voted no for the inclusion many artists more sophisticated than this dude in my time at this site, and personally I think this guy by mere musical merits has a much weaker case than artists like Stranglers and Smashing Pumpkins - to name two others who has been given the thumbs down in recent years (as in the modern meaning of that hand-signal obviously, and not the original one of Caesarian times). ------------- Websites I work with: http://www.progressor.net http://www.houseofprog.com My profile on Mixcloud: https://www.mixcloud.com/haukevind/ |
Posted By: Man Overboard
Date Posted: March 08 2010 at 15:23
As far as I'm concerned, the music is rather ingenious. Sure, I didn't see the need to post a topic about it myself, but it having been put up there, I must appeal to my experience and argue the point. Having given it as many active listens as many of my favorite prog albums, I can speak about this subject with certainty. The music's multi-layered approach (the number of instruments playing at any given time would probably break world records) leaves much to be discovered with multiple, successive listens. Let's not argue aesthetics; this man takes the difficult pop formula and makes it his plaything, injecting a ridiculous amount of musical information while somehow only -building- on its awesomeness and never breaking apart. Example: Andrew WK - The Moving Room: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zkClhEfNIk&feature=PlayList&p=195BD42C4A153382&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=29 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zkClhEfNIk Andrew WK interviewed by the world's youngest interviewer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUMonIdZoXo&feature=related - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUMonIdZoXo&feature=related would say this qualifies for avant-garde in the literal sense  this guy is a total madman, a real jewel.Anyway, since my opinion does and can exist, perhaps there is some merit to it as I've not heard from anyone else who has given his music any significant listening time in this thread. There is significant reward to further active listening over a period of time. Sure, it's easy to try to brush off, but why not try to examine it from another perspective? ------------- https://soundcloud.com/erin-susan-jennings" rel="nofollow - Bedroom guitarist". Composer, Arranger, Producer. Perfection may not exist, but I may still choose to serve Perfection. Commissions considered. |
Posted By: Man Overboard
Date Posted: March 08 2010 at 15:26
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(mess of a quote setup deleted for clarity)
Dude, you've not been here for two years and you've accumulated 6000 posts. Have fun being a full-time dick on a forum!  After all, you "live" for it.------------- https://soundcloud.com/erin-susan-jennings" rel="nofollow - Bedroom guitarist". Composer, Arranger, Producer. Perfection may not exist, but I may still choose to serve Perfection. Commissions considered. |
Posted By: WalterDigsTunes
Date Posted: March 08 2010 at 15:27
| You know, I can stack lots of things onto ProTools too. I guess that makes me an avant-garde madman jewel as well. |
Posted By: Windhawk
Date Posted: March 08 2010 at 15:46
That video didn't change my perceptions at all. But to humour your opinions: I'm having Espen Storö over for dinner and relaxation this Wednesday - he's a friend of my wife and pops in here now and then. He used to play keyboards for a Norwegian band called Circus Maximus a few years ago, and should be able to give more of an expert opinion on this creation ;-) ------------- Websites I work with: http://www.progressor.net http://www.houseofprog.com My profile on Mixcloud: https://www.mixcloud.com/haukevind/ |
Posted By: Man Overboard
Date Posted: March 08 2010 at 16:34
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w1mTEM50svo - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w1mTEM50svo hrmm. ------------- https://soundcloud.com/erin-susan-jennings" rel="nofollow - Bedroom guitarist". Composer, Arranger, Producer. Perfection may not exist, but I may still choose to serve Perfection. Commissions considered. |
Posted By: Tsevir Leirbag
Date Posted: March 08 2010 at 16:38
^ Don't say that is avant-prog  ------------- Les mains, les pieds balancés Sur tant de mers, tant de planchers, Un marin mort, Il dormira - Paul Éluard |
Posted By: Windhawk
Date Posted: March 08 2010 at 16:44
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Nice piano playing - but nothing there that Jerry Lee Lewis hasn't done (better) already. More than 40 years ago. From your descriptions of the artist I'd say that one was an underwhelming experience, to the point of being downright disappointing. ------------- Websites I work with: http://www.progressor.net http://www.houseofprog.com My profile on Mixcloud: https://www.mixcloud.com/haukevind/ |
Posted By: Man Overboard
Date Posted: March 08 2010 at 16:49
Only showing similarities with other prog acts The avant-prog argument is not mine although I do see aspects of literal avant-garde in the entirety.Edit: LOL now that I'm actually looking into it he does namedrop progressive rock in interviews
------------- https://soundcloud.com/erin-susan-jennings" rel="nofollow - Bedroom guitarist". Composer, Arranger, Producer. Perfection may not exist, but I may still choose to serve Perfection. Commissions considered. |
Posted By: Tsevir Leirbag
Date Posted: March 08 2010 at 16:53
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Oh, alright, then. Would someone like to suggest them for Prog-Related (I don't think it would fit but I still can pass it to the PR team)? ------------- Les mains, les pieds balancés Sur tant de mers, tant de planchers, Un marin mort, Il dormira - Paul Éluard |
Posted By: Windhawk
Date Posted: March 08 2010 at 17:00
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From everything that has been showcased about this artist so far, I wouldn't even back this suggestion for the "nearly-close-to-prog-related if heavily under the influence" category. At best some Steinmanish tendencies, but the compositional structures are plain and straightforward, the composition of the multiple layers emphasized lacks sophistication and finesse beyond the average and I generally doesn't find anything noteworthy as far as progressive music goes here - nor anything that would be of interest from a progressive music point of view. Nice beer n pretzel music, would probably enjoy it after 10-15 beers, but as far as the Progarchives go this suggestion has been the biggest waste of my time as a collaborator ever. ------------- Websites I work with: http://www.progressor.net http://www.houseofprog.com My profile on Mixcloud: https://www.mixcloud.com/haukevind/ |
Posted By: Tsevir Leirbag
Date Posted: March 08 2010 at 17:03
 Pretty much my opinion, indeed, but I felt I had to offer; one might've wanted to try...I laughed at "would probably enjoy it after 10-15 beers". Funny comment ------------- Les mains, les pieds balancés Sur tant de mers, tant de planchers, Un marin mort, Il dormira - Paul Éluard |
Posted By: Man Overboard
Date Posted: March 08 2010 at 19:01
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D: Man, I'm sitting here listening to "Car Nightmare" from '55 Cadillac, a classy piano improvisation with many developing themes on a concept album full of piano improvisation. Even bare, raw, and live, this man's feeling and compositional chops are quite unique. Are you guys even listening to the same artist as I? ------------- https://soundcloud.com/erin-susan-jennings" rel="nofollow - Bedroom guitarist". Composer, Arranger, Producer. Perfection may not exist, but I may still choose to serve Perfection. Commissions considered. |
Posted By: Henry Plainview
Date Posted: March 08 2010 at 20:31
What does "avant-garde in the literal sense" even mean? But even calling anything about those two videos avant-garde as I understand it is incomprehensible. I have no idea what it is you hear in Andrew WK, but it doesn't seem to be something that anybody else does...
lol, Andrew WK is so sincere he doesn't allow people talking about him to recognize irony! I was hoping you might respond to my points and we could get into an epic Ivan-esque battle for supremacy of the forum, but if you're just going to make fun of me instead of addressing anything I said that's cool too I guess. ------------- if you own a sodastream i hate you |
Posted By: Easy Money
Date Posted: March 08 2010 at 20:43
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I had to check out a couple of youtubes of this guy and see what all the fuss was about.
I'm a keyboard player who is familiar with and worked within all the genres and influences this guy is obviously familiar with including drunken Stevie Wonder impersonations, minimalism, post punk, alternative, post-rave electronica, math-rock, Terry Riley, Mike Ratledge, Sun Ra, a bit of Keith Emerson, etc. Um ... this guy isn't very good and kudos to him for having the chutzpah to declare himself a solo act based on his meager skills and musical knowledge. It really sounds like he is drunk. Something happens to people's timing when they have been drinking. I love to drink, but I will rarely if ever get drunk and get on stage, you owe that to your audience. |
Posted By: Man Overboard
Date Posted: March 08 2010 at 21:26
I'm generally up for debate but around hour 62 of cold-turkey cigarette-quitting I just didn't feel like fanning the flames.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2nLOQ7psGE - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2nLOQ7psGE Not a lot of pro-shot footage available, but the only thing I've seen him drink at shows is tons and tons of water  ------------- https://soundcloud.com/erin-susan-jennings" rel="nofollow - Bedroom guitarist". Composer, Arranger, Producer. Perfection may not exist, but I may still choose to serve Perfection. Commissions considered. |
Posted By: Easy Money
Date Posted: March 08 2010 at 21:47
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^ now that was a lot more fun, sort of 77 style punk with anthemic sing a long choruses, kind of reminded me of The Misfits.
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Posted By: Man Overboard
Date Posted: March 08 2010 at 22:52
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^ yes, it's quite catchy, isn't it? Though, he's quite a bit more fond of counterpoint than the Misfits. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBIscATqAwk&feature=related - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBIscATqAwk&feature=related this is also relevant ------------- https://soundcloud.com/erin-susan-jennings" rel="nofollow - Bedroom guitarist". Composer, Arranger, Producer. Perfection may not exist, but I may still choose to serve Perfection. Commissions considered. |
Posted By: Easy Money
Date Posted: March 09 2010 at 09:59
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There's some decent piano playing on this (mostly from Gonzalez) but no contrapuntang. For a good example of contrapuntang check out Wendy (Walter) Carlos' Switched on Bach. The use of synthesizers makes the individual voices stand out more than the traditional harpsichord or pipe organ.
Hear the intertwining voices, that is true contrapuntang. Of the two pianists on this one, Gonzalez is far better. I could turn the picture off and easily tell you which one is playing. Andrew is sloppy with underdeveloped technique. If he isn't drunk, he sounds like it. Gonzalez is the real deal and probably works as a lounge pianist or possibly even has the occasional solo piano recital. The deal is there are thousands of pianists in recital rooms all across the world that could play circles around Andrew. The difference is that they have too much respect for the true greats to suddenly announce they are good enough to perform as solo acts. On the plus side, I think it's great that these people at the club are enjoying these solo piano acts. You would rarely if ever see something like this in the states |
Posted By: Windhawk
Date Posted: March 12 2010 at 15:25
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The simple verdict from my wife's visiting musician friend: "This is pop music".
------------- Websites I work with: http://www.progressor.net http://www.houseofprog.com My profile on Mixcloud: https://www.mixcloud.com/haukevind/ |