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Post by platterpete on Jan 16, 2010 17:54:24 GMT
The 1994 album _____ went out of print when the _____ label went out of business; it was reissued in March 2002 on the Spitfire label. With the eight-member _____ album behind them, the band reverted back to the same five-member lineup... that recorded the '80's albums _____ and _____. But _____ has neither the pop appeal of the former or the nervy excitement of the latter. The sparsely arranged songs often begin promisingly but go nowhere, and certainly have no business running as long as they do (although they aren't all that long by _____ standards). "_____" and "_____" are the only tracks that don't entirely wear out their welcome. The most valuable player here is guitarist-keyboardist-producer _____, whose sharp playing and crisp production keep the album from being a total bore. But he is unable to lift the uninspired _____ above mediocrity.What band? What album? Clues that give this away are 5 piece - 8 piece - 5 piece, 1994 album, Spitfire reissued, band known for long songs. This line-up released 2 albums Yes - Talk
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Post by platterpete on Jan 16, 2010 17:55:48 GMT
Still working on the others
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Post by Ginnie on Jan 16, 2010 18:49:41 GMT
The title track has a special place in my heart, since my parents had an old copy of the single when I was in the first grade. It was the first rock song I really flipped for - my first anthem! Too bad that, no matter how awesome 1972's best rock single is, the rest of the album is crap. Okay, so I upgraded my grade from my original idea of 1 1/2 stars to 2 stars because it's sort of grown on me, but aside from the opening cut, there ain't a single keeper for my proposed 2-CD set covering the peaks of the original '69-'74_________ band. This ain't rawk'n'roll, man, it's corny showtune music beefed up garage guitars and punk attitude, and no amount of gnarly guitar riffery or sneering adolescent vocals are gonna make me forget that I loathe showtunes. Stuff like the goth "_________" and the anthemic "________" would have done okay as routine filler on the previous two _________ releases, and yet they count as highlights amongst this gunk. If I want to hear West Side Story, I'll just rent the video, or not rent the video, 'cause I've got an allergy to hackneyed street opera. There's no way I'm going to defend the sub-Badfinger "_________" or the marching band vs. __________ instrumental "_________"; "________" relies on a gimmicky arrangement to cover up its compositional inadequacy; "_______" is bad Doors via cabaret, or is that bad cabaret via the Doors? In sum, by veering away from the teenage garage rot electro-shock rock of short, punchy Stones/Who anthems and instead going for a musically ambitious concept album, the ___________ display their obvious weaknesses and limitations quite clearly on one of rock's most disastrous concept albums.What band ? What album? Could it be Alice Cooper Schools Out (the bit in pink gave it away if it is) Correct again Pete! I wonder if I should be making these harder???
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Post by Ginnie on Jan 16, 2010 18:50:16 GMT
The 1994 album _____ went out of print when the _____ label went out of business; it was reissued in March 2002 on the Spitfire label. With the eight-member _____ album behind them, the band reverted back to the same five-member lineup... that recorded the '80's albums _____ and _____. But _____ has neither the pop appeal of the former or the nervy excitement of the latter. The sparsely arranged songs often begin promisingly but go nowhere, and certainly have no business running as long as they do (although they aren't all that long by _____ standards). "_____" and "_____" are the only tracks that don't entirely wear out their welcome. The most valuable player here is guitarist-keyboardist-producer _____, whose sharp playing and crisp production keep the album from being a total bore. But he is unable to lift the uninspired _____ above mediocrity.What band? What album? Clues that give this away are 5 piece - 8 piece - 5 piece, 1994 album, Spitfire reissued, band known for long songs. This line-up released 2 albums Yes - Talk You're on a roll, Pete!
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Post by platterpete on Jan 17, 2010 12:55:04 GMT
Don't think I'm gonna get the other 2, good reviews though, when did you write them?
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Post by Ginnie on Jan 17, 2010 13:14:15 GMT
Don't think I'm gonna get the other 2, good reviews though, when did you write them? I didn't write them Pete... I'm just getting them from books and off the net...
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Post by Ginnie on Jan 17, 2010 13:22:25 GMT
Many regard this as the _______ masterpiece, and it is certainly their most legendary. Which just goes to show'ya, since it was their worst selling - it only sold 17,000 copies in the U.S. when it came out. Nothing on here reaches the spectacular highs of "_______" or "_____", but this is, song-for-song, their most consistent set. Loosely inspired by _____ "________" ... It's a quiet, engrossing album, filled with mostly acoustic pop, but never laid-back or banal. _____ pares down his lyrics and the music to absolute, enchanting simplicity, giving the songs a timeless quality. An unheard of rarity at the time, this was rock not as raise-the-roof teenage dance music, but rather a children's storybook set to music. Nostalgia for young and innocent days - "_____",is my favorite - coexist with cartoon characters like "_____", "_____", "_____"and oh, yes, "_____". The band plays at its quietest and most stripped-down; any jolts of noise or baroqueness would only break the spell. No other "rock" album is better for a peaceful picnic in the country. Or just close your eyes, listen to this album, and you'll already be there.What band? What album? HINT: Pete Townsend said they invented "English Pastoral Rock"
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Post by Ginnie on Jan 17, 2010 13:23:57 GMT
The 1973 release of _____ marked the beginning of _____ downbeat period. It was a live album of all-new material that sounded amazingly consistent despite the fact that the songs were recorded during various performances. The songs have an effectively raw and ragged (not to mention downbeat) sound that confused and alienated many of _____ _____-era fans. The album is riveting from start to finish, and is arguably one of ____ best works.
The same can be said for _____ next studio release. _____ continues the downbeat spiral, suggesting that _____ was not happy with the trappings of success. Not for no reason do three of the songs contain the word "_____" in their titles. The record sounds accessible at first; "_____" and "_____" are easy on the ears, if not exactly uplifting. But darkness descends with "_____", a disturbingly believable song about alienation and paranoia. It gets grimmer: Side Two contains three lengthy downers in which _____ sounds genuinely tired and lonely. _____ is a strong album, not recommended for manic depressives.What Artist? What Albums? HINT: oh, and he's Canadian...
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Post by platterpete on Jan 17, 2010 13:25:50 GMT
Too much info on the clues, so it's a Kinks album and must be a Neil Young one too
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Post by platterpete on Jan 17, 2010 13:27:26 GMT
Many regard this as the _______ masterpiece, and it is certainly their most legendary. Which just goes to show'ya, since it was their worst selling - it only sold 17,000 copies in the U.S. when it came out. Nothing on here reaches the spectacular highs of "_______" or "_____", but this is, song-for-song, their most consistent set. Loosely inspired by _____ "________" ... It's a quiet, engrossing album, filled with mostly acoustic pop, but never laid-back or banal. _____ pares down his lyrics and the music to absolute, enchanting simplicity, giving the songs a timeless quality. An unheard of rarity at the time, this was rock not as raise-the-roof teenage dance music, but rather a children's storybook set to music. Nostalgia for young and innocent days - "_____",is my favorite - coexist with cartoon characters like "_____", "_____", "_____"and oh, yes, "_____". The band plays at its quietest and most stripped-down; any jolts of noise or baroqueness would only break the spell. No other "rock" album is better for a peaceful picnic in the country. Or just close your eyes, listen to this album, and you'll already be there.What band? What album? HINT: Pete Townsend said they invented "English Pastoral Rock" The Kinks Are the Village Green Presevation Society
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Post by platterpete on Jan 17, 2010 13:28:19 GMT
The 1973 release of _____ marked the beginning of _____ downbeat period. It was a live album of all-new material that sounded amazingly consistent despite the fact that the songs were recorded during various performances. The songs have an effectively raw and ragged (not to mention downbeat) sound that confused and alienated many of _____ _____-era fans. The album is riveting from start to finish, and is arguably one of ____ best works.
The same can be said for _____ next studio release. _____ continues the downbeat spiral, suggesting that _____ was not happy with the trappings of success. Not for no reason do three of the songs contain the word "_____" in their titles. The record sounds accessible at first; "_____" and "_____" are easy on the ears, if not exactly uplifting. But darkness descends with "_____", a disturbingly believable song about alienation and paranoia. It gets grimmer: Side Two contains three lengthy downers in which _____ sounds genuinely tired and lonely. _____ is a strong album, not recommended for manic depressives.What Artist? What Albums? HINT: oh, and he's Canadian... Neil Young Time Fades Away
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Post by Ginnie on Jan 17, 2010 17:50:11 GMT
HINT: Pete Townsend said they invented "English Pastoral Rock" The Kinks Are the Village Green Presevation Society Yep.
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Post by Ginnie on Jan 17, 2010 17:50:39 GMT
HINT: oh, and he's Canadian... Neil Young Time Fades Away Yep!
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Post by Ginnie on Jan 17, 2010 18:35:26 GMT
_____ certainly has the ability to be different...The sound desk, normally at the back of the room out of the way is slap bang at the side of the stage. together with a rack of half a dozen guitars it takes up room where ten spectators would have stood and forces the audience back towards the bar. Inside the taped off ‘room’, at a time when most bands are setting up their own gear, there’s a three man crew doing the job tonight for _____. ... A reminder that the man still has star allure I guess. Clearly ____ puts up a good show. But does he put on a good show? Well the truth is: _____ is not one for messing about. He knows he has some very classy songs under his belt and he sure as hell knows how to deliver them, like an exocet missile, straight to the hearts and feet of his audience. It actually takes a few moments to realise that the show has started, as an ultra slow taped version of one of _____’s biggest hits, ‘_____’ wafts across the eager assembled audience heads. Sadly that’s the last time we hear the song, but the good news is that there are still lots of ‘Oldies but Goodies’ to come. Along with some fine ‘_____’ it must be said.
‘_____’ is somewhat subjective where _____ is concerned as he readily admits tonight. “I could bring out a new album every couple of years” he pointed out. “But unlike many others, I don’t release crap”. Clearly _____ doesn’t hide his light under a bushel ... So whilst I leave the title ‘Genius’ open, _____ is definitely pretty good at what he does, and to his great credit is not content to just relive past glories. There are also glorious songs that didn’t first see light of day on 33 rpm discs. Pick of the bunch is the laid back and lilting “_____” that goes down smooth like fresh Tequila. Pick of the night though for me was ‘_____’ from 1992’s “_____” album. In itself a great, thoughtful, piece. But when _____ takes his violin solo the song shifts into a higher galaxy altogether – and one very close to musical heaven! The same can also be said of _____’s earliest single ‘_____’. There are apologies about throat problems limiting the songs but if that was the case with this one then I can barely imagine it sounding better. Always a strong orchestral track, it’s power live is breathtaking. _____ fans need not fear though, drummer _____ wasn’t the only evidence of the old ‘Top of the Pops’ glory days. It’s true that ‘_____’ refrain of “_____” was done to death after the 30th repeat but all’s forgiven after a stonking rendition of “_____” that fairly pounded out of _____ drumkit. What could there be left to play as an encore? Of course, ‘_____' was the only way the band could top what had gone before. There had been deeper and more intense songs earlier but hey, would this be _____ without their Glam-Pop masterpiece? No disappointments on the musical front then. At 58 _____ certainly puts many a young rocker to shame with his energy and commitment. I was disappointed that he didn’t come back after the show so I could finally get my questions answered. But maybe he did answer them along the way. Why change the order of the title? Why write about only metal being a bore? because he’s _____ – and if he’s still a tick behind Beethoven on the fame front he really is still pretty damn good to hear.
Who?
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Post by platterpete on Jan 17, 2010 18:48:40 GMT
Somebody that I am going to see in June in Cardiff, and I think Craigie D is going to see him in Newcastle in May
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Post by Ginnie on Jan 17, 2010 19:04:40 GMT
Somebody that I am going to see in June in Cardiff, and I think Craigie D is going to see him in Newcastle in May Umm, I sense you are right... but...
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Post by platterpete on Jan 17, 2010 20:22:33 GMT
Steve Harley
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Post by Ginnie on Jan 17, 2010 22:12:39 GMT
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Post by Ginnie on Jan 22, 2010 1:15:42 GMT
I may be committing some sort of crime now, but I don't always take _____seriously. Here they are starting to move into the murky waters of progressive rock. _____ exerts a far stronger influence over the lyrical content... Wait a minute! Did that sound like I don't like _____'s lyrics? It wasn't meant to sound like that! They make me laugh, and seriously, I do mean that in a good way. They just fit _____, it's hard to imagine _____ with different lyrics. The ...lyrics actually add to _____ rather than take away from them. '_____' opens this record and is ... impressivel. Around the four minute mark, the guitars turn all Queen on us, which is strange! But, '_____' is a good song, full of great playing. '_____' wasn't a song title I was expecting to find on a _____ album. The lyrics here ARE completely ridiculous, the music is a little unimaginative as well, although ____ still does his best on the drums. Much better is '_____' which has a catchy little guitar riff and less 'stupid' lyrics! Wait a minute! Did that sound like I don't like _____'s lyrics? Ah, forget about it! '_____' has great lyrics, and seriously, I do mean that! '_____' is a serious type of song. Ah, one thing. I hate songs that open too quietly for too long. Which, this song does! Nearly two minutes pass before any interesting music arrives - _____ doesn't start singing until two and a half minutes have passed. Everything is slow, everything is bare - but the guitar sounds atmospheric. And of course, there are all these spoken parts.... already this is far removed from the simple joy that was much of the '_____' record. '_____' still does contain some great musical parts in places, but really is too fragmented to be satisfyingly enjoyable.The closing '_____' opens with some nice acoustic folky guitar and a genuinely moving vocal. Things get louder, the drums and bass boom out, a smile arrives upon your face.... the guitar kicks in! A wonderful riff, repeating, coming in, fading out. A great big wide-eyed passionate _____ singing for all he's worth. The guitar and bass move truly into the territory marked 'impressive' and the song continues to progress. A great drum solo here and there. You know the score. The song goes on and on, but does remain relatively interesting if not exactly smooth. The entire album is inconsistent and lacks a real cohesive atmosphere. It's still not bad in places, and it's still impressive in other places. And, that's it, really.
What band? What album?
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Post by platterpete on Jan 22, 2010 9:31:46 GMT
Rush - A Farewell to Kings
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Post by Ginnie on Jan 22, 2010 14:40:42 GMT
Rush - A Farewell to Kings Close enough - the album was Caress of Steel
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Post by platterpete on Jan 22, 2010 15:21:42 GMT
Drat, I was thinking that the song with the long quiet start was Xanadu and didn't even consider anything else.
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Post by Ginnie on Jan 22, 2010 20:12:58 GMT
Had _____ listened more to the Standells and less to Cream, they might have turned out to be a really great group. The background was certainly there... Not enough of it soaked in, though. _____ have at times been responsible for the same sort of endless jerk-off guitar solos that were so despicable in Cream, and that sort of offense is hard to ignore. After all, the genre of heavy rock underwent several excruciating years of some of the most horrendous music ever created (epitomized, perhaps, by the Ten Years After 55-minute "Eternal Boogie"), until the Stooges and Black Sabbath in brilliantly simplistic terms proved the whole utter pointlessness of superfluous guitar solos–all you need are chords.
Add to that _____'s meanderings about with acoustic stuff (even strings for Chrissake–not that there's anything wrong with strings, but _____? Would you buy a Led Zeppelin With Strings album?), and then take into account the inconsistency of their albums and general lack of musical direction, and it has to be admitted there's a valid case against _____ for general musical shoddiness.
All of this somehow misses the point, though. There've been plenty of albums I've kept by Question Mark, the Syndicate of Sound, the Knickerbockers, and the like, just for one great cut on an otherwise terrible LP. When all's said and done, _____ aren't a lot different on vinyl. And they're getting better. "_____" here on _____ is a truly convincing ballad, melodic and well-executed, while at the same time summing up _____'s vision of universal brotherhood: "Pray for your brother, let your soul find a way/Help one another."
"_____," on the other hand, is four minutes of fine straightahead hard rock, the kind that's nice to have around when you want to hear some genuine raunch. "_____" and "_____" also have their moments, though neither quite comes off. The remainder of _____ pretty much sputters and wheezes, the whole first side sounding like nothing so much as one long nondescript song that never catches fire. Nevertheless, the second side is almost a success, and in some ways _____ may be the best _____ album to date. Well, one thing's for sure. The Standells never sold out Shea Stadium, and in that respect _____ may have performed quite a symbolic act, seeing as the spirit of American punk rock certainly lives on in ____ (if in erratic amounts). And while _____ may be often unsatisfactory musical fare to these ears (though much less so this time out), just take Black Sabbath instead–now there is an A-1 absolute killer of a group if I've ever seen one. In fact, if Black Sabbath are any indication of the generation that've cut their teeth on_____, there's a great decade ahead in store.
What band? What album?
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Post by platterpete on Jan 22, 2010 20:49:36 GMT
Got me on this one Ginnie, I'm thinking in the lines of Ten Years After
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Post by Ginnie on Jan 22, 2010 22:46:29 GMT
Got me on this one Ginnie, I'm thinking in the lines of Ten Years After Nope!
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