| Author |
 Topic Search  Topic Options
|
schizoidman 
Forum Senior Member
Joined: March 25 2006
Location: Los Angeles
Status: Offline
Points: 460
|
 Topic: Question for PA Collaborators & Genre Team Members
Posted: December 04 2013 at 16:55 |
I'm wondering if some of the PA Collaborators and Sub Genre Team Members, those of you who review the albums, singles, box sets, DVD's, etcetera, would care to write about some of the better discoveries you found.
Kind of looking for the younger folks who happened upon, say, "The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway" or "Close to the Edge" for the first time say, about a year or two or three ago. Was your mind blown away by the music or did it put you to sleep????
|
|
Making the useless useful 24/7.
|
 |
Horizons
Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator
Joined: January 20 2011
Location: Somewhere Else
Status: Offline
Points: 16952
|
Posted: December 04 2013 at 17:53 |
Well i think one of the best discoveries coming through me was the band Perhaps. I was initially messaged by one of the members about their inclusion and from there it eventually became a well-reviewed album.
Volume One is the album i'd recommend for anyone curious enough to hear some really progressive stuff.
Is that what your asking?
|
|
Crushed like a rose in the riverflow.
|
|
sleeper
Prog Reviewer
Joined: October 09 2005
Location: Entropia
Status: Offline
Points: 16449
|
Posted: December 04 2013 at 18:05 |
|
In most cases I'd say neither, for me I tend to be able to identify on
first listen whether an album is going to be "good" or "bad" but the
full impact of the album takes time to sink in (at least with the good
ones since I keep listening to them, the bad ones not so much). Of
course there's always exceptions, of the classics I'd say these blew me
away straight off.
Art Zoyd- Musique Pour L'Odyssee
Banco del Mutuo Succorso- Darwin!
Billy Cobham- Spectrum
Bubu- Anabelas
Pink Floyd- Animals
Van der Graaf Generator- Still Life
Comus- First Utterance
King Crimson- Red
Quella Vecchia Locanda- Il Tempo Della Gioia
Le Orme- Felona e Sorona
Jethro Tull- Thick as a Brick
Marillion- Script for a Jesters Tear
Surprisingly
this has happened to me a lot more with bands and albums from the last
decade or so, to the point where I could give you a list that was well
into double figures and probably half way to triple figures. There are
several things to remember here though, like that in the last 10 years
of buying albums, give or take a couple of years, I've listened to the
best part of 1000 albums and that in that time my taste in and knowledge
of Prog music has grown considerably, so that albums that I would have
given 5 stars without hesitation 6 years ago would only get a 3 from me
today and that includes several albums that really grabbed me at first
but have failed to keep a hold on my attention.It's also easier to get blown away by something new when you've only got 20 albums in your collection.
|
Spending more than I should on Prog since 2005 
|
|
Horizons
Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator
Joined: January 20 2011
Location: Somewhere Else
Status: Offline
Points: 16952
|
Posted: December 04 2013 at 18:12 |
^ We're very similar in this case. Neither of those blew me away, with the exception of CttE's organ part.
Of classic albums though i'd say Pawn hearts and Foxtrot - though my memory of these experiences is a bit misty. Seeing i don't listen to these much.
And again, i'm more of a modern music lover so albums that much more recent blow me away immediately.
Choirs of the Eye Amputechture Sound Awake
etc
|
|
Crushed like a rose in the riverflow.
|
|
sleeper
Prog Reviewer
Joined: October 09 2005
Location: Entropia
Status: Offline
Points: 16449
|
Posted: December 04 2013 at 18:18 |
^My antipathy for Yes is well known.  It actually took quite a while for Foxtrot to sink whilst Plague has never really been a top favorite, whilst Godbluff also took time to grow (I now holed it pretty much equal with still life). I should also have pointed out that having heard so many albums I don't always remember the first listen I gave some of them.
|
Spending more than I should on Prog since 2005
|
|
Horizons
Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator
Joined: January 20 2011
Location: Somewhere Else
Status: Offline
Points: 16952
|
Posted: December 04 2013 at 18:30 |
I'm not sure really what puts me off on Yes - i mean i don't hate them but i listen to them very little, even early on my prog listening.
Foxtrot immediately hooked me from the rhythmic point of view, whether it was the build up from after Watcher's intro or Friday's basslines, etc.
|
|
Crushed like a rose in the riverflow.
|
|
schizoidman
Forum Senior Member
Joined: March 25 2006
Location: Los Angeles
Status: Offline
Points: 460
|
Posted: December 04 2013 at 18:54 |
 Horizons wrote:
Well i think one of the best discoveries coming through me was the band Perhaps. I was initially messaged by one of the members about their inclusion and from there it eventually became a well-reviewed album.
Volume One is the album i'd recommend for anyone curious enough to hear some really progressive stuff. Is that what your asking? |
Yes. The music that you discovered that has been very enjoyable for you.
|
|
Making the useless useful 24/7.
|
|
schizoidman
Forum Senior Member
Joined: March 25 2006
Location: Los Angeles
Status: Offline
Points: 460
|
Posted: December 04 2013 at 19:25 |
sleeper wrote:
In most cases I'd say neither, for me I tend to be able to identify on
first listen whether an album is going to be "good" or "bad" but the
full impact of the album takes time to sink in (at least with the good
ones since I keep listening to them, the bad ones not so much). Of
course there's always exceptions, of the classics I'd say these blew me
away straight off.Art Zoyd- Musique Pour L'Odyssee Banco del Mutuo Succorso- Darwin!Billy Cobham- SpectrumBubu- AnabelasPink Floyd- AnimalsVan der Graaf Generator- Still LifeComus- First UtteranceKing Crimson- RedQuella Vecchia Locanda- Il Tempo Della GioiaLe Orme- Felona e SoronaJethro Tull- Thick as a BrickMarillion- Script for a Jesters TearSurprisingly
this has happened to me a lot more with bands and albums from the last
decade or so, to the point where I could give you a list that was well
into double figures and probably half way to triple figures. There are
several things to remember here though, like that in the last 10 years
of buying albums, give or take a couple of years, I've listened to the
best part of 1000 albums and that in that time my taste in and knowledge
of Prog music has grown considerably, so that albums that I would have
given 5 stars without hesitation 6 years ago would only get a 3 from me
today and that includes several albums that really grabbed me at first
but have failed to keep a hold on my attention.It's also easier to get blown away by something new when you've only got 20 albums in your collection.
|
I have found that cherry picking, although taking a lot of time, yields the best results. By cherry picking I mean that I usually do not like every song by a specific band, so, I give each song on any given album a fair listen and pick the ones I find enjoyable. I agree with the bands you listed that I am familiar with. Almost impossible not to like "Animals" or "Thick as a Brick" upon initial listening. Thanks for your input! 
|
|
Making the useless useful 24/7.
|
|
octopus-4
Special Collaborator
RIO/Avant/Zeuhl,Neo & Post/Math Teams
Joined: October 31 2006
Location: Italy
Status: Offline
Points: 13344
|
Posted: December 04 2013 at 23:36 |
Recently Iamthemorning and Sophya Baccini. Thanks to Progarchives I've discovered After Crying, Ayreon and Phideaux, just to mention some.
|
|
Curiosity killed a cat, Schroedinger only half.
My poor home recorded stuff at https://yellingxoanon.bandcamp.com
|
|
schizoidman
Forum Senior Member
Joined: March 25 2006
Location: Los Angeles
Status: Offline
Points: 460
|
Posted: December 05 2013 at 12:56 |
octopus-4 wrote:
Recently Iamthemorning and Sophya Baccini. Thanks to Progarchives I've discovered After Crying, Ayreon and Phideaux, just to mention some.
|
I really like iamthemorning. Most impressive debut album.
Phideaux I listened to a few years ago and did not go back.
Sophya Baccini, After Crying and Ayreon I've yet to hear.
|
|
Making the useless useful 24/7.
|
|
octopus-4
Special Collaborator
RIO/Avant/Zeuhl,Neo & Post/Math Teams
Joined: October 31 2006
Location: Italy
Status: Offline
Points: 13344
|
Posted: December 05 2013 at 13:17 |
schizoidman wrote:
octopus-4 wrote:
Recently Iamthemorning and Sophya Baccini. Thanks to Progarchives I've discovered After Crying, Ayreon and Phideaux, just to mention some.
|
I really like iamthemorning. Most impressive debut album. Phideaux I listened to a few years ago and did not go back. Sophya Baccini, After Crying and Ayreon I've yet to hear. |
I like everything of After Crying: dark symphonic prog. Regarding Ayreon there are only two albums that I think are masterpieces: The Human Equation and Actual Fantasy. For Phideaux the one I like most is Doomsday Afternoon
|
|
Curiosity killed a cat, Schroedinger only half.
My poor home recorded stuff at https://yellingxoanon.bandcamp.com
|
|
Gerinski
Prog Reviewer
Joined: February 10 2010
Location: Barcelona Spain
Status: Offline
Points: 5088
|
Posted: December 05 2013 at 13:51 |
I was never a prolific reviewer and it's quite a long time I do not submit reviews (for personal reasons which are not relevant here). If you check my reviews list you will notice that I very rarely reviewed well-known albums. Those have already lots of sensible reviews and given my limited dedication to reviewing I try to put my energy into reviews which can add some more value to PA than a 500th review for the latest Steven Wilson album, I concentrate with priority on albums I have and which have few or no reviews at all. Most of the classics I know them for too long to think about how did they feel on first listens. I am not buying much lately, but among more modern albums I have been very positively impressed by Moon Safari's Blomljud, Glass Hammer's work with Davison (mostly IF), Steven Wilson's Grace for Drowing and Raven, Big Big Train Underfall Yard (more than the British Electrics), Anglagard's Viljans, Motorpsycho's Unicorn, or Beardfish Sleeping In Traffic (both) to name a few which come to mind. On the other hand I have been a bit disappointed by several albums which have got great appreciation here, Haken, David Minasian, Phideaux Snowtorch, Birds and Buildings, Discipline's To Shatter All Accord or Comedy of Errors' Fanfare. Good albums sure but not deserving the huge praise they get IMHO.
|
|
schizoidman
Forum Senior Member
Joined: March 25 2006
Location: Los Angeles
Status: Offline
Points: 460
|
Posted: December 06 2013 at 09:27 |
octopus-4 wrote:
schizoidman wrote:
octopus-4 wrote:
Recently Iamthemorning and Sophya Baccini. Thanks to Progarchives I've discovered After Crying, Ayreon and Phideaux, just to mention some.
|
I really like iamthemorning. Most impressive debut album.
Phideaux I listened to a few years ago and did not go back.
Sophya Baccini, After Crying and Ayreon I've yet to hear. |
I like everything of After Crying: dark symphonic prog. Regarding Ayreon there are only two albums that I think are masterpieces: The Human Equation and Actual Fantasy. For Phideaux the one I like most is Doomsday Afternoon |
|
|
Making the useless useful 24/7.
|
|
schizoidman
Forum Senior Member
Joined: March 25 2006
Location: Los Angeles
Status: Offline
Points: 460
|
Posted: December 06 2013 at 09:42 |
Gerinski wrote:
I was never a prolific reviewer and it's quite a long time I do not submit reviews (for personal reasons which are not relevant here). If you check my reviews list you will notice that I very rarely reviewed well-known albums. Those have already lots of sensible reviews and given my limited dedication to reviewing I try to put my energy into reviews which can add some more value to PA than a 500th review for the latest Steven Wilson album, I concentrate with priority on albums I have and which have few or no reviews at all.
Most of the classics I know them for too long to think about how did they feel on first listens.
I am not buying much lately, but among more modern albums I have been very positively impressed by Moon Safari's Blomljud, Glass Hammer's work with Davison (mostly IF), Steven Wilson's Grace for Drowing and Raven, Big Big Train Underfall Yard (more than the British Electrics), Anglagard's Viljans, Motorpsycho's Unicorn, or Beardfish Sleeping In Traffic (both) to name a few which come to mind.
On the other hand I have been a bit disappointed by several albums which have got great appreciation here, Haken, David Minasian, Phideaux Snowtorch, Birds and Buildings, Discipline's To Shatter All Accord or Comedy of Errors' Fanfare. Good albums sure but not deserving the huge praise they get IMHO. |
I, too, as a regular poster on PA, am trying to review artists I enjoy that can benefit from discussion. I've been on a crusade of sorts for Carla Bley.
To pick a few artists you listed....PA is the site where I first heard about Big Big Train and they've been a great, great find.
Steven Wilson's last two albums, "Grace for Drowning" and "The Raven....".....I have a connect with them but not a major one. Time will tell, I'm sure.
|
|
Making the useless useful 24/7.
|
|
Guldbamsen
Special Collaborator
Retired Admin
Joined: January 22 2009
Location: Magic Theatre
Status: Offline
Points: 23098
|
Posted: December 06 2013 at 09:49 |
Hmmm I guess I could say a vast part of my RPI collection, but then again I purchased that before I started posting on here. I bought someone's entire collection (some 70 RPI releases) over the net, but then again it was first after reading various PA reviews that I really developed a taste for the music. Jim (Finnforest) is probably one of the biggest reasons for me appreciating this brand of prog rock, and I thank him from the bottom of my heart.
|
|
“The Guide says there is an art to flying or rather a knack. The knack lies in learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss.”
- Douglas Adams
|
|
schizoidman
Forum Senior Member
Joined: March 25 2006
Location: Los Angeles
Status: Offline
Points: 460
|
Posted: December 06 2013 at 13:11 |
Guldbamsen wrote:
Hmmm I guess I could say a vast part of my RPI collection, but then again I purchased that before I started posting on here. I bought someone's entire collection (some 70 RPI releases) over the net, but then again it was first after reading various PA reviews that I really developed a taste for the music. Jim (Finnforest) is probably one of the biggest reasons for me appreciating this brand of prog rock, and I thank him from the bottom of my heart.
|
RPI is a sub genre that I have yet to explore in a serious way. I've heard bits and pieces of PFM but have never returned to them. Just not feeling it yet, I guess. And the funny thing is....both my Mom and Dad are Italian! 
|
|
Making the useless useful 24/7.
|
|
zravkapt
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator
Joined: October 12 2010
Location: Canada
Status: Offline
Points: 6446
|
Posted: December 06 2013 at 14:27 |
schizoidman wrote:
RPI is a sub genre that I have yet to explore in a serious way. I've heard bits and pieces of PFM but have never returned to them. Just not feeling it yet, I guess. And the funny thing is....both my Mom and Dad are Italian! |
I too started with PFM and was turned off that sub for awhile. Then I heard Banco n Orme and I liked them a little more. Later I discovered the likes of Area, Il Balleto di Bronzo, Franco Battiato, Goblin & others and they just blew me away!
|
|
Magma America Great Make Again
|
|
richardh
Prog Reviewer
Joined: February 18 2004
Location: United Kingdom
Status: Offline
Points: 26064
|
Posted: December 09 2013 at 17:04 |
Anathema - Weather Systems is the only album that has blown me away in recent years. This kind of mix of heavy prog and post rock was something I didn't even know existed. Throw in a bit of New Age with the heavy artillery and I'm 'there'.
Best recommendation I've had for an album released not that recently is Pallas - Dreams Of Men. A modern neo prog masterpeice if ever there was.
A newish band that should get way more attention is The Three Monks. Pipe organ + ELP/Ars Nova style heaven for me.
|
|
Chris S
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator
Joined: June 09 2004
Location: Front Range
Status: Offline
Points: 7028
|
Posted: December 09 2013 at 17:15 |
Great topic. Funny I get quite jealous when I read some youngster has just discovered Camel, Caravan or Genesis for the first time......and they have the novelty of experiencing their entire catalogue for the first time. Really sucks 
|
|
<font color=Brown>Music - The Sound Librarian
...As I venture through the slipstream, between the viaducts in your dreams...[/COLOR]
|
|
Finnforest
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator
Joined: February 03 2007
Location: .
Status: Offline
Points: 16913
|
Posted: December 09 2013 at 18:44 |
Guldbamsen wrote:
Hmmm I guess I could say a vast part of my RPI collection, but then again I purchased that before I started posting on here. I bought someone's entire collection (some 70 RPI releases) over the net, but then again it was first after reading various PA reviews that I really developed a taste for the music. Jim (Finnforest) is probably one of the biggest reasons for me appreciating this brand of prog rock, and I thank him from the bottom of my heart.
|
I just stumbled onto this by chance....thank you David for the kind
words. I had the most fun recommending stuff to you because you had
similar taste for the weirdo underground stuff that I did....we were
often comparing notes on the the wild and trippy sh*t. I'm happy you liked some of that stuff too. And for the record I love your reviews too, always heartfelt and high res 
|
|
|
|
/PAlogo_v2.gif "Progarchives.com Homepage")
Question for PA Collaborators & Genre Team Members
