Jethro42: Prog epic Rd 3

Jethro42 05.24.23	Voting ends May, the 31st. A good one everyone, and vote for your favorite. Be sure of it. For my description, it's the other way around.
Koris 05.25.23	As usual, I'll check these out over the weekend. Got a long weekend too, so I'll have more time to digest them :]
Donchivo 05.25.23	Here we go again! Both blurbs sound promising and another two bands (artists) I never had heard before. I hope I will dig these as much as your contestants from last year!
e210013 05.25.23	I like both albums. I already listened "Colours Caffè" by 4 times. So, I'm very sure about the album. About "Endless Fields" I only check it once. So, I need to check it some more times and then take my decision. I think this time I'll vote sooner.
Jethro42 05.25.23	I observed that I have to do my matchups early in the tourney, to be sure I don't miss one and starting juggling.
TheIntruder 05.25.23	Let us see what we can expect from these 2 in this round.
kalkwiese 05.25.23	Getting into my opponent atm It's gonna be a good week
Jethro42 05.25.23	Thanks to manosg or whoever from the staff, for the feature!
Zig 05.25.23	must say, Endless Fields is cool, but it's a shame that underproduction. gonna jump to yesterdays
bgillesp 05.25.23	That I goodness I was able to check 2 out before we started. I definitely liked it, though the Hungarian language was very unusual to my ears. Looking forward to hearing 1
Jethro42 05.25.23	None English language on this round. I forgot to mention it on the description.
porcupinetheater 05.26.23	No English last round either hot damn
porcupinetheater 05.26.23	Tbf regardless of language most prog lyrics are probably best left unexamined
kalkwiese 05.26.23	Yea, true, sadly Also non english languages give me eurovision vibes :D
manosg 05.26.23	Always a pleasure Jethro and glad to see Eternal Fields on here; a hugely important achievement considering the circumstances in Greece when it was recorded. Really interested in seeing how it fares.
Jethro42 05.26.23	Welcome to the prog bandwagon, manosg from the Greek sput community. :) It's true, no English for the last round either. It's gonna be a minoritary language in no time!
porcupinetheater 05.26.23	Damn Myth this Kostas Tournas album is excellent, gonna disagree hard with ZIG about the production, lo-fi for sure but wish there was more lo-fi prog, and the separation on the instruments ugh it’s amazing. Bass sounds fucking delicious Really does feels like it’s made by a young dude with how many whiplash transitions there are, but there’s enough panache to actually sell them
zakalwe 05.26.23	Blimey Kostas Tournas eínai katapliktikó
Jethro42 05.26.23	Kostas Tournas is quite a bit repetitive, but I guess it's a concept album formula with recurring themes.
Mythodea 05.26.23	We have the "Manosg Stamp of Approval", that's a good start! Glad to see you guys enjoying it so far. It is lo-fi, but as porc commented, the instrument separation is delicious, and it's also a good thing considering how many instruments there are, and how scarce the means were It is a concept album, so much of the repetitiveness has to do with that. But at 30 minutes of duration, it's also acceptable, as I don't think it overstays its welcome
Jethro42 05.26.23	I don't know how to deal with a thing. We have a guy whos album is not prog. I said it to him, and he replied that it was prog. I said to him ''it's up to you.'' Now damage is done. I matched it to another one already. But it's unfair. I already know which one is gonna win out of both. Oh well... There are times I would give up.
Jethro42 05.26.23	Decidedly, we are in presence of opposite albums in style. It's a question of taste, really. Nostalgic Symphonics or popish a la A.C.T meets Spock's Beard.
SlothcoreSam 05.26.23	Kostas for me.
Jethro42 05.26.23	1:0 Sloth
Jethro42 05.26.23	@kalk, you have a good candidat. I just didn't match it with the good one. It would fit more with Aisles - The Yearning.
zakalwe 05.28.23	Despite dropping off a bit in the second half Eternal Fields is still the best I’ve listened to so far this tourney and I do prefer it to caffe Stick us down for Kostas please
Jethro42 05.28.23	Yes, I think it's gonna be a one way, that round. I kinda overrated Yesterdays. It's great though. Good songs album. 2:0 Sloth zak
Koris 05.29.23	Kostas for me as well, due to its musical/lyrical diversity and ambition. I like how it combines jazz and classical/orchestral elements, as well as the dark-yet-relatable lyrics. This is an easy pick for me tbh
Jethro42 05.29.23	3:0 Sloth zak Koris
Jethro42 05.29.23	Kostas makes seem Yesterdays bad.
Zig 05.29.23	must go with Kostas Tournas. although, I've criticized its production, it grew on me, and it's a great and rich 30-minute suite. really enjoyed those symphonic sections, the guitar work, and its overall structure. for Yesterdays, I like the instrumental bits, but when the vocals kicks in it may get radio friendly. Némafilm szvit II mid section is the best music on that record.
Jethro42 05.29.23	Yesterdays don't contain weak sections. Kostas simply make look Yesterdays bad. It's the badest matchup I did up to now.
Jethro42 05.29.23	4:0 Sloth zak Koris ZIG
bgillesp 05.29.23	Just finished relistening to Yesterdays. I really like it a lot, so this will be another very difficult decision for me. I’ll listen to 1 more today and get you a final decision
TheIntruder 05.29.23	I like both albums but I must go with Yesterdays. Yesterdays is more varied and has an interesting mix of prog with beautiful vocals. Kostas is more repetitive as a concept work but is also good but less produced.
bgillesp 05.29.23	This is the closest decision for me yet. And I like both these album more than both of the ones from last round, so it will be sad to vote against either
Jethro42 05.29.23	4:1 Sloth zak Koris ZIG Intruder
kalkwiese 05.29.23	It should be no surprise that I stand with my knight in this tourney, because I believe in their strength (This is a vote for Yesterdays)
Jethro42 05.29.23	4:2 Sloth zak Koris ZIG Intruder kalk
Jethro42 05.29.23	I must say that the two candidates are opposite in style. One being 70s rock and classical, and the other one, songs album, modern prog. I thought that the keys arrangements were similar. I was wrong. Both are great, that’s for sure, but it was weird to match them up. It’s a mistake. I didn’t listen to Yesterdays enough. Let see my preference. Kostas is melodic but too much of classical orchestra affair for its welcome, and indeed, it's repetitive, given it's conceptual. They are not enough rock and when they are, they sound like Santana, and I don't like very much Santana, so it looses points right there. Yesterdays are similar to Spock’s Beard and to A.C.T. Of course it’s pop and radio friendly here and there, but it’s resolutely progressive to the bone, and melodic with plenty of instrument interplays. Musicianship and arrangements are strong in this modern band. It’s pleasant to listen to. I'm voting Yesterdays.
Jethro42 05.29.23	4:3 Sloth zak Koris ZIG Intruder kalk Jethro
Donchivo 05.30.23	Another interesting match! @Jethro: don't be too harsh on yourself. I don't think it is a bad matchup, both have a certain pop appeal while still being progressive in musical expression and concept, also both ooze a delighting playfulness, making them both very enjoyable listens! I am voting for Kostas Tournas. The overall melancholic and somewhat surreal atmosphere which is subtly interwoven into the album (even in parts which on surface seem to be 'positive', that aspect actually reminded me a lot of one of my sixties favorite albums: Love - 'Forever Changes') paired with the concept of the album gets me here. Also I don't think it is underpoduced at all. The sound strikes me as quite powerful and open for an early 70s album and my main criticism of the album is, that in some places the symphonic arrangements seem like unnecessary sugarcoating to me. So I would rather call it overproduced. Yesterdays is so much fun with mood changes, surprises here and there and the unusual (at least for me) experience of hungarian vocals. Really like it too!
e210013 05.30.23	I agree with Don. Don't be too harsh on yourself Jethro. I'm sure that it isn't an easy task to chose the albums that marry better in every matchup. And it seems that I was wrong when I said that I had already heard pratically both albums very well, and that due to that I would vote early this time. But the things aren't as easy as that. Both albums have grown on me with the repeting listenings. So, I'm not able to vote today. I'm going to listen them a couple of times more before my last decision. So, I'll vote tomorrow. For me, this has been the hardest tournament of all I participated, till now, which is great.
bnelso55 05.30.23	Atmosphere and concept of Kostas Tournas win out for me this round. My vote goes there.
Jethro42 05.30.23	You're right guys. I'm too fragile. I will survive. Donchivo, you got good points there. e21, as well. The best way to make good matchups is properly reading blurbs, and also listening to both designed albums enough times. This time, I neglected it in both case, but finally it turns out all right. 6:3 Sloth zak Koris ZIG Don bnelso Intruder kalk Jethro
porcupinetheater 05.30.23	Yeah, a tournament like this it's not like there's going to be a neat line where every album has one other album that suits it perfectly in a head to head. End of the day, we're all listening to every album here. Appeal of these tourneys for me isn't the bracketing, trying to catch a win at the end, it's the chance to check out quite a few records I wouldn't have found otherwise and then have a space immediately there to talk about them. Your hosting is very much appreciated Jethro!
zakalwe 05.30.23	Agreed!
Jethro42 05.30.23	Yeah, it's cool to have a good pairing, but first and foremost, discoveries and chatting are the priorities. And thanks for your kind words, you guys!
bgillesp 05.30.23	I have to go with Yesterdays purely based on it being more “interesting” to me for lack of better words. 1 is very pleasant and relaxing, and I like them both equally, but 2 is just a bit more fun
Jethro42 05.30.23	6:4 Sloth zak Koris ZIG Don bnelso Intruder kalk Jethro bgill
Sabrutin 05.30.23	This round I have a clear favorite, and it's Kostas Tournas. It was already decided from the ~1:10 minute mark! Rich and engaging. Yesterdays also offers an interesting album, it's like a light 90s band with a retro heart. It definitely scratches an itch and I can see myself coming back to it. All in all though, I feel there are different ballparks. So KT it is
Jethro42 05.30.23	Yes, very different as a pair. I know, it's my mistake. I missed my shot. I'm not proud of it. 7:4 Sloth zak Koris ZIG Don bnelso Sab Intruder kalk Jethro bgill
Sabrutin 05.30.23	I wouldn't say they're a bad match, there's a certain lightness (musically) that makes both relaxing
Jethro42 05.30.23	Ah ok, I'm relieved. The fact is I haven't listened to them enough, and I haven't paid enough attention to the blurbs, before matching.
porcupinetheater 05.31.23	Okay yeah the vote's Kostas for me. Wild that a few people have taken issue with the production on that record, when, while lo-fi, it sounds incredibly balanced and warm - the instruments all have texture and room to breathe. Yesterdays just sounds sooooo flat. Drums are cardboard. Whole mix is claustrophobic and kind of gets under my skin in a stressful way. Listen in Nèmafilm I just before the 5 minute mark, when it's just guitar and vocals. There ought to be quite a bit of space there, but the vocals are just thick as pea soup in the sound, and then when the instrumentation comes back there's no change in dynamic either. The tunes ain't bad, some very nice melodies (including that very specific part I just mentioned, although a lot of other bits feel disconcertingly Christian Contemporary) but the actual texture of it is so unpleasant to listen to I can't really get on board with it. Megpihensz is great though Endless Fields is fantastic front to back. Motifs repeat but that's never a problem when the motifs are grand, and Kostas makes sure they are. Yesterdays gave me a headache Kostas gave me a warm heart Kostas by a mile, prob my favorite entry in the tourney so far, including my own.
porcupinetheater 05.31.23	Just put on Yesterdays’ first album out of curiosity and liked it quite a bit more than Colours Caffe, quite a few great pieces there truth be told
Mythodea 05.31.23	Howdy. It's my album competing fellow progger's kalkwiese one, Yesterdays' "Colours Cafe" (for any statistician out there, this is the second time we see the word "caffe" participating in the prog tournament, previous one being by the band "Frogg Caffe" from last year). Anyways, I expected something veeeeeeeery poppy going into Yesterdays, predesposited by some comments regarding the vocals. And while yes, there is some Eurovision flair to be found - as some user stated b4 - this is a very mellow and lyrical neo-prog album. Colourfull can indeed be a description! It might be directionless at times, but the musicianship is top-notch. Very good contender! I am still going to vote for my album, unsurprisingly... Kostas Tournas - Endless Fields
Helentroy 05.31.23	Kostas Tournas is a nice record. But against the majority I prefer the light and colourful side of Yesterdays. So Yesterdays it is.
e210013 05.31.23	Finally I'm ready to vote. After some more listenings I took a decision. I changed my opinion. One of the albums never ceased to improve but the other no. Colours Caffè is a very nice and beautiful album, something a cross between the symphonic prog and neo-prog with some pop hints. I've no problems with that. I like many things of the neo-prog style. As a whole is an interesting work well made and produced and with some great parts. But it doesn't bring anything new to me. We've seen already many other albums in the same way. Still, I like the inclusion of some of the Romanian/Hungarian folk elements on the album. By the other hand, Eternal Fields is more in the classic side of prog. It's a typical product of the 70's and is alo very well made. I really like the music concept and I love the inclusion of an orchestra on it. I always loved the orchestral inclusions on a prog work, if it's well done. And I also love the separation of all instruments, wich is incredible. It never cessed to grown up on me and I really like it more than the other. So, I need to go with the album of Kostas Tournas.
e210013 05.31.23	Only now I saw the score. It seems we have a clear winner.
Jethro42 05.31.23	10:5 Sloth zak Koris ZIG Don bnelso Sab porc Myth e21 Intruder kalk Jethro bgill Helentroy I'm calling it for Kostas Tournas. Bravo, Myth!
e210013 05.31.23	Yeah. Bravo, Myth! What a great surprise. Better luck next time, kalk. I like your album. It was a nice surprise too.
Jethro42 05.31.23	I'm preparing the next match. Slowly but surely.
kalkwiese 05.31.23	Yes, congrats to you Myth! I an happy my knight was able to win some of you, but as stated multiple times here winning isn't the point, so I am happy :) Kostas is really cool and I look forward to listening to it again in another round
Mythodea 05.31.23	Thanks guys, I can't hide that I am a bit surprised Kostas scored so well in the first round, against a very worthy and colorfoul (of course...) rival! Glad you all liked it so much. @Kalk 🧡 Off to the next round now!
wham49 05.31.23	i go with 1
Scheumke 05.31.23	I see I'm too late to make a difference in the outcome, but I must say I enjoyed both quite a lot. I liked the vibes and allround style of Kostas, but also the lightheartedness of Yesterdays. I think in the end Yesterdays will be the one I'll come back to more often, so my vote goes there. Excellent contestants again though so props to both!
Jethro42 05.31.23	11:6 Sloth zak Koris ZIG Don bnelso Sab porc Myth e21 wham Intruder kalk Jethro bgill Helentroy Scheumke
TheIntruder 05.31.23	Congrats to the winner. Patience kalkwiese.