Present, Univers Zero, Vortex -- disappointing
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Category: Progressive Music Lounges
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URL: http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=48388
Printed Date: April 26 2024 at 04:48
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Topic: Present, Univers Zero, Vortex -- disappointing
Posted By: Logan
Subject: Present, Univers Zero, Vortex -- disappointing
Date Posted: May 05 2008 at 21:58
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Foregoing any anxiety over riding on the coattails of others, the success of Cacho's Genesis' and Yes' "most disappointing albums" threads led to this. If rock needn't be innovative to be considered Progressive Rock, then screw originality. ;) 'Twas originally just to be about the Belgian bands UZ and Present, but I opted to throw Vortex into the whirlpool. The reason being simply that I discovered Vortex around the same time as UZ, and Present a little later. I'm only referring to studio albums here... This is about the album that didn't live up to your expectations, maybe it's the only album you heard of that band... That's fine. Maybe it's where the band changed direction. Maybe it's the album where you think the band sold its soul to commercial rock n' roll or the teeny-bop pop music scene. Darn those sell-out albums! From Rock in Opposition to pablum pop -- sad I know I steer clear of Univers Zero's and Present's Spice Girls phase. It's not about what you think is the worst album per se, of course it might well be the the one you consider worst, maybe just the one that you had the highest expectations of but the album did not live up to what you were hoping for. UNIVERS ZERO Albums (8)
PRESENT Albums (6)
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VORTEX Albums (2)
------------- Just a fanboy passin' through. |
Replies:
Posted By: rileydog22
Date Posted: May 05 2008 at 22:01
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I haven't really strayed from any of these bands' "glory periods," but I've yet to be disappointed by any album I've heard by any of theres guys.
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Posted By: Weston
Date Posted: May 05 2008 at 22:06
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I can't vote because I only have Implosion - and I LOVE it. Not sure how it can not live up to expectations, unless by being a little more accessible than the clips I've heard from the other UZ albums. I expect to dip into the backlog as soon as budget allows |
Posted By: Logan
Date Posted: May 05 2008 at 22:27
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Weston, I like every UZ album I know. Present is excellent and worth checking out too. Incidentally, I almost entitled this "biggest sell-out." :) I haven't been disappointed with any Present, UZ, or Vortex albums, and I have almost all of the studio ones, but we're bound to find someone who has been disappointed. '80s music doesn't get a lot of respect from quite a few people here, and certainly UZ is such a big name that many of those not into avant generally might have risked it based on glowing reviews. I know at least one forum member here who didn't get the big deal with Vortex. Thought this might be a rather interesting or strange companion piece to Cacho's most disappointing Genesis and Yes polls. ------------- Just a fanboy passin' through. |
Posted By: horsewithteeth11
Date Posted: May 05 2008 at 22:33
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I've only heard UZ unfortunately, but I can honestly say I didn't dislike any of their work. Then again I need to hear it more.
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Posted By: VanderGraafKommandöh
Date Posted: May 05 2008 at 22:46
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Where's the none option? Now if you'd stuck in Art Zoyd's Nosferatu... I've yet to hear '80s UZ or Present, so it's hard for me to vote on this. I've heard everything by Vortex too and none of them have disappointed me. However, Eider Stellaire's second album did disappoint me, but that's not on the list eirher. -------------   
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Posted By: laplace
Date Posted: May 05 2008 at 22:51
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I haven't really liked the last three UZ albums. Lapirella tasted 1313 and declared, "Why, this is far too sour!" Then, she nibbled on Implosion and remarked that it seemed far too sweet. But when she came to sample UZed, her verdict was that it was *just right*. Or something ;P ze point being zat UZ had something good going in the late '80s and I listen to that side of them much more than Heresie. ------------- FREEDOM OF SPEECH GO TO HELL |
Posted By: Logan
Date Posted: May 05 2008 at 23:23
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James: opted not to have a "none" option this time, or an "all" option, though that would usually be more my style. People can always say so in posts if they wish. I am now regretting that I didn't include a "nun" option, however. I certainly did consider adding Art Zoyd, too many albums, though (all studio albums or none for my purposes). Listening to Eider Stellaire I in honour of your mention (awesome album), which interrupts a Mekanik Kommandoh session. Laplace, UZed is just right. Gratuitous ZardoZ quote (a film with Connery playing an exterminator named Zed in a red diaper) "We've all been uzed." "And re-uzed." "And abuzed!" And amuzed." Actually, I wouldn't say i was disappointed, but the first album I heard of Univers Zero was Heresie, and I was a little underwhelmed (unlike with my first Present album -- double album in fact -- Triskaidekaphobie/ Le Poison Qui Rend Fou and my first Vortex album, Les Cycles de Thanatos). I think I got Vortex's and UZ's at the same time, and Vortex held my interest more. I did like UZ's though. ------------- Just a fanboy passin' through. |
Posted By: VanderGraafKommandöh
Date Posted: May 05 2008 at 23:33
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Try Shub-Niggurath's Les Morts Vont Vite, it'll blow your mind! I reviewed a Vortex album didn't I? I'm sure I did. It's just I cannot remember the music... I think I'll to have spin them again. Have you heard Eider Stellaire's second yet? Their best album in my opinion is their unreleased one, which actually is the most Zeuhl one. This is the most successful poll ever, nobody has voted.  -------------
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Posted By: Logan
Date Posted: May 05 2008 at 23:52
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I love Shub-Niggurath's Les Morts Vont Vite. One of my favourite albums, and strangely enough, I considered adding S-N to this poll (cause of the darkness). I actually did a poll a few weeks ago that mentioned that album: forum_posts.asp?TID=47959&KW= - The only good thread is a mort thread. I'm pretty sure we've talked about Vortex before, when you acquired the debut (or was that someone else)? No, I never did get ES's second. Heard some of it it though and liked what I heard. I didn't really expect much in the way of voting, these are strong albums. ------------- Just a fanboy passin' through. |
Posted By: VanderGraafKommandöh
Date Posted: May 05 2008 at 23:56
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I'm listening to Vortex's debut again and I know it'll sound odd to say this, but I reviewed this album and now it sounds completely unfamiliar to me! It's brilliant as ever, but I don't remember any of it. Also, Les Morts Vont Vite and Triskaidekaphobie are two of the few album titles I always spell incorrectly. -------------
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Posted By: VanderGraafKommandöh
Date Posted: May 06 2008 at 00:08
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Why did Délicieuse Créature have to end? It's bloody amazing. By the way, if you haven't done so already, check out Volapük. Question: what is the availability of Vortex on CD? -------------
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Posted By: Logan
Date Posted: May 06 2008 at 00:17
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Volpapuk, another one I considered for this poll, interesting. I lent "Where is Tamashii?" to a friend who moved away more than a year ago, and never got it back. :( It's okay, I've borrowed Cds from him that I forgot to return too (now wish I made a copy). Polyglot has been top of my most wanted list for months, but, well, a lot of expenses over the last months. I do have the first two albums. EDIT: to respond to your edit: Les Cycles was issued by Triton in 2003 on CD. I don't know how available it is now, or if it's still in print. ------------- Just a fanboy passin' through. |
Posted By: VanderGraafKommandöh
Date Posted: May 06 2008 at 00:27
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I love the Japanese lass' violin playing on Where is Tamishii? it has to be said, it breathes new life into the band. The only one I have of theirs still to listen to is their live album Pukapok, which I have on CD somewhere. Again, I will get the rest of their albums officially in the future, especially Polyglot. Le Feu du Tigre is excellent too, mind you. -------------
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Posted By: Mellotron Storm
Date Posted: May 06 2008 at 06:40
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I guess i'm the first to vote."The Hard Quest" came out 13 years after the previous record and for me it was disappointing.Still a good one mind you but my least favourite.The only one i haven't heard is "Rhythmix" but the rest on the list i have oh except "C.O.D. Performance" which i don't know if i'd call an official PRESENT recording or not. ------------- "The wind is slowly tearing her apart" "Sad Rain" ANEKDOTEN |
Posted By: Pnoom!
Date Posted: May 06 2008 at 08:44
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Far from the worst, but my expectations were ridiculously high for Ceux du Dehors since I had heard it was better than Heresie and I absolutely loved Heresie. I liked it (still do), but not nearly as much as Heresie.
Least disappointing (aka most exceeded expectations)... definitely the two by Vortex. Both amazing albums. Also, Heatwave, which is way better than it gets credit for.
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Posted By: VanderGraafKommandöh
Date Posted: May 06 2008 at 09:03
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I'm going to be a wee bit controversial... or maybe I'm not in retrospect... but I think Vortex's self-titled debut is just a tiny bit better than Les Cycles de Thanatos, but then again, Hipopotalamus Negrus is just perfect in every way... but then so is Délicieuse Créature... it's a tough call! I'll call them equal. -------------
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Posted By: Cesar Inca
Date Posted: May 06 2008 at 09:14
That's because the poll's question is a phallacy: it takes for granted that any of these bands is capable of creating a dissapointing recording. One must listen to each one of the aforesaid recordings without too many expectations... only expecting to be challenged, driven to emotional tension, even scared...
A quest for the least favorite would have been more motivating for me, at least.
Kind regards.
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James wrote:Posted By: Pnoom!
Date Posted: May 06 2008 at 09:42
I agree, debut gets 9.5, Cycles gets 9.3
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Posted By: Yukorin
Date Posted: May 06 2008 at 10:11
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edit: apologies for brusqueness, I've been off the fags for a month ------------- 
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Posted By: VanderGraafKommandöh
Date Posted: May 06 2008 at 10:12
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Indeed, there's not much in it, but I use the 5 star scale, so I'd say: Vortex - 4.8 Les Cycles de Thanatos - 4.7 Rounded up on the P.A. scale, that makes them both fives... although didn't I say Vortex was 4/5 in my review? I cannot remember! -------------
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Posted By: stonebeard
Date Posted: May 06 2008 at 11:26
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I'd say UZED. A rating above 4.50 and the album has no tension outside of dissonance for the sake of dissonance. Reminds me of Sleepytime Gorrila Museum melodies without distortion and on an organ. ------------- http://soundcloud.com/drewagler" rel="nofollow - My soundcloud. Please give feedback if you want! |
Posted By: el böthy
Date Posted: May 06 2008 at 21:12
Although I have the two first Present albums and I dont really find them interesting, I must vote for Heresie... an album I seem not to "get", for I see no masterpiece what so ever, just boring unison repetetive dark tones for 50 min...
------------- "You want me to play what, Robert?" 
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Posted By: el böthy
Date Posted: May 06 2008 at 21:13
Uh then thats the next album I need to get!  ------------- "You want me to play what, Robert?"
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Posted By: rileydog22
Date Posted: May 06 2008 at 21:16
Shouldn't that be Lapilocks? ------------- |
Posted By: The Quiet One
Date Posted: May 06 2008 at 21:17
.. A pitty I can't participate on yours  That's unfair!
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Posted By: Mellotron Storm
Date Posted: May 06 2008 at 21:23
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I'm surprised Pnoom! also felt like i did when i first heard "Ceux DU Dehors". At the time i was going chronologically through their recordings and had heard that "Ceux Du Dehors" was the favourite UNIVERS ZERO album of quite a few people.I also maybe had too high expectations and felt it didn't measure up to "Herisie". As a matter of fact i liked the debut better than that one as well.It's still an excellent record.I also was blown away by VORTEX's recordings,especially the second one. I think "No 6" might be my least favourite PRESENT album with "Certitudes" and "High Infidelity" neck and neck for my number one. ------------- "The wind is slowly tearing her apart" "Sad Rain" ANEKDOTEN |
Posted By: Rocktopus
Date Posted: May 07 2008 at 08:23
I've been off for over five years, and I'm still angry and hateful towards everyone. The closest thing to a disappointment with any of these are the vocals on the otherwise solid album Certitudes. Most of the time I rather they weren't there. But my expectations weren't that high. When I tried the later Present releases (starting with Certitudes) I was positively surprised with all of them, actually. ------------- Over land and under ashes In the sunlight, see - it flashes Find a fly and eat his eye But don't believe in me Don't believe in me Don't believe in me |
Posted By: Yukorin
Date Posted: May 07 2008 at 08:39
There are some benefits to quitting then -------------
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Posted By: Logan
Date Posted: May 07 2008 at 18:20
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I quit five years ago, but I started again. Heck, I quit every day, at least when I'm sleeping, which isn't much. I don't have the UZ album, but I've been listening to UZ's myspace's streaming mp3s of Univers Zero Live http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=161378007 - CLICK Bloody excellent! 
2006 ../album.asp?id=11159 - Live 4.29 (10 ratings) ------------- Just a fanboy passin' through. |
Posted By: Syzygy
Date Posted: May 07 2008 at 18:44
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While there isn't a bad album on that list, I voted for Heatwave. The relative dominance of keyboards and guitars over the strings and woodwinds that are such an integral part of UZ's sound is the major weakness I think - at times it strays rather a long way from the chamber prog sound that UZ pioneered and later returned to. ------------- 'Like so many of you I've got my doubts about how much to contribute to the already rich among us...' Robert Wyatt, Gloria Gloom |
Posted By: Bj-1
Date Posted: May 16 2008 at 18:31
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Heatwave and Certitudes. Still good albums though but not nearly as good as Triskaidekaphobie, Ceux du Dehors or Les Cycles de Thanatos.
James, shame on you!
Present's two first equals some of the best RIO/Avant you'll ever hear. CDD and Uzed are beyond brilliant as well, try to listen to them as soon as possible
 ------------- RIO/AVANT/ZEUHL - The best thing you can get with yer pants on! http://www.last.fm/music/Exerior" rel="nofollow - EXERIOR Experimental tech/death/progmetal from Norway! |