PLAYLIST FOR THURSDAY APRIL 5 2018
“Movement V” - Vangelis – El Greco, 1998
Genre: Electronic/Ambient/Classical
Based on the life of the Renaissance artist of the same name. Meh, it's okay: a bit boring if I'm honest. This is not a Vangelis album I've listened to in full.
5/10
“Siberian Khatru (runthough)” - Yes – Close to the Edge, 1972
Genre: Prog Rock
Controversial opinion # 2,391: I'm not impressed with seventies Yes. Anything I've heard has been just all right or downright boring. Let the lawsuits begin! This is a runthrough of one of their most famous songs from this classic album, but I have to be honest: it does little for me. Plus, every time I hear this title I'm reminded of that
Star Trek episode: “I wager sixty Kwatlus on the newcomer!” I know it's not the same word, but they link in my brain. Whaddya gonna do? Yeah, give me eighties or even nineties Yes. This bores me.
4/10
“The Quantum Enigma (Kingdom of Heaven Part II)” - Epica – The Quantum Enigma, 2013
Genre: Prog/Symphonic Metal
Speaking of boring, a typical symphonic metal tune: too long, overblown and overstretched, plenty of choirs, orchestra and fiddling around with no real result in the end. Yawn.
4/10
“Sound Chaser” - Yes – Relayer, 1974
Genre: Prog Rock
Slightly better than the other Yes track, a bit more interesting, but not much. Again, too long and with not enough happening over the length of its run. Not a great playlist today, is it?
5/10
“Day of Wrath” - Virgin Steele – The House of Atreus, Act I, 1999
Genre: Power Metal
A nice short little neoclassical piano instrumental. Not a lot more to say. Runs for less than two minutes.
7/10
“Last Look at Eden” - Europe – Last Look at Eden, 2009
Genre: AOR
Europe are another Air Supply, as far as I'm concerned. I was convinced there was more to them than “The Final Countdown”, but there kind of isn't. Their last two albums were good, but other than that, everything I've heard from them has been pretty meh. This, to be fair, is a lot better, and gives me hope that there might be some gems hidden in among all the dross. Though I doubt thee are many.
8/10
“Missing My Son” - Tom Waits – Orphans: Brawlers, Bawlers and Bastards, 2006
Genre: Spoken Word
A great little understated piece of prose from Waits, wherein he recounts his meeting a woman who swore he looked just like her dead son. “When I looked at the picture of her son,” he drawls in sort of embarrassed amusement, “I didn't look anything like her son. In fact, he was Chinese!” Good on ya, Tom! You ended the playlist on a high, and I had not expected that.
10/10