The Haken thread v. Restoration

[BlackInk]

Yeah, releasing Atlas Stone first was logical. Pareidolia maybe a bit less so, but I only think that because it's one of my favourites on the album so like 12% of me just wishes I haden't had that spoiled. But with the video and all it makes much sense too.

[Moor]

In Memoriam is a great song; my idea to pre-release it alone is because of its length (4 min track). I should have mentioned that I disagree with the early releases of BOTH Atlas Stone and Pareidolia because of their lengths (i.e. total 18.22 min which is approx. 30% of the album length !!) I believe you will agree that listening to 30% of an album prior to its release will surely affect its listening experience as a whole.

[ariich]

Interesting point, I hadn't thought of it in terms of the proportion of the album that it covered. But I listened to those two songs quite a lot, and it hasn't spoiled my enjoyment of the album in any way. My first couple of listens were to the whole album, then I did a few listens either skipping those two songs or just picking out individual songs to listen to and focus on, which got me familiar with the rest of the songs. Since then I've been listening to the album in full again and it doesn't feel like I know those two songs much better than the rest.

[MrBoom_shack-a-lack]

Don't wanna be that guy but if you see a track by that length and you value not being spoiled then don't listen to it and wait for the album. It dosen't matter what song they will release someone will always find something to nag about.

[Liampie]

Ariich, could you please add a poll to this topic (2 or 3 votes per user, changing votes allowed)? I'd like to see which songs are the general favourites, since everyone is posting their personal list now.

[Zydar]

Yeah, that would be interesting.

[BlackInk]

You mean from the Mountain or just any Haken songs?

[Moor]

Don't wanna be that guy but if you see a track by that length and you value not being spoiled then don't listen to it and wait for the album. It dosen't matter what song they will release someone will always find something to nag about.

I guess you failed "not being that guy" by your post above.
You fascinated me by your way to debate and argue the "singles release" issue: "don't listen to it and wait for the album" 

[ElliottTamer]

Saying that Haken has made ANY album-even Aquarius, which I love-that is better than the murderer's row of albums that were mentioned in this thread from other prog bands might be the single biggest bit of hyperbole I've read since the Terrrorizer review that said an album by death metal band Mithras was the greatest album produced in the history of music from the UK.  Seriously, guys, lighten up a bit. Even Haken would find that notion silly.

I agree that Haken would probably find the notion silly, but that's just because those are probably their influences and it would feel weird for an artist to look at his own creation and say: Yeah, that's better than all those things that inspired me, I'm a freaking genius.
But I don't think this means that we, the people who have listened to The Mountain and those other albums, need to share those opinions. I am willing to say that those classics were, when they were released, a much bigger deal than The Mountain is now. But I think people often confuse historical importance with how good the actual listening experience is. So I would say those albums are more historically important (revolutionary, even) and pretty good in their own right, but, for me, The Mountain is better than them.

[ElliottTamer]

In Memoriam is a great song; my idea to pre-release it alone is because of its length (4 min track). I should have mentioned that I disagree with the early releases of BOTH Atlas Stone and Pareidolia because of their lengths (i.e. total 18.22 min which is approx. 30% of the album length !!) I believe you will agree that listening to 30% of an album prior to its release will surely affect its listening experience as a whole.

I admit it felt weird at the beginning, but by now I've listened to the entire album so many times that it no longer feels so. It's similar to when DT released those snippets for ADToE and afterwards I would always be like "Wow, that's when the snippet used to end!", but now I never even notice. So in the long run I'm really glad I could listen to those tracks before, especially given that there were so many great songs left on the album.

[MrBoom_shack-a-lack]

Don't wanna be that guy but if you see a track by that length and you value not being spoiled then don't listen to it and wait for the album. It dosen't matter what song they will release someone will always find something to nag about.

I guess you failed "not being that guy" by your post above.
You fascinated me by your way to debate and argue the "singles release" issue: "don't listen to it and wait for the album" 

Wait, what? 

[Lucien]

If I had to choose two different singles from the album, they would be In Memoriam and Falling Back to Earth. Or Cockroach King, just for the sh*tstorm the fans would have 

[me7]

I couldn't be happier with the release of Pareidolia as a single.
I will always remember that day... Dream Theater released the first single of their upcoming album and I ended up not-caring all that much for it because Haken stole the show with that masterpiece.

...and dat Sirtaki section

EDIT: I know, I know... it's not really Sirtaki but I think we should call it "Sirtaki section" nonetheless because the name sounds awesome.

[Lucidity]

I couldn't be happier with the release of Pareidolia as a single.
I will always remember that day... Dream Theater released the first single of their upcoming album and I ended up not-caring all that much for it because Haken stole the show with that masterpiece.

...and dat Sirtaki section

EDIT: I know, I know... it's not really Sirtaki but I think we should call it "Sirtaki section" nonetheless because the name sounds awesome.

Which section specifically does that refer to?

[me7]

The section when the Greek string instrument is playing. There aren't that many sections in the song that you can joke to be called "Sirtaki"

[Dublagent66]

Been listening to Aquarius and Visions.  Hopefully, The Mountain is just as good or better.

[Heretic]

'tis, sir, 'tis.

also sweet stuff: my album review was featured on Sputnik! yay for Haken exposure.

[Zydar]

'tis, sir, 'tis.

also sweet stuff: my album review was featured on Sputnik! yay for Haken exposure.

It is a great review, so it's well deserved.

Oh and this album is quite AWESOME, if anyone is on the fence.

[ariich]

That's great Adam, getting featured with your first review is of course brilliant, plus it's more exposure for the band which I'm sure they'll be grateful for!

[Moor]

You truly gave them album what it deserves in beautiful words 

[Heretic]

SHEESH guys thanks haha. I appreciate it. This album is easily my favorite of the year so far, and I thought it would be hard to top The National's newest album.

[BlackInk]

Just waiting for the lyrics to show up online so I can sing along properly and not just sing 80% of the words and the rest in pure jibberish.

[Elite]

Just waiting for the lyrics to show up online so I can sing along properly and not just sing 80% of the words and the rest in pure jibberish.

Or you could buy the album and read with the album booklet. The artwork is really nice as well

[Zydar]

Some of us hasn't gotten the album yet, so I'm listening through Spotify.

Let me know if you find the lyrics online.

[BlackInk]

Just waiting for the lyrics to show up online so I can sing along properly and not just sing 80% of the words and the rest in pure jibberish.

Or you could buy the album and read with the album booklet. The artwork is really nice as well

I definetely will! But for now it's what Zydar said for me.

[Outcrier]

I agree that Haken would probably find the notion silly, but that's just because those are probably their influences and it would feel weird for an artist to look at his own creation and say: Yeah, that's better than all those things that inspired me, I'm a freaking genius.
But I don't think this means that we, the people who have listened to The Mountain and those other albums, need to share those opinions. I am willing to say that those classics were, when they were released, a much bigger deal than The Mountain is now. But I think people often confuse historical importance with how good the actual listening experience is. So I would say those albums are more historically important (revolutionary, even) and pretty good in their own right, but, for me, The Mountain is better than them.

Well, my beef with most (not all, just the majority) modern prog bands is that i think that their music already has been "done better in the past".
Picking some best prog albums from 2010's like the ones Steven Wilson and Haken released, i enjoy them but, for me, these older albums are in a total another level of enjoyment (for example, i listen to some canterbury albums and i don't think anything comes close today).
But, just my opinion; it's all great and enjoyable music in the end 

[Heretic]

lol dude, I guess that's cool and all that you enjoy older music more but you cannot say it was "done better in the past"... that's just ridiculous and trite

[ariich]

lol dude, I guess that's cool and all that you enjoy older music more but you cannot say it was "done better in the past"... that's just ridiculous and trite

In fairness, he does make it clear in that post that it's all just his opinion.

His earlier post, less so.

[Elite]

Alright, let's get back to ranking. I've gotten to love every single track A LOT, so ranking is difficult. Here goes:

1. Pareidolia
2. Because It's There
3. Atlas Stone
4. Falling Back to Earth
5. Cockroach King
6. In Memoriam
7. Somebody
8. As Death Embraces
9. The Path

[Orthogonal]

lol dude, I guess that's cool and all that you enjoy older music more but you cannot say it was "done better in the past"... that's just ridiculous and trite

Apparently music is like the opposite of sports. Athletes get better and better over the years with improved techniques that continue to push world records, but musicians just rehash and copy and dwindle as time goes on, or something like that.

[Outcrier]

lol dude, I guess that's cool and all that you enjoy older music more but you cannot say it was "done better in the past"... that's just ridiculous and trite

Apparently music is like the opposite of sports. Athletes get better and better over the years with improved techniques that continue to push world records, but musicians just rehash and copy and dwindle as time goes on, or something like that.

And i can't blame the musicians... You are born into a world where people already have done so many great works in art, music, cinema, television... It's very hard to not copy a formula that already exists.

[BlackInk]

I'm a bit sad about the low placements of Somebody.. It's either #1 or #2 for me.

But you do make it clear that you love all the tracks so I guess some will have to take the lower places.

[Orthogonal]

And i can't blame the musicians... You are born into a world where people already have done so many great works in art, music, cinema, television... It's very hard to not copy a formula that already exists.

Agreed, we live in a time that it's increasingly difficult to create anything original. Everything is inspired or transformed from what came before, but I still think we can evaluate the work of each artist on its own merits and find people today that are on the level or exceeding the greats in the past.

[Implode]

I guess I'll try ranking:

1. Pareidolia
2. Atlas Stone
3. Somebody
4. Falling Back to Earth
5. In Memoriam
6. Cockroach King
7. As Death Embraces
8. Path
9. Because It's There

I love every song, though.

[Lucidity]

The only song that hasn't completely clicked with me it As Death Embraces, for whatever reason.