I feel that Power Windows and Hold Your Fire. . .don’t fit perfectly. The songs on PW are all about expressions of power. The songs on HYF are all about restraint. PW is their most minimalist album. But on top of that they put sound effects and strings, I guess adding the ’power part’. The music on HYF is fairly powerful. The unique sound of PW raises higher on the list, in my eyes. I list HYF as their 3rd best, it has 3 of their very best songs. The sounds OK, but the these, where the lyrics go is impressing, equally as unique, but this time it’s the lyrics. It worked, for the most part, when Rush did Signals. I don’t think HYF gets the credit it deserves, as well as PW.
1. Hemispheres 2. A Farewell to Kings 3. Hold Your Fire 4. Roll the Bones 5. Moving Pictures 6. Test for Echo 7. Power Windows 8. 2112 9. Signals 10. Counterparts 11. Grace Under Pressure 11. Fly by Night 12. Caress of Steel 13. Presto 14. Clockwork Angels 15. Permanent Waves 16. Rush 17. Snakes and Arrows 18. Vapor Trails
i discovered the 20 min epic title track of this song through some reddit recommendation I got, and I wasn't expecting much. but much to my surprise, it was perhaps the greatest prog metal song I had EVER heard before, and i couldn't get enough of it. i was very intrigued by how a lot of the song reminded me of Haken, and after a bit of digging, I realized that the creator of the album, Almo, was actually a prolific shitposter in a Haken circle jerking facebook group i was in, and it turns out I had actually commented on his meme posts before! i didn't realize someone like him would go on to create such amazing music, but its clear where he gets his inspiration from; he definitely wears it on his sleeve in the music, exactly as you say. but that's definitely not a bad thing, i love Haken a ton so its sooo cool hearing homages to them as well. i cant wait to see what more Almo can make. also Almo is such a cool and kind guy. I've been corresponding with him a bit through email about transcriptions and tabs for the album and he's always so receptive and quick to reply. I'm glad you discovered this independently as well, that epic is definitely a modern day prog masterpiece. Also I don't know if you realized this, but the intro of Reconcliation the song sounds eerily similar to the opening of Ghosts of Flowers Past by Moon Safari, which I know is a song you love. also lmaoo its always so endearing watching you genuinely and earnestly trying your best to pronounce song titles and artists, like when u said the 2nd track "Vilsen" as "Veslin". i don't know if you have dyslexia or anything like that but its astounding how wrong u always seem to pronounce stuff. but that's okay! never stop trying lol, we love it
I heard from a little birdie that you dig Dua’s latest album So I was thinking you might like Jessie Ware, her latest is “That! Feels Good! Check it out. Let me know what you think Houdini 😂
These are always some of my favorite videos of the year. There's a lot of stuff coming out and this panel is able to provide a really good overview of it
In terms of happily remaining in the Genesis prog pigeonhole, by a complete mile, Steve Hackett. I love the proggy, eclectic nature of his solo albums. His guitar virtuosity remains totally undiminished. Of all the former Genesis members - with his live versions of Genesis classics - who better to carry the torch for all the truly great classic Genesis output from 1971-1976, than Steve Hackett.
When you decide to argue the album or some riffs/motives "blatant rip off", it would help to support that argument with a few examples. You give none. The way you are saying it, it comes across as sour criticism to me unfortunately, and so you get a dislike from me.
A bit surprised nobody mentioned what, at least for me, is the best and most exciting Prog album of the year so far, and that is Time Voyager by Barock Project. Superb symphonic Prog expertly mixing in myriad influences, from classical to jazz, and a strong bond with mid-70s American prog, especially Kansas and Ambrosia. Masterful handling of driving odd time signatures and rhythms, as well as great vocals and harmonies, and strong melodies and hooks. Just a delight from start to finish. Fantastic.
Steve Hackets solo on firth of fifth is accompanied by bass pedals which are such a low tone few speakers can produce it. If you've never heard it you have not properly experienced the song the effect is geologic as the earth moves beneath you as the solo crescendos and the choir organ wails. The most epic passage in modern music no one has ever done it since and even the most die hard fans are oblivious to
Some have said that the second half of Cinema Show is Tony Banks getting his rocks off.... which it is but he is so subdued and tasteful it's not masturbation at all. It's Greek folk music with a Scottish Bagpipe theme. Tspouro makes you dance in 7/8.
Hi Notes. I've just heard this album for the first time, and it reminds me a little of We Are Scientists' stuff. I was wondering if you ever made the same connection.
Funny that I had the thing with Resident Human as Iain had with the new Wheel album. I absolutely love Charismatic Leaders and think it is one of the best of '24. Much better songs this time around than the predecessor.
Here are the main albums mentioned. Lots more brought up in the video! FAVORITES: Brent - To Follow Polaris by The Tangent Matt - A Dream Is All We Know by The Lemon Twigs Nathan - Fym by Azure Travis - Down the Mountainside by Quantum Iain - Bellum II by Aquilus Notes - Radical Optimism by Dua Lipa DISAPPOINTMENTS: Brent - A Game of Whispers by Age of Distraction Matt - Only God Was Above Us by Vampire Weekend Nathan - Theories of Emptiness by Evergrey Travis - Sommargryningsljus by Kaipa Iain - Charismatic Leaders by Wheel Notes - Stalagmite Steeple by Return To The Earth SURPRISES (in a good way): Brent - Shelter by Laughing Stock Matt - Hotel La Rut by Joanna Wang Nathan - It's Here, But I Have No Names For It by sleepmakeswaves Travis - The Tortured Poets Department by Taylor Swift Iain - Sommargryningsljus by Kaipa Notes - Eternal Snapshots by Hasse Froberg Musical Companion
Interesting that there's some pop names in there. I veer more towards pop and rock than prog so those records will be checked out. These videos are great for recommendations even if I only like 1 in 10 I consider it a win. Thanks for the video
That's what you forgot: Rendezvous Point - Dream Chaser Marjana Semkina - SIRIN Vanden Plas - The Empyrean Equation Of The Long Lost Things Bring Me the Horizon - POST HUMAN: NeX Gen
@@RhymeSignatures After checking this out, I have to recommend An Abstract Illusion - Woe. If you guys haven't listened to it, you really should give it a try.
You made me buy Kyros - Mannequin. Good Albums came out during this year but if Pain of Salvation won't bring their new one this Year Kyros made my number one.
I am 61 and a trick was my introduction from there I went back and I think anything after and then there were is basically pop music which I refer to as Genetrash
Songs like Hold On My Heart, and Your Own Special Way are sophisticated, classy and beautiful. I like your list, but your taste seems a little immature
And Britain in the late 70’s was a miserable existence after WW2 and decades of austerity measures so this was a real “punk” message, and far more effective in many ways than most of the punk albums at the time. Thatcher had taken over, and it was a bleak place so many felt this need to rebel. PF just did it on a much grander scale than the punk bands did and demonstrated their musicianship while still raging against the society they lived in. There was real rage in the British public at that time and you need to understand just how bleak some people felt about their futures felt over there. Mike, not to be critical, but some of your takes seem a bit uninformed given the times in which this album was recorded and you can’t go back and reinterpret it against today’s world and how someone today would view the concept. Whether it is accessible to the wusses and soft as shit kids of today is irrelevant, it was required to be heard and Roger and the band had something important to say. It may not have been a comfortable listen, but that was the entire point.
You need to remember, two of these “songs” had been played LIVE since 1974, before they even recorded WYWH. You Gotta Be Crazy became Dogs, and Raving and Drooling became Sheep. So really there were only two new songs written for the Animals album. And due to the extensive touring they all had a hand in crafting the music so both songs are truly collaborative pieces of music. If anything, as a result, Roger did both David and Rick dirty wrt the royalties and all three deserved songwriting credits for those two pieces.
The "is it accessible for a large audience" one feels out of place. Some art isnt while it can be a masterpiece or important. What about: "How unique is this album compared to other concept albums"? OR "Does the theme get the respect it deserves?"
Agreed, my point as well. The messages in this album are actually as important today as the late 70’s in England. They may feel harsh but that doesn’t matter! Being accessible is not the point: important messages are sometimes hard to hear but need to be said, and said loudly!
It's crazy to think of Animals being the black sheep (no pun intended) because Pink Floyd really didn't miss in the 70's. But yeah, this one is so dismal to listen to, even in a different way than The Wall. At least with The Wall it was just one person's world crumbling, whereas here it's the whole world that sucks. I really like Dogs and Pigs here, I love how sleazy Pigs is and how much time Dogs has to just breathe and exist. Sheep is the weakest one here, I agree. Overall I think if I had to pick a Floyd album to spin up I'd take this over The Wall most days, but certainly less so than Dark Side or WYWH.
My strategy is sort of simple. Start with his Devin Townsend Project albums. If you like that and are Into heavy stuff listen to Strapping Young Lad. Devin is absolutely insane, so early in his career he'd release a heavy SYL album and pair it with a softer one from one of his other bands. One example would be City from SYL and Ocean Machine from his solo project. Or Alien from SYL and Synchestra from Devin Townsend Band. It's quite the rabbit hole.
Skyline is their best album IMO as well. Detachment has grown on me with time from being 4th to my 2nd favorite prior to Time Voyager. I think Coffee in Neukolln and Time Voyager are both solid albums competing to be 3rd or maybe even 2nd. Seven Seas is my least favorite of their English lyric albums. It has a few tracks I like still. But none that really captivate me like a song or two from all of the other albums. If this reviewer likes grand epics, he’ll probably like Kyrie and Fool’s Epilogue from Coffee in Neukolln. Back to you is also a great song from the album IM0.
Holy shit.. you’re finally getting to Alcest… I’ll add onto what someone else has said. Go back and listen to “Kodama”. Right up there with “Sunbather” from Deafheaven or “The Mantle” from Allagoch in terms of the all time best of the post-black/blackgaze albums Also “L’Enfant de la Lune” translates to The Child of the Moon, or “The Moonchild”
Very happy to hear a review of Alcest album! I like some of their prior material and hearing your opinion on their new material is definitely interesting.
I do not like the remasters. Period. I love the originals. I started listening to them in 1997 when I heard part of Flower Power on an internet radio station. The guitar gets into my bones, similar to Clapton and Santana. Every time I hear the remasters - it just sounds wrong...
