Friday13th: Summer of Prog Discovery M1

Friday13th 05.29.18	Voting ends next Monday.
Divaman 05.29.18	And we're off!
e210013 05.29.18	So soon? Ok, let's start it. It's a pity that only one can stay. By the way, don't forget to read my review about the album of Il Bacio Della Medusa. I think it can help you to enter better on the album. Nice prog journey, fellows.
zakalwe 05.29.18	Started with balocchi and I have to say it’s a bloody good ‘un.
Papa Universe 05.29.18	Il Italian Round
e210013 05.29.18	Yeah Zaka, I agree. But it's a very weird stuff to digest in a first listening.
e210013 05.29.18	Yeah, Papa. I was taken by surprise, indeed.
bgillesp 05.29.18	I'll jam both today and then again later in the week
e210013 05.29.18	In relation to you bgillesp, in this journey I'm a very lucky guy. I only need to jam one of the albums. Lol.
Sabrutin 05.29.18	One of the most predictable pairings I'd say. I love Il paese dei balocchi (which is the Italian name of Pinocchio's land of toys by the way), but I'm not familiar with Il bacio della medusa. I know them by name, but not by music... like a lot of new prog, really. And I just realized that this "new prog" album is 10 years old...
e210013 05.29.18	Yeah, Sab. It's right. Ten years have passed, indeed. Unbelievable. It seems it was yesterday.
Papa Universe 05.29.18	"I'm a very lucky guy. I only need to jam one of the albums" I'd say you're unlucky.
TwigTW 05.29.18	we be il-lin'
bgillesp 05.29.18	Wow, il bacio sounded so much older. In a good way
bgillesp 05.29.18	Evasione on 2 is an awesome song! 2 is so much more subdued than 1 but I'm not sure which I like better yet. More listens to come for sure
SCREAM! 05.29.18	yeah although it's from the 2000s it sounds like it could have come out in the 70s. Def has that classic RPI sound to it
Jethro42 05.29.18	i'm a sucker for italian prog. I came close to choose an Italian album myself, in Fabio Zuffanti - La Quarta Vittima. I had to toss a coin to decide, and the Swedish band Gosta Berlings Saga took it over, and I'm not disappointed. Il Bacio is a beast of an album I'm pleased to revisit. Uplifting, energetic and really moving. Never heard Balocchi yet. Need to jam both. Good tourney everyone. Thank you Friday for your habitual good work!
e210013 05.29.18	Yeah, all of you are correct. One the most things that impressed me most on the album of Il Bacio was is retro-prog sound. That is why I wrote in the conclusion of my review: "they seem to come directly from the 70’s. The strong bond with the past isn’t a question of pure imitation, but a respectful appeal, like the deferential relationship of a believer with his own God."
Divaman 05.29.18	I'm teasing myself on this round. I have a project to finish over the next couple of days, so I won't start listening to these until Thursday or Friday. But I'm filled with anticipation.
hansoloshotfirst 05.29.18	Liked both of them on my first listen. Both posses this 70's charm and make overall for an intriguing listening experience .
SharkTooth 05.30.18	I was impressed by the first album, it felt like classic prog but right the build up and transition to the 5th track (Ricordi del supplizio) was absolutely perfect I'd give a 5/5 to that moment alone if I could like holy shit and this just happened, I'm listening to 1 for the first time goddamn 2 has a lot to live up to
Jethro42 05.30.18	^Yeah ''Ricordi Del Supplizio'' rocks hard. It's reminiscent to Neal Morse's song ''Conflict'' at the beginning (from Sola Scriptura). Il Bacio speaks to me the most. Its 70's vintage approach, but well rooted into modern prog nature, it's like an epic suite with all its songs strongly merged together. The music reads like an interesting book. They are quite unique in style. They are very harmonious and melodic symphonic prog, and the violin adds a charm to the music. They remind me of La Maschera Di Cera in the songwriting department. Their heaviness reminds me of Museo Rosenbach in places. Il Paese Dei Balocchi is more demanding, less immediate. There are few songs that are my favorites of both albums here. The chorale and the singer are efficient, the classical passages are well done, but I feel the band hesitates between playing classical or rock and it makes an unbalanced piece of work that needs more identity. Album is also interspersed with annoying interludes and lenghty song starting which is requiring patience. My vote goes to Il Bacio Della Medusa.
Papa Universe 05.30.18	I'mma have to go with Ill Paese Dei Balocchi.
Papa Universe 05.30.18	Also, Evasione's ending sounds kind of like this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7xVt8qBRWY
zakalwe 05.30.18	Same. I bloody love it.
Papa Universe 05.30.18	Il Bacio just kind of felt tiring after a while, while Ill Paese was consistently pleasant and fun.
Friday13th 05.30.18	1:1 Jethro: 1 Universe: 2 @zakalwe what do you mean by "same"? @Jethro interesting, I'll have to keep Sola Scriptura in mind next time I hear 1.
Jethro42 05.31.18	Il Bacio is full of pure beauty, in its content and execution. It keeps me in suspense all the way through. The only part I don't really dig is at 8:50, the little Honky-Tonkish section with its clap hand. That's it. @Friday, both riffs are pretty similar, but it doesn't last too long. They repeat it further in the song though. I'm sure you're gonna get the resemblance.
zakalwe 05.31.18	Dei Balocchi for me. I really do dig that one, it’s an engrossing listen. I can’t shake the feeling I’m listening to Wednesday Adams’ fave record at times with Della Medusa, il Chiaro di luna is superb though.
Friday13th 05.31.18	1:2 Jethro: 1 Universe: 2 Zakalwe: 2
TwigTW 05.31.18	I've listened to both of these and I think they're both very good. This sounds like a match-up from the end of the tournament to me, but it's just the beginning!
zakalwe 05.31.18	Deffo Twig dude. I’m telling ya balocchi is going to be hard to beat for me.
hansoloshotfirst 05.31.18	While I like the atmosphere of Il paese dei balocchi, I find it a bit too disjointed and t it lost me a bit in the last third of it. Il Bacio on the other hand has grown on me quite a bit. Even after multiple listens it still manages to captivate me and I simply enjoy it more than Il paese dei balocchi. So my vote goes to : Il Bacio Della Medusa - Discesa agl'inferi d'un giovane amante
bgillesp 05.31.18	If y'all are waiting to cement your opinions that's cool, but if you already know how you feel, why don't you throw a rating on the albums to help get them a little more exposure. Just from my experience, I wouldn't check an album I randomly scrolled across with 2 votes but might would if it had 10 ratings, y'know.
Sabrutin 05.31.18	I'm afraid Discesa isn't really for me. I find it a bit tiring to sit through, as if it tries to add too much meat and the longer tracks drag too much for my liking. It seems that I'm usually not too hot on albums that try to be too grand and theatrical. I mean I love the theater (heck I'm partially connected to that world in person), but grandiosity in audio form isn't always for me. I did like the sinister vibes though. I believe fans of the album will enjoy Spettri - 2973 la nemica dei ricordi. It's another concept album
Friday13th 05.31.18	2-2 Jethro: 1 Universe: 2 zakalwe: 2 hansolo: 1
Jethro42 05.31.18	Balocchi is better than I thought. Like I said before, some songs are the best of the two albums here. There are good vocal and guitar melodies to be found, but it's losing meat on the way.
gagnonov 06.01.18	Il paese dei balocchi is a clear winner on my end. It's exactly the type of prog I'm looking for at this point. I liked Il bacio up until a few tracks in, but the hard rock-ish segments near the middle of the album killed it for me.
SCREAM! 06.01.18	I'm definitely leaning a certain way but will give each of these guys another go before I settle on anything. Great start to the tourney
Friday13th 06.01.18	2-3 Jethro: 1 Universe: 2 zakalwe: 2 hansolo: 1 gagnonov: 2
Friday13th 06.01.18	Right now I'm leaning towards 1, but I agree with gagnonov that the hard rock parts are what bring it down a bit. The more proggy and classical parts are really great. I don't hear anything that sounds modern, which is not a bad thing. Sounds like it could be from 1974. 2 is quite soft for the most part but does have variety. Sounds like a lot of good ideas not quite fusing together perfectly, a bit soundtrackish at times. I'm gonna give it another play to make up my mind.
Friday13th 06.01.18	So apparently Mikael Akerfeldt thinks so highly of 2, he talks about it in Opeth's bio on the band's website: http://www.opeth.com/bio
Divaman 06.01.18	Just gave 1 a first listen, and I'm halfway through 2. Pretty tight so far. Both have some elements that I like and some that I'm not so keen on.
Divaman 06.01.18	Slightly off-topic, to my prog rock friends: I'm starting a new series on my longislandmusicguy blog where I'll be writing a short piece on each of my favorite 25 bands as I work my way back through their various discographies, and I've just posted my first one, on Jethro Tull. For those who are interested, the link is: http://longislandmusicguy.blogspot.com/ It's nothing terribly in depth -- just some thoughts about what the band has meant to me over the years. I know we have some fellow Tull lovers on this list, so if you're interested, please check it out.
Divaman 06.01.18	I'm feeling like a lot of 1 was inspired by "Thick As A Brick".
Jethro42 06.01.18	Good call Diva. Definitely, and in many places. For instance, the first more intense song contains a keyboard solo nearly identical to one found in TAAB. Guitar solos, flute and overall arrangements add to that assessment. I've visited your blog. It's a good write-up, friend. If I were you, I'd give another chance to Roots to Branches. It's nice to see The Police in your top 25 bands, but no Genesis?
Friday13th 06.01.18	I'm voting for 1. Not perfect, but a very good Italian prog album. I don't necessarily hear TAAB, but that would explain why I like it! 3-3 Jethro: 1 Universe: 2 zakalwe: 2 hansolo: 1 gagnonov: 2 Friday: 1
e210013 06.01.18	It seems we are having here a very tough fight. First great journey, indeed. Long life to the Italian prog.
Divaman 06.02.18	I liked early Genesis, but some of their stuff was too out there for me. My favorite Genesis album was the 1973 "Live" one. I actually gave "Roots to Branches" another listen recently, but while it's better than "J-Tull Dot Com", it still didn't really do it for me. I liked "Catfish Rising" better.
tmthycnnlly 06.02.18	I'm super excited that I caught the tourney this year after somehow missing the last one. 1 certainly has its moments but i feel like it drags on a bit too long in some parts. 2 gets my vote for its consistency.
Friday13th 06.02.18	3-4 Jethro: 1 Universe: 2 zakalwe: 2 hansolo: 1 gagnonov: 2 Friday: 1 tmthy: 2
Jethro42 06.02.18	@Diva, Gabriel era Genesis have always made challenging, adventurous and influential symphonic prog, it's their trademark, and they're brillant in doing so.Their too ''out there'' songs are not numerous. Maybe ''Get'em Out By Friday'', ''Battle of Epping Forest'' and ''Return of the Giant Hogweed'' are rather busy and over the top, but then again, they are awesome compositions. Best band ever made. Also, Roots >>> Catfish...Roots progs hard and has full of catchy songs and hooks, come on dude. Of what I remember, Catfish has not much to offer, but mainstream, linear blues rock, like a poor man's Dire Straits, no more no less.
Sabrutin 06.02.18	I still feel like what I said in the last post, so I must stand by my pick. I don't dislike 1 but it's not the kind of album that usually wins me over. My vote has to go to the paese dei balocchi. Still, thank you e21 for obliging me to finally check out Il bacio della medusa
Divaman 06.02.18	Yeah, I just still don't connect with Genesis the way I do with many other prog bands. I can think of a bunch of well-known prog bands who are closer to making my Top 25, including Strawbs, Renaissance and King Crimson.
Friday13th 06.02.18	3-5 Jethro: 1 Universe: 2 zakalwe: 2 hansolo: 1 gagnonov: 2 Friday: 1 tmthy: 2 Sabrutin: 2
Papa Universe 06.02.18	yay, my opinion is winning
Friday13th 06.02.18	You can thank Mikael Akerfeldt ;) I have a feeling BigPleb or some other Opeth fanboy is gonna pop in just to vote this round. lolz
Divaman 06.03.18	My vote is for 1. I liked both albums, didn't love either. My favorite parts of Medusa are the bits at the beginning and end with the piano and strings. As I stated, I feel like there was a lot of influence here from Thick As A Brick, but on the downside, a lot of it is from the TAAB connecting sections rather than from the individual parts of the Suite. Some good flute. On the downside, the album seemed overlong to me. I thought the vocals on both albums were about equal -- they were OK, but not outstanding. On Balocchi, I liked a lot of the strings, and the classical sounding sections, and I thought the album's relative brevity worked in its favor. But neither album consistently held my attention (after three listens each). So that's my vote: Album #1.
Friday13th 06.03.18	4-5 Jethro: 1 Universe: 2 zakalwe: 2 hansolo: 1 gagnonov: 2 Friday: 1 tmthy: 2 Sabrutin: 2 Divaman: 1
bgillesp 06.03.18	I'll listen to both again tomorrow hopefully. Been super busy at work this week
Snowdog808 06.03.18	I'll have to vote for #1. I love how well it integrates hard rocking prog with a feel similar to the Italian Renaissance.
Friday13th 06.03.18	5-5 Jethro: 1 Universe: 2 zakalwe: 2 hansolo: 1 gagnonov: 2 Friday: 1 tmthy: 2 Sabrutin: 2 Divaman: 1 Snowdog: 1
Divaman 06.03.18	I've got to hand it to Mr. Friday. You've put together another tight and fascinating matchup here.
wham49 06.03.18	I'm going with 1 thought out of the gate it would be 2, but 1 it is
TwigTW 06.03.18	I'm going with 1 too. I love 2 and will probably pick it up soon, but I like 1 just a bit better.
Divaman 06.04.18	Whoa, we're having a run on 1.
SCREAM! 06.04.18	In a really tough call in this first round my vote is going to have to go with 2. Both great records but I found 2 to just be more consistent
Jethro42 06.04.18	That round is really tight, Mr Friday...Good matchup like Diva said...
Friday13th 06.04.18	7-6 Jethro: 1 Universe: 2 zakalwe: 2 hansolo: 1 gagnonov: 2 Friday: 1 tmthy: 2 Sabrutin: 2 Divaman: 1 Snowdog: 1 wham: 1 Twig: 1 SCREAM: 2
e210013 06.04.18	Il Bacio Della Medusa - Discesa Agl'Inferi D'Un Giovane Amante: I wrote many things about this album already and all of you know I love it. This is a conceptual album and I love albums with a concept. I love the concept of the story and I love the concept on the music, either. And I also love the prog of the 70's. And this album has everything on it. It has its roots in a vintage sound but with a modern sound too. I think they were able to fuse in a perfect way the past and the present of prog. Besides, they were able to express the contradictory emotions of Paolo in a perfect way. So, this album is a great representative of the modern Italian prog, in the same line of the best Italian prog tradition. For me, it's a must have. So, my rating is 4.5. Il Paese Dei Balocchi - Il Paese Dei Balocchi: I never heard this album before and I didn't know nothing about this band too. This is a very weird album. And when I say weird, it doesn't mean necessarily a bad thing. I like weird things too. After the first listening it seemed to me an insane and depressive album, very difficult to understand. Still, with repeated listenings (5 or 6), it grew up on me and I changed completely my opinion about it. This is a very good album with some great moments. My only complaint is that it lacks to it a certain conducter wire, turning it somehow, in an unballanced album, which is the only reason why I don't rate with with a 4.0. So, my rating is 3.5. So, my voting goes to Il Bacio, naturally.
Friday13th 06.04.18	8-6 Jethro: 1 Universe: 2 zakalwe: 2 hansolo: 1 gagnonov: 2 Friday: 1 tmthy: 2 Sabrutin: 2 Divaman: 1 Snowdog: 1 wham: 1 Twig: 1 SCREAM: 2 e21: 1 Looks like Bacio has taken a solid lead. It's not over yet, but 1 will probably win with at least 9 votes.
bgillesp 06.04.18	Okay so I've settled pretty neatly into a 4.2 on Il Bacio. Jamming Il Paese again now but I have a feeling it will remain a (very close) second.
bgillesp 06.04.18	Well gosh darn this is really just about a tie for me
bgillesp 06.04.18	Honestly I think I have to give a slight edge to 2. It really just settles nicely and I really like its energy level being so tasteful.
Papa Universe 06.04.18	Man, Il paese went all Clinton on us, got a lead at first and then got dropped like it's a baby girl in China.
e210013 06.04.18	Nice thought Papa. I never thought that. But, remember that the really true always comes to the top. The problem is, that sometimes, it comes too late.
Papa Universe 06.04.18	you voted for yourself. how low. then again, so did Saburtin
Papa Universe 06.04.18	this is rigged. everything is rigged. I smelt something fishy the moment I found out there are two Italians copeting against each other. they are multiplying their chances, so that at least one has a shot at winning. bloody Italians at it again.
e210013 06.04.18	Yeah, naturally. We were coherents, I think. If I gave 4.5 to this album, before this tourney, I could hardly have changed my decision. Still, I can't deny the possibility of a great surprise on this tourney. Last year I was convinced that my Quarteto was the great album of the tourney and I was deeply surprised with UTO's album. So, we never can know, isn't it?
e210013 06.04.18	Papa, I love the bloody Italians prog music, really.
Jethro42 06.04.18	May the best win!
Friday13th 06.04.18	8-7 Jethro: 1 Universe: 2 zakalwe: 2 hansolo: 1 gagnonov: 2 Friday: 1 tmthy: 2 Sabrutin: 2 Divaman: 1 Snowdog: 1 wham: 1 Twig: 1 SCREAM: 2 e21: 1 bgill: 2
Friday13th 06.04.18	@Universe prog is our thing..."cosa nostra" ;) lol not Italian but wish I were
Papa Universe 06.04.18	Wish You Were (t)Here, don't you?
TheIntruder 06.04.18	Only now I can vote. But I think I am just in time yet. These are two great Italian prog albums. Anyway, one is better than the other. The album of Il Bacio is very balanced and represents the past and the present in a great prog fusion. The album of Il Paese is most experimental, a typical album od the 70's, but is less cohesive and balanced. So, I choose Il Bacio. Great tourney Friday. Whenever I can, I will participate on this tourney.
Friday13th 06.04.18	9-7 Jethro: 1 Universe: 2 zakalwe: 2 hansolo: 1 gagnonov: 2 Friday: 1 tmthy: 2 Sabrutin: 2 Divaman: 1 Snowdog: 1 wham: 1 Twig: 1 SCREAM: 2 e21: 1 bgill: 2 Intruder: 1 Still not guaranteed over, since two contestants haven't voted yet.
Sabrutin 06.04.18	Just popping in to say that we usually use "cosa nostra" (if you put the words this way you give it a southern-like feel) to refer to mafia :D
SharkTooth 06.04.18	I'mma need some extra time but ftm I'm going with 1
Friday13th 06.04.18	@Sharktooth lol bro, the time is now. That would be the deciding vote. @Sabrutin exactly haha we are the prog mafia. Wait, are you Italian?
e210013 06.04.18	Yeah, Sab is Italian but from the North, I think from Milan. So, it hasn't that southern-like feel.
Friday13th 06.04.18	Okay it's all coming back, Alan Sorrenti and all that Italian knowledge. Well good on you, Sabrutin!
Frippertronics 06.05.18	"Discesa agl'inferi d'un giovane amante" for me 'pologies for the wait, been housesitting for the weekend
Friday13th 06.05.18	10-7 Jethro: 1 Universe: 2 zakalwe: 2 hansolo: 1 gagnonov: 2 Friday: 1 tmthy: 2 Sabrutin: 2 Divaman: 1 Snowdog: 1 wham: 1 Twig: 1 SCREAM: 2 e21: 1 bgill: 2 Intruder: 1 Fripper: 1 Looks like that's a wrap! Il Bacio Della Medusa wins il bacio della democrazia.
e210013 06.05.18	Nice, finally it ended. A great fight, indeed. Let's go to our second prog journey.
Divaman 06.05.18	Good battle all around.
TwigTW 06.05.18	That was a nail bitter... on to round two.
e210013 06.05.18	"That was a nail bitter... on to round two." I absolutely agree with you. Good luck for your knight, Twig. It seems like you will have a great fight too.
Sabrutin 06.05.18	Tight match indeed, off to a promising start. It's all stuff to check for me from now on. "I think from Milan." You think right!