DreamTheaterForums.org Dream Theater Fan Site

General => General Music Discussion => Topic started by: 425 on November 01, 2020, 03:31:15 PM

Title: 425's Roulette v4: Hiatus
Post by: 425 on November 01, 2020, 03:31:15 PM
Welcome to my fourth roulette, which is also my first album roulette! I'm a bit surprised I'm already at my fourth roulette (fifth if you count the championship I judged in a few years ago), but I guess I just can't get enough of hearing what music DTF has to offer!

I'll get right to the details:


Rules:
The ruleset for this roulette was born out of two revelations.

One, I have been sent a lot of artists in roulette whose songs I’ve liked, but whose albums I’ve never really gotten into. Sometimes it’s because I tried an album once or twice and it didn’t immediately click with me and I forgot about it. Sometimes it’s because I get the impression that they’re more a singles artist and I won’t be into their albums. Sometimes it’s because I just haven’t gotten around to them yet.

Two, the thing I find hardest about running a roulette is translating the way I feel about a song into a specific numerical score. I think it’s a known thing among people who’ve played in my roulettes before that I’m too nice with my scoring. Some of that is born out of just not knowing what to do and erring on the side of a high score. Anyway, I am bad at numerical scores and trying to come up with them is my least favorite part of a roulette, and the part that makes them so time-consuming for me to run.

Thus, the rules.

First, this is a head-to-head album roulette. There will be four rounds. There will be an even number* of competitors. Each round, the competitors will be paired into one-on-one matchups. The matchups will be randomized and posted in advance, with the sole provision being that two people will not be matched up against each other twice. So you’ll face four different people, no matter what.

I think, for the sake of time, the total number of competitors will need to be capped at 12. That's already a lot of albums to work with, and I don't think it would be fair to try to do any more than that.

Each person will send an album. I will listen to the albums several times. I will decide which album I like better, and the person who sent that album will be the winner of that matchup. I’ll make a post with writeups describing my thoughts on both albums, and I’ll name the winner.

After four rounds, there will be a playoff with an as-yet-unspecific number of competitors (I’m sort of thinking four, but it depends on how many people play and how the win-loss records sort out). The competitors will be chosen by win-loss record. The playoff will then lead to a champion being crowned.

What about the albums? Here are the rules for those. First, you can always send an album that is <80 minutes—I consider this to be the maximum length for a “single” album. Even if it’s a <80 minute album that is for some reason split across two discs, you can send it. You can send a studio album or a live album. Once in the entire competition, you can send a double album. That’s an album in the 80-160 minute range. But, if you send a double album, your opponent will be told, and they will have an opportunity to change their submission if they want. You may not send an album longer than 160 minutes at any time.

Second, and this is where my backlog of artists from whom I’ve never checked out a full album comes in: In the second post, below the banned list, there is a long list of artists I’ve received in roulette before. Two out of your four submissions have to come from artists on this list. The list is long and generous, and includes some artists who aren’t mainline prog or metal, along with plenty who are. I realize that some people may not like this restriction or be able to accommodate it, but this is the sort of roulette I want to run this time, so while I understand if you don’t want to play, that’s the way it is. (You do not have to send any artists from this list in the playoff.)

I have divided the list into two sections, and the division is just a way for me to indicate which ones I think are likely to do pretty well and which ones are riskier. Feel free to ask me why any of the riskier ones are risky. Also, I indicate which previous roulette I received each artist in (RC = Roulette Championship), so you can go back and look what I said about whatever song(s) I have already heard.

All winning artists will be banned after being sent, while some losing artists will be at my sole discretion, depending on whether I liked them well enough to think sending another album from them would be more of a safe choice than a risky one.

As for format: I strongly prefer Spotify, so if your album is on there, please send that. If it’s not on Spotify, Amazon Music works, too. If neither of those work, then YouTube is acceptable.

*If we end up with an odd number, I’ll try to seek out one more person to join or ask if there’s someone who’s on the fence about staying in. I don’t want to have to exclude anybody, but we need to have an even number for this to work well. If we have to go to a last resort I’ll have everyone send one track off their first submission, and worst song will be out.

TL;DR on the rules, because I know many of you don't want to read that mammoth section:


Tastes:
Even if you’ve played in my roulettes before, I recommend reading at least the last part of this, because I’ll say some things about my attitude toward albums that might be new information for you.

First, just the big-picture taste stuff. If I haven’t made it clear enough, I’m a prog person through-and-through, and I’ve been in an especially prog-heavy phase the last couple of years. That’s not to say non-prog can’t work. Pop, indie-type rock (so long as the granola vibe isn’t too heavy), certainly some types of non-prog metal, all have the potential to succeed here. But I do expect most of my favorite submissions will likely be prog. Either rock or metal.

Mood can be a factor for how well I like music. First, I don’t really like music that is, at its core, unserious. There are some artists out there, including in prog, who have some sort of comedy element. That’s fine. I don’t really like that. If you send me something that is trying in some way to be humorous, it’s probably going to lose. That also goes for albums where the lyrics are all obviously tongue-in-cheek or about rather frivolous topics. The sort of “hey isn’t partying fun” or “wow I like having random sex” lyrical themes are just… they’re going to turn me off. Don’t do it. Besides not liking unserious moods, I can offer only some general guidance. Depressing music is very hit-or-miss with me. If you send me a very sad album, especially if it’s the bleak kind of sad, there’s some chance that I just won’t like it very well. That’s not to say I don’t like any sad albums or even any bleak albums, I do, but I favor music that isn’t so relentlessly sad, or at least where there’s a little bit of hope.

Anything that makes significant use of dissonance is a massive, massive risk. I almost certainly won’t like it. For example, I think the end of Dream Theater’s Misunderstood nearly ruins the whole song.

The growl thing. I really don’t know what to say here at this stage. I’ll just put it this way: Sending any album where growls are more than an occasional accent is taking a risk. Maybe I’ll think the growls work and it’ll pay off, maybe I’ll hate them and it’ll bomb. It’s a risk. And it’s probably a bigger risk in an album roulette than in a song roulette, because I’ll get more annoyed at having to listen to bad growls for an hour than I would listening to them for 5-10 minutes. If I was playing strictly to win, I would send only cleans. But I know some people have other motivations, which is perfectly fine!

Here’s the album-specific part: Album flow, which I recognize can be something of a subjective thing, is important to me. If there’s a sense of sequence, I like that better than if it feels like just a collection of songs. Also, consistency in quality is really important to me. Other things being equal, I will rank an album where every song is a 7 or 8 higher than an album that has a 10 and a 9, but also a 3 and two 5s. This is especially an issue, I think, on older albums. It seems like many albums from the 70s and 80s include one or two lame tracks that are just there to fill up the album that the band sort of mailed in. I’m going to be harsher than most people on the album for having that mailed-in track. Even if the other songs are good. I want the whole thing to be good and there not to be some nonsense in the #6 slot, and I will resent that nonsense and resent it hard. You’ve been warned.

Album length is not a huge factor for me, so long as it’s good. But the sweet spot is probably around 50-65 minutes. If it’s a long one, it should be good and consistent. If it’s a short one, it should feel like it packs a lot in that shorter time. But length will never be an absolute deal-breaker. I love plenty of albums well outside that range.

As always, happy to answer any tastes questions you may still have.


Participants:
1. Evermind
2. Cyril
3. Puppies_On_Acid
4. MoraWintersoul
5. HOF
6. romdrums
7. Sacul
8. Buddyhunter1
9. Elite
10. twosuitsluke
11. The Walrus
12. TAC


Matchups:

Round 1:
twosuitsluke vs. MoraWintersoul
Evermind vs. TAC
Sacul vs. Puppies_On_Acid
romdrums vs. HOF
Elite vs. Cyril
Buddyhunter1 vs. The Walrus

Round 2:
Puppies_On_Acid vs. TAC
romdrums vs. Evermind
twosuitsluke vs. Elite
The Walrus vs. Sacul
Cyril vs. HOF
Buddyhunter1 vs. MoraWintersoul

Round 3:
Cyril vs. romdrums
The Walrus vs. Puppies_On_Acid
Buddyhunter1 vs. TAC
Evermind vs. Elite
twosuitsluke vs. Sacul
MoraWintersoul vs. HOF

Round 4:
twosuitsluke vs. Cyril
Evermind vs. HOF
TAC vs. Elite
Sacul vs. Buddyhunter1
romdrums vs. The Walrus
Puppies_On_Acid vs. MoraWintersoul


Helpful Links:
v1 Roulette (https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=43715.msg1956432#msg1956432)
Roulette Championship (https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=45409.0)
v2 Roulette (https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=52833.msg2466158#msg2466158)
v3 Roulette (https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=54251.msg2581136#msg2581136)
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Silver(?) Albums
Post by: 425 on November 01, 2020, 03:32:19 PM
Banned Artists:
Amorphis
Anabasis (note: not The Anabasis)
Anathema
Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe
Anderson/Stolt
Angra
The Antlers
Arcane Roots
Arch/Matheos
Avantasia
Ayreon
Beyond the Bridge
Black Sabbath
Blaze Bayley
Blind Guardian
Bon Iver
Bruce Dickinson
Bruce Hornsby
Caligula’s Horse
Circus Maximus
Coheed and Cambria
Coldplay
David Maxim Micic
The Dear Hunter
Death Cab for Cutie
Delain
Devin Townsend (incl. Band/Project and Casualties of Cool, but not including Strapping Young Lad)
Dimension Act
Dio
Dire Straits
Don Henley
Dream Theater
Enchant
Eric Gillette
Fates Warning
Flaming Row
The Flower Kings
Flying Colors
Frameshift
Frost*
Genesis
The Gentle Storm
Green Carnation
Haken
Headspace
IQ
Iron Maiden
James LaBrie
Judas Priest
Kamelot
Karmakanic
Kino
Led Zeppelin
Leprous
Liquid Tension Experiment
Lorde
Markéta Irglová
Meat Loaf
Megadeth
Metallica
Mystery
Neal Morse (incl. Band)
Need
Nightwish
The Ocean
Oceans of Slumber
Opeth
Orphaned Land
Pattern-Seeking Animals
Pink Floyd
Porcupine Tree
Pure Reason Revolution
Queensrÿche
Rainbow
Redemption
Rush
Seventh Wonder
Sleeping at Last
Sonata Arctica
Sons of Apollo
Spock’s Beard
Star One
Steve Harris
Steven Wilson
Sufjan Stevens
Sunburst
Susanne Sundfør
Symphony X
Taylor Swift
Tesseract
Thank You Scientist
Threshold
Thrice
Transatlantic
Tuomas Holopainen
Voices from the Fuselage
The Who
Wolverine
Yes


Required Artists (must send for two out of the first four submissions):

Recommended:
After Forever (v1)
Amadeus Awad (RC)
Aquaria (v2)
Arcane (RC)
Arena (v2)
Big Big Train (v2)
Billie Eilish (v3)
Borknagar (v3)
CHVRCHES (v2)
Darkwater (v3)
Daughter (v2)
David Gilmour (v1, RC)
David Gray (RC)
Daydream XI (v3)
Demons and Wizards (v3)
Distorted Harmony (RC, v2)
Dream the Electric Sheep (RC)
Echolyn (v2)
Emerson, Lake & Palmer (except Tarkus) (v2)
Epica (except The Divine Conspiracy) (N/A)
Evergrey (v2)
Fair to Midland (v1)
Florence + The Machine (RC)
Galahad (RC)
Glen Hansard (RC)
Grayceon (v1)
Heart of Cygnus (RC)
Helloween (v2)
iamthemorning (v1)
Jethro Tull (v2)
Karnivool (v2)
Katatonia (v2)
Kevin Gilbert (v1)
Kingcrow (v1)
Lonely Robot (v2)
Lords of Black (v3)
M83 (v2)
Maestrick (v1)
Marillion (v1
Mew (v1)
Moon Safari (v2)
Muse (v2)
Myrath (RC)
Ostura (v2)
Pagan’s Mind (RC)
Pain of Salvation (v2)
Pathosray (v3)
Pendragon (v2)
Phideaux (v1)
Rishloo (RC)
Riverside (except ADHD and LFatTM) (v1)
Sieges Even (v2)
Soen (v3)
Stratovarius (except Polaris) (v2)
Styx (v1)
Subsignal (RC)
Teramaze (v3)
The Flaming Lips (v2)
This Day & Age (v1)
Toto (v2)
Triosphere (v3)
Vanden Plas (v1, v2)
VOLA (v2)
Voyager (v2)
Witherfall (v2)
Within Temptation (v3)

Have Reservations:
22 (v2)
A Novelist (v3)
Agalloch (v2)
Agent Fresco (v3)
Agents of Mercy (v2)
Alcest (v1)
Alt-J (RC)
Alter Bridge (RC)
Amendfoil (v3)
Amy Shark (v2)
Anciients (v2)
Anciients (v2)
Arcade Fire (v2)
Avenged Sevenfold (v2)
Baroness (RC)
Beach House (v1)
Beardfish (except Mammoth) (RC)
Bjørk (v3)
Bjørn Riis (v2)
Boston (v3)
Brand New (v1)
Breaking Orbit (v3)
Camel (v2)
Carly Rae Jepsen (v3)
Chris Squire (v2)
Christina Perri (v1)
Cloud Cult (v2)
Communic (v3)
Cynthesis (v2)
Cyril (v3)
Deep Purple (v2
DGM (v3)
dredg (v2)
East of the Wall (RC, v3)
Extreme (v1)
Frequency Drift (v2)
Frightened Rabbit (v2)
fun. (v1)
God is an Astronaut (except self-titled) (v1)
GUNSHIP (v2)
Half Moon Run (v1)
Hammock (RC)
Icefish (v2)
Ihsahn (v3)
Innerwish (v2)
Janelle Monae (v1)
Jon Lord (v1)
Kaddisfly (v2)
King Crimson (v2)
Lee Abraham (v2)
Low Roar (v1)
Mandroid Echostar (RC)
Mark Knopfler (v1)
Massive Attack (v1)
Mazzy Star (RC)
MGMT (v3)
My Chemical Romance (v2)
Nightingale (RC)
No-Man (v1)
North Atlantic Oscillation (v2)
Perihelion Ship (v3)
Periphery (v3)
Peter Gabriel (v3)
Portishead (v1)
Pretty Maids (v3)
Protest the Hero (v3)
Queen (v2)
Rhapsody of Fire (v2)
Rise Against (v1)
Sarah McLachlan (v2)
Sigur Rós (v2)
Skyharbor (v2)
Stevie Wonder (v2)
Talk Talk (v3)
Tallest Man on Earth (v1)
The Contortionist (v3)
The Hirsch Effekt (RC
The Lone Bellow (v1)
The Mars Volta (v2)
The Mayan Factor (v1)
The Night Flight Orchestra (v2)
The Pineapple Thief (v1, v2)
The Winery Dogs (v2)
Three (v2)
Toehider (v2)
Tom Waits (v3)
Tori Amos (v3)
Tower of Power (v1)
Twilight Force (v3)
Ulver (v2)
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Silver(?) Albums
Post by: King Puppies and the Acid Guppies on November 01, 2020, 03:33:22 PM
I'm always in!
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Silver(?) Albums
Post by: MoraWintersoul on November 01, 2020, 03:40:50 PM
I looked at the lists of second chance artists, and I could comfortably send at least ten albums just using the list. I'd like to apply for this roulette, hope you'll have me!
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Silver(?) Albums
Post by: HOF on November 01, 2020, 03:43:39 PM
I’d play if you’ll have me.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Silver(?) Albums
Post by: King Puppies and the Acid Guppies on November 01, 2020, 03:43:45 PM
Can we send for round 1 if we are ready? Or would you like us to wait.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Silver(?) Albums
Post by: Crow on November 01, 2020, 03:50:11 PM
sent
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Silver(?) Albums
Post by: King Puppies and the Acid Guppies on November 01, 2020, 03:53:25 PM
sent
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Silver(?) Albums
Post by: 425 on November 01, 2020, 03:54:13 PM
Puppies, :mora:, HOF, you're all in.

Cyril, you sent a banned artist.

And yes, you can send for Round 1 now if you want, although if you prefer to wait to see who you're matched up against that's perfectly reasonable.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Silver(?) Albums
Post by: King Puppies and the Acid Guppies on November 01, 2020, 03:55:09 PM
 :lol Cyril failing right out of the gates.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Silver(?) Albums
Post by: HOF on November 01, 2020, 03:57:06 PM
Sweet! It doesn’t appear the links to the previous roulettes came through in your original post BTW.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Silver(?) Albums
Post by: Crow on November 01, 2020, 03:57:11 PM
425, if i did, it's your fault for putting them in the wrong section then  :lol
i just doubled-checked and both artists i sent are still definitely in the "required artists" section and not the "banned artists" section
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Silver(?) Albums
Post by: 425 on November 01, 2020, 03:58:20 PM
It was actually my fault; I had them on both lists by mistake, but definitely meant to have them on the banned list. Which they always were on. They were just also in the required one by accident.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Silver(?) Albums
Post by: Crow on November 01, 2020, 04:00:34 PM
i'm assuming "have reservations" artists don't count for the required artists, also?
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Silver(?) Albums
Post by: 425 on November 01, 2020, 04:05:46 PM
They do. Let me explain that here to be absolutely clear, even though it's also in the long block of text in the post:

The required list includes both the "recommended" and the "have reservations" lists. You can send your two from either of those lists. The reason I'm making a distinction is just to say that you should be cautious about the "have reservations" list. Not that I'm guaranteed not to like them, but that there's some reason to think I might not. There can be a variety of different reasons an artist would be in that list. Maybe I wasn't crazy about the vocals. Maybe they seem more like a singles artist than an album artist. Maybe I liked the song I heard but wasn't sure I would love a full album of the same. Etc.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Silver(?) Albums
Post by: The Walrus on November 01, 2020, 04:09:04 PM
I was gonna join to send pretty much anything but prog so I'll sit this one out unfortunately
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Silver(?) Albums
Post by: 425 on November 01, 2020, 04:18:00 PM
Sweet! It doesn’t appear the links to the previous roulettes came through in your original post BTW.

This should be fixed now.


I was gonna join to send pretty much anything but prog so I'll sit this one out unfortunately

Sorry to hear that, but it's understandable given the present direction of both of our tastes and what I'm trying to get out of this roulette.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Silver(?) Albums
Post by: romdrums on November 01, 2020, 04:28:22 PM
I’m in if you’ll have me.

Round one sent, btw.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums
Post by: Sacul on November 01, 2020, 05:08:46 PM
I think I've got enough for four rounds if you'll have me :corn
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums
Post by: Buddyhunter1 on November 01, 2020, 05:34:45 PM
I think I've got enough for four rounds if you'll have me :corn
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums
Post by: 425 on November 01, 2020, 07:07:03 PM
Great, you're all in!
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums
Post by: Buddyhunter1 on November 01, 2020, 08:30:57 PM
 :tup and sent!
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums
Post by: Anguyen92 on November 01, 2020, 09:28:18 PM
Ahhh, I wish I could join, but sadly, my knowledge of the bands on the recommended list are non-existent except for Muse (which I only know the hits and their last two albums) and Within Temptation.  Oh well, sounds like a fun concept though.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums
Post by: Evermind on November 01, 2020, 09:44:15 PM
Hell yeah!

I'll send something this evening.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums
Post by: Elite on November 01, 2020, 10:48:45 PM
Could I join too?

Interesting concept!
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums
Post by: twosuitsluke on November 01, 2020, 11:42:15 PM
I'll take part dude, think I've got some good wiggle room.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums
Post by: The Walrus on November 02, 2020, 05:48:40 AM
Actually let me in
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums
Post by: Buddyhunter1 on November 02, 2020, 07:23:21 AM
Actually let me in

Finally noticed all the power metal in the required artists? :lol
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums
Post by: The Walrus on November 02, 2020, 07:28:54 AM
Actually let me in

Finally noticed all the power metal in the required artists? :lol

Literally yes  :lol finally gave the banned list a once over and was like oh well this will take zero effort
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums
Post by: King Puppies and the Acid Guppies on November 02, 2020, 08:24:40 AM
Actually let me in

Finally noticed all the power metal in the required artists? :lol

Literally yes  :lol finally gave the banned list a once over and was like oh well this will take zero effort
:rollin
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums
Post by: Sacul on November 02, 2020, 08:33:30 AM
Sent one of the required artists :metal
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums
Post by: Evermind on November 02, 2020, 10:46:43 AM
Oh by the way, can I wait until I know who am I up against and then send my album?
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums
Post by: Crow on November 02, 2020, 10:47:51 AM
Oh by the way, can I wait until I know who am I up against and then send my album?
I'm voting against this as I think matchups should be kept blind until all albums are received
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums
Post by: Evermind on November 02, 2020, 10:49:23 AM
I don't mind either way, but I'd argue if we're allowed to know who are we up against in advance it could lead to more fun because we basically all know each other's musical tastes pretty well.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums
Post by: Buddyhunter1 on November 02, 2020, 11:02:05 AM
Quote
Matchups:
(Will be posted once participant list is complete.)

I don't think I'll really change what I send depending on who I'm up against so I don't care much either way. I already sent for Round 1 and I don't know who I'm facing off with yet. :lol
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums
Post by: Evermind on November 02, 2020, 11:03:33 AM
I read all the text and then scrolled down past the list of participants and this part right down to the banned list. :lolpalm:
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums
Post by: Crow on November 02, 2020, 11:05:46 AM
i already sent for round 1 and (if needed) round 2
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums
Post by: The Walrus on November 02, 2020, 11:21:43 AM
Well I'm not sending until we get answers!
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums
Post by: Elite on November 02, 2020, 11:26:00 AM
Well I'm not sending until we get answers!

You and I aren't even on the participants list yet
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums
Post by: 425 on November 02, 2020, 11:45:59 AM
Sorry, I was asleep! I'm back and Elite, Luke and Katt are in. I have one person in my PMs who offered to be in if I need someone to make it an even number, and sit out otherwise. Since we're at 11 right now, I'll give it a couple more hours to see if anyone else is burning to join, and if not I'll add that person and post the matchups.

Personally, I thought it would be more fun to have the matchups known in advance. It might impact some people's strategies in a way that is interesting. I also plan to post the matchups for all four rounds as soon as the participant list is finalized, so that it's all transparent from the outset and I can't be accused of messing with the matchups based on round results.

So if you haven't sent because you're waiting to see your opponent, that's absolutely fine! And you should know in a few hours.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums
Post by: The Walrus on November 02, 2020, 11:47:12 AM
Well I'm not sending until we get answers!

You and I aren't even on the participants list yet

Wassup now budday :neverusethis:

I'll send after I see who my victim is
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums
Post by: Evermind on November 02, 2020, 11:48:58 AM
I'll send after I see who my victim is

Yep same! I really like this approach too.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums
Post by: MoraWintersoul on November 02, 2020, 11:50:00 AM
I vote for waiting too, because I only join roulettes to talk shit :yarr

nah jk but it is cool to talk about
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums
Post by: 425 on November 02, 2020, 11:57:13 AM
To add to the shit-talking, and to generally spice things up, I'm thinking about adding a game after hangman where everyone tries to guess who will win each matchup. You'd get a point for each correct prediction, and at the end there'd be a winner for who was most accurate. That way you're in someone's corner on every matchup. Sound interesting?
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums
Post by: MoraWintersoul on November 02, 2020, 12:47:52 PM
Yes!!!!

Yes yes yes.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums
Post by: The Walrus on November 02, 2020, 12:49:27 PM
I will not leave until I taste the blood of every gladiator in this arena
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums
Post by: HOF on November 02, 2020, 01:02:25 PM
Can I bet on myself like Pete Rose?
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums
Post by: King Puppies and the Acid Guppies on November 02, 2020, 01:05:00 PM
Can I bet on myself like Pete Rose?
Sure!

As an aside, I think Pete Rose should be unbanned from baseball....
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums
Post by: 425 on November 02, 2020, 01:12:52 PM
You can bet on or against yourself, in both cases like Pete Rose.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums
Post by: The Walrus on November 02, 2020, 01:14:13 PM
betting it all on myself

the walrus has entered the ring, 'ichiban #1' embroidered aback his robe
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums
Post by: King Puppies and the Acid Guppies on November 02, 2020, 01:21:48 PM
betting it all on myself

the walrus has entered the ring, 'ichiban #1' embroidered aback his robe
Wrong roulette, that one ended months ago  :biggrin:
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums
Post by: The Walrus on November 02, 2020, 01:25:28 PM
betting it all on myself

the walrus has entered the ring, 'ichiban #1' embroidered aback his robe
Wrong roulette, that one ended months ago  :biggrin:

the walrus remains unfazed despite the noticeably silent and empty hall
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums
Post by: HOF on November 02, 2020, 01:28:18 PM
You can bet on or against yourself, in both cases like Pete Rose.

Ha! :lol
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums
Post by: Sacul on November 02, 2020, 02:51:58 PM
I'll wait until I know who I'm up against to choose who to vote :corn
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums
Post by: TAC on November 02, 2020, 02:57:13 PM
Participants:
1. Evermind
2. Cyril
3. Puppies_On_Acid
4. MoraWintersoul
5. HOF
6. romdrums
7. Sacul
8. Buddyhunter1
9. Elite
10. twosuitsluke
11. Kattelox


Who??
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums
Post by: romdrums on November 02, 2020, 03:01:22 PM
Participants:
1. Evermind
2. Cyril
3. Puppies_On_Acid
4. MoraWintersoul
5. HOF
6. romdrums
7. Sacul
8. Buddyhunter1
9. Elite
10. twosuitsluke
11. Kattelox


Who??

Firewings, TAC.  ;)
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums
Post by: The Walrus on November 02, 2020, 03:07:50 PM
Why isn't the walrus on the participant list
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums
Post by: King Postwhore on November 02, 2020, 03:34:53 PM
Kattelox is Lithuanian for big mammal with mustache.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums
Post by: The Walrus on November 02, 2020, 03:42:04 PM
Kattelox is Lithuanian for big mammal with mustache.

Lithuanian?! :lol
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums
Post by: King Postwhore on November 02, 2020, 03:45:10 PM
Sounds like it. Lol
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums
Post by: Crow on November 02, 2020, 03:51:01 PM
reminder:

CYRIL IS ALLOWED TO KILL PEOPLE - CYRIL IS ALLOWED TO KILL PEOPLE - CYRIL IS ALLOWED TO KILL PEOPLE
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums
Post by: 425 on November 02, 2020, 04:10:44 PM
I literally just convert "The Walrus" to "Kattelox" automatically in my head. Didn't even think about it. :lol

Changed now for your satisfaction.

I would not like Cyril to kill people, please.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums
Post by: Crow on November 02, 2020, 04:13:46 PM
You can't stop me
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums
Post by: King Postwhore on November 02, 2020, 04:24:08 PM
Cyril's weapon of choice?
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums
Post by: TAC on November 02, 2020, 04:25:45 PM
425, if you are still in need of a twelfth man to even things up, I'll can do it.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums
Post by: 425 on November 02, 2020, 04:29:12 PM
I do already have someone who said he's willing to be the 12th man if needed, but is also willing to be a spectator. So if you're saying you absolutely want to be in, you're in, but if you're more on the fence and are just trying to be helpful, there's someone else I can go with.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums
Post by: The Walrus on November 02, 2020, 04:33:22 PM
If Cyril kills anyone the walrus calls dibs on the liver
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums
Post by: TAC on November 02, 2020, 04:36:09 PM
If Cyril kills anyone the walrus calls dibs on the liver

What if it is walrus liver?
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums
Post by: Crow on November 02, 2020, 04:38:20 PM
Cyril's weapon of choice?
harsh noise
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums
Post by: King Postwhore on November 02, 2020, 04:55:37 PM
Cyril's weapon of choice?
harsh noise

Trained in interrogation I see.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums
Post by: Buddyhunter1 on November 02, 2020, 04:56:34 PM
Cyril's weapon of choice?
harsh noise

Won't be very effective against Sacul
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums
Post by: Sacul on November 02, 2020, 05:01:18 PM
yeah i literally make harsh noise music sometimes :lol
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums
Post by: 425 on November 02, 2020, 05:01:39 PM
Cyril's weapon of choice?
harsh noise

Won't be very effective against Sacul

Well, good news for Cyril, then: I'm preparing the matchups and it looks like he will not be facing Sacul.

Just waiting to finalize the identity of the last participant before posting them.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums
Post by: King Postwhore on November 02, 2020, 05:02:10 PM
yeah i literally make harsh noise music sometimes :lol

Yeah but what about your music? :neverusethis:
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums
Post by: TAC on November 02, 2020, 05:32:50 PM
Sent!
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums
Post by: 425 on November 02, 2020, 05:43:27 PM
Okay, we've finalized our list of twelve participants, so here are the matchups! They'll also be in the OP.

These were chosen completely at random. I assigned each participant a number and had an RNG produce random sequences. I paired the adjacent numbers together, and I generated sequences until I had four that did not repeat any matchups.

Round 1:
twosuitsluke vs. MoraWintersoul
Evermind vs. TAC
Sacul vs. Puppies_On_Acid
romdrums vs. HOF
Elite vs. Cyril
Buddyhunter1 vs. The Walrus

Round 2:
Puppies_On_Acid vs. TAC
romdrums vs. Evermind
twosuitsluke vs. Elite
The Walrus vs. Sacul
Cyril vs. HOF
Buddyhunter1 vs. MoraWintersoul

Round 3:
Cyril vs. romdrums
The Walrus vs. Puppies_On_Acid
Buddyhunter1 vs. TAC
Evermind vs. Elite
twosuitsluke vs. Sacul
MoraWintersoul vs. HOF

Round 4:
twosuitsluke vs. Cyril
Evermind vs. HOF
TAC vs. Elite
Sacul vs. Buddyhunter1
romdrums vs. The Walrus
Puppies_On_Acid vs. MoraWintersoul
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums
Post by: The Walrus on November 02, 2020, 05:51:42 PM
Walrein vs. Growlithe round 3

Water beats fire dawg
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums
Post by: Sacul on November 02, 2020, 05:52:51 PM
Hell yeah :metal

yeah i literally make harsh noise music sometimes :lol

Yeah but what about your music? :neverusethis:
:vomitard:
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums
Post by: TAC on November 02, 2020, 05:54:03 PM
Walrein vs. Growlithe round 3


Dweeb on dweeb crime.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums
Post by: Crow on November 02, 2020, 06:09:27 PM
oh for some reason i thought these were gonna be elimination rounds  :lol

uhh let me send rounds 3 & 4 ahead of time too then i already p. much know what i want to send
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums
Post by: 425 on November 02, 2020, 06:14:27 PM
Ah, no, they're not elimination rounds. After round 4, then the top 4 or so players will go into a playoff. But the first four everybody is guaranteed to be in for.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums
Post by: Buddyhunter1 on November 02, 2020, 06:17:03 PM
Nice, I like these match-ups. You're going down, Walrus! And I'm going to beat you with an album I've recommended to you in the past. ;)
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums
Post by: Sacul on November 02, 2020, 06:38:21 PM
425, do you like Synthwave? Because I may have an album or two prepared :corn
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums
Post by: 425 on November 02, 2020, 06:43:40 PM
I'm not sure I know what synthwave actually sounds like. I think maybe it's like the EP Cyril sent me a couple of roulettes ago? If so, you can see my thoughts on that EP here (https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=52833.msg2500623;topicseen#msg2500623). I don't have much experience with music in that style besides what I heard there, but there was definitely some stuff I liked.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums
Post by: King Puppies and the Acid Guppies on November 02, 2020, 06:52:52 PM
Looks like I'll be beating Sacul, TAC, Firewings, and Mora.....in that order. :bringiton:
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums
Post by: TAC on November 02, 2020, 06:56:48 PM
Looks like I'll be beating Sacul, TAC, Firewings, and Mora.....in that order. :bringiton:


Nobody likes a bully..

(https://thumbs.gfycat.com/EmptyForthrightArachnid-size_restricted.gif)
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums
Post by: King Postwhore on November 02, 2020, 07:05:41 PM
Puppies.   Shame on you for planning to hit an old man. 
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums
Post by: The Walrus on November 02, 2020, 07:54:56 PM
Talk shit, get hit! Knuck if you buck, son
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums
Post by: TAC on November 02, 2020, 08:02:50 PM
Knuck

(https://i.imgur.com/4lPhQR2.jpg)
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums
Post by: Crow on November 02, 2020, 08:17:20 PM
I'm not sure I know what synthwave actually sounds like. I think maybe it's like the EP Cyril sent me a couple of roulettes ago? If so, you can see my thoughts on that EP here (https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=52833.msg2500623;topicseen#msg2500623). I don't have much experience with music in that style besides what I heard there, but there was definitely some stuff I liked.
gunship are definitely synthwave, i don't think the rest of the songs there would be
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums
Post by: Evermind on November 02, 2020, 09:23:45 PM
Tim, I'd post an obligatory ass-kicking invitation pic but I'm at work. :P
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums
Post by: MoraWintersoul on November 03, 2020, 04:29:36 AM
Puppies.   Shame on you for planning to hit an old man.
AND a lady with glasses.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums
Post by: Elite on November 03, 2020, 04:34:01 AM
Okay, here we go then.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums
Post by: The Walrus on November 03, 2020, 05:43:54 AM
Knuck

(https://i.imgur.com/4lPhQR2.jpg)

I don't think that's how that's pronounced, Brains  :lol
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums
Post by: The Walrus on November 03, 2020, 08:15:39 AM
Sorry to knock you out in round 1, Buddy, but I think when you see what I sent, you'll understand and also agree that I deserve the victory.

The walrus is ready for round 2 now.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums
Post by: Stadler on November 03, 2020, 08:46:09 AM
425 kindly asked me to sit this one out; he felt it was unfair for me to wipe the floor with you all using various incarnations of Ritchie Blackmore's career.  So I'm just here to heckle and harass.   

:)
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums
Post by: Lethean on November 03, 2020, 10:00:01 AM
I missed this one.  I probably could have sent all 4 rounds from required artists.  Evermind, send Katatonia for me. :)
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums
Post by: Buddyhunter1 on November 03, 2020, 10:15:42 AM
Sorry to knock you out in round 1, Buddy, but I think when you see what I sent, you'll understand and also agree that I deserve the victory.

Not if it's power metal. :lol
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums
Post by: The Walrus on November 03, 2020, 10:18:29 AM
Sorry to knock you out in round 1, Buddy, but I think when you see what I sent, you'll understand and also agree that I deserve the victory.

Not if it's power metal. :lol

Do those sound like the words of someone who sent a 60 minute cheese fondue fountain? I sent something that kicked your OWN ass in recent history. :2metal:
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums
Post by: Crow on November 03, 2020, 10:21:31 AM
for round 1 i sent just about the best album i possibly could and definitely the best that i should it's honestly all downhill from here

this suits me fine as elite is the person i'm most scared of out of the 4 matchups i'm in  :corn
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums
Post by: Buddyhunter1 on November 03, 2020, 10:24:12 AM
Sorry to knock you out in round 1, Buddy, but I think when you see what I sent, you'll understand and also agree that I deserve the victory.

Not if it's power metal. :lol

Do those sound like the words of someone who sent a 60 minute cheese fondue fountain? I sent something that kicked your OWN ass in recent history. :2metal:

I'm pretty sure I know what you're talking about but if I'm right I also think you're greatly over-exaggerating. ;)
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums
Post by: The Walrus on November 03, 2020, 10:35:00 AM
Sorry to knock you out in round 1, Buddy, but I think when you see what I sent, you'll understand and also agree that I deserve the victory.

Not if it's power metal. :lol

Do those sound like the words of someone who sent a 60 minute cheese fondue fountain? I sent something that kicked your OWN ass in recent history. :2metal:

I'm pretty sure I know what you're talking about but if I'm right I also think you're greatly over-exaggerating. ;)

Get some.

(https://media.giphy.com/media/Iqyu5uLlL1ajS/giphy.gif)
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums
Post by: Sacul on November 03, 2020, 10:54:51 AM
I'm not afraid of puppies, I'm confident on my choice, even if it's a bit of an inconsistent album it's got some bangers :metal
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums
Post by: romdrums on November 03, 2020, 11:09:47 AM
425 kindly asked me to sit this one out; he felt it was unfair for me to wipe the floor with you all using various incarnations of Ritchie Blackmore's career.  So I'm just here to heckle and harass.   

:)

Eh, whatevs.  Not like you would've sent his best stuff, anyway.  ;)
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums
Post by: Stadler on November 03, 2020, 12:25:23 PM
425 kindly asked me to sit this one out; he felt it was unfair for me to wipe the floor with you all using various incarnations of Ritchie Blackmore's career.  So I'm just here to heckle and harass.   

:)

Eh, whatevs.  Not like you would've sent his best stuff, anyway.  ;)

HAHAHA, I'm clearly getting a reputation here.  :) :)
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums
Post by: Evermind on November 03, 2020, 12:59:38 PM
Cyril sent TPE pt. 1

I've just got home from work and it's 11 PM so I'll send something tomorrow, sorry guys
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums
Post by: Crow on November 03, 2020, 01:02:59 PM
Cyril sent TPE pt. 1
i made it too obvious huh  :rollin
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums
Post by: Elite on November 03, 2020, 01:23:43 PM
Well shit.


Maybe 425 likes Remedy Lane better :neverusethis:
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums
Post by: Buddyhunter1 on November 03, 2020, 01:24:39 PM
Was East of the Wall banned?
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums
Post by: Crow on November 03, 2020, 01:28:55 PM
Maybe 425 likes Remedy Lane better :neverusethis:
if we actually both sent PoS albums separately in our head-to-head i'm gonna die cry-laughing  :rollin :rollin :rollin

east of the wall is not banned but i'm Not An Idiot
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums
Post by: 425 on November 03, 2020, 01:37:36 PM
Cyril's Not An Idiot, he's just the Holy Guide of the 4/10.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums
Post by: King Postwhore on November 03, 2020, 01:42:14 PM
I wonder what that book would look like.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums
Post by: MoraWintersoul on November 03, 2020, 01:46:06 PM
I'm sending mine tomorrow, sorry! Looking forward to doing well and still losing :hat
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums
Post by: 425 on November 03, 2020, 01:53:42 PM
No worries! I'm not going to get through a first listen to all of them until tomorrow at earliest anyway!
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums
Post by: twosuitsluke on November 03, 2020, 02:05:41 PM
Sent one of my 2/4, not my original pick, but my original pick was probably too risky! I'll send that when I've got nothing to lose!
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums
Post by: MoraWintersoul on November 03, 2020, 02:58:47 PM
I just read through all of the roulettes and I am torn between at least three albums :rollin
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums
Post by: Evermind on November 04, 2020, 06:54:47 AM
Sent!
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums
Post by: MoraWintersoul on November 04, 2020, 07:40:40 AM
Sent as well, maybe this scores me a win.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums
Post by: 425 on November 04, 2020, 02:54:56 PM
Anyone want to guess which one person has not sent yet? :neverusethis:
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums
Post by: TAC on November 04, 2020, 02:56:28 PM
(https://thumbs.gfycat.com/LastNimbleFireant-max-1mb.gif)




Slacul
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums
Post by: Crow on November 04, 2020, 02:58:44 PM
Anyone want to guess which one person has not sent yet? :neverusethis:
splent
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums
Post by: 425 on November 04, 2020, 03:04:32 PM
Slacul

Close. The other one.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums
Post by: TAC on November 04, 2020, 03:04:49 PM
Elate
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums
Post by: 425 on November 04, 2020, 03:06:07 PM
Correct.  ;D

Technically, splent has also not sent, but I can't really blame him for that seeing as he's, you know, not in this roulette.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums
Post by: Crow on November 04, 2020, 03:08:13 PM
Technically Not Wrong™

if Elite doesn't send soon do I win by default?  :corn
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums
Post by: 425 on November 04, 2020, 03:10:45 PM
How about this: He asked for my thoughts about three artists; if he doesn't send eventually then you can pick the album from those artists that you think I'd hate most.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums
Post by: Crow on November 04, 2020, 03:14:29 PM
 :corn

hell yes
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums
Post by: Buddyhunter1 on November 04, 2020, 03:30:02 PM
How about this: He asked for my thoughts about three artists; if he doesn't send eventually then you can pick the album from those artists that you think I'd hate most.

That's a pretty nice idea for a gimmick roulette, tbh. :lol
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums
Post by: Elite on November 04, 2020, 04:01:54 PM
:neverusethis:
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums
Post by: Stadler on November 04, 2020, 05:37:33 PM
Anyone want to guess which one person has not sent yet? :neverusethis:

I'M NOT IN THE ROULETTE.

I'll pick his album if you want.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums
Post by: 425 on November 04, 2020, 05:39:50 PM
Everyone is now in. I imagine I should probably wait until tomorrow for hangmanen—I know it's too late for our European friends.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums
Post by: King Puppies and the Acid Guppies on November 04, 2020, 05:42:03 PM
Everyone is now in. I imagine I should probably wait until tomorrow for hangmanen—I know it's too late for our European friends.
It's their own fault for going to bed so early.  :biggrin:
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums
Post by: Crow on November 04, 2020, 05:42:53 PM
europe isn't real BRING ON THE HANGDANHEm
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums
Post by: 425 on November 04, 2020, 05:48:15 PM
I'll just throw out some interesting hints to get the wheels turning:

Two people sent the same artist, but different albums. No, they are not head-to-head against each other.

One person sent a double album.

All the albums were released this millennium, with the newest one released in 2019.

Everyone sent an artist from the required list.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums
Post by: Buddyhunter1 on November 04, 2020, 05:50:43 PM
 :corn It's conceivable that someone else sent the same artist as me, and if they did I'm pretty sure I'd know which album it is
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums
Post by: Crow on November 04, 2020, 06:07:02 PM
Everyone sent an artist from the required list.
this is probably the least surprising thing possible, everyone wants to claim dibs on their top picks

upset that i am not actually having a TPE1 vs. RL faceoff
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums
Post by: The Walrus on November 04, 2020, 08:10:33 PM
Anyone want to guess which one person has not sent yet? :neverusethis:

I'M NOT IN THE ROULETTE.

I'll pick his album if you want.

 :lol
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums
Post by: Evermind on November 04, 2020, 09:34:53 PM
I can imagine someone sending the same band I did, if so, they probably sent their latest album.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums
Post by: Elite on November 05, 2020, 03:51:15 AM
Everyone sent an artist from the required list.
this is probably the least surprising thing possible, everyone wants to claim dibs on their top picks

upset that i am not actually having a TPE1 vs. RL faceoff

I must say it was very tempting to send Remedy Lane indeed, but I decided not to in order not to make this silly.

So, who did send Remedy Lane in a different match-up?
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums
Post by: MoraWintersoul on November 05, 2020, 06:05:51 AM
He asked for my thoughts about three artists
What an amateur, everyone knows the right thing to do is to go through your entire forum history.

Anyway, I didn't send a double album , and I highly doubt someone sent from the same artist as I did, given that I'm one of the ~three people on DTF who like them. :hat
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums
Post by: Buddyhunter1 on November 05, 2020, 07:22:05 AM
Show us the hangman so we can solve it in less than 24 hours :corn
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums
Post by: 425 on November 05, 2020, 11:46:33 AM
Here it is!

Cyril: Pain of Salvation - The Perfect Element, Part I
_________ - _______
________ - ________ _________
___ ____ _____ - ________ __ ___ __________
____ _______ - ____ ____ _______
___ ___ _____ - ___ _________ ____
_____ - ___ _____________ __ ______ ______
__________ - _ _______ __ ______
____ - ______
_______ - _____ ____
______ ____ - ___ ___ __ __________ __ ___ _____
_______ - _______ __ ___ ___
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Hangman
Post by: HOF on November 05, 2020, 11:54:59 AM
Let’s go for M to start it off.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Hangman
Post by: Crow on November 05, 2020, 11:55:15 AM
i'm here for 425's D
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Hangman
Post by: Sacul on November 05, 2020, 11:57:20 AM
Gimme S as in Sacul
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Hangman
Post by: Evermind on November 05, 2020, 12:03:42 PM
Oh huh I was the only one who sent my band?

The Mars Volta - Deloused in the Comatorium
Sieges Even - The Art of Navigating by the Stars (this is a great choice)

to be updated maybe

Ulver - The Assassination of Julius Caesar
Big Big Train - The Underfall Yard?

I'll go get some sleep
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums
Post by: 425 on November 05, 2020, 12:18:22 PM
Okay everybody go home Evermind solved it already

Cyril: Pain of Salvation - The Perfect Element, Part I
Puppies_On_Acid: Marillion - Marbles
Phideaux - Doomsday Afternoon
The Mars Volta - DeLoused in the Comatorium
Sacul: Glen Hansard - This Wild Willing
Big Big Train - The Underfall Yard
Elite: Ulver - The Assassination of Julius Caesar
__________ - _ _____d_ __ S_____
Soen - Lykaia
The Walrus: Voyager - Ghost Mile
Sieges Even - The Art of Navigating by the Stars
_______ - ______s __ ___ S__


Letters guessed: M D S
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Hangman
Post by: Elite on November 05, 2020, 12:19:48 PM
something Doomsday
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Hangman
Post by: Buddyhunter1 on November 05, 2020, 12:22:01 PM
Quote
Ulver - The Assassination of Julius Caesar

Fuck, crossing that one off my list. :lol

Thanks Sacul. :biggrin:
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Hangman
Post by: The Walrus on November 05, 2020, 12:22:21 PM
Did Evermind send the art of navigating by the tsars
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Hangman
Post by: 425 on November 05, 2020, 12:23:06 PM
Would be a bold move if he sent it and then guessed it!

But no, he did not send it. Nor, perhaps surprisingly, did Sacul send Ulver!
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Hangman
Post by: Buddyhunter1 on November 05, 2020, 12:23:50 PM
WALLLLRUUUUUUUUSSSSSSSSSS
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Hangman
Post by: The Walrus on November 05, 2020, 12:25:27 PM
Oh I'm stupid  :lol  :facepalm:

WALLLLRUUUUUUUUSSSSSSSSSS

Nothing I have sent has been guessed yet. I don't even know if I'm in dis batch
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Hangman
Post by: Crow on November 05, 2020, 12:27:07 PM
I was half-tempted to send Amputechture from TMV but this one will probably do better yeah and it's only marginally less great so

Marillion - Marbles sent by Puppies
Soen - Lykaia
Glen Hansard - This Wild Willing  sent by Dacul
Phideaux - Doomsday Afternoon, probably Evermind
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Hangman
Post by: Elite on November 05, 2020, 12:29:28 PM
Frances the Mute is the best though
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Hangman
Post by: 425 on November 05, 2020, 12:29:59 PM
Nothing I have sent has been guessed yet. I don't even know if I'm in dis batch

There's only one batch. Twelve players, twelve albums.

Cyril's guesses are right.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Hangman
Post by: The Walrus on November 05, 2020, 12:30:49 PM
Nothing I have sent has been guessed yet. I don't even know if I'm in dis batch

There's only one batch. Twelve players, twelve albums.

Cyril's guesses are right.

This is what happens when I don't read posts before guessing things, and also when I mix up one roulette thread with another. I think I'm caught up now.  :rollin
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Hangman
Post by: Crow on November 05, 2020, 12:31:30 PM
oh btw 425 i keep updting my post make sure you don't miss it i'll make a new one now tho
i don't think i can get anymore without more letters tbh
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Hangman
Post by: 425 on November 05, 2020, 12:31:54 PM
Okay. Doomsday Afternoon was not from Evermind.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Hangman
Post by: HOF on November 05, 2020, 12:33:06 PM
Nothing I have sent has been guessed yet. I don't even know if I'm in dis batch

There's only one batch. Twelve players, twelve albums.

Cyril's guesses are right.

This is what happens when I don't read posts before guessing things, and also when I mix up one roulette thread with another. I think I'm caught up now.  :rollin

I don’t know any power metal bands so it would be hard for me to guess yours.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Hangman
Post by: HOF on November 05, 2020, 12:34:10 PM
LOL, only 3 letters requested but most of it solved.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Hangman
Post by: The Walrus on November 05, 2020, 12:36:04 PM
Good thing I didn't send power metal. Zag when they expect you to zig :hat
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Hangman
Post by: Buddyhunter1 on November 05, 2020, 12:36:09 PM
Did Elite send Ulver?
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Hangman
Post by: 425 on November 05, 2020, 12:38:07 PM
Yes, he did.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Hangman
Post by: Crow on November 05, 2020, 12:44:01 PM
daniel gildenlow is going to kill julius caesar
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Hangman
Post by: Buddyhunter1 on November 05, 2020, 12:44:16 PM
The Walrus sent Voyager - Ghost Mile
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Hangman
Post by: Elite on November 05, 2020, 12:44:51 PM
daniel gildenlow is going to kill julius caesar

Yeah, I think so too.

Did Elite send Ulver?

What a surprise.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Hangman
Post by: 425 on November 05, 2020, 12:45:22 PM
daniel gildenlow is going to kill julius caesar

I guess I'll take this as an improvement over any of the actual contestants killing other contestants! You never know, though. I've tried some songs from PoS before and they've never worked for me.

And yeah, Ghost Mile is The Walrus's.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Hangman
Post by: Crow on November 05, 2020, 12:52:09 PM
so Voyager - Colours in the Sun was sent too
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Hangman
Post by: The Walrus on November 05, 2020, 12:53:27 PM
Hahahahaha I was THIS close to sending Colours in the Sun too. Awesome.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Hangman
Post by: Crow on November 05, 2020, 12:54:22 PM
aight and the last album is Witherfall - A Prelude to Sorrow
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Hangman
Post by: The Walrus on November 05, 2020, 12:56:28 PM
WTF someone else in this thread listens to Witherfall? I'm stumped there. romdrums?
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums
Post by: 425 on November 05, 2020, 12:57:20 PM
Witherfall is not romdrums.


Cyril: Pain of Salvation - The Perfect Element, Part I
Puppies_On_Acid: Marillion - Marbles
Phideaux - Doomsday Afternoon
The Mars Volta - DeLoused in the Comatorium
Sacul: Glen Hansard - This Wild Willing
Big Big Train - The Underfall Yard
Elite: Ulver - The Assassination of Julius Caesar
Witherfall - A Prelude to Sorrow
Soen - Lykaia
The Walrus: Voyager - Ghost Mile
Sieges Even - The Art of Navigating by the Stars
Voyager - Colours in the Sun
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Hangman
Post by: Crow on November 05, 2020, 12:59:26 PM
Buddyhunter1: Phideaux - Doomsday Afternoon
twosuitsluke: The Mars Volta - DeLoused in the Comatorium
HOF: Big Big Train - The Underfall Yard
TAC: Witherfall - A Prelude to Sorrow
Evermind: Soen - Lykaia
MoraWintersoul: Sieges Even - The Art of Navigating by the Stars
romdrums: Voyager - Colours in the Sun

some of these are kind of process of elimination so probably half of them are wrong
btw TAC is still missing from the OP
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Hangman
Post by: 425 on November 05, 2020, 01:03:56 PM
This is literally exactly right wtf
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Hangman
Post by: Crow on November 05, 2020, 01:05:07 PM
This is literally exactly right wtf
:lol

i know enough people here's tastes to fill in most of them & then make educated guesses based on the few i was unsure of

anyways here's not my predictions but my preferences for each matchup (at least for the ones i know - haven't heard the BBtT, Phideaux, or Sieges Even albums before)

twosuitsluke vs. MoraWintersoul - N/A, but proooobably TMV
Evermind vs. TAC - uuhhh Soen I guess but I found both of these pretty underwhelming
Dacul vs. Puppies_On_Acid - gonna side with Dacul here, actually, the heights of the Glen Hansard album are way higher even if it's very inconsistent
romdrums vs. HOF - N/A, but probably the BBT album because the voyager one bored me to tears when i tried listening to it
Elite vs. Cyril - take a wild guess
Buddyhunter1 vs. The Walrus - N/A, don't know enough about Phideaux and very indifferent on Ghost Mile to be even able to give a slight nod either way
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums
Post by: 425 on November 05, 2020, 01:06:19 PM
Okay so here's the completed hangman I guess. That occupied y'all for... an hour and 20 minutes :lol


Cyril: Pain of Salvation - The Perfect Element, Part I
Puppies_On_Acid: Marillion - Marbles
Buddyhunter1: Phideaux - Doomsday Afternoon
twosuitsluke: The Mars Volta - DeLoused in the Comatorium
Sacul: Glen Hansard - This Wild Willing
HOF: Big Big Train - The Underfall Yard
Elite: Ulver - The Assassination of Julius Caesar
TAC: Witherfall - A Prelude to Sorrow
Evermind: Soen - Lykaia
The Walrus: Voyager - Ghost Mile
MoraWintersoul: Sieges Even - The Art of Navigating by the Stars
romdrums: Voyager - Colours in the Sun
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Hangman
Post by: The Walrus on November 05, 2020, 01:09:27 PM
I was gonna say TAC, but I checked the participant list and missed him. 'cause he's dead last.  :rollin
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Hangman
Post by: Crow on November 05, 2020, 01:12:45 PM
aaaand now here's my predictions, excluding my own round because i'm too biased:

twosuitsluke vs. MoraWintersoul: i'm gonna bank on sieges even on the basis of it seeming like a more standard prog metal album vs. the post-hardcore weirdness of TMV
Evermind vs. TAC - almost certainly going to be soen, i think both the style and vocals of witherfall are gonna be a turnoff for 425
Dacul vs. Puppies_On_Acid - really this could go either way but i'd give the slight nod to marillion in this case just on stylistic appeal
romdrums vs. HOF - i'm voting against voyager on principle but also i hear that BBT album is their best anyways, so  :lol
Buddyhunter1 vs. The Walrus - this one again could go either way and without knowing anything about phideaux i again can't really make a call but i'd give it the slight nod there, i guess? on the "voting against voyager" principle mostly

okay this is as much as i can add to the thread before any first impressions or stuff byeeee
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Hangman
Post by: The Walrus on November 05, 2020, 01:14:09 PM
if phideaux beats out ghost mile i will literally hunt buddy down and commit a blood sacrifice

literally
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Hangman
Post by: Crow on November 05, 2020, 01:15:49 PM
@ buddy i'd prepare your bunker then if i were you

i saw BBT get compared to marillion somewhere just a moment ago and considering i'm already hedging my bets on marillion yeah i'm gonna double-down on the BBT vote too
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Hangman
Post by: The Walrus on November 05, 2020, 01:21:45 PM
lock your doors and board up your windows buddy :getoffmylawn:
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Hangman
Post by: 425 on November 05, 2020, 01:26:08 PM
Also because I forgot to add TAC to the list until Cyril reminded me.

Here are the Round 1 matchups:


(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/2/29/De-Loused_in_the_Comatorium.jpeg) vs. (https://img.discogs.com/AkZq_YmdbTziE_9yv4JA4INcztk=/fit-in/600x590/filters:strip_icc():format(jpeg):mode_rgb():quality(90)/discogs-images/R-5831333-1403907077-5581.jpeg.jpg)
twosuitsluke                                                                    MoraWintersoul



(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/2/29/Soen_Lykaia.jpg) vs. (https://img.discogs.com/rI0XAsdKFmfzerSA179GEybkwSc=/fit-in/300x300/filters:strip_icc():format(jpeg):mode_rgb():quality(40)/discogs-images/R-12895626-1544486295-5075.jpeg.jpg)
Evermind                                                                        TAC



(https://img.discogs.com/S5ofQBgTt08gs6YTlvjwR0ojrEM=/fit-in/300x300/filters:strip_icc():format(jpeg):mode_rgb():quality(40)/discogs-images/R-13543423-1556211432-1824.jpeg.jpg) vs. (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/5/5f/Marillion-Marbles.jpg)
Sacul                                                                              Puppies_On_Acid



(https://www.angrymetalguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Voyager_Colours-in-the-Sun-500x500.jpg) vs. (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/5/56/Big_BigTrain_The_Underfall_Yard.jpg)
romdrums                                                                       HOF



(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/c/c5/Ulver_The_Assassination_of_Julius_Caesar_cover.jpg) vs. (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/8/8a/POS-PerfectElement.jpg)
Elite                                                                                Cyril



(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/7/73/PhideauxXavier-DoomsdayAfternoon.jpg) vs. (https://www.metal-archives.com/images/6/4/3/1/643126.jpg?2025)
Buddyhunter1                                                                 The Walrus



I see Cyril has already started the guessing game. The way it works is you just guess a winner for as many matchups as you want (including your own). Each one you get right, you get a point. And it's cumulative throughout the roulette.

Also, the guessing game is open to non-participants as well!
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Hangman
Post by: MoraWintersoul on November 05, 2020, 01:31:43 PM
Motherfucker, I thought I was in the clear sending Sieges Even. Concept album vs concept album.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Hangman
Post by: HOF on November 05, 2020, 01:34:10 PM
I’ll pick:

Sieges Even (no idea but I don’t like The Mars Volta)

Soen (again, no idea!)

Marillion (all time classic album)

Big Big Train (of course!)

Ulver (I guess, no idea but don’t care for POS)

Phideaux (heard a little of them before. Seem to recall they were interesting).


Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Hangman
Post by: The Walrus on November 05, 2020, 01:34:44 PM
I'm doing this the easy way and just picking my favorites to win.

Sieges Even, Witherfall, Marillion, Voyager, Ulver, Voyager
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Hangman
Post by: Buddyhunter1 on November 05, 2020, 01:38:45 PM
Knew this would go by quickly. :lol
I can't comment on too many of these match-ups but here's a few thoughts.

I haven't listened to Sieges Even apart from that one song Puppies sent me in my last roulette which I thought was okay. I'm kinda indifferent towards The Mars Volta as well tbh; they're a band I feel like I should enjoy more than I do. I don't have a solid prediction for this one, but I'm interested to see how it turns out because if TMV wins there's one album I'm thinking of sending that might get bumped up a bit in priority.

As for Cyril vs. Elite, I think it's funny how Cyril's once again directly competing with someone who sent The Assassination Of Julius Caesar after I sent Coming Home in one of Katt's recent roulettes. :lol I could see this going either way; while I think that Ulver album is amazing, it might be a bit outside our host's wheelhouse. That said, I'm betting on Ulver just out of principle, as that's one of my favorite albums and I probably would have sent it eventually myself.

Now, me vs. The Walrus. Doomsday Afternoon vs. Ghost Mile. I knew this was the album I was going up against after The Walrus started taunting me about it earlier. :biggrin: And while it's a good album (it did win the final round in my last roulette), we're talking about a 7/10 vs. a 9/10. Doomsday Afternoon deserves to win this one, and I'm betting on myself here. I've got my bunker, come at me bro! :loser:
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Hangman
Post by: Crow on November 05, 2020, 01:39:18 PM
well i guess i'll formally place my votes i did not realize there was an actual guessing game  :lol

twosuitsluke vs. MoraWintersoul
Evermind vs. TAC
Sacul vs. Puppies_On_Acid
romdrums vs. HOF
Elite vs. Cyril
Buddyhunter1 vs. The Walrus

betting against myself so that i either Win or i "Win"
also if witherfall does win that's an incredibly good sign for the riskiest album i had lined up, but if it loses i don't think it works against my reason for sending the album in question either
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Hangman
Post by: Buddyhunter1 on November 05, 2020, 01:41:38 PM
I mean I'll just throw out some random bets for the others since I've got nothing to lose.

twosuitsluke vs. MoraWintersoul
Evermind vs. TAC
Sacul vs. Puppies_On_Acid
romdrums vs. HOF
Elite vs. Cyril
Buddyhunter1 vs. The Walrus
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Hangman
Post by: Crow on November 05, 2020, 01:44:47 PM
425 what did you think of folklore btw
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Hangman
Post by: 425 on November 05, 2020, 01:47:15 PM
I embarrassingly have not listened to folklore yet. I will get to it at some point before the end of the year.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Hangman
Post by: Crow on November 05, 2020, 01:47:49 PM
you're missing out
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Hangman
Post by: The Walrus on November 05, 2020, 01:48:14 PM
it is

SO good

I was playing Exile on my lunch today at the piano and it's just beautiful
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Hangman
Post by: HOF on November 05, 2020, 01:52:02 PM
I embarrassingly have not listened to folklore yet. I will get to it at some point before the end of the year.

If you like The Underfall Yard you should like Folklore too IMO.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Hangman
Post by: Crow on November 05, 2020, 02:01:25 PM
this is the Taylor Swift album of that name we're discussing here, by the way  :rollin
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Hangman
Post by: HOF on November 05, 2020, 02:18:35 PM
this is the Taylor Swift album of that name we're discussing here, by the way  :rollin

Oh, that Folklore.  :P
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Hangman
Post by: King Puppies and the Acid Guppies on November 05, 2020, 02:29:44 PM
this is the Taylor Swift album of that name we're discussing here, by the way  :rollin

Oh, that Folklore.  :P
LoL, I was thinking the Big Big Train album too!
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Hangman
Post by: Crow on November 05, 2020, 02:30:35 PM
Why would I care about a BBT album guys
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Hangman
Post by: King Puppies and the Acid Guppies on November 05, 2020, 02:31:56 PM
Why would I care about a BBT album guys
No idea...... except I forgot Taylor Swift had an album of the same name.



Also, Mora is now on my shit-list (not really). That's the album I was going to send next round  :censored






 :biggrin:
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Hangman
Post by: MoraWintersoul on November 05, 2020, 02:34:29 PM
Also, Mora is now on my shit-list
Everyone who sent Voyager is on my shit list. Or bless you list, in case he doesn't like them and it saves me from performing poorly. I would have sent The Meaning of I though, or V.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Hangman
Post by: 425 on November 05, 2020, 02:38:09 PM
One of the interesting things about this round and this format is that this is not my first encounter with any of these artists. At some point in the next few days I'll dig through the old roulettes and collect all the relevant write-ups.

Something that can make a difference is between how well I liked an individual song from an artist versus how well I like their album. That can go either way. It could be that a song doesn't really impress me on its own but works really well in the context of an album, or it could be that I like some of an artist's individual songs, but don't think they're very consistent or don't think their album experience is particularly good.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Hangman
Post by: Crow on November 05, 2020, 02:51:08 PM
TMV was the only artist i sent even close to being something i wanted to send and i've already sent my first four rounds anyways so  :lol
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Hangman
Post by: Elite on November 05, 2020, 03:07:23 PM
Wow, those are bad Voyager albums :)

I almost sent The Mars Volta as well though, but would have gone with Frances the Mute. Didn't think it would work, so went with Ulver.

While I love The Assassination of Julius Caesar as a record, it's at most my 3rd favourite Ulver album, but I think (hope) it's catchy enough to go up against the Pain of Salvation. I deliberately didn't go for the prog metal vs. prog metal here!
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Hangman
Post by: Elite on November 05, 2020, 03:10:06 PM
And here's predictions:

twosuitsluke vs. MoraWintersoul
Evermind vs. TAC
Sacul vs. Puppies_On_Acid
romdrums vs. HOF
Elite vs. Cyril
Buddyhunter1 vs. The Walrus
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Hangman
Post by: Sacul on November 05, 2020, 03:21:33 PM
twosuitsluke vs. MoraWintersoul
Evermind vs. TAC
Sacul vs. Puppies_On_Acid
romdrums vs. HOF
Elite vs. Cyril
Buddyhunter1 vs. The Walrus
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Hangman
Post by: Stadler on November 05, 2020, 03:32:35 PM
WOW; I only know one of those albums.   I don't even know what all the albums are (from the covers).

Who sent "Marbles"?   They're going to win.  :)

Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Hangman
Post by: The Walrus on November 05, 2020, 03:33:58 PM
See I was smart and sent an album that actually, you know, puts the artist and title on the cover.  :lol
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Hangman
Post by: The Walrus on November 05, 2020, 03:34:26 PM
Also, Mora is now on my shit-list
Everyone who sent Voyager is on my shit list. Or bless you list, in case he doesn't like them and it saves me from performing poorly. I would have sent The Meaning of I though, or V.

You're already on my shit list for that Sonata Arctica smack talk!!  :lol
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Hangman
Post by: King Puppies and the Acid Guppies on November 05, 2020, 03:38:37 PM
WOW; I only know one of those albums.   I don't even know what all the albums are (from the covers).

Who sent "Marbles"?   They're going to win.  :)
Marbles damn well better win!
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Hangman
Post by: Buddyhunter1 on November 05, 2020, 03:40:12 PM
You all should listen to my album, it's very very good
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Hangman
Post by: Sacul on November 05, 2020, 03:44:54 PM
I've got faith 425 will find Marillion too long and that it drags and that gives me the edge :corn
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Hangman
Post by: MoraWintersoul on November 05, 2020, 03:52:23 PM
Also, Mora is now on my shit-list
Everyone who sent Voyager is on my shit list. Or bless you list, in case he doesn't like them and it saves me from performing poorly. I would have sent The Meaning of I though, or V.

You're already on my shit list for that Sonata Arctica smack talk!!  :lol
SGHN smack talk*  :angel:

twosuitsluke vs. MoraWintersoul - always bet on yourself
Evermind vs. TAC - giving the edge to Witherfall, Soen can be a little monotone
Sacul vs. Puppies_On_Acid - I have a feeling Marillion will be the best rated band this round
romdrums vs. HOF - I have to give *one* win to Voyager, and I prefer Colours to Ghost Mile, so there
Elite vs. Cyril - this might be the final straw re: 425 and PoS. they are stronger if you listen to albums, but I don't think it will be quite up 425's (what's your name man) alley.
Buddyhunter1 vs. The Walrus - Phideaux is v underrated.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Hangman
Post by: romdrums on November 05, 2020, 03:52:53 PM
I've got faith 425 will find Marillion too long and that it drags and that gives me the edge :corn

The only thing that drags more is the time you take to submit for these roulettes. :biggrin: :corn
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Hangman
Post by: The Walrus on November 05, 2020, 03:53:40 PM
Also, Mora is now on my shit-list
Everyone who sent Voyager is on my shit list. Or bless you list, in case he doesn't like them and it saves me from performing poorly. I would have sent The Meaning of I though, or V.

You're already on my shit list for that Sonata Arctica smack talk!!  :lol
SGHN smack talk*  :angel:

twosuitsluke vs. MoraWintersoul - always bet on yourself
Evermind vs. TAC - giving the edge to Witherfall, Soen can be a little monotone
Sacul vs. Puppies_On_Acid - I have a feeling Marillion will be the best rated band this round
romdrums vs. HOF - I have to give *one* win to Voyager, and I prefer Colours to Ghost Mile, so there
Elite vs. Cyril - this might be the final straw re: 425 and PoS. they are stronger if you listen to albums, but I don't think it will be quite up 425's (what's your name man) alley.
Buddyhunter1 vs. The Walrus - Phideaux is v underrated.

:getoffmylawn:

Also, 425's name is Fortu Fayv. Pretty sure he's a Jedi.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Hangman
Post by: Sacul on November 05, 2020, 03:59:02 PM
I've got faith 425 will find Marillion too long and that it drags and that gives me the edge :corn

The only thing that drags more is my EP for your roulette :biggrin: :corn
:neverusethis: :neverusethis: :neverusethis:
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Hangman
Post by: 425 on November 05, 2020, 04:01:16 PM
Elite vs. Cyril - this might be the final straw re: 425 and PoS. they are stronger if you listen to albums, but I don't think it will be quite up 425's (what's your name man) alley.

My name's Sam! Do you prefer Mora, or is there another name I should use?

I think this will most likely be a decisive experience with PoS one way or the other. Either they'll win me here or I'm pretty much going to give up.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Hangman
Post by: romdrums on November 05, 2020, 04:01:32 PM
I've got faith 425 will find Marillion too long and that it drags and that gives me the edge :corn

The only thing that drags more is my EP for your roulette :biggrin: :corn
:neverusethis: :neverusethis: :neverusethis:

(https://media1.tenor.com/images/5c2cf8529cc723458547905fc6f13317/tenor.gif?itemid=3294240)
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Hangman
Post by: Elite on November 05, 2020, 04:02:04 PM
I hope you like mine.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Hangman
Post by: romdrums on November 05, 2020, 04:02:49 PM
WOW; I only know one of those albums.   I don't even know what all the albums are (from the covers).

Who sent "Marbles"?   They're going to win.  :)
Marbles damn well better win!

I thought about sending Afraid of Sunlight, but went with Voyager.  We'll see how that plays.

Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Hangman
Post by: Crow on November 05, 2020, 04:03:12 PM
to be fair remedy lane probably was the safer/smarter choice but i prefer the better choice in all things

love everyone betting against me though  :lol
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Hangman
Post by: Stadler on November 05, 2020, 05:45:10 PM
I've got faith 425 will find Marillion too long and that it drags and that gives me the edge :corn

The only thing that drags more is the time you take to submit for these roulettes. :biggrin: :corn

Oh, SNAP!   :)
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Hangman
Post by: Evermind on November 05, 2020, 11:20:54 PM
It'll be a shame if 425 gives up on PoS before listening to Remedy Lane.

WTF someone else in this thread listens to Witherfall? I'm stumped there. romdrums?

I have two of their albums. They're pretty good but not as good as Soen :P
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Hangman
Post by: HOF on November 05, 2020, 11:39:56 PM
WOW; I only know one of those albums.   I don't even know what all the albums are (from the covers).

Who sent "Marbles"?   They're going to win.  :)
Marbles damn well better win!

I thought about sending Afraid of Sunlight, but went with Voyager.  We'll see how that plays.

Afraid of Sunlight was on my short list of albums for next round. On certain days I might even call it my favorite album. Glad you didn’t send it this round!
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Hangman
Post by: 425 on November 06, 2020, 12:07:15 AM
It'll be a shame if 425 gives up on PoS before listening to Remedy Lane.

So, look, here's the thing.

I've heard a number of songs. None of them have done that much for me. I've gotten two in roulette—Undertow and Handful of Nothing, both of which I liked decently well at the time, but which made absolutely no long-term impression on me.

From what I'm familiar with, which is limited, I don't really like Gildenlöw's lyrics. From what I can glean, his worldview really clashes with mine in a way that I tend to find offputting.

Generally, they seem to belong to that more naturalistic side of prog metal, like Porcupine Tree and Tool, that I've always struggled with to a certain degree. (Wilson's just so good a songwriter and has a worldview that is at least friendly enough to mine—though still very different—that I'm able to enjoy a certain section of his output—mainly the last five PT albums, the Raven album, and a smattering of other songs.)

I'm saying this all not having listened to The Perfect Element yet. I wouldn't say this much if I'd already listened to the submission, and once I listen to it tomorrow, I'll shut up about Pain of Salvation until I'm ready to give results. Maybe this album will turn me around, like a Deadwing-quality album might have turned me around on Porcupine Tree.

But that's where I'm coming from and where I sit with this band. Maybe that gives some insight into my attitude that this is the last real chance for them—there's a history here; this isn't just one-and-done. If I end up really mehing this hard, I won't ban them, and someone can take the big risk on Remedy Lane or whatever other one they think will sell me.

Maybe this post, along with my eventual reaction to The Perfect Element, will also give more general insight into my tastes, which might help folks decide on later submissions.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Hangman
Post by: Crow on November 06, 2020, 12:41:51 AM
i hope i win  :corn
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Hangman
Post by: MoraWintersoul on November 06, 2020, 05:15:47 AM
Elite vs. Cyril - this might be the final straw re: 425 and PoS. they are stronger if you listen to albums, but I don't think it will be quite up 425's (what's your name man) alley.

My name's Sam! Do you prefer Mora, or is there another name I should use?

I think this will most likely be a decisive experience with PoS one way or the other. Either they'll win me here or I'm pretty much going to give up.
Mora is great. I used to be Mora everywhere on the internet, think this is the last place where I am still using that :)
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Hangman
Post by: The Walrus on November 06, 2020, 06:12:14 AM
More like The Painful Experience pain of salvation suxxx
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Hangman
Post by: Buddyhunter1 on November 06, 2020, 07:26:35 AM
I've also never been able to get into Pain Of Salvation. I thought their new album was going to tip me over, but I ended up having pretty mixed feelings about it when all is said and done.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Hangman
Post by: MoraWintersoul on November 06, 2020, 08:10:20 AM
Lol I guess some people don't have what it takes to set themselves on fire to breed the perfect element  :coolio
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Hangman
Post by: romdrums on November 06, 2020, 09:04:34 AM
I've also never been able to get into Pain Of Salvation. I thought their new album was going to tip me over, but I ended up having pretty mixed feelings about it when all is said and done.

I've always thought the PoS abbreviation was appropriate, honestly.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Hangman
Post by: Crow on November 06, 2020, 09:38:35 AM
man so many of y'all don't have Emotions you should go perform The Human Equation on yourselves
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Hangman
Post by: The Walrus on November 06, 2020, 10:03:57 AM
I have emotions unfortunately big angst is not one of em so most prog metal falls flat esp. PoS :<
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Hangman
Post by: Sacul on November 06, 2020, 10:08:44 AM
I have the feels and the big angst but Pain of Snore does nothing for me.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Hangman
Post by: Buddyhunter1 on November 06, 2020, 10:43:30 AM
man so many of y'all don't have Emotions you should go perform The Human Equation on yourselves

I performed The Human Equation on myself once and it was very much not my thing either. :neverusethis:
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Hangman
Post by: romdrums on November 06, 2020, 04:21:47 PM
Your mileage may vary, but the way Daniel Gildenlow expresses his emotions comes off as overwrought and unauthentic, like's he's trying too hard.  He also comes off as a one-upper, like, we are all dealing with some complex stuff in our lives, but his is more complex than ours, and he's going to beat you over the head with it.  That's not something I jibe with, at all.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Hangman
Post by: Crow on November 06, 2020, 04:29:26 PM
literally no part about TPE1 is about daniel gildenlow (tbh, only remedy lane and ItPLoD are to any extent really) but aight  :lol
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Hangman
Post by: The Walrus on November 06, 2020, 05:37:58 PM
Your mileage may vary, but the way Daniel Gildenlow expresses his emotions comes off as overwrought and unauthentic, like's he's trying too hard.  He also comes off as a one-upper, like, we are all dealing with some complex stuff in our lives, but his is more complex than ours, and he's going to beat you over the head with it.  That's not something I jibe with, at all.

You fucking nailed it
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Hangman
Post by: King Puppies and the Acid Guppies on November 06, 2020, 05:47:36 PM
Your mileage may vary, but the way Daniel Gildenlow expresses his emotions comes off as overwrought and unauthentic, like's he's trying too hard.  He also comes off as a one-upper, like, we are all dealing with some complex stuff in our lives, but his is more complex than ours, and he's going to beat you over the head with it.  That's not something I jibe with, at all.

You fucking nailed it
You guys are off your rockers.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Hangman
Post by: TAC on November 06, 2020, 05:58:06 PM
I am happy to have no idea what you guys are talking about.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Hangman
Post by: The Walrus on November 06, 2020, 07:45:56 PM
Wow, change the record!   :lol
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Hangman
Post by: Crow on November 06, 2020, 07:50:11 PM
TAC have you ever heard of this obscure band named Dream Theater?
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Hangman
Post by: TAC on November 06, 2020, 07:53:08 PM
No, but I do love Dream Theatre.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Hangman
Post by: King Puppies and the Acid Guppies on November 06, 2020, 07:53:47 PM
No, but I do love Dream Theatre.
:splodetard:
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Hangman
Post by: Evermind on November 08, 2020, 02:38:40 AM
Okay so my bets are

twosuitsluke vs. MoraWintersoul - definitely betting on Sieges Even here, I bet 425 will like it, I considered sending them myself
Evermind vs. TAC - eh, I think Witherfall might be too extreme for 425, and while Soen can be monotone, Lykaia is very consistent
Sacul vs. Puppies_On_Acid - I haven't heard the Glen Hansard's album but I like Marbles
romdrums vs. HOF - I can imagine 425 liking BBT more than Voyager for sure
Elite vs. Cyril - I like Pain of Salvation more but there's a reason I haven't sent them in Round 1, I don't think they'll do very well
Buddyhunter1 vs. The Walrus - man I wish you'd have sent Number Seven because I think 425 will say Doomsday Afternoon drags, but I still think he'll like it more than Voyager
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Hangman
Post by: Buddyhunter1 on November 08, 2020, 09:33:59 AM
Buddyhunter1 vs. The Walrus - man I wish you'd have sent Number Seven because I think 425 will say Doomsday Afternoon drags, but I still think he'll like it more than Voyager

I really don't like Number Seven anywhere near as much as Doomsday Afternoon. I guess the middle of it (Thank You For The Evil, A Wasteland Of Memories) is a bit slow but apart from that it's got an excellent flow. And at least I didn't send Infernal. :lol
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Hangman
Post by: King Puppies and the Acid Guppies on November 08, 2020, 10:40:14 AM
Buddyhunter1 vs. The Walrus - man I wish you'd have sent Number Seven because I think 425 will say Doomsday Afternoon drags, but I still think he'll like it more than Voyager

I really don't like Number Seven anywhere near as much as Doomsday Afternoon. I guess the middle of it (Thank You For The Evil, A Wasteland Of Memories) is a bit slow but apart from that it's got an excellent flow. And at least I didn't send Infernal. :lol
I would have sent Snowtorch.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Hangman
Post by: The Walrus on November 08, 2020, 12:44:43 PM
No faith. Smh
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Hangman
Post by: Buddyhunter1 on November 08, 2020, 01:41:12 PM
Why don't you actually listen to the album, Walrus :lol
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Hangman
Post by: MoraWintersoul on November 08, 2020, 02:13:51 PM
Yeah, Voyager is great but I really think Sam is gonna love the Phideaux album.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Hangman
Post by: The Walrus on November 08, 2020, 03:32:32 PM
Why don't you actually listen to the album, Walrus :lol

Someone's gotta be in Voyager's corner  :lol
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Hangman
Post by: 425 on November 08, 2020, 04:14:21 PM
An update on how things are going: At the end of today, I will have gone through everything once. My goal is to go through them all three times. Needless to say, the pace on this roulette is going to be longer than one round per week. I knew this and that's why I limited the number of rounds. I also made a plan to keep things interesting during the long rounds. Instead of posting all the results at once at the end of the week, I'll be posting the results to each matchup as I finish it. This way, starting in 2-3 days, results will be coming in every day or two, instead of radio silence for a while and eventually all the results at once

To add to the intrigue in the meantime...

I have heard songs from all of these artists in previous roulettes. Sometimes including songs from these very albums. This post will catalogue the relevant writeups. They may not have anything to do with how I ultimate feel about any of these albums—they may not even reflect how I currently feel about the songs in question, especially in the case of the really old ones from my first roulette, but it will provide an interesting baseline. I'll even embarrass myself by posting the writeup where I confused a male singer for a female one.

Quote from: 425
Marillion - Sugar Mice

I had, of course, previously heard of Marillion and had heard this mentioned as one of the best songs from the band and even of its genre. Shamefully, I had not given it a pass until now. Fortunately, this submission has corrected that.

This song pairs its absolutely devastating lyrics with a very good musical approach to create a really emotionally powerful piece the likes of which you really are not likely to hear in this style (at least, in my opinion). On the surface, this song doesn’t seem that notable, but it really is. The vocal melodies are really excellent. The playing is fantastic, just a cut above. I’d known Pete Trewavas from Transatlantic, so I knew to listen for excellent bass playing, and I wasn’t disappointed.

But ultimately, this song is about the lyrical message. Which is just devastating. This is a very sad song indeed, and the music (particularly the singing) captures the sense of regret portrayed in the lyrics extremely well. “Your daddy took a rain check.” Wow.

Score: 8.5

Quote from: 425
Pain of Salvation - Undertow

Another band that I probably should have checked out by now, but hadn’t yet. And another band that I’m learning I should have checked out.

This song builds a really great vibe in its first couple of minutes. The guitar playing and the synths/keys set the scene in a really compelling fashion. Daniel Gildenlöw’s singing is really nice. His voice is soft with just the right amount of roughness to fit with the emotion of the piece.

The crescendo is probably the best part of the song. Gildenlöw’s voice becomes really outstanding on the climax of the song. He builds a great deal of emotional power and makes the song feel as desperate as it does. “Let me drain! Let me die!” And then the ending brings it full-circle quite nicely. This is quite a good piece and one that has definitely encouraged me to give Pain of Salvation a look.

Score: 8.5

Quote from: 425
Phideaux - The Claws of a Crayfish

This is really an unusual song that stands out a bit even in a round of fairly unusual songs. I suppose part of it is that it’s a part of a concept album, but to its credit, it really does stand on its own as a little epic.

What really jumps out about this piece to me is the multi-instrumental nature of it. There’s a lot going on, musically, with string sections and saxophone players accompanying the traditional prog-rock instrumentation. The piano player may be the standout musician, though its hard to point one person out when so many musicians must have been involved in coming together to make such a seamless-sounding piece of music. The singer is a bit unusual-sounding, very high-pitched, but his voice is quite pretty.

This is a song that I could still get more out of with several more listens, and I’m sure I will also enjoy unpacking the whole concept album. I really enjoy quite a bit the way that the song goes through so many different sections and brings in so many different instruments in a very short running time. Definitely an artist to look into.

Score: 8.5

Quote from: 425
Ulver starts things off with Eos. Which is spectacular. It’s a very quiet opener, featuring a keyboard and vocal dominated soundscape. I really love the sad atmosphere, which is perfectly captured by the album artwork. The vocals here are perhaps the most spectacular part of the whole piece. The singer’s deep voice brings a lot to the overall atmosphere of this song. This song is really excellent and resonnates a lot with me emotionally. My favorite of this EP and probably my favorite of the entire round.

Quote from: 425
Glen Hansard - Bird of Sorrow

Every time I come back to this song, it seems, I remember again how good it is. When I’m not listening to it, I find myself doubting that it deserves to get massive marks. Probably why I’ve made noises in the thread to the effect that no one will get anything near a perfect score in this round—I keep forgetting just how good this song is.

Obviously the piano and subtle guitar are important to the atmosphere of this song, but the real strength is in his voice and the vocal melodies. These melodies just flow—each one into the next on the chorus. It’s a really incredible thing, the way each one perfectly follows into the next one. His voice is just perfectly suited to the song and it’s really very good how he transitions from the quieter early verses to the loud, wails of “I’m not leaving” “I’m hanging on” in the climax of this song.

This is a really, really good song. Well composed, amazingly performed, and tearjerking, really. As I think everyone has said already, which is why I don’t feel the need to write volumes about this one. This is definitely the best song of the roulette thus far. I guess the only thing left is, will I be hitting those one and five keys [the maximum score in this roulette was 15]?

The Mars Volta - Son et lumiere/Inertiatic ESP

Snippet: I'm not really a fan of the lyrics on this one, so it's a question of how much they detract from some pretty enjoyable instrumentation.

I’ve heard a lot about The Mars Volta, but I don’t think I had ever listened to one of their songs. My first reaction was one of surprise—I don’t know what I had expected, but it wasn’t anything as melodic or dynamic as this. The vocal melodies are quite good, especially on the first verse, and chorus riff is memorable.

Now, as for what I didn’t like: For one thing, I did not particularly enjoy the quiet part at the end, from the last verse to the end of the song. There were some elements of dissonance introduced there that I wasn’t keen on.

But my far more significant complaint was indicated in my snippet: the lyrics. I do not like lyrics that talk about morbid and disgusting things. I don’t care if there’s some artistic effect they are meant to achieve—they just make me feel gross. And that’s how the lyrics of this song make me feel.

The music here is mostly good, and would probably be worthy of at least a 7. But one of the tests I’m using in scoring this roulette is how likely I am to come back to this song, and whether the song makes me want to hear more from this artist. The dissonant stuff and the lyrics push this one down by that standard.

Score: 6 out of 10

Marillion - Neverland

Snippet: I enjoy this song a lot. But I do feel like there's so much to digest that I couldn't fully get it all in the context of a roulette round.

My experience with Marillion is positive, but it is limited to having received Sugar Mice in my v1 and enjoyed it. This was, of course, a song from a much later era of Marillion, but it was no less enjoyable experience—and one that showed me that this band is capable of a long, proggier composition.

The instrumentation here just works for me. It’s skillful without being overplayed, the guitar tones are nice, and there’s a nice diversity in instrumentation (acoustic and electric guitar, piano, keyboard and some nice prominent bass). The vocals are pretty nice, too. The singer hits all the emotional notes, and his voice fits with the music.

My one regret with this one is that, as the snippet suggests, there is so much here that I don’t think I was able to take all of it in. I think this is the potential downside of sending a long, multifaceted song. I don’t think you’ll be unhappy with this score, just as I am certainly not unhappy with this song but I can see it growing more down the road as I give it more time and more listens.

Even though this is long, and it’s one of those songs that feels as long as it is, it does not feel at any point unjustified. It really sprawls out and works with the full 12 minutes to achieve a really nice effect. I guessed it was the last song on the album before I even looked up, and I’m sure it’s great in that capacity. This has definitely motivated me to more fully investigate Marillion.

Score: 8 out of 10

Witherfall - What We Are Dying For

Snippet: The acoustic guitar work is the most impressive part of this one.

Off the bat, this song kind of worried me a little bit. I am not really a fan of thrash metal, and I don’t really enjoy songs that just build up a lot of fast, heavy riffs with fairly generic vocal melodies.

This is, fortunately, not that sort of song. Sure, there is the speed metal part that takes up the first several minutes of the song, and it is indeed my least favorite part of the song. But it avoids being too generic, and it works as part of the whole piece.

I really find it interesting that this one starts out going as hard and heavy as it ever does, and then gradually slows things down into a clean guitar section. It’s the reverse of the kind of build-up that is enjoyable but typical of the genre. And this section really is the highlight for me, because the acoustic guitar work is really very interesting here—far removed from the kind of generic strumming you could imagine if they just did an acoustic part for the sake of it.

As a bonus, between the two metal parts and the nice acoustic middle, I feel like this song gets a lot done in less than seven minutes. I always like it when that happens.

Score: 7.5 out of 10

Sieges Even - Unbreakable

Snippet: There are some great vocal harmonies on this one. There's just one small section of instrumentation that I'm not crazy about.

I don’t know exactly how I would categorize this song, except that I would categorize it as something that I like. Even though this is a metal band, they use the metal elements selectively and for color. Instead, the emphasis is on some sparkling clean guitar work and emotive vocals. The vocal harmonies are a highlight here, adding to the emotional power of the singing.

The only section that I outright like here is the high pitched guitar/keyboard parts in the middle of the song [this sentence confuses me; maybe this was the only section I *didn't* outright like? sorry, don't know anymore]. But, in the final analysis, it doesn’t detract heavily from my overall enjoyment of the song. Overall, I do think the song is noticeably stronger on the vocal parts than on the instrumentals, but many of those instrumental section do their task perfectly well. This is an enjoyable track.

Score: 7.5 out of 10

Ulver - Nowhere (Sweet Sixteen)

I didn't know there was such a thing as live Zantera/Sacul music! But here it is, nonetheless.

This is a piece that really goes for a depressing, spacey vibe, especially on the chorus, where ominous, deep vocals (alternating with high, wailing ones) repeat the refrain "Nowhere... catastrophe."

This style of music, I've made no secret, is not my bread and butter. But this is a well-executed piece that I have come to enjoy pretty well. There's enough of a melodic sensibility to keep me hooked, and the vibe is quite compelling.

Score 8 out of 10

Pain of Salvation - Handful of Nothing

Snippet: I can respect what they’re doing here and can almost feel what they’re reaching for... but like other things I've heard from them, I'm just not quite feeling it yet.

Yeah, so Pain of Salvation is a band that I've heard a few songs from, and my view of all of them is that they are technically pretty good, but I just don't quite feel them.

My assessment here is somewhat more positive. I think it helps that this is a live performance. Gildenlöw's vocal acrobatics are more obviously impressive, given that he's capable of carrying off this diversity in a live setting, and the whole thing is a bit looser and more lively.

The song has a nice diversity of elements, and it's one where all the pieces feel pretty strong. The chorus really anchors it. That plus a strong performance leads to a nice score.

Score: 8 out of 10

I would describe this EP as really consistent in both style and quality. Everything here is more-or-less straightfoward prog metal, and all the songs range from pretty solid to quite good.

This does not mean there is no sense of variety here. There really is, which is a very good thing. Despite the songs coming from the same basic style, each one has its own identity, which prevents the EP from sounding too same-y. The flow from each song into the next is also strong. This all adds up to a pretty enjoyable listening experience.

...

Song ranking:
...
5. Voyager - To the Riverside (7.5)
...
7. Voyager - Ghost Mile (7.5)

Ultimately, the success of this EP hangs on the success or failure of the Big Big Train song [Curator of Butterflies], in more ways than one. Because while I find the concept interesting and the songs good, the mood is rather gloomier than I would like to follow for a long period of time. So the finale needs not only to break the pattern of declines, but also give some brightness to the close of the EP.

So, does it succeed? I kind of don’t know? Sort of? I do like it, and I do think it is a better song than the preceding two—there’s actually a lot of good stuff going on here musically. But I don’t find it to be the hopeful ending I would have wanted (indeed, the written concept does not have a hopeful ending). There’s something about it that actually bothers me, though I find I have a hard time describing it. There’s something I find unsatisfying about this ending. And that kind of ends up being generalized to a feel about the EP as a whole.

The Voyager track [Sober] was a pleasant surprise. I really overlooked it the first few times and grouped it with the prior two into a trio of bleak songs that I didn’t much care for, but on further listens I’m really hearing a lot of creative depth here. The dynamics just feel like they work effortlessly, but they’re actually bolstered by nice subtle work from the keyboard player and vocalist. This, along with the Arcade Fire songs, is the other highlight of the EP.

Soen - Lotus

Impression: The adjective that comes to mind for this one is “smooth.” From the subtle guitar work to the vocal melodies to the singer’s emotional delivery, the whole thing just feels so smooth. I’m into it.

I think I’ve said it as best as I can already in the impression. This song is so smooth, and I love it. There’s a ton of emotion in this one, carried out through precise and beautifully executed guitar and vocal work.

This is one of those songs that doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel or do anything too far out of the ordinary, but does an expected thing unexpectedly well. Every note is in the right place, and the experience is excellent all the way through. A very well-crafted piece of music.

Score: 9.0 out of 10.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Hangman
Post by: TAC on November 08, 2020, 04:17:35 PM
Great idea.


Oh boy..  :|
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Hangman
Post by: Buddyhunter1 on November 08, 2020, 04:26:50 PM
Why don't you actually listen to the album, Walrus :lol

Someone's gotta be in Voyager's corner  :lol

What is this, a marriage? I've listened to your album! And I've been trying to get you to listen to Doomsday Afternoon for a while now!
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Hangman
Post by: Crow on November 08, 2020, 04:42:17 PM
okay yeah RIP to TMV then based on that previous score haha  :rollin
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Hangman
Post by: twosuitsluke on November 08, 2020, 04:51:51 PM
okay yeah RIP to TMV then based on that previous score haha  :rollin

Wait until you see what I'm planning on sending next  :lol
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Hangman
Post by: Crow on November 08, 2020, 04:52:25 PM
A Novelist? :neverusethis:
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Hangman
Post by: King Puppies and the Acid Guppies on November 08, 2020, 05:38:51 PM
At the Drive In?
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Hangman
Post by: HOF on November 08, 2020, 05:54:12 PM
I had looked up your thoughts on Curator of Butterflies before sending. I will say, I’ve always thought that was just a gorgeous track, but my wife also thought it was really depressing. It is a little lyrically ambiguous as to whether it’s about suicide or not, but the band have clarified that it is not meant to be (more just a reflection on the brevity of life I think).
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Hangman
Post by: 425 on November 08, 2020, 06:04:40 PM
It could very well be that my impression of that track was affected significantly by the context of it being on someone's very cohesive, story-based EP.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Hangman
Post by: Evermind on November 08, 2020, 09:30:49 PM
Yeah, it was 100% about suicide on that someone's EP :biggrin:
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Hangman
Post by: 425 on November 08, 2020, 09:57:14 PM
Overall, I think you want to be careful if you're thinking about making me depressed. Especially with something EP- or album-length. Other things being equal, it's a far better bet to lift me up than it is to break me down.

*several roulette participants suddenly feel somewhat less comfortable, some of them for good reason*  :-X
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Hangman
Post by: King Puppies and the Acid Guppies on November 08, 2020, 11:18:07 PM
I hope Marbles goes over well then.....It's a bit of a rollercoaster ride lyrically. It isn't a concept album exactly, but it also kind of is.....sort of. Or more maybe thematic in nature. It does end on a more hopeful note with Neverland though.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Hangman
Post by: Crow on November 09, 2020, 12:15:08 AM
i mean i guess TPE is not Happy Music yes  :P
i like anything that's really emotionally impactful personally and uhh

it qualifies, lol
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Hangman
Post by: 425 on November 09, 2020, 12:31:25 AM
I really struggle to describe exactly what I mean when I talk about this, because it would just not be accurate to say that I only or even mainly like happy music. There are certain types of unhappy music that I have a hard time with. It's not a fully adequate description, but the type that gives off the feeling that there's no point to life at all, that life is inevitably miserable or painful, is one of the major types that I will have a very hard time with. The kind of sadness that has more of a quality of numbness and futility to it rather than the kind that has more of a quality of grand tragedy.

That's a really imprecise description, but I really want to convey what I mean here, so I'm going to keep trying.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Hangman
Post by: Evermind on November 09, 2020, 02:14:17 AM
Yeah, I guess I kind of forgot about that when I decided to send Soen.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Hangman
Post by: Elite on November 09, 2020, 03:20:26 AM
Ooooh, that wrote-up for Sober by Voyager reminds me of that very EP I made!
I should return to that one, it was good, I still have it on my computer :)
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Hangman
Post by: Sacul on November 09, 2020, 06:40:27 AM
Yeah, I guess I kind of forgot about that when I decided to send Soen.
Hope he likes the cool swingy jazz fusion kinda stuff at least :neverusethis:
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Hangman
Post by: Buddyhunter1 on November 09, 2020, 07:35:08 AM
Mine's incredibly bleak lyrically but less depressing musically, let's see how it works out :lol
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Hangman
Post by: King Puppies and the Acid Guppies on November 09, 2020, 07:48:43 AM
I really struggle to describe exactly what I mean when I talk about this, because it would just not be accurate to say that I only or even mainly like happy music. There are certain types of unhappy music that I have a hard time with. It's not a fully adequate description, but the type that gives off the feeling that there's no point to life at all, that life is inevitably miserable or painful, is one of the major types that I will have a very hard time with. The kind of sadness that has more of a quality of numbness and futility to it rather than the kind that has more of a quality of grand tragedy.

That's a really imprecise description, but I really want to convey what I mean here, so I'm going to keep trying.
So like, Nihilism?
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Hangman
Post by: Buddyhunter1 on November 09, 2020, 07:56:18 AM
I really struggle to describe exactly what I mean when I talk about this, because it would just not be accurate to say that I only or even mainly like happy music. There are certain types of unhappy music that I have a hard time with. It's not a fully adequate description, but the type that gives off the feeling that there's no point to life at all, that life is inevitably miserable or painful, is one of the major types that I will have a very hard time with. The kind of sadness that has more of a quality of numbness and futility to it rather than the kind that has more of a quality of grand tragedy.

That's a really imprecise description, but I really want to convey what I mean here, so I'm going to keep trying.
So like, Nihilism?

Acceptable depressing: Steven Wilson
Non-acceptable depressing: Have A Nice Life
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Hangman
Post by: HOF on November 09, 2020, 08:21:37 AM
I really struggle to describe exactly what I mean when I talk about this, because it would just not be accurate to say that I only or even mainly like happy music. There are certain types of unhappy music that I have a hard time with. It's not a fully adequate description, but the type that gives off the feeling that there's no point to life at all, that life is inevitably miserable or painful, is one of the major types that I will have a very hard time with. The kind of sadness that has more of a quality of numbness and futility to it rather than the kind that has more of a quality of grand tragedy.

That's a really imprecise description, but I really want to convey what I mean here, so I'm going to keep trying.
So like, Nihilism?

Acceptable depressing: Steven Wilson
Non-acceptable depressing: Have A Nice Life

See, Steven Wilson/PT is who I was thinking of with 425’s description. That’s been a hang up for me with his music for sure.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Hangman
Post by: The Walrus on November 09, 2020, 08:27:03 AM
I agree that angsty/woe is me prog is pretty bad
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Hangman
Post by: Evermind on November 09, 2020, 08:35:29 AM
I do not agree with that at all. I mean, I'm a fan of Evergrey and Need :lol

Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Hangman
Post by: The Walrus on November 09, 2020, 08:44:13 AM
I do not agree with that at all. I mean, I'm a fan of Evergrey and Need :lol

You and I are 100% opposites when it comes to prog music though. I got shivers just reading that.  :lol
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Hangman
Post by: romdrums on November 09, 2020, 09:09:20 AM
I hope Marbles goes over well then.....It's a bit of a rollercoaster ride lyrically. It isn't a concept album exactly, but it also kind of is.....sort of. Or more maybe thematic in nature. It does end on a more hopeful note with Neverland though.

Did you send the 1 disc version or the 2 disc version?  I have both, and I think the 2-disc version is miles better.  The added songs really complete the experience, and the revised running order puts a whole different spin on the whole thing.  Marbles is a masterpiece, and I think it's some of the most inspired work they've ever done.  I've never really thought of it as hopeless, because even in the darkest lyrics (Invisible Man, The Only Unforgivable Thing, Ocean Cloud) there is a ray of light.  It is an emotional rollercoaster, especially lyrically, but I think it pays off beautifully.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Hangman
Post by: 425 on November 09, 2020, 12:33:41 PM
So like, Nihilism?

Yes. That's probably the most precise one-word description for it.


Acceptable depressing: Steven Wilson
Non-acceptable depressing: Have A Nice Life

See, Steven Wilson/PT is who I was thinking of with 425’s description. That’s been a hang up for me with his music for sure.

Agreed with HOF, and I think I specifically used Wilson as an example earlier in this thread.

I think Wilson is a great songwriter, and I like The Raven That Refused to Sing and the last five Porcupine Tree albums. But I almost never listen to them because I don't like the way they tend to make me feel. I stopped following him after I found Hand. Cannot. Erase. even more oppressive in this sense than most of the Wilson stuff I'd heard and liked. I thought: I have enough of this guy's stuff to listen to on the rare occasions when I'm in the appropriate mindset, and outside of that I should just seek out great songwriters that make me feel better.

To give another example, I also generally feel this way about pre-Ghost Reveries Opeth. I agree with those who call Blackwater Park a brilliant album, but good lord, it's too dark for me listen to more than once every couple of years.


I do not agree with that at all. I mean, I'm a fan of Evergrey and Need :lol

I like Hegaiamas, though I've only listened to it a couple of times, and don't think I'd put it in this category. From what I've heard, I don't think I'd put Evergrey in this category either, but they haven't clicked with me yet for other reasons.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Hangman
Post by: Crow on November 09, 2020, 12:44:09 PM
well at the very least my other three albums are way more uplifting?  :lol
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Hangman
Post by: Buddyhunter1 on November 09, 2020, 01:02:52 PM
I might have to change what I was planning on sending next round.  :lol
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Hangman
Post by: Sacul on November 09, 2020, 03:03:45 PM
Well I hope you don't find my album too depressing, I think it's sort of uplifting :lol
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Hangman
Post by: King Puppies and the Acid Guppies on November 09, 2020, 05:57:26 PM
I hope Marbles goes over well then.....It's a bit of a rollercoaster ride lyrically. It isn't a concept album exactly, but it also kind of is.....sort of. Or more maybe thematic in nature. It does end on a more hopeful note with Neverland though.

Did you send the 1 disc version or the 2 disc version?  I have both, and I think the 2-disc version is miles better.  The added songs really complete the experience, and the revised running order puts a whole different spin on the whole thing.  Marbles is a masterpiece, and I think it's some of the most inspired work they've ever done.  I've never really thought of it as hopeless, because even in the darkest lyrics (Invisible Man, The Only Unforgivable Thing, Ocean Cloud) there is a ray of light.  It is an emotional rollercoaster, especially lyrically, but I think it pays off beautifully.
The 1 disc version doesn't exist.....change my mind... :biggrin:
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Hangman
Post by: romdrums on November 09, 2020, 06:50:11 PM
I hope Marbles goes over well then.....It's a bit of a rollercoaster ride lyrically. It isn't a concept album exactly, but it also kind of is.....sort of. Or more maybe thematic in nature. It does end on a more hopeful note with Neverland though.

Did you send the 1 disc version or the 2 disc version?  I have both, and I think the 2-disc version is miles better.  The added songs really complete the experience, and the revised running order puts a whole different spin on the whole thing.  Marbles is a masterpiece, and I think it's some of the most inspired work they've ever done.  I've never really thought of it as hopeless, because even in the darkest lyrics (Invisible Man, The Only Unforgivable Thing, Ocean Cloud) there is a ray of light.  It is an emotional rollercoaster, especially lyrically, but I think it pays off beautifully.
The 1 disc version doesn't exist.....change my mind... :biggrin:

No need.  ;D

Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Hangman
Post by: HOF on November 09, 2020, 07:35:57 PM
I hope Marbles goes over well then.....It's a bit of a rollercoaster ride lyrically. It isn't a concept album exactly, but it also kind of is.....sort of. Or more maybe thematic in nature. It does end on a more hopeful note with Neverland though.

Did you send the 1 disc version or the 2 disc version?  I have both, and I think the 2-disc version is miles better.  The added songs really complete the experience, and the revised running order puts a whole different spin on the whole thing.  Marbles is a masterpiece, and I think it's some of the most inspired work they've ever done.  I've never really thought of it as hopeless, because even in the darkest lyrics (Invisible Man, The Only Unforgivable Thing, Ocean Cloud) there is a ray of light.  It is an emotional rollercoaster, especially lyrically, but I think it pays off beautifully.
The 1 disc version doesn't exist.....change my mind... :biggrin:

So this was my first experience of the album. While I will fully admit the two disc version is superior, there is a certain flow to the 1 disc album that I do enjoy. The Marbles I-IV sections sort of play a more prominent role, and I like how Fantastic Place is more of a dramatic high point, and more of a center piece rather than being close to the beginning. It really sort of takes on a different meaning when isolated from Genie, The Only Unforgettable Thing, and The Damage. It is more definitively just a love song rather than being part of that tale of infidelity. Same with Neverland I suppose.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Hangman
Post by: Buddyhunter1 on November 11, 2020, 08:44:24 PM
Any updates? Just tell me my album's too depressing already! :lol
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Hangman
Post by: 425 on November 11, 2020, 11:19:12 PM
Absolutely. I have some vaguely-worded impressions that I'll post tonight, and hopefully the first results will come tomorrow. I currently plan to go in the order that I listed the matchups, so that puts Luke and Mora on the hot seat first!



The second half of the album is more like what I was expecting from this artist, and I liked it much better than the first half on the initial listen.

There are several people this round who could potentially be facing some heartache that maybe could have been avoided by following the guidance of the tastes section of the OP. This is most true for person who sent this album, which has parts I enjoy but also leans heavily into all sorts of things I specifically tried to say I don’t like.

This album really has its moments, but I’m not sure yet whether the whole thing comes together into something I enjoy.

I really enjoy the depth of the instrumentation on this one. It feels like there’s so much to dig into.

I completely see why people would think this is a great album, but I’m pretty skeptical that it’s going to connect with me.

On first listen, most of this album was pleasant and enjoyable, but didn’t make a very strong impression, with the possible exception of the last song. We’ll see if that changes.

This album is darker than I thought it was going to be. It’s the kind of darkness that I’m likely to connect with, though, and the first half especially shows promise.

There’s a particular type of thing that keeps happening that I would like to have stop happening. There’s also stuff I like on this album, though. I really don’t know what I’ll end up thinking.

This one feels very, very consistent. Not currently finding any really high points, but everything is strong all the way through.

I was surprised by how emotional some of the songs were. Just wasn’t something I was expecting from this artist.

I really like the instrumentation of this album, the texture of its sound. Still need more time to see how much I enjoy the compositions as I dig into them.

This whole thing is just so nice. That’s really the best word for it. Especially the big, sweeping melodies that feature on many of the tracks.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Hangman
Post by: Crow on November 11, 2020, 11:21:16 PM
There are several people this round who could potentially be facing some heartache that maybe could have been avoided by following the guidance of the tastes section of the OP. This is most true for person who sent this album, which has parts I enjoy but also leans heavily into all sorts of things I specifically tried to say I don’t like.
nah i actually don't really care if you hate the album because i send what i want without regrets & i'm gonna clean house in the other three rounds anyways so w/e
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Impressions
Post by: MoraWintersoul on November 12, 2020, 04:46:56 AM
I'm interested in the two impressions that mention instrumentation. Think those could be mine.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Impressions
Post by: King Puppies and the Acid Guppies on November 12, 2020, 08:19:51 AM
Plot twist, all the impressions are for Marbles. :corn
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Impressions
Post by: Sacul on November 12, 2020, 08:27:48 AM
Is mine the one about darkness
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Impressions
Post by: The Walrus on November 12, 2020, 11:50:11 AM
God I hope mine is the one about not reading the tastes section
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Impressions
Post by: romdrums on November 12, 2020, 12:34:18 PM
God I hope mine is the one about not reading the tastes section

Doubtful since I sent the same artist.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Hangman
Post by: HOF on November 12, 2020, 01:15:59 PM

I really like the instrumentation of this album, the texture of its sound. Still need more time to see how much I enjoy the compositions as I dig into them.

This whole thing is just so nice. That’s really the best word for it. Especially the big, sweeping melodies that feature on many of the tracks.[/i]

I’m thinking mine might be in here somewhere.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Impressions
Post by: The Walrus on November 12, 2020, 01:18:25 PM
God I hope mine is the one about not reading the tastes section

Doubtful since I sent the same artist.

Please allow me to hate on myself  :lol
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Impressions
Post by: romdrums on November 12, 2020, 02:34:14 PM
God I hope mine is the one about not reading the tastes section

Doubtful since I sent the same artist.

Please allow me to hate on myself  :lol

 :biggrin:
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Result 1/6
Post by: 425 on November 14, 2020, 11:35:45 PM
Okay, some personal issues delayed me a little bit, but here I am with the result of the first matchup. Hopefully I will have the second one done tomorrow (which puts TAC and Evermind on the hot seat).


Match 1 Result:

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/2/29/De-Loused_in_the_Comatorium.jpeg) vs. (https://img.discogs.com/AkZq_YmdbTziE_9yv4JA4INcztk=/fit-in/600x590/filters:strip_icc():format(jpeg):mode_rgb():quality(90)/discogs-images/R-5831333-1403907077-5581.jpeg.jpg)

twosuitsluke (The Mars Volta - DeLoused in the Comatorium) vs. MoraWintersoul (Sieges Even - The Art of Navigating by the Stars)

The Mars Volta Impression: I completely see why people would think this is a great album, but I’m pretty skeptical that it’s going to connect with me.

Sieges Even Impression: I really enjoy the depth of the instrumentation on this one. It feels like there’s so much to dig into.

This matchup was a contest between two albums from which I received a song in my second roulette—I received Son et lumière and Inertiatic ESP from The Mars Volta, and Unbreakable from Sieges Even. Neither of these songs scored particularly high, so it mattered a lot how well the rest of the albums performed and how good these songs were in the context of the album.

I warned Luke about the dangers of sending me The Mars Volta. While I liked Inertiatic ESP musically, I found its lyrics pretty repulsive, and was not keen on some dissonant noisy elements that came in at the end of the song. These are elements that can really turn me off. Nonetheless, he wanted me to hear this album anyway, in hopes that I’d nonetheless come around on it.

So, how did the full album come off? Honestly, my view of the album is very similar to my impression of its opening song. There is some genuinely strong material here, and I get why Luke might have thought this would be my thing. There’s sort of a Coheed thing here where this is proggy music with a post-hardcore edge. And I do genuinely like the parts of this album that lean into that, like the central parts of Roulette Dares, Eriatarka and Televators. There are a lot of strong, jagged riffs here and some powerful vocal melodies on songs like the former two. And I have nothing bad to say about Televators, which is my clear favorite on the album and one that I may well come back to as a stand-alone song someday.

But when I say I don’t like a certain kind of lyrics, and that it can hurt you if you send those lyrics anyway, that’s something I mean. So many of the lyrics here are pretty repellent to me, which leaves me feeling conflicted about the vocal lines that I do like. For example, I like the swagger of the chorus to Eriatarka, but it sours somewhat for me when I realize he’s singing about tapeworms and “cocooned meat” (?).

I also do not like the dissonant/noise stuff that shows up rather frequently on this album. That stuff is just obnoxious. It has no musical value in my eyes, and it only serves to annoy me and lower my opinion of the songwriter. There are bad instances of this throughout Drunkship of Lanterns, for example, and during the second half of Cicatriz ESP, cutting in half an instrumental section with a guitar part I enjoyed for several minutes of just utter amelodic nonsense. Also, the end of This Apparatus Must Be Unearthed, which is extremely obnoxious. Or right in the middle of Take the Veil Cerpin Taxt… I could go on.

The result is that this is an album that I have to acknowledge as having a lot of really strong elements, but one that I ultimately don’t find myself eager to return to. The parts I enjoy, I don’t enjoy enough to ignore those that I don’t. And the double whammy of gross-out, drug-related lyrics and interludes of noise is too much to take. I’ve been trying to say this as kindly as possible, but… look, in many cases, I’m outright telling you guys, “I do not like these particular things.” I’m telling you that for your benefit and for mine. And if you send those things anyway, you have to expect to lose.

I’m leaving The Mars Volta unbanned. I don’t think they are for me, but I’ll leave it open in case they have a later album where they totally drop the weird noise stuff and morbid lyrics that someone wants to risk sending. But I really advise against sending more of the same.

So The Mars Volta gets a mixed review in which I emphasized the negative elements. It wasn’t an album I hated, but it also wasn’t an album I have unmixed positive feelings about. It should be pretty clear, then, that this was Mora’s match to lose. Did Sieges Even do what they needed to do?

This album is a perfect proof of the limits of song roulettes. Unbreakable did not make much of an impression on me when I listened to it on its own, without the rest of the album, in a fairly large round with a bunch of other songs. I really feel like I gave this song the short shrift years ago when I heard it on its own, because hearing it now, in the context of the album, it feels really deep and rich.

That description is pretty fitting for most of the album. There really feels like a lot going on here between a pretty impressive rhythm section, including basslines that always feel like they’re going somewhere interesting, and guitar parts that vary from smooth acoustic sections, like on Blue Wide Open, to some heavier, low riffs. These compositions really feel like they reward repeated listenings, and I’ve gotten more out of them the more I’ve listened to this album.

Another strong point of this album is that it feels quite cohesive, structurally, and it feels like it tends to get stronger as it goes along. Ultimately it doesn’t matter too much whether an album’s strongest songs are at the beginning or the end, but it is nice to feel like an album is picking up steam as it goes along, like this one does. The early songs certainly have their moments, but the album really hits its stride about halfway through with Stigmata, and peaks on the wonderful climactic combination of Lighthouse and Styx.

Particularly in comparing these two albums, another strong point for the Sieges Even album is that its emotional tone resonates pretty well with me. I’m including this point in part to help those who are trying to get a sense of what I’m looking for in an album’s mood. This is not an overwhelmingly joyful album; in fact, there is a strong sense of sadness on a lot of the tracks. But it is a sadness that is imbued with a sense that life has meaning and beauty. That’s going to do a lot better where I’m concerned than an album that seems to focusing on ugliness, depravity or nihilism.

This album, I should say, is not an instant top favorite of mine. It’s an album I like a lot, but not one that has totally bowled me over. That’s not really a problem; few albums absolutely bowl me over, especially on the first few listens. I just don’t want to give the impression that this is the absolute ideal album and that one can do no better. I wouldn’t say I know this album deeply enough to be able to confidently say where I find it particularly weak, but I will say that one area an album could potentially do better than this one is to have an absolute knock-out song that impresses me as a standalone piece. Styx comes somewhat close, and it’s a song that I’ve appreciated significantly more on each listen, but it hasn’t quite gotten there so far. But all that said, this really is an album I like quite a bit.

I think the winner here is quite clear from the writeup. Mora gets off to a strong 1-0 start with Sieges Even. Luke falls to 0-1 after taking a chance on The Mars Volta.

Favorite songs from The Mars Volta: Televators, Inertiatic ESP, Eriatarka

Favorite songs from Sieges Even: Sequence VIII: Styx, Sequence VII: Lighthouse, Sequence IV: Stigmata

Winner:

(https://img.discogs.com/AkZq_YmdbTziE_9yv4JA4INcztk=/fit-in/600x590/filters:strip_icc():format(jpeg):mode_rgb():quality(90)/discogs-images/R-5831333-1403907077-5581.jpeg.jpg)

MoraWintersoul with Sieges Even - The Art of Navigating by the Stars
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Result 1/6
Post by: King Puppies and the Acid Guppies on November 15, 2020, 12:12:26 AM
Sieges Even would be my favorite of those two as well. :metal





 :corn
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Result 1/6
Post by: Evermind on November 15, 2020, 12:23:45 AM
Yeah I think everyone saw that coming. Well, at least I've got my prediction correct!
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Result 1/6
Post by: 425 on November 15, 2020, 12:29:42 AM
Sacul was the only one who predicted The Mars Volta would win. Presumably Luke at least hoped it would.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Result 1/6
Post by: Crow on November 15, 2020, 12:38:04 AM
completely unsurprising... I'd say give Amputechture a chance some day because it's the one TMV album that doesn't screw around with long noise interludes and it's also the best but I still don't think you'll like it regardless. i'm definitely not gonna send it myself, anyways  :lol
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Result 1/6
Post by: twosuitsluke on November 15, 2020, 02:56:38 AM
I can't say that I've ever really paid much attention to the lyrics with TMV, my ear is just taking in all that is going on musically, first and foremost. But I can understand that being a deal breaker.

I'm cool with that. Literally the point of this roulette is to try and sell you on bands that you have seen potential in, with past roulettes.

I'm going to take an even greater risk with my next choice and send something I don't think anyone would expect from me. I might even send all of my submissions from the list, I'm not sure yet.

I can't remember who I'm up against next but congratulations  :lol

Congrats to Mora  :tup

I'm also listening to Marbles by Marillion as we speak, to see what all the fuss is about.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Result 1/6
Post by: Elite on November 15, 2020, 03:46:27 AM
Wow, what a great detailed write-up!

I like The Mars Volta myself, for their ‘wackiness’, so to say. I don’t think Deloused is their best work, that would be Frances the Mute for me, but that one isn’t devoid of random noises and contains quite some strange lyrics as well, so I don’t think that would be for you. I’ve never really been bothered by the lyrics and song-titles. They’re nonsense and to me serve no other goal than to be there. There’s probably a meaning or a story in there, but to me it’s just part of the band. Strange lyrics fits strange music well.

I must say the band’s musicianship is amazing though, especially on the last track of the aforementioned album, Cassandra Gemini. If there’s one song you want to try to give this band another chance, it should be this one. It’s hands-down my favourite by the band and one of my favourite pieces of music ever.

Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Result 1/6
Post by: MoraWintersoul on November 15, 2020, 08:04:22 AM
I'm glad this album hit you exactly where it hit me, emotionally speaking. Markus Steffen is one of my favorite lyricists, one of the few who can talk pure philosophy without boring me because he always brings it back to earth, and the music perfectly complements that, because it is fairly cerebral and instrumentally complex prog that has a lot of lightness and playfulness (but not comedic playfulness, which you said you didn't like) in it. It's not the safest prog album to recommend to everyone, but I hoped it would be a good one for you.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Result 1/6
Post by: The Walrus on November 15, 2020, 08:05:29 AM
That Sieges album is so f'ing good
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Result 1/6
Post by: King Puppies and the Acid Guppies on November 15, 2020, 11:09:21 AM
That Sieges album is so f'ing good
You're welcome  :) :corn :metal
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Result 1/6
Post by: The Walrus on November 15, 2020, 11:25:57 AM
That Sieges album is so f'ing good
You're welcome  :) :corn :metal

Too bad Spotify removed it right after you sent it to me LOL. One of these days I'll buy the CD.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Result 1/6
Post by: romdrums on November 15, 2020, 12:10:16 PM
That Sieges album is so f'ing good
You're welcome  :) :corn :metal

Too bad Spotify removed it right after you sent it to me LOL. One of these days I'll buy the CD.

Is this album better than anything from Subsignal?  Because I bought The Beacons of Somewhere Sometime and I thought it was absolutely awful.  The mix is terrible, and the songwriting was 70 plus minutes of aimless "meh".  And, given that Subsignal seems to be the successor band to Sieges Even, it doesn't make me want to check them out.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Result 1/6
Post by: King Puppies and the Acid Guppies on November 15, 2020, 12:16:04 PM
That Sieges album is so f'ing good
You're welcome  :) :corn :metal

Too bad Spotify removed it right after you sent it to me LOL. One of these days I'll buy the CD.

Is this album better than anything from Subsignal?  Because I bought The Beacons of Somewhere Sometime and I thought it was absolutely awful.  The mix is terrible, and the songwriting was 70 plus minutes of aimless "meh".  And, given that Subsignal seems to be the successor band to Sieges Even, it doesn't make me want to check them out.
I enjoy Subsignal to some extent, but they are really just a poor imitation of Sieges Even.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Result 1/6
Post by: The Walrus on November 15, 2020, 12:38:29 PM
They're similar, for sure, but I would say Navigating is better than most Subsignal, except maaaybe La Muerta imo. Subsignal RULED at progpower last year. They were one of my favorite sets by far.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Result 1/6
Post by: MoraWintersoul on November 15, 2020, 02:10:44 PM
The standout Subsignal albums are Touchstones and Paraiso, Beacons was too neo-prog and I didn't vibe with La Muerta. I wouldn't call them "a poor copy", given that they just changed their name after they changed the rhythm section and added keyboards, the songwriting core of the band is the same. In fact, whenever someone says "I wish bands would just change their name when they change the sound/the members", I always think of the momentum the name change cost Sieges Even/Subsignal, who arguably didn't even change that much but they started fresh anyway.

But yeah, they were on some special juice while writing that album. Touchstones is my favorite Subsignal album and it comes pretty close, so I'd recommend it.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Result 1/6
Post by: The Walrus on November 15, 2020, 02:17:14 PM
Aww you don't like La Muerta, Mora? Every Able Hand and Even Though The Stars Don't Shine are my favorite songs.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Result 1/6
Post by: MoraWintersoul on November 15, 2020, 02:22:00 PM
I should probably revisit it seeing how my taste in music was really shifting at the time and I haven't heard it since the month it came out, but yeah. It just didn't have that special something.

I'm guessing Beacons aged worse than it, because I just went through the tracklists and I couldn't sing back one chorus from Beacons.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Result 1/6
Post by: 425 on November 16, 2020, 12:04:40 AM
Hey guys, quick update. Unfortunately, a loved one is going through a serious (though hopefully no longer life-threatening) medical crisis, and I might need to slow down roulette activities. Hopefully not too much or for too long, but I just thought I'd explain myself up front in case things take a bit longer.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Result 1/6
Post by: Crow on November 16, 2020, 12:08:19 AM
no worries, it's uuhhhhh

that kind of year  :-[
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Result 1/6
Post by: HOF on November 16, 2020, 06:49:31 AM
Hey guys, quick update. Unfortunately, a loved one is going through a serious (though hopefully no longer life-threatening) medical crisis, and I might need to slow down roulette activities. Hopefully not too much or for too long, but I just thought I'd explain myself up front in case things take a bit longer.

Hope everything is ok. No worries about the roulette.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Result 1/6
Post by: The Walrus on November 16, 2020, 07:05:54 AM
Hoping for the best buddy, no worries if things slow down. Thinking of ya. :hug:
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. R1 Result 1/6
Post by: 425 on November 24, 2020, 02:20:50 PM
I really appreciate the well-wishes. This has been a scary and difficult week and a half. Fortunately, everybody is okay, but only after a lot of worrying.

My life is now back to something resembling normalcy, and so I am now back to listening to roulette albums, and will hopefully have results for the second matchup tonight.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. More Results Soon
Post by: Buddyhunter1 on November 24, 2020, 02:50:59 PM
 :corn

Are you going from top to bottom or getting the easier choices out of the way first?
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. More Results Soon
Post by: 425 on November 24, 2020, 02:52:14 PM
I'm planning to go from top to bottom, so it's the TAC-Evermind (Witherfall-Soen) matchup next. But there's a chance that could change if I run into one that's really tough.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. More Results Soon
Post by: Crow on November 24, 2020, 03:00:55 PM
hope you're enjoying the swingy jazz fusion kinda stuff
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. More Results Soon
Post by: 425 on November 24, 2020, 03:02:57 PM
I think I must have missed the origin of the joke that... Soen is "swingy jazz fusion kinda stuff"?
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. More Results Soon
Post by: Crow on November 24, 2020, 03:21:01 PM
https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=55299.msg2666390#msg2666390
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. More Results Soon
Post by: 425 on November 24, 2020, 03:28:30 PM
:lol
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Second Chances and Head-to-Head Albums - v. More Results Soon
Post by: The Walrus on November 24, 2020, 03:35:52 PM
God that still gives me a big laugh whenever I see that line  :rollin
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 1 Results v. Evermind versus TAC
Post by: 425 on November 24, 2020, 10:49:37 PM
Match 2 Result:

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/2/29/Soen_Lykaia.jpg) vs. (https://img.discogs.com/rI0XAsdKFmfzerSA179GEybkwSc=/fit-in/300x300/filters:strip_icc():format(jpeg):mode_rgb():quality(40)/discogs-images/R-12895626-1544486295-5075.jpeg.jpg)

Evermind (Soen - Lykaia) vs. TAC (Witherfall - A Prelude to Sorrow)

Soen Impression: This one feels very, very consistent. Not currently finding any really high points, but everything is strong all the way through.

Witherfall Impression: This album really has its moments, but I’m not sure yet whether the whole thing comes together into something I enjoy.

There are several matchups this round that are going to prove somewhat challenging to judge. The previous one, no offense to Luke and TMV, wasn’t really among them. This one was significantly closer, and in a good way, in that I have a pretty favorable opinion of both albums.

Witherfall has a sound that has interested me since I first heard them a couple of years ago. They combine heavy prog metal elements with acoustic sections, but in a way that avoids being derivative of other bands fitting that description (most notably Opeth). Their heavy sections are a little more in the power metal style, which led me to jokingly label them in my notes as Symphony X Opeth, but in all seriousness, this is a fairly distinct sound, as far as I can tell.

Heavy, fast metal can be somewhat hit-or-miss with me. I don’t particularly enjoy sections that are fast and heavy seemingly at the expense of melody, just hitting the user with a barrage of sound. The presence of some sections that edge into that was my big hesitation with the previous Witherfall song I heard, and it’s still a point of some hesitation for me on this album, because I think there are some sections here that approach that territory. For example, the section after the first chorus on We Are Nothing. Fortunately, however, those sections are relatively infrequent, and they are something I am getting used to and having less of a problem with over time.

On the other hand, there are the more melodic sides of this album, which I like quite a bit more. The electric guitar player in this band knows how to play a nice solo over an acoustic section, as in the middle of We Are Nothing or on Maridian’s Visitation. There are also heavier sections that also have a pretty good melodic side, like much of the song Shadows, which is an undeniably awesome track. And the solo at the end of Vintage is absolutely fantastic.

Another weak point for me on this album is the vocalist. His style moves back and forth between two styles that are not my favorites: overly gruff singing, like later Russell Allen, and shrill high notes without a lot of warmth to them. There are times when he’s not in either of these territories, and during those times I’m happy with what he’s doing, especially since he sometimes has some pretty good melodies to work with, as on Maridian’s Visitation or the chorus of Shadows. But there are also points I don’t love. But while I’ll freely admit I’d probably like this band significantly better with a different singer, it’s also not at all a case where the singer ruins the album.

As I said in the impression, I think this is an album with several clear high points. We Are Nothing is a pretty good opening epic which is at its best during its instrumental sections, both the acoustic-driven one in the middle and the heavier one toward the end. The bridge in the middle of Shadows is a memorable vocal passage, even if I’m ambivalent toward the screams that end it. And its chorus is no slouch, either. Finally, Vintage is a good long track, with the last few minutes standing out as the high point of the entire album.

I’ll also add that this album is proving to be a genuine grower. On the first listen, I really was noticing a lot of the downsides I brought up earlier, such as the slightly-too-heavy-for-me sections and my lukewarm opinion of the vocalist. But each subsequent listen has brought my attention more and more to elements of this album that I really like.

The swingy jazz fusion kinda stuff jokes aside, the main thing I hear about Soen, and the main knock against them, is that they are derivative of other prog metal bands, mainly Tool and to a lesser extent Opeth. That was cause for me to be nervous, since I don’t really care for Tool, and find Opeth to be somewhat hit-or-miss in terms of my personal enjoyment.

But I don’t really see it. At least, whatever it is that I find unappealing in Tool is not something I find in Soen. I actually quite like their sound. Their specific brand of mid-tempo prog metal tends to be pretty enjoyable, with some nice melodies and a texture that I’d describe as “smooth.” This smoothness is present in the guitar parts, which are precise without being highly technical, and have a nice, warm tone; and in the singer’s voice.

As I suggest in the impression, this album performs very well on one metric I use to judge albums, which is consistency. There are no real weak points or dips in quality here. Every song is at least pretty good. There’s also a very cohesive sound, which can be a curse if that sound starts to get boring or overstays its welcome, but that’s not a major problem here. At 49 minutes, the album isn’t long enough to drag too much, and the mood is such an important part of the album’s strength that it would probably feel weird to suddenly have a very different song come in and interrupt the flow of the album. If I’m not in the mood for it, this album does drag a little bit, but when I’m able to get into the atmosphere, the cohesion works well at this runtime.

The negative side of the impression also still holds mostly true. There really aren’t many moments or sections on this album that stand out for me as unusually great. Lucidity has a noticeably beautiful chorus and the riff on the last vocal section of Stray is pretty nice. Paragon is probably my favorite overall track as a slow-burn type closer, and its guitar solo is probably the biggest individual moment on the album. But ideally I would like to hear more in the way of individual songs and parts that I can call out as particularly excellent. Instead, this is an album that enjoy listening to as a total, where everything is generally pretty good, but one that lacks exciting tracks or moments that I want to go back to on their own or am eager to get to when I’m listening to the whole album.

Thus, this is a contest between two albums that I generally like and will strongly consider owning one day (especially the winner), but that nonetheless have a few deficits and imperfections. There are several entries this round that either one of these albums could have beaten without much difficulty. But the contest between the two of them goes to Witherfall. I think there’s more on this album that I’m able to grab onto and find exciting, more parts that I can imagine myself coming back to on their own. And the album is just growing so well. The elements I didn’t like so much at first are growing on me—for example, I’m more at home with the singer’s style than I was on my first listen, even though it’s still not my favorite. I’m finding myself enjoying the high points more and more each time, as well. Just to given an idea of the progression, one listen in, I had Soen as the more likely winner. After two listens, I considered it dead even. And halfway through the third listen to it (I had already heard Lykaia the third time), I knew Witherfall would get the nod.

I wouldn’t consider this a definitive statement on whether an album with better highs and a few lows will always beat an album that’s consistent without major lows but also without as many highs. I could see it going either way depending on how I feel about each particular album. In this case, at the end of the day, I just enjoy A Prelude to Sorrow more.

Favorite songs from Witherfall: Shadows, Vintage, Maridian’s Visitation

Favorite songs from Soen: Paragon, Lucidity, Stray

Winner:

(https://img.discogs.com/rI0XAsdKFmfzerSA179GEybkwSc=/fit-in/300x300/filters:strip_icc():format(jpeg):mode_rgb():quality(40)/discogs-images/R-12895626-1544486295-5075.jpeg.jpg)

TAC with Witherfall - A Prelude to Sorrow
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 1 Results v. Evermind vs. TAC
Post by: Crow on November 25, 2020, 01:02:55 AM
well. i was wrong about that one, wasn't i. huh!
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 1 Results v. Evermind vs. TAC
Post by: 425 on November 25, 2020, 01:13:28 AM
Well, you were right that I wouldn't particularly like the vocals! Just didn't foresee that there would be a lot of stuff I did like.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 1 Results v. Evermind vs. TAC
Post by: Evermind on November 25, 2020, 02:41:20 AM
well. i was wrong about that one, wasn't i. huh!

Genuinely surprised by this outcome. Oh well, if I lose the second match I'll begin throwing some random stuff at 425 in a few months.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 1 Results v. Evermind vs. TAC
Post by: MoraWintersoul on November 25, 2020, 05:11:41 AM
Yay, I win another point!
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 1 Results v. Evermind vs. TAC
Post by: Buddyhunter1 on November 25, 2020, 07:41:02 AM
We've been bamboozled
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 1 Results v. Evermind vs. TAC
Post by: The Walrus on November 25, 2020, 07:43:19 AM
I am very happy at this turn of events
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 1 Results v. Evermind vs. TAC
Post by: TAC on November 25, 2020, 10:34:36 AM
425, the three current roulettes are FUCKING CRAWLING. Did I send for round 2 yet.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 1 Results v. Evermind vs. TAC
Post by: 425 on November 25, 2020, 11:17:14 AM
You have not sent yet. Barring unforeseen events, the round 1 results should be done by the end of the upcoming weekend. Match 3 today, nothing tomorrow because of Thanksgiving in the US, then 4, 5 and 6 on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 1 Results v. Evermind vs. TAC
Post by: Sacul on November 25, 2020, 11:26:52 AM
425, the three current roulettes are FUCKING CRAWLING
THESE WOUNDS THAT WOULD NOT HEAL
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 1 Results v. Evermind vs. TAC
Post by: King Postwhore on November 25, 2020, 11:31:04 AM
425, the three current roulettes are FUCKING CRAWLING. Did I send for round 2 yet.

(https://i.postimg.cc/pr68GsZb/FB-IMG-1606329010507.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/YLQhjfZb)
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 1 Results v. Evermind vs. TAC
Post by: TAC on November 25, 2020, 12:20:31 PM
You have not sent yet.

Ok thank you. I’ve lost track.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 1 Results v. Evermind vs. TAC
Post by: MoraWintersoul on November 25, 2020, 12:53:28 PM
The fact that I'm a live album afficionado and this roulette is open for live albums is giving me trouble I must say, I have twice as many things to think about now.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 1 Results v. Sacul vs. Puppies_On_Acid
Post by: 425 on November 26, 2020, 12:14:15 PM
The fact that I'm a live album afficionado and this roulette is open for live albums is giving me trouble I must say, I have twice as many things to think about now.

I'm a bit of a live album aficionado, too. Just as a hint and encouragement. ;)



Match 3 Result:

(https://img.discogs.com/S5ofQBgTt08gs6YTlvjwR0ojrEM=/fit-in/300x300/filters:strip_icc():format(jpeg):mode_rgb():quality(40)/discogs-images/R-13543423-1556211432-1824.jpeg.jpg) vs. (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/5/5f/Marillion-Marbles.jpg)

Sacul (Glen Hansard - This Wild Willing) vs. Puppies_On_Acid (Marillion - Marbles)

Glen Hansard Impression: The second half of the album is more like what I was expecting from this artist, and I liked it much better than the first half on the initial listen.

Marillion Impression: This album is darker than I thought it was going to be. It’s the kind of darkness that I’m likely to connect with, though, and the first half especially shows promise.

This is another contest that has been fairly close, between two albums that both feel to me like potential growers. On both these albums, there are definitely parts I like and others that I’m as yet unsure about, and a general sense that both of these will open up more if given even more time. It’s another contest that’s definitely close in a good way, since I do have a positive impression of both of these albums, and a sense that the impression could become even better.

The style of This Wild Willing was somewhat surprising to me, since, based on what I’d heard from this artist, I was expecting more of stripped-back folk style. Instead, I got something somewhat more claustrophobic and electronic-influenced, which is particularly pronounced on the tense opener, I’ll Be You, Be Me. My initial listen to this album consisted largely of being taken aback by this unexpected style and trying to get accustomed to what I was hearing on this album, though I did enjoy some of the later songs, which are a little less produced and more like what I was expecting.

But on subsequent listens, I’ve started to appreciate the strength of some of the songwriting more and more, and spend less time comparing what this album is to what I thought it would be. And the songwriting here is at times quite strong. For example, Don’t Settle is just a fantastic track, with compelling vocal melodies that never feel rote, instead always feeling like they’re saying something new. The chord progressions and building instrumentation only add to the experience. Good Life of Song is another really wonderful track, between Hansard’s melodic and powerful vocals and the scaled-back instrumentation. Also very lovely is the closer, Leave a Light, which excels at the more pared-back approach that I was anticipating from this artist. Again, I like hearing the powerful vocals on this track.

Unfortunately, not every track is excellent as these, though most of them at least have their moments. Some of them feel like they somewhat overstay their welcome in terms of duration, and sometimes I don’t love the instrumentation. The Eastern-sounding elements on some songs, like Race to the Bottom and The Closing Door, do not work for me when they appear, and some of the noisier stuff like the last parts of I’ll Be You, Be Me and Weight of the World are obnoxious.

And while I have generally gotten used to the style of this album, I do wish Hansard sang in a different style sometimes. For example, almost the entire song Race to the Bottom has him singing in this almost whispered style, where his vocal part just doesn’t soar even a little bit the way it does on songs like Brother’s Keeper. This song overall is a low point on the album, since I don’t like the vocal style and the instrumentation feels too busy.

I like this album, and I think there is promise on some of the tracks I haven’t fully gotten into yet. But I think there are still things I don’t love in terms of the overall sound and instrumentation. I think I’d like the album somewhat more if the whole thing was more in the vein of Don’t Settle, Good Life of Song and Leave a Light. Those three songs really made a very strong impression on me, and while some others are fairly good, like the opener, there are a lot of dips and valleys for me in between these highlights. The album as a whole is still good, but it’s not something that’s likely to become a major favorite of mine.

The Marillion album is quite long, at almost 100 minutes, and there’s a lot here that I just have not had the time to fully absorb, as that would take several more listens and thus draw out this round by a couple more weeks (were I to afford that time fairly to all albums). Thus, I am in a position of trying to judge how well I like this album before I’ve really taken it all fully in. Nevertheless, I do have some fairly specific thoughts.

First, I think I generally stand by my first impression that, though this album has a certain darkness to it, it’s a type of darkness that I can connect with and don’t find alienating. There’s a certain beauty to the melancholy expressed on many of the songs here.

My preference for the first half of the album has also been enduring in this case. The first disc here, from The Invisible Man through Ocean Cloud, has a really nice subtlety to it. The songs here take some time to develop, and they feel like they reward patience. The Invisible Man feels like a massive grower, especially because of how slowly it builds up over its 13-minute runtime. But this pattern holds for most of the shorter songs, too. There are also a lot of nice subtler moments in the instrumentation, particularly from Steve Rothery’s guitar.

Ocean Cloud plays out this style of song on a grand scale, and while I haven’t had time to fully map out its structure (which usually takes me a little while with longer songs), it’s a promising epic. The chorus is certainly one of the highlights of the whole album. I’m not quite sure how I feel about the heavy vocal section right in the middle yet, but at least it doesn’t spoil the whole thing.

It’s on the first disc where I’d really praise Steve Hogarth’s vocal performance. It’s relatively understated and subtle, but the emotions are all in the right places. The chorus of Fantastic Place, for example, is sung really nicely.

I must confess, though, that I don’t have as favorable an opinion of the second disc. This part of the album seems to go in more for an alt-rock sound, which does not do as much for me as the subtlety of the first disc. I don’t dislike it, but it’s just mostly a step down from the very good first disc, and thus a bit of a disappointment when listening through. Among the shorter songs, I like Don’t Hurt Yourself best, particularly for Trewavas’s excellent bassline. You’re Gone is also solid. Angelina is more in the style of the first disc, but I’m not as much a fan of it. Don’t really like the sexual undercurrent in the lyrics, and the chorus melody just doesn’t work for me.

Of course, Neverland is an exception to my attitude to the second disc. This is a song I had previously received in roulette and enjoyed, and I still enjoy it quite a lot here. It feels grand and emotionally powerful at the same time.

Somewhat tangentially: I want to give all the songs here more time to settle in, but I’m honestly somewhat tempted to say I’d like this album better as a single-disc album. This thought, of course, led me to look up what the actual 1CD release of this album looked like, and… what a travesty! Why those songs? Why no Ocean Cloud, why no The Only Unforgiveable Thing, why no Genie? I’m in no way ready to make my own definitive 1CD version of this album, but I would be inclined to include the entire first disc plus Neverland, which would all fit with room for another song or two from the second disc.

I feel like both of these albums have more to offer than I’ve had the chance to fully discover; both of them have genuinely excellent tracks (Don’t Settle, Neverland) as well as some tracks I could do without (Race to the Bottom, Angelina). I’ve gone back and forth on which one I like better, but ultimately I’m going to choose Marbles as the winner. It’s grown on me a little better, with songs like Ocean Cloud and Fantastic Place showing really significant promise. It’s an album I could see growing into something I listen to with some frequency, while the Hansard album seems like something I would enjoy more on occasion, or pull individual tracks from.

Favorite songs from Glen Hansard: Don’t Settle, Good Life of Song, Leave a Light

Favorite songs from Marillion: Neverland, Fantastic Place, Ocean Cloud

Winner:

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/5/5f/Marillion-Marbles.jpg)

Puppies_On_Acid with Marillion - Marbles
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 1 Results v. Sacul vs. Puppies_On_Acid
Post by: The Walrus on November 26, 2020, 12:20:24 PM
I gotta listen to that Glen Hansard album because all I've heard from him has destroyed me emotionally. Marbles is an incredible record though.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 1 Results v. Sacul vs. Puppies_On_Acid
Post by: 425 on November 26, 2020, 12:22:27 PM
There are definitely some emotionally powerful moments on that album. Some of the songs I will probably keep coming back to for a long time, it's just that some of the others didn't do as much for me. There's a good chance the album as a whole is a bit more your thing than it is mine.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 1 Results v. Sacul vs. Puppies_On_Acid
Post by: King Puppies and the Acid Guppies on November 26, 2020, 12:31:35 PM
Your assessment of Marbles is basically how I felt after first hearing the album. The first disc was amazing and the second had some less than stellar songs. However after years of revisiting the album the second disc has fully opened up for me and I couldn't do without it. Granted you don't have the time in a roulette to listen to an album over several years, so your thoughts are understandable. Just don't give up on the second disc quite yet. Give it time.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 1 Results v. Sacul vs. Puppies_On_Acid
Post by: Evermind on November 26, 2020, 12:40:37 PM
Hell yes Marbles! Wish I'd sent that.

Quote
Among the shorter songs, I like Don’t Hurt Yourself best

Big yes. One of my favourite Marillion songs actually.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 1 Results v. Sacul vs. Puppies_On_Acid
Post by: Sacul on November 26, 2020, 04:03:09 PM
Pretty fair comments, I think you'd enjoy Glen's previous work a lot more, like Rhythm and Repose, which is where Bird of Sorrow comes from. Well played, Puppies.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 1 Results v. Sacul vs. Puppies_On_Acid
Post by: HOF on November 26, 2020, 04:39:13 PM
The thing about the Marbles one-disc version is it was intended to be more commercial, almost like an extended single. It only existed as a way to get the album into retail stores. So they weren’t going to put Ocean Cloud on it and make it like a 6 song release, and they also kind of avoided the story arc of Genie>Fantastic Place>The Only Unforgettable Thing>The Damage. So the rest of the track list kind of makes sense when you realize the ones they cut were all parts of that little suite plus the epic length Ocean Cloud.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 1 Results v. Sacul vs. Puppies_On_Acid
Post by: Crow on November 26, 2020, 05:35:14 PM
yeah that one i thought would be close but i'm not super surprised it went to marillion in the end
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 1 Results v. romdrums vs. HOF
Post by: 425 on November 28, 2020, 05:04:37 PM
Pretty fair comments, I think you'd enjoy Glen's previous work a lot more, like Rhythm and Repose, which is where Bird of Sorrow comes from. Well played, Puppies.

I will check out that album at some point!

Your assessment of Marbles is basically how I felt after first hearing the album. The first disc was amazing and the second had some less than stellar songs. However after years of revisiting the album the second disc has fully opened up for me and I couldn't do without it. Granted you don't have the time in a roulette to listen to an album over several years, so your thoughts are understandable. Just don't give up on the second disc quite yet. Give it time.

Huh, interesting to hear that you had such a similar experience, and then had the second disc open up later. I won't give up on it, then!



Here's the next matchup, romdrums vs. HOF. I'm also going to try to come right back in a few more hours with the results for the Elite vs. Cyril matchup, as well. Ideally I'll be able to post the last results, Buddyhunter vs. The Walrus, tomorrow night. So it's probably time to start thinking about sending for round 2, although I understand if you want to see the rest of these results, first.

It's on the first page of the thread, but as a convenient reminder, here are the next matchups:

Puppies_On_Acid vs. TAC
romdrums vs. Evermind
twosuitsluke vs. Elite
The Walrus vs. Sacul
Cyril vs. HOF
Buddyhunter1 vs. MoraWintersoul



Match 4 Result:

(https://www.angrymetalguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Voyager_Colours-in-the-Sun-500x500.jpg) vs. (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/5/56/Big_BigTrain_The_Underfall_Yard.jpg)

romdrums (Voyager - Colours in the Sun) vs. HOF (Big Big Train - The Underfall Yard)

Voyager Impression: On first listen, most of this album was pleasant and enjoyable, but didn’t make a very strong impression, with the possible exception of the last song. We’ll see if that changes.

Big Big Train Impression: I really like the instrumentation of this album, the texture of its sound. Still need more time to see how much I enjoy the compositions as I dig into them.

If I were to rank all the matchups this round in terms of overall quality, I think this is likely the one I would call the strongest. Both of these albums are easily in the top half of the round, and it really, really is a shame that one of them has to lose.

Voyager is a band that I almost feel like shouldn’t be able to get away with what they’re trying to do. Combining djent-tinged prog metal with 80s pop just seems like something that shouldn’t work, or perhaps should be a fun gimmick for an album or two before quickly getting old. No comment yet on consistency across multiple albums, but here on their seventh album, this conceit seems to be going pretty strong.

One potential pitfall for me on pop or pop-oriented albums is the songs feeling too similar to one another, with the result that I might pick out a favorite two or three songs and forget the rest, finding the overall album experience too monotonous. I think this album avoids this trap pretty well. Even though all the songs are pretty much within the same stylistic bounds, most of them seem to have their own identities. And they don’t just have hooks, although the hooks are, of course, important. There are strong riffs, good rhythm playing, and even a nice keyboard solo on the closing track, Runaway.

The vocalist is a really good fit for this style of music. His voice is strong enough to compete with the heavy riffs, but melodic enough to carry the pop sensibility of this album. I’d also be remiss if I mentioned the vocals without noting the guest spot from Einar Solberg on Entropy, whose distinct touch adds to that chorus.

Another good point for this album is that it doesn’t fall off later in its runtime—the last three songs are among the stronger ones on the album, especially the closer, Runaway, which is my favorite song here.

This is absolutely an album in a style I like pretty well that I enjoy all the way through. As one might suspect based on my recent writeups and on the style of the album, I think the main drawback is that it doesn’t have that killer song that just stands out as superb and really memorable by itself.

The Big Big Train album is in the opposite direction from radio-friendly pop-prog. This is prog at its most unapologetically prog. Long songs, unconventional instrumentation, not even an attempt at mainstream appeal… and I love it.

Sometimes, I get roulette entries that almost feel to me like cheating because of how good they are and how well-suited for my tastes. Of course, it’s not cheating to just send a good entry, and I know my own tastes so much better than anyone sending such an entry could possibly have. But sometimes it just is absolutely the right entry for me. This is not the most extreme case of this in my roulette history, but it definitely is an instance.

Put simply, this album is just full of nice, intricately structured compositions with wonderfully warm instrumentation. All the brass and flutes and other instrumentation really give this album a lovely texture, as I said in the impression. I don’t feel I have come close to fully exploring most of these songs, and look forward to continuing to come back to this album over and over to get more and more of them. This is especially true of Victorian Brickwork, a complex song with an absolutely beautiful vocal refrain (“The love you never meant to hide’), and, of course, the epic title track, which I am only beginning to map out.

I have already once this round called out an album specifically for having lyrics I really dislike, and I will do so again before the weekend is over, so I also want to take an opportunity to point to an album whose lyrics I really do *like.* I haven’t intricately examined all the lyrics on this album, but what I have heard and read clearly takes life very seriously and focuses on issues of genuine human importance. I want to especially praise The Underfall Yard, which I take to be a celebration of a bygone era of immense scientific progress, and a lament of the downfall of reason. It’s a celebration of precisely one of my favorite periods in history, and it speaks to issues that I find profoundly important. I was surprised to encounter a song that deals so directly with these subjects, and it’s nice that I also enjoy the song quite a bit musically. Also, Winchester Diver taught me a really interesting story from history that I never knew about before: the story of William Walker, who spent years diving into the groundwater to shore up the foundation of Winchester Cathedral to keep it from collapsing.

I like Colours in the Sun, and I don’t think I’m done listening to it. But if you’ve been reading straight through, I don’t think it will come as a huge surprise that The Underfall Yard is my favorite entry of the round, and thus the winner of this matchup.

Favorite songs from Voyager: Runaway, Colours, Severomance

Favorite songs from Big Big Train: The Underfall Yard, Victorian Brickwork, Evening Star

Winner:

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/5/56/Big_BigTrain_The_Underfall_Yard.jpg)

HOF with Big Big Train - The Underfall Yard
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 1 Results v. romdrums vs. HOF
Post by: HOF on November 28, 2020, 05:55:04 PM
Oh, you are going to love Big Big Train if you are a fan of history and that period in particular. Their next several albums would revisit those themes frequently. You pretty much summed up my feelings about BBT when I first heard them. In my view, they are the premier modern prog act. The songwriting, instrumentation, and production are on another level. And Victorian Brickwork is probably their crowning achievement. It has everything I love about this band. You should also love English Electric (the two disc version), and don’t skip the wonderful EP Far Skies Deep Time (a companion of sorts to The Underfall Yard).
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 1 Results v. romdrums vs. HOF
Post by: 425 on November 28, 2020, 06:25:30 PM
That is good to know! Thank you for the guide.

It seems like their albums from TUY onward have been very well-received, while there are few reviews for the pre-TUY ones. Are those also worth looking into down the road?
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 1 Results v. romdrums vs. HOF
Post by: Buddyhunter1 on November 28, 2020, 07:41:14 PM
1 Voyager loss :corn
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 1 Results v. romdrums vs. HOF
Post by: HOF on November 28, 2020, 07:49:20 PM
That is good to know! Thank you for the guide.

It seems like their albums from TUY onward have been very well-received, while there are few reviews for the pre-TUY ones. Are those also worth looking into down the road?

So TUY was the first album with singer David Longdon, as well as Dave Gregory on guitar, and they kind of took the band to another level (Nick D’Virgilio first appeared on the prior album The Difference Machine, but he also was a big part of the band’s transformation). They went from kind of a hobby project to a more serious band at that point. So there is a jump in the caliber of playing from the early albums.

But I love the first four albums too. They have a unique quality about them, and ultimately still feature the songwriting of Greg Spawton, the one constant in the band’s history. Original singer Martin Reed’s voice had a frail but really emotive quality that I really like. The debut, Goodbye to the Age of Steam is a well written but somewhat awkwardly produced album with some dated keyboard sounds. However, the next one, English Boy Wonders, is one of my favorite BBT albums altogether. It’s probably their most personal album lyric-wise.

The next two with Sean Filkins singing are really good too. Gathering Speed is sort of a concept album about the Battle of Britain, and The Difference Machine is more of a sci-fi themed concept album, but it has some really cool material. It featured NDV, Dave Meros, and Pete Trewevas, so the playing on that one is of a high quality. I’d say the production improved from album to album with each of the first four.

So I guess I’d say dig into the Longdon era first, but there is a lot to like about the early albums too, and I’d definitely recommend them.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 1 Results v. romdrums vs. HOF
Post by: King Puppies and the Acid Guppies on November 28, 2020, 07:58:27 PM
That is good to know! Thank you for the guide.

It seems like their albums from TUY onward have been very well-received, while there are few reviews for the pre-TUY ones. Are those also worth looking into down the road?

So TUY was the first album with singer David Longdon, as well as Dave Gregory on guitar, and they kind of took the band to another level (Nick D’Virgilio first appeared on the prior album The Difference Machine, but he also was a big part of the band’s transformation). They went from kind of a hobby project to a more serious band at that point. So there is a jump in the caliber of playing from the early albums.

But I love the first four albums too. They have a unique quality about them, and ultimately still feature the songwriting of Greg Spawton, the one constant in the band’s history. Original singer Martin Reed’s voice had a frail but really emotive quality that I really like. The debut, Goodbye to the Age of Steam is a well written but somewhat awkwardly produced album with some dated keyboard sounds. However, the next one, English Boy Wonders, is one of my favorite BBT albums altogether. It’s probably their most personal album lyric-wise.

The next two with Sean Filkins singing are really good too. Gathering Speed is sort of a concept album about the Battle of Britain, and The Difference Machine is more of a sci-fi themed concept album, but it has some really cool material. It featured NDV, Dave Meros, and Pete Trewevas, so the playing on that one is of a high quality. I’d say the production improved from album to album with each of the first four.

So I guess I’d say dig into the Longdon era first, but there is a lot to like about the early albums too, and I’d definitely recommend them.
Big Big Train didn't really click for me until Gathering Speed. Although English Boy Wonders has some good stuff on it. Bard did nothing for me though. Goodbye to the Age of Steam was kind of meh to me. Everything since Gathering Speed has been good to excellent though!
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 1 Results v. romdrums vs. HOF
Post by: The Walrus on November 28, 2020, 08:05:55 PM
fuq
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 1 Results v. romdrums vs. HOF
Post by: HOF on November 28, 2020, 08:28:54 PM
That is good to know! Thank you for the guide.

It seems like their albums from TUY onward have been very well-received, while there are few reviews for the pre-TUY ones. Are those also worth looking into down the road?

So TUY was the first album with singer David Longdon, as well as Dave Gregory on guitar, and they kind of took the band to another level (Nick D’Virgilio first appeared on the prior album The Difference Machine, but he also was a big part of the band’s transformation). They went from kind of a hobby project to a more serious band at that point. So there is a jump in the caliber of playing from the early albums.

But I love the first four albums too. They have a unique quality about them, and ultimately still feature the songwriting of Greg Spawton, the one constant in the band’s history. Original singer Martin Reed’s voice had a frail but really emotive quality that I really like. The debut, Goodbye to the Age of Steam is a well written but somewhat awkwardly produced album with some dated keyboard sounds. However, the next one, English Boy Wonders, is one of my favorite BBT albums altogether. It’s probably their most personal album lyric-wise.

The next two with Sean Filkins singing are really good too. Gathering Speed is sort of a concept album about the Battle of Britain, and The Difference Machine is more of a sci-fi themed concept album, but it has some really cool material. It featured NDV, Dave Meros, and Pete Trewevas, so the playing on that one is of a high quality. I’d say the production improved from album to album with each of the first four.

So I guess I’d say dig into the Longdon era first, but there is a lot to like about the early albums too, and I’d definitely recommend them.
Big Big Train didn't really click for me until Gathering Speed. Although English Boy Wonders has some good stuff on it. Bard did nothing for me though. Goodbye to the Age of Steam was kind of meh to me. Everything since Gathering Speed has been good to excellent though!

I didn’t mention Bard, in part because I’ve never heard it and also because you can’t really find it right now since the band won’t print it anymore (it may be on YouTube). I’m curious though if you have the original English Boy Wonders or the one they re-released in 2008 with some re-recorded music and a different running order. I’ve only heard the newer version, but I understand it was a significant improvement over the original.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 1 Results v. romdrums vs. HOF & Elite vs. Cyril
Post by: 425 on November 28, 2020, 08:53:02 PM
Thanks for the BBT primer, HOF and Puppies! Really helpful stuff.

Buddy and Walrus, I think I've been fairly tight-lipped on my views on Ghost Mile. I will reiterate that I did like Colours in the Sun, and it would have won against a number of other possible opponents.

Now to make people mad...



Match 5 Result:

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/c/c5/Ulver_The_Assassination_of_Julius_Caesar_cover.jpg) vs. (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/8/8a/POS-PerfectElement.jpg)

Elite (Ulver - The Assassination of Julius Caesar) vs. Cyril (Pain of Salvation - The Perfect Element I)

Ulver Impression: There are several people this round who could potentially be facing some heartache that maybe could have been avoided by following the guidance of the tastes section of the OP. This is most true for person who sent this album, which has parts I enjoy but also leans heavily into all sorts of things I specifically tried to say I don’t like.

Pain of Salvation Impression: There’s a particular type of thing that keeps happening that I would like to have stop happening. There’s also stuff I like on this album, though. I really don’t know what I’ll end up thinking.

I called the previous matchup, Voyager vs. Big Big Train, my favorite matchup this round in terms of the combined quality of the competitors. Well, this is easily my least favorite.

I’m debating how to handle this writeup, because I don’t like to spend a lot of time being negative about music that other people really like. But at the same time, I do want to make my views clear in hopes that my comments can be helpful for later submissions. So I’ll try to strike the balance.

I ultimately can’t say I fully like either of these albums. There are parts and aspects of both that I like, individual songs in some cases that I think are quite good, but as full listening experiences, I don’t have a positive view of either. Both are mixes of varying amounts of good and bad.

Starting with Ulver: This album shows significant promise, actually, on some of the songs, including the opening track. This sort of synthpop is something I can enjoy, and the vocal melodies on some of these tracks, including Nemoralia, are good. The singer’s voice complements the spare, dark instrumentation, as well.

But, as I mention in the impression, this album does several things that I really do not like. First, there’s the propensity to include lengthy sections of dissonance or noise. After being mostly clean and melodic for the majority of the song, Rolling Stone ends with a long section of just… noise. And, after a five-track reprieve, the album closer Coming Home indulges in this stuff again. In this case, at least, it’s not complete noise, but there’s all sorts of weird background noise and dissonance for most of its runtime.

I do not like it when this is done. If this is done to a significant degree on an album, it will really lower my opinion of the album. Here we have one song and a large chunk of another that are like this, and these happen to be the two longest tracks on the album.

Then there are the lyrics. Some of them are fine or even good. But some of them are also pretty nihilistic, which I do not like, and is also likely to lower my view of an album somewhat. Here the main offenders are Rolling Stone and 1969, but there’s a general nihilism lurking in some of the other songs that I don’t find especially palatable, even if not outright offensive.

On the positive side, as I suggested, the Ulver album does have several songs that I think are pretty good. These ones have some pretty powerful aspects, including a strong atmosphere and some good melodies, so I understand why people enjoy this album. And I do enjoy parts of it. There are just also a couple of songs I don’t like at all and find grating in certain respects, which lowers my estimate of the whole, for obvious reasons.

Now Pain of Salvation. I’ve discussed my past struggles with this band earlier in the thread, so I won’t reiterate. This is my first experience with a full album, one of their most-praised albums, so this was probably a make-or-break experience.

Just to clear this out of the way, the “thing that keeps happening” from the impression is Gildenlöw’s spoken and “harsh” vocals (as in, “Getting used to pain getting used to pain”). The aggressive thing he’s trying to do is not doing for it me. And he really does it a lot, so I don’t love that. His more melodic vocals are decent, except the really high pitched thing he does on the title track chorus, which just feels too thin to me.

I don’t know, I have a hard time conveying my thoughts on this album. Let’s start here: I hate the lyrics. This concept, diving into the sordid lives of these characters, all of these really sickening sexual references… all of it really rubs me the wrong way. Like on a level I have a hard time explaining or describing.

Maybe this is what some people are trying to get at when they call this album too dramatic. Or maybe not. But I do find that a lot of the drama here comes off as phony because of how repelled I am by the lyrical content, whereas I think if he was singing this dramatically about something else, I’m not sure I would feel the same way.

Beyond this, I also feel like everything here just goes on for so long. I keep checking each song to see when it will end. I keep checking the album to see how many songs are left. I keep waiting impatiently for this to finish.

All of this is not to call this bad music or something. There is a lot of stuff here that I think is well-written and well-performed. There are some nice vocal melodies, nice guitar parts, etc. I think my problem is with the elements where Gildenlöw’s personality comes to the fore: His more idiosyncratic vocal stylings, his lyrics, his emoting of those lyrics. It’s like meeting someone you really don’t like on a visceral level, where, like, their entire personality and worldview is just deeply off-putting, so you don't want to spend time with them and find everything they do annoying.

Ultimately, this album just annoys me and sometimes worse. Yesterday, I was actually getting borderline angry at it. Not so bad today, but it shows how much this doesn't connect with me. I don’t mean this as an insult to anyone who likes it. I can even see pretty clearly why some people do—the music really is well-written in a lot of places. But I really, really don’t. Sorry, Cyril.

So Ulver wins. It’s a shorter album with several songs I fully like. Pain of Salvation has some songs and sections that I do like okay, but that are kind of tainted by my reaction to the whole.

I’m not going to ban Pain of Salvation, but… I mean... I don’t think it would be a good idea to send another album from them. I’ve already read a little about several of their other concepts, and most of them sounded quite unappealing to me, including, yes, Remedy Lane. I think I've now given this band a thorough try and can safely say they are not for me.

Favorite songs from Ulver: Nemoralia, So Falls the World, Angelus Novum

Favorite songs from Pain of Salvation: Ashes, Idioglossia, The Perfect Element

Winner:

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/c/c5/Ulver_The_Assassination_of_Julius_Caesar_cover.jpg)

Elite with Ulver - The Assassination of Julius Caesar
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 1 Results v. romdrums vs. HOF & Elite vs. Cyril
Post by: The Walrus on November 28, 2020, 09:18:39 PM
This is the way
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 1 Results v. romdrums vs. HOF & Elite vs. Cyril
Post by: Crow on November 28, 2020, 09:20:43 PM
at least you picked two of the best songs off the album as your favorites  :lol
i'm not gonna try and convince you or anything but it genuinely is one of my favorite albums ever and i mean that with no hyperbole. anyways the other three i already sent are all much lighter listens so
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 1 Results v. romdrums vs. HOF & Elite vs. Cyril
Post by: 425 on November 28, 2020, 09:26:40 PM
The Ashes chorus is definitely my favorite part of the album. So I picked the two songs that have it, plus TPE because it has some good instrumental parts.

I get why someone would love this album. It's one of those cases where reactions to music can be a very personal thing.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 1 Results v. romdrums vs. HOF & Elite vs. Cyril
Post by: Buddyhunter1 on November 28, 2020, 09:33:15 PM
Whew, even though Ulver won, feels like I dodged a bullet by not sending that album. :lol
I can definitely understand the criticism about the ending of Rolling Stone, but Coming Home? Man, the soundscape of that song is just perfect. I'm a bit sad you weren't able to connect to it.

Anyways, here's the two remaining first impressions:

I was surprised by how emotional some of the songs were. Just wasn’t something I was expecting from this artist.

This whole thing is just so nice. That’s really the best word for it. Especially the big, sweeping melodies that feature on many of the tracks.


Either of those work for both albums tbh, though I'm guessing Phideaux is the first. Sounds like it's going to be a close one... :corn :corn :corn
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 1 Results v. romdrums vs. HOF & Elite vs. Cyril
Post by: 425 on November 28, 2020, 09:42:28 PM
Ulver would have stood a chance against The Mars Volta, and probably would have won, but it would have lost to anything else this round.

A lot of stuff that gets described with the term "soundscape" winds up not being something I'm particularly interested in. Not always, but I notice it's one of those words that is often applied to stuff I'm not crazy about. In this case, I don't like the busy-ness of it, the amelodic or dissonant elements, or frankly the overbearing darkness of it, either.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 1 Results v. romdrums vs. HOF & Elite vs. Cyril
Post by: King Puppies and the Acid Guppies on November 28, 2020, 10:32:13 PM
This is the way
I have spoken
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 1 Results v. romdrums vs. HOF & Elite vs. Cyril
Post by: Evermind on November 28, 2020, 10:49:10 PM
Yeah, that's why I didn't send Pain of Salvation.

Not that it helped me win my matchup though. :lol
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 1 Results v. romdrums vs. HOF & Elite vs. Cyril
Post by: Elite on November 29, 2020, 02:17:41 AM
Wow, I dodged a bullet there indeed :lol

The idea was that I sent something completely different from Pain of Salvation, because I thought you’d like that one. Of course I had no idea Ulver wouldn’t be your cup of tea at all. I think it’s a lovely album, but I’ll keep in mind that noise-jams are not your thing! I wouldn’t write-off Ulver just by this experience though. They have tons of different records that are all great. I do know I won’t be sending them this roulette :)

I must say, even though I won this round, it doesn’t feel like a win, since I love both records here. Great write-up though. Thanks for explaining what rubbed you the wrong way!
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 1 Results v. romdrums vs. HOF & Elite vs. Cyril
Post by: MoraWintersoul on November 29, 2020, 08:57:09 AM
I have the exact opposite experience with Gildenlow, where he objectively pisses me off every once in a while but on a visceral level I find him so likeable/compelling that I suffer through being annoyed :lol
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 1 Results v. romdrums vs. HOF & Elite vs. Cyril
Post by: Sacul on November 29, 2020, 10:53:44 AM
This is the way
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 1 Results v. romdrums vs. HOF & Elite vs. Cyril
Post by: Buddyhunter1 on November 30, 2020, 07:29:26 AM
Last matchup results soon? Just tell me the lyrics are too bleak and that ruins the album for you already :P
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 1 Results v. romdrums vs. HOF & Elite vs. Cyril
Post by: twosuitsluke on November 30, 2020, 12:02:59 PM
So I didn't send your most hated album of the round?  :omg:
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 1 Results v. romdrums vs. HOF & Elite vs. Cyril
Post by: Crow on November 30, 2020, 12:24:23 PM
i did  :angel:
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 1 Results v. romdrums vs. HOF & Elite vs. Cyril
Post by: twosuitsluke on November 30, 2020, 12:58:51 PM
Now, do I send the risky double album or play it safe(er) with the shorter risky album??

i did  :angel:

I mean, I kinda think that album is overrated.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 1 Results v. romdrums vs. HOF & Elite vs. Cyril
Post by: Crow on November 30, 2020, 12:59:13 PM
it isn't  :loser:
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 1 Results v. romdrums vs. HOF & Elite vs. Cyril
Post by: Buddyhunter1 on November 30, 2020, 01:07:49 PM
I think I know what I'm sending next round regardless of if I win or lose this one. It's not one of my favorites, but it's good and I wanna get the required artists out of the way before the pickings get even slimmer for artists I know and also wouldn't be suicide for this roulette :P
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 1 Results v. romdrums vs. HOF & Elite vs. Cyril
Post by: HOF on November 30, 2020, 01:47:27 PM
I think I know what I'm sending next round regardless of if I win or lose this one. It's not one of my favorites, but it's good and I wanna get the required artists out of the way before the pickings get even slimmer for artists I know and also wouldn't be suicide for this roulette :P

I suppose there’s no reason we can’t go ahead and send for Round 2 if we know what we want to send?
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 1 Results v. romdrums vs. HOF & Elite vs. Cyril
Post by: Crow on November 30, 2020, 01:48:36 PM
i already sent through round 4 lol
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 1 Results v. romdrums vs. HOF & Elite vs. Cyril
Post by: Buddyhunter1 on November 30, 2020, 01:51:42 PM
Yeah fuck it, I'll send it now, don't want someone to snag this one before I do
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 1 Results v. Buddyhunter1 vs. The Walrus
Post by: 425 on December 01, 2020, 03:00:05 PM
Sorry for another delay; there was another development in the previous crisis that sidetracked me for about a day. Here are the last results.



Match 6 Result:

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/7/73/PhideauxXavier-DoomsdayAfternoon.jpg) vs. (https://www.metal-archives.com/images/6/4/3/1/643126.jpg?2025)

Buddyhunter1 (Phideaux - Doomsday Afternoon) vs. The Walrus (Voyager - Ghost Mile)

Phideaux Impression: This whole thing is just so nice. That’s really the best word for it. Especially the big, sweeping melodies that feature on many of the tracks.

Voyager Impression: I was surprised by how emotional some of the songs were. Just wasn’t something I was expecting from this artist.

This was the other contender for my favorite matchup of the round. Both albums showed some promise from the beginning.

On Doomsday Afternoon, what really does stand out to me is how prominent the melodic side is, which is always something I like to hear in an album. Here, there is absolutely no holding back on the string sounds, which produce a lot of very nice melodic parts, often in the foreground, but sometimes in the background of vocals parts, like in the second-to-last vocal section of Micro Softdeathstar. I don’t mind at all how the rock instrumentation often takes on more of a secondary role to the strings or brass sounds, or the piano. It all fits into the whole here.

And this really is an album that I feel is quite cohesive and unified, which is an attribute I like a lot. This really feels like it was conceived and constructed as a single piece, meant to be taken in all together. I haven’t really dug too deeply into the concept yet, but even if I didn’t know this was a concept album, I wouldn’t be at all surprised to find that it is one.

I hesitate to talk about the vocals on Phideaux music, seeing how horribly that went for me last time (I misidentified the gender of a singer and Evermind never let me forget it), but I’ll just say that it seems to me that there are several different vocalists here, all of whom I think do a pretty nice job singing some nice melodies. They all complement each other and the music quite well.

What are the drawbacks? Well, unfortunately I would say there are parts of the album that I’m not into as much as others as of right now. Those parts could grow on me over time; I don’t have anything in particular against them. But I just don’t find them as interesting as I’d like to. I’d say this is especially true of The Doctrine of Eternal Ice Part Two and Thank You for the Evil. And they did not grow as much over the course of the several listens of the past few weeks as I had hoped they would at the outset.

I’ve already discussed my general view of Voyager in the writeup for Colours in the Sun, so I’ll focus specifically on Ghost Mile here, and somewhat my comparison of the two Voyager albums.

Of the two Voyager albums, I like Ghost Mile better. The songwriting just seems to be punchier, more interesting, and a little more diverse. There are a lot of songs that have a distinct sound and memorable parts despite all falling into the same general pop-prog-metal sound.

Also, while I often like happy-sounding albums, I think the somewhat darker sound of Ghost Mile suits Voyager a bit better than the sound of Colours in the Sun. The darker edge really suits the singer’s voice.

And speaking of vocals, I really like the sparing use of growls on this album. It adds a harder touch to some of the songs right where they need that added intensity, but it doesn’t ever take over the overall sound, or turn it into a death metal type thing. This is a good example of growls done right, in my opinion.

Like Colours in the Sun, this Voyager album places many of its stronger songs toward the end. Really all of the last three here are among the best on the album, both in terms of memorable songwriting and in terms of emotional power, which especially comes across in This Gentle Earth.

I really like the sound and some of the songwriting of the Phideaux album, and I really want to like the whole thing. Maybe one day I will, but it’s not growing on me the way I hoped it would. Ultimately, Evermind’s prediction that I’d find the middle of the album somewhat boring turned out to be prophetic, as much as I hoped it wouldn’t. Ghost Mile is interesting all the way through and has a lot of songs that do capture and hold my attention, including some that are more compelling than I had expected from them. Voyager wins this matchup, and so ends the round 1-1 (and with the loss coming to Big Big Train, there’s no shame at all in that finish).

Favorite songs from Phideaux: Crumble (second one), Micro Softdeathstar, Microdeath Softstar

Favorite songs from Voyager: This Gentle Earth, Disconnected, Ghost Mile

Winner:

(https://www.metal-archives.com/images/6/4/3/1/643126.jpg?2025)

The Walrus with Voyager - Ghost Mile



Approximate Album Ranking:
1. Big Big Train - The Underfall Yard
2. Marillion - Marbles
3. Sieges Even - The Art of Navigating by the Stars
4. Voyager - Ghost Mile
5. Witherfall - A Prelude of Sorrow
6. Voyager - Colours in the Sun
7. Glen Hansard - This Wild Willing
8. Soen - Lykaia
9. Phideaux - Doomsday Afternoon
10. Ulver - The Assassination of Julius Caesar
11. The Mars Volta - DeLoused in the Comatorium
12. Pain of Salvation - The Perfect Element I

Full Round 1 Results:
MoraWintersoul defeats twosuitsluke
TAC defeats Evermind
Puppies_On_Acid defeats Sacul
HOF defeats romdrums
Elite defeats Cyril
The Walrus defeats Buddyhunter1

Standings:
T1. Elite (1-0)
T1. HOF (1-0)
T1. MoraWintersoul (1-0)
T1. Puppies_On_Acid (1-0)
T1. TAC (1-0)
T1. The Walrus (1-0)
T7. Buddyhunter1 (0-1)
T7. Cyril (0-1)
T7. Evermind (0-1)
T7. romdrums (0-1)
T7. Sacul (0-1)
T7. twosuitsluke (0-1)

Round 2 Matchups:
Puppies_On_Acid (1-0) vs. TAC (1-0)
romdrums (0-1) vs. Evermind (0-1)
twosuitsluke (0-1) vs. Elite (1-0)
The Walrus (1-0) vs. Sacul (0-1)
Cyril (0-1) vs. HOF (1-0)
Buddyhunter1 (0-1) vs. MoraWintersoul (1-0)
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 1 Results Now Complete
Post by: Crow on December 01, 2020, 03:42:59 PM
confirmed: was in the worst matchup, and sent the worst album :2metal:
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 1 Results Now Complete
Post by: The Walrus on December 01, 2020, 04:54:20 PM
Better bring a fuckin harpoon, Sacul  :biggrin:

Glad you dug Ghost Mile. Loved seeing some of those songs live at progpower 2018.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 1 Results Now Complete
Post by: Sacul on December 01, 2020, 05:09:07 PM
Better bring a fuckin harpoon, Sacul  :biggrin:
Am gonna beat your ass with some happy music :metal
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 1 Results Now Complete
Post by: romdrums on December 01, 2020, 05:38:33 PM
Well, I can still go 3-1.   ;D

Sent.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 1 Results Now Complete
Post by: Buddyhunter1 on December 01, 2020, 06:25:54 PM
Womp womp. Hope you like the next one more!
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 1 Results Now Complete
Post by: TAC on December 01, 2020, 06:27:13 PM
425, did I send a next album for Round 2?
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 1 Results Now Complete
Post by: 425 on December 01, 2020, 06:45:28 PM
Yes, you did!

Here's a list of who has sent so far:
Cyril
TAC
romdrums
HOF
Buddyhunter
Sacul

No rush on everyone else; lord knows I took long enough, but just for the sake of keeping track, since you've all sent at different times during this long round.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 1 Results Now Complete
Post by: The Walrus on December 01, 2020, 09:01:53 PM
I will send tomorrow.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 1 Results Now Complete
Post by: King Puppies and the Acid Guppies on December 01, 2020, 11:04:22 PM
....aaaaaaand sent!

Old Man TAC is going down!!!! :biggrin:
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 1 Results Now Complete
Post by: Elite on December 02, 2020, 01:56:02 AM
Up against luke :lol let's make this the worst matchup ever! I'll send Ulver again if you bring The Mars Volta back!






no seriously, you're going down
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 1 Results Now Complete
Post by: Evermind on December 02, 2020, 06:25:36 AM
Okay Sam so here's the thing, I'm on a business trip again until Saturday, and while I'll do my best to try and send you something, I usually don't have any free time during these. My flight back is on Saturday, so I'll send no later as Saturday evening GMT +3. I'll do my best to do it earlier but I just can't guarantee it at all.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 1 Results Now Complete
Post by: MoraWintersoul on December 02, 2020, 06:28:13 AM
Guess I'll try and hurry up with the sending so you can judge me and Buddyhunter first :xbones
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 1 Results Now Complete
Post by: Buddyhunter1 on December 02, 2020, 07:23:56 AM
How the hell did I end up with the last match-up twice in a row... this shit is wack :lol
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 1 Results Now Complete
Post by: The Walrus on December 02, 2020, 08:29:22 AM
I ended up sending mine last night.

Get ready Sacul.

(https://i.imgur.com/pdhxBOT.jpg)
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 1 Results Now Complete
Post by: 425 on December 02, 2020, 12:51:07 PM
Okay Sam so here's the thing, I'm on a business trip again until Saturday, and while I'll do my best to try and send you something, I usually don't have any free time during these. My flight back is on Saturday, so I'll send no later as Saturday evening GMT +3. I'll do my best to do it earlier but I just can't guarantee it at all.

How the hell did I end up with the last match-up twice in a row... this shit is wack :lol

Okay, let's solve two problems at once:

Puppies_On_Acid (1-0) vs. TAC (1-0)
Buddyhunter1 (0-1) vs. MoraWintersoul (1-0)
twosuitsluke (0-1) vs. Elite (1-0)
The Walrus (1-0) vs. Sacul (0-1)
Cyril (0-1) vs. HOF (1-0)
romdrums (0-1) vs. Evermind (0-1)

This'll work just fine so long as this happens:

Guess I'll try and hurry up with the sending so you can judge me and Buddyhunter first :xbones

 :P (and if not, I can move up Walrus v. Sacul or Cyril v. HOF, all of whose submissions I have, so actually no rush, Mora)

But seriously, Evermind, Saturday should be okay. I'll be able to schedule the listening so that everything still works.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 1 Results Now Complete
Post by: Buddyhunter1 on December 02, 2020, 01:01:57 PM
:heart
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 1 Results Now Complete
Post by: The Walrus on December 02, 2020, 01:22:27 PM
Move up my feeding time, please. I am hungry.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 1 Results Now Complete
Post by: twosuitsluke on December 02, 2020, 02:03:07 PM
Up against luke :lol let's make this the worst matchup ever! I'll send Ulver again if you bring The Mars Volta back!






no seriously, you're going down

We could swap, you send Frances the Mute, I'll send Shadows of the Sun (clearly the best Ulver album)

But hey, if I'm up against you I don't feel like my 'risky' double album is such a great risk :neverusethis:






No seriously, I'm fully aware I'm going down

Edit: sent
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 1 Results Now Complete
Post by: King Puppies and the Acid Guppies on December 02, 2020, 07:21:59 PM
Up against luke :lol let's make this the worst matchup ever! I'll send Ulver again if you bring The Mars Volta back!






no seriously, you're going down

We could swap, you send Frances the Mute, I'll send Shadows of the Sun (clearly the best Ulver album)

Nooooo, Nattens madrigal is clearly the best Ulver album :neverusethis:
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 1 Results Now Complete
Post by: 425 on December 02, 2020, 07:43:03 PM
One thing I want to bring up before we get too far into this round:

Two people sent the same album. They are not up against each other, so I'm inclined to allow both and let the chips fall in each individual matchup. Maybe that album will win against both opponents, maybe it will lose against both, maybe it will win one and lose the other.

But I want to make sure there are no strong objections to this before I definitively decide to allow both.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 1 Results Now Complete
Post by: The Walrus on December 02, 2020, 07:59:42 PM
I bet it was mine wasn't it. Did Elite send it too?  :lol
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 1 Results Now Complete
Post by: 425 on December 02, 2020, 08:03:57 PM
I mean, it's Elite, so he still hasn't sent!

I don't want to say whose it was yet.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 1 Results Now Complete
Post by: Sacul on December 02, 2020, 08:12:43 PM
Well it was definitely not me.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 1 Results Now Complete
Post by: King Puppies and the Acid Guppies on December 02, 2020, 08:26:06 PM
I'm fine with 2 people sending the same album in a given round.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 1 Results Now Complete
Post by: HOF on December 02, 2020, 08:33:36 PM
I guess allowing the same album twice would get us to results a little bit faster!
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 1 Results Now Complete
Post by: Crow on December 02, 2020, 08:44:13 PM
considering what i sent for round 2 it is probably not me
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 1 Results Now Complete
Post by: Buddyhunter1 on December 02, 2020, 10:18:14 PM
Might be me. And if it is, there's a chance Elite might send the same band as well. :lol

I bet it was mine wasn't it. Did Elite send it too?  :lol

Hmm... :corn
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 1 Results Now Complete
Post by: romdrums on December 02, 2020, 10:31:45 PM
I would guess that I’m one of them, and I would go out on a limb and say HOF was the other.  Are we copies?
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 1 Results Now Complete
Post by: HOF on December 02, 2020, 11:22:33 PM
For the record, I’m fine with there being duplicate entries. I’m also fine with resending if I’m a duplicate.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 1 Results Now Complete
Post by: MoraWintersoul on December 03, 2020, 03:17:45 AM
Well, I sent. Hoping I'm not a duplicate either :angel:
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 1 Results Now Complete
Post by: The Walrus on December 03, 2020, 07:35:34 AM
Might be me. And if it is, there's a chance Elite might send the same band as well. :lol

I bet it was mine wasn't it. Did Elite send it too?  :lol

Hmm... :corn

I think the odds are too great for it to not be the album I sent, so we'll see. I could very well be wrong!
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 1 Results Now Complete
Post by: Evermind on December 05, 2020, 09:20:03 AM
But seriously, Evermind, Saturday should be okay. I'll be able to schedule the listening so that everything still works.

Hey man, due to some unforseen delays I just got home (it's 7 PM here right now). Need to unpack my bags and shower and eat something, after that I'll be good to go, I'll try to send something in the next hours.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 1 Results Now Complete
Post by: Evermind on December 05, 2020, 10:37:27 AM
Sent!
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 1 Results Now Complete
Post by: 425 on December 05, 2020, 04:05:34 PM
Okay, everyone's in now! I'm busy tonight, so I'll run the hangman tomorrow. Since no one objected, I'm going to keep both the duplicate submissions.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 1 Results Now Complete
Post by: TAC on December 05, 2020, 04:32:32 PM
Well, one less writeup should mean results a week earlier than normal. ;D
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 1 Results Now Complete
Post by: 425 on December 06, 2020, 07:24:47 PM
A little later in the evening than I'd wanted to start this, but I'll toss it out and see how much y'all get through tonight:


____ ______ - ________
______ - _____ _______
______ ____ - _______
_______ _____ - ______ ____ ____
_____ ______ - _____ __ ___ ___ __ ____
_____ - ____ __ ___ _______ __
_____ - ___ _______
___ - ___ ___ ______
____ - ________ __ _ _______ _____
________ - ___ ____
_________ - ___ ____
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 2 Hangman
Post by: TAC on December 06, 2020, 07:27:30 PM
T
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 2 Hangman
Post by: HOF on December 06, 2020, 07:27:58 PM
M!
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 1 Results Now Complete
Post by: 425 on December 06, 2020, 07:31:37 PM
M___ ______ - ___m____
______ - _____ _______
______ ____ - _______
_______ ____t - ______ __m_ __m_
_t___ ______ - _____ __ T__ ___ __ ____
_____ - ____ _t T__ _______ __
_____ - T__ ____t__
___ - __m ___ ____t_
____ - ________ __ _ ___t__t _____
T___m___ - ___ ____
M________ - ___ ___m

Letters guessed: T M
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 2 Hangman
Post by: Buddyhunter1 on December 06, 2020, 07:52:27 PM
I
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 1 Results Now Complete
Post by: 425 on December 06, 2020, 08:11:13 PM
I was hoping someone would finish spelling it for us  :lol


M___ _____i - ___m____
______ - _____ _______
______ _i__ - _______
_______ ____t - ______ __m_ __m_
_t__i_ ______ - _____ I_ T__ ___ __ _i__
_____ - _i__ _t T__ __i____ __
_____ - T__ _i_it__
___ - _im ___ I__it_
____ - ________ __ _ _i_t__t _____
T___m___ - ___ ____
M________ - _i_ ___m

Letters guessed: T I M
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 2 Hangman
Post by: King Puppies and the Acid Guppies on December 06, 2020, 08:13:35 PM
O
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 2 Hangman
Post by: Crow on December 06, 2020, 08:19:51 PM
give me the D
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 1 Results Now Complete
Post by: 425 on December 06, 2020, 08:27:37 PM
Moon Safari - Blomljud
______ - __o__ ______d
____d_ _i__ - _______
Lonely Robot - ______ _om_ _om_
Stevie Wonder - _o___ I_ T__ ___ O_ _i__
_____ - _i__ _t T__ __i__o_ __
_____ - T__ _i_ito_
___ - _im __d I__it_
_o__ - ________ O_ _ Di_t__t __o_d
Teramaze - ___ ___o
Mo_______ - _i_ ___m

Letters guessed: T I M O D
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 2 Hangman
Post by: King Puppies and the Acid Guppies on December 06, 2020, 08:36:54 PM
Moon Safari - [blomljud]
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 2 Hangman
Post by: HOF on December 06, 2020, 08:38:21 PM
I just realized there are only 11 entries, so I guess the duplicate will be revealed later.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 1 Results Now Complete
Post by: 425 on December 06, 2020, 08:41:12 PM
I need to keep y'all occupied as long as I can, so I'm just leaving it up to you to guess the duplicate along with the ordinary guessing of who sent what. Unless, of course, one of the senders outs themself once the other sender is correctly guessed.

Moon Safari is correct.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 2 Hangman
Post by: Crow on December 06, 2020, 09:04:20 PM
Lonely Robot
Stevie Wonder
Teramaze
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 2 Hangman
Post by: 425 on December 06, 2020, 09:06:25 PM
Yes to all three.

Edit to bring the hangman onto the new page:

Moon Safari - Blomljud
______ - __o__ ______d
____d_ _i__ - _______
romdrums: Lonely Robot - Please Come Home
Stevie Wonder - _o___ I_ T__ ___ O_ _i__
_____ - _i__ _t T__ __i__o_ __
_____ - T__ _i_ito_
fun. - Aim and Ignite
_o__ - ________ O_ _ Di_t__t __o_d
Teramaze - ___ ___o
Mo_______ - _i_ ___m

Letters guessed: T I M O D
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 2 Hangman
Post by: King Puppies and the Acid Guppies on December 06, 2020, 10:15:17 PM
Lonely Robot is Please Come Home and that's Romdrums? Maybe?
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 2 Hangman
Post by: 425 on December 06, 2020, 10:15:51 PM
Yes, that's who it is.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 2 Hangman
Post by: HOF on December 06, 2020, 10:29:03 PM
Fun - Aim and Ignite
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 2 Hangman
Post by: King Puppies and the Acid Guppies on December 06, 2020, 11:16:58 PM
Fun - Aim and Ignite
Probably Param.....errrr....Cyril
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 2 Hangman
Post by: Crow on December 06, 2020, 11:18:45 PM
Fun - Aim and Ignite
Probably Param.....errrr....Cyril
it's been a year and a half by now
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 2 Hangman
Post by: romdrums on December 06, 2020, 11:19:58 PM
Stevie Wonder-Songs in the Key of Life.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 2 Hangman
Post by: Evermind on December 06, 2020, 11:21:00 PM
VOLA - Applause of a Distant Crowd

Also damn, I'm against Lonely Robot. Not liking my chances too much.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 2 Hangman
Post by: King Puppies and the Acid Guppies on December 06, 2020, 11:22:19 PM
VOLA - Applause of a Distant Crowd

Also damn, I'm against Lonely Robot. Not liking my chances too much.
Don't worry, that's their worst album.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 2 Hangman
Post by: Evermind on December 06, 2020, 11:23:57 PM
:lol

Arcade Fire
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 2 Hangman
Post by: 425 on December 06, 2020, 11:33:50 PM
Moon Safari - Blomljud
______ - __o__ ______d
Arcade Fire - Funeral
romdrums: Lonely Robot - Please Come Home
Stevie Wonder - Songs in the Key of Life
Queen - Live at the Rainbow '74
Arena - The Visitor
Cyril: fun. - Aim and Ignite
VOLA - Applause of a Distant Crowd
Teramaze - ___ ___o
Mo_______ - _i_ ___m

Letters guessed: T I M O D
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 2 Hangman
Post by: Crow on December 06, 2020, 11:38:38 PM
arcade fire album is Funeral
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 2 Hangman
Post by: Evermind on December 07, 2020, 12:49:44 AM
Arena - The Visitor
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 2 Hangman
Post by: Crow on December 07, 2020, 12:56:03 AM
vola is the album sent twice right
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 2 Hangman
Post by: 425 on December 07, 2020, 01:09:28 AM
Yes, it is!
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 2 Hangman
Post by: Evermind on December 07, 2020, 01:22:39 AM
Queen - Live at the Rainbow '74
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 2 Hangman
Post by: 425 on December 07, 2020, 01:34:38 AM
...how do you do this? There were like four letters! :lol
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 2 Hangman
Post by: The Walrus on December 07, 2020, 05:39:49 AM
Yes, it is!

Knew it
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 2 Hangman
Post by: TAC on December 07, 2020, 05:48:13 AM
Fun - Aim and Ignite
Probably Param.....errrr....Cyril
it's been a year and a half by now

No, I thought you just sent fun fairly recently.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 2 Hangman
Post by: Evermind on December 07, 2020, 05:51:47 AM
I still think about you as Parama :lol It really doesn't help that paramacore rolls of the tongue so well.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 2 Hangman
Post by: Buddyhunter1 on December 07, 2020, 07:14:22 AM
Yes, it is!

Knew it

The Walrus sent VOLA :biggrin:
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 2 Hangman
Post by: The Walrus on December 07, 2020, 07:16:49 AM
Yes, it is!

Knew it

The Walrus sent VOLA :biggrin:

Just swimmin' in a ruby pool, man

Wish I knew wtf that song was actually about
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 2 Hangman
Post by: Buddyhunter1 on December 07, 2020, 07:21:50 AM
Funny thing is I'm guessing there was a non-zero chance Elite would have sent Inmazes too. :lol
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 2 Hangman
Post by: Elite on December 07, 2020, 07:44:37 AM
Funny thing is I'm guessing there was a non-zero chance Elite would have sent Inmazes too. :lol

I could have done that, yes.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 2 Hangman
Post by: The Walrus on December 07, 2020, 07:45:21 AM
I actually thought about that too  :lol
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 2 Hangman
Post by: Sacul on December 07, 2020, 08:23:41 AM
did elite send arcade fire
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 2 Hangman
Post by: Buddyhunter1 on December 07, 2020, 08:30:07 AM
give me E
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 2 Hangman
Post by: romdrums on December 07, 2020, 08:30:56 AM
VOLA - Applause of a Distant Crowd

Also damn, I'm against Lonely Robot. Not liking my chances too much.
Don't worry, that's their worst album.

You know, if we're being honest about Lonely Robot, you really only need to hear one album to get what they're about.  Every other album is just a variation on the same template as the first.  Majority of the songs will be about 75-80 bpm, unless they're uptempo, in which case they're 150-160 bpm, and likely in Drop D.  I mean, John Mitchell has a pretty defined style at this point.  He's not exactly a musical chameleon.  I think the first record is the best representation of his formula.  :smiley:
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 2 Hangman
Post by: Elite on December 07, 2020, 09:32:02 AM
did elite send arcade fire

yes, he did!
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 2 Hangman
Post by: King Puppies and the Acid Guppies on December 07, 2020, 10:03:23 AM
VOLA - Applause of a Distant Crowd

Also damn, I'm against Lonely Robot. Not liking my chances too much.
Don't worry, that's their worst album.

You know, if we're being honest about Lonely Robot, you really only need to hear one album to get what they're about.  Every other album is just a variation on the same template as the first.  Majority of the songs will be about 75-80 bpm, unless they're uptempo, in which case they're 150-160 bpm, and likely in Drop D.  I mean, John Mitchell has a pretty defined style at this point.  He's not exactly a musical chameleon.  I think the first record is the best representation of his formula.  :smiley:
This is fair. I was just trying to kind of yank your chain. I like all their albums, although I am partial to Under Stars.

And I also love just about everything John Mitchell has been a part of, Arena, Kino, Blind Ego, Frost*, etc. However, I don't like It Bites. That band sucks!  :biggrin:
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 2 Hangman
Post by: The Walrus on December 07, 2020, 10:05:08 AM
Had no idea John Mitchell was in Frost*. Milliontown is a home run record for me but everything else I've heard from them has fallen flat
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 2 Hangman
Post by: Buddyhunter1 on December 07, 2020, 10:06:53 AM
Am I up against Queen? Mora sent them in Revenge's roulette, I think.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 2 Hangman
Post by: MoraWintersoul on December 07, 2020, 10:14:02 AM
I mean I did telegraph I was going to send a live album :corn

It's less "Mora sends Queen sometimes in roulettes" and more "Mora has logged almost twenty years of obsessive Queen fandom" :biggrin:
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 2 Hangman
Post by: romdrums on December 07, 2020, 10:21:29 AM
VOLA - Applause of a Distant Crowd

Also damn, I'm against Lonely Robot. Not liking my chances too much.
Don't worry, that's their worst album.

You know, if we're being honest about Lonely Robot, you really only need to hear one album to get what they're about.  Every other album is just a variation on the same template as the first.  Majority of the songs will be about 75-80 bpm, unless they're uptempo, in which case they're 150-160 bpm, and likely in Drop D.  I mean, John Mitchell has a pretty defined style at this point.  He's not exactly a musical chameleon.  I think the first record is the best representation of his formula.  :smiley:
This is fair. I was just trying to kind of yank your chain. I like all their albums, although I am partial to Under Stars.

And I also love just about everything John Mitchell has been a part of, Arena, Kino, Blind Ego, Frost*, etc. However, I don't like It Bites. That band sucks!  :biggrin:

I love John's work with Frost*.  I think he and Jem have a really good chemistry.  His work with Arena, especially on The Visitor, is solid as well.  I think he works better with a strong collaborator.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 2 Hangman
Post by: 425 on December 07, 2020, 12:42:41 PM
Moon Safari - Blomljud
_____e - __o__ _e___ed
Elite: Arcade Fire - Funeral
romdrums: Lonely Robot - Please Come Home
Stevie Wonder - Songs in the Key of Life
MoraWintersoul: Queen - Live at the Rainbow '74
Arena - The Visitor
Cyril: fun. - Aim and Ignite
The Walrus: VOLA - Applause of a Distant Crowd
Teramaze - _e_ ___o
Mo___ee__ - _i_ ___m

Letters guessed: T I M O D E
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 2 Hangman
Post by: TAC on December 07, 2020, 03:27:53 PM
Is Puppies Arena?
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 2 Hangman
Post by: Crow on December 07, 2020, 03:32:35 PM
fine well we need more letters give me R
oh also Moon Safari is HOF bcuz 425 told me i was up against a double album lol
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 2 Hangman
Post by: 425 on December 07, 2020, 03:57:58 PM
These guesses are both correct, although Moon Safari is not the only double album on the table this round!

HOF: Moon Safari - Blomljud
Evermind: Arcane - Known/Learned
Elite: Arcade Fire - Funeral
romdrums: Lonely Robot - Please Come Home
twosuitsluke: Stevie Wonder - Songs in the Key of Life
MoraWintersoul: Queen - Live at the Rainbow '74
Puppies_On_Acid: Arena - The Visitor
Cyril: fun. - Aim and Ignite
The Walrus: VOLA - Applause of a Distant Crowd
Teramaze - Her Halo
Morcheeba - _i_ ___m

Letters guessed: T I M O D E R
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 2 Hangman
Post by: Luoto on December 07, 2020, 04:02:52 PM
Morcheeba

The Teramaze album is Her Halo
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 2 Hangman
Post by: Crow on December 07, 2020, 04:39:11 PM
Arcane - Known/Learned

there's the other double album lol
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 2 Hangman
Post by: King Puppies and the Acid Guppies on December 07, 2020, 04:47:02 PM
Arcane - Known/Learned

there's the other double album lol
That's a fantastic album, but I would never send the whole thing in a roulette. Is that Evermind?
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 2 Hangman
Post by: 425 on December 07, 2020, 04:47:53 PM
Arcane - Known/Learned

there's the other double album lol

The Stevie Wonder album is also a double.

And yes, Arcane is Evermind.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 2 Hangman
Post by: Crow on December 07, 2020, 04:50:18 PM
excited at how many people are sabotaging this roulette by sending long albums so that results never get posted
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 2 Hangman
Post by: Buddyhunter1 on December 07, 2020, 06:42:28 PM
And I haven't even sent Lift Your Skinny Fists Like Antennas To Heaven yet!
(kidding, the ambient and noise sections would kill it in the water)
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 2 Hangman
Post by: Evermind on December 07, 2020, 10:21:52 PM
Arcane - Known/Learned

there's the other double album lol
That's a fantastic album, but I would never send the whole thing in a roulette. Is that Evermind?

Honestly yeah, I'm not hoping for much, but it's good prog so I went ahead with it.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 2 Hangman
Post by: Elite on December 07, 2020, 10:37:19 PM
luke sent Stevie
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 2 Hangman
Post by: twosuitsluke on December 08, 2020, 01:12:32 AM
luke sent Stevie

(https://i.gifer.com/QVqA.gif)
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 2 Hangman
Post by: 425 on December 08, 2020, 09:37:38 PM
I've got the hangman fully updated above. Y'all have almost finished it; don't give up now! Once that's done I'll post impressions.

An update on how things are going. I'm almost finished with the initial listen to all the albums. I'm going to start focusing in on particular ones tomorrow, which means that I'm likely going to post the first results on Thursday, maybe Friday if I get too busy.

Also, I've slightly reordered the matchups so that the two VOLA ones are side by side. I'll probably post the results for both of them at the same time, since I'm basically listening to that album and its two opponents as a unit.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 2 Hangman
Post by: Buddyhunter1 on December 08, 2020, 10:09:03 PM
TAC sent Teramaze. If he didn't, he sent Morcheeba. And whoever's left sent the other one. :P
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 2 Hangman
Post by: 425 on December 08, 2020, 11:03:13 PM
So you're officially outing yourself as the other VOLA sender. :tup

If you heard Morcheeba you would not for a second believe that TAC sent it. :lol It's very much Zantera/Sacul music. And that's who sent it. ;D


HOF: Moon Safari - Blomljud
Evermind: Arcane - Known/Learned
Elite: Arcade Fire - Funeral
romdrums: Lonely Robot - Please Come Home
twosuitsluke: Stevie Wonder - Songs in the Key of Life
MoraWintersoul: Queen - Live at the Rainbow '74
Puppies_On_Acid: Arena - The Visitor
Cyril: fun. - Aim and Ignite
Buddyhunter1/The Walrus: VOLA - Applause of a Distant Crowd
TAC: Teramaze - Her Halo
Sacul: Morcheeba - _i_ ___m
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 2 Hangman
Post by: Elite on December 09, 2020, 02:17:18 AM
Arcade Fire against Stevie Wonder is a cool matchup :)

I'm too lazy to check the other matchups right now.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 2 Hangman
Post by: MoraWintersoul on December 09, 2020, 03:30:52 AM
I was hoping I'm not up against VOLA, rats.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 2 Hangman
Post by: Sacul on December 09, 2020, 06:39:01 AM
Morcheeba - Big Calm
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 2 Hangman
Post by: 425 on December 09, 2020, 03:15:32 PM
Arcade Fire against Stevie Wonder is a cool matchup :)

I'm too lazy to check the other matchups right now.

Well, now that Sacul has given up on y'all ever guessing his, I'll post all the matchups right here!  :lol

First, the completed hangman:

HOF: Moon Safari - Blomljud
Evermind: Arcane - Known/Learned
Elite: Arcade Fire - Funeral
romdrums: Lonely Robot - Please Come Home
twosuitsluke: Stevie Wonder - Songs in the Key of Life
MoraWintersoul: Queen - Live at the Rainbow '74
Puppies_On_Acid: Arena - The Visitor
Cyril: fun. - Aim and Ignite
Buddyhunter1/The Walrus: VOLA - Applause of a Distant Crowd
TAC: Teramaze - Her Halo
Sacul: Morcheeba - Big Calm

And now, the matchups:



(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/7/7e/Album-cover-the-visitor-by-arena.jpg) vs. (https://img.discogs.com/IPHMdmqKdrMOtVTUplr0lHXseaQ=/fit-in/600x600/filters:strip_icc():format(jpeg):mode_rgb():quality(90)/discogs-images/R-7775714-1448528374-7384.jpeg.jpg)
Puppies_On_Acid                                                             TAC



(https://f4.bcbits.com/img/a3558358609_10.jpg) vs. (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/2/2d/Live_at_the_Rainbow_%2774.jpg)
Buddyhunter1                                                                 MoraWintersoul



(https://f4.bcbits.com/img/a3558358609_10.jpg) vs. (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/4/48/Morcheeba_-_Big_Calm.jpg)
The Walrus                                                                     Sacul



(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/e/e2/Songs_in_the_key_of_life.jpg) vs. (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/2/25/ArcadeFireFuneralCover.jpg)
twosuitsluke                                                                    Elite



(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/3/38/Funaimandignite.jpg) vs. (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/9/99/Moon_Safari_-_Blomljud.jpg)
Cyril                                                                                HOF



(https://www.progarchives.com/progressive_rock_discography_covers/9352/cover_2523181142015_r.jpg) vs. (https://f4.bcbits.com/img/a2205691748_10.jpg)
romdrums                                                                       Evermind



Remember that the guessing game exists as well! Here are the current standings there:

The Walrus: 5
Cyril: 4
Elite: 4
Evermind: 4
HOF: 4
MoraWintersoul: 4
Buddyhunter1: 3
Sacul: 2
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 2 Hangman
Post by: Crow on December 09, 2020, 03:23:08 PM
Puppies vs. TAC
Buddy vs. Mora
Walrus vs. Dacul
Luke vs. Elite
Cyril vs. HOF
romdrums vs. Evermind

tbh i don't know enough of these albums in any capacity to really try too hard
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 2 Hangman
Post by: Buddyhunter1 on December 09, 2020, 03:36:59 PM
I don't know any of these albums besides my own. :lol

Puppies vs. TAC
Buddy vs. Mora
Walrus vs. Dacul
Luke vs. Elite
Cyril vs. HOF
romdrums vs. Evermind
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 2 Hangman
Post by: MoraWintersoul on December 09, 2020, 03:41:54 PM
try too hard
Don't Try So Hard is a Queen song, so I win!

Puppies vs TAC: this can go either way, but I went for Arena
Buddy vs me: always bet on yourself
The Walrus vs Sacul: ... but VOLA has to win one of these
Luke vs Elite: random'd
Cyril vs HOF: also random'd
romdrums vs Evermind: I think the risk will pay off
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 2 Hangman
Post by: HOF on December 09, 2020, 03:43:34 PM
I’ll go with:

Puppies
Mora
Walrus
Luke
HOF
Romdrums
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 2 Hangman
Post by: romdrums on December 09, 2020, 03:44:21 PM
Puppies vs. TAC.   This is a good match up though.
Buddy vs. Mora
Walrus vs. Dacul
Luke vs. Elite
Cyril vs. HOF
romdrums vs. Evermind

Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 2 Hangman
Post by: Sacul on December 09, 2020, 03:50:43 PM
I like how nobody's betting on me :lol

Puppies vs. TAC
Buddy vs. Mora
Walrus vs. Dacul
Luke vs. Elite
Cyril vs. HOF
romdrums vs. Evermind
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 2 Hangman
Post by: 425 on December 11, 2020, 08:04:17 PM
I need to put the roulette on indefinite hiatus. I've just lost someone very close to me. I'll come back when I can focus on music again. I don't know when that will be.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Round 2 Hangman
Post by: King Puppies and the Acid Guppies on December 11, 2020, 08:41:43 PM
I need to put the roulette on indefinite hiatus. I've just lost someone very close to me. I'll come back when I can focus on music again. I don't know when that will be.
Sorry to hear that. Be well. I'm sure all our thoughts are with you. :hug:
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Hiatus
Post by: TAC on December 11, 2020, 08:44:26 PM
Yes, that's awful. So sorry to hear...
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Hiatus
Post by: HOF on December 11, 2020, 09:06:28 PM
Really sorry to hear that. All the best, man.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Hiatus
Post by: twosuitsluke on December 12, 2020, 01:58:23 AM
Really sorry to hear that dude  :heart
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Hiatus
Post by: Crow on December 12, 2020, 02:10:13 AM
take care, man
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Hiatus
Post by: MoraWintersoul on December 12, 2020, 05:28:16 AM
So sorry to hear that. Stay strong and if the going gets tough, please feel free to vent as much as you like.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Hiatus
Post by: Evermind on December 12, 2020, 06:11:27 AM
If you ever need us, we'll be there here for you; meanwhile, it'll be difficult for sure, but take care and do what needs to be done. :heart
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Hiatus
Post by: Sacul on December 12, 2020, 07:17:32 AM
I'm sorry to hear that, take all the time you need. This freaking year, I swear.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Hiatus
Post by: Elite on December 12, 2020, 07:20:44 AM
Take care. I hope you ca find some solace in good memories, in music and anything else. All the best!
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Hiatus
Post by: Stadler on December 14, 2020, 06:47:02 AM
425, you have my deepest condolences.   As others have said, we're here for you if you need it.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Hiatus
Post by: 425 on January 14, 2021, 01:38:58 PM
I'm not quite ready to resume this yet, but I do want to thank everyone for their kind words and condolences. The person I lost was my girlfriend, who passed away very unexpectedly. She was only 23.

The last month has been incredibly hard and I've found it difficult to listen to much music during that time. That has started to get better, so I'll probably be active on the forum again, but it will still be a few more weeks until I'm ready for the volume of listening that a roulette requires.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Hiatus
Post by: wolfking on January 14, 2021, 01:42:19 PM
I'm not quite ready to resume this yet, but I do want to thank everyone for their kind words and condolences. The person I lost was my girlfriend, who passed away very unexpectedly. She was only 23.

The last month has been incredibly hard and I've found it difficult to listen to much music during that time. That has started to get better, so I'll probably be active on the forum again, but it will still be a few more weeks until I'm ready for the volume of listening that a roulette requires.

Mate, thoughts and prayers to you.  That is absolutely devastating. So young, RIP to her.  :'(
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Hiatus
Post by: King Postwhore on January 14, 2021, 02:35:16 PM
I am so sorry 425.  It's unfathomable. My thoughts are with you, your family and her family.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Hiatus
Post by: Lethean on January 14, 2021, 03:49:55 PM
I'm so sorry to hear this.  :(
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Hiatus
Post by: HOF on January 14, 2021, 03:52:56 PM
I can’t even imagine. Deepest condolences again.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Hiatus
Post by: TAC on January 14, 2021, 04:17:58 PM
Yikes! So sorry to hear that 425. That's terrible for all involved.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Hiatus
Post by: Crow on January 14, 2021, 04:20:00 PM
take all the time you need, man
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Hiatus
Post by: Stadler on January 14, 2021, 04:21:04 PM
I don't even know what to say.  My condolences.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Hiatus
Post by: romdrums on January 14, 2021, 06:22:36 PM
Damn 425, I can’t imagine what you’re going through.  My heart goes out to you. 
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Hiatus
Post by: Elite on January 15, 2021, 01:13:10 AM
That's terrible. My condolences, take care.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Hiatus
Post by: Sacul on January 15, 2021, 08:08:21 AM
My condolences, take all the time you need.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Hiatus
Post by: twosuitsluke on January 15, 2021, 01:00:46 PM
Nothing I can say to take any of the pain away but you have the collective hugs from your DTF friends  :heart
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Hiatus
Post by: 425 on January 15, 2021, 09:44:29 PM
Thank you very much, everyone. It really is a pain that can't be fully explained to someone who hasn't gone through it, which I hope none of you ever have to. But it genuinely helps to know that people care.
Title: Re: 425's Roulette v4: Hiatus
Post by: King Puppies and the Acid Guppies on January 16, 2021, 12:11:08 AM
:hug: