Album Rating: 4.0

The fact they went from crazy spastic King Crimson-esc jazz fusion with a hardcore edge to lumbering "generic" prog balladry.



In my opinion, they're not very good at being slow and pretty.

Album Rating: 4.5

I think they are, but just not a whole album of it

Album Rating: 4.0

Yeah, that's probably a better way of putting it. They do have a few beautiful moments on other albums.



I don't know, I really never found their craziness to be directionless. Maybe during live shows, but on something like Comatorium they're really driving to a certain direction, even if they do it in the most hectic way possible.



I'd say they only get directionless when they go for ambient/electronic indulgences. They're okay at it in small amounts, but when they try to incorporate a lot of it...eh...



They're no Can.

listen to this on acid and then tell me they suck at ambience.

Album Rating: 4.5

Nah, they're pretty damn good at it

Album Rating: 4.0

On acid a dog howling because he swallowed a tin can is good ambiance.

although to be fair i like ambient music so if that's not your thing i can see if being detrimental

Album Rating: 4.5

Not really



But Miranda is the shit

Album Rating: 4.0

I like ambient music, but I'm very particular about it. I definitely can't listen to many ambient albums for long unless they're really weird or really beautiful.

Album Rating: 4.5

Miranda rules. I should really have this at 4.5.



I reckon Cassandra Gemmini overdoes it a bit, and funnily enough The Widow feels like it drags even though it's the shortest song. Trim a few minutes off Cassandra Gemmini and I'd probably 5 it.

Album Rating: 4.5

Oh yeah, I was walking through the mall after close and one of the stores had the whole album playing inside



Hey, I thought it was cool

Album Rating: 1.5

"The fact they went from crazy spastic King Crimson-esc jazz fusion with a hardcore edge to lumbering "generic" prog balladry. "



i disagree with that whole statement. they've neeeever been jazz fusion and they've never gone to whatever lumbering generic prog balladry is supposed to describe.

Album Rating: 4.0

If you've ever heard Mahavishnu Orchestra (jazz fusion/jazz rock band) you'll see where the jazz fusion title is applicable.



And that was an overwrought way of me saying they started making slow, boring, and bland ballads.

Album Rating: 1.5

yeah i've heard mahavishnu orchestra and i still don't get what you're saying, because there's very little jazz in their music at all



its like when people say opeth are jazzy just because their drummer used to be fucking incredible and played in that sorta vein

Album Rating: 1.5

i sorta do understand the balladry bit though.



but the prog in that album was so much more focused that i didn't mind

this album is so retarded that it's incredible

love it

Album Rating: 4.0

"there's very little jazz in their music at all"



wut



Jazz is a genre of such variety that you really can't tack one particular sound onto it. McLaughlin performed on "Bitches Brew" and was one of the pioneers of mixing jazz fusion with rock and psychedelic music, and Volta are heavily (at least on their first three albums) indebted to him.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQG7XpCiSVA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DAU5o246VSA&NR=1



Example by the way, since Mahavishnu did make some pretty crappy non-jazzy music in their career.

Album Rating: 4.5

I definitely get a fusion vibe, particularly on Amputechture.

Album Rating: 1.5

"there's very little jazz in their music at all"



wut

Jazz is a genre of such variety that you really can't tack one particular sound onto it.

McLaughlin performed on "Bitches Brew" and was one of the pioneers of mixing jazz fusion with rock and psychedelic music, and Volta are heavily (at least on their first three albums) indebted to him.

Album Rating: 1.5

also lol mahavishnu orchestra are so gay but fuck they made some awesome music.



i think i actually made a massive prog essentials list and included them