100 Artists I Love or Hate

Key · 04-08-2012, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mankycaaant

Milano, I was looking at doing an album countdown later this year which would have included the likes of BMTH and Alesana amongst other bands prone to prejudice, but I reckon you're way ahead of me on that with your inclusion of Dream Theater.

Will read this with interest as you're a man who knows a good tune.

BMTH and Alesana will both be included, for sure. I'll probably point out both of their most recent releases as well. Since those are becoming some of my favorite albums in general.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unknown Soldier

Its a good album, but I'd still say their best four albums were Images and Words, Awake, Metroplis Pt.2 and Six Degree of Inner Turbulence. As for James LaBrie's voice that is touch and go, he's had a history of problems with it.

Metropolis, Six Degrees and Images and Words I can agree with. Awake however, not so much. It's not a bad album at all, I can listen to it and still feel the satisfaction I would listening to any other Dream Theater album, but something about that one is a bit..."less" than the other albums. Maybe i'm just being pretentious.

I notice LaBrie's voice takes a bit of a low dive through some songs on Images and Words, but I think he got back in full with the releases of Black Clouds & Silver Linings and the recent A Dramatic Turn of Events. And with the song I posted in the original #100 post, he really belts it out at the end and it really shows how much talent the guy has, vocally.

jackhammer · 04-08-2012, 03:35 PM

My best mate keeps trying to get me into Dream Theater and he played an album of theirs a couple of weeks back (can't remember the name unfortunately) and the first track was really good Prog but track 3 or 4 was this god awful ballad with the cheesiest Saxophone ever that just doesn't work on a Metal album. I love the Sax on smoky Jazz tracks or even some Rock tracks but this was like elevator music. He is going to try again and send me some music on a memory stick which he assures me I will like and I will listen to it but they just don't do much for me at all.

Unknown Soldier · 04-08-2012, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by attested_psycho

I'm glad there is some DT love on here, it seems like a band that's hated on quite often. I used to literally have an obsession with them (basically when I discovered what prog was, and it blew my young and innocent mind away), but I've calmed down a bit since then. As for the albums, I agree with most of your picks, but I really digged the most recent one, and I'd even dare swap it with Awake. There are some weak tracks on it, but I think Breaking all illusions and Outcry make up for it on their own.

Another thing I've noticed about DT is that 2 of their epics are on pretty weak albums (A change of seasons and Octavarium)

I think Octavarium is a very poor album and the low-point of DT. Once upon a time on here, expressing a love for DT would've got you stoned and then banned.

Quote:

Originally Posted by milano

Metropolis, Six Degrees and Images and Words I can agree with. Awake however, not so much. It's not a bad album at all, I can listen to it and still feel the satisfaction I would listening to any other Dream Theater album, but something about that one is a bit..."less" than the other albums. Maybe i'm just being pretentious.

I notice LaBrie's voice takes a bit of a low dive through some songs on Images and Words, but I think he got back in full with the releases of Black Clouds & Silver Linings and the recent A Dramatic Turn of Events. And with the song I posted in the original #100 post, he really belts it out at the end and it really shows how much talent the guy has, vocally.

Awake is actually in my top 2 and I'd also say it was their most creative album as well. Really reminds me of the classic Kansas album Point of Know Return, probably their most creative album as well. La Brie really suffered with his voice on the Falling Into Infinity album as before that album he's ripped some vocal chords or some such thing.

Chrysalis · 04-08-2012, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jackhammer

but track 3 or 4 was this god awful ballad with the cheesiest Saxophone ever that just doesn't work on a Metal album.

Is this it?

I personally don't hate Dream Theater, but I've lost interest in them over the past 2 years. I think that my favorite album from them at the time I liked them was Awake. I might listen to it again later this year.

Key · 04-08-2012, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jackhammer

My best mate keeps trying to get me into Dream Theater and he played an album of theirs a couple of weeks back (can't remember the name unfortunately) and the first track was really good Prog but track 3 or 4 was this god awful ballad with the cheesiest Saxophone ever that just doesn't work on a Metal album. I love the Sax on smoky Jazz tracks or even some Rock tracks but this was like elevator music. He is going to try again and send me some music on a memory stick which he assures me I will like and I will listen to it but they just don't do much for me at all.

If you want more of the energetic style, their recent release, A Dramatic Turn of Events is fantastic.

Key · 04-08-2012, 07:09 PM

#98: Elliott Smith

One of the very few acoustic artists I have come to enjoy.
Each song and album I have heard from him have had some sort of relation to my life.
I always feel a deep sadness whenever I read about his death/suicide. And that is a strong thing to feel, especially for a music artist.
The song "A Fond Farewell" is tattoo'd on my left arm as a tribute to how much I love his music.
I always find it unfortunate how he let himself go, and I often wonder if he knew how much people truly loved him.
His music = <3

Elliott Smith has songs that can be played over and over again, and will never get old. At least in my experience. Here's a few:

Waltz #2:

A Fond Farewell

Needle In The Hay

Key · 04-09-2012, 01:05 AM

#97: Alesana

Surely does the Post-Hardcore genre some justice.
The Emptiness isn't just an album, it's a story. And a damn good one.
The mixture of screams and clean vocals with this band in general is absolutely incredible.
Not only are their songs heavy, they're also extremely catchy. It's been a while since i've heard catchy screamers in a band.
They're one of those bands where you can be listening to an album of theirs, and you suddenly got through the entire thing. Meaning, their releases are smooth and easy to listen to.
Some very heart breaking and emotional songs. Definitely good for a post-hardcore band.

Some songs that'd be a good start for someone not familiar with the band:

From The Emptiness:

From On Frail Wings of Vanity and Wax

From their most recent release, A Place Where The Sun Is Silent

14232949 · 04-09-2012, 06:42 AM

Two ****ing awesome artists right there.

For Elliott Smith, everyone definitely needs to listen to Either/Or and XO.

For Alesana, the debut On Frail Wings Of Vanity And Wax and their latest release, the conceptional album 'A Place Where The Sun Is Silent'

Key · 04-09-2012, 12:28 PM

^I prefer XO over Figure 8 myself. But both have amazing tracks.

An Introduction To Elliott Smith is pretty damn good as well. Sort of like a compilation album with in my opinion, most if not all his greatest works.

Key · 04-09-2012, 03:50 PM

#96: Devin Townsend (Band/Project)

Studio production is out of this world.
His entire discography consists of metal, and easy listening rock ambiance.
Released two albums in the same year (Ghost & Deconstruction), two different genres, both absolutely phenomenal.
One of the most underrated vocalist / guitarists / growlers at the moment.
Every album is top notch. And going from his first to his last, they just get better and better.
He rocked the skullet. Didn't look half bad.

There are so many songs you should listen to. I probably won't do it much justice, but i'll do my best.

04-08-2012, 03:35 PM	#12 (permalink)
jackhammer Ba and Be. Join Date: May 2007 Location: This Is England Posts: 17,331	My best mate keeps trying to get me into Dream Theater and he played an album of theirs a couple of weeks back (can't remember the name unfortunately) and the first track was really good Prog but track 3 or 4 was this god awful ballad with the cheesiest Saxophone ever that just doesn't work on a Metal album. I love the Sax on smoky Jazz tracks or even some Rock tracks but this was like elevator music. He is going to try again and send me some music on a memory stick which he assures me I will like and I will listen to it but they just don't do much for me at all. __________________ It be my music and film collection. “A cynic by experience, a romantic by inclination and now a hero by necessity.”

04-08-2012, 07:09 PM	#16 (permalink)
Key . Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 13,153	#98: Elliott Smith One of the very few acoustic artists I have come to enjoy. Each song and album I have heard from him have had some sort of relation to my life. I always feel a deep sadness whenever I read about his death/suicide. And that is a strong thing to feel, especially for a music artist. The song "A Fond Farewell" is tattoo'd on my left arm as a tribute to how much I love his music. I always find it unfortunate how he let himself go, and I often wonder if he knew how much people truly loved him. His music = <3 Elliott Smith has songs that can be played over and over again, and will never get old. At least in my experience. Here's a few: Waltz #2: A Fond Farewell Needle In The Hay

04-09-2012, 01:05 AM	#17 (permalink)
Key . Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 13,153	#97: Alesana Surely does the Post-Hardcore genre some justice. The Emptiness isn't just an album, it's a story. And a damn good one. The mixture of screams and clean vocals with this band in general is absolutely incredible. Not only are their songs heavy, they're also extremely catchy. It's been a while since i've heard catchy screamers in a band. They're one of those bands where you can be listening to an album of theirs, and you suddenly got through the entire thing. Meaning, their releases are smooth and easy to listen to. Some very heart breaking and emotional songs. Definitely good for a post-hardcore band. Some songs that'd be a good start for someone not familiar with the band: From The Emptiness: From On Frail Wings of Vanity and Wax From their most recent release, A Place Where The Sun Is Silent

04-09-2012, 03:50 PM	#20 (permalink)
Key . Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 13,153	#96: Devin Townsend (Band/Project) Studio production is out of this world. His entire discography consists of metal, and easy listening rock ambiance. Released two albums in the same year (Ghost & Deconstruction), two different genres, both absolutely phenomenal. One of the most underrated vocalist / guitarists / growlers at the moment. Every album is top notch. And going from his first to his last, they just get better and better. He rocked the skullet. Didn't look half bad. There are so many songs you should listen to. I probably won't do it much justice, but i'll do my best.

04-09-2012, 06:42 AM	#18 (permalink)
14232949 The Big Dog Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Scotland Posts: 1,989	Two ****ing awesome artists right there. For Elliott Smith, everyone definitely needs to listen to Either/Or and XO. For Alesana, the debut On Frail Wings Of Vanity And Wax and their latest release, the conceptional album 'A Place Where The Sun Is Silent'

04-09-2012, 12:28 PM	#19 (permalink)
Key . Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 13,153	^I prefer XO over Figure 8 myself. But both have amazing tracks. An Introduction To Elliott Smith is pretty damn good as well. Sort of like a compilation album with in my opinion, most if not all his greatest works.