Quickie, here's a briefly-made list of my Top Led Zeppelin tunes, in reaction to Sea of Tranquility's list embedded at the bottom.
Of course could and very well may be SUBJECT TO AN EDIT (ADDITIONS, UNLIKELY REMOVALS), and some comments which maybe time will be allowed later tonight at home while the Freeze of the Century continues on in Minnesota and a large part of the Upper Midwest in the USA.
Custard Pie
In the Evening
The Ocean
No Quarter
Tangerine
The Wanton Song
Immigrant Song
That's the Way
Good Times Bad Times
Black Mountain Side
Dazed and Confused
Out on the Tiles
Sick Again
Battle of Evermore
Your Time is Gonna Come
Four Sticks
Stairway to Heaven
Babe I'm Gonna Leave You
The Rover
What is and What Should Never Be
Song Remains the Same
Bring it on Home
Ramble On
Carouselambra
Over the Hills and Far Away
How Many More Times
In My Time of Dying
Ten Years Gone
2. In the Light
1. Achilles Last Stand
Wednesday, January 30, 2019
Monday, January 28, 2019
SIMILAR BITS: Dirt Poor Robins & Dream Theater
So I would say pretty early-on in my consumption of Dirt Poor Robins music last year, I concluded "Solemn Dream" was a favorite piece among a large number of songs I enjoyed.
And after listening to it a few times, I enjoyed the last/climax section maybe most. But also there was something familiar about the crescendo.
The vocal chanting especially reminded me a lot of maybe sections of multiple songs I knew, but the one that stood out the most was a Dream Theater song that I was pretty certain was from Images and Words, where James LaBrie did a similar vocal chanting climax.
I gave Metropolis Part 1 and Learning to Live a listen a few months ago but failed to notice it, but finally just a few minutes ago I found it.
A section in the middle of Learning to Live has the bit that is similar to the ending of Solemn Dream from DPR.
Now mind you, these 2 songs overall are still quite different, but I don't think I will ever be able to not think of Learning to Live while listening to the ending of Solemn Dream again.
Dirt Poor Robins - Solemn Dream
4:57-on, and especially the section that the vocal chants/harmonies and build/climax that comes in at 5:22-6:11
Dream Theater - Learning to Live
5:31 similar feel and rhythm
6:00 also more similarities building rhythm
6:58-7:40 the Chanted Vocal and instrumental Climax. Especially the WHOA OH OH, OH-OH-OH WAHHHHHHH!
And after listening to it a few times, I enjoyed the last/climax section maybe most. But also there was something familiar about the crescendo.
The vocal chanting especially reminded me a lot of maybe sections of multiple songs I knew, but the one that stood out the most was a Dream Theater song that I was pretty certain was from Images and Words, where James LaBrie did a similar vocal chanting climax.
I gave Metropolis Part 1 and Learning to Live a listen a few months ago but failed to notice it, but finally just a few minutes ago I found it.
A section in the middle of Learning to Live has the bit that is similar to the ending of Solemn Dream from DPR.
Now mind you, these 2 songs overall are still quite different, but I don't think I will ever be able to not think of Learning to Live while listening to the ending of Solemn Dream again.
Dirt Poor Robins - Solemn Dream
4:57-on, and especially the section that the vocal chants/harmonies and build/climax that comes in at 5:22-6:11
Dream Theater - Learning to Live
5:31 similar feel and rhythm
6:00 also more similarities building rhythm
6:58-7:40 the Chanted Vocal and instrumental Climax. Especially the WHOA OH OH, OH-OH-OH WAHHHHHHH!
Thursday, January 24, 2019
The Mercury Tree - Spidermilk (2018-2019)
New full length album coming on March 26th from The Mercury Tree.
"Superposition upon Silhouettes" is streaming on the Bandcamp.
There last 2 albums especially standout. Countenance from 2014 and Permutations from 2016.
1. I Am A Husk
2. Arc of an Ilk
3. Vestments
4. I'll Pay
5. Interglacial
6.Superposition of Silhouettes 03:47
7. Kept Man
8. Disremembered
9. Brake for Genius
10. Tides of the Spine
"Superposition upon Silhouettes" is streaming on the Bandcamp.
There last 2 albums especially standout. Countenance from 2014 and Permutations from 2016.
1. I Am A Husk
2. Arc of an Ilk
3. Vestments
4. I'll Pay
5. Interglacial
6.Superposition of Silhouettes 03:47
7. Kept Man
8. Disremembered
9. Brake for Genius
10. Tides of the Spine
Wednesday, January 23, 2019
Kindo Spring 2019 NA Tour w/ Thank You Scientist + ITPOW
Very excited to see KINDO Again! Thursday April 25th at The Amsterdam Bar and Hall
Thank You Scientist and Kindo seems kind of obvious and I think they either toured together or at least played festivals like ProgOctober Fest in Chicago together.
In the Presence of Wolves I have known about for a few years, and while I've never loved them, I am hoping they could win me over live.
April 12 Jersey City, NJ
April 19 P Pittsburgh, PA
April 20 Toronto,ON
April 22 Lansing, MI
April 23 Columbus, OH
April 24 Chicago, IL
April 25 St.Paul, MN
April 26 Lawrence, KS
April 27 Denver, CO
April 28 Salt Lake City, UT
April 30 Portland, OR
May 1 Seattle, WA
May 3 Oakland, CA
May 4 Los Angeles, CA
May 5 Phoenix, AZ
May 7 Austin, TX
May 8 Dallas, TX
May 10 Nashville, TN
May 11 Atlanta, GA
May 12 Orlando, GA
May 14 Carrboro, NC
May 15 Washington, DC
May 16 Ardmore, PA
May 17 Cambridge, MA
May 19 New York, NY
Thank You Scientist and Kindo seems kind of obvious and I think they either toured together or at least played festivals like ProgOctober Fest in Chicago together.
In the Presence of Wolves I have known about for a few years, and while I've never loved them, I am hoping they could win me over live.
April 12 Jersey City, NJ
April 19 P Pittsburgh, PA
April 20 Toronto,ON
April 22 Lansing, MI
April 23 Columbus, OH
April 24 Chicago, IL
April 25 St.Paul, MN
April 26 Lawrence, KS
April 27 Denver, CO
April 28 Salt Lake City, UT
April 30 Portland, OR
May 1 Seattle, WA
May 3 Oakland, CA
May 4 Los Angeles, CA
May 5 Phoenix, AZ
May 7 Austin, TX
May 8 Dallas, TX
May 10 Nashville, TN
May 11 Atlanta, GA
May 12 Orlando, GA
May 14 Carrboro, NC
May 15 Washington, DC
May 16 Ardmore, PA
May 17 Cambridge, MA
May 19 New York, NY
Sunday, January 20, 2019
In Prepping...(New retro-AOTY Videos coming)
1/20/19
So an update on this.
I finally got a Printer-to-USB cable to try printing the images out, which did work.
So the printer works (and hopefully the scanner and copier and fax works too), however my wife 1st reaction and my fear is true.
After printing more or less 20 or 25 images (for a small year, 1990, and with some needed more than once to print a better image, size, etc), the Colored Ink basically ran out.
25 pages???
the printer I got did come with a discount or coupon deal to save on Ink, but I guess it hit me after trying that, that this project will require more money in Ink cartridges than I probably should be spending. It could add up to over $500 or more, lol.
So I thought about some alternatives for this. Like printing some at the Library for .75 cents per page and PACING myself. Like only print maybe 5 a week, or something, to space and divide it up.
Which I may still consider.
But then it just occurred to me, this is going to require quite a bit of work and time.
So I guess my reaction to that is why not just go back to my original idea with PHYSICAL COPIES.
The issues with that are
1) I don't own physical copies of a percentage of what would make my lists. What percent? I need to go through them, but I would guess maybe 20-30%
2) Being able to track down of course right now in my storage space, and eventually where I move likely will require a lot of time organizing my music.
So the conclusion sadly is this project, as far on YouTube will have to likely be put on hold.
Until the point I can start doing it, I will try and make time and effort finding at least 1 physical copy version of these albums (I own a large number of them on both CD and Vinyl, and even cassette), and organizing them. This process I assume could require many hours, maybe dozens of hours of work.
Which I can foresee anyway at the point I move and get the wife and I's planned "Music Room" with an IKEA Vinyl shelf, etc
But the COMPROMISE is, I will scan through the long list of albums and identify which ones I don't own physical copies of. And THOSE I will plan to print out either with my printer and/or at the Library for .75 cents a page.
Perhaps once I compile that list, I will share said list and/or even the whole friggin list.
But I guess I could try and make 1 video for that year I tested out, 1990.
01/04/19
So my 9 days and change staycation begins in a matter of hours, and I have an agenda which I would be happy if I accomplished 3/4 of it.
But 1 item was planning on outlining if not working on some early drafts of that post-Milestone project, but the below other project I may find ends up usurping those plans.
The below Albums of the Year Printing of images to make for Videos is coming along. The printing? no not yet. I'm anticipating that either this weekend or Monday at the latest.
But I am PREPPING THE IMAGES for each year. I.e. I created 55 folders or whatever, 1 for each Calendar Year. And it's cool to actually find reasonable images for each album and then keep them in said year's folder.
However it naturally is a little time consuming. But I am hoping organizing them this way, will actually make the PRINTING PROCESS that much faster, hehe.
I guess hypothetically, I have at least a handful of years full/complete with each album's cover art image, on Monday I may be able to print out at least a few full Calendar Year's AOTY's and even make some of those videos.
I'm not assuming anything, but it may happen. I guess the videos themselves may be contingent on my Car as I am having work done on Monday morning at 8AM. But it hopefully will only take a few hours and I may have some time by the early afternoon.
If not then, at least Tuesday.
12/27/18
for hopefully a big new project on YouTube which may coincide with completing as many if not all of the remaining Albums Calendars (2001, 2003, 2006-2018), I just made an observation on twitter:
I guess I also could throw out what the deal is.
So I am going to try and make videos of instead of naming the artist/title/release date/month for every year since 1965. I will INSTEAD, name off my Top 8+ albums for each year.
And as I mentioned recently, in order to do that, I am almost done (3-5 hours I think left of work) making Top 8+ (and in some exceptions, exceeding well over 100) albums list.
Then rattle off and SHOW images of the albums from each year.
And each Year's Top 8+ will be done randomly as I don't want to get bogged down by chronological order.
And instead of dragging out and showing VINYL and/or CDs; nor having to spend X-number of extra minutes if not over an hour EDITING-IN ALBUM COVER IMAGES, I am now planning to PRINT OUT COLORED IMAGES ON PRINTER PAPER of at least the top 8-10 for every calendar year. And I am assuming some years like 2008, I may go as deep as 25-30 per I LOVE THAT MANY ALBUMS AND FEEL THEY DESERVE MENTION.
But on average, I think it'll initially be 10-15 or so per year. I dunno.
My guestimation is I'll have to print out something like 500 maybe ultimately, 1000 or so images.
And keep them in those Clear Sleeves that are 8 1/2 x 11. And they will be there in a book or booklets/3-RING BINDERS to access whenever I may want to talk about said album(s), etc.
Will it run some $? yeah, mainly in INK.
But I already purchased a printer/scanner/fax. Helped by a Target Gift Card from my employer for X-Mas, it wasn't excessively expensive. And the ink was only $31. I just am assuming/anticipating needing to replace those ink cartridges (both Color and Black-and-White) after 50 or 100 covers are done. I.e. maybe 4-6 times maybe in the next year?
The scanner also helps as I can now scan all those blackmail-able old photos in, and any NEW album cover or anything else.
I know, I'm finally living in the 21st century now that I have a Printer and Scanner (no Smartphone though..that's another entry waiting to happen).
WHEN will these videos begin?..my optimistic hope is that week I have off Jan 7th-11th, but I need to get the printer to work 1st. test it out, etc. If not then, I would estimate no later than April or after I move. But I am thinking it won't be much, I just need to hook everything up and HAVE THE ROOM to print them out. And of course have the time/space to make the videos, lol.
I'm currently still working on finishing The Runaways Season 2 (on the 10th episode), getting my Home Ready Certificate for the Bank's Loan Officer (already pre-approved to look and buy a house), and this weekend finally going-through and giving my wife and I's WEDDING PHOTOS for gifts. Some 400 or 500 pics, and we need to pick maybe 20 or 30 tops. Timely and Spendy. But the brutally cold temps hopefully will allow enough to do that. Driving up to Walgreens to print them may be largely weather-permitting though. But it's due by our family's Channukah party that is being held on New Years Day.
I am debating sharing the massive list of Albums of the Years when I finish it, but I just may as it goes, YouTube and the Blog are separate audiences anyway.
But yeah, 2008 in reviewing my collection and ratings, was a fan-fucking-tastic year for albums. Maybe THEE year I would love to go back in time and relive the music for it as it happened.
So an update on this.
I finally got a Printer-to-USB cable to try printing the images out, which did work.
So the printer works (and hopefully the scanner and copier and fax works too), however my wife 1st reaction and my fear is true.
After printing more or less 20 or 25 images (for a small year, 1990, and with some needed more than once to print a better image, size, etc), the Colored Ink basically ran out.
25 pages???
the printer I got did come with a discount or coupon deal to save on Ink, but I guess it hit me after trying that, that this project will require more money in Ink cartridges than I probably should be spending. It could add up to over $500 or more, lol.
So I thought about some alternatives for this. Like printing some at the Library for .75 cents per page and PACING myself. Like only print maybe 5 a week, or something, to space and divide it up.
Which I may still consider.
But then it just occurred to me, this is going to require quite a bit of work and time.
So I guess my reaction to that is why not just go back to my original idea with PHYSICAL COPIES.
The issues with that are
1) I don't own physical copies of a percentage of what would make my lists. What percent? I need to go through them, but I would guess maybe 20-30%
2) Being able to track down of course right now in my storage space, and eventually where I move likely will require a lot of time organizing my music.
So the conclusion sadly is this project, as far on YouTube will have to likely be put on hold.
Until the point I can start doing it, I will try and make time and effort finding at least 1 physical copy version of these albums (I own a large number of them on both CD and Vinyl, and even cassette), and organizing them. This process I assume could require many hours, maybe dozens of hours of work.
Which I can foresee anyway at the point I move and get the wife and I's planned "Music Room" with an IKEA Vinyl shelf, etc
But the COMPROMISE is, I will scan through the long list of albums and identify which ones I don't own physical copies of. And THOSE I will plan to print out either with my printer and/or at the Library for .75 cents a page.
Perhaps once I compile that list, I will share said list and/or even the whole friggin list.
But I guess I could try and make 1 video for that year I tested out, 1990.
01/04/19
So my 9 days and change staycation begins in a matter of hours, and I have an agenda which I would be happy if I accomplished 3/4 of it.
But 1 item was planning on outlining if not working on some early drafts of that post-Milestone project, but the below other project I may find ends up usurping those plans.
The below Albums of the Year Printing of images to make for Videos is coming along. The printing? no not yet. I'm anticipating that either this weekend or Monday at the latest.
But I am PREPPING THE IMAGES for each year. I.e. I created 55 folders or whatever, 1 for each Calendar Year. And it's cool to actually find reasonable images for each album and then keep them in said year's folder.
However it naturally is a little time consuming. But I am hoping organizing them this way, will actually make the PRINTING PROCESS that much faster, hehe.
I guess hypothetically, I have at least a handful of years full/complete with each album's cover art image, on Monday I may be able to print out at least a few full Calendar Year's AOTY's and even make some of those videos.
I'm not assuming anything, but it may happen. I guess the videos themselves may be contingent on my Car as I am having work done on Monday morning at 8AM. But it hopefully will only take a few hours and I may have some time by the early afternoon.
If not then, at least Tuesday.
12/27/18
for hopefully a big new project on YouTube which may coincide with completing as many if not all of the remaining Albums Calendars (2001, 2003, 2006-2018), I just made an observation on twitter:
My Favorite 2008 Albums List: I ❤️ you— AllMediaReviews (@AllMediaReviews) December 27, 2018
I guess I also could throw out what the deal is.
So I am going to try and make videos of instead of naming the artist/title/release date/month for every year since 1965. I will INSTEAD, name off my Top 8+ albums for each year.
And as I mentioned recently, in order to do that, I am almost done (3-5 hours I think left of work) making Top 8+ (and in some exceptions, exceeding well over 100) albums list.
Then rattle off and SHOW images of the albums from each year.
And each Year's Top 8+ will be done randomly as I don't want to get bogged down by chronological order.
And instead of dragging out and showing VINYL and/or CDs; nor having to spend X-number of extra minutes if not over an hour EDITING-IN ALBUM COVER IMAGES, I am now planning to PRINT OUT COLORED IMAGES ON PRINTER PAPER of at least the top 8-10 for every calendar year. And I am assuming some years like 2008, I may go as deep as 25-30 per I LOVE THAT MANY ALBUMS AND FEEL THEY DESERVE MENTION.
But on average, I think it'll initially be 10-15 or so per year. I dunno.
My guestimation is I'll have to print out something like 500 maybe ultimately, 1000 or so images.
And keep them in those Clear Sleeves that are 8 1/2 x 11. And they will be there in a book or booklets/3-RING BINDERS to access whenever I may want to talk about said album(s), etc.
Will it run some $? yeah, mainly in INK.
But I already purchased a printer/scanner/fax. Helped by a Target Gift Card from my employer for X-Mas, it wasn't excessively expensive. And the ink was only $31. I just am assuming/anticipating needing to replace those ink cartridges (both Color and Black-and-White) after 50 or 100 covers are done. I.e. maybe 4-6 times maybe in the next year?
The scanner also helps as I can now scan all those blackmail-able old photos in, and any NEW album cover or anything else.
I know, I'm finally living in the 21st century now that I have a Printer and Scanner (no Smartphone though..that's another entry waiting to happen).
WHEN will these videos begin?..my optimistic hope is that week I have off Jan 7th-11th, but I need to get the printer to work 1st. test it out, etc. If not then, I would estimate no later than April or after I move. But I am thinking it won't be much, I just need to hook everything up and HAVE THE ROOM to print them out. And of course have the time/space to make the videos, lol.
I'm currently still working on finishing The Runaways Season 2 (on the 10th episode), getting my Home Ready Certificate for the Bank's Loan Officer (already pre-approved to look and buy a house), and this weekend finally going-through and giving my wife and I's WEDDING PHOTOS for gifts. Some 400 or 500 pics, and we need to pick maybe 20 or 30 tops. Timely and Spendy. But the brutally cold temps hopefully will allow enough to do that. Driving up to Walgreens to print them may be largely weather-permitting though. But it's due by our family's Channukah party that is being held on New Years Day.
I am debating sharing the massive list of Albums of the Years when I finish it, but I just may as it goes, YouTube and the Blog are separate audiences anyway.
But yeah, 2008 in reviewing my collection and ratings, was a fan-fucking-tastic year for albums. Maybe THEE year I would love to go back in time and relive the music for it as it happened.
Friday, January 18, 2019
Snarky Puppy - Immigrance (2018-2019)
Immigrance, the new studio album from Jazz/Prog/Funk/Jam/Hip-Hop/Experimental band Snarky Puppy is being released on March 15th.
Another (rare?) studio album coming from Snarky Puppy per the majority of their releases I recall are live, and rightly so, they are known may best as a live group.
2016's Culcha Vulcha I discovered in 2017 after seeing them live, and enjoyed it quite a bit.
1st single "Xavi" is below, 9.5 minutes in true jam/prog fashion!
1 Chonks
2 Bigly Strictness
3 Coven
4 Bling Bling
5 Xavi 9:31
6 While We're Young
7 Bad Kids To The Back
8 Even Us
PREORDER LINKS
Another (rare?) studio album coming from Snarky Puppy per the majority of their releases I recall are live, and rightly so, they are known may best as a live group.
2016's Culcha Vulcha I discovered in 2017 after seeing them live, and enjoyed it quite a bit.
1st single "Xavi" is below, 9.5 minutes in true jam/prog fashion!
1 Chonks
2 Bigly Strictness
3 Coven
4 Bling Bling
5 Xavi 9:31
6 While We're Young
7 Bad Kids To The Back
8 Even Us
PREORDER LINKS
Thursday, January 17, 2019
Meaningful Songs: Foals - Two Steps, Twice
Foals - Two Steps, Twice
Foals has been a bit on my mind of late, with their 2 upcoming albums in 2019 and then discovering this band Two Door Cinema Club whose debut album Tourist History resembling very highly (but in a good, non-copycat way) Foals excellent debut album Antidotes from 2008.
And among my favorite tracks on Antidotes, Two Steps Twice may still be #1 with it's incredible dance-y energy the last 2 or 3 minutes. And it's even greater live.
I seem to now get huge amounts of Goosebumps from many tunes from Antidotes, including this one.
Foals has been a bit on my mind of late, with their 2 upcoming albums in 2019 and then discovering this band Two Door Cinema Club whose debut album Tourist History resembling very highly (but in a good, non-copycat way) Foals excellent debut album Antidotes from 2008.
And among my favorite tracks on Antidotes, Two Steps Twice may still be #1 with it's incredible dance-y energy the last 2 or 3 minutes. And it's even greater live.
I seem to now get huge amounts of Goosebumps from many tunes from Antidotes, including this one.
Wednesday, January 16, 2019
Somewhat OT: PATIENCE IS A VIRTUE
but she won't always wait
Dissension is the tension, it's what we've learned to hate
PATIENCE is the key word.
A mantra, a reminder, a frustration (or trying to avoid being).
I dunno, I grew up in a methodical, in-due-time pace of things for the most part.
But now it seems I try and try and still can't be PATIENT enough:
Grad School
Wedding
Job
House
nearly 8 years with my wife
over 12 years now in this blog
And wanting to have something psychologically if not physically to show for it.
patience?..well and the 4-letter word TIME. When I am motivated to spew out my guts about things, but that time in more detail will have to come later.
I just feel like I may be on the verge of things changing or changes and accomplishments may occur soon, but I can't muster as much PATIENCE as I need. Just a few more months really.
Home
Milestone
Book work
YouTube
Skychair
father-in-laws phone calls done, etc
is 2019 being the end of the 2010's decade a sign? transition point? or more likely I'm making these things out to be a bigger deal than they are.
The Book/frustration that's brewed and occasionally surfaced many times the last 12 years may need to finally come out. Text, Video and/or Audio form. Related to PROG magazine, Twin Cities music Media, and my lack of ability to feel like I'm one-of if not the only person on the globe who loves all this obscure, weird music/bands like a big fat buffet of brilliant (to me) little people.
Dissension is the tension, it's what we've learned to hate
PATIENCE is the key word.
A mantra, a reminder, a frustration (or trying to avoid being).
I dunno, I grew up in a methodical, in-due-time pace of things for the most part.
But now it seems I try and try and still can't be PATIENT enough:
Grad School
Wedding
Job
House
nearly 8 years with my wife
over 12 years now in this blog
And wanting to have something psychologically if not physically to show for it.
patience?..well and the 4-letter word TIME. When I am motivated to spew out my guts about things, but that time in more detail will have to come later.
I just feel like I may be on the verge of things changing or changes and accomplishments may occur soon, but I can't muster as much PATIENCE as I need. Just a few more months really.
Home
Milestone
Book work
YouTube
Skychair
father-in-laws phone calls done, etc
is 2019 being the end of the 2010's decade a sign? transition point? or more likely I'm making these things out to be a bigger deal than they are.
The Book/frustration that's brewed and occasionally surfaced many times the last 12 years may need to finally come out. Text, Video and/or Audio form. Related to PROG magazine, Twin Cities music Media, and my lack of ability to feel like I'm one-of if not the only person on the globe who loves all this obscure, weird music/bands like a big fat buffet of brilliant (to me) little people.
Saturday, January 12, 2019
Eluveitie: an Observation
I haven't honestly listened to Eluveitie in many years. Probably 2008's Slania from memory, was the last album from them I recall.
They're from Switzerland and I found them 1 of the better if not best Scandinavian Metal bands who featured instrumentation outside guitar-bass-drums.
And the vocals were always clean and female from memory.
Well the 1st video below is from 2014, and it resembles the sound I recall, although maybe it's a little more poppy than their the stuff from Slania, but not dramatically different.
These 2 videos below are what I guess their sound has transformed to with a new lead singer and some other member changes.
They still have some of the Folk metal in there, but they apparently decided to incorporate Death or more what I hear is GRINDCORE into their sound.
I applaud them for trying new things, but I'm not sure how well those styles mix with this new sound.
They're from Switzerland and I found them 1 of the better if not best Scandinavian Metal bands who featured instrumentation outside guitar-bass-drums.
And the vocals were always clean and female from memory.
Well the 1st video below is from 2014, and it resembles the sound I recall, although maybe it's a little more poppy than their the stuff from Slania, but not dramatically different.
These 2 videos below are what I guess their sound has transformed to with a new lead singer and some other member changes.
They still have some of the Folk metal in there, but they apparently decided to incorporate Death or more what I hear is GRINDCORE into their sound.
I applaud them for trying new things, but I'm not sure how well those styles mix with this new sound.
Meaningful Songs: Pain of Salvation - Karachay: Inside Out
Pain of Salvation - Karachay: Inside Out
This has always been a favorite track from One Hour by the Concrete Lake, but I don't often see it mentioned by fans. Why? I have no clue to be honest, other than the fact the whole record is sort of looked down upon a little bit per both the production and maybe more so the albums before and after it are so fucking good.
But the inspiration by singling this one out mostly from 1 of the most recent episodes of the Pain of Salvation documentary series from 2007-2011? included it and reminded me how much I loved it. It's a track I have not listened to in many years sadly, but I'm glad I did.
Musically, it always was a bit like Pain of Salvation doing a progressive Power Metal tune. A little like the Andre Matos-Angra from the 90's, with the fast keys and energetic guitar riff and drum work. And the dynamics work really well, and close out One Hour by the Concrete Lake with a big climax.
One other note, it actually has the "Karachay" prefix/subname as One Hour is a concept album about a lake and environmental concerns; and the lake, refers to Lake Karachay. I honestly never realized this, at least in song titles. The final 4 tracks (Suite?) all refer to Lake Karachay, just as the "Spirit of Man" and "Part of the Machine" refer to 2 other "suites" of sorts on the album as well.
This has always been a favorite track from One Hour by the Concrete Lake, but I don't often see it mentioned by fans. Why? I have no clue to be honest, other than the fact the whole record is sort of looked down upon a little bit per both the production and maybe more so the albums before and after it are so fucking good.
But the inspiration by singling this one out mostly from 1 of the most recent episodes of the Pain of Salvation documentary series from 2007-2011? included it and reminded me how much I loved it. It's a track I have not listened to in many years sadly, but I'm glad I did.
Musically, it always was a bit like Pain of Salvation doing a progressive Power Metal tune. A little like the Andre Matos-Angra from the 90's, with the fast keys and energetic guitar riff and drum work. And the dynamics work really well, and close out One Hour by the Concrete Lake with a big climax.
One other note, it actually has the "Karachay" prefix/subname as One Hour is a concept album about a lake and environmental concerns; and the lake, refers to Lake Karachay. I honestly never realized this, at least in song titles. The final 4 tracks (Suite?) all refer to Lake Karachay, just as the "Spirit of Man" and "Part of the Machine" refer to 2 other "suites" of sorts on the album as well.
Friday, January 4, 2019
Strata - Welcome to the West Coast [1B] (2019)
New single from Strata! a band who I was kind of into in the 2007 especially with their album Strata Presents the End of the World.
This is not bad, kind of slow/ballady.
This is not bad, kind of slow/ballady.
Thursday, January 3, 2019
Meaningful Songs: Joe Jackson - Stepping Out
Joe Jackson - Steppin' Out
I can honestly say, this is a totally stone cold classic pop tune. So memorable and now seems to give me goosebumps.
As short as possible: I am pretty certain I knew this tune years ago. One of those 80's hits/1-hit wonders. Although I kind of think I may have confused it with either Steve Winwood or Bruce Hornsby and the Range.
And I hardly know his catalog, but from reading some and knowing a few of his other popular songs, this one is very much an isolated type of track; i.e. he doesn't really have any other tunes, or at least Hits like this ("Is She Really Going Out With Him" sounds NOTHING like this).
It almost sounds like a Billy Joel tune in some ways.
Anyway, it's really pleasant and inspiring. Epic in some ways, with its xylophone/bells and vocal melodies. Like someone whose ascending or transitioning..maybe to be more extroverted? maybe coming out of the closet? I dunno, but it sounds fantastic still. Like "Take on Me" or even some of those huge Toto hits, there's something special about it, even just the production sounds pristine.
I can honestly say, this is a totally stone cold classic pop tune. So memorable and now seems to give me goosebumps.
As short as possible: I am pretty certain I knew this tune years ago. One of those 80's hits/1-hit wonders. Although I kind of think I may have confused it with either Steve Winwood or Bruce Hornsby and the Range.
And I hardly know his catalog, but from reading some and knowing a few of his other popular songs, this one is very much an isolated type of track; i.e. he doesn't really have any other tunes, or at least Hits like this ("Is She Really Going Out With Him" sounds NOTHING like this).
It almost sounds like a Billy Joel tune in some ways.
Anyway, it's really pleasant and inspiring. Epic in some ways, with its xylophone/bells and vocal melodies. Like someone whose ascending or transitioning..maybe to be more extroverted? maybe coming out of the closet? I dunno, but it sounds fantastic still. Like "Take on Me" or even some of those huge Toto hits, there's something special about it, even just the production sounds pristine.
Tuesday, January 1, 2019
The Final Countdown (Epic Swing Metal Cover)
quite tasteful cover by Connor Engstrom. As the style suggests, it could be done by Diablo Swing Orchestra perhaps.