Collaborators Top Prog Rock Albums 2009
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Category: Progressive Music Lounges
Forum Name: Top 10s and lists
Forum Description: List all your favourites here
URL: http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=65430
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Topic: Collaborators Top Prog Rock Albums 2009
Posted By: Ricochet
Subject: Collaborators Top Prog Rock Albums 2009
Date Posted: March 01 2010 at 05:04
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COLLABORATORS TOP PROG ROCK ALBUMS 2009
Greetings everybody. You may be still wondering what happened to us Collaborators publishing our traditional Top Prog Albums of the Year list, or you may have just went on with your lives. But as voting was intentionally prolonged until the end of February, here we are, finally ready to reveal our top choices. 83 PA Collaborators (VIP members, Prog Reviewers, Collaborators, Special Collaborators and Admins) voted, nominating a total of 149 distinct albums. 53 of them were voted #1 on individual lists. We have clear medalists this year. #1  The highest distiction goes to the Zeuhl legends, who, five years after the tremendous comeback with K.A., reaffirm themselves with Ëmëhntëhtt-Ré, the last chapter of the Köhntarkösz trilogy, in which vocal jazz, dark incantations or vintage-preserved Zeuhl dynamics are simply the starting point. "Same old, same old, pretty much, but what a wondrous same old it is.(...)While I hardly think this music will have the longevity of, say, Beethoven's glorious 9th, or music by influences on Vander such as Coltrane and Orff, compared to the vast majority of others in the rock universe, this is stellar stuff."#2  The ensemble's return to the musical scene was marked with an album that, for many, is a work of genius. What must have been the big favourite is here referenced as the second best prog album of 2009. "The mix of styles between Toby Driver's two bands [motW & KD] is phenomenal, seemlessly integrating and creating multiple moments of shear beauty interspersed with moments of crashing dissonance, powerful rock and haunting melancholy."#3  Aside the admiration expressed for this band's comeback project, this must undoubtebly be a surprising recognition for the retro symphonic rock played in recent times. "(...) a stunning album, at least if symphonic progressive rock is a stylistic expression you normally enjoy. Perhaps a bit too slick and contemporary sounding for die-hard fans of vintage Yes and Genesis, but it is a production that many will find truly magnificent. And without doubt a classic album, of the kind that will be regarded as such many decades from now."#4  It would be impossible to forget these indie-folkers' breakthrough rock, that also meant their closest step towards prog and personal excellency. And indeed, it isn't left unmentioned. On the contrary: fourth best album of the year, for us. "These guys are destined for greatness if they manage to hold it together for a few more years at least, and I've no doubt that a decade from now this album will appear on many "Greatest Rock Albums" lists alongside some of the other legendary rock operas in history. Take advantage of it now - you can say then that you knew this music 'when'"#5  It proved to be the first time in a long sequence when constantly acclaimed Porcupine Tree's newest album was not universally acclaimed. It still received enough votes to make it in the top. Imagine what would have happened otherwise. "An initial skeptic, I have found myself increasingly convinced by this album. It's not only the many musical highlights that convince me this is a masterpiece of modern prog, but also the integrity of the song cycle itself: how it coheres both musically and lyrically. This piece is by turns beautiful, raw, thought-provoking, bleak and ultimately disturbing."#6  The second half of the top 10 is flooded by prog metal albums, all produced by, likely, the usual suspcts. First up is Riverside, with Anno Domini High Definition. "Change has arrived, finally. Or maybe not actually changed, but realization, the confirmation of a promising band ultimately reaching maturity and adopting a true, unique identity. Riverside is now a progressive metal band, with plenty of space rock elements and atmosphere, but a metal band at last."#7  The band's fourth album is now their most celebrated one. Here as well, the emphasis on it being their most progressive offering yet (and in uncompromising fashion, too) is a point of reference. "Mastodon's Crack The Skye should go down in history as a milestone metal album, the way that Metallica's Master Of Puppets, Slayer's Reign In Blood or Opeth's Blackwater Park are so highly regarded, setting a new benchmark and finding new life in a genre that is often tired and repetitive these days."#8  This is the first of two albums that weren't anyone's personal choice of the year. Many saw it however as the best runner-up. The Great Misdirect earns eight spot. "A breath of fresh air in the crowded Prog Metal genre! (...) The type of music that is played here is undeniably BtBaM's unique spin on progressive metal."#9  After years of full exposure to a crazily expansive, resoundingly consuming and either addictively- or odiously-regarded music, The Mars Volta, at the end of a decade they were fuly part of, came with something different, maybe not so much in terms of the too-well-known style, as the tone set outwardly. Octahedron appears to be considered just as noteworthy as most, if not all, from which it distanced itself. "Decaffeinated is a great adjective I have heard to describe this album. So The Mars Volta that previously created an album of almost nonstop thrash noise and craziness - now they have created an album of "Televators", so to speak - subdued, quieter pieces - and that's just fine by me."#10  Lastly, it is Miriodor's Avanti!, being declared the tenth best prog record of 2009 in quite the last second. "Avanti!, as a whole, is a demonstration of how vivid and strong the pattern of R.I.O. remains in the new millenium thanks to the intense creativity delivered by bands such as Miriodor." As usual, I would ask that this thread be stickied, at least for the time being. Comments, begin! ------------- 
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Replies:
Posted By: Ricochet
Date Posted: March 01 2010 at 05:05
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Here's the full top 50 1. Magma - Ëmëhntëhtt-Ré 2. maudlin of the well - Part The Second 3. Transatlantic - The Whirldwind 4. The Decemberists - The Hazards Of Love 5. Porcupine Tree - The Incident 6. Riverside - Anno Domini High Definition 7. Mastodon - Crack The Skye 8. Between The Buried And Me - The Great Misdirect 9. The Mars Volta - Octahedron 10. Miriodor - Avanti! 11. Big Big Train - The Underfall Yard 12. Isis - Wavering Radiant 13. Deluge Grander - The Form Of The Good 14. Astra - The Weirding 15. Led Bib - Sensible Shoes 16. 5BridgeS - The Thomas Tracks Delirium - Il Nome Del Vento 18. Nemo - Barbares 19. Steven Wilson - Insurgentes 20. Cheer-Accident - Fear Draws Misfortune 21. Phideaux - Number Seven Indukti - idmen 23. Present - Barbaro (Ma Non Troppo) 24. Devin Townsend - Addicted 25. IQ - Frequency 26. Dream Theater - Black Clouds & Silver Linings 27. Gong - 2032 28. Mono - Hymn To The Immortal Wind Shadow Circus - Whispers And Screams 30. The Dear Hunter - Act III: Life And Death 31. Wobbler - Afterglow The Tangent - Down And Out In Paris And London 33. Epignosis - Still The Waters 34. Kotebel - Ouroboros Latte E Miele - Marco Polo Sogni E Viaggi Secret Green - To Wake The King 37. Muse - The Resistance Satellite - Nostalgia Gazpacho - Tick Tock 40. Martigan - Vision 41. dredg - The Pariah, The Parrot, The Delusion 42. Beardfish - Destined Solitaire Aranis - Songs From Mirage 44. Alamaailman Vasarat - Huuro Kolkko Progression By Failure - Progression By Failure Il Castello Di Atlante - Capitolo 7: Tra Le Antiche Mura Nodo Gordiano - Flektogon Umphrey McGee - Mantis 49. Nils Petter Molvaer - Hamada Osada Vida - Uninvited Dreams -------------
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Posted By: Kotro
Date Posted: March 01 2010 at 05:18
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Slightly surprised to see The Incident so high and The Weirding and Insurgentes so low (although I can understand the reasons for the latter's position). Otherwise, nothing unexpected - just how much of a landslide win was Magma's? ------------- Bigger on the inside. |
Posted By: Petrovsk Mizinski
Date Posted: March 01 2010 at 05:24
PT in the top 10, big surprise  Good to see motW taking the 2nd spot. At first I didn't "get" the album so much, but it really grew on me and began to really see the beauty and true genius of it ------------- 
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Posted By: Epignosis
Date Posted: March 01 2010 at 05:40
Great top ten- the votes were so varied I had no idea how this would turn out.  I have still not heard Magma at all, and Magma taking the number one spot (not just here, but in the lists of collaborators I often look to for recommendations) piques my interest. Wish it wasn't so damn expensive though.  ------------- https://epignosis.bandcamp.com/album/a-month-of-sundays" rel="nofollow - https://epignosis.bandcamp.com/album/a-month-of-sundays |
Posted By: harmonium.ro
Date Posted: March 01 2010 at 05:54
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GREAT top! Not only the winner coincides with that of my own top, but the whole top 10 is comprised only of albums which I find at least "good". I also appreciate the voters' openness to new forms of progressive music - finally, a top which doesn't pay tribute to the "let's be prog" mentality. Thanks to everyone who voted and to Rico for the effort |
Posted By: harmonium.ro
Date Posted: March 01 2010 at 06:11
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E-Re is 56 dollars on Amazon.com... I guess that is the full price of 30 euro translated into dollars. When I bought it, it was on a massively reduced price (even the Magma website sold with a 30% discount), I got it on Aamzon.fr for 16 euros. Still, if it's of any consolation, the album comes with a DVD and the packaging is nice. EDIT: 22.7 euros from Amazon.fr (30 dollars according to online converters). Still a discount, even though not as good as when I bought it. |
Posted By: Petrovsk Mizinski
Date Posted: March 01 2010 at 06:47
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For 56 dollars that DVD would have to have some damn nice content. And it better come with a state of the art toaster, cos goddamn 56 US DOLLARS FOR THAT?  -------------
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Posted By: NecronCommander
Date Posted: March 01 2010 at 06:53
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I woulda liked to see Part The Second take first. Unfortunately, the album's name is rather fitting, given its position on the chart. I do like Mastodon's new album being rated so highly though. |
Posted By: harmonium.ro
Date Posted: March 01 2010 at 06:55
Well, the best progressive album of 2009?  Seriously now, it does come from the country with the most expensive prices for music (at least from the countries where I've been to). Normally a new CD costs here around 20 euros (how much is that, 30 dollars?), so it was normal for a CD+DVD release to be sold on 30 euros. I only buy albums during the sales period, or when I go to Belgium  |
Petrovsk Mizinski wrote:Posted By: Epignosis
Date Posted: March 01 2010 at 06:56
Yeah, I'm with Harry on that one. There's no way I would spend that much on a CD (no way I could spend that much). ------------- https://epignosis.bandcamp.com/album/a-month-of-sundays" rel="nofollow - https://epignosis.bandcamp.com/album/a-month-of-sundays |
Posted By: harmonium.ro
Date Posted: March 01 2010 at 07:02
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You just helped me to realize that if they sold the .mp3, nobody would buy the physical package any more.
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Posted By: Raff
Date Posted: March 01 2010 at 07:08
Prices in Italy are the same, so I'm not surprised. Like you, I mostly bought CDs at discounted prices when I still lived there. Anyway, we'll wait until we go to NEARFest next June to get the Magma CD, since vendors usually have great bargains at those festivals. |
Posted By: harmonium.ro
Date Posted: March 01 2010 at 07:21
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Moving on to something completely different now I'm glad that people slowly changed their mind on the latest PT and Mars Volta, which weren't very well received when they were released. Also, I'm surprised that Zu didn't get in the top 50 at all, considering that the avant-heads did have a word to say - three albums in the top 20.
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Posted By: Finnforest
Date Posted: March 01 2010 at 07:48
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I just want to say a great big THANK YOU to Rico for his efforts in putting this together.
------------- https://www.youtube.com/shorts/sQD8uhpWXCw" rel="nofollow - It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood...Road Rage Edition |
Posted By: snobb
Date Posted: March 01 2010 at 07:59
| Great result of a big job! |
Posted By: Slartibartfast
Date Posted: March 01 2010 at 08:46
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Well, if it makes any of you guys overseas happy, we have to pay a premium to get imports. I've only heard one of the top 10 and four of the top 50. Just curious, did the list of nominees go over 100? ------------- Released date are often when it it impacted you but recorded dates are when it really happened... 
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Posted By: Windhawk
Date Posted: March 01 2010 at 09:11
Read the opening of the initial post and you'll see the answer there ;-) ------------- Websites I work with: http://www.progressor.net http://www.houseofprog.com My profile on Mixcloud: https://www.mixcloud.com/haukevind/ |
Posted By: Padraic
Date Posted: March 01 2010 at 09:44
That's why we shop at Wayside, kids. $26 - not saying that that is particularly cheap either, but obviously spending > $50 on a single CD is a bit much to ask of anyone. If you're willing to wait I'm sure it will show up in MP3 form at some point on AmazonMP3 or emusic. |
Posted By: harmonium.ro
Date Posted: March 01 2010 at 09:56
Is there going to be an add on the homepage for this, like there was in the last years (if I remember correctly)? I'd like to see this. 
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Posted By: SaltyJon
Date Posted: March 01 2010 at 09:59
I was going to say the same thing about Wayside. If E-Re was only available for $50+, I'd still not have it. Thankfully Wayside is an amazing website and (generally) has good prices. I'm liking the top 50, a lot of albums I want and 6 I have. I feel as if I should get the new Miriodor soon.------------- http://www.last.fm/user/Salty_Jon" rel="nofollow"> 
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Posted By: Ricochet
Date Posted: March 01 2010 at 10:59
In points: 1. Magma 2. maudlin (-14 points) 3. Transatlantic (-21 points) 4. The Decemberists (-37 points) 5. Porcupine (-43 points) In appreciation, Magma was chosen #1 by 7 collaborators and #2 by another 7 collaborators. maudlin was #1 only for 4 collaborators, otherwise landing more variedly (but scoring big, because a lot of people voted for it, one way or the other). Until yesterday, Decemberists and Porcupine were 1 point apart. But something changed his mind. Also, Isis was #10 also until yesterday. One more vote pushed Miriodor instead. -------------
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Posted By: Tsevir Leirbag
Date Posted: March 01 2010 at 11:10
Damn it! 
None of my choices is in the top five.
At least Miriodor's Avanti! made the top ten. ------------- Les mains, les pieds balancés Sur tant de mers, tant de planchers, Un marin mort, Il dormira - Paul Éluard |
Posted By: Todd
Date Posted: March 01 2010 at 11:16
And based on the preceding post, it may have been your vote that pushed them in!   ------------- "I have seen the broken sky turn blue." http://gnosis2000.net/ratertodd.shtml" rel="nofollow - My Gnosis Ratings |
Posted By: SaltyJon
Date Posted: March 01 2010 at 11:23
You didn't vote for Magma? But...but...you're a SR regular and all that fun stuff.  ------------- http://www.last.fm/user/Salty_Jon" rel="nofollow">
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Posted By: harmonium.ro
Date Posted: March 01 2010 at 11:32
^ He's with his nose caught in chamber rock. BTW Jon don't get Miriodor until you're really sure (I would suggest Cheer Accident and Zu before). Also, I'm angry on Gabe for knocking Isis out from the top 10 on the last moment 
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Posted By: SaltyJon
Date Posted: March 01 2010 at 11:35
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What do you mean until I'm really sure? I have and really like Jongleries Elastiques, so I'm sure I'll enjoy their new one as well. There are a lot on there I need, that, the two you suggested, Led Bib, etc.
------------- http://www.last.fm/user/Salty_Jon" rel="nofollow">
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Posted By: Slartibartfast
Date Posted: March 01 2010 at 11:40
I totally whizzed right by that.  Interesting to see the predominance of metal and metal related artists in the list. Curious to see how 2010 comes out to see if it's a trend. ------------- Released date are often when it it impacted you but recorded dates are when it really happened...
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Posted By: TheGazzardian
Date Posted: March 01 2010 at 11:58
I got it off of Lasers Edge, but either way it's way cheap ... now that I've found the list of places to buy prog CDs on progarchives, I barely buy prog off of amazon anymore. Lasers Edge, Wayside, Kinesis, and Synphonic all have much better selections and usually better prices. In terms of the list, I'm actually a bit surprised by how close it is to the top 10 list that already existed + Mars Volta and Porcupine Tree. I must admit that I'm not displeased by it though, I don't like most of the metal on it (other than Part the Second, which isn't very metal admittedly), but it's a balanced list, and most of my favorites did make the list. It's cool to see bands like maudling of the Well, Deluge Grander, Cheer Accident, and Wobbler getting up there alongside the "big" bands like Porcupine Tree, Transatlantic, Mars Volta, and Dream Theater.
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Posted By: stonebeard
Date Posted: March 01 2010 at 12:05
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It's not like I voted for what would be the top albums of the year when
I was a collab, but if I were to make an exclusively prog list, only
Crack the Skye would make it. Maybe in a good mood The Hazards of Love. E-Re was spectacularly routine and boring. I can't expect much else from Magma playing the same Magma music Magma always does. But then again, this year was horrifically disappointing for the prog music I like. I seriously laugh when I see Porcupine Tree on this list at all, thought it's predictable they'd be here, given Wilson could poop out anything and people'd love it (re: Insurgentes) (re:re: this was me before 2009). ------------- http://soundcloud.com/drewagler" rel="nofollow - My soundcloud. Please give feedback if you want! |
Posted By: Logan
Date Posted: March 01 2010 at 12:39
Magma was spectacularly routine, with an emphasis, I'd say, on spectacular. You've never liked any Magma, have you? I'm happy to see two of my faves in the top ten: E-Re and Avanti. ------------- 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: CCVP
Date Posted: March 01 2010 at 13:11
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Wow, I am extremely disappointed to see magma at #1. Ëmëhntëhtt-ré isn't special not even by zehul standards, and that in a genre that has less important bands to progressive rock than you have fingers in a single hand. That is really frustrating. Not that it a bad album, no, but I think it is as representative to progressive rock as Putin is representative to Nigerian People and, hell, it can be easily surpassed in quality by 80% of all Magma studio input. A damn shame, that is what this is. I would have been satisfied with almost any other album listed in the list (top 49?). Unfortunately the year of 2009 ends with a bittersweet taste in my mouth. The year was possibly the best year for progressive rock since 1972 and yet the album of the years is such an uninteresting one, when put in perspective. It is the same as having Obscured by Clouds as the best album of 1972, seriously. I still can't believe a simple list could make me truly sad. I'm off to listening Atheist to try to shake that off.  Just hope that in 2010 we have better results. Oh, and by the way, congratulations Rico for the effort and the result compilation. -------------   
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Posted By: WalterDigsTunes
Date Posted: March 01 2010 at 13:13
| A classic band sweeps aside all the would-be usurpers. Awesome! |
Posted By: CCVP
Date Posted: March 01 2010 at 13:30
That coming from a guy with a Zappa avatar is as logical as albinos against sun blocker, or men against bikinis, or Russians against vodka. Zappa was one of the biggest supported of new bands in the prog scene, it just don't make sense. -------------
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Posted By: Logan
Date Posted: March 01 2010 at 13:34
Zeuhl, for my money, is one of the most special categories with a many amazing bands and albums. Even the worst of them I enjoy (that said, I'm not the uber-Zeuhl freak I used to be). I agree that it's not that special an album for Magma (and I have a ton of Magma albums) or Zeuhl generally, but it is a highly enjoyable album for me. I certainly wouldn't put it over classic era stuff generally. Is it as amazing a last album as Kobaia was an amazing debut? Hell no. If this leads more people to discover the wild world of Zeuhl, early Magma, and various avant-oriented music, then great! ------------- 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: SaltyJon
Date Posted: March 01 2010 at 13:34
On the contrary, I think it's one of the best albums Magma has managed to put out in their careers. It's easily in my top 3 studio releases by the band. As for how important they (or Zeuhl) are to progressive rock, isn't that pretty subjective as well? Sure, they're not well known, but that's not equivalent to important. And if you disliked it so much...why bother to type out all the umlauts and accents? ------------- http://www.last.fm/user/Salty_Jon" rel="nofollow">
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Posted By: rushfan4
Date Posted: March 01 2010 at 13:43
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The Magma fan to PA members who frequent the forums ratio is pretty high however.
I've not heard the album and have limited desire to hear the album so I can't judge either way. I can say that I do frequent the forums enough (read way, way too much) to know that I am not surprised to see Magma ranked as number 1 album. The sad thing in my mind is that if my readings of the forum are correct, they actually performed this music live in the 70's and even have a live recording of it from then, but it wasn't actually released as a studio release until 2009, so it would be kind of like being able to vote for the King Crimson remastered releases as the top album of 2009. ------------- 
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Posted By: Windhawk
Date Posted: March 01 2010 at 13:47
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After having given that latest Magma album enough spins for me to write about it a while ago, I failed to get the magic there. Bog standard repetitive fusion with Wagnerian overtones so strong that I was tempted to stretch out my right hand in a signature pose, the one and only element that was truly amazing on that album was the performance. Nothing new, nothing original, okayish compositions utterly devoid of any emotion whatsoever. But perfectionist and clinical in performance, I readily admit that. Vander in particular may be among the best drummers in the business. ------------- Websites I work with: http://www.progressor.net http://www.houseofprog.com My profile on Mixcloud: https://www.mixcloud.com/haukevind/ |
Posted By: Padraic
Date Posted: March 01 2010 at 13:48
So what you're saying is that there has to be some time limit on when material can be recorded after it's been composed. |
Posted By: rushfan4
Date Posted: March 01 2010 at 13:49
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Posted By: Padraic
Date Posted: March 01 2010 at 13:53
OK, well I respect your opinion despite complete disagreement. |
Posted By: rushfan4
Date Posted: March 01 2010 at 13:58
So we respectfully agree to disagree. Cool!  -------------
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Posted By: Raff
Date Posted: March 01 2010 at 14:00
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Posted By: Kotro
Date Posted: March 01 2010 at 14:05
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I love this stuff. ------------- Bigger on the inside. |
Posted By: The Quiet One
Date Posted: March 01 2010 at 14:08
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Posted By: Atkingani
Date Posted: March 01 2010 at 14:15
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Caio é do contra!!! No, I won't translate it - no bad words or offenses there, I swear!
------------- Guigo ~~~~~~ |
Posted By: stonebeard
Date Posted: March 01 2010 at 14:15
I like MDK. Other songs here and there. Thing is, their style bounces around a bit, but it's so mind-bogglingly niche that I can't put up with more than one album in like...months. MDK has the most interesting melodies without being too off-putting. Most everything else I find unnecessary and it doesn't even factor in. ------------- http://soundcloud.com/drewagler" rel="nofollow - My soundcloud. Please give feedback if you want! |
Posted By: J-Man
Date Posted: March 01 2010 at 14:31
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Great list! That's not too far from what my top 10 is. I haven't heard the new Magma album, but it sounds promising. I'm also glad to see my review of BtBaM quoted!  -Jeff ------------- 
Check out my YouTube channel! http://www.youtube.com/user/demiseoftime" rel="nofollow - http://www.youtube.com/user/demiseoftime |
Posted By: rushfan4
Date Posted: March 01 2010 at 14:32
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Posted By: Raff
Date Posted: March 01 2010 at 14:33
I guess this is like the Italian expression 'Bastian contrario' ... |
Posted By: J-Man
Date Posted: March 01 2010 at 14:33
Seconded. -------------
Check out my YouTube channel! http://www.youtube.com/user/demiseoftime" rel="nofollow - http://www.youtube.com/user/demiseoftime |
Posted By: Evolutionary Sleeper
Date Posted: March 01 2010 at 14:36
Boooooo! I wanted Isis to make it. Also, great work by Rico to put this all together. ------------- 
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Posted By: Logan
Date Posted: March 01 2010 at 14:41
MDK is, of course, generally considered to be Magma's masterpiece. While it was that studio album that got me into Magma, I much prefer the Retrospektiw 1-2 version (and other live versions). My favourite studio album is the début, Kobaia, which is more jazz-fusion. I do think that Magma is recycling material too much thsese days, in a way (and, yeah, there is quite a sameness with various classic era works), but I just love E-Re, it has everything that entranced me about Magma when I got into it and more. And while it borrows old themes, it develops, expands and plays with them in such a way to create a very familiar album, but still different enough from any other Magma album to create music that is really satisfying for me. It was actually quite different than what I was expecting (I thought they'd be bringing in some different compositions that they've been playing live of late - "Felicite Thosz", "Kmx" etc.). And a note to earlier comments, it's not all rehashed material though it does, of course, borrow themes. That said, I can totally understand someone being disappointed with the choice for progressive reasons or for being dull and repetitive (goes on too long in part for me without enough variation). But I find it joyous and sublime in parts... The smile I get whenever I mishear "He's got to love that knee... Oh that knee" is priceless. Gets an extra star from me just for that. ------------- 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: The Quiet One
Date Posted: March 01 2010 at 14:42
 You're right! |
Posted By: SaltyJon
Date Posted: March 01 2010 at 14:43
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Yeah, the misheard lyrics aspect was one of the first things that kept me listening to Magma. I mean, I still hear "Z's spooking them, Z smoked with them...etc." while listening to MDK.
------------- http://www.last.fm/user/Salty_Jon" rel="nofollow">
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Posted By: Logan
Date Posted: March 01 2010 at 14:51
I'm not one of those who thinks about music being emotional (for instance Art Zoyd is one of my absolute favourites but I wouldn't describe it as emotional; however, it makes me emotional) unless it's too emotional. A lot of music puts me off if I feel the singer is getting emo. That said, I do find the perforamances, particularly Vander's vocals emotional. Such exuberance there -- I don't feel like he's just going through the motions and delivering something like Cook in this (love this and the movie btw): ------------- 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: harmonium.ro
Date Posted: March 01 2010 at 14:56
Part of the material was written a long time ago, but not all - I've heard E-Re two times live and none of the versions were as developed as the final, studio version. Anyway, the fact that part of the material was published previously does not make the case of E-Re similar to that of a remastered reissue, at all. What makes music a form of art is not the "what" but the "how", just like in any other of the arts, be it painting, literature, theatre, etc. The "how" on this album is new and fresh - actually both of Magma's studio albums from the 00s sound very little like the band used to sound in the 70s. BTW, if you ever want to check out Magma, I strongly suggest you try K.A, the previous album, then E-Re; I don't think you'd like their 70s music, but those albums have a very strong symphonic and fusion component, with a powerful modern sound, and with a less avantgardistic approach. |
Posted By: Logan
Date Posted: March 01 2010 at 15:01
"Soon, eh Gandalf, very soon". 'Robot and the boy". "My neighbours suffer whee, whee, whee, whee" is my favourite part. Those who still haven't seen this, really should: I actually heard many things quite the same, but after watching it, it now sounds very much like what they write. Except I hear" I wish to borrow Canada" in it. ------------- 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: Windhawk
Date Posted: March 01 2010 at 15:03
Hehe, Dream Theater is another band with strong tendencies to be clinical, precise and unemotional indeed, and their compositions does leave a bit to be desired at times as well - although DT tends to go for instrumental w**kery rather than endless repetitions *chuckles* ------------- Websites I work with: http://www.progressor.net http://www.houseofprog.com My profile on Mixcloud: https://www.mixcloud.com/haukevind/ |
Posted By: Queen By-Tor
Date Posted: March 01 2010 at 15:04
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Glad to see Mastodon take #7, thought it deserved higher, but oh well! Interesting to see Beardfish, Tangent and co take such low spots. I guess people forgot about them. |
Posted By: SaltyJon
Date Posted: March 01 2010 at 15:04
Yeah, that's a great video. It was one of my first introductions to the band. ------------- http://www.last.fm/user/Salty_Jon" rel="nofollow">
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Posted By: rushfan4
Date Posted: March 01 2010 at 15:08
Let's just say that I am disappointed that with all of the great new music that was composed and released in 2009, PA has chosen a cult album that was composed in the 70's and recorded in 2009 as its top album. Just an opinion, which is apparently unpopular, but que sera sera. -------------
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Posted By: Negoba
Date Posted: March 01 2010 at 15:12
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It's a bummer not having ever heard the #1 album...the only Magma I have is MDK, which I like alot. But the cost and difficulty getting it in the U.S. sounds like more than I'm going to fight given how much great music is out there. Other than that, my picks landed almost exactly where I expected them. ------------- You are quite a fine person, and I am very fond of you. But you are only quite a little fellow, in a wide world, after all. |
Posted By: Logan
Date Posted: March 01 2010 at 15:13
The album was not composed in the 70's, it does adapt and incorporate themes from then. ------------- 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: Raff
Date Posted: March 01 2010 at 15:13
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Well, according to someone, last year sucked in terms of prog releases... I didn't vote for Magma, since I haven't even heard the album (though I am planning to). I am one of those who chose The Hazards of Love as their #1, and one of my top 5 isn't even featured here (it's an Italian album). Since nowadays I get most of my new albums as promos, I haven't yet had the opportunity to hear stuff like Osada Vida (which I'm going to get in the next few days), so my choices were somewhat limited. |
Posted By: Negoba
Date Posted: March 01 2010 at 15:15
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Incident over ADHD and Crack the Skye is pretty silly, but they are PT and at the beginning of 2009 everyone thought they would get #1 no matter they put out so I guess we'll live with it.
I'm still unsure about getting Whirlwind. The samples I've heard haven't overwhelmed me...
------------- You are quite a fine person, and I am very fond of you. But you are only quite a little fellow, in a wide world, after all. |
Posted By: J-Man
Date Posted: March 01 2010 at 15:16
GET IT -------------
Check out my YouTube channel! http://www.youtube.com/user/demiseoftime" rel="nofollow - http://www.youtube.com/user/demiseoftime |
Posted By: harmonium.ro
Date Posted: March 01 2010 at 15:19
I agree that Magma's modern period is not very representative for modern progressive rock as a movement (even though they did radically modernized their sound). However, this is not a poll on representativity (is this not a word? Firefox doesn't seem to like it ) but a poll of preferences. Myself I don't think it was such a great year for modern prog - no really notable post-rock albums, no math rock album (except for a few free EPs), not many outstanding metal albums (except for Isis and Mastodon, IMO of course), only controversial albums by PTree, DT, Mars Volta... It was actually very easy for Magma. But what if we had an Opeth new album, a PT album more like the fan expected, the long awaited King Crimson album, or the chance to vote Flaming Lips' Embryonic, a new Radiohead, a new Tool, etc? |
Posted By: rushfan4
Date Posted: March 01 2010 at 15:21
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Posted By: rushfan4
Date Posted: March 01 2010 at 15:22
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Posted By: J-Man
Date Posted: March 01 2010 at 15:23
I agree, but it's my favorite '09 album. I can't really recommend that one enough. I still prefer Bridge Across Forever (by a fair amount, actually), but they're both masterpieces IMO. -------------
Check out my YouTube channel! http://www.youtube.com/user/demiseoftime" rel="nofollow - http://www.youtube.com/user/demiseoftime |
Posted By: Logan
Date Posted: March 01 2010 at 15:28
The somewhat diffrently spelled piece that you're referring to has been adapted for this, but it is an element of the album. This album has various themes and new material. ------------- 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: Raff
Date Posted: March 01 2010 at 15:31
I haven't heard The Whirlwind, but have the Transatlantic debut, and rather like it. There are worse things to listen to, though I wouldn't say I'm a fan in any way. I'd like to send you a few links to my reviews of albums you probably like, so you will see that I'm not such a bad person after all . |
Posted By: memowakeman
Date Posted: March 01 2010 at 16:20
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First of all, a big THANK YOU to Ricochet for once again, making a great effort to compile this collabs list
Secondly, as I posted in the collabs zone when I gave my top, this year I did not really have a number 1 album, did not find that outstanding album that deserved the first place, but I was not really interested in listening to 2009 releases either so I may have missed some really great albums.
Now that I see the final top 10, I realize that I have only listened to one of them (which did not like), I will listen to the Magma and Miriodor albums sooner or later, but I am not really interested in listening to the other ones, there are some bands I just don't like but may have released good albums, I don't know. But now I could say that the results does not make me happy at all, but well, all is matter of tastes. ------------- Follow me on twitter @memowakeman |
Posted By: Raff
Date Posted: March 01 2010 at 16:26
Guillermo, I can't believe you haven't listened to the Delirium album... That should be right up your alley ! |
Posted By: CCVP
Date Posted: March 01 2010 at 16:30
Mais ou menos isso Guigo, auhsuhasuhasuhasuh. -------------
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Posted By: Logan
Date Posted: March 01 2010 at 16:34
Haha, methinks perhaps you're being a little tongue-in-cheek. I'm pretty sure that, say, my top 30 "progressive rock" (to use the umbrella term) albums would not be well-liked, or known at all, by most Proggers. I don't really care about the majoity view anyway. I don't care for Close to the Edge, but nothing wrong with other people liking it of course. And so what that so few people would put my particular favourites at the top of their lists (of course there are various people whom I share similar broad tastes with -- most of us can find that -- and a great many people who love various albums that I dig. I wonder how many proggers here would rather hear a cosmic jazz/funk album, like me, than proggish AOR? Transatlantic is not my cup of tea, but the band and that album certainly has a lot of admirers. Number three on the collab list, number five on the 2009 top list, and a rating of 4.32 with 165 ratings is very popular. I'd like to make a non-collab list, as I have in the past, to see which album would come top for them. I'd put my money on Transatlantic beating Magma in that poll. Though E-Re, by comparison has a higher rating (4.50) it only has about half the ratings (85). ------------- 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: March 01 2010 at 16:36
Guillermo, I can't believe you haven't listened to the Delirium album... That should be right up your alley  ------------- Follow me on twitter @memowakeman |
Posted By: Raff
Date Posted: March 01 2010 at 16:41
| You know, Greg, the difference between me and many other people (not including you, of course) is that I rate an album according on whether I like it or not - nothing else. If it's proggish AOR and I like it, then I rate it highly, even if I am generally not crazy about that particular subgenre (or whatever you want to call it). Most prog fans think Foxtrot is a masterpiece, while I find it boring, and I'd rather listen to 90125 - even if most prog fans find it distasteful. Unfortunately, it seems I've got a mind of my own. |
Posted By: CCVP
Date Posted: March 01 2010 at 16:44
Yeah, this latest Delirium album is amazing. IMO it is their best album so far. Their earlier albums failed to thrill me, wile Il Nome del Vento does that repeatedly. It didn't made into my top 5 though, but I surely recommend it to anyone, as I do with The Whirlwind. If you can, get both.
I heavily second this. You know Raff, more and more i am coming to the conclusion that the majority of ratings are more interested in the album/band status that in its actual quality. A real shame. -------------
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Posted By: rushfan4
Date Posted: March 01 2010 at 16:47
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Posted By: Logan
Date Posted: March 01 2010 at 16:50
^ Yes, that's right. I actually think that the most noteworthy albums are commonly polarizing (assuming enough people hear them).
I'm not much of a rater, but, ultimately, I would also rate on how much I like something (I might bring in some other considerations that could make a difference of one star). I think sometimes raters follow the crowd over-much and even if they don't think it special they give it a higher rating because of its reputation, and also they might rate down if it's widely held in low regard. The review that explains the rating is more important (though there are some with such similar tastes that I don't need a review -- the rating is enough). I have no wish to review or rate albums I don't like, but I would be extra-careful with giving ones to albums I dislike heartily but I find "professional" (but then I rarely hear an album that would be less than three stars for my tastes, and most would be four or five). ------------- 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: CCVP
Date Posted: March 01 2010 at 16:56
So this means that BC&SL is the best album of the year? HELL YEAH DT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! -------------
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Posted By: Logan
Date Posted: March 01 2010 at 16:58
Best, I wouldn't go that far. One of the most noteworthy -- sure. (note: I've only heard samples) ------------- 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: rushfan4
Date Posted: March 01 2010 at 16:59
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Probably, most polarizing too, although PT would give DT a run for its money on the polarizing factor. -------------
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Posted By: Logan
Date Posted: March 01 2010 at 17:02
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I find there's something special about those albums that polarize opinion. The forgettable ones include those that are damned by consistent faint praise. ------------- 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: CCVP
Date Posted: March 01 2010 at 17:05
Damn . . . .
DT => 1 out of their 5 latest albums rate 4 stars or above PT => 4 out of their 5 latest albums rate 4 stars or above How can PT be more polarizing? -------------
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Posted By: rushfan4
Date Posted: March 01 2010 at 17:06
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Posted By: CCVP
Date Posted: March 01 2010 at 17:09
Damn² . . . . . PS: Can't we just cut their fingers, so they wont rate any more albums? -------------
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Posted By: Raff
Date Posted: March 01 2010 at 17:12
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I must be one of the few people whose only one-star reviews here are of albums by some of her favourite bands...
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Posted By: rushfan4
Date Posted: March 01 2010 at 17:15
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I can tell you that every single one of the regular posters in the Shred Room are thrilled that Magma were ranked number 1 and that both DT and PT were not, although apparently there is some disappointment that PT even made number 5. -------------
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Posted By: Logan
Date Posted: March 01 2010 at 17:15
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I could be wrong, but my impression is that PT does not get the intensity of "hate" spewn at it as "DT" (ergo, I do rather think DT is the greater band). Some people resent PT's popularity, and some find it bland, but I don't think as many people really love or loathe the music. Me, I'm fine with both bands -- neither cause a hate or love reaction. Of course there's the bandwagon effect at play. And then you do have those who like PT and DT who dislike the recent albums.
------------- 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: Raff
Date Posted: March 01 2010 at 17:18
| Though I am not a PT fan, I vastly prefer them to DT, and that's no secret. However, I don't enjoy bashing either of them, or indulging in competitive behaviour such as the one Scott reported. This is not the Olympics, the World Football Cup, or anything of the sort - it's a music appreciation site, and I get the impression that some people are losing sight of the music itself. |
Posted By: Logan
Date Posted: March 01 2010 at 17:20
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Of course some people are just sick of seeing PT in the top list (since it won this contest on what, three consecutive albums?)
------------- 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: rushfan4
Date Posted: March 01 2010 at 17:20
There is a lot of truth to that. DT probably gets more hate because those that did like them stopped liking them after Moore left; whereas with PT, the fans seem only to have been turned off since Deadwing, although some were with In Absentia, and some waited until Blank Planet. -------------
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Posted By: SaltyJon
Date Posted: March 01 2010 at 17:20
I'm happy that Magma got number 1, yeah, but I wouldn't care too much if DT or PT got it either. It's all a matter of opinion. Just because I don't rate those bands as highly as I do Magma doesn't mean that I have it out for them, just like I'm sure you don't particularly have it out for Magma. ------------- http://www.last.fm/user/Salty_Jon" rel="nofollow">
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Posted By: CCVP
Date Posted: March 01 2010 at 17:26
Oh, don't forget about the new metal, metalcore and death metal influence that Portnoy is shoving down our throats. Nothing against any of those genres in particular (except new metal, which is by default, the worst music genre ever), as long as the music is well done. However, Portnoy keeps delivering half baked song parts influences by those genres in DT's music. And now he is recording with Avenged Sevenfold! No wonder the band's audience is becoming more polarized. -------------
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Posted By: Logan
Date Posted: March 01 2010 at 17:28
Translation: Magma iss de hundin! Wurdah DT! Wurdah PT! ;) ------------- 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: rushfan4
Date Posted: March 01 2010 at 17:29
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Posted By: SaltyJon
Date Posted: March 01 2010 at 17:29
You're not helping. ------------- http://www.last.fm/user/Salty_Jon" rel="nofollow">
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