Zappa, Magma or K Crimson

Avantgardehead wrote: 1. Zappa 2. Crimson 4561: Magma

So low.  You know, you really should change your user-name.
But seriously, have you listened to any full Magma albums, and which ones? If not full-albums, what are you familiar with, and how much of a chance have you given it?  If I looked through the Magma threads, I'd probably find the answer (there was one who got pretty much all the studio albums and tried to force himself to like it, which was a painful experience -- don't think that was you).  I'm not trying to Magmatize you or anything, no progheads or avantgardeheads, have to, or should, like the band, of course. I'm just curious.

Magma really grew one me, though I was intrigued and enjoyed it on first listen.  My first album was MDK, which I love, but felt it was too derivative of Orff at the time, and being a big Orff fan (especially his Carmina Burana album), that made me think a little less of Magma at first even though I enjoyed it.  Live/ Hhai is the one I'd recommend most to those who don't know Magma that well, but depending one one's tastes, then one can find Magma albums that will appeal more to different people.  I don't know if you're big on jazz or Canterbury Scene, or 20th Century acedemic music composers...

When it comes new albums, many of us are the same I'm sure, at first I might just play it as background music, or sometimes I search for that track or moment that best clicks with me.  I found Magma moments stuck in my head, and so I'd go back to it, maybe the next day.  Suddenly "Theusz Hamtaahk, theusz hamtaahk" would be going through my head.  I listened to Retrospektiw 1-2 as background music first, while doing other things, and it kind of got into my subconscious mind -- I find the repetitiveness of Magma parts works great for that.

EDIT: never mind, I'd remembered that you'd posted in another Magma thread.

Avantgardehead wrote: I liked this band for about a week. Not much going on that would really hold my attention or provide an enjoyable listening experience.

James wrote: ... Avantgardehead, which album did you listen to?  So far, in my experience, every album has been different.  Kohntarkosz is the closest to the sound of Univers Zero, Present and Shub-Niggurath, so if you like those bands, then Kohntarkosz is the one that may appeal to you, oh and Udu Wudu, which is akin to the Weidorje sound.  I love Weidorje, so I'm looking forward to Udu Wudu.

Avantgardehead wrote: I've listened to all of their albums from '70 to '78. Nothing held my attention. And a little history behind the name, think of an avant-garde head. An actual head, crafted in an avant-garde fashion. That's what the name means, as if it reflected my favorite musical genre, it should be "Indiehead".

I should have checked that thread, cause I remember your response created quite a bit of conversation (and that's a good thing).  Besides, one of my favourite The Prisoner axioms is: "Questions are a burden to others; answers a prison for oneself."

I never got bored with Magma -- I have with many bands.  I left Magma for a while because I rather overplayed the albums I had, and discovered new things, but as I got more Magma albums my appreciation deepened.  There are so many nuances to the music, and shifting moods/ qualities, and I find it well-textured, that I didn't lose interest.  There is mixture of beauty, over-the-topness, zaniness, harshness, and for me can achieve sublime heights.  There is contrast between albums and within tracks that I appreciate.  I think it well-structured music.  That said, we're all different, we probably have quite different musical backgrounds and tastes, and probably the conditions were different.  I slowly built up my collection, and appreciation deepened over time, whereas you liked the band for about a week, before you lost interest (wonder which week during your Magma journey that was?  Whether you liked it the first week, or the liking came later, but then palled).  Sometimes the novelty is enough to hold our interest for a time, but when that wears off....  In you case, of course you heard all the '70 to '78 albums, and maybe in a shorter time.  I doubt those would have all been in the first week, as that would be a marathon, one would burn oneself out, and wouldn't have time to really let the music sink in.  A friend perhaps who had the collection which you heard over time.  I find music often palls over time as we discover new things, or it ceases to be an adventure, or realise that it's not up to the compositional/ musical standards we once thought.

Anyway, sorry for the digressions, if you got bored with Magma, reading through this soggy bloggy post must be millions of times more boring to you. My thinking is too convoluted/ disorganised to be good at brevity (a sign of mediocrity on my part -- dull, dull, dull). Keep on indie rockin', dude!





Edited by Logan - August 12 2008 at 15:44

Avantgardehead wrote: They're very talented and... interesting... individuals, but I need my sappy melodies dang gum-it!

Melody, what's that? Magma can be pretty dang sappy.

I actually think Magma have some beautiful melodies, but the sappiness and melodies don't mix that much -- Magma can be very jarring (sweet and melodic, then shouting/ shrieking etc.)   I have sometimes wished that Vander would hold back on some of his more bizarre histrionics and let the loveliness continue, but the contrast just makes those moments all the lovelier.

I'm not trying to convert him/ bring him into the Magma fold; using his thoughts as a springboard for my own thoughts and feelings.  Like I said, we don't have to like Magma.  It's largely a matter of taste (I won't say solely).  Also, I am generally as interested in why someone doesn't like something as why someone does like something.  Am interested in hearing about the qualities that don't appeal -- as well as those that do appeal.

Don't listen to them. TAKE KOHNTARKOSZ FIRST!

Crimson hands down.

Yeah I guess if other suggestions to Magma newbies it would be the two first albums. I sincerely wouldn't suggest MDK at first, because not everybody gets that sort of Zeuhl 'declick'.
But I sincerely consider you listen to Kohntarkosz first, because it's kind of the most 'proggy' and easier to listen album.
Actually the first two are the easier albums to listen to, but they're more jazz than prog.

And yes I am quickly temptated by Magmavangelism, but it doesn't work so often. :(