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Polymorphia View Drop Down
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Points: 8856 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: December 30 2014 at 12:11
My top 10 list (Warning: contains non-prog):
Swans– To Be Kind
Iceage– Plowing Into the Field of Love
Inter Arma– The Cavern
Hundred Waters– The Moon Rang Like a Bell
Parquet Courts– Sunbathing Animal
Flying Lotus– You're Dead!
Aphex Twin– Syro
Liars– Mess
Cymbals Eat Guitars– Lose
Real Estate– Atlas

Honorable mention:
Cloud Nothings– Here and Nowhere Else
D'Angelo– Black Messiah
The War on Drugs– Lost in the Dream
St. Vincent– St. Vincent

I didn't buy any albums from November on as I need to save my cash. But I wanted to get:
Sun Kil Moon– Benji
Boris– Noise
Agalloch– The Serpent and the Sphere
Grouper– Ruins
Ariel Pink– Pom Pom
My Music
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Points: 849 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: December 30 2014 at 09:36
Originally posted by earlyprog earlyprog wrote:

Originally posted by Anaon Anaon wrote:

Originally posted by earlyprog earlyprog wrote:

Something along these lines:

1. Gong "I See You"

2. Opeth "Pale Communion"

3. Hail Spirit Noir "Oi Magoi"

4. Seven Impale "City Of The Sun"

5. Spleen Arcana "The Light Beyond The Shades"

6. Happy Family "Minimal Gods"

7. Knifeworld "The Unravelling"

8. Agalloch "The Serpent & The Sphere"

9. Threshold "For The Journey"

10. Distorted Harmony "Chain Reaction"

11. Adebisi Shank "This Is The Third Album Of A Band Called Adebisi Shank"

12. Animals As Leaders "The Joy Of Motion"

13. Eccentric Orbit "Creation Of The Humanoids"

14. Ysma "Fourth Wall"

15. Proud Peasant "Flight"


Not in PA, but ought to be: 


Spoke Of Shadows "do" POSSIBLY YEAR'S BEST

Closure In Moscow "Pink Lemonade"


Thanks for mentionning Spleen Arcana, Earlyprog! Wink

Well-deserved, Anaon - Congratulations on a great album Thumbs Up

It means a lot to me and it helps to be mentionned as my music is quite obscure, I mean not very well known, so it helps!
It may not appear in many 2014 tops but I'm very glad it is still in Progarchives 2014 top (#31 today) Embarrassed
My music: http://spleenarcana.bandcamp.com/
My blog: http://groovesandmemories.com/
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Points: 4579 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: December 30 2014 at 08:17
01-Crippled Black Phoenix: White Light Generator
02-Gazpacho:Demon
03-Sleepmakeswaves: Love Of Cartography
04-The Pineapple Thief: Magnolia
05-Dream The Electric Sleep: Heretics
06-Pinkroom: Unloved Toy
07-Quantum Fantay: Terragaia
08-Kaukasus: I
09-Amplifier: Mystoria
10-Anathema: Distant Satellites
11-Tim Bowness: Abandoned Dancehall Dreams
12-Lunatic Soul: Walking On A Flashlight Beam
13-Cosmograf: Capacitor
14-Strattman: The Lie Of The Beholder
15-Bjorn Riis: Lullabies In A Car Crash.
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Points: 14507 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: December 30 2014 at 04:28
Originally posted by Man With Hat Man With Hat wrote:

Zappa's Roxy By Proxy is certainly a masterpiece...even though it's from the early 70s.
 
Still have to review things andactuallly make a list of things I've heard, but I'd agree...not many 5 star albums this year.

My only 5 star review for a 2014 album(so far) but as Phil says it's actually a 1973 recording.
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Points: 6673 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: December 29 2014 at 23:38
2014

Logos- L’Enigma della Vita

Colin Mold- Now You See Me

Mostly Autumn- Dressed in Voices

Pymlico- Guiding Light

Frequency Drift- Summer

Daal- Dances of Drastic Navels

IQ- Road to Bones

Corvus Stone- II

Phoenix Again- Looking Out

Mad Fellaz- same

Fractal Mirror- Garden of Ghosts

Bjorn Riis- Lullabies in a Car Crash

Solaris- Marsbeli Kronikak II

 

Midge Ure- Fragile * not on PA

Three Winters- Chroma * not on PA
I never post anything anywhere without doing more than basic research, often in depth.
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Points: 11682 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: December 29 2014 at 22:23
I've actually been doing a Best of 2014 countdown with samples and reviews on my tumblr and you can check it out here http://realpsychologist.tumblr.com/tagged/best%20of%202014
<font color=white>butts, lol[/COLOR]
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Points: 13369 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: December 29 2014 at 21:41
Originally posted by snowsnow snowsnow wrote:

Best album I've actually purchased - Tull's astonishing extended performance of A Passion Play - one of the greatest albums just got better.
 
I won't be releasing my top ten albums until I send my list off for the collaborator's vote, but I definitely agree that the A Passion Play remaster is far and away the best of anything I've heard this year. Incredible album, but remasters, alas, are not allowed in the collaborator tabulator voting by-laws, codices and codicils. Too bad.
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to take the place of the mud shark in your mythology...
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Points: 83 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: December 29 2014 at 21:14
The only prog albuns i've listened this year.
On non-prog music, i really enjoyed Elvenking's The Pagan Manifesto, great album.


Edited by infernalfrog - January 10 2015 at 12:35
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Points: 8626 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: December 29 2014 at 19:56
Originally posted by Guldbamsen Guldbamsen wrote:

So just for fun, and partially because I think the 5 star trigger is being pulled waaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too often, I'd like to ask PA members of how many genuine masterpieces they think were produced in 2014?

While I think the year has been absolutely drenched in wonderful releases, I do not feel comfortable in awarding any of them with the full monty. Some, however, do have the potential to reach the upper shelf, but for me that takes time. Maybe in a year, I'll be able to sing the praises of one of these albums - stamping a 5 star rating on my review, but I want to be sure and not just driven by the moment I first hear something good (like I strongly suspect a fair few reviewers tend to do).


I'll take you up on your challenge, David:

Of the 101 albums currently charting on PA's Top albums of 2014 list, I have heard 56, rated/reviewed 36 and given 5 stars to three (3):

---No tengas miedo by KANT FREUD KAFKA because it is truly an exemplary work of intelligently crafted symphonic prog with amazing flow and cohesion, great instrumental performances and contributions throughout, all inspired by a modern Pandora/Persephone-Demeter myth the story of which the music is synchronized. 

---City of the Sun by SEVEN IMPALE because they have produced an amazingly deep and memorable album of multi-layered hard rocking jazz which takes the music of VDGG and DISCIPLINE farther than their 'grandfathers' (Peter Hammill & co.) and 'fathers' (Matthew Parmenter & co.) did.

---Behind the Sun by MOTORPSYCHO because they have produced an album of amazing confidence and clarity of purpose in which exemplary vocal stylings, guitar play, active drumming, melodic and harmonic mastery, composition, enthusiasm and maturity are on full display in nearly every minute of every song (which cannot be said of many 1970s Genesis albums). 

I also gave 5 star ratings to several albums which PA has not (yet) included or which have fallen below the arbitrary cutoff rating number necessary to stay on the "Top" list, including: 
ELECTRIC ORANGE's Volume 10, 
ANTOINE FAFARD's Ad Perpetuum, 
PINGVINORKESTERN's Push, 
UT GRET's Ancestor's Tale, and 
HOMÍNIDO's Estirpe Lítica. 

Of these eight (8) albums I have to admit that three or four of them I'd give 9/10 or 4.5 star ratings were they used here on PA, but I choose to err on the side of my enthusiasm out of respect and admiration for the talented, hard-working musicians who receive their inspiration from and choose to work within the 'world' of prog.
Drew Fisher
https://progisaliveandwell.blogspot.com/
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Points: 6253 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: December 29 2014 at 06:30
If there is a band that I will buy any new release without giving it a quick pre-listen, it's Opeth. Outstanding brilliant, they always deliver. Thumbs Up Once again, they did not disappoint me. ApproveHug
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Points: 24439 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: December 29 2014 at 06:08
Originally posted by earlyprog earlyprog wrote:

Something along these lines:

1. Gong "I See You"

2. Opeth "Pale Communion"

3. Hail Spirit Noir "Oi Magoi"

4. Seven Impale "City Of The Sun"

5. Spleen Arcana "The Light Beyond The Shades"

6. Happy Family "Minimal Gods"

7. Knifeworld "The Unravelling"

8. Agalloch "The Serpent & The Sphere"

9. Threshold "For The Journey"

10. Distorted Harmony "Chain Reaction"

11. Adebisi Shank "This Is The Third Album Of A Band Called Adebisi Shank"

12. Animals As Leaders "The Joy Of Motion"

13. Eccentric Orbit "Creation Of The Humanoids"

14. Ysma "Fourth Wall"

15. Proud Peasant "Flight"


Not in PA, but ought to be: 


Spoke Of Shadows "do" POSSIBLY YEAR'S BEST

Closure In Moscow "Pink Lemonade"



Spoke of Shadows was included in my original Top 10, which I had to modify because they are not yet on PA. Hopefully they will get the green light soon, and I may do the addition myself. I met Mark Cook last year at ProgDay when he performed there with Herd of Instinct, and he's an incredibly talented guy.
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Points: 2167 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: December 29 2014 at 05:53
Originally posted by Anaon Anaon wrote:

Originally posted by earlyprog earlyprog wrote:

Something along these lines:

1. Gong "I See You"

2. Opeth "Pale Communion"

3. Hail Spirit Noir "Oi Magoi"

4. Seven Impale "City Of The Sun"

5. Spleen Arcana "The Light Beyond The Shades"

6. Happy Family "Minimal Gods"

7. Knifeworld "The Unravelling"

8. Agalloch "The Serpent & The Sphere"

9. Threshold "For The Journey"

10. Distorted Harmony "Chain Reaction"

11. Adebisi Shank "This Is The Third Album Of A Band Called Adebisi Shank"

12. Animals As Leaders "The Joy Of Motion"

13. Eccentric Orbit "Creation Of The Humanoids"

14. Ysma "Fourth Wall"

15. Proud Peasant "Flight"


Not in PA, but ought to be: 


Spoke Of Shadows "do" POSSIBLY YEAR'S BEST

Closure In Moscow "Pink Lemonade"


Thanks for mentionning Spleen Arcana, Earlyprog! Wink

Well-deserved, Anaon - Congratulations on a great album Thumbs Up
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Points: 6253 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: December 29 2014 at 05:50
Originally posted by earlyprog earlyprog wrote:

Originally posted by Kati Kati wrote:

Prog bands have enough going against them, thus who the heck are we to be unwelcoming to them?  btw I am not a musician.

Kati, do you really have to write a new post for every new sentence you type? LOL

BTW, what band are you in?
 
hahahaha!!! earlyprog LOL you pest! If you tell me how I can reply without making a new post that'll be great Big smile
I am not a musician Smile
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Points: 6253 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: December 29 2014 at 05:43
Originally posted by Guldbamsen Guldbamsen wrote:

Originally posted by Kati Kati wrote:


I honestly find this conversation so redundant and pompous to be honest, considering the effort and hours, time and money musicians spend on their album for us to sit here and hypothesize or critique them, it's ridiculous really!  



I don't think it's pompous to raise awareness of the true meaning of the masterpiece rating, which was what I was going for. I happen to love quite a few new bands (that's an understatement, if I've made one!).

I respect you for standing up for the new kids though Sonia, but I was never pointing fingers at them. I am trying to convey the importance of....let's just say dynamics in one's ratings. If all things good get treated as masterpieces, then there is no rating for....well Masterpieces. If I see a reviewer pump out one 5 star review after the other, I lose interest.
Personally I feel such an album takes time to absorb and get one's head around before the splendour of it reveals itself.
I have no ill feeling towards anyone in particular, but if we are to have a site which foundation lies in ratings (as much as I'm against it, that is still exactly what PA is), then something like the ultimate rating has to be considered well before applying it. This is also why you get the 'warning' box every time you pull the 5 star trigger. It is reserved for those special albums. If you just spread it around it loses it's true value.

Awww Guldbamsen, my sweet friend, you I love too much. Obviously what I said has come out the wrong way, what I meant to say: Yes I think it’s pompous to hypothesize why bands “who if you will, have not paid their so called dues” compared to the greats who have been around since forever and time again have proven how great they truly are, I too feel that urge sometimes to go back and listen to those wonderful bands/albums, however every now and then a new band does pop up who have produced an album that gives us a fulfilling amazing listening experience, they too (judging by their current release) also deserve as credit much by those who really enjoyed it.

Reviewers have a difficult task in differentiating between a band they have grown fond of in comparison to one they don’t know thus don’t have any soft spot towards the band members. I think here they do a great job, I could never do this myself, nor do I have the articulate skills for this. This happens all the time, inc. Rolling Stone Magazine etc. it’s human nature, however this doesn’t mean they have not reviewed it accordingly, if you like a band you’ll be more open minded and give them more attention and a few more spins. This is how things work, besides small indie bands have no chance against the major bands backed by the music giants of the music industry, this we have to accept.  

 

A big hug to you,  HugHeart


Edited by Kati - December 29 2014 at 05:45
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Points: 2167 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: December 29 2014 at 05:43
Originally posted by Kati Kati wrote:

Prog bands have enough going against them, thus who the heck are we to be unwelcoming to them?  btw I am not a musician.

Kati, do you really have to write a new post for every new sentence you type? LOL

BTW, what band are you in?
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Points: 63 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: December 29 2014 at 05:36
Thanks for the reminder on Roxy by Proxy, forgot about this release!Thumbs Up
I've created an atmosphere where I'm friend first, boss second. Probably entertainer third.
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Points: 30251 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: December 29 2014 at 04:12
Originally posted by Guldbamsen Guldbamsen wrote:

I haven't heard that Deluge Grander album yet actually. I enjoyed their latest one though (August In The Urals), so it might be worth investigating, although I seem to remember it being a somewhat limited vinyl release only? (could be a little too much for my wallet atm)

Yep never had a CD release although it is available for download which is how I have it.
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Points: 166183 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: December 28 2014 at 18:39
Zappa's Roxy By Proxy is certainly a masterpiece...even though it's from the early 70s.
 
Still have to review things andactuallly make a list of things I've heard, but I'd agree...not many 5 star albums this year.
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Points: 126 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: December 28 2014 at 18:09
Originally posted by richardh richardh wrote:

I feel a bit like this.  Very little has really floored me to the point that I can feel completely comfortable with a 5 star rating for the 2014 releases I've heard so far with the exception of maybe Dream The Electric Sleep - Heretics.
I'm fairly sure that will be my No1 for the year. Deluge Grander and Corvus Stone are pretty close though.

It's been a slow year for prog. For me the new Corvus is the standout but I'll need to give it another listen to decide if it's a five-star effort for me. If they had trimmed 25 minutes off it then without a doubt. Then again, that still leaves a good 50 minutes of undisputed outstanding material, when most bands can't dig up 5 minutes of the same to save their lives.

I am just not grooving on Deluge Grander or DtES. Both sound somewhat generic and meandering for me. (Much like IQ, but I know I'm in the minority position on that.)

Oh, and I still have yet to hear the Haken EP, although I bought it a month ago. Given they are my favorite prog-metal band that will certainly compete for the top spot.


Edited by Stereolab - December 28 2014 at 18:13
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Points: 23122 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: December 28 2014 at 16:20
Heh, I just listened to Electric Orange newest whilst walking the snowcovered streets of Brovst (hometown of my folks), and I may just have to bump up my rating to a 5.....so yeah there is definitely a candidate for the masterpiece status, although I may have said otherwise
Thing is this album is such a monster, and it's taken me quite a while to really appreciate it's rather experimental sounds. I got the cd from the band with the promise of a review....which I did. I would've preferred waiting a while before passing judgement on it, but I think one owes it to the artist in question to produce a write up inside a couple of months after receiving an album. I waited for as long as I deemed proper.
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