TrekBBS vs. the Music

[Hunter X]

After browsing the thread for a while, I'm glad to get to review some of Kestrel's picks. Great Big Sea and such? Yes please.

The Last Saskatchewan Pirate by Captain Tractor
Funny, I had always seen this song labelled as an Arrogant Worms ditty. I never thought it really sounded like one of theirs, though. Anyways, fun song, so very Canadian. And it has a penny whistle.

God of Wine by Third Eye Blind
Have not heard this one, though I've heard Semi-Charmed Life and Jumper by these guys. I like it. It's melancholy, but not boring to me. It'd be fitting for a nighttime road trip, though it'd probably make me all contemplative and stuff.

It's Getting Boring by the Sea by Blood Red Shoes
Intense little song, but not in a bad way. It's not my favourite by a long shot, but once again it creates a mood, like a frenzied bank heist. I always take a bit to warm up to songs like this, so maybe I'd like it more if it was part of a long playlist rather than standing alone as this exercise makes it.

My three:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9MR3wfzLOio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCZ7gbliY1Y
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qybUFnY7Y8w (This one's pretty much just for the music video)

 

[Thestral]

My three:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9MR3wfzLOio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCZ7gbliY1Y
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qybUFnY7Y8w (This one's pretty much just for the music video)

The Naked and Famous - All of This
Nice sound to these guys. Takes a bit to get beyond the opening sounds, but there's nothing wrong with the sort of driving beat and gentle instruments and singing. The singing is good if not terribly standout-ish; it combines well with the music to create a good sound like I said already. I like the guitar coming in 2/3 of the way through and the crescendoing of the song. I'd listen to more by them. 7/10

Sleeping at Last - Chandeliers
Mmm, a very nice sound. Kinda reminds me of Coldplay, but not in any sort of derivative way. Very gentle, meandering in a good way, a bit melancholy. The singing and the piano work nicely. Never really goes much of anywhere though or does much to catch my interest. Nothing to say against it, but it just gets a "that's nice, and?" from me. Must be my mood since that's often enough. 6/10

OK Go - This Too Shall Pass
Mostly for the music video eh? That is indeed a very fun music video. Rube Goldberg machines are always fun. As to the song. The music is good, kinda Weezer meets ska? The singing's a bit hard to understand, but I don't know if that's the singer or if that's me. The bit in the middle where almost all the instruments go out was kinda weird. It's a more fun song than I think it has any right to be, if that makes sense. Call it 7/10 though I can't tell you why.

Three more!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RaekgRtsTiQ&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xsJ4O-nSveg&feature=relmfu
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRO-M4XyAbM

 

[Eyes]

Three more!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RaekgRtsTiQ&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xsJ4O-nSveg&feature=relmfu
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRO-M4XyAbM

1. Behind Blue Eyes - The Who
While I don't listen to the Who, (they're too oldschool for me), I know of them through reputation, although I couldn't pick out any of their songs. This is a nice trancey tune, certainly not what I had expected of them, and it's good. Also, any song with Eyes in the title gets a +1 from me, whatever . Some rock, but not too much that it begins to hurt your ears. I might actually check a bit more of the Who out. 8/10

2. Lightning Crashes - Live
Another quiet rock tune. Good. Don't get me wrong, I like a bit of rock, but heavy metal smashes I'm not a huge fan of. Something that still has a tune distinguishable from the percussion instruments in the background is good. There are still always exceptions, but heavy metal is on the whole my least favourite genre. Anyway, enough rambling, on to this song. It's a peaceful tune despite the name, but I can't grasp onto it perfectly on first listen. It's quality enough, and it gets better once it gets into the chorus. 7/10

3. Hellfire - The Hunchback of Notre Dame
I'm always a sucker for Disney songs, particularly ones from Disney's 'historical' films, so this is brilliant. I must admit, tHoND is one of the films I haven't seen, but just on this song again, this ranks up there with Go The Distance and Circle Of Life. The scene itself was brilliant. I love Disney for the music alone, really, so: 10/10

My three:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IgFwiCApH7E (Become quite obsessed with this song recently, not as much as DARE, but..)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-FdnLAg4UM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFlHsKExcYg

Actually, now I think of it, I've been playing all these songs loads recently...

 

[PKTrekGirl]

Well, I listened to these a couple of days ago, but was not going to review them because bottom line, they are just not my kind of music. But no one else seems to be coming along here....so rather than let the thread die, I'll give it a shot. But seriously - it is very difficult for me to be truly objective...because simply put, I don't care for this type of music, and probably never will. I guess I'm just too much of a rock & roller - hard rock, grunge, post-grunge, alt rock, indie rock, punk, folk rock, metal (although not death metal)...even softer rock & some pop, I can get into. But techno-ish sorts of songs always make me feel like I should be in a meat market dance club. And I hate meat market dance clubs more than just about anything in life. So the association is very difficult to get around.

However, I will really TRY.

​

My three:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IgFwiCApH7E (Become quite obsessed with this song recently, not as much as DARE, but..)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-FdnLAg4UM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFlHsKExcYg

Actually, now I think of it, I've been playing all these songs loads recently...

1. Basshunter - Now You're Gone
Well, if I have learned nothing else from this thread, it is that no matter how hard I try, I will never like techno - mostly for the reasons specified above. I can't get the association with meat market dance clubs out of my head, and even when I was 22 and cute, I hated those places. Nothing I hate worse than standing around listening to a bunch of guys with pot bellies and reseeding hairlines criticize about every girl who walks by "Oh...she's such a cow!" (for the one maybe 10 lbs overweight), or "She has a face like a pizza" (for the one who has a couple of zits) as if they themselves were these huge 'catches'. GAH! There is not enough money in the world for me to go back to those days.

That said, this song is certainly no better or worse than any other techno dance song I've ever heard. So I can't really fault the song. By the number of hits it has received on YouTube, there is obviously a HUGE audience for this song, and songs like it (certainly a much larger audience than anything I myself listen to! ). I just don't happen to be among those masses of people who get into this. 5/10


2. Same Difference feat Alcazar - Karma Karma
If I didn't know any better, I'd have sworn this song was from the 80's. And I have to laugh, because just this moment, as I'm scanning through the comments on YouTube, the very first one says "This song sounds like it's about 20 years old!". Which is true. I could EASILY hear Bananarama singing this song. Not sure how old you are, Eyes, or if you know who Bananarama are, but listen to these two songs and tell me if I'm not right:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FGYNvx9lqDQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JH3WvI_S6-k&feature=related

Same 'sound' to them, you know?

So here we have music coming full circle from the days when *I* was 20 years old.

That said, I actually liked Banarama back in the day. So there you go. 7/10



3. The Pretty Reckless - Miss Nothing



Okay...so you know how, to me, that last song sounded like Bananarama? Well, this one, to me, sounds like Courtney Love and Hole. Who I happen to LOVE. So this song is the best of the bunch, IMO. In fact, I actually plan to listen to more of these guys.

I wonder if this girl lists Courtney Love as one of her major influences. Because seriously - if she doesn't, she's lying. Compare for yourself:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O3dWBLoU--E&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mS1Ckczz0LQ&feature=relmfu (Miss World! Even the song titles are similar!)

Same kind of sound. At least from where I sit.

Which is a good thing. 8/10


My picks:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HO0svGjVEP8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Nk2iNjLYuk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bqtlcHiSHTE&feature=relmfu

 

[Nerys Ghemor]

ETA: Volcanismo, you beat me to posting a Star One song! Nice!


Jeff Buckley--Forget Her

At first I thought I was going to be bored with this, but it had some dissonances and little imperfections in the singing that lent it some character. I actually found myself reminded at first in some weird way of some of Opeth's softer songs (thanks to Mikael Åkerfeldt's bluesy voice), particularly something like "Credence." By the end, this thing had really grown from its sparse and swept me along, and I found myself doing some bluesy improv singing with this. Beautiful. 10/10


Hot Hot Heat--Middle of Nowhere

Hm...I'm afraid I really had to fight to finish this one, and the little "taking a leak" interlude did not help the impression I was already getting. (It also didn't help that it was following that impressive act by Jeff Buckley.) It just seemed very generic to me, and I found myself neither hooked by the music nor by the lyrics. The vocalist himself isn't bad, but I would much prefer him with a very different kind of music...maybe something by Keane, something with a more defined melody and greater emotional range. I had to give up and stop a few minutes in, unfortunately. 5/10


Blitzen Trapper--Furr

OK...I tend not to do well with Beatles-sounding vocals (or more specifically, Lennon-sounding vocals, which sounds to me like nails on a blackboard). The song itself is interesting, and has more character than the song before it, but I couldn't stand the vocalist so I ended up turning it off. Too bad we could get CSNY to do the vocals for this, or it would've been awesome. 6/10


OK...here's mine. I tried to go for as diverse a sampling as possible so hopefully everyone can find something they like.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3mJwqrZ4lNI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5BGagAPEODw (please note--non-native English speakers, and it does show in the lyrics)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWThDKGVZJI

 

[PKTrekGirl]

^ Glad you liked Jeff Buckley. He was a hugely talented guy who was taken from us way too soon. I'd sort of forgotten about him until recently, when another TrekBBS member who I'm Facebook pals with posted another of his songs on FB (his own personal favorite, which is this one here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A3adFWKE9JE

The one I posted is my personal favorite, but this one is a close second. He really was a brilliant guy who deserves to be remembered, IMO.

 

[Eyes]

2. Same Difference feat Alcazar - Karma Karma
If I didn't know any better, I'd have sworn this song was from the 80's. And I have to laugh, because just this moment, as I'm scanning through the comments on YouTube, the very first one says "This song sounds like it's about 20 years old!". Which is true. I could EASILY hear Bananarama singing this song. Not sure how old you are, Eyes, or if you know who Bananarama are, but listen to these two songs and tell me if I'm not right:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FGYNvx9lqDQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JH3WvI_S6-k&feature=related

Same 'sound' to them, you know?

So here we have music coming full circle from the days when *I* was 20 years old.

That said, I actually liked Banarama back in the day. So there you go. 7/10



3. The Pretty Reckless - Miss Nothing



Okay...so you know how, to me, that last song sounded like Bananarama? Well, this one, to me, sounds like Courtney Love and Hole. Who I happen to LOVE. So this song is the best of the bunch, IMO. In fact, I actually plan to listen to more of these guys.

I wonder if this girl lists Courtney Love as one of her major influences. Because seriously - if she doesn't, she's lying. Compare for yourself:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O3dWBLoU--E&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mS1Ckczz0LQ&feature=relmfu (Miss World! Even the song titles are similar!)

Same kind of sound. At least from where I sit.

Which is a good thing. 8/10

I'm 17, so in terms of music, I'm good with late-00s and modern music (which is why that's most of what I post)

With the Same Difference song, I wouldn't be surprised that they're similar to Bananarama. They are (one of the more talented) of the X Factor alumni, and X Factor likes Venus at least (more with girlbands than duos, but..). And yes, I do know Venus, but I hadn't listened to anything else by Bananarama. Now that you mention it, it does sound quite similar.

As for Pretty Reckless, imo, they're one of the best rock bands around today, of which there are few. I can see the comparisons with Courtney Love, particularly the first song.

According to Wiki, these are PR's influences:

In an interview with MTV, Momsen revealed the influences on the band include The Beatles and Oasis, along with grunge band Nirvana. She also stated that her personal influences include Kurt Cobain and Joan Jett.

Beatles and Oasis I can't see. Maybe a bit of Nirvana. She's a bit similar to what I know of Joan Jett...
She probably is more similar to Courtney. Would MTV know who Courtney Love is?

 

[PKTrekGirl]

As for Pretty Reckless, imo, they're one of the best rock bands around today, of which there are few. I can see the comparisons with Courtney Love, particularly the first song.

According to Wiki, these are PR's influences:

In an interview with MTV, Momsen revealed the influences on the band include The Beatles and Oasis, along with grunge band Nirvana. She also stated that her personal influences include Kurt Cobain and Joan Jett.

Beatles and Oasis I can't see. Maybe a bit of Nirvana. She's a bit similar to what I know of Joan Jett...
She probably is more similar to Courtney. Would MTV know who Courtney Love is?

I don't see the Beatles or Oasis either. But I do see Joan Jett. And of course, Nirvana = Kurt Cobain = Courtney Love.

Forgive me if I am stating the obvious here, but since you are 17, you may not know that Courtney Love was Kurt Cobain's wife. And yes, MTV is WELL aware of her - one of Hole's albums is considered by Rolling Stone to be among the best rock albums of all time...and the Kurt/Courtney marital 'drama', of which there was ridiculous amounts, was front page rock news in the 1993-94 time frame (in the months leading up to and immediately following Kurt's suicide in 1994 (actually, tomorrow - April 5, will be 17 years to the day that Kurt killed himself). There is even a fraction of the conspiracy theory fringe who believe that Courtney killed Kurt...or had him killed. Which is highly improbable, IMO...but grist for the rumor mill, nonetheless.

Yeah...if you have some free time on your hands tomorrow, go to any Nirvana or Hole video on YouTube, and just WATCH the drama unfold. To some individuals among 'my' subset of rock fans, Kurt Cobain is practically a god...and so tomorrow will be a high activity day on all the videos related to Nirvana (with the conspiracy theorists hanging out on Hole videos and accusing Courtney of murder. A good time will be had by all. )

I am going to check out more of Pretty Reckless. I have listened to that song a few times now and like it more each time. Thanks for the tip!

 

[Nerys Ghemor]

Thanks for the link, PK.

I seem to have killed this thread with my three songs back on the last page, though (don't see anyone trying them out...).

 

[Bears Discover Fire]

Thanks for the link, PK.

I seem to have killed this thread with my three songs back on the last page, though (don't see anyone trying them out...).

Thar will be no thread killing on my watch!

Though, I can't get the first link to load. This seems to be a chronic issue with me an VEVO links on youtube.

OK...here's mine. I tried to go for as diverse a sampling as possible so hopefully everyone can find something they like.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3mJwqrZ4lNI

1. Thrice - Digital Sea

Oooh, this is my speed. The minor chords combined with the trip-hoppy percussion really works, and the video is a great match to the music. I might actually check out more by them, if this is indicative of their sound.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5BGagAPEODw (please note--non-native English speakers, and it does show in the lyrics)

2. Orphaned Land - The Path Part 1: Treading Through Darkness

Melodic metal meets Rammstein meets world music. Veeeerrryyyyy interesting. I like the scope and the sweep of this, very epic, though its not something I'd listen to casually.

raaaaisssee yoooouuurrr goblet of RRRROOOCCCKKK

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWThDKGVZJI

3. Talk Talk - Inheritance

Was this really written/performed in 1988? Sounds ahead of its time, though I'm admittedly not too familiar with 80's music outside of the Billboard charts and new wave, both discovered in my 20's. I was a child of the 80's who did not get to really experience the 80's as a musical decade. My dad refused to listen to anything made after 1977 and my mom became hyper religious when I was 5 and shunned all music save classical and religious tunes.

I'm digging it, it's good background music. I like the unusual progressions, the seemingly haphazard drumming and the introduction of different instruments throughout the song, and how its paced together so well. Keeps me on my toes as I'm listening.

Tres.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jEgX64n3T7g
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4a-oclENv4g
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ikm4ZmN-3vQ

 

[Nerys Ghemor]

For "Thrice"...actually, they have a very, VERY varied sound, all the way from metal to traditional blues. You might not like all of their albums. But if you like that, you would probably prefer Vheissu, out of all of their albums. Try some songs from that one and see what you think. (Their albums pre-Vheissu are not as sophisticated.)

Orphaned Land--they're prog metal from Israel. "Epic" is an excellent word for it.

Mark Hollis--the frontman of Talk Talk--was very VERY ahead of his time--yes, it was 1988. Actually, he influenced Sarah McLachlan (and you can really hear it in that song). It's amazing how his work changed from absolute pop in the band's first album, to this, in their last two albums (and then Hollis' solo album). (The point of transition is Colour of Spring, where you hear aspects of both.)

An interesting thing...as you listen to the artists I picked, you'll notice that religion is a running thread through their works. But it's not forced...it's a very natural thing that comes from the heart. I do listen to some worship and contemporary Christian music, but I find a lot of good in a lot of other things, too. I don't think isolation is necessary...though I will say I do try to look for life-affirming lyrics, and try to keep the stuff that has nothing but depressing stuff to a minimum. And degrading or mean-spirited stuff is out.

 

[Thestral]

1. Behind Blue Eyes - The Who
While I don't listen to the Who, (they're too oldschool for me), I know of them through reputation, although I couldn't pick out any of their songs. This is a nice trancey tune, certainly not what I had expected of them, and it's good. Also, any song with Eyes in the title gets a +1 from me, whatever . Some rock, but not too much that it begins to hurt your ears. I might actually check a bit more of the Who out. 8/10

Personally I really like the Who, but I think this is their quietest song and not really indicative of the rest of their music. I'm no expert though.

Massive Attack - Paradise Circus
Very interesting. I like the moodiness of the singer and the music. The drums seem a little more energetic but it goes well with the rest of the song. It's really good stuff, that's for
sure. The song sets a mood really well, and the violin coming in at the end is a great touch. I feel like this should on a soundtrack of something, though I can't really say what. I'd
listen to more by them, very good. 8/10

Reverend Horton Heat - Galaxy 500
I had a professor once who really likes the Reverend, but this might be the first song I've heard by them. I was expecting it to stay more bluegrassy the way it starts out, to be honest, but I like this too. Speedgrass? Fastmoving, good instruments, and the singer's got a nice voice. The lyrics are, what, timeless? Is that the right word? Fast cars, avoiding cops, annoyed at a woman. Anyway, I liked it, and can definitely see why my Prof did. 9/10

Le Tigre - TGIF - Feminist Sweepstakes
Where Massive Attack was moody and the Revered was nimble, I'm sorry to say the music on this song seems... sludgy? Not sure how else to describe it, it seems like it's in the same vein as Cake (who I like) but the music at least doesn't quite work. However, the singing I like and the song grows on me as it goes along. Maybe it was just too much of a shift. Gonna have to call this on a 6/10, sorry. I'd give them another shot though.

Three!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZrQnnZJ68Xo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ul-cZyuYq4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wRbo9FJ-yM

 

[Bears Discover Fire]

Reverend Horton Heat - Galaxy 500
I had a professor once who really likes the Reverend, but this might be the first song I've heard by them. I was expecting it to stay more bluegrassy the way it starts out, to be honest, but I like this too. Speedgrass? Fastmoving, good instruments, and the singer's got a nice voice. The lyrics are, what, timeless? Is that the right word? Fast cars, avoiding cops, annoyed at a woman. Anyway, I liked it, and can definitely see why my Prof did. 9/10

The mashup of rockabilly and punk is it's own genre, pioneered by bands like the Reverend. It's called "Psychobilly".

 

[Merky]

Green Fields of France -
I'm not into this style of music as much. I like a few songs but it's not a genre of choice. It reminds me of Mumford and Sons... that Irish style of music. But its a sweet song none the less. ★★★★☆　

Fleetwood Mac - Go Your Own Way
Wow, lol. I did not know this was a Fleetwood Mac song. Hahaha I like this song!　★★★★★　

Dixie Chicks - Travelin' Solider
I am not a country fan, lol. But... this is a pretty song. Slow, melodic, and some great harmonies. It seems you like a lot of songs about soldiers?　★★★★☆　

Three:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRJd-qZXGyU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ypKJRNXjpEM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=smWPqX9o8gU

 

[cultcross]

1. Behind Blue Eyes - The Who
While I don't listen to the Who, (they're too oldschool for me), I know of them through reputation, although I couldn't pick out any of their songs. This is a nice trancey tune, certainly not what I had expected of them, and it's good. Also, any song with Eyes in the title gets a +1 from me, whatever . Some rock, but not too much that it begins to hurt your ears. I might actually check a bit more of the Who out. 8/10

Personally I really like the Who, but I think this is their quietest song and not really indicative of the rest of their music. I'm no expert though.

It is I would argue representative of their successful music - the stuff they're really well known for. They've done a lot of other stuff, but as they said on stage at Hyde Park when I saw them some years ago now, they had what they wanted to do and what sold, and they weren't always the same. Behind Blue Eyes and My Generation are their really big contributions to musical history, even though neither is hugely representative of their overall body of work.

 

[Thestral]

The mashup of rockabilly and punk is it's own genre, pioneered by bands like the Reverend. It's called "Psychobilly".

"Psychobilly" eh? Nice.

Fleetwood Mac - Go Your Own Way
Wow, lol. I did not know this was a Fleetwood Mac song. Hahaha I like this song!　★★★★★　

I had debated putting the Cranberries cover up, but I've already used them and the original is an absolute classic.

Dixie Chicks - Travelin' Solider
I am not a country fan, lol. But... this is a pretty song. Slow, melodic, and some great harmonies. It seems you like a lot of songs about soldiers?　★★★★☆

I like sad songs in general. This and Green Fields of France are both lament-type songs I would say. So, I guess you could say I like a lot of songs about soldiers (these two, the earlier Johnny I Hardly Knew Ya, The Minstrel Boy, Goodnight Saigon, etc.).

1. Behind Blue Eyes - The Who
While I don't listen to the Who, (they're too oldschool for me), I know of them through reputation, although I couldn't pick out any of their songs.

Personally I really like the Who, but I think this is their quietest song and not really indicative of the rest of their music. I'm no expert though.

It is I would argue representative of their successful music - the stuff they're really well known for. They've done a lot of other stuff, but as they said on stage at Hyde Park when I saw them some years ago now, they had what they wanted to do and what sold, and they weren't always the same. Behind Blue Eyes and My Generation are their really big contributions to musical history, even though neither is hugely representative of their overall body of work.

That makes sense. Though as I recall (can't get to YT right now) My Generation is a faster, more rocking song too, right?

 

[PKTrekGirl]

Reverend Horton Heat - Galaxy 500
I had a professor once who really likes the Reverend, but this might be the first song I've heard by them. I was expecting it to stay more bluegrassy the way it starts out, to be honest, but I like this too. Speedgrass? Fastmoving, good instruments, and the singer's got a nice voice. The lyrics are, what, timeless? Is that the right word? Fast cars, avoiding cops, annoyed at a woman. Anyway, I liked it, and can definitely see why my Prof did. 9/10

The mashup of rockabilly and punk is it's own genre, pioneered by bands like the Reverend. It's called "Psychobilly".

I listened to this song also and thought it was interesting...and kind of funny. And while I was there, I think I saw a song called 'Bales of Cocaine' or something as well, and listened to that one also. These guys are sort of like the rockabilly/punk equivalent of CAKE, IMO. The same sorts of absurd themes and lyrics...overlayed onto their own unique musical genre (in CAKE's case, a funk/rap/alt rock mix).

 

[Nerys Ghemor]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRJd-qZXGyU

Apogee - 夜間飛行

I'm not sure what I was expecting when I first saw this was a Japanese band--but I think I have heard more examples of bands like L'Arc-en-Ciel and stuff like that, or anime soundtracks. This was a completely unexpected surprise, and one I enjoyed.

Foreign languages tend to catch my interest...what's interesting is that to my untrained ear (as far as Japanese is concerned), the lead vocalist almost sounds slightly French in his accent.

The beginning was a little slow, but overall, I enjoyed the song...very mellow but uplifting at the same time.

8/10

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ypKJRNXjpEM

Pe'z - A (Realive DVD #2, 2007/04/14)

Oh, very interesting...I definitely like jazz, but until now, most of what I knew was Miles Davis and John Coltrane (and a recently-bought Mahavishnu Orchestra album I have yet to listen to). And then Medeski Martin and Wood. But this is a nice group I think I'm going to have to check out more of. Is this typical of their work? What album would you recommend for someone just starting out? That is some tasty Hammond work.

10/10

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=smWPqX9o8gU

Queen--Killer Queen

Now I know THIS one! How did you know I was thinking about Queen earlier today? I used to have a greatest hits tape when I was little, but have not been able to find a CD with the same tracklist as before. Damn shame...I might have to buy a CD and then go to iTunes for the songs I'm missing. I think there are songs of theirs I like better than this, but there's no doubt this is an amazing band.

8/10 (and I'll admit I'm grading harder because of the calibre of the band in question)



OK, here are my three...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=luMFcEnyFvg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eYD0GoFC47A (actually the opening theme I would choose for Star Trek: Sigils and Unions, my Cardassian-focused fanfic, if I were making a series/movie...some variation of this)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8qCCRHEjeo

 

[Alidar Jarok]

Personally I really like the Who, but I think this is their quietest song and not really indicative of the rest of their music. I'm no expert though.

The Who changed their style a lot over the years. But I would say the bridge in Behind Blue Eyes is the closest to a typical Who, though (the part that goes "When my fist clenches crack it open...").

Anyway, I haven't jumped in for awhile, so here goes nothing.

OK, here are my three...

Brian Eno/David Byrne - The Carrier
I hate it when the video makes the artist hard to find. I hope I got that right. Very atmospheric. I really like this a lot and I'd probably listen to more. There's something strange about it that makes it quite hard to define, but the background and the vocals (I won't say lyrics since I'm not quite sure what is being said) go quite well with that strangeness. 5/5

Juno Reactor - Immaculate Crucifixion
Interesting build up, although it goes on for a bit too long. I guess I didn't catch that it was going to be a soundtrack song, so I was expecting vocals and such. Still, when the hard-rocking part kicks in, it's quite cool. Unfortunately, I don't think it quite does enough considering its length. 3/5

Porcupine Tree - Russia on Ice
First thought. 13 minutes? You've really gotta pick shorter songs It has a nice, quiet atmospheric background. I like the accompaniment (the little bass riff, the mini-guitar solo between verses). The vocals remind me of a quieter Radiohead song. But I keep getting a Pink Floyd vibe as well. Pretty cool combination, but that length is a problem. The change of pace about 3/4 through is really cool (nice solo/breakdown). The question is if it's worth the length of the song (November Rain by GNR is similar in the sense that the ending is the only thing that makes that song worthwhile). I still think you could have shaved off at least three minutes somewhere, but it still works fairly well. 4/5

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_RIZUU7xQA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yGXxcNkqdzA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qj023HAw4NI

 

[J.T.B.]

Brian Eno/David Byrne - The Carrier

Ha! From the album My Life in the Bush of Ghosts, which they did right after the classic Talking Heads album Remain in Light. My uncle turned me on to that record (as he did with so much music) and we used to listen to it over and over in the dark. It got mixed reviews back then, but I think it was ahead of its time. That was before there was a word for "sampling," or at least nobody I knew knew what to call it. One of my favorite tracks is called "The Jezebel Spirit" with some great tape of an evangelist preacher performing an exorcism.

I never replaced my vinyl record of that, haven't listenend to it in probably 20 years. It's great to be reminded of it, I think I'll have a new copy soon!

--Justin