Classics you haven't heard - and why

Toaster Mantis wrote: Of course, my original point being that there is a lot of music I avoid for reasons I know aren't justifiable.

What reasons do you have for avoiding  other bands?

Toaster Mantis wrote: If their music is too difficult to find, and if descriptions of their signature sound or especially their "band concept" describes something I probably won't like. Likewise, if the concept revolves around some kind of unsubtle political/religious agenda I'm a bit more hesitant, but won't write them off completely since the music often suffers but not always.

Fair enough......

After scanning the top 100 the ones that leap out are PFM and Anglagard. I've heard of PFM and even had an LP or two in my hands at record fairs over the years, and in the end have bought something else instead.

I've never heard of Anglagard. Maybe I should use this posting as a springboard to at least find out what they sound like!

progbethyname wrote: ELP's Brain Salad Surgery. Haven't heard the whole thing, but I've taken a listen to KARN EVIL 9 and quite like it. I think there may be a new edition coming out of this album, so it may be a good time for me to grab it. Can't hurt. :)

richardh wrote: progbethyname wrote: ELP's Brain Salad Surgery. Haven't heard the whole thing, but I've taken a listen to KARN EVIL 9 and quite like it. I think there may be a new edition coming out of this album, so it may be a good time for me to grab it. Can't hurt. :) there is has been my favourite album for a long while but its one of those that divides opinions. Its ELP being ELP with all the pomposity and bombast they could muster. Not one for those who like subtlety.

Richard my friend, I know this album is a must for keen progressive ears to hear. It's a pretty notable album and you can be sure I will pick this album up one day and hear it good and proper....no snippets

Rick Robson wrote: Classics I never heard: The Dragon, L' Apocalypse des Animaux, Earth, Opera Sauvage, Soil Festivities, Direct, Mask. Recently known the album El Greco - just amazing!

Vangelis's El Greco is incredible. I've played that album a billion times because I love to fall asleep to it.
It warrants no less than 5 stars. It's amazing. Very classical, sweet and operatic. ;)

richardh wrote: Rick Robson wrote: Classics I never heard: The Dragon, L' Apocalypse des Animaux, Earth, Opera Sauvage, Soil Festivities, Direct, Mask. Recently known the album El Greco - just amazing! Those are all great. In fact you are very close to listing all my favourite Vangelis albums. Heaven and Hell , China ,Voices and Blade Runner are the only ones I would put above them.

I'd put Albedo 0.39 above all of them except L'AdA, which is an equally beautiful album, very different in tone and nature.

richardh wrote: Rick Robson wrote: Classics I never heard: The Dragon, L' Apocalypse des Animaux, Earth, Opera Sauvage, Soil Festivities, Direct, Mask. Recently known the album El Greco - just amazing! Those are all great. In fact you are very close to listing all my favourite Vangelis albums. Heaven and Hell , China ,Voices and Blade Runner are the only ones I would put above them. I would also strongly recommend his two albums with Irene Papas - Odes and Rapsodies.

Edited by Rick Robson - April 26 2014 at 22:13

I still need to hear ELP, Gentle Giant and Van Der Graaf Generator, full albums, I've only listened to a couple of songs :(

richardh wrote: 1986 and beyond I think TD became less collaborative and was really Froese using the band name for his solo output aided and abetted by his son and a few others. Franke got fed up and left about 1987 to purse his own solo career (the music for Babylon 5 was probably his high point) In recent years (2004 onwards) TD have become a lot more retro in approach. There are a number of albums I like such as the Booster series (6 releases so far) but I wouldn't recommend any in particular. Best to stick to the earlier eras if you are building a collection.

1986's Underwater Sunlight was the last truly great "collaborative" trio album by TD, and also the last wholly unique one (back when each new album yielded tonnes of great new sounds and melodies and sequences). Being it's the first with Paul Haslinger, on the heels of Johannes' departure, it makes sense, but then...

...as you mentioned, Chris Franke left after Tyger, which was a unique yet pleasant experiment for them.

Optical Race, Melrose and Rockoon represent a transitional window, IMO, where Edgar balanced a collaborative approach with yielding more control to Jerome. It's like they wanted to incorporate a more traditional instrumental rock sound, but some of the drum patterns are questionable. Sometimes it's just better to get a real drummer if that's what you want.