In thinking more about Theories of Flight from Fates Warning and how great an album it is, and it is just that, a really great album. I recalled what happened in 2016 and how it ended up my #1 album.
Cloud Cult very early in the year had released The Seeker, an album that still to this day brings me to tears in multiple spots. I really love The Seeker as well. And it was my #1 album for a large portion of the year.
But I guess for me, and I'm sure other people who make the annual Albums of the Year lists and ranking them, and in deciding on the #1 album. Sometimes/some years, I make that decision based on how much I LOVE that band, have long history, and feel very much akin to loving them and their new album. Wanting to love their new album, etc. Feeling that they are MY BAND and their new album IS BETTER than others.
So while I am a very big fan of Cloud Cult and do love The Seeker maybe in some ways more than any other CC album, Fates Warning ended up #1 because they carry that extra FAVORITE BAND element, when making a tie-breaker, it is factored.
Also like in 2009 with Soundscape's Grave New World, an album I longed for, for so many years, and really loved and played an extensive amount of time. But Kevin Gilbert's estate released those compilations that because it is new music from Kevin Gilbert, ultimately won out.
I suppose looking back on it, Soundscape should have been #1 given after all, the KG stuff were just compilations, and a lot of the stuff I knew/had heard, mind you, in much lower quality. But I sort of made an exception that year.
But I think that is an extra factor in deciding my #1 album/ actual ALBUM OF THE YEAR; if the artist is an all-time favorite, I can get won over so much, that I go with my heart with them being my favorite. Even when maybe comparing 2 albums being pretty damn close. There is something about hearing a great new album from a long-time/all-time favorite that means even more to me and many others.
Or there is the idea and occasional option just to choose co-#1's I guess, which I could and maybe will do if faced with this situation again.
But Theories of Flight and Marillion maybe with Marbles and even FEAR, kind of have 1-uped both Rush and Yes in that they made records that are among their 5 or at least 10 best, 20 or or even 30 or more years into their career.
Which also thinking about Fates and ToF, I may try and make a Top 10-20 Fates Warning songs soon given I don't think I have and maybe it's a little overdue.
Showing posts with label Soundscape. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Soundscape. Show all posts
Sunday, March 17, 2019
Wednesday, November 7, 2018
Soundscape - Paradox [1B] (2018)
11/7/18
Streaming..me likey 👍
Bravewords
10/23/18
We're releasing more new music on November 9th —
feeling excited.
A New SINGLE apparently per their Twitter, not the album yet I imagine.
Still excited. "Insatiable" is pretty good, so we'll see what this one is like a few weeks.
Streaming..me likey 👍
Bravewords
10/23/18
We're releasing more new music on November 9th —
feeling excited.A New SINGLE apparently per their Twitter, not the album yet I imagine.
Still excited. "Insatiable" is pretty good, so we'll see what this one is like a few weeks.
Thursday, April 12, 2018
Soundscape - Insatiable [1B] (2018)
Soundscape, the progressive metal band that I have often felt to be 1 of the only fans of, online/social media. Namely 10 years ago when their long delayed 2nd LP Grave New World was finally released.
Although I suppose it does go back to the late 90's with Discovery's release and Man and Machine. They did even get written up in Metal Edge (how I found out about them), and they played at ProgDay I recall 3 straight years. Also Powermad (or maybe it was that festival they played 3 straight years? or maybe both? I forget). But I know Soundscape found or retained a bunch of fans who frequent ProgPowerUSA and ProgDay (also Ken Golden from The Lasers Edge used to carry their cds I recall). And the progressive rock/progressive metal/Dream Theater+Fates Warning fans.
So I wonder/hope some of those folks will get wind of this new music from Soundscape.
Anyway, this is a new song "Insatiable" from them which I'm unclear of something.
1) Is this, and only this that is being released tomorrow, Friday the 13th?
2) Is this the 1st single for a full-length that is coming out tomorrow, Friday the 13th?
I know they have a full-length album coming per they wrote and recorded over the last year or so per photos and updates on their Facebook page.
And for me, this is great news of course, although there is a part of me of that assumes a new album from them may not be able to match those 2 what I consider Masterpiece 5-star albums Discovery and Grave New World.
And I was trying to think of what artists have that perfect record for me: Apes and Androids and The River Empires I guess are the only others, and in those cases, they only have 1. Toy Matinee I suppose as well per I don't consider The 3rd Matinee album part of the same discography, especially per Kevin Gilbert wasn't involved.
I mean there are some cases with 2 proper full-length albums that are close (Jellyfish namely), but Soundscape are the only clear case. They in-effect did a few others like Man and Machine and the Ilago rock opera, but that wasn't fully Soundscape (nor was Rob Thorne's America: The Beautiful).
But that all being said, tomorrow, more will come out. I would think if the full album doesn't come, some details about it hopefully will.
And I think I may need to post an entry about this April 2018 being quite a big month for new albums. The Family Crest, Kindo, Kimbra, Janelle Monae and now Soundscape? and a few others. Not unprecedented (June 2009 was a biggie among other months), but this may be the biggest month of the year at least.
As for "Insatiable" I do like it, although Todd Rose's almost-industrial guitar tone and Rob's vocal style add to some new/different elements to this. I'm wondering if Rob has decided to not sing at some of the higher/almost falsetto ranges much of the Soundscape work has? I know he has sang for Sacred Oath for decades, but I've honestly never been able to get into them. Although I haven't spent a ton of time actually, in fairness. But I wonder if the vocals on this 1st track Insatiable are a product of the range Rob sings at now. Or perhaps just for this song?
I guess that will be known when hearing the rest of the upcoming record.
Info w/ quote from Rob Thorne
“This song is all about addiction and the power it wields on both sides. As a father of 3 children, I see what’s going on around me - kids sitting in groups staring down at their phones not speaking to each other, kids choosing to Face Time in to a party instead of actually go. It’s weird. They’re addicted to the illusion that social media is a better experience than the world that’s happening right in front of them, and, honestly, I think it’s as scary as the opioid problem. That’s why we draw those parallels in the lyric video. And look at the companies that are profiting. Apple,Facebook, Verizon, Purdue Pharma... are they really making the world a better place? Really?”
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Although I suppose it does go back to the late 90's with Discovery's release and Man and Machine. They did even get written up in Metal Edge (how I found out about them), and they played at ProgDay I recall 3 straight years. Also Powermad (or maybe it was that festival they played 3 straight years? or maybe both? I forget). But I know Soundscape found or retained a bunch of fans who frequent ProgPowerUSA and ProgDay (also Ken Golden from The Lasers Edge used to carry their cds I recall). And the progressive rock/progressive metal/Dream Theater+Fates Warning fans.
So I wonder/hope some of those folks will get wind of this new music from Soundscape.
Anyway, this is a new song "Insatiable" from them which I'm unclear of something.
1) Is this, and only this that is being released tomorrow, Friday the 13th?
2) Is this the 1st single for a full-length that is coming out tomorrow, Friday the 13th?
I know they have a full-length album coming per they wrote and recorded over the last year or so per photos and updates on their Facebook page.
And for me, this is great news of course, although there is a part of me of that assumes a new album from them may not be able to match those 2 what I consider Masterpiece 5-star albums Discovery and Grave New World.
And I was trying to think of what artists have that perfect record for me: Apes and Androids and The River Empires I guess are the only others, and in those cases, they only have 1. Toy Matinee I suppose as well per I don't consider The 3rd Matinee album part of the same discography, especially per Kevin Gilbert wasn't involved.
I mean there are some cases with 2 proper full-length albums that are close (Jellyfish namely), but Soundscape are the only clear case. They in-effect did a few others like Man and Machine and the Ilago rock opera, but that wasn't fully Soundscape (nor was Rob Thorne's America: The Beautiful).
But that all being said, tomorrow, more will come out. I would think if the full album doesn't come, some details about it hopefully will.
And I think I may need to post an entry about this April 2018 being quite a big month for new albums. The Family Crest, Kindo, Kimbra, Janelle Monae and now Soundscape? and a few others. Not unprecedented (June 2009 was a biggie among other months), but this may be the biggest month of the year at least.
As for "Insatiable" I do like it, although Todd Rose's almost-industrial guitar tone and Rob's vocal style add to some new/different elements to this. I'm wondering if Rob has decided to not sing at some of the higher/almost falsetto ranges much of the Soundscape work has? I know he has sang for Sacred Oath for decades, but I've honestly never been able to get into them. Although I haven't spent a ton of time actually, in fairness. But I wonder if the vocals on this 1st track Insatiable are a product of the range Rob sings at now. Or perhaps just for this song?
I guess that will be known when hearing the rest of the upcoming record.
Info w/ quote from Rob Thorne
“This song is all about addiction and the power it wields on both sides. As a father of 3 children, I see what’s going on around me - kids sitting in groups staring down at their phones not speaking to each other, kids choosing to Face Time in to a party instead of actually go. It’s weird. They’re addicted to the illusion that social media is a better experience than the world that’s happening right in front of them, and, honestly, I think it’s as scary as the opioid problem. That’s why we draw those parallels in the lyric video. And look at the companies that are profiting. Apple,Facebook, Verizon, Purdue Pharma... are they really making the world a better place? Really?”
Wednesday, December 20, 2017
Christmas Songs (or w/ Titles/Lyrics) I dig
With it being near X-Mas
(a holiday I don't fully celebrate per I'm Jewish, but still do/have done in some capacity. My Family does have a Channukah Party every year though)
And of course seeing so many Christmas songs played, sang, talked about, etc. I guess it would be worth sharing some of my favorites. Prog-related, and some may not even be about X-Mas, but the title/lyrics etc at least use the word.
Mew - She Came Home for Christmas
Soundscape - A Christmas Carol (Parts 1 and 3)
Part 2 isn't on YouTube or online anywhere I know.
Shadow Gallery - Christmas Day..
maybe my favorite SG song actually.
Marillion - Carol of the Bells.
Of course Savatage/Trans Siberian Orchestra made this song famous in modern years, but this version I find is much cooler (although I don't hate the 'Tage version, it's just this one so good).
Greg Herriges / Stella Roma - Shchedryk
recently released a CD of Holiday music and this is on it. This is the original title "Shchedryk" to what became known as "Carol of the Bells."
Now between this and the Marillion version? it's almost a push. Both beat the Savatage version though.
Jonatha Brooke w/ Kevin Gilbert - O Come Emmanuel. This is largely per it includes Kevin Gilbert of course.
(a holiday I don't fully celebrate per I'm Jewish, but still do/have done in some capacity. My Family does have a Channukah Party every year though)
And of course seeing so many Christmas songs played, sang, talked about, etc. I guess it would be worth sharing some of my favorites. Prog-related, and some may not even be about X-Mas, but the title/lyrics etc at least use the word.
Mew - She Came Home for Christmas
Soundscape - A Christmas Carol (Parts 1 and 3)
Part 2 isn't on YouTube or online anywhere I know.
Shadow Gallery - Christmas Day..
maybe my favorite SG song actually.
Marillion - Carol of the Bells.
Of course Savatage/Trans Siberian Orchestra made this song famous in modern years, but this version I find is much cooler (although I don't hate the 'Tage version, it's just this one so good).
Greg Herriges / Stella Roma - Shchedryk
recently released a CD of Holiday music and this is on it. This is the original title "Shchedryk" to what became known as "Carol of the Bells."
Now between this and the Marillion version? it's almost a push. Both beat the Savatage version though.
Jonatha Brooke w/ Kevin Gilbert - O Come Emmanuel. This is largely per it includes Kevin Gilbert of course.
Wednesday, April 26, 2017
The Year 1997 Albums Calendar and Rankings
1997, a very memorable year for a number of things. I think 1st and foremost, it was in a lot of ways, the peak of my love for Dream Theater and the long wait for their 1st full-length album since becoming a fan.
Falling Into Infinity took forever to come out, and I remember being at Best Buy where I was working at the time, and while I enjoyed it, I was a little underwhelmed with such high expectations.
To compare, earlier in the year, Fates Warning had released A Pleasant Shade of Gray, which I remember really liking, but also not looking at Fates Warning as good as my favorite bands like Rush and Dream Theater. But as I came to realize, it was a masterpiece, and their greatest masterpiece.
I do recall being really sad though as learning both Joe DiBiase and Frank Aresti had left the band and being incredibly depressed about that, along with Kevin Moore's departure from Dream Theater not that long before also hitting me hard. And oddly enough, it was not long after I became a fan of both bands.
Anyway, looking at the rest of 1997, Soundscape's album Discovery I enjoyed when I heard it, but in truth, became more of a fan in the subsequent years. Pain of Salvation's debut album Entropia I didn't hear then but years later; but it has become one of my favorites of theirs, debut albums, and progressive metal albums, etc.
Royal Hunt, Savatage, Angra's live album, Big Wreck, The Tea Party, Mew's debut, Godspeed, Devin Townsend's debut, etc..a lot of good stuff or artists who put out albums early in their careers of course. A lot of Prog Metal as the mid and late 90's it was being made in large numbers, and on my radar. And frankly, while much of it sounded a lot like Dream Theater, it seemed still enjoyable and unique in some ways. I dunno, it didn't seem as watered down as it became and has been the last 10 or 15 years. But maybe some of that has to do with nostalgia.
I think 1997 was a year that was in the midst of a lot of terrible mainstream music, and got looked down on by the prog scene, but maybe has aged relatively well over the last 2 decades.
1. Fates Warning - A Pleasant Shade of Gray
2. Soundscape - Discovery
3. Pain of Salvation - Entropia
4. Dream Theater - Falling into Infinity
5. Savatage - The Wake of Magellan
6. Pat Metheny - Imaginary Day
7. Royal Hunt - Paradox
8. Marillion - This Strange Engine
9. Magellan - Test of Wills
10. Big Wreck - In Loving Memory Of...
11. Enchant - Time Lost
12. Angra - Holy Live
13. Godspeed You Black Emperor! - F♯A♯∞ (1995-1997)
14. Ocean Machine - Biomech
15. Eternity X - The Edge
16. Conditioned Response - Pavlov's Dogs
17. The Tea Party - Transmission
18. Mew - A Triumph for Man
19. The Flower Kings - Stardust We Are
20. Galactic Cowboys - The Horse that Bud Bought
21. Yes - Keys to Ascension 2
22. Live - Secret Samadhi
23. dredg - Orph [EP]
24. Faith No More - Album of the Year
25. MagellanMusic - A Strange Traffic of Dreams
26. Incubus - S.C.I.E.N.C.E.
27. The Quiet Room - Introspect
28. Tiles - Fence the Clear
29. IQ - Subterranea
30. Queensryche - Hear in the Now Frontier
Daft Punk - Homework
rel January 20, 1997
Niacin - Niacin
rel February 13, 1997
Live - Secret Samadhi
rel February 18, 1997
Charlie Haden and Pat Metheny - Beyond the Missouri Sky
rel February 25, 1997
h - Ice Cream Genius
rel February 27, 1997
Marillion - This Strange Engine
rel March 9, 1997
Queensryche - Hear in the Now Frontier
rel March 25, 1997
Conception - Flow
rel April 1, 1997
Mew - A Triumph for Man
rel April 1, 1997
Tiles - Fence the Clear
rel April 15, 1997
Dark Tranquillity - The Mind's I
rel April 21, 1997
Fates Warning - A Pleasant Shade of Gray
rel April 22, 1997
Angra - Holy Live
rel April 25, 1997
Stratovarius - Visions
rel April 28, 1997
The Flower Kings - Stardust We Are
rel April 1997
Ozric Tentacles - Curious Corn
rel May 1, 1997
Magellan - Test of Wills
rel May 6, 1997
Fish - Sunsets on Empire
rel May 9, 1997
Toad the Wet Sprocket - Coil
rel May 20, 1997
No-Man - Dry Cleaning Ray
rel May 1997
Blackmore's Night - Shadow of the Moon
rel June 2, 1997
Faith No More - Album of the Year
rel June 3, 1997
The Gathering - Nighttime Birds
rel June 6, 1997
Ween - The Mollusk
rel June 24, 1997
Galactic Cowboys - The Horse that Bud Bought
rel July 15, 1997
Ocean Machine - Biomech
rel July 21, 1997
Spastic Ink - Ink Complete
rel August 12, 1997
Voivod - Phobos
rel August 12, 1997
Godspeed You Black Emperor! - F♯A♯∞ (1995-1997)
rel August 14, 1997
The Tea Party - Transmission
rel August 19, 1997
Pain of Salvation - Entropia
rel August 21, 1997
Vanden Plas - The God Thing
rel September 5, 1997
Eternity X - The Edge
rel September 7, 1997
Incubus - S.C.I.E.N.C.E.
rel September 9, 1997
The Tories - Wonderful Life
rel September 9, 1997
Savatage - The Wake of Magellan
rel September 15, 1997
Buena Vista Social Club - Buena Vista Social Club
rel September 16, 1997
Dream Theater - Falling into Infinity
rel September 23, 1997
Royal Hunt - Paradox
rel September 23, 1997
The Apples in Stereo - Tone Soul Evolution
rel September 30, 1997
Enchant - Time Lost
rel September 1997
IQ - Subterranea
rel September 1997
Big Wreck - In Loving Memory Of...
rel October 7, 1997
Pat Metheny - Imaginary Day
rel October 7, 1997
In Flames - Whoracle
rel October 15, 1997
Porcupine Tree - Coma Divine: Recorded Live in Rome
rel October 1997
Yes - Keys to Ascension 2
rel November 3, 1997
Jane's Addiction - Kettle Whistle
rel November 4, 1997
Martyr - Hopeless Hopes
rel November 7, 1997
sElf - Feels Like Breakin' Shit
rel November 1997
Conditioned Response - Pavlov's Dog
rel 1997
dredg - Orph [EP]
rel 1997
MagellanMusic - A Strange Traffic of Dreams
rel 1997
Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan - En concert à Paris
rel 1997
The Quiet Room - Introspect
rel 1997
Soundscape - Discovery
rel 1997
Sinkadus - Aurum nostrum
rel 1997
Falling Into Infinity took forever to come out, and I remember being at Best Buy where I was working at the time, and while I enjoyed it, I was a little underwhelmed with such high expectations.
To compare, earlier in the year, Fates Warning had released A Pleasant Shade of Gray, which I remember really liking, but also not looking at Fates Warning as good as my favorite bands like Rush and Dream Theater. But as I came to realize, it was a masterpiece, and their greatest masterpiece.
I do recall being really sad though as learning both Joe DiBiase and Frank Aresti had left the band and being incredibly depressed about that, along with Kevin Moore's departure from Dream Theater not that long before also hitting me hard. And oddly enough, it was not long after I became a fan of both bands.
Anyway, looking at the rest of 1997, Soundscape's album Discovery I enjoyed when I heard it, but in truth, became more of a fan in the subsequent years. Pain of Salvation's debut album Entropia I didn't hear then but years later; but it has become one of my favorites of theirs, debut albums, and progressive metal albums, etc.
Royal Hunt, Savatage, Angra's live album, Big Wreck, The Tea Party, Mew's debut, Godspeed, Devin Townsend's debut, etc..a lot of good stuff or artists who put out albums early in their careers of course. A lot of Prog Metal as the mid and late 90's it was being made in large numbers, and on my radar. And frankly, while much of it sounded a lot like Dream Theater, it seemed still enjoyable and unique in some ways. I dunno, it didn't seem as watered down as it became and has been the last 10 or 15 years. But maybe some of that has to do with nostalgia.
I think 1997 was a year that was in the midst of a lot of terrible mainstream music, and got looked down on by the prog scene, but maybe has aged relatively well over the last 2 decades.
1. Fates Warning - A Pleasant Shade of Gray
2. Soundscape - Discovery
3. Pain of Salvation - Entropia
4. Dream Theater - Falling into Infinity
5. Savatage - The Wake of Magellan
6. Pat Metheny - Imaginary Day
7. Royal Hunt - Paradox
8. Marillion - This Strange Engine
9. Magellan - Test of Wills
10. Big Wreck - In Loving Memory Of...
11. Enchant - Time Lost
12. Angra - Holy Live
13. Godspeed You Black Emperor! - F♯A♯∞ (1995-1997)
14. Ocean Machine - Biomech
15. Eternity X - The Edge
16. Conditioned Response - Pavlov's Dogs
17. The Tea Party - Transmission
18. Mew - A Triumph for Man
19. The Flower Kings - Stardust We Are
20. Galactic Cowboys - The Horse that Bud Bought
21. Yes - Keys to Ascension 2
22. Live - Secret Samadhi
23. dredg - Orph [EP]
24. Faith No More - Album of the Year
25. MagellanMusic - A Strange Traffic of Dreams
26. Incubus - S.C.I.E.N.C.E.
27. The Quiet Room - Introspect
28. Tiles - Fence the Clear
29. IQ - Subterranea
30. Queensryche - Hear in the Now Frontier
Daft Punk - Homework
rel January 20, 1997
Niacin - Niacin
rel February 13, 1997
Live - Secret Samadhi
rel February 18, 1997
Charlie Haden and Pat Metheny - Beyond the Missouri Sky
rel February 25, 1997
h - Ice Cream Genius
rel February 27, 1997
Marillion - This Strange Engine
rel March 9, 1997
Queensryche - Hear in the Now Frontier
rel March 25, 1997
Conception - Flow
rel April 1, 1997
Mew - A Triumph for Man
rel April 1, 1997
Tiles - Fence the Clear
rel April 15, 1997
Dark Tranquillity - The Mind's I
rel April 21, 1997
Fates Warning - A Pleasant Shade of Gray
rel April 22, 1997
Angra - Holy Live
rel April 25, 1997
Stratovarius - Visions
rel April 28, 1997
The Flower Kings - Stardust We Are
rel April 1997
Ozric Tentacles - Curious Corn
rel May 1, 1997
Magellan - Test of Wills
rel May 6, 1997
Fish - Sunsets on Empire
rel May 9, 1997
Toad the Wet Sprocket - Coil
rel May 20, 1997
No-Man - Dry Cleaning Ray
rel May 1997
Blackmore's Night - Shadow of the Moon
rel June 2, 1997
Faith No More - Album of the Year
rel June 3, 1997
The Gathering - Nighttime Birds
rel June 6, 1997
Ween - The Mollusk
rel June 24, 1997
Galactic Cowboys - The Horse that Bud Bought
rel July 15, 1997
Ocean Machine - Biomech
rel July 21, 1997
Spastic Ink - Ink Complete
rel August 12, 1997
Voivod - Phobos
rel August 12, 1997
Godspeed You Black Emperor! - F♯A♯∞ (1995-1997)
rel August 14, 1997
The Tea Party - Transmission
rel August 19, 1997
Pain of Salvation - Entropia
rel August 21, 1997
Vanden Plas - The God Thing
rel September 5, 1997
Eternity X - The Edge
rel September 7, 1997
Incubus - S.C.I.E.N.C.E.
rel September 9, 1997
The Tories - Wonderful Life
rel September 9, 1997
Savatage - The Wake of Magellan
rel September 15, 1997
Buena Vista Social Club - Buena Vista Social Club
rel September 16, 1997
Dream Theater - Falling into Infinity
rel September 23, 1997
Royal Hunt - Paradox
rel September 23, 1997
The Apples in Stereo - Tone Soul Evolution
rel September 30, 1997
Enchant - Time Lost
rel September 1997
IQ - Subterranea
rel September 1997
Big Wreck - In Loving Memory Of...
rel October 7, 1997
Pat Metheny - Imaginary Day
rel October 7, 1997
In Flames - Whoracle
rel October 15, 1997
Porcupine Tree - Coma Divine: Recorded Live in Rome
rel October 1997
Yes - Keys to Ascension 2
rel November 3, 1997
Jane's Addiction - Kettle Whistle
rel November 4, 1997
Martyr - Hopeless Hopes
rel November 7, 1997
sElf - Feels Like Breakin' Shit
rel November 1997
Conditioned Response - Pavlov's Dog
rel 1997
dredg - Orph [EP]
rel 1997
MagellanMusic - A Strange Traffic of Dreams
rel 1997
Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan - En concert à Paris
rel 1997
The Quiet Room - Introspect
rel 1997
Soundscape - Discovery
rel 1997
Sinkadus - Aurum nostrum
rel 1997
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