Is Prog a bunch of self indulgent nonsense

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CN211276
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Re: Is Prog a bunch of self indulgent nonsense

Unread post by CN211276 »

Fretless wrote:Why didn't somebody warn me ..... ?

Sometimes an album comes out of nowhere, unexpected, and just totally blows you away. This is what 'The Mountain' from UK proggers Haken has done to me.
Stunning. :o

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The opening lulls you into a sense of serenity with delicate piano and sensitive vocals until the band blasts in with power and a take-no-prisoners attitude. Think of a cross between IQ and Dream Theater playing classic Yes. But there's more - not only are this lot incredibly technically accomplished muso's but they can also sing - seriously, the best multi-voiced outfit since Yes or (closer) Gentle Giant; Haken can also recreate the Baroque choral polyphony that the Shulman brothers copyrighted back in the 70's to amazing effect.

Here is a hilarious (to me) video of the track 'Cockroach King':
HAKEN - Cockroach King - (Single Version)

It's not just a display of virtuosity - there are great songs in there with attention-grabbing arrangements and sudden shifts between jazz, math-rock, classical, ambient, you name it...
Checking out some live clips they can easily reproduce the material live and I've spotted 6-string basses and 8-string guitars being used. No standard instrumentation here.

Bizarre, bizarre, bizarre ... and great !!! :music-rockon:
A good description of the album, have given this a couple of plays and like it. I will investigate more of their albums.
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Re: Is Prog a bunch of self indulgent nonsense

Unread post by Fretless »

Anathema -'The Optimist'

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Been looking forward to this one - you know the feeling, an old favourite releases a new record and expectations are high. So when the opening number comes in with a triphop beat and Oasis-style britpop riffing then there is a moment of 'Eh, wot?'. The Optimist starts where 2001's 'A Fine Day to Exit' left off with a character on a beach walking into the surf. So there is a thematic line of rediscovery and new beginnings.

Just when you think it is all going to be more gloom and intensity, track 2 brings Lee Douglas and her angelic voice into play. This just stopped me dead in my tracks, the shivers were running up and down my spine and the sonic purity took my breath completely away. Yes, people, Anathema have done it again. They have crafted another album of emotional, soul-grabbing music that just refuses to be ignored.

Producer Tony Doogan has worked with Mogwai (also worth checking out if you don't know 'em) and brings the Post-Rock elements of Anathema's instrumental interplay to the fore. Revealing clearly that these are consummate musicians at the peak of their ability, still growing and moving on.

Anyway I'm off to play this one again, and again, and again .... :angelic-whiteflying:

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