Jethro42: Prog epic Rd 5

Jethro42 06.07.23	This is gonna be emotive and melodic. Have a good one y'all. Voting ends June the 14th
e210013 06.07.23	Nice. It seems to me this will be another very interesting journey. I know very well this two albums already. I checked both 4 times as is usual with me. I liked both but I've a clear favourite already. I'm going to listen to both again one more time to be sure before vote.
Jethro42 06.07.23	Oh well, you're very curious to check them all in advance. Just kidding. It's all fine!
TheIntruder 06.07.23	Ok, let us begin what I hope to be another great round. Good luck for both.
Jethro42 06.07.23	I confirm. It's a good round. There will be all good rounds till the end.
e210013 06.07.23	Actually Jethro, I've already checked all the albums of this tournament 4 times except one of them that I only checked twice. This year I changed my method. As I had free time I decided to listen to all in the two first weeks. And I'm not regretful. This decision brought me a general perspective and a smoother final decision. Of course it was a hard task to check all these very different albums almost at the same time. By the other hand, it was a very wise decision because I suspected that I could be absent of some rounds. Happily it wont happen. However, I'm going to be absent for a whyle from today. So, I'll vote very soon this time, even today, to can be part of it.
porcupinetheater 06.07.23	V excited for this round, bough sound interesting, and spacey, post-rock infused dark psych in particular sounds very far up my alley.
Zig 06.07.23	i'll not have much time this week. so, tomorrow, my day off, gotta check these two and leave a vote. good luck to both !
Jethro42 06.07.23	@e21; Me, when I listen too much to an album, I'm losing its details and essence. I have to take some break in between. But I hear you when you say ''smoother final decision''. I hope you wont be too long outside, buddy.
Jethro42 06.07.23	Cheers porc!
e210013 06.07.23	Yeah, it's true. But I don't check the same album consecutively. I insert it with some others. This will be something never done before by me and I think for none. But, since I'm comfortable with both albums and I think I'm prepared to make a decision and if I want to participate in this round, I need to do so. And about my absence it'll be between tomorrow and the end of the next week. So, I'll be here in time to vote in the next round.
Jethro42 06.07.23	That way, you are one step ahead. Man I've listened to both albums so many many times, as I did for all the albums since the debut. I can't help having a preference as well. But you know what?, Im gonna relisten to both again.
e210013 06.07.23	It's the same with me. I'm listening both again too.
Jethro42 06.07.23	Sorry e21, I added at least one sentence in my last paragraph.
e210013 06.07.23	No problem pal.
bnelso55 06.07.23	Both of these are unfamiliar. I'm looking forward to hearing them.
Jethro42 06.07.23	Hope you're gonna have a good one!
Donchivo 06.07.23	Wow, Great match up, thanks Jethrito! And bonne chance, Zak!
Jethro42 06.07.23	You're welcome, Donchivers. Man, I have hard times to matchup the candidates on this tournament. They are all perfectly different.
e210013 06.07.23	So, as I promised, here I am opening the "hostilities" in this round, due to force majeure. Aisles' album is a beautiful and attractive work, a cross between symphonic and neo-prog. Since I've no problem with neo-prog it suits fine to me. Despite a certain repetitiveness of moods and ambiences that are quite noticeable right at the middle of the album, all that is compensated by the melodic and clever ideas and elegant keyboard orchestrations. Annot Rhul's album was my first listening of this tournament and soon I love it. Despite its psych roots, this is a very eclectic album, a modern work of prog with the usual quality of the Nordics. Its music is very rich and intense with some luch and atmospheric keyboard parts. It changes from soft and Floydian to dark and heavy in a very ballanced way. So, despite I like both, my vote goes to "Leviathan". I think it's a more challenging work than "The Yearning" that is more conventional.
Jethro42 06.07.23	As usual, good analysis, e21, really. I thought you'd choose Aisles given its symphonic nature, and its Supertramp and A.C.T. similitudes, covered with good instrumental interplays. And you're right, Aisles is more conventional, and its opponent is more challenging. 0:1 e21
e210013 06.07.23	That was basically the reason. But you know that I'm a man of very eclectic tastes in music and not only in terms of prog. So, godd luck for all you and a great prog tourney. We'll see us on monday 19.
Jethro42 06.07.23	Yes I know, and it's what makes your charm. Take care, my friend.
e210013 06.07.23	Same to you buddy.
bgillesp 06.08.23	Loving the diversity of recs we have this year. Excited to dig into these
zakalwe 06.08.23	Leviathan is bloomin marvellous (love mountain of madness) I may have to actually bin my own submission.
Zig 06.08.23	gonna vote for Leviathan, which is way more memorable and richer than The Yearning, a bland record to my ears.
Jethro42 06.08.23	Boys, you are so rude concerning Aisles. Imagine a Supertramp or A.C.T. wannabes. These are the references that help me to appreciate that band more. 0:2 e21 ZIG
Jethro42 06.08.23	''Loving the diversity of recs we have this year'' So true. They're all perfectly different, and entertaining.
Jethro42 06.08.23	@manosg; Many thanks for the feature.
zakalwe 06.08.23	Yep. If I was matched with something a bit more hard to digest I’d have stuck with my submission for reasons of levity and the fact it’s a lovely listen but unfortunately I was up against an absolute blinder and my new fave of the tourney. My vote is for Leviathan
Jethro42 06.08.23	I can understand. All the times it happens, I find the guy quite brave to vote against his own candidate.It's true that ''Mountain of Madness'' is really outstanding, but imo it's not a reason. 0:3 e21 ZIG zak
kalkwiese 06.08.23	First listen with both. I have a favorite atm, but it's too early
Donchivo 06.09.23	Wow, I am happy to hear that you folks enjoy Leviathan! I had two spin of Aisles and enjoyed it, good musicianship and atmospheres. But so far I didn't really get into the vocal delivery... haha and Jethro, I know you tried to advocate for Aisles, but as I really don't like Supertramp (well, their hits is all that I know), I had to try to ignore your praise of Aisles to listen without bias. ;)
Jethro42 06.09.23	Haha, Yes, I have a soft spot for The Yearning since the debut. I gave a shout to zak to show him my coup de coeur. It doesn't mean I don't like yours. If anything, it lacks of consistency imo, but its highlights are high.
Donchivo 06.09.23	Hey Jethro, it's completely and totally fine to me that you praise Aisles, no worries at all! :) What I was referring to, is that for me your comaprison with Supertramp, which was intended as praise, rather would be a criticism of the band, because I don't like Supertramp. So I had to try to ignore it in order to listen to the Aisles album (which I actually do like a lot) without a bias. Sorry, if I was unclear in my statement.
Jethro42 06.09.23	Yes no, I forgot to talk about Supertramp, and it's a good idea you make abstraction of it if you don't like it lol. I'm not alone who's like Aisles, at least. I like it with or without the Supertramp /A.C.T. references. I haven't made my verdict yet :) I speak French, I have to say, so it's possible that I forget portions of sentences.
Jethro42 06.10.23	Leviathan is an adventurous modern prog album mixed with prog folk, space, psych and it's dark. It has good keyboard interplays and mellotron lushes which I like. But it's not enough exploited nor consistent. It has ''Mountains of Madness'' which is the best song of the two candidates by a long stretch, but it's not enough. Vocals are reminiscent of Phideaux's, and it's a good thing. Sonically, Leviathan is better, but not for the songwriting, which is repetitive. Aisles is another modern prog, but Neo Prog this time. It's dynamic and consistent. Songwriting is great. It contains symphonic bits, and one can detect some Supertramp and or A.C.T. vibes, and it's a good thing. Nice toe tapping stuff. I'm voting for Aisles.
Jethro42 06.10.23	1:3 Jethro e21 ZIG zak
manosg 06.12.23	"@manosg; Many thanks for the feature." Always a pleasure my friend.
Donchivo 06.12.23	I am voting for Leviathan, two more spins of Aisles couldn't reconcile me with the vocals whichs theatrical bombast sounds a tad hollow to me. It's a pity as the clever and creative arrangements and songwriting are really nice. As generally my enjoyment level of music is not very dependant on vocals, I still enjoyit, but it makes my vote for Leviathan more easy. BTW, interesting that Mountains of Madness is your fave of Leviathan. I Actually like R'Lyeh most, but really love the whole album.
Jethro42 06.12.23	I haven't notice nothing wrong about the Aisles vocals. Will try again. The thread is quiet, isn't it. Rlyeh is a good suspense yeah. Mountain of Madness is easily the most memorable 1:4 Jethro e21 ZIG zak Don
Sabrutin 06.12.23	Still got to hear 1 but I'm surprised to see the results so far. 2 is very pleasant but it's so... "polite"? It feels almost like a soundtrack in places
SlothcoreSam 06.12.23	Close one this week, could have gone either way, but going to have to give it to Leviathan
Sabrutin 06.12.23	ah I see, they're both very slick and comfy. Makes sense. I suddenly enjoy the round more, for some reason
Jethro42 06.12.23	Mountains of Madness got passages similar to Elton John's Benny in the Jet.
Jethro42 06.12.23	1:5 Jethro e21 ZIG zak Don Sloth
Jethro42 06.12.23	Sonically, Leviathan is better, but The Yearning got awesome melodies and songwriting.
TheIntruder 06.12.23	The both albums are great. But I prefer Leviathan because is more modern and adventures than The Yearning. So I am voting to Aisles too.
Jethro42 06.12.23	Is it a vote for Leviathan, or The Yearning, Intruder?
TheIntruder 06.12.23	Sorry you are right. My mistake. Leviathan.
Jethro42 06.12.23	Correct :) 1:6 Jethro e21 ZIG zak Don Sloth Intruder
Koris 06.12.23	Gonna have to agree with the majority here and go with Leviathan. Enjoyable psych-prog that emphasizes atmosphere over outright virtuosity... good stuff
Jethro42 06.13.23	Leviathan is not consistently good, and that's why I haven't vote for it. The highlights are more on the side of Leviathan with its keys and mellotrons, but The Yearning is more consistent, despite being popish. I'll enter couple more votes before calling it. 1:7 Jethro e21 ZIG zak Don Sloth Intruder Koris
Sabrutin 06.13.23	I agree with Jethro. 1 has more life to its performances and more ear-catching transitions. Some tidy drumming and pleasant piano. I vote for Aisles
Scheumke 06.13.23	Aisles reminds me of a more mellow version of Seventh Wonders' The Great Escape. The flow of the album and the songwriting itself have that explorativeness (is that a word?) to them that I tend to usually see more in the softer progmetal. I enjoyed it quite a lot, but it also did feel a bit safe. On first listen it feels like Aisles know their limits very well. The focus is much more on the songwriting then virtuocity which makes the first half a real pleasure to listen to with quite a couple of great songs that really peak my interest. The long 'epic' closer was where I lost focus though, because there it feels like they tried to go out of their comfort zone but weren't really up to the task to keep a 16 minute song continually interesting. I'm missing the use of themes and a proper climax there to tie it all together, it feels more like it's meandering through the runtime which is a missed opportunity I think. Let's dive into Leviathan now :)
Scheumke 06.13.23	Annot Rhül is very cinematic. It feels like a mix of Jeff Wayne's War of the Worlds and a Transatlantic record, but with a Lovecraftian sauce. It's definitely interesting and different from the rest of the competitors so far. Though the album flew by without me realising it, I don't remember any clear highlights after listening. That's not a bad thing perse, but it does mean that I need more listens to get the most out of it. Will listen to both again tomorrow and will cast my vote then.
Jethro42 06.13.23	I feel less alone :) 2:7 Jethro Sab e21 ZIG zak Don Sloth Intruder Koris
kalkwiese 06.13.23	Both of them are pretty on par for me atm, so I'll go with Aisles as they're very underappreciated here
Jethro42 06.13.23	Aisles would fit with Yesterdays as a match, but I noticed it on the late. 3:7 Jethro Sab kalk e21 ZIG zak Don Sloth Intruder Koris
porcupinetheater 06.13.23	Voting for Aisles, much to my surprise based on prior expectations. Can't be making assumptions out here Aisles is pretty straightforward neo-prog, but it does it really well, nice lush melodies and smooth instrumentation, just a breezy ride, although I agree with Scheumke that the final 16 minute closer stretches itself too thin and doesn’t really sell its runtime Annot Rhul has a lot of interesting impulses, but the actual songwriting beneath them isn't nearly as strong as what Aisles pulls off. Would be a challenge to remember any of the melodies more than 20 seconds after they pass; which isn't inherently a problem, but the music is too upbeat and sprightly, and the production too thin to really pass off as compellingly atmospheric, save for The Mountain of Madness, which just sounds like it's straight aping Pink Floyd. Also much prefer Aisles' vocalist. Also as a side note, this isn't a detriment against it, but I'm not sure I've heard a Lovecraft inspired album that sounds less Lovecraftian
Jethro42 06.13.23	I agree with you guys that Aisles' closer is the less inspired of the bunch, despite instrumentally, there are still interesting arrangements. 4:7 Jethro Sab kalk porc e21 ZIG zak Don Sloth Intruder Koris
Helentroy 06.13.23	I’m voting for Aisles too.
Jethro42 06.13.23	Spectacular rise! 5:7 Jethro Sab kalk porc Helentroy e21 ZIG zak Don Sloth Intruder Koris
bnelso55 06.14.23	One more for Aisles, much to my surprise based on prior expectations. [2]
Jethro42 06.14.23	6:7 Jethro Sab kalk porc Helentroy bnelso e21 ZIG zak Don Sloth Intruder Koris
Mythodea 06.14.23	Later today I'm going to cast my vote! Sorry for always being on the late side, but days are full of music and there's just so little time
Scheumke 06.14.23	On second listen I'm enjoying the Supertramp leanings of Aisles more, especcially in a song like The Rise of the White Sun. Both are very fun listens and different. I still think that Aisles is a bit front-heavy, but Annot Rhül fell off a little bit for me on second listen, where I couldn't really figure what they were trying to do with the record as a whole. I feel a little bit of a dichotomy between the easygoing drifting nature of their music and the cosmic horror of the subject matter. Both might have won when paired with some others, but for now my vote goes to Aisles. Props to both finds though gents, pretty great records both!
Sabrutin 06.14.23	omg
Jethro42 06.14.23	Here's a... tie, but we still have Myth, bgill and wham to register. 7:7 Jethro Sab kalk porc Helentroy bnelso Scheumke e21 ZIG zak Don Sloth Intruder Koris
porcupinetheater 06.14.23	What a comeback my lord
Donchivo 06.14.23	June 14th, the resurrection of Aisles!
Jethro42 06.14.23	We ran from 1:7 straight to 7:7. That's pretty rare!
Jethro42 06.14.23	Pretty much, Don.
Mythodea 06.14.23	Okay, I must say that at first none of the albums really grabbed me, and while I enjoyed both, none gave me that something that would make it special to me. However, after repeated listens, I think I prefer Leviathan a bit more, maybe because I am a bit preconditioned towards its atmosphere and themes. I do find it more cohesive and well structured, though. So yeah, I'm sliding with it.
porcupinetheater 06.14.23	Myth stopping Aisles’ momentum with a haymaker
Mythodea 06.14.23	I'm despicable
Koris 06.14.23	What a twist!
Jethro42 06.14.23	lol it took my breath away ;/ 7:8 Jethro Sab kalk porc Helentroy bnelso Scheumke e21 ZIG zak Don Sloth Intruder Koris Myth
Jethro42 06.14.23	Another one in Leviathan camp, and I'm calling it.
Jethro42 06.14.23	Next match is already there. I'm gonna watch out what is going on here, in Rd 5.
bgillesp 06.14.23	Voting for Leviathan here. Didn’t fall in love with either but it was overall more enjoyable for me
TheIntruder 06.14.23	Very interesting round. One of the most hard. Congrats Donchivo.
Donchivo 06.14.23	Wow, what an epic development, cheers Zak! And great pairing, Jethro!
Jethro42 06.15.23	I'm calling it, congrats Don. And yes, epic development, as rarely seen. @zak, bravo for your decision to give your vote to Don. 7:9 Jethro Sab kalk porc Helentroy bnelso Scheumke e21 ZIG zak Don Sloth Intruder Koris Myth bgill
zakalwe 06.15.23	Blimey. What a battle! What a turncoat!!!