Schizotypic

YouTube - Jazz Middelheim : Pharoah Sanders - part 3
^That guy plays like a god, and so does that Chris character. Haven't checked out Yesterdays yet. I'm definitely keeping on eye on this thread, I can't to see what comes next.

sidewinder

That Chris Squire album is great, nice choice.

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last.fm | my collection on RYM | vinyl instagram @allthatyouseeandhear
I'd love to see your signature/links too, but the huge and obnoxious ones have caused me to block all signatures.

Anteater

Glad you're all enjoying the ride so far, lol! Although I apologize for the lack of alcohol, be satiated instead with the first compilation for those who are tentative at checking out the albums reviewed thus-far :

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Anteater's 21 Fav Albums Of 2020

Anteater's Daily Tune Roulette

Anteater

24. Symphony X – Paradise Lost (2007)


Combining elements of thrash, progressive, speed, neoclassical and power metal in ways that Dragonforce & Dream Theater wish they could but fail at, Symphony X's Paradise Lost is, like their 2000 release V: The Mythology Suite, one of those rare works thats full of wankery but somehow just works despite evidence to the contrary. Not sure exactly why I'm drawn to this particular album so much though; maybe its because vocalist Russell Allen doesn't sound like he's trying to be Bruce Dickinson or Dio every time he opens his piehole (the title track truly does justice to his range). Or perhaps its because I just like the idea of Milton's play getting the epic concept album treatment. Either way, its a keeper in my book, and although this album won't appeal to many, its one of my favorites and something I'd recommend even to folks who aren't keen on classical-metal schnookery. It may be a riff-fest, but its a top class one!

Track Highlights: Paradise Lost, Eve of Seduction, The Walls of Babylon



23. Fever Tree – Fever Tree (1968)


This rather obscure debut release from the Texan psychedelic rock scene of the late 60’s holds quite a bit of sentimental value for me; my uncle on my dad’s side was this group’s keyboardist, and even now tells me stories about all the fun times he had while recording and touring back in the day. Still, even without the personal attachment, I think it’s a dynamic effort considering the place and time; for although its very much a product of the era at first glance, there are a surprising amount of classical touches that elevate it beyond the status of “60’s relic”. The symphonic touches on (Rainsong), opening overture ‘Imitation Situation I’ and a few of the other tracks sets a unique mood amidst the feedback, and the proto-prog sound is overall executed much more naturally than what groups like The Nice were doing at the time.

Track Highlights: San Francisco Girls, Man Who Paints The Pictures, Come With Me (Rainsong)



22. Brian Eno & Robert Fripp – No Pussyfooting (1973)


When two masters of mood and ambience come together to collaborate on something, the result is going to be nothing less than spectacular. Eno was fresh out from leaving Roxy Music and had yet to start the solo career most of you known him for, while Robert was still muscling up with King Crimson. Still, it should be noted that it was really here on No Pussyfooting, with the former's innovative dual tape-loop system (later known as Frippertronics) and the latter's ever enigmatic and distinctive guitar-style they singlehandedly laid the foundation which would determine both musicians' musical directions for the next thirty some odd years. The first track of the two on this record, "Heavenly Music Corporation" is a particular highlight; Fripp's guitar just builds and builds and buildsssss until you are disorientated by the ensuing cacophony, then slowly tears strips itself back down to a light drone base which vanishes into the distance as if nothing was there to begin with. Amazing!

In conclusion, this is my favorite ambient album and IMO has aged better than the majority of Eno's 70's output. Goes great with headphones too.

Track Highlights: The Heavenly Music Corporation

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Anteater's 21 Fav Albums Of 2020

Anteater's Daily Tune Roulette

dac

I just wanna say the Matmos album was awesome, great call.

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Urban Hat€monger ?

No Pussyfooting is one of those albums I keep meaning to get but never do.

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Anteater

21. French TV – The Violence of Amateurs (1999)


A wonderfully sunny combination plate of R.I.O. (Rock In Opposition) insanity and quirky jazz-oriented rock n' roll, French TV rips avant-garde music a new one with this very entertaining escapade into the unclassifiable. Featuring every instrument under the sun, delicious riffs straight out of an old surf rock album and some absolutely steller drumming on top of all that, The Violence of Amateurs has some of the best replay value I've gotten compared to most albums of its ilk since I discovered it two years ago; hence, its my favorite modern avant-rock album of all time and one I'm always willing to praise when given an opportunity.

Track Highlights: The Odessa Steps Sequence, Mail Order Quarks


20. D'Angelo – Brown Sugar (1995)


A soul classic for a more modern generation, words can't express how much I love this guy's debut. The flow is godly and D'Angelo's voice and his novel sense of sound are what turns this from the usual "something good to put on in the car" to a prime work among the various albums that were umbrella'd under the moniker "neo soul", the one album in fact that singlehandedly rejuvenated an entire generation of songwriters while inspiring plenty of new ones simultaneously.

So sure, these are merely songs about life and love and subjects we've had shoved down our throats in numerous ways by genres equally multitude, but that still doesn't change the fact that, just like anything Stevie Wonder did at his peak, you can simply press play and let the music take you and forget everything else. And when it comes down to it, isn't that the thing that matters most in what you enjoy musically?

For me atleast, Brown Sugar is, in a word, divine.

Track Highlights: When We Get By, Alright


19. Nurse With Wound – Huffin' Rag Blues (2008)


You know that when Steve Stapleton's one-man industrial project goes into film-noir soundtrack mode that something really freakin' incredible is going to flutter out forth from your speakers, and its a personal favorite as of late. Whether he's channeling Nick Cave on 'Black Teeth' or eerily recreating Arthur Brown at a 60's club scene on 'Groove Grease [Hot Catz]', it all comes off as if its completely and utterly natural even if you normally wouldn't think so. Such is why I love NWW: its not just music, its an entire WORLD to get lost in, and this take on the late 60's is certainly no exception to that standard!

Track Highlights: Ketamineaphonia, Thrill Of Romance... ?

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Anteater's 21 Fav Albums Of 2020

Anteater's Daily Tune Roulette

lucifer_sam

i actually haven't heard anything of Stapleton's outside of the eighties, i much prefer his work collaborating with people whose songs are more focused structurally than his own disparate breed of songwriting. i will say that he's one of my favorite producers, and film-noir sounds like an interesting twist to it, i'll be sure to check it out.

and i was wondering when RIO would pop up, i'm a complete novice to the genre but i find it intriguing nonetheless.

great picks as always mate.

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first.am

Seltzer

I'm liking this list so far and I'm quite pleased to see No Pussyfooting and D'Angelo popping up.

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Bulldog

I've heard of two albums on this list so far. Such is what makes these threads more interesting. Keep this up eh - you've already given me a couple of names to have a look out for.