Friday13th: Summer of Prog Discovery M6

Friday13th 07.03.18	Voting ends next Monday.
wham49 07.03.18	well there goes my theory, thought I was going to go up again GE after seeing some of the earlier matchups, anyway I already know the GE is awesome, sounds like I will like 1 as well, this will be closer than many of the others for me I have a feeling
TwigTW 07.03.18	This looks interesting... I only know Golden Earing's Radar Love. It will be nice to finally give one of their albums a listen.
Divaman 07.03.18	As always, I'm excited to dive into a new round.
e210013 07.03.18	I'm completely blind with both albums and bands. Two bands from the classic prog era, after two modern prog bands. It seems interesting. So, I'm very curious about them. Let's see both.
bgillesp 07.03.18	Glad we're back to old stuff
SCREAM! 07.03.18	Oh man, looks like Midnight Sun is going against a pretty classic looking album. Excited to hear 2 and I hope you all enjoy 1 whether it comes out on top or not!
Jethro42 07.03.18	The famous ''Radar Love'' sounds more polished than what I've heard from 2 which sounds raw when compared. Pretty good rock and roll band. I dig what I've heard from 1 as well. Looks like a good match once again.
Divaman 07.04.18	After first listen, I have a clear preference this round. Let's see if it holds up.
SCREAM! 07.05.18	The opening riff to The Loner (on 2) immediately reminds me of the opening riff to Norther Hemisphere by East of Eden (featured on another of these tourneys)
Jethro42 07.06.18	You're so right Scream. Do you listen to East of Eden everyday or what
SCREAM! 07.06.18	Haha I quite like that EoE album. Ended up picking up a copy when I found it in a store here :p
Friday13th 07.06.18	^ Nice! haha I didn't notice the similarity but I'll have to pay attention next time.
SCREAM! 07.06.18	I listened to them side by side afterwards to confirm and it's not as close as I thought when I posted the comment but there a definite similarity
Sabrutin 07.06.18	Walking Circles feels a lot like 70s Chicago, though not as a exciting imo. That said I dig it, sweet bass. The third track is a gem, and also relatively heavy. However I'd say the album's true highlight have to be the last two songs
SCREAM! 07.06.18	I think Midnight Suns biggest weakness is probably that it starts of a little on the weak side and risks losing the listener's attention. But like you said it really starts to hit its stride a couple of songs in and is a great record overall imo Still need to give the Earring a couple more listems before I cast a vote
Papa Universe 07.07.18	Dammit, both are great, but I'll go with Midnight Sun. If I don't say otherwise until the deadline, just leave my vote as is.
Divaman 07.07.18	I've got a crazy weekend ahead, so I need to vote early. Still gave them each three listens, though. (Both albums are relatively short, and easily consumable). I didn't really like Midnight Sun on first listen, although it grew on me. Excellent band instrumentally, and some good song ideas. Really disliked the lead singer's voice, though, and the style of music isn't my cup of tea - I hear the comparisons to Chicago and Blood, Sweat & Tears, but not a huge fan of either of those bands either. Feels a little dated, too. The drum solo had me shaking my head. Some nice piano, flute, etc. sprinkled throughout, though. Golden Earring starts with a gentle hippy vibe, then gets rockier. At times, they reminded me of Steppenwolf or The Animals. Their psychedelic sound is much more to my taste. I vote for 2.
Friday13th 07.07.18	@SCREAM yeah, I was worried with the first two tracks, but the album picks up the prog nicely afterwards. I'm jamming them both again to make a decision.
bgillesp 07.07.18	Finally get to jam these today. Looking forward to it
Friday13th 07.07.18	Alright, after jamming a second time, Golden Earring impressed me much more. Generally good proggy hard rock as good as you'd expect from 1970, with a few more folky songs really standing out. "Big Tree Blue See" would be one of Jethro Tull's best if released on Benefit. "See See" even reminded me of Comus. Not quite as immediately accessible as Moontan, but almost just as good. My vote goes to Golden Earring. 1:2 Universe: 1 Divaman: 2 Friday: 2
Jethro42 07.07.18	I'm more familiar with Walking Circles for now. I'll have to spin Earring a few more times to focus on a choice (by tomorrow). Walking Circles reminds me of proggy Doobie Brothers very much, rather than sounding like Chicago. I know they talk about it on youtube, but I swear, I thought about it before I saw it. I also find that the vocals are very similar to the ones found in The Guess Who. For these reasons, I think I appreciate Walking Circles still more than my very first spins. I feel it's gonna be a tough choice for me.
Divaman 07.07.18	Might be right. Not a Doobies fan either, though.
bgillesp 07.07.18	"They call me The Loner because I'm all alone"
Friday13th 07.07.18	^ lol
bgillesp 07.07.18	Very close call but I'm leaning 2 atm. Need to give it a day and another jam
Friday13th 07.07.18	So I found a vintage Roger Dean book from 1975 titled "Views" at an antique store. Basically, it's got all his prog artwork to that date with some descriptions about the illustrations. #proggoals
Sabrutin 07.08.18	I'm voting for 1. It's not incredibly consistent but I definitely find it more exciting
tmthycnnlly 07.08.18	my vote goes to 2 but only just
Frippertronics 07.08.18	Hate to make the most obvious choice, seeing as I entered it, but I'll be going with Golden Earring.
Jethro42 07.08.18	Walking Circles is a good summer record... unbalanced when it comes to the orchestration. Band could be jazzier, or funkier or more folk, or they could rock more. They don't exactly fit in these categories. They touch everything, but talents are not equally distributed. The drummer is low into the mix for a reason. Guitarist is relatively absent, ''replaced'' by saxophones that don't bring much to the table. I think the band would work better if they were acoustic folk rockers, or funky, but it's not every musicians who can groove that way. Bassman is skilled enough, but too little too late. That being said, I like every vocal lines. They are melodic and convincing. My favorite song is ''The Way of Zen''. No bad songs really, but overall, the instrumental breaks are often passable at best. Golden Earrings is also a summer album, an easy listening rock and roll ride flirting with bluesy, psychedelic feels. Good and simple arrangements everywhere. Guitar is crunchy, songs are catchy, and they still sound fresh nowadays. The third song really reminds some early Tull, except that flute sounds like Horslips more than anything. My vote goes to Golden Earrings only because Walking Circles lack a bit of personnality imho.
Jethro42 07.08.18	Golden Earring* sorry.
Frippertronics 07.09.18	fun fact: they were known as Golden Earrings for a couple of years by technicality, you are correct
Jethro42 07.09.18	Thanks for the info, Fripp. I've taken a look to Wiki...
bgillesp 07.09.18	Actually changing my vote to 1 since I feel like I want to listen to it over again more so than 2 although I think 2 is better. Basically a tie for me this round for that reason
Friday13th 07.09.18	3:5 Universe: 1 Divaman: 2 Friday: 2 Sabrutin: 1 tmthy: 2 Fripper: 2 Jethro: 2 bgillesp: 1
SCREAM! 07.09.18	will have my vote in by end of day. Was out of town for part of the weekend to see Jethro Tull Ian's voice is shot but he's still impressive to watch on stage and his flute playing is as good as ever
wham49 07.09.18	number 2, I am intrigued by 1 though, I like early CTA and this might grow on me more but right now it is number 2
e210013 07.09.18	This was, for me, the least interesting prog jorney on this tourney, so far. Midnight Sun - Walking Circles: "Walking Circles" isn't a very well ballanced album. It didn't impresses me much. It's a summary of many and too much varied styles that go from psychedelic, jazz, folk and rock. But it doesn't fits very comfortably in none of those styles. The album has some very goos music moments and I think it can grows all over the album. Nothing great but nothing really bad, either. The cover of the album was made by Roger Dean but it isn't one of his better works, either. So, my rating is 3.0. Golden Earring - Golden Earring: "Golden Earring" is a very well ballanced album. It seems it represents one of the best albums of this classic Dutch prog band. This isn't properly a truly prog album, but it has many prog traces on some of its tracks. It has some complicated riffs and it reminds me some other bands like Led Zeppelin, Gravy Train and even Jethro Tull. It has some great tracks and some great arrangements. So, despite what I wrote before (it isn't a truly prog album), I Think it can be considered a truly classic rock album. So, my rating is 3.5. So, naturally, my vote goes to Golden Earring.
Friday13th 07.09.18	@SCREAM Nice! Yeah, I thought Ian's voice has been shot since the late '70s, but that doesn't stop me from enjoying the later stuff. 3:7 Universe: 1 Divaman: 2 Friday: 2 Sabrutin: 1 tmthy: 2 Fripper: 2 Jethro: 2 bgillesp: 1 wham: 2 e21: 2
TwigTW 07.09.18	They call me the loner, because... The Seeker was already taken by the Who? ;-) I'm giving them both one last listen now, and then I'll vote, but this isn't going to be a hard one.
hansoloshotfirst 07.09.18	yeah, this goes to the dutch. Midnight Sun was mostly pretty decent but the vocals started to annoy me. Golden Earring drags a bit (despite only being 40 mins. long) but it is overall the better album.
Divaman 07.09.18	That's how I feel about seeing Ian and Tull these days SCREAM. Hard to hear how bad his voice has gotten, but outside of that, he still manages to put on a damned entertaining show.
SCREAM! 07.09.18	Imma stick with my contestant (1) but it was close. It's the old consistency (GE) vs better moments (MS) choice and overall MS has the tilt factor for me for obvious reasons. Solid pairing on this round though
SCREAM! 07.09.18	"That's how I feel about seeing Ian and Tull these days SCREAM. Hard to hear how bad his voice has gotten, but outside of that, he still manages to put on a damned entertaining show." Yeah, still have mad respect for the guy for his legacy as well as even being able to put on that kind of show/tour at 70 after 50 solid years of music. Glad I got to see him at least the one time although it seems like a good time for him to take a (very well deserved) retirement
TwigTW 07.09.18	Going to see Tull in September. Not happy to hear what you guys are saying about Ian's voice (but I guess I was expecting it). Still... looking forward to the show, even if the band is past its prime.
TwigTW 07.09.18	My biggest surprise this week is that Roger Dean did the Midnight Sun cover. I don't associate skeletons with Dean's work at all . . . I like the Midnight Sun album (not as much as I like their first album, but that's another story). It's a good album, even if it wears its Chicago/Blood, Sweat & Tears influences a little too obviously. Having said that, my vote goes to Golden Earring. I liked it a little better, as much for the psych as the prog. It's not so much the band, just my personal taste and preferences. I'm just not a big fan of the 'Chicago' sound.
Papa Universe 07.09.18	how is it I am always at the losing side?
Jethro42 07.09.18	I've seen Jethro Tull two times during the last decade, and his voice was not bad at all. Of course, it's affected following a throat surgery he had around 1985, but the band managed to adjust their instruments for Ian's benefit. I own a Tull's DVD called Living With The Past (2002), and I find the vocals are all right there. It's never been the same since his surgery though. What catches our attention during a Tull show is really the entertaining man Ian is. He uses his flute as a chef d'orchestre stick, he graciously dances with it, he does yoga acrobatics, he is theatrical...And he's also a good story teller. Band's musicianship is also impressive. Twig, you're gonna enjoy that show!!!
TwigTW 07.09.18	I think you are right Jethro, looking forward to it.
Jethro42 07.09.18	@Scream, I'm glad for you about Tull show. It seems Ian is never getting old, isn't it...haha.
TheIntruder 07.09.18	I am going also with 2. The first one doesn't excites me much. The second one is a great rock album.
Friday13th 07.09.18	4:10 Universe: 1 Divaman: 2 Friday: 2 Sabrutin: 1 tmthy: 2 Fripper: 2 Jethro: 2 bgillesp: 1 wham: 2 e21: 2 hansolo: 2 SCREAM: 1 Twig: 2 Intruder: 2
Divaman 07.09.18	>how is it I am always at the losing side? We all get together in Friday's shoutbox and conspire.
Divaman 07.09.18	The last couple of times I saw Ian, he had this kid as a co-vocalist, to sing the parts he can't reach anymore. Is he still doing that, SCREAM?
Divaman 07.09.18	Two albums coming out that some of you may be interested in: 1. Robert Berry has reworked some things he was working on with Keith Emerson before Emerson's suicide as the next 3 (Emerson, Berry & Palmer) album. He's calling the band 3.2 and the album "The Rules Have Changed" due out August 10; and 2. The Anderson, Rabin and Wakeman version of Yes is releasing a live album, called "Live at the Apollo" on September 10.
SCREAM! 07.09.18	@Diva he had recordings singing parts of the chorus of heavy horses and some parts of aqualung (they synched up with the videos at the back so it was pretty cool visually). Otherwise it was pretty much all him other than aome vocal harmonies thrown in here and there by the other members His vocals were a little low in the mix though and I think that might have been intentional
Divaman 07.10.18	Probably. I saw The Go-Go's do that with Belinda Carlisle once at the height of her drug days. Thought it was just bad sound at first, but then I was able to hear just enough to realize they were keeping her low in the mix to protect her.
Friday13th 07.10.18	Alright, it's pretty clear Golden Earring takes the gold this time.