Album Rating: 5.0

Yeah I've noticed cyg's rating are not always legit as well. Btw, I just edited my last comment above. Ahhh when I struggle with English...

Album Rating: 4.5

but at least cyg admits to enjoy his 2.5's

Album Rating: 5.0

Oh well...You know what? That's enough for today. My personal 2.5s nearly suck, really. I rarely give them another whirl, knowing I will probably get bored once again.

@MrSirLordGentleman For all I care, you can even use a positive rating system (1.0 = don't care, 2.0 = good, 3.0 = excellent, 4.0 = super excellent, 5.0 = ideal), it's not my problem. But IF smaugman really wants to point his fingers at me, well, technically "the law" is on my side - official sputnik system is like mine, not smaugman's.

@Jethro Most of my sound-offs are serious, but this one is of course more humorous (hence the use of irony and informal language).

My real problem with this record is that it's their 6th consecutive album in the same style, with barely any changes at all (well we get even more symphonic vibe on this one but it just sounds bloated, like Yes's second LP).

On their debut Renaissance introduced a pretty unique style of "progressive rock" mixed with classical influences, but then they just kept repeating the pattern, while at the same time simplifying the music - this is the only band I can think of that hasn't been only recording the same LP all the time, they have been almost recording the same song! Sure, some of them are longer, some shorter, but the formula remains the same: more or less extended pop song with simple melodies and simple musicanship, the closest prog rock has ever been to easy listening.

This band is the epitome of regression in prog music, and even though their albums are well executed (though hardly ambitious), well, the routine just kills it. In fact, their 1972-1978 period records could be reassembled in any way and it would be impossible to tell a difference.

If you don't care for originality in music then obviously some of my critique doesn't apply, but I do, so...

Album Rating: 5.0

Maybe they kept on repeat the formula throughout their heydays, but why changing it when it works.You couldn't find one Renaissance song similar to another one, you will notice, and you can't reproach them not being original.

You once again said that when you heard an album, you heard them all. So untrue. Anyways, Renaissance is quite unique in their genre, even if they didn't invent classical-oriented prog rock. They sound so sweet to my hear, and they have an angel as a singer. And all she needed was a great orchestral to suit her well. And they don't sound bloated, come on.



''Simple musicianship'' You're right, but it doesn't have to be complex into their context. Anyway, you would reproach them to be too pretentious if they were complex, I suppose.

Album Rating: 4.0

Might not be in any way, shape or form part of this conversation as tl;dr, but the piano on here is gorgeous.

Album Rating: 5.0

Sincerely, all on this album sounds absolutely gorgeous.

Album Rating: 4.5

so is the bass

Album Rating: 5.0

@altertide, I still have edited my last comment.



@e21, I couldn't say it better.



@TheCrocodile, yes, everything is built around the piano.



@Sir, so is the bass indeed.

"Renaissance is quite unique in their genre,"
Well their first album is unique enough to be considered essential, agreed. And yes, usually they don't sound bloated, here however, on the title song, there are parts that feel this way, at least to my ear. But anyway, that's just a detail and doesn't have any significant impact on my rating.

"You're right, but it doesn't have to be complex. Anyway, you would reproach them to be too pretentious if they were complex."
Simple musicanship doesn't have to be bad, right, but combined with the simple melodies, simple compositions and the repetitiveness it does contribute to the music feeling like muzak.

Album Rating: 4.5

I agree with that, the t/t is actually my least favorite of the songs in here, it drags a little bit at some parts, but it is still an excellent song and the other three are classics, so yeah, I still think a 2.0 is kinda ultra harsh

Maybe it'll give you some perspective if you'll know that I find most of my 2.5 enjoyable, so 2.0 isn't as bad as you may think.

Album Rating: 5.0

@altertide; We don't feel their music the same way. I think you generalize and put it all into the same jar. I personally enjoy their music to the bone since couple of décades now, and it will stay the same. I can't get enough of their beautiful arrangements, their honesty in their execution, the sheer beauty of the mélodies, and I can't see how you can reproach them to be repetitive. They simply kept the winning formula they found since Prologue. They got repetitive with albums up to Novella (included), yes, but I desagree with you about their supposed weak compositions and the weak side you tend to give them generously.

"I can't get enough of their beautiful arrangements, their honesty in their execution, the sheer beauty of the mélodies,"
That I can't change with any argumentation. :-)

"and I can't see how you can reproach them to be repetitive"
Well compare them to King Crimson for example, who kept evolving constantly, just 1 listen of an album and you can instantly say that it's different from the others.

"They simply kept the winning formula"
Unfortunately for me there's no such a thing as a "winning formula" in music - 2, max 3 albums in the same vein and I get bored. But if you have no problems like that, then by all means enjoy whatever you like, I'm not telling you to change your opinion, just trying to explain my point of view.

I think we can safely agree to disagree by now. ;-) Thanks for the discussion!

Album Rating: 5.0

It was my pleasure. Btw, Renaissance managed to be innovative composition-wise. It's not like they felt into a comfort zone. They just had some more to say in the same vein, so they became prolific. I think I abused myself by naming it a winning formula. I'd say this instead; They were into a creativity peak that gave us 3 or 4 excellent albums to discover. Even if it all comes from the same mould. I repeat myself; None of their songs sound similar to another Renaissance song. At least, not to the point to upset me.

Album Rating: 5.0 | Sound Off

t/t doesn't drag...

Album Rating: 5.0

i tried my hardest to get turds to check but its hard man, one man cannot do it alone~

Album Rating: 4.5

Yeh new Kanye is more important

Album Rating: 5.0

jom aint checked this

Album Rating: 4.5

#boycottjom