Author Topic: Nick's Top 50 Thread v. Ending Themes (Read 64946 times)

wolfking · « **Reply #385 on:** March 04, 2012, 03:11:36 AM »

Got Pure last year and was blown away. I just got into this very album, and it indeed is absolutely amazing. Spectacular record.

Nekov · « **Reply #386 on:** March 04, 2012, 04:09:46 PM »

Your last 2 choices are pasterpieces of prog. Way to go Nick

Nick · « **Reply #387 on:** March 05, 2012, 06:40:30 PM »

14. Neal Morse - ?

Without a doubt this is Neal's masterpiece. There is not a single solo album from Neal I dislike, but there are none I love quite as much as this one. It has the feel of one long continuous piece of orgasm laced music while packing enough shorter musical punches within songs that it ends up being played more than many other albums you'll see ranked higher up. As Kev is fond of saying, the guests on this album were used perfectly and give a whole new dimension to the album. But the main players are on top of their game as well as Portnoy delivers what is perhaps his best solo-Neal performance, and Neal lays down what is possibly the best vocals on any of his solo albums. And that's saying something because his wonderful vocal melodies are half the reason I love him to begin with. The other reason I love him is that as Portnoy has said he is one of the premier song-writer's of our generation, and this album is proof of that ability.

Favorite tracks: The Temple of the Living God, Sweet Elation, In the Fire

Honorable mention: Kansas - Point of Know Return

Nekov · « **Reply #388 on:** March 05, 2012, 06:50:43 PM »

Yes!! Finally someone who appreciates this fine album. The honorable mention is also a great album. You're doing great lately Nick

jingle.boy · « **Reply #389 on:** March 05, 2012, 08:48:18 PM »

Just started paying attention to his solo work a month or so ago. Love all of Neal's work. Some of the religious lyrics are a little in your face and TOO recurring, but the music compensates. I dont have a problem with the religious aspect, but I'd probably feel the same with any musical act having any repetitive lyrical theme in throughout their music.

KevShmev · « **Reply #390 on:** March 05, 2012, 10:02:14 PM »

? is no longer my favorite Neal solo album (Testimony Two overtook it last year), but it is still awesome.

Dr. DTVT · « **Reply #391 on:** March 05, 2012, 11:46:44 PM »

Quote from: jingle.boy on March 05, 2012, 08:48:18 PM

Some of the religious lyrics are a little in your face and TOO recurring, but the music compensates.

This is why I can't buy these albums. I just can't support it. Its a shame because I love his non-religous work, and I love the music from his solo albums when I've heard it. But as soon as I hear, "JESUS...JESUS..." I just need to turn it off. I know I'm not the only one, and there are people who don't like music that openly questions religion and I completely understand that viewpoint as well.

Nick · « **Reply #392 on:** March 06, 2012, 09:52:42 PM »

13. Riverside - Second Life Syndrome

Riverside is now four albums in, and all have been strong efforts, but I think most fans agree that Second Life Syndrome sticks out amongst the pack. The atmosphere is perfect throughout the album and the strong songs on this album are above and beyond the better tracks from the other two Reality Dream albums. They took a strong and new step with Anno Domini, but I think the sound and style of this album will always stick out as special in fans minds. I don't know of any 3 minute intro tracks that I love as much as After, and it says somthing when a stunning, great, and concise track like Artificial Smile doesn't make my favorites list.

Favorite tracks: Conceiving You, Volte-Face, Second Life Syndrome.

Honorable mention: Iron Maiden - Brave New World

Nekov · « **Reply #393 on:** March 07, 2012, 05:06:55 AM »

Again Nick, a great album and a great honorable mention. I just recently got into Riverside but I'm enjoying their music a lot.

Zantera · « **Reply #394 on:** March 07, 2012, 05:17:24 AM »

I prefer Rapid Eye Movement and ADHD, but Second Life Syndrome is amazing.

wolfking · « **Reply #395 on:** March 07, 2012, 05:22:23 AM »

This is my favourite work from Riverside, it is amazing.

yorost · « **Reply #396 on:** March 07, 2012, 08:28:07 AM »

Got tired of Riverside, but really, a great pick. I've been itching to listen to them again, maybe they'll be fresh once more. ...and if you didn't hate on Blaze so much I'd love your Maiden mention.

Brave New World is my second favourite that has Bruce on it.

-------

You know, I think I was one of the early adopters to Riverside, here. SLS was a day one buy for me. Anyone else remember how we used to get the "Anybody else like Riverside?" threads about once a month?

jingle.boy · « **Reply #397 on:** March 07, 2012, 08:34:27 AM »

Riverside didn't do anything for me when I tried them a couple of years ago, and it was this album. I'll give it another spin to see if I missed something.

Nick · « **Reply #398 on:** March 07, 2012, 08:35:08 AM »

Yeah, I definitely remember that. And I hear what your saying about Brave New World. It used to be my favorite Maiden album, but over time the song-writing did seem to be a bit to repetitive and Blaze-like. In general though I find the material to be faaaaar better than the Blaze era stuff.

yorost · « **Reply #399 on:** March 07, 2012, 08:39:00 AM »

Quote from: jingle.boy on March 07, 2012, 08:34:27 AM

Riverside didn't do anything for me when I tried them a couple of years ago, and it was this album. I'll give it another spin to see if I missed something.

Maybe try Out of Myself, see what got people excited in the first place. Kind of like Redemption, I still like to recommend their first album since that's what got people to take notice. ...maybe I'm just sentimental for the days when a few of us would try to pimp these bands and people here would go, "who?"

Dr. DTVT · « **Reply #400 on:** March 07, 2012, 09:05:17 AM »

Quote from: jingle.boy on March 07, 2012, 08:34:27 AM

Riverside didn't do anything for me when I tried them a couple of years ago, and it was this album. I'll give it another spin to see if I missed something.

My opinion on your opinion: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Isjgc0oX0s&feature=related

jingle.boy · « **Reply #401 on:** March 07, 2012, 09:09:11 AM »

Quote from: yorost on March 07, 2012, 08:39:00 AM

Quote from: jingle.boy on March 07, 2012, 08:34:27 AM
Riverside didn't do anything for me when I tried them a couple of years ago, and it was this album. I'll give it another spin to see if I missed something.
Maybe try Out of Myself, see what got people excited in the first place. Kind of like Redemption, I still like to recommend their first album since that's what got people to take notice. ...maybe I'm just sentimental for the days when a few of us would try to pimp these bands and people here would go, "who?"

Funny... this was the other album I grabbed. I'll give it a whirl too.

Quote from: DTVT on March 07, 2012, 09:05:17 AM

Quote from: jingle.boy on March 07, 2012, 08:34:27 AM
Riverside didn't do anything for me when I tried them a couple of years ago, and it was this album. I'll give it another spin to see if I missed something.

My opinion on your opinion: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Isjgc0oX0s&feature=related

My retort

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FWBUl7oT9sA

Nekov · « **Reply #402 on:** March 07, 2012, 09:35:59 AM »

I need to watch that movie again.

jingle.boy · « **Reply #403 on:** March 07, 2012, 12:40:05 PM »

Quote from: jingle.boy on March 07, 2012, 08:34:27 AM

Riverside didn't do anything for me when I tried them a couple of years ago, and it was this album. I'll give it another spin to see if I missed something.

Re-listened to both SLS and OoM. They were better than I remembered upon first impression, but still didn't do a lot for me. Guess that's my fail for the day. As I recall, I was giving a few DTF loved bands a shot at the same time - PoS, Riverside, Spock's Beard, S-X and Porcupine Tree. SB and S-X made the cut, PoS kinda, PT and Riverside not so much.

*runs to put flame retardant suit on*

yorost · « **Reply #404 on:** March 07, 2012, 01:29:32 PM »

No running jingle, stick up for yourself!

I know you know it, but your opinion is as good as any of ours.

Nick · « **Reply #405 on:** March 07, 2012, 03:17:08 PM »

Don't actually say it if you know it, but I'll be posting some teaser bits for the final few...

I only expect one person to know #12.

www.nickeh.com/samples/DTF12.mp3

yorost · « **Reply #406 on:** March 07, 2012, 03:24:41 PM »

If you really want it to be a teaser you should remove the tags.

jingle.boy · « **Reply #407 on:** March 07, 2012, 03:27:47 PM »

Know them. Like them. Haven't listened to enough to recognize them in less than 10 seconds.

Pre-emptively saying good pick.

Nick · « **Reply #408 on:** March 07, 2012, 03:32:12 PM »

Try it now and let me know if it doesn't show.

yorost · « **Reply #409 on:** March 07, 2012, 03:34:17 PM »

I don't see it anymore.

Nick · « **Reply #410 on:** March 07, 2012, 03:35:23 PM »

Cool, thanks for the heads up.

Nick · « **Reply #411 on:** March 07, 2012, 05:09:03 PM »

12. Royal Hunt - Paradox

I can honestly say I've never seen any fanbase come together on an album as much as Royal Hunt fans do on this one. Every Royal Hunt fan I've ever spoken to considers this their favorite, and I am no exception to that rule. They have put out plenty of strong albums, but this stands above the pack. Andre's writing was a bit more explorative then it ever was before or since, and DC Cooper provides fantastic vocals throughout the album. Every single song is a standout and this is a premier prog-metal album from front to back.

Favorite tracks: River of Pain, Time Will Tell, Tearing Down the World

Honorable mention: Enchant - Juggling 9 or Dropping 10

Dr. DTVT · « **Reply #412 on:** March 07, 2012, 05:09:37 PM »

Quote from: Flick on March 07, 2012, 03:17:08 PM

I only expect one person to know #12.

That person was me, and I recognized it immediately. #12 is about where I'd have this album too, it was a game changer for me when I first heard it back in the day, when the Y2K bug was scary.

Elite · « **Reply #413 on:** March 07, 2012, 05:14:34 PM »

I have never even heard of that album..

Dr. DTVT · « **Reply #414 on:** March 07, 2012, 05:33:02 PM »

Change that NAO, and don't come back until you hear D.C. Cooper in your sleep.

Also, the honorable mention is awesome as well. ***full disclosure: I'm the biggest Enchant fanboy on this forum, and maybe anywhere. My opinion is very biased.

wolfking · « **Reply #415 on:** March 07, 2012, 05:40:51 PM »

I've only really gotten into Royal Hunts later stuff. Mark Boals introduced me to the band, but I love DC Cooper too, loved him in Silent Force. I only have Paper Blood, Eyewitness and Paradox 2 which are all excellent. I'll get this one next. I'm interested in the latest one too with DC Cooper back on vocals.

jingle.boy · « **Reply #416 on:** March 07, 2012, 06:10:21 PM »

Quote from: DTVT on March 07, 2012, 05:33:02 PM

Change that NAO, and don't come back until you hear D.C. Cooper in your sleep.

Also, the honorable mention is awesome as well. ***full disclosure: I'm the biggest Enchant fanboy on this forum, and maybe anywhere. My opinion is very biased.

I thought you were the biggest Henning Pauly fanboi. You must choose. There can only be one.

Love ALL (and I mean all 11 albums) of Royal Hunt, but they're still a little too 'new' to me for me to be able to distinguish between albums. Don't know Enchant well enough... they are on the radar though.

Nick · « **Reply #417 on:** March 07, 2012, 06:13:33 PM »

You even love Eyewitness?

Dr. DTVT · « **Reply #418 on:** March 07, 2012, 06:45:24 PM »

Quote from: Flick on March 07, 2012, 06:13:33 PM

You even love Eyewitness?

Not even Royal Hunt likes Eyewitness.

I claim both since I'm the only one who loves both, but Enchant > Henning everyday of the week.

Nick · « **Reply #419 on:** March 07, 2012, 06:48:51 PM »

Quote from: DTVT on March 07, 2012, 06:45:24 PM

Quote from: Flick on March 07, 2012, 06:13:33 PM
You even love Eyewitness?

Not even Royal Hunt likes Eyewitness.

Pretty much. It does have one of their very best songs, but aside from that it's quite meh.

News: Paralyzed official video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C7m7l8iqGAk

Author Topic: Nick's Top 50 Thread v. Ending Themes (Read 64946 times)