Zappa, Magma or K Crimson
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Category: Progressive Music Lounges
Forum Name: Prog Polls
Forum Description: Create polls on topics related to progressive music
URL: http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=50209
Printed Date: July 22 2025 at 11:55
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Topic: Zappa, Magma or K Crimson
Posted By: alanerc
Subject: Zappa, Magma or K Crimson
Date Posted: July 16 2008 at 14:34
just for fun 
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Replies:
Posted By: jetson
Date Posted: July 16 2008 at 14:40
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After thinking about it : Zappa. It was a really hard choice though. ------------- 
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Posted By: MovingPictures07
Date Posted: July 16 2008 at 14:42
 *BRAIN EXPLODES* You're putting 3 of my all-time top 5 together and duking them out. What a poll!!!  Yikes, I have to go with Magma, despite how completely freaking awesome the other two are.  ------------- 
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Posted By: crimhead
Date Posted: July 16 2008 at 14:57
| KC for me obviously though I was torn between them and Zappa. |
Posted By: Scoppioingola
Date Posted: July 16 2008 at 15:12
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Excellent pool indeed.
I had to go with Magma, but ain't completely sure why...
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Posted By: proggy
Date Posted: July 16 2008 at 15:13
ME TOO................Not Fair...............Not Fair...........Love KC and Uncle Frank....................
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crimhead wrote:Posted By: Astrodomine
Date Posted: July 16 2008 at 15:32
| Terribly hard poll :P Zappa wins ! |
Posted By: Logan
Date Posted: July 16 2008 at 15:45
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Love all three. If Magma hadn't been there, my choice would have been harder.
------------- Watching while most appreciating a sunset in the moment need not diminish all the glorious sunsets I have observed before. It can be much like that with music for me. |
Posted By: memowakeman
Date Posted: July 16 2008 at 15:57
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King Crimson!
------------- Follow me on twitter @memowakeman |
Posted By: 33rpm
Date Posted: July 16 2008 at 16:27
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King Crimson by far! ------------- Vinyl just sounds better!! |
Posted By: 33rpm
Date Posted: July 16 2008 at 16:27
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King Crimson by far! ------------- Vinyl just sounds better!! |
Posted By: The Quiet One
Date Posted: July 16 2008 at 16:46
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Crimson has Lizard, Court, Wake, Islands and Starless
Zappa has his 90% of his huge discography And Magma, well I don't know them very well, but as far as I know they're another type of Zappa, amazing in their own way On AMAZING Zappa and Magma would go For preference on albums, KC No vote since I just like for now KC, while Zappa I know a lot of his albums he's still not an acquired taste, the same for Magma |
Posted By: febus
Date Posted: July 16 2008 at 17:11
| 3 of the greatest prog artists: But as KC is my all time favorite band, they get first followed by Magma....Zappa, i like him as well but i have to be in the mood to listen to him! |
Posted By: ProgBagel
Date Posted: July 16 2008 at 17:26
| Tough, but I'll go with King Crimson. |
Posted By: dzx
Date Posted: July 16 2008 at 17:32
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Got to be KC as they are THE most influential band while always changing with the times. LTIA and PTB are key progmetal albums 32 years apart. hell LTIA even has the first mosh section ever recorded beating even Sabbath to it. I say this because Zappa and Magma are undeniably great but really are only appreciated by the initiated while KC rest RELATIVELY accessible ------------- was that just an Am augmented minor 9th i heard? nice! |
Posted By: Zargus
Date Posted: July 16 2008 at 17:53
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Zappa n the Mothers. ------------- 
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Posted By: horsewithteeth11
Date Posted: July 16 2008 at 17:55
I think you just ripped my heart out with your bare fists However, I have to give my vote to Magma, who iss de hundin
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Posted By: MovingPictures07
Date Posted: July 16 2008 at 17:56
For some reason, I lol'ed at that response.  -------------
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Posted By: horsewithteeth11
Date Posted: July 16 2008 at 17:57
You're just quoting me to get to 1000 posts sooner aren't you? -------------
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Posted By: MovingPictures07
Date Posted: July 16 2008 at 17:58
Actually, I hadn't even thought of that, but thanks now! -------------
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Posted By: Syzygy
Date Posted: July 16 2008 at 17:59
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Magma. Not as much of a no brainer as you might think - I have about 24 hours apiece of Magma and King Crimson on my Ipod, and 48 hours of Zappa. All 3 are firm favourites, but when push comes to shove KOBAIA ISS DE HUNDIN! ------------- '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: song_of_copper
Date Posted: July 16 2008 at 18:01
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I wish I could vote in this! But, since I am yet to delve into King Crimson, I'll have to abstain. But how would I choose between Zappa and Magma anyway?! My two utter favourites... if it was a head choice, I'd take Frank.  If it was a heart choice, Christian V.  Flipping a coin might be the only option!  |
Posted By: MovingPictures07
Date Posted: July 16 2008 at 18:03
It would have to be one of "those" coins... despite how much I love Zappa... Heads-- Magma Tails-- Zappa Two-sided heads coin! That would solve the problem too. But seriously, you should check out King Crimson. Based on your tastes, they should be something you would like. -------------
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Posted By: song_of_copper
Date Posted: July 16 2008 at 18:17
You might be right there, it certainly looks like it might be *sinister and complicated*, which is a favourite combination of mine... |
Posted By: MovingPictures07
Date Posted: July 16 2008 at 18:20
Yeah, King Crimson definitely isn't Yes or Genesis....and definitely not like Camel. Try "Larks' Tongues in Aspic". -------------
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Posted By: Syzygy
Date Posted: July 16 2008 at 18:28
If you're thinking of exploring King Crimson, their live albums may be more appealing than some of the studio work. Try
There are also good live sets from earlier incarnations and the more recent 4 piece line up, but I think that these will probably be the most appealing to you. ------------- '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 |
) but they were a fearsome proposition on stage.Posted By: Moatilliatta
Date Posted: July 16 2008 at 18:30
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Magma by far for me. ------------- www.last.fm/user/ThisCenotaph  
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Posted By: TGM: Orb
Date Posted: July 16 2008 at 18:47
| Crimson, because Larks' Tongues In Aspic is the best thing ever. |
Posted By: ghost_of_morphy
Date Posted: July 16 2008 at 18:55
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Crimson wins this based on having the best music. Zappa has the highest coolness factor, though.
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Posted By: song_of_copper
Date Posted: July 16 2008 at 18:57
Thank you - some useful advice there! Always nice to be able to narrow these things down... |
Posted By: King Crimson776
Date Posted: July 16 2008 at 20:08
| Teh King Ov Crimson |
Posted By: jammun
Date Posted: July 16 2008 at 22:32
| Hello Frank Zappa... |
Posted By: Luke. J
Date Posted: July 17 2008 at 01:15
| I wanted to vote for King Crimson, but then I heard these words: "This is the voice of your conscience, baby!" |
Posted By: inrainbows
Date Posted: July 17 2008 at 02:17
No fun at all! I love them all , 3 of my all time top bands, together in a poll!  My vote goes to Magma though ------------- 
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Posted By: Jozef
Date Posted: July 17 2008 at 02:19
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It was tough to decide between Magma and King Crimson. I have been listening to both bands a lot lately, especially King Crimson. I've actually never really listened to Zappa as shocking as that sounds |
Posted By: stonebeard
Date Posted: July 17 2008 at 02:36
Seriously, if you consider the 80s and 70s Krimsons as 2 different bands, and like the 80s incarnation, this live album will blow you away. ------------- http://soundcloud.com/drewagler" rel="nofollow - My soundcloud. Please give feedback if you want! |
Posted By: npjnpj
Date Posted: July 17 2008 at 03:21
| Zappa for me!! |
Posted By: alanerc
Date Posted: July 17 2008 at 03:46
That was funny for me |
Posted By: Prejjer
Date Posted: July 17 2008 at 13:31
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interesting poll, because in all of prog these are three of the artists that has the most interesting discographies. Frank Zappa's discography is large, varied and almost overwhelming. King Crimsons discography is also ridiculously varied, and with some amazing live albums to top it off. and magma, well, what they lack in quantity, they make up for with quality. besides, they DO have loads of brilliant live albums. in the end, i went with magma because what can i say - im a magma fanboy, so to speak. but really, i couldnt possibly fault anybody for picking zappa or crimson here, i could pretty easily do the same |
Posted By: NurseryCryme89
Date Posted: August 07 2008 at 17:08
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hahaha! wow... this poll was like picking which child I wanted to live in the vicious hands of some nutter... but I guess, in the end, I threw Magma and Zappa to the wolves! |
Posted By: Padraic
Date Posted: August 07 2008 at 17:19
You don't have any King Crimson? Now that is RIO! |
Posted By: tszirmay
Date Posted: August 07 2008 at 18:09
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All great but KC has the stamina. ------------- I never post anything anywhere without doing more than basic research, often in depth. |
Posted By: AlexUC
Date Posted: August 08 2008 at 03:05
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Zappa A real musician and a philosopher... A great man ------------- This is not my beautiful house... |
Posted By: song_of_copper
Date Posted: August 08 2008 at 05:08
Haha, I tend to approach these things from bizarre angles. I don't own any Beatles albums, either. [Edit: well, I decided to vote anyway. Is it physically possible to love anything more than Magma...?] |
Posted By: Padraic
Date Posted: August 08 2008 at 10:20
Well I can understand the Beatles to some degree, but I'm almost positive you would love Larks Tongues in Aspic. |
Posted By: Bj-1
Date Posted: August 08 2008 at 10:34
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Frank Zappa, no doubt! Followed by KC and Magma. Two amazing bands! ------------- RIO/AVANT/ZEUHL - The best thing you can get with yer pants on! |
Posted By: DJPuffyLemon
Date Posted: August 08 2008 at 11:11
| Did you really have to pick the three most innovative groups of rock? This would be hard to vote for if I decided to vote.... |
Posted By: The T
Date Posted: August 08 2008 at 13:38
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Mmm.. We could rename this the "music cold as ice" poll...
Basically, King Crimson would be my choice... ------------- 
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Posted By: song_of_copper
Date Posted: August 08 2008 at 14:07
Well, I will most certainly give it a go some day!
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Posted By: crimhead
Date Posted: August 09 2008 at 01:19
| KC then Zappa then Magma. I gotta to listen to more Magma though. I admit it. It is hard to find them though. |
Posted By: Pnoom!
Date Posted: August 09 2008 at 01:26
http://%20www.waysidemusic.com - www.waysidemusic.com http://www.lasercd.com - www.lasercd.com |
Posted By: Petrovsk Mizinski
Date Posted: August 09 2008 at 01:51
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FZ.
------------- 
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Posted By: Philéas
Date Posted: August 09 2008 at 05:55
| I was about to vote for KC but Magma needed the vote better. |
Posted By: TGM: Orb
Date Posted: August 10 2008 at 14:14
A prog-metal man talking about the band responsible for Moonchild, Exiles, Lady Of The Dancing Water and Starless. (Just going for more obvious examples) I've oddly never understood the preconception that Crimson are cold or emotionless (similarly, though to a lesser extent, Magma. That comment I can understand, even if it doesn't apply to me. Zappa I've so far found a much more detached experience). Even things like Larks' pt. 1 or Schizoid Man are acutely emotional and warm experiences for me. Crimson and VDGG are my favourite bands, so I voted Crimson when I voted. |
Posted By: Yorkie X
Date Posted: August 10 2008 at 20:21
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Putting Magma up against legends like Zappa and King Crimson just seems wrong , not that theres anything wrong with Magma but Zappa and King Crimson are Titans in their fields.
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Posted By: King of Loss
Date Posted: August 11 2008 at 00:55
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This one is a toughie.. Actually. Not really Magma. |
Posted By: darkshade
Date Posted: August 11 2008 at 01:00
ZAPPA
well then you better get a move-on! ------------- http://www.last.fm/user/MysticBoogy" rel="nofollow - My Last.fm 
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Posted By: Logan
Date Posted: August 11 2008 at 02:33
Magma is the Titan in its field -- Zeuhl. And a bloody amazing band, but KC and Zappa are incredible too.------------- Watching while most appreciating a sunset in the moment need not diminish all the glorious sunsets I have observed before. It can be much like that with music for me. |
Posted By: Grimfurg
Date Posted: August 11 2008 at 16:21
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1. Magma 2. Zappa 3. Crimson ------------- http://regulab.bandcamp.com/album/vol-i/" rel="nofollow"> 
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Posted By: Avantgardehead
Date Posted: August 12 2008 at 05:22
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1. Zappa 2. Crimson 4561: Magma ------------- http://www.last.fm/user/Avantgardian |
Posted By: Logan
Date Posted: August 12 2008 at 14:18
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.
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! ------------- Watching while most appreciating a sunset in the moment need not diminish all the glorious sunsets I have observed before. It can be much like that with music for me. |
Posted By: Avantgardehead
Date Posted: August 12 2008 at 16:42
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They're very talented and... interesting... individuals, but I need my sappy melodies dang gum-it!
------------- http://www.last.fm/user/Avantgardian |
Posted By: Logan
Date Posted: August 12 2008 at 17:13
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. ------------- Watching while most appreciating a sunset in the moment need not diminish all the glorious sunsets I have observed before. It can be much like that with music for me. |
Posted By: Grimfurg
Date Posted: August 13 2008 at 07:47
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Bah forget it mahn, if he don't like Magma no more, let it be.
------------- http://regulab.bandcamp.com/album/vol-i/" rel="nofollow">
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Posted By: Logan
Date Posted: August 13 2008 at 12:11
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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. ------------- Watching while most appreciating a sunset in the moment need not diminish all the glorious sunsets I have observed before. It can be much like that with music for me. |
Posted By: Thomsonrf
Date Posted: August 13 2008 at 12:55
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I absolutaly love Zappa. For his amazing music and incredible personality, i just read his biography and its fantastic i definatly reccomend! I havent actually listened to Magma yet, can anyone tell me where i should start???
------------- Xerath - Orchestral Groove Metal www.myspace.com/xerath Primer - Acoustic Progressive Rock www.myspace.com/primeruk |
Posted By: Grimfurg
Date Posted: August 13 2008 at 13:24
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Don't listen to them. TAKE KOHNTARKOSZ FIRST! ------------- http://regulab.bandcamp.com/album/vol-i/" rel="nofollow">
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Posted By: Logan
Date Posted: August 13 2008 at 13:35
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Welcome, Thomsonrf! Zappa came out with some incredible music. As tracks go, nothing was more important in my progressive journey than "Peaches en Regalia." Hearing it on the radio helped bring me back to Prog at a time when I was mostly into New Age and jazz (plus pop such as the Carpenters due to the wife). Live/ Hhai probably would be a good album to start your Magma journey with. It kind of depends on what your favourite music is, but that gives an overview and Magma is great live. I'd suggest listening to some Magma tracks first. Magma's page at this site has seven streaming tracks --> http://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=646 - http://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=646 And the myspace pages --> http://www.myspace.com/magmaofficial - http://www.myspace.com/magmaofficial And check out the Magma videos: http://hk.youtube.com/results?search_query=Magma+vander&search_type=&aq=f - http://hk.youtube.com/results?search_query=Magma+vander&search_type=&aq=f EDIT: Song of Copper once posted this link, and it's plenty of Magma fun: http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/231570006e - http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/231570006e ------------- Watching while most appreciating a sunset in the moment need not diminish all the glorious sunsets I have observed before. It can be much like that with music for me. |
Posted By: Vibrationbaby
Date Posted: August 13 2008 at 13:38
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Crimson hands down.
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Posted By: song_of_copper
Date Posted: August 13 2008 at 14:00
Magmavangelism is a constant temptation, because Magma inspires serious devotion in its fans. I'm talking... zeal. Fervour. If you're susceptible to the profound psychological effects of this music, it can feel pretty revelatory. You want to tell everyone you meet about it! I'm starting to think that the use of certain techniques from religious music might have something to do with this. (Hehe, this really should be in that other thread, but never mind...) Anyway, if you've experienced that (especially in cataclysmic fashion on your first listen!), it can be very difficult to empathise with someone who thinks this music is 'OK' or 'horrible'! It's always fascinating to read about other people's musical experiences, likes and dislikes, but even more so when the subject matter is something you're particularly besotted with. And although Magmaphiles are apt to go on and on (and on... and on) about the celestial delights on offer, most of them seem pretty accepting of others' opinions, on the whole. Even the occasional eruption of "Wurdah (insert name of reckless Magma-hater)" are usually tongue in cheek... I think. Oh, for Thomsonrf re. 'first Magma' suggestions... if you are into 'Hot Rats' and 'Grand Wazoo' Zappa, you could try '1001 Degres Centigrades', which is really jazzy, but slightly zeuhlish also. If you're more of an 'Absolutely Free'/'We're Only in it for the Money' person, maybe try MDK - for that 'Stravinsky meets (molten) rock'/slightly hysterical performance art thing... If it's 'Roxy' Zappa you love, 'Live/Hhai' is the sublime live album of choice. And finally, 'K.A.' should appeal to anyone with ears, if you ask me. (My boyfriend hates Magma, but even he can't resist tapping a foot to that album!) Enjoy!  |
Posted By: Grimfurg
Date Posted: August 13 2008 at 17:01
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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. :( ------------- http://regulab.bandcamp.com/album/vol-i/" rel="nofollow">
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Posted By: alanerc
Date Posted: August 22 2008 at 14:57
| King Crimson |