PA's Battle to Stardom D1: ELP v. VDGG
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Category: Progressive Music Lounges
Forum Name: Prog Polls
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URL: http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=53562
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Topic: PA's Battle to Stardom D1: ELP v. VDGG
Posted By: MovingPictures07
Subject: PA's Battle to Stardom D1: ELP v. VDGG
Date Posted: November 23 2008 at 14:35
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The first match of the final 4! This should prove to be interesting.
Please: If you are not familiar with one or both of the band's material, I urge
that you use the links provided and at least listen to the samples on
their respective pages (or Youtube if the particular band has no online
streaming).
ELP's PA page: http://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=94 - http://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=94 VDGG's PA page: http://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=343 - http://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=343 As always, discussions are encouraged. Recap: Round 3 C1: C2: C3: Rush v. C4: C1: forum_posts.asp?TID=53258 - http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=53258 C2: forum_posts.asp?TID=53336&PN=1 - http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=53336&PN=1 C3: forum_posts.asp?TID=53399&PN=1 - http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=53399&PN=1 C4: http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=53480&PN=1 - http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=53480&PN=1 Round 2 B1: B2: Emerson, Lake and Palmer v. B3: B4: Van der Graaf Generator v. B5: Rush v. B6: B7: Le Orme v. B8: B1: forum_posts.asp?TID=52648&PN=1 - http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=52648&PN=1 B2: forum_posts.asp?TID=52714 - http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=52714 B3: forum_posts.asp?TID=52795 - http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=52795 B4: forum_posts.asp?TID=52869 - http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=52869 B5: forum_posts.asp?TID=52956&PN=1 - http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=52956&PN=1 B6: forum_posts.asp?TID=53056&PN=1 - http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=53056&PN=1 B7: forum_posts.asp?TID=53114&PN=1 - http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=53114&PN=1 B8: forum_posts.asp?TID=53181&PN=1 - http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=53181&PN=1 Round 1 A1: A2: A3: Emerson, Lake and Palmer v. A4: A5: Can v. A6: A7: Van der Graaf Generator v. A8: Samla Mammas Manna v. A9: Rush v. A10: A11: Henry Cow v. A12: A13: A14: A15: A16: Gentle Giant v. A1: forum_posts.asp?TID=51423&PN=2 - http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=51423&PN=2 A2: forum_posts.asp?TID=51492&PN=1 - http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=51492&PN=1 A3: forum_posts.asp?TID=51567&PN=1 - http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=51567&PN=1 A4: forum_posts.asp?TID=51630&PN=1 - http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=51630&PN=1 A5: forum_posts.asp?TID=51711&PN=1 - http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=51711&PN=1 A6: forum_posts.asp?TID=51778 - http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=51778 A7: forum_posts.asp?TID=51855 - http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=51855 A8: forum_posts.asp?TID=51928&PN=1 - http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=51928&PN=1 A9: forum_posts.asp?TID=52011 - http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=52011 A10: forum_posts.asp?TID=52091 - http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=52091 A11: forum_posts.asp?TID=52158&PN=1 - http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=52158&PN=1 A12: forum_posts.asp?TID=52246 - http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=52246 A13: forum_posts.asp?TID=52336 - http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=52336 A14: forum_posts.asp?TID=52411&PN=1 - http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=52411&PN=1 A15: forum_posts.asp?TID=52487&PN=1 - http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=52487&PN=1 A16: forum_posts.asp?TID=52571 - http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=52571 ------------- 
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Replies:
Posted By: Bern
Date Posted: November 23 2008 at 14:37
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As always, Van der Graaf Generator for me.
-------------  
RIP in bossa nova heaven. |
Posted By: Anderson III
Date Posted: November 23 2008 at 14:39
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Both of these bands are extremely difficult to get into, but when you're in, I think ELP is more satisfying.
------------- "Music expresses that which cannot be put into words and cannot remain silent" - Victor Hugo |
Posted By: MovingPictures07
Date Posted: November 23 2008 at 14:40
I've never gotten into VDGG, whereas ELP hit me right away actually. I could understand why they're both on the difficult side though. -------------
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Anderson III wrote:Posted By: The Quiet One
Date Posted: November 23 2008 at 14:43
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WOW! I think it's a great DUEL! Never have thought about it, even if it was random.
I'm no big fan of both, but I admit they're BIG bands with a lot of guts and have made some very unique music. It's difficult to choose, I enjoy both equally. Godbluff VS Trilogy, it is. I vote for VDGG, but it could have been ELP other day. |
Posted By: Anguiad
Date Posted: November 23 2008 at 15:01
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I'm not into VDGG yet, I know they are the big deal. So I'll go for the titans of ELP. Kinda arrived late to other polls...  And btw, where is Zappa?? ------------- "Tis your birth and faith that wrong you...not I." |
Posted By: TGM: Orb
Date Posted: November 23 2008 at 15:03
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Oh gosh. Two great bands, with a good deal of classic output, but VDGG are comfortably preferable for me. My favourite band ever. |
Posted By: MovingPictures07
Date Posted: November 23 2008 at 15:03
I couldn't possibly include every band or artist in this tournament, as much as I love Zappa. He was, however, in the Ultimate Prog Tournament early this year. -------------
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Posted By: TGM: Orb
Date Posted: November 23 2008 at 15:03
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Oh gosh. Two great bands, with a good deal of classic output, but VDGG are comfortably preferable for me. My favourite band ever. |
Posted By: listen
Date Posted: November 23 2008 at 15:04
| VDGG easily, though I enjoy most early ELP |
Posted By: febus
Date Posted: November 23 2008 at 15:12
5 great albums for one band! 2 great for the other!......so the score is 5-2 for ELP
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Posted By: The Doctor
Date Posted: November 23 2008 at 15:15
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Gotta cast my vote for VDGG. The second best band ever. Just behind Genesis and just in front of Gentle Giant. Anyone who thinks differently...
thinks differently than me.
 I just realized that my three favorite bands have the letters GEN in a row in their name. Hmmmmm. ------------- I can understand your anger at me, but what did the horse I rode in on ever do to you? |
Posted By: Moatilliatta
Date Posted: November 23 2008 at 15:47
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Between the two bands, I only listen to 3 albums. Not a huge fan of the bands, but I do adore Pawn Hearts and Godbluff. Brain Salad Surgery is a solid listen as well. I've tried the bands' other albums, and I'm somewhat into Still Life but can't get into any other ELP. So considering both quantity and quality, I go with Van der Graaf Generator. ------------- www.last.fm/user/ThisCenotaph  
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Posted By: someone_else
Date Posted: November 23 2008 at 15:58
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It's getting really hard. The only way of selecting one of these bands is by matching their best albums:
Brain Salad Surgery vs. Godbluff...no decision.
ELP (debut album) vs. Still Life...Still Life. VDGG wins. In the lower divisions I usually prefer ELP, but now I go for VDGG. |
Posted By: A Person
Date Posted: November 23 2008 at 16:15
| Easy vote for VDGG for me. For some reason ELP never really appealed to me, although BSS is good. |
Posted By: King Crimson776
Date Posted: November 23 2008 at 16:24
| ELP, I like VDGG a lot more than I used to though. |
Posted By: Hercules
Date Posted: November 23 2008 at 16:30
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I can enjoy some of ELP's stuff, which is a lot more than I can say for VDGG. So, unlikely though it is, ELP get my vote. ------------- A TVR is not a car. It's a way of life. |
Posted By: horsewithteeth11
Date Posted: November 23 2008 at 18:23
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ELP for me.
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Posted By: crimhead
Date Posted: November 23 2008 at 22:16
| I thought that it would be closer than this. I give my nod to ELP. |
Posted By: MovingPictures07
Date Posted: November 23 2008 at 22:18
It's actually been extremely close for most of the time, until just recently later tonight where VDGG got a rush of votes it seems. -------------
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Posted By: tszirmay
Date Posted: November 23 2008 at 22:19
Like a good soccer/football score. Please place ball at center
 My feelings, exactement!------------- I never post anything anywhere without doing more than basic research, often in depth. |
Posted By: Zargus
Date Posted: November 24 2008 at 00:35
Culdent have said it beter my self as much as i love ELP, not even they stand a chanse against the mighty Generator. ------------- 
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Posted By: Failcore
Date Posted: November 24 2008 at 02:03
| I can already call the tournament. VdGG takes ELP. Rush takes GG. Rush takes VdGG. Winner Rush! Wrong I know, since Rush's name is not GG, but oh well. :P |
Posted By: Roj
Date Posted: November 24 2008 at 02:58
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I vote for ELP.
I appreciate VDGG and do really like some of their stuff. Overall though I have always found them not to really be my cup of tea. On the other hand, while ELP were undoubtedly inconsistent, they produced several albums which stand comparison with any on PA. At their very best they were simply outstanding.
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Posted By: MrEdifus
Date Posted: November 24 2008 at 08:40
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Voting against VDGG was as easy as voting for Dream Theater.
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Posted By: crimson87
Date Posted: November 24 2008 at 10:13
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Ths is an evil poll! can't make me vote against VDGG.
However I want to see ELP as the winner of this tournament.
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Posted By: Lav
Date Posted: November 24 2008 at 10:26
| Both bands are great and this poll is maybe one of the hardest I've seen, but in my case Peter Hammil makes it easy for me to choose: VDGG all the way :D |
Posted By: The Pessimist
Date Posted: November 24 2008 at 10:40
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VDGG: although I do love the more complex side to ELP, i.e. Tarkus, I much prefer Peter Hamill's vocal and emotional dexterity and Hugh Banton's untouchable organ work.
------------- "Market value is irrelevant to intrinsic value." Arnold Schoenberg |
Posted By: The Pessimist
Date Posted: November 24 2008 at 11:02
So pretty tough then?  ------------- "Market value is irrelevant to intrinsic value." Arnold Schoenberg |
Posted By: trackstoni
Date Posted: November 24 2008 at 11:31
no need for comment , VDGG , and ELP are between my favourites 20 bands , unfortunate luck for ELP in this Poll !!!! /////  /////
------------- Tracking Tracks of Rock |
Posted By: Philip
Date Posted: November 24 2008 at 11:48
| I went for ELP. Just an obvious natural preference I have for them, althought I live VDGG. |
Posted By: easytargets
Date Posted: November 24 2008 at 11:48
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VdGG for me, though I love most of ELP works ------------- The water rushes over all cities crash in the mighty wave; the final man is very small, plunging in for his final bathe |
Posted By: RaphaelT
Date Posted: November 24 2008 at 12:18
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ELP is quite predictable, they can even fit into popular music whereas VDGG - constant avant - garde and great melodies too! ------------- yet you still have time! |
Posted By: keiser willhelm
Date Posted: November 24 2008 at 12:23
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not a huge fan of either, but im trying more with VDGG. ELP is more my cup of tea but, i was never a big tea drinker. . .
------------- http://www.last.fm/user/KeiserWillhelm" rel="nofollow - What im listening to |
Posted By: Epignosis
Date Posted: November 24 2008 at 12:30
I've never gotten into Van der Graaf Generator. Granted, I only own one of their albums, and granted, that album is Trisector, but still.  Anyway, I've heard a lot of their music, and I think ELP is better. ------------- https://epignosis.bandcamp.com/album/a-month-of-sundays" rel="nofollow - https://epignosis.bandcamp.com/album/a-month-of-sundays |
Posted By: BaldFriede
Date Posted: November 24 2008 at 12:45
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VdGG for me. One of my most favourite bands. -------------  BaldJean and I; I am the one in blue. |
Posted By: Takeshi Kovacs
Date Posted: November 24 2008 at 15:39
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VdGG for me too!
-------------  Open the gates of the city wide....
Check out my music taste: http://www.last.fm/user/TakeshiKovacs/ |
Posted By: LiquidEternity
Date Posted: November 24 2008 at 16:40
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Oh jeez, neck and neck. Impressive. I put one down for Van der Graaf, as ELP is almost always to me an obnoxious band. They do have a few good ones, but for the most part, too much piano noodling. And VdGG has written some of the most tingly songs I've ever listened to. ------------- 
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Posted By: Logan
Date Posted: November 24 2008 at 16:57
It can't be beat. Then there's David Jackson's enormous sax appeal, and beatmaster Guy Evans working those skins. VdGG it is.  ------------- 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: LiquidEternity
Date Posted: November 24 2008 at 17:02
Oh man, and the things Peter can do with his mouth... Very nice. -------------
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Posted By: eon_
Date Posted: November 24 2008 at 17:14
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VDDG!!!!!! ------------- Spiral out, keep going... |
Posted By: Alberto Muņoz
Date Posted: November 24 2008 at 17:26
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Posted By: MrEdifus
Date Posted: November 24 2008 at 22:17
Nope, quite the contrary. -------------
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Posted By: Avantgardehead
Date Posted: November 25 2008 at 03:49
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VDGG!!!!!!!!!!
------------- http://www.last.fm/user/Avantgardian |
Posted By: Logan
Date Posted: November 25 2008 at 11:42
In a poll such as this, I'm much more inclined to vote for something than vote against something. I voted VdGG because I prefer it, but that's not a vote against ELP. Anyway, I would expect that many more DT fans would prefer ELP. ------------- 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: Visitor13
Date Posted: November 26 2008 at 10:52
| VdGG |
Posted By: Okocha
Date Posted: November 28 2008 at 09:23
| VDGG |
Posted By: Roj
Date Posted: November 28 2008 at 10:01
| This one is proving to be a real battle of the giants! |
Posted By: Abstrakt
Date Posted: November 28 2008 at 10:09
| Van Der Graaf Generator!!! |
Posted By: Hawkwise
Date Posted: November 28 2008 at 11:08
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ELP !!!!!
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Posted By: Cactus Choir
Date Posted: November 28 2008 at 16:24
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Hmm, ELP are like the England football team. A few good results early doors to raise your hopes then they revert to type and lose. Anyway I vote ELP though I think VDGG will win, possibly in a penalty shoot-out. ------------- "And now...on the drums...Mick Underwooooooooood!!!" "He's up the pub" |
Posted By: crimson87
Date Posted: November 28 2008 at 22:31
And if we take into account another facts.
Only zeppelin was bigger than ELP in the 70's. Those look like pretty good results to me!!
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Posted By: Queen By-Tor
Date Posted: November 28 2008 at 22:34
And THESE look like pretty good results to me:
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[45.30%]Posted By: crimson87
Date Posted: November 29 2008 at 00:01
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You got me |
Posted By: Queen By-Tor
Date Posted: November 29 2008 at 01:00
I know it seems like I'm just a dick who follows you around threads to contradict you, but I'm really not.GG just beat Rush over on the other poll. Oh well, the people have spoken |
Posted By: Cactus Choir
Date Posted: November 29 2008 at 03:49
Those ELP results are amazing of course, and the spinning piano was possibly their greatest triumph (stick that in your existentialist pipe and smoke it Hammill). It's just a shame that like the England footie team the Glory Days were such a long time ago and were followed by years of under-achievement!------------- "And now...on the drums...Mick Underwooooooooood!!!" "He's up the pub" |
Posted By: alerxst
Date Posted: December 14 2008 at 12:29
| VdGG had 4 albums better than ELP's best along with a bunch of other very solid albums. If I had to make this decision 3 years ago, my vote would have easily gone the other way, but I've had a bit of a falling out with ELP over the past couple years. |
Posted By: peskypesky
Date Posted: December 14 2008 at 17:25
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I voted for VDGG, even though I've listened to ELP for almost 30 years and only "discovered" VDGG this year. Although it took me a couple of weeks to appreciate Peter Hammil's vocal style, once I got into it, I got WAY into it. ELP may be better in terms of technical virtuosity, and they did compose some cool songs, but VDGG is more my style.
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Posted By: crimhead
Date Posted: December 15 2008 at 14:47
I was at CalJam. It was a great show once you got past the first few acts. |
Posted By: nahnite
Date Posted: December 15 2008 at 18:30
| VDGG all the way for me. I can't stand ELP. |