Indiscipline's Roulette v. The Dirty Aftermath

[TAC]

No comprende.

[Destiny Of Chaos]

He cut us PoS fam. He cut us deep!

[King Postwhore]

No comprende.

That's a blow to you, leader of fogies.

[Crow]

Okay glad I got over a 7 but sad that Iter Impius got such a criminally low score 

[lonestar]

He cut us PoS fam. He cut us deep!

I'm just glad I'm not the only one that put that song last in a roulette round, though I do think this may be the last time Evermind sends that one...

[Shadow Ninja 2.0]

I'll admit, Indiscipline, I'm starting to wonder if there are any vocals you actually like.

[jingle.boy]

He cut us PoS fam. He cut us deep!

I'm just glad I'm not the only one that put that song last in a roulette round, though I do think this may be the last time Evermind sends that one...

I'm glad you put it last, because it put mine 2nd last!

And PoS is an entirely appropriate acronym in my books.  I just can't get into them.

@ Shadow... he liked Lande, just not the lyrics or musical structure.

[Crow]

He liked the vocals in Hail Spirit Noir (except the whispered ones)

[Shadow Ninja 2.0]

He cut us PoS fam. He cut us deep!

I'm just glad I'm not the only one that put that song last in a roulette round, though I do think this may be the last time Evermind sends that one...

I'm glad you put it last, because it put mine 2nd last!

And PoS is an entirely appropriate acronym in my books.  I just can't get into them.

@ Shadow... he liked Lande, just not the lyrics or musical structure.

I'm stupid and can't read, I thought he said the vocals were bad to somewhat memorable. Whoops.

[Stadler]

For example, you can find the same exact main riff in every post-reunion Maiden album (I would quote titles if I were willing to deal with post-reunion Maiden albums)

Them's fightin' words, pard.   

[The Walrus]

Finally not in the bottom 4 

[Evermind]

He cut us PoS fam. He cut us deep!

I'm just glad I'm not the only one that put that song last in a roulette round, though I do think this may be the last time Evermind sends that one...

Not really, I had a lot of successes with this one in the past, so two failures won't be enough.

That being said, looking forward to my last round!

[Crow]

Evermind sent Native Construct - Mute

[lonestar]

Damn, even my tank song won't be able to compete with that.

[Indiscipline]

And here I thought considering 7 a bad mark was just a Canadian thing ..


Round 4 Results, 2 of 5:

Elite - Rich and The Poor Tastes:

Ulver – Lost in Moments:

Bus Impression: “The elevator is so hip and cool that you almost forget it's elevator music”

Not matter the genre or the means adopted, when a song sets up to paint a sonic landscape I'm always on board, or at least interested. This one starts the job in flying colours: after a distinct promise of industrial claustrophobic mazes, the painter plays with fog, conveyed by a pretty astute saxophone hell bent on phrasing every staple lick from classic noir movies' scores with a futuristic cold attitude. There's a great sense of sonic research, especially at the end when an amazing vocal collage (absolutely my favourite section) makes you wonder why the concept wasn't expanded further. The ceiling for this song could have been set higher, maybe with a gret vocalist wisely used a la Massive Attack, surely with a more poignant middle section, which I've found too much focused on a rather flat beat diluting the painting's strong colours for too much precious song time.

Vote: 7.5 – It's fantastic you thought someone else sent this.


: DestinyOfChaos - The One Trick Ponies:

Ayreon – Day Two: Isolation:

Bus Impression: “A brazen celebration of artistic theft”

I think I know the first guy singing. Jokes aside, either this Lucassen fella grew up listening to the same exact records I grew up whorshipping or he's the greatest honest thief in the history of rock music. What can I say, it starts like Morse, teases with some Emerson comments, becomes Supper's Ready, transforms into On The Run, and lifts a world famous lick from Learning to Live focking verbatim. The funny thing is that the result is successfully endearing, a bit like Andrew Lloyd Webber's infamous robberies of Giacomo Puccini's operas becoming pretty amazing musical achievements. Although this song doesn't stand to the incredible standard set by all the gushing I read about Ayreon (I'm finding out modern acts tend to be ridicolously hyped), this is a very good piece. There isn't a wrong vocal melody, and pace and drama are managed by a maestro. The placid calm part owned by the lady singer is really beautiful, but Big James wins the vocal match right from the start. 

Vote: 7.5 – I may check this Ayreon act guys seem to like a lot

[Elite]

hmmm.. 'next time' I might try a different track from that same album maybe 'Hallways of Always' or 'The Future Sound of Music' (my personal favourite) would have done better, but I picked this one specifically for the use of the saxophone and its quite varied sections. It opens the album wonderfully, and I think you might actually enjoy the full thing really.

[ariich]

Okay glad I got over a 7 but sad that Iter Impius got such a criminally low score 

Especially on the basis that Gildenlow's vocals lack emotion.

[The Walrus]

I'm glad I'm not alone in not getting PoS, and Indi hit the nail on the head (imo) with respect to Gildenlow.

[Destiny Of Chaos]

Glad that you liked the Ayreon song. With the All-Star round, wanted to give you some Big James and other talented singers! And James sounds fantastic on the track/album considering the time period that it was released.

[Indiscipline]

Okay glad I got over a 7 but sad that Iter Impius got such a criminally low score 

Especially on the basis that Gildenlow's vocals lack emotion.

I guess we just have to settle whether a great fake orgasm actually conveys emotions 

Which, joking aside, leads me to this:

I'll admit, Indiscipline, I'm starting to wonder if there are any vocals you actually like.

I'm grateful for that comment, 'cause it allows me to shed some light on my apparently foppish vocal standards. It may sound weird from someone making a living by acting through singing, but I really detest "vocal posturing".  Genuine emotions need only the right sound and dynamics, providing the composer has done his job (and in PoS case, said job was perfect). Everything else is void mannerism, going from mildly exciting in the luckiest case to down right cringeworthy.

I'm giving you a couple of well-known examples, always in my opinion and taste:

Kiske, LaBrie, Lake, Morse and Cornell are the golden standard for straight soul to sound shooters.

Russell Allen, although the most talented and gifted vocalist in his generation from a physical instrumental standpoint, can't escape the trappings of vocal posturing. From what I've heard so far, Gildenlow (well endowed himself) is on that track.

Dickinson, Dio, Adams, Coverdale and Ian Anderson have mastered the art of compromise. Sometimes they're exciting, sometimes irritating, rarely not great anyway.

Other fun quirky bits, if you will:

Deep Purple is my favourite act on odd days (DT on even), but I can't focking stand Ian Gillian

Robert Plant is either celestial or infuriating, no middle ground, and I love Led Zep.

Before someone turns the mannerism blame on my favourite Patton, I will say that's not mannerism. That's focking research on the limits of human voice, and the man should be revered as Einstein is.

[TAC]

Before someone turns the mannerism blame on my favourite Patton, I will say that's not mannerism. That's focking research on the limits of human voice, and the man should be revered as Einstein is.

You are baked, man.

Give me something to prove your point because I'm apparently not aware of who this Patton guy is.

[Indiscipline]

I live to serve, you know the rest. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uDgPeUCF0sc

[TAC]

I live to serve, you know the rest. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uDgPeUCF0sc

So the guy can sing scales. That's great.. Has he ever made a song that was remotely listenable?

There was something in that mix from some soundtrack that sounded interesting, but honestly, that was nothing but noise.

Give me a song dammit!

[Indiscipline]

I'll give you plenty in your roulette, my friend. 


Round 4 Results, 3 of 5:

Kattelox - The Rainbow Warriors:

Incognito – Deep Waters:

Bus Impression: “Baby, I want to have babies with your larynx”

It starts like porn music (not necessarily a bad thing), then a wonderful ladyvoice possessing every harmonic available to human females hits my ear's G spot like a pro. Past the wave of aural pleasure, this tune could seem like your average classy nondescript smooth jazz track, but it hids a couple of treasures. The main melody could have been carried by a very standardised harmonic progression, but the gang went the extra mile and concocted a series of extremely interesting and hard to handle changes and permutations. The result is not a “look at me” display of harmony mastery, but an actual improvement on the musical whole. What I enjoyed even more is the strict orchestration discipline: bass as absolute crossroads of Melody/harmony/rythm, piano and guitars wisely dividing voicings and colours, a muted trumpet licking with a Knopfleresque knack for completing/commenting the vocal lines. Too bad the theme is not developed enough to allow this tune to make the leap to great composition territory.

Vote: 8.0 – I want everything sung by this fine lady


Stadler - The Hartford Walers:

Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds – A Simple Game of Genius:

Bus Impression: “The sun is up, the sky is blue, it's beautiful and so are you ...” Sorry, couldn't help it.

There are choice individuals the gods have chosen to carry the instinctive pop songwriting gift, no matter what, and the gods seem to look for them in Great Britain. I feel we can let Noel join John, Paul, Elton, Freddie, Mike and Matt in that club. The intro is magic in simplicity, then we go Dear Prudence through some Fat Bottomed Girls stomping. The rest is not only huge sound, but huge sonic space opened without borders with no more than three focking melodic ideas. Oasis were incredibly popular while I was coming of age, but I've always been torn between Noel's perfect writing and Liam's terrible vocals. Well, the dilemma is solved right here. Noel isn't even close to being an accomplished singer, but his unassuming voice allows the actual tune to breathe. Another trait of the pop genius? Knowing when stopping painting the picture, when you miss a brush or another one could ruin everything.

Vote: 8.0 – You keep appelaling to my Beatles sense. Smart move.


jingle.boy - Boston Bruins Blow:

Mystery – Shadow of the Lake:

Bus Impression: “The token wonderful song featuring vocals I'm not crazy about”

Holy DT Compendium! Not mentioning the obvious Learning to Steal sequence, the first minute feels like a quotation of every Dream Theater album, before picking one and settling on WDADU riffing. But, again DT is my favourite act on even days. Then we land on the “They Cannot Feel The Pain” bit, the first truly original moment and incidentally the best hook in this round. The only gripe I have with the song's first half is it's written for vocals way more powerful and extended than the guy is actually gifted with, and it often shows. The second half is beautiful smooth sailing. After a Mitchellesque solo (always a bonus with me) we keep the Arena gimmick turning things into Unquiet Sky vibe, before climaxing in a comfortably numb final sequence boasting some surprising harmonised guitar wailing that simply clenches your heart. The moment the singer asks his buddies to throw him a bone in the range department, this act is set for great things.

Vote: 8.0 – How can you send this and not like Arena is beyond me.

[lonestar]

Looks like Ostura is gonna save my ass.

[King Postwhore]

Top 6!!! WOOOT!!!

[The Walrus]

I FINALLY broke out of the 6s into a solid 8! Everything's coming up Milhouse

[King Postwhore]

I FINALLY broke out of the 6s into a solid 8! Everything's coming up Milhouse

This is the point when Nelson usually says "HA HA!"

[TAC]

Looks like Ostura is gonna save my ass.

When you first started pimping Ostura, I checked them out, but I couldn't get into it. That said, I listened to the song you sent and it was fantastic. I may have to give that album another look.

[Crow]

the hirsch effekt strikes again, apparently
back in business this round 

[Stadler]

I'm grateful for that comment, 'cause it allows me to shed some light on my apparently foppish vocal standards. It may sound weird from someone making a living by acting through singing, but I really detest "vocal posturing".  Genuine emotions need only the right sound and dynamics, providing the composer has done his job (and in PoS case, said job was perfect). Everything else is void mannerism, going from mildly exciting in the luckiest case to down right cringeworthy.

I'm giving you a couple of well-known examples, always in my opinion and taste:

Kiske, LaBrie, Lake, Morse and Cornell are the golden standard for straight soul to sound shooters.

Russell Allen, although the most talented and gifted vocalist in his generation from a physical instrumental standpoint, can't escape the trappings of vocal posturing. From what I've heard so far, Gildenlow (well endowed himself) is on that track.

Dickinson, Dio, Adams, Coverdale and Ian Anderson have mastered the art of compromise. Sometimes they're exciting, sometimes irritating, rarely not great anyway.

Other fun quirky bits, if you will:

Deep Purple is my favourite act on odd days (DT on even), but I can't focking stand Ian Gillian

Robert Plant is either celestial or infuriating, no middle ground, and I love Led Zep.

Before someone turns the mannerism blame on my favourite Patton, I will say that's not mannerism. That's focking research on the limits of human voice, and the man should be revered as Einstein is.

Dude, brother, compadre.... other than the Ian Gillan - who is better than "can't focking stand" but isn't my favorite singer (that would be Freddie, Paul Rodgers, Bono...) I could have absolutely written that word for word.   Perfect.    There is nothing I hate worse than melismatic singing (you know what I'm talking about; that holding one syllable but singing 8,452 notes.  Basically every singer on American Idol, plus Ariana Grande.) except maybe the screaching over-emoting of singers like Janis Joplin, who is basically unlistenable to me.

Oh, and Patton; when he sings, he is SO good; "Ashes To Ashes", most of "Angel Dust".   Can I send "Everything's Ruined" in this roullette?   

[Destiny Of Chaos]

Looks like Ostura is gonna save my ass.

When you first started pimping Ostura, I checked them out, but I couldn't get into it. That said, I listened to the song you sent and it was fantastic. I may have to give that album another look.

Duality is aptly named. The first half in amazing... the second half loses me. But in total... a great song. I do prefer Erosion.

[TAC]

Looks like Ostura is gonna save my ass.

When you first started pimping Ostura, I checked them out, but I couldn't get into it. That said, I listened to the song you sent and it was fantastic. I may have to give that album another look.

Duality is aptly named. The first half in amazing... the second half loses me. But in total... a great song. I do prefer Erosion.

The definition of Erosion.

[Evermind]

There are no songs on that Ostura album that are at least half as good as Iter Impius.

Avantasia and Ayreon are also below 8... I'm playing in the wrong roulette.

[jingle.boy]

I must say, criticizing Benoit David's vocal talents would have been the absolute last thing I would have expected out of this submission.  I mean, he was good enough to tour for Yes, so ... yeah.

TASTES!!!

Still, I'll take the 8, even if it is (barely) middle of the pack.