Best 2008 Albums So Far
Printed From: Progarchives.com
Category: Progressive Music Lounges
Forum Name: Prog Recommendations/Featured albums
Forum Description: Make or seek recommendations and discuss specific prog albums
URL: http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=49023
Printed Date: July 18 2025 at 10:35
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 11.01 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Best 2008 Albums So Far
Posted By: kevdog
Subject: Best 2008 Albums So Far
Date Posted: May 29 2008 at 22:17
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I was just wondering what your guys favorite album(s) are of 2008 so far? Mine is Bedlam In Goliath. ------------- I look at the world and see no understanding... DT |
Replies:
Posted By: Yorkie X
Date Posted: May 29 2008 at 23:40
Bands called To-Mera and the CD is entitled Delusions ... I was impressed recently by them very much they are like a hybrid of many bands mostly the Gathering and Nightwish vocaly but they are far more progressive than both of those bands technically when it comes to their playing, they also have an slightly crazy heavy /jazzy / trippy unpredictable sense when it comes to arrangements you being a Mars Volta fan should like that about them ... give them a try  |
Posted By: Drew
Date Posted: May 29 2008 at 23:44
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Opeth's "Watershed" is going to destroy every 08 release.........
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Posted By: MovingPictures07
Date Posted: May 29 2008 at 23:48
I've seen a few pretty good releases so far this year, but I am confident that "The Bedlam in Goliath" will remain the best throughout the year. It's that awesome. 
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Posted By: darkmatter
Date Posted: May 29 2008 at 23:49
| I haven't heard enough from this year yet, only Nosound's Lightdark (it's OK) and Kayo Dot's Blue Lambency Downward (very good), though I need more listens for both of them. I have high expectations for Anathema and Indukti's forthcoming albums, and am also looking forward to Amplifier's two albums. My expectations for dredg's new album aren't too high right now, I'm not sure I'll end up liking it, but I'll wait and see. Of the two I've heard, Blue Lambency Downward is the better. |
Posted By: laplace
Date Posted: May 29 2008 at 23:49
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I made a thread about this but never mind. Guapo, Kayo Dot, Ghost. =) ------------- FREEDOM OF SPEECH GO TO HELL |
Posted By: Figglesnout
Date Posted: May 29 2008 at 23:52
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Eh, so far, I guess Blue Lambency Downward is my favorite release. Either that or the new Secret Chiefs 3 album-that-isn't-really-an-album-but-is-at-the-same-time-actually-an-album (a.k.a. "Xaphan") ------------- I'm a reasonable man, get off my case |
Posted By: KeleCableII
Date Posted: May 30 2008 at 00:15
| I haven't heard anything from this year so far because none of them interest me at all. I'm waiting for RC2 and IQ though. |
Posted By: honganji
Date Posted: May 30 2008 at 01:27
| Current No.1 is Box / Studio 1. |
Posted By: sleeper
Date Posted: May 30 2008 at 10:32
Very good album but I think th opener, The Lie, was a bit too chaotic and messy. Inside the Hourglass and Temptations are excellent songs.
------------- Spending more than I should on Prog since 2005 
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Yorkie X wrote:Posted By: MikeEnRegalia
Date Posted: May 30 2008 at 11:35
Here's my top 40 prog albums from 2008 ... the image is always up to date:  ------------- https://awesomeprog.com/release-polls/pa" rel="nofollow - Release Polls Listened to: 
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Posted By: Moatilliatta
Date Posted: May 30 2008 at 11:43
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Let's see...
The Mars Volta - The Bedlam in Goliath
Protest the Hero - Fortress
Panzerballett - Starke Stucke
Meshuggah - obZen
The Tangent - Not as Good as the Book
A Silver Mt. Zion - 13 Blues for Thirteen Moons
That looks about right as of now ------------- www.last.fm/user/ThisCenotaph  
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Posted By: Yukorin
Date Posted: May 30 2008 at 11:53
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And of course we are all paying full-price at our local outlet for the hard copy. ------------- 
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Posted By: MikeEnRegalia
Date Posted: May 30 2008 at 11:54
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^ In fact all I I listened to is from legal sources only ... that's why there are so few entries! I'd love to listen to the new Kayo Dot, or The Tangent, but I don't have access to them.
------------- https://awesomeprog.com/release-polls/pa" rel="nofollow - Release Polls Listened to:
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Posted By: Yukorin
Date Posted: May 30 2008 at 11:56
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Are some of you guys media-moguls? or famous baseball stars? How on earth can you get this much 'music' ? It's beyond me -------------
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Posted By: Yukorin
Date Posted: May 30 2008 at 11:59
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Mike! You know I love you. You can stream it on their site for free. And it is excellent. -------------
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Posted By: MikeEnRegalia
Date Posted: May 30 2008 at 12:00
^ you're right ... I forgot about that, thanks for reminding me! |
Posted By: Yukorin
Date Posted: May 30 2008 at 12:01
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The internet is heading into 'home taping is killing music' areas
And you know how retarded that is -------------
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Posted By: Yukorin
Date Posted: May 30 2008 at 12:05
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And not only that, I've had it on their streaming, I've gone to their download-it-for-free (your choice site) and now...? What the f**k I'm gonna buy it. -------------
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Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: May 30 2008 at 12:52
| The Tangent, "Not As Good As The Book" for me so far. |
Posted By: Dick Heath
Date Posted: May 30 2008 at 13:03
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My top three in jazz fusion:
John McLaughlin: Floating Point - outstanding and state of art Indo jazz fusion
Paul Hanson: Frolic In Land Of Plenty - in January I said this is a rare example of jazz fusion played on bassoon - I note since that two other bassoonists have released jazz albums.... However, Hanson can do things with his amplified bassoon that have me thinking I'm hearing Mike Ratledge at the height of his powers on the Lowry with the Softs.
Panzerballett: Starke Stucke - a new high in metal jazz fusion, on their own compositions (Fussball with it excellent mix of jazz fusion and death metal), and others (Pink Panther metalled up whilst tunes by Black Sabbath , Deep Purple or the Scorpions have gone the opposite way...) ------------- The best eclectic music on the Web,8-11pm BST/GMT THURS. CLICK ON: http://www.lborosu.org.uk/media/lcr/live.php - http://www.lborosu.org.uk/media/lcr/live.php Host by PA's Dick Heath. |
Posted By: chopper
Date Posted: May 30 2008 at 14:28
| Has to be No-Man's "Schoolyward Ghosts" so far. |
Posted By: sleeper
Date Posted: May 30 2008 at 16:36
Not really, I'm buying the hard copies off Amazon for American prices, which are about half the British prices. Much easier on my bank acount (or would be if I wasnt using the money I'd saved to go and buy another CD instead!  ).As to how I buy so much, easy, I dont have many other expenses. ------------- Spending more than I should on Prog since 2005
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Posted By: Dominic
Date Posted: May 31 2008 at 04:45
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Posted By: avestin
Date Posted: May 31 2008 at 08:21
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The Ones I really liked so far (I'll include here only albums listed in PA):
Make A Rising - http://www.progarchives.com/album.asp?id=18181 - Infinite Ellipse And Head With Open Fontanel
Birds & Buildings - Bantam To Behemoth
Sculptured - Embodiment
The Wrong Object - Stories from The Shed
Opeth - Watershed
Kayo Dot - BLD
The Red Masque - Fossil Eyes
Some other albums I liked less but still:
Magenta - Meamorphosis
Ayreon - Y
Gurth - Tormentes
Amygdala - Complex Combat
Beardfish - Sleeping n traffic II
Moon Safari - Blomljud
Ocoai - Breatherman
John McLaughlin - Floating Point
The Tangent - not as good as the book
Tempano - Selective Memory
Thieves Kitchen - Water Road
Virgin Black - http://www.progarchives.com/album.asp?id=17323 - Requiem - Fortissimo
Ihsahn - http://www.progarchives.com/album.asp?id=18305 - angL
Caamora - She
Looking forward to listen to:
Helmet Of Gnats
Bacio Della Medusa - http://www.progarchives.com/album.asp?id=18214 - Discesa agl'inferi d'un giovane amante
October Equus
Noekk - http://www.progarchives.com/album.asp?id=17952 - The Minstrel's Curse
Panzerballett - http://www.progarchives.com/album.asp?id=17879 - Starke Stücke
Poseidotica - http://www.progarchives.com/album.asp?id=18303 - La Distancia
Russian Circles - Station
Secret Chiefs 3 - http://www.progarchives.com/album.asp?id=18312 - Book of Angels, Vol 9: Xaphan
Guapo - Elixirs
ASMZ - http://www.progarchives.com/album.asp?id=17637 - 13 Blues for Thirteen Moons
------------- http://hangingsounds.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow - Hanging Sounds http://www.progarchives.com/ProgRockShopping.asp" rel="nofollow - PA Index of prog music vendors |
Posted By: Nightfly
Date Posted: May 31 2008 at 08:47
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Beardfish - Sleeping in Traffic:Part 2.
Just done a review as it happens of this excellent slice of eclectic Prog.
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Posted By: ProgBagel
Date Posted: May 31 2008 at 11:09
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I haven't heard tooo much, but I have been disappointed this year so far.
The two that stand out are; - Blue Lambency Downward - The Bedlam in Goliath |
Posted By: NurseryCryme89
Date Posted: May 31 2008 at 11:13
oh yes!  |
Posted By: rushaholic
Date Posted: May 31 2008 at 13:41
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Some favorites from 2008: Earth The Bees Made Honey In The Lion's Skull No-Man Schoolyard Ghosts Russian Circles Stations Grails Take Refuge in Clean Living (might be my favorite so far) Kayo Dot Blue Lambency Downward Nine Inch Nails Ghosts I-IV Porcupine Tree Lightbulb Sun (5.1/DVDA edition) (sorry but I am going to count this) Looking forward to picking up the new Opeth album on Tuesday. |
Posted By: Dominic
Date Posted: May 31 2008 at 18:57
 Wow! I hadn't heard this yet. Even from just the myspace samples, i can tell that this is gonna be one of my fav. albums of the year. |
Posted By: Statutory-Mike
Date Posted: May 31 2008 at 19:06
------------- 
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Posted By: The Wizard
Date Posted: May 31 2008 at 21:07
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Portishead - Third
Dead Meadow - Old Growth
Stephen Malkmus - Real Emotional Trash
All three are very proggy. -------------  
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Posted By: gray
Date Posted: June 02 2008 at 07:04
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At the moment: 1. The Pineapple Thief - Tightly Unwound 2. The Amber Light - Play 3. The Mars Volta - The Bedlam in Goliath I just got the new Opeth, so not ready to rate it yet, and still waiting for No-Man. ------------- http://neverdream.awardspace.com - Release Dates 
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Posted By: Queen By-Tor
Date Posted: June 02 2008 at 11:45
A damn good album! Might be my pick of the litter so far this year.However the Tangent and Ayreon both deserve very honorable nods. But that's all I've heard so far from this year (in the prog world) so I guess I shouldn't really be deciding just yet. |
Posted By: yore
Date Posted: June 08 2008 at 09:07
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Hi,
albums making my 208 prog list so far (in no particular order) Tangent - Not As Good As The Book Moon Safari - Blomljud Simon Says - Tardigare Brighteye Brison - Believers & Deceivers Cheers |
Posted By: Prog-jester
Date Posted: June 08 2008 at 09:20
Welcome to forums, yo!
I wonder what your thoughts on my stuff  okay, this is attention-whoring, but whatever 
wow  any reviews expected?
As for mine: very good - A SILVER MT ZION - GREGOR SAMSA - SIMON SAYS - GUAPO amazing - DAY WITHOUT DAWN - EQUUS - KROBAK (man, I've lost my shyness completely! )
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Posted By: Zargus
Date Posted: June 08 2008 at 09:26
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The Mars Volta - The Bedlam in Goliath & Van Der Graaf Generator - Trisector, are the only 2 i have heard from this year so far, both very good. ------------- 
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Posted By: sleeper
Date Posted: June 08 2008 at 09:31
Yes, but dont expect it soon, I'm nowhere near as prolific as UMUR and Sean Trane. (4 if you want to know).------------- Spending more than I should on Prog since 2005
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Posted By: MikeEnRegalia
Date Posted: June 08 2008 at 09:32
 New entries: Opeth and Cryptopsy! |
Posted By: Prog-jester
Date Posted: June 08 2008 at 10:09
sounds promising anyway, thnx
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Posted By: Pnoom!
Date Posted: June 08 2008 at 10:21
| http://rateyourmusic.com/list/Pnoom/2008_cds__the_keepers - Correct Answer |
Posted By: Nightfly
Date Posted: June 08 2008 at 12:19
I agree, the Ayreon album is great. The Tangent newie I'm having a bit harder time getting into but I haven't given up on it yet.
Having got the new Opeth album last week I'm also going to add that to my favs of 2008.
Nearly half way through and despite a few fantastic albums, overall I don't think it's been a great year so far but there's still time for plenty more yet.
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Posted By: superprog
Date Posted: June 09 2008 at 06:36
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so far its non-prog stuff:
The Ting Tings - We Started Nothing (marvellous POP muzik!!! worth the hype!!!)
Duffy - Rockferry (its 60s Motown pop all over again!)
Portishead - Third (their most adventurous work thus far)
British Sea Power - Do You Like Rock Music? (yes, when its as anthemic as this!!)
Boris - Smile (killer hooks n' production maaaan)
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Posted By: Queen By-Tor
Date Posted: June 09 2008 at 11:02
That one took me about 5 or 6 listens to get into. but BELIEVE me, one day it will just hit you. Well, maybe . Ifyou're anything like me it will hit you after that long I should say. |
Posted By: mecca
Date Posted: June 09 2008 at 13:51
| Mothlite's new album is irresistable. Fans of Kayo Dot and Miasma and the Carousel of Headless Horses should like it. It has enormous atmosphere of gloom and despair and keeps a consistent slow pace. Not to mention the absolutely beautiful piano-work. |
Posted By: tszirmay
Date Posted: June 10 2008 at 15:13
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Simon Says Tardigrade is a stunner. If you like spirited symphonic rock then this is the real deal. My review says it all, I think. ------------- I never post anything anywhere without doing more than basic research, often in depth. |
Posted By: Dominic
Date Posted: June 12 2008 at 05:58
Wait... they've released an album already? I thought it was to be released sometime next month... |
Posted By: sleeper
Date Posted: June 12 2008 at 11:28
A few changes to my list. ------------- Spending more than I should on Prog since 2005
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Posted By: Anaon
Date Posted: June 12 2008 at 13:53
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Actually, I'd say Ayreon "01011001"... And that's all, I can't wait to hear the new Marillion, I hope it will be "my" album of the year... I've been really disappointed by the Mars Volta, I can't stand this album :( ------------- My music: http://spleenarcana.bandcamp.com/" rel="nofollow - http://spleenarcana.bandcamp.com/ My blog: http://groovesandmemories.com/" rel="nofollow - http://groovesandmemories.com/ |
Posted By: Treasure
Date Posted: June 12 2008 at 14:09
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I can safely say this is my top three at the moment:
Ayreon - 01011001
Protest The Hero - Fortress
Opeth - Watershed
Bedlam in Goliath only had a few good songs. I really liked the first and Goliath. Those weren't bad. The rest was awful. ------------- 
http://www.last.fm/user/YertGuy - http://www.last.fm/user/YertGuy |
Posted By: Nightfly
Date Posted: June 12 2008 at 15:10
Okay I'll keep perservering with it before I give it that 2 star review
 ..........Just kidding I'd probably give it a 3 at the moment. |
Posted By: Queen By-Tor
Date Posted: June 12 2008 at 15:13
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well, a 3 is still "good" |
Posted By: Drew
Date Posted: June 12 2008 at 15:15
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Was anyone else disappointed by the new Ayreon Album??
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Posted By: sean
Date Posted: June 12 2008 at 15:17
| My favourites so far are VdGG's Trisector followed by The Bedlam in Goliath. Opeth was good, but not great in my opinion and I was rather disappointed by Ayreon. That's all the albums I've gotten so far this year (I need more money) |
Posted By: Pnoom!
Date Posted: June 12 2008 at 15:31
It's hard to be disappointed by a band from whom you can only ever expect crap at best |
Posted By: MikeEnRegalia
Date Posted: June 12 2008 at 15:37
^ Ayreon is not a band.
------------- https://awesomeprog.com/release-polls/pa" rel="nofollow - Release Polls Listened to:
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Posted By: sleeper
Date Posted: June 12 2008 at 15:44
Bearing in mind that I havnt heard THE, I wouldnt say I was disappointed with 01011001, it was the same kind of stuff that I expect from Ayreon but not as cheesy as ITEC and UM, and just as those two albums it fails to hold my attention after 5 or 6 listens. Disappointed? Not eally, it was what I expected to be honest, and I think my 3 star rating might have been a bit high for it now. ------------- Spending more than I should on Prog since 2005
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Posted By: Pnoom!
Date Posted: June 12 2008 at 15:46
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So you admit that he only produces crap @mike |
Posted By: MikeEnRegalia
Date Posted: June 12 2008 at 15:58
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^ I never admit anything!
------------- https://awesomeprog.com/release-polls/pa" rel="nofollow - Release Polls Listened to:
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Posted By: Pnoom!
Date Posted: June 12 2008 at 16:05
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So you imply he only produces crap? After all, why would attack my statement on a technicality if the message itself were wrong ;) |
Posted By: VanderGraafKommandöh
Date Posted: June 12 2008 at 16:12
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Hmm, I've only heard Trisector. However, having heard just one track from Guapo's Elixirs, I think that'll be the winner for me so far. I have it on CD, I just need to give it a spin. -------------   
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Posted By: Dominic
Date Posted: June 12 2008 at 16:32
Oh yes, Elixirs is excellent. (I was thinking about writing a review, but Cesar's is just so perfect) It's been another of my addictions this year. I keep forgetting about Trisector. It's amazing as well. |
Posted By: Demonoid
Date Posted: June 13 2008 at 01:37
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Zero Hour - Dark Deceiver Killer album. Technical progressive metal for the win! I recommend ppl to buy this...really great album. Anyone who is curious, PM me. I'll give a DL link. If you like spiral architect, then you'll surely love this one |
Posted By: Pnoom!
Date Posted: June 13 2008 at 18:49
Fred Frith's Back to Life added, and Amygdala's Complex Combat will be added as well as soon as I listen. |
Posted By: Dim
Date Posted: June 13 2008 at 18:57
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This year has been somewhat of a let down for me for the bigger names (Opeth, Kayo Dot, Cult of Luna, Russian Circles), but a big year for the unknown ones. 1.Followed by ghosts-Dear Monsters be patient
2.Pg.Lost-It's not me, it's you
3.Sigur Ros-Med Sud
4.Cult of Luna-Eternal Kingdom(I expected this one, and Kayo Dot to blow everyone out of the water)
5.Ocoai-Breatherman ------------- 
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Posted By: Moatilliatta
Date Posted: June 13 2008 at 19:03
You didn't like Med Sud? ------------- www.last.fm/user/ThisCenotaph
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Posted By: Pnoom!
Date Posted: June 13 2008 at 19:14
| He does. He ranked it #3 of the year. |
Posted By: mecca
Date Posted: June 15 2008 at 00:21
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Mothlite has one of the best, for sure. Here's a review I wrote for their album, The Flax of Reverie:
My god.
This album is one of the best this year has to offer, and sadly, I have presentiments of it being overlooked. The composer and arranger of this album, Daniel O'Sullivan, is the same found in Miasma and the Carousel of Headless Horses and Guapo; his opaque musical landscapes continue their progression in a new variation known as Mothlite. Much of the album is a process of building momentum sullenly, but never leaving the attentive listener to wallow in boredom. And when the releases arrive, they do so leaving one with gratification. My favorite crescendo from the album is short but booming, from the song "The Untouched Dew", it erupts from quietly disparate, orchestral melodies of violin, guitar, and lush vocals in a thunder of beautifully produced percussion and soaring strings, followed by an impressive clarinet improvisation by Gilad Atzmon. Perfect. Soft lingerings of ambience and static lightly swathe exquisite orchestration, and continue even when the instrumental has finished or has changed movements. Weaving through the ambience is the whispy production as percussion echoes and fades, or as strings faintly coalesce with dissonant piano chords, such as in "Hypnogogue". Even though the album is in majority classically-composed, there are a few parts jazzy and improvised. These moments are also performed with grace, such as the smooth outro of "Neverbegoodwood", and the aforementioned release of "The Untouched Dew". Everything in this album is flawlessly executed, whether it be the lovely and multi-faceted compositions, the unnerving atmospherics, the artful production, or their seamless implementation of other genres of music. Highly recommended. |
Posted By: Pnoom!
Date Posted: June 15 2008 at 00:40
You pimp (and priest  ) Mothlite is pretty good, but a bit dull overall. I give it a B. |
Posted By: mecca
Date Posted: June 15 2008 at 01:38
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Dull?! Methinks you should listen again a couple times at least. There's tons of detail in the compositions and the releases are just breathtaking. It's a slow album, but I don't think it's dull in the slightest!
But still, cool you checked it out.
Listen again, though! It deserves the growing and time to wrap one's head around to really understand each composition's structure. Really, there's a lot going on at once and throughout each song, just takes a little bit to get a grip on.
P.S. How do you manage to get all those ratings up on your profile for RYM? I look like a slacker...
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Posted By: Dim
Date Posted: June 15 2008 at 01:40
What? It's my number three... -------------
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Posted By: Pnoom!
Date Posted: June 15 2008 at 01:48
Everytime I listen to an album, I go and make sure I've got it rated on RYM. I'll give Mothlite more listens, don't worry. I caught a lot of the detail, but that doesn't mean it didn't meander at times. Might very well grow, we'll see. EDIT: and you should notice that it did make my list of albums called 2008: the keepers, which means I definitely like it a lot |
Posted By: Pnoom!
Date Posted: June 15 2008 at 01:50
do you have internet? www.bluelambencydownward.com ^^free full streaming of the Kayo Dot |
Posted By: mecca
Date Posted: June 15 2008 at 01:54
 - I'll stop now, haha.
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