Prelim results, part 2 of 2Part 1 here:
https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=54225.msg2580315#msg2580315THE FINAL FIVE:--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Luoto
Maraton – Blood Music (from Meta, 2019)First impression: Immediately enjoyable, dark and energetic.
Final opinion: I didn’t put this in the safe category because, although I loved it on first listen, listens 2 and 3 I felt less sure. There have definitely been bands who play a sort of poppy hard rock with prog stylings where I’ve really liked them at first and then ended up finding their stuff too samey. As I’ve said before, I find it hard to make judgements based on a single song, but it was just something that made me hesitate. But ultimately, I can only go with how much I’m enjoying these songs, and so happy to say this quickly became safe. It’s got a great, dark vibe, and I dig the vocals. Look forward to hearing the album.
Survivor--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Evermind
The Reticent – The Decision (from On the Eve of a Goodbye, 2016)First impression: This is evidently from a concept album. I like it, but I'm not sure how well it works out of context.
Final opinion: I did like this a lot from my first listen, and I considered it likely to survive. I just found it hard to commit because both musically and lyrically it feels very much part of a narrative that I didn’t know, and so it took a bit longer to form a proper view on it. It’s a really solid song though - like if Opeth went rock-opera. The music is really good, and there seems to be a real emotional sincerity to the storytelling even though I only have a partial idea of what it’s about. The climax at the end is particularly immersive.
Survivor--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cyril
Actor | Observer – Dilettante (from Pareidolia, 2018)First impression: Solid example of exactly the sort of thing I'd expect you to send. I do wonder if you've played it too safe here though.
Final opinion: Oh look, post-hardcore. I liked it right from the start, but it didn’t excite me initially as I wasn’t sure it was offering me anything special. It’s a definite grower though, the chorus in particular is really solid once I’d heard it a couple of times, and the atmospheric stuff in the second half of the song provides some really nice contrast in the dynamics. I’d also highlight the vocalist who may not have the most unique style but he delivers it really, really well and helps give the music the right amount of energy.
Survivor--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Puppies
Spirit Adrift – Angel and Abyss (from Divided by Darkness, 2019)First impression: Enjoyable modern version of an otherwise dated style. Not sure about the vocals so far.
Final opinion: Ok let’s get this out of the way. I just cannot get over how much this sounds like what bands like Metallica and Maiden were doing in the 80s. Like, musically there’s not one thing here that those bands weren’t doing 30+ years ago. It does have a nice modern production though, really punchy and deep. And despite being so completely derivative, it’s really, really good for what it is. I don’t see it becoming an all time favourite or anything, but I’ve enjoyed it more and more with every listen and I’m really curious to hear the album and try and get more of a feel for their style. And regarding the vocals, that Ozzy-styling isn’t entirely my cup of tea but it can work really well in the right context (like early Sabbath) and actually it works fine here.
Survivor--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tomi
Baroness – Chlorine & Wine (from Purple, 2015)First impression: Cool song, but possibly held back by the production.
Final opinion: You mentioned the production being weird, but you needn’t have because it was one of the first things I noticed.
It did bother me at first, and I thought it might be the reason for elimination. But the song itself is great. Really catchy hooks, great guitar flourishes that keep getting stuck in my head, and just a ton of charm. I can see the Mastodon similarity you mentioned, and I agree that it’s a bit warmer and more emotional than a lot of their stuff - kind of Alter Bridge overtones at times. After getting used to the song, the production doesn’t bother me so much, and actually it’s only really on earphones that I find it especially noticeable - in the car and on my computer, it sounds fine. So congrats on making it through!
Survivor--------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE DIFFICULT ELIMINATIONS:--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sacul
Slowdive – Alison (from Souvlaki, 1993)First impression: Warm and pleasant... but that might be it. Don’t really remember anything else about it.
Final opinion: So I do actually like this quite a bit, which just shows how much I like the songs ranked above it. It has a real warmth to it, and there’s something about the sounds and production that feel of its time and reminiscent of my teenage years. The main gap for me is the vocals - I find both his voice and the melodies really quite boring, which can be a sticking point for me in a lot of genres and that definitely includes shoegaze. The song grew on me and did become a contender briefly, but in the end I just prefer the other ones.
Eliminated--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Romdrums
In the Presence of Wolves – Man of the Times (from Thalassas, 2014)First impression: There’s loads to like here but some of the vocals grated me a bit, which could be a sticking point.
Final opinion: Another example of strong music being let down by the vocals, and even then only by some of the vocals. The music here is really, really good all the way through. It’s intricate but not overly flashy, surprising and well-performed. And for a lot of the song the vocals are good too - kind of unusual and exciting and they fit the music well. But as the song goes on there are some vocal moments that really, really annoy me to the point of no longer enjoying the song. Firstly there’s the “and it’s a sign” bits, which the delivery of just feels really out of place. I’d probably get past that, but then there’s a big climax around 6 minutes where the singing is just so out of tune. I’m still really interested to check out the album, but this bothered me too much to survive.
Eliminated--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Elite
Major Parkinson – Madeleine Crumbles (from Blackbox, 2017)First impression: Great vibe, but after one listen I'm not sure the song has enough of a focal point.
Final opinion: This is some nice prog pop. Kind of dark and quirky, but also bouncy and cinematic. Great use of strings really give the song quite a unique vibe. I’m not sure I was quite right to say it had no focal point, but I can see why I felt that way on first listen. The melodies are pleasant, but a bit in the background and not especially engaging. This was a contender for survival earlier on, but ultimately it just doesn’t grab me enough compared with other songs I received.
Eliminated--------------------------------------------------------------------------
King
Mile Marker Zero – 2001 (from The Fifth Row, 2018)First impression: Nice prog, but it didn’t make a big immediate impression on me.
Final opinion: This is one of two songs that were really, really hard to eliminate. It’s really fun, energetic prog that, while it didn’t grab me much on my first listen or two, quickly grew on me. The chorus in particular is really catchy, and the way the guitars and synths weave throughout is pretty enjoyable. I don’t have anything bad to say about the song, it ultimately just came down to not feeling as excited by it as the other contenders.
Eliminated--------------------------------------------------------------------------
BIZKIT
The Pineapple Thief – White Mist (from Dissolution, 2018)First impression: I've heard this artist before, but this definitely sounds more interesting, if still a little lacking in wow factor.
Final opinion: Of all the songs I’ve had to eliminate, this was the hardest and came closest to surviving. As you know, I’ve heard some Pineapple Thief before, but never rated them above 3.5 stars. I like their music, it’s really pleasant, sincere prog, but I did always find them a little bit PT-lite. This is no different, but a bit more exciting because of Gavin Harrison’s really fantastic drumming which adds so much to everything he plays in although doesn’t exactly make the PT comparison less valid. It’s a lovely song with great build up. I’m not sure I like it any less than some of the songs that survived, but I had to make a decision. Ultimately, it just came down to feeling more excited about checking out the full albums of other submissions that this one. I’m definitely going to be giving this a listen, and I’m really grateful for you prompting me to do so.
Eliminated--------------------------------------------------------------------------
ROUND 1That full list of survivors then, congrats you’re now in from rounds 1-5!
Seneca
Clortho
Katt
Nekov
Train
Luoto
Evermind
Cyril
Puppies
Tomi
Per the OP, the expectation for Round 1 is that it’s the full album from Round 0. I really liked all 10 songs (and even some of the songs I had to eliminate) and am really keen to check out all 10 albums. I did say there’d be the option to select something else, and I’m a man of my word. From my perspective, there’s no reason at all for any of you to change your minds. But if after seeing the results and write-ups you feel you’d like to send something else instead, please let me know ASAP explaining why. For now I’m going to start listening to the albums.
And don’t forget the sidekick rule. Batman, find your Robin!
Topic: ariich’s roulette 5.0 – The End (again (the actual end this time (really))) (Read 57210 times)