For Post-Metal I'm all about Pelican - What We All Come to Need
What We All Come To Need is full of driving rhythms and logical changes. It doesn't veer into noodly prog territory but it doesn't take a single chord and just make it louder for 12 minutes either. There's enough in each of these songs to pay attention to, enough moments for the players to shine and for the songwriting to take center stage. The songs don't wallow or whine—they are meaty and aggressive when they need to be, but the band isn't afraid to air things out either. In doing so, they create some magical moments where the tension of all of that grinding testosterone is released by wide open chords and beautiful beds of fuzzy guitar tones.
I think the Crimson double-trio is a lot to live up to.
I really enjoyed the percussion interplay when I listened with headphones. I couldn't hear it quite as clearly in the car. Of course, my truck's speakers suck and need to be replaced, so there's that.
Even the double trio could easily be described as Fripp/Levin/Bruford and Belew/the other guys.
What seamed like a good idea has turned into over $100 in music purchases, so I'm going to have to file this thread away until after December. But since Crimson came up, if you can get your hands on either of The Crimson Jazz Trio's albums, do so. It will give you a new appreciation from the quality and the quantity of KC's output.
Rexneron wrote:For Post-Metal I'm all about Pelican - What We All Come to Need
Pelican is making the list... but not that release.
But since you've brought them up, they're the next entry...
I was considering the EP but went with the full length, great release either way!
I'm not sure what intangible thing it is... but I can't get into any of Pelican's stuff.
That Amorphis disc is a good time. Thanks for the rec, *L*.
That Amorphis disc is a good time. Thanks for the rec, *L*. :D
The front side is a little weak, but the back end brings it home strong IMO.
I haven't had a chance to listen to the clips for some of the more recent winners, but I have now downloaded every winning album thanks to Zune Pass. So awesome!
Ahh. Was waiting to move on from the Achievements in Metal. Finally, Achievements in Electronic Music!
Can't wait to get home and check these out.
Yeah. There are plenty of individual good moments on Black Clouds but so much of it is just embarrassing, largely due to the moronic lyrics and Portnoy's continued insistence on opening his mouth and recording the results. They did release an instrumental version of the disc as part of one of their special edition packages. I'd imagine that would be much more enjoyable.
That said, I do kind of dig Count of Tuscany, in spite of some of the most horrendously juvenile lyric writing on the whole album. I guess I still have a soft spot for DT when they go back to worshipping Rush, instead of sounding like old dudes ripping off 80's Bay Area thrash.
They can play. They always could play. But the one guy who could write a song is long gone. They need Moore's ear for melody and check on the excess and silliness so badly. They're like a team of talented athletes without a coach - running around in circles and unable to put together a solid gameplan.
Rudess really brings out the worst in Petrucci, and while the guy undeniably has the most impressive chops of any of DT's keyboard players, I find his musical choices to be really grating the vast majority of the time. I mean, the dude is Julliard-trained and has some of the sexiest synth gear on the planet in his live rig. Why the hell can't he sound good?
Speaking of Moore, I liked the new OSI. Is that one on your list this year?
I saw DT in Asheville this year for only the second time in my life and it was a tough experience. I don't like the new album and haven't liked much for a while now, but their musical ability always kept me coming back. During this concert where they mainly showcased Black Clouds, Systematic Chaos, Octavarium, etc. then followed everything up at the end with Metropolis was a personal moment of revelation: I will never like this band as much as a once did. Ever. Their lyrics, songwriting, and predictable strong structure have grown extremely sour for me.
It was sad, but it also allowed me to move on a little. I thoroughly enjoyed Zappa plays Zappa, so that was good. I'm going to check out Amorphis...hope it's not "cheese prog" vocals...that's the one area where really good prog loses me. Stop fighting dragons, dammit.
It may be by the time the list is done. I'm embarrassed to say that I haven't heard it yet. And that is simply unacceptable given that I like both Moore and Jim Matheos.
I wasn't huge on the very last Fates Warning album but I adored the two before it - A Pleasant Shade of Gray and Disconnected. Yet I've managed to miss all OSI albums.
Now that you've brought it up, I can let that failing stand no longer.
Yeah, I think you'll dig 'em. Blood is actually my favorite OSI release, in no small part because of Gavin Harrison's fantastic drumming (it's Portnoy on the first two discs).
Hey, this guy really knows about music, the Pelican disc is really good. Where's the rest of the awards?
Best female metal vocal group, Acid King.
But that vocalist looks like she would slip you mescaline.
I'm surprised to not see Baroness on here. Blue Record is quite good!
Pages