Jethro42
02.26.22 | Good match everyone. Vote ends Saturday, March 5 |
someone
02.26.22 | oh no theres a prog tourney and i dont know about it? i didnt even submit anything
goddammit! |
Jethro42
02.26.22 | someone, there's a spot for you. Gimme a rec and a blurb and I'll handle it. |
Divaman
02.26.22 | Interesting matchup. |
Jethro42
02.26.22 | It is. Leaving the Land is an instant win, and Sanctuary is a winner grower. |
bnelso55
02.26.22 | Woo-hoo! Here goes nothing. Novela is a brand-new band to me. I'm definitely looking forward to hearing them. |
Divaman
02.26.22 | These guys are both new to me. |
kalkwiese
02.26.22 | I guess everything in this tourney will be new to me, except for my own entry. (Tactical comment) |
bgillesp
02.26.22 | Looking forward to it |
SharkTooth
02.27.22 | just did a spin of 1, I appreciate its quirkiness, but I find it inconsistent personally, some songs dragged on a fair bit
opening was wonderful tho |
Divaman
02.27.22 | Mmm. After first listen, these are two savory morsels. The first is more manic, the second more laid back. |
porcupinetheater
02.27.22 | First's got some good bass licks, kind of mining an X Japan circa Blue Blood meets No Exit Fates Warning deal a bit? Not in love with the way it all comes together but some of the individual instrumental lines are pretty rad |
someone
02.27.22 | ill do just that, Jethro. here you go:
Gunesh - s/t
It's strange recommending for a tournament an album I found on another ongoing tournament, but I've taken a liking to it. Gunesh was (and partially is) a prog-jazz-fusion big band from Turkmenistan. Then a Republic of a Soviet Union, now under a whole other, much more cartoonish dictatorship. Their tenure scarcely bore fruit, as they've released two albums and then disbanded into general oblivion (with an odd, largely overlooked reunion in 2000). Much like many bands of their nature, coming out of the Soviet bloc, having to conform to certain censorship guidelines, their influences were mostly the few smuggled Western records they could get hands on, a plethora of regional and traditional music, classical musical training, as well as various contemporary musicians from other Soviet corners coming largely from the same limitations. But quite often these limitations prove great challenges wonderfully overcome by skilled talents. In the case of Gunesh, it's their vibrantly flamboyant presentation of dance-floor jazz, as well as psychedelic summery progressive rock, all masquerading as fusions of classical music and regional styles (as common jazz and prog were seen as invasive foreign imports). All that was spiced up by fantastic understanding of their cultural heritage, their finesse at injecting it into the high-octave suave jazz-prog setting of their core work. It's a brilliant energetic work that highlights that good music can come from anywhere, that regional folk singing and song-writing traditions are often perfect blueprint for some of the most idiosyncratic and colourful music out there. Also one that is unfortunately perhaps destined to be underrated and overlooked.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2eiNlGq9H8 |
kalkwiese
02.27.22 | I dig how bright the Novela album is.
Sisare is such an easy listen though. It combines everything I love and just hits the sweet spots.
Now let's see how much Novela can grow and how much staying power Sisare has. |
Jethro42
02.27.22 | @someone, I left you a message. |
Jethro42
02.27.22 | Aww, I deleted a comment by accident...Here I try to redo;
It's all true what you're saying guys. It's really not evident to do a proper match up. I have to try couple of combinations before making a choice. Both have relative heaviness into them. Both are so melodic. Both are punchy to their own way. |
Jethro42
02.27.22 | Sisare is kind of a mix between Katatonia and Foo Fighters, but it's just me. Vocals remind me of those found in Anekdoten. |
Divaman
02.27.22 | I almost feel like Sisare has a psychedelic rock feel to it. |
Jethro42
02.27.22 | Yes, mainly because of the dirty guitar sounding and the spacey atmosphere. |
kalkwiese
02.27.22 | I really dig how melodic Sisare is here. It's a huge plus for me. |
Jethro42
02.27.22 | That's right, kalk.
Novela got a loud sounding (bass and drums) for the sake of being loud. Plus there are nod and winks to some other bands like Renaissance and Genesis through it. (too pronounced sometimes). I dunno what to think about the vocals. |
Divaman
02.27.22 | For some reason, maybe because the vocalist is so wacky, Novela makes me think of Focus. |
SharkTooth
02.27.22 | upon first listen to both I definitely prefer Sisare, but I'm going to have to do repeated listens and ruminate before I can vote |
Divaman
02.27.22 | Me too. |
Jethro42
02.27.22 | About Novela, it's like if the singer has been taken by the balls, samey to Geddy Lee.
Novela have solid airs. I'm not too fond of the song structures surrounding the vocals. They have a metal flair without never touching it. They would be good in metal, it's a fact.
Excellent melodic work for both albums though. |
Jethro42
02.27.22 | I edited my last comment. |
Donchivo
02.27.22 | Wow... Those sound intriguing! |
Jethro42
02.27.22 | Novela are so close to metal yet never touch it. |
bgillesp
02.28.22 | This is gonna be a tough week for me time wise. School is super busy and I just found out about 2 additional lectures I have to get through this week that weren’t originally on the schedule. I’ll do my best to give both a fair shot but I may need to vote after only 1 listen of each this time. Hopefully I can wait till the end and it will not be so close if that happens. |
SlothcoreSam
02.28.22 | The vocalist for Sisare sounds a little like Serj.
Now to jam Novela |
porcupinetheater
02.28.22 | "For some reason, maybe because the vocalist is so wacky, Novela makes me think of Focus."
???
?
???? |
Jethro42
02.28.22 | @bgillesp,
do the best you can, mate. School is what matters. You can pass your turn and avoid voting for this round. |
Jethro42
02.28.22 | ''The vocalist for Sisare sounds a little like Serj.''
I find them vocals very similar to the Anekdoten singer. |
kalkwiese
02.28.22 | I have heared about the wobbly vibrato in japanese rock and metal, but I never actually listened to it. I guess Novela is such a case? It's true that it's not exactly my cup of tea. The album has such a stange mood though, that's what makes it interesting |
Jethro42
02.28.22 | It could be. It's more of a nervous reflex for me :) |
Jethro42
02.28.22 | Both are melodious and have appealing melodic guitar and vocals, and that's their strenght. Sisare is rather calm, serious, mature and full of wins. Novela is playful, energetic, edgy and full of wins. |
bgillesp
03.01.22 | Managed to jam Sisare today and it was really nice. Will hopefully get more time for the other and repeats soon |
Zig
03.01.22 | hope i get to check these two tomorrow. looking forward this round.
good luck for both of you, Sabrutin and bnelso55! |
Friday13th
03.01.22 | Sabrutin and bnelso always have great picks. I'm very excited for this match. |
Scheumke
03.01.22 | Placeholder comment. Very curious to see what we'll discover in week 2 |
bgillesp
03.01.22 | About to hop on Novela. A couple weeks ago I was wondering why I always got so behind on new music listening and now I remember its because of these tourneys, haha. They're a ton of fun but I'm glad these are only once per year or else I wouldn't be able to keep up, lol |
bgillesp
03.01.22 | These vocals will certainly be hard to get past, but it may be possible since the music is really cool. |
Mythodea
03.01.22 | Novela has some amazing musicianship, and vocals are eeringly fitting
Still haven't digested the album though |
Donchivo
03.01.22 | Wow!! Am on Novela now... the energy of it is amazing! It fuckin' rocks!! Quite quirky apart from that, haven't made up my mind fully about it. But it's definitely a fun ride... |
Jethro42
03.01.22 | At first glance, I didn't notice Novela was that powerful. And about the voices, I agree, they end up fitting well. Compositions are beautiful for the most part too. If anything, a bit nervous here and there, and it can get on my nerves in places.
I enjoy a lot Sisare. First two songs are very well crafted. It tends to lose meat somewhere in the second part of the album , but it's getting better after each listens. Vocals are great and so is the guitar. Very melodic. I dig both albums. I need couple more listens. |
Divaman
03.01.22 | I'm on my third listen right now, and I think I'm going to need a fourth to make a decision.
I feel like Novela's album is more exciting, and they perhaps have the better songs. On the other hand, I like Sisare's overall sound better, and they have no real minuses, whereas Novela's vocalist is a slight negative. Two very good albums make for a very tough choice. |
Divaman
03.01.22 | Maybe I'm wrong about the songs. |
kalkwiese
03.01.22 | I guess Sisare are closer to being "boring", at least in prog terms. I get post rock vibes from how soothing these songs are and I dig it a lot |
Jethro42
03.01.22 | Novela got nice melodies. However, rare are the complete well built songs. Some of them tend to drag. And when you hear a song, you hear them all. Despite it, there are a lot of toe tapping moments. Nice pick, Sab!
Sisare is more of my style. I'd ask for more. It borrows from different music style;
Experimental, heavy prog, folk and psychedelic. It represents a good range of flavours, of colors. Nice pick, bnelso!
My vote goes to Sisare.
|
Jethro42
03.01.22 | Seriously, my vote could be the other way around :/ |
kalkwiese
03.01.22 | These first two rounds are already tough lol |
Jethro42
03.02.22 | Yeah, it's promising for the suite!...Even if I already voted, I keep on listening to both, hoping for a revelation. I find two beauties or I find none?... |
zakalwe
03.02.22 | Vocals on Sisare are the bollocks! |
Divaman
03.02.22 | So that's a good thing, right? |
Jethro42
03.02.22 | I have no idea, but most likely. |
Donchivo
03.02.22 | After listening to Sisare, that Opeth reference by bnelso55 makes even more sense. Damn, the singer has this same tone, just in between melancholic and bored (and to me a bit boring too), that I remember Akerfeldt's cleans to have.
Musicwise it sounds very warm to me, I like it! Far less challenging and insane than Novela, but more pleasant to listen to. Haha still undecided if I should value craziness or beauty higher in this round. |
Jethro42
03.02.22 | Yes you're right Donchivo, I recently detected similarities with Opeth tones in its clean vocals as well. Even in the instrumentation at some point.
I said earlier that when you hear a Novela song, you hear them all. Well it's false. There are plenty of great melodies from completely original songs. I'm just not a fan of the rip off of Cinema Show by Genesis and the similitude of a Renaissance pattern in the second one. |
bgillesp
03.02.22 | I’ve managed to get a few listens of each so far actually. Leaning Novela right now because it grew on me the second time, but Sisare fell off for me after repeated listens. Still gonna deliberate some more first though |
Jethro42
03.02.22 | Yeah, Sisare is losing meat in the second part of the album, but it's still good. I'm used to it now. |
kalkwiese
03.02.22 | My vote goes to Sisare, because it's the album that gives me more enjoyment. Novela grew on me quite a bit though, to a point where it was a close call once again |
Jethro42
03.02.22 | 0:2
Jethro
kalk |
Divaman
03.02.22 | This is one of those cases where I'm sorry that we're going to lose either of these albums. My vote is for Sisare, although I suspect where many of the bands I vote for in future rounds are bands I won't like as much as Novela.
In the end, as kinetic and fun as the Novela LP is, the Sisare really grew on me. I love some of the guitar stuff going on in songs like Geno, and I liked the psychedelic element to their music. I didn't hate the Novela vocalist, but there were times where I felt his vocals were the weak link in their songs. The vocals for Sisare were much smoother.
So as I said, my vote goes to Sisare. |
Jethro42
03.03.22 | 0:3
Jethro
kalk
Diva |
Scheumke
03.03.22 | Sisare reminds me a lot (LOT) of Soen. Same vocal style and layback approach to songwriting, relying heavily on the atmosphere of the album as a whole.
Novela is very quirky and interesting indeed. Not my first Japanese progrock band so I can handle the vocals just fine even though they are not my favorite. Need one or two more listens before I make my decision. It will mostly hinge on whether or not Sisare stays interesting for me on repeated listens. |
Jethro42
03.03.22 | Is it Martin Lopez (ex Opeth) on drums for Soen? If it's the case, I didn't like the album I've listened to - Lykaia I think-. Sisare makes me think of Katatonia for some reason, as I mentioned before. |
kalkwiese
03.03.22 | Yes, Lopez is with Soen. Have never listened to them actually |
Jethro42
03.03.22 | I used to dig metal but I abandoned it almost completely. It doesn't make effect on me anymore. |
wham49
03.03.22 | 2 for sure |
MrSirLordGentleman
03.03.22 | tough pick
Sisare is certainly the "nicer" sounding of the two but it just feels so generic prog at times. Novela has way more personality |
Jethro42
03.03.22 | Multiple personalities lol...Is it a vote, SirLord? |
MrSirLordGentleman
03.03.22 | No, not yet
I need to give both albums a couple more listens |
Jethro42
03.03.22 | 0:4
Jethro
kalk
Diva
wham |
Zig
03.03.22 | My vote goes to Novela, mostly because it's so impredictable and mad with a bit of humour. Sisare is a good listen, but gets monotonous here and there and I got the feeling they "played safe" on some tracks.
Nice round! |
Jethro42
03.03.22 | Yes I agree with your statement Zig. Novela has so many hooks. The monotonous of Sisare disappears with time. If we listen to Sisare right after Novela, the contrast is so huge it disadvantages Sisare. Novela can bite! |
Jethro42
03.03.22 | 1:4
Zig
Jethro
kalk
Diva
wham |
Donchivo
03.03.22 | I completely agree with latest statements by Zig and Jethro. gonna give Sisare some more chances, but right now it would be Novela |
SharkTooth
03.03.22 | I don't have the time to repeat listening to these and it bugs me to no end |
zakalwe
03.03.22 | Novela is as much prog as Sisere isn’t but I’m going with Sisere because of them vocals. |
Jethro42
03.03.22 | 1:5
Zig
Jethro
kalk
Diva
wham
zak |
Jethro42
03.03.22 | @Shark, do what you can do. One listen here and there? |
SharkTooth
03.03.22 | I'm trying
but like this week sucks |
Scheumke
03.03.22 | I didn't expect it after the first listen, but put me down for Novela. It's the one where I can be in the mood for and put on because I don't know anything that sounds like that, whereas I feel I've heard Sisare's music been done better by other bands, if that makes sense.
Also, I've had a particular melody of Novela in my head for the entire day, so if that's not a sign I don't know what is. The quirkyness got to me haha. |
Jethro42
03.03.22 | I can hear you, Scheumke. Me too, I tend to have Novela stuff stuck in my head for hours, whereas such thing doesn't happen for Sisare. It still happens to get surprises with the latter. My choice could have been either way. |
Jethro42
03.03.22 | 2:5
Zig
Scheumke
Jethro
kalk
Diva
wham
zak |
SharkTooth
03.04.22 | I just did a full second listen to Novela, I enjoyed this new listen way more than my first.
Gonna see whether I still prefer Sisare |
Donchivo
03.04.22 | note me down for Novela, please! Musicwise it's a 4 at least and the vocals don't drag it down that much.
I agree with Schumke's sentiment on Sisare and even repeated listens didn't lift it above 'good' and 'beautiful' levels. |
bgillesp
03.04.22 | I’m gonna have to go with Novela as well. Just more interesting stuff going on with it throughout |
Sabrutin
03.04.22 | Leaving the Land is solid and very competent, the first song even made me doubt my pick at first, but all in all personally I feel it's missing a particular flavor.
So for this round I will do a predictable thing and stand by my knight. |
Jethro42
03.04.22 | 5:5
Zig
Scheumke
Donchivo
bgillesp
Sabrutin
Jethro
kalk
Diva
wham
zak |
Jethro42
03.04.22 | A good ascent... |
Donchivo
03.04.22 | wow.. and we're heading for a close finish again... |
kalkwiese
03.04.22 | Hahaha, I love this shit! |
hansoloshotfirst
03.04.22 | I'm voting for Novela. Enjoyed both records a lot but Novela has more staying power imo. (and I'm in the mood for some keys) |
Jethro42
03.04.22 | 6:5
Zig
Scheumke
Donchivo
bgillesp
Sabrutin
hansolo
Jethro
kalk
Diva
wham
zak |
SlothcoreSam
03.04.22 | Just finishing off my second listens now, this is going to be tight. Snnnnnnnnffffffffffff. |
Jethro42
03.04.22 | You get enough time to spin them again, Sloth. |
bnelso55
03.05.22 | Woo! What a round. My vote has to go to Novela. I'd never even heard of them before and I'm hooked. Listening to Sanctuary for the first time this week sent me down a rabbit hole. I've been jamming what I can find of their discography all week (La Songerie and In the Night are definitely worth checking). I really like the edge in the guitar and vocals, and the bass is just immense in places. Seriously great pick, Sabrutin!
I'd say Sisare maybe have consistency on their side. Leaving the Land is listenable and easy to like, but some of the critiques leveled against it here are legitimate. |
MrSirLordGentleman
03.05.22 | My vote goes to Novela. Great quirky stuff. It has lots of identity which, after years of listening to prog, is one of the things I crave for the most
Sisare is still a fantastic album with many top tier moments. So far all of the albums in the contest are going into my digital library |
SharkTooth
03.05.22 | The two are great for very different reasons
1 is more adenturous and weird, of the two it's definitely the more proggy. It all comes together into a very fresh, memorable experience.
2 has superior songwriting, melodies, and execution. It's nowhere near as interesting, but imo it's better as a cohesive record
At first I was sure I was gonna vote 2, but this is yet another close match for me |
TwigTW
03.05.22 | Sisare was a great first listen. I love their sound, but Novela is more adventurous and quirky. I notice something new every time I play it. This makes 'Sanctuary' more interesting to me. It's the album I want to listen to again in the second round ... my vote goes to Novela, 'Sanctuary'. |
Mythodea
03.05.22 | Okayyy, long week and I didn't have much time to comment, but! I think I know which one I would promote to the next round.
Novela is so incrediby fun and out of the ordinary. I didn;t know what to think of the vocals at first, but I can't think of this album without them now. As for the music itself, it's great, left0field and crunchy (well, that's a production issue, but let's put it on the *music* section) + great bass
Sisare was great, intricate and more on the *predictable* side of prog (is there such thing? We should be collectively ashamed there is), streamlined and finely executed. I don't know if the comparison to Novela's vocals does the trick or if I genuinely think Sisare's vocals are a bit blunt.
So, without further ado, my vote goes to the majestic Novela! |
Jethro42
03.05.22 | 10:5
Zig
Scheumke
Donchivo
bgillesp
Sabrutin
hansolo
bnelso
SirLord
Twig
Myth
Jethro
kalk
Diva
wham
zak |
Jethro42
03.05.22 | @Shark, did you vote? |
Jethro42
03.05.22 | That's a huge turn-around. bnelso, you show courage! I'm about to call it. I prepare round 3. |
SharkTooth
03.05.22 | ye I think I'm voting 2 |
SlothcoreSam
03.05.22 | My vote is going for Sisare.
They were both good, but I can see myself coming back to Sisare, especially their earlier album that I listened to after, I dug that even more. |
Jethro42
03.05.22 | 10:7
Zig
Scheumke
Donchivo
bgillesp
Sabrutin
hansolo
bnelso
SirLord
Twig
Myth
Jethro
kalk
Diva
wham
zak
Shark
Slothcore |
Jethro42
03.05.22 | Winner is gonna be most likely Novela. Only Friday13th is missing (and e210013 is joining us for M3), and I don't think there gonna be other outsider players. So I call it; Novela wins! Bravo Sabrutin, it's well deserved! M3 is on the map. |
porcupinetheater
03.05.22 | Oh no literally too slow by seconds! To not make a difference! But I cosmetically vote for Sisare and its fun licks |
Jethro42
03.05.22 | Ahhh yes, porc! You missed the bus hahah |
Jethro42
03.05.22 | 10:8
Zig
Scheumke
Donchivo
bgillesp
Sabrutin
hansolo
bnelso
SirLord
Twig
Myth
Jethro
kalk
Diva
wham
zak
Shark
Slothcore
porc |
bgillesp
03.05.22 | 10:8 still doesn't change it though, unfortunately for porc/sisare fans. Congrats to Novela |
Jethro42
03.05.22 | :D
Word. |
Friday13th
03.06.22 | let me get my vote in very soon! |
Jethro42
03.06.22 | Go ahead! |
Friday13th
03.06.22 | voting Novella. Great album! Named after the Renaissance album? I think I heard a part from Scheherazade on it. Mostly like Yes and Rushbut also a more heavy sound and very Japanese vocals.
Sisare was good but at the end it is just like simplified Opeth, a little Porcupine Tree. |
Jethro42
03.06.22 | Yes, I mentioned it as well, there is a nod and a wink to Renaissance in the second song. There is also a wink to Genesis, Cinema Show somewhere. Whoa, I never noticed both Novella (Novela) titles. You're insightful! |
Jethro42
03.06.22 | 11:8
Zig
Scheumke
Donchivo
bgillesp
Sabrutin
hansolo
bnelso
SirLord
Twig
Myth
Friday
Jethro
kalk
Diva
wham
zak
Shark
Slothcore
porc |
Jethro42
03.06.22 | Another call for Friday; Congrats to Novela! :) Now let's move to M3. |
kalkwiese
03.06.22 | Got to say "simplified Opeth and Porcupine Tree" is a good description for the Sisare album, as much as I like it. In the end I am happy Novela won |
Jethro42
03.06.22 | Same here. I prematurely voted for Sisare, but ended up prefering Novela. |
Sabrutin
03.06.22 | Oh wow I'm not sure I have ever won a round before haha
@bnelso55: thank you for the kind words! It was a great round. I wonder if the third will be as brutal as the first two. If you are still interested in more Novela, know that the CD I own has two bonus songs called "Secret Love" and "Lady To Fantasy". I don't know if you can find them anywhere else, I'm actually rather new to the band |
Divaman
03.06.22 | I'm sorry to lose Sisare, but the Novela LP is pretty great too. |
Jethro42
03.06.22 | It's heartbreaking to see an album lose. |
bgillesp
03.12.22 | Bumping this to remind people about round 3 in case they haven't commented on that list yet |
