100 Artists I Love or Hate
 

• Thumbs up rating or thumbs down rating
  For example:
  
  http://i40.tinypic.com/15mmcxw.png - For a band or artist that I love.
  
  http://i44.tinypic.com/j5b3f6.png - For a band or artist that I hate.
  
  
• key points about the artist or band
• 1 or 2 youtube videos I love or hate from the band

That's pretty much the jist of it. Nothing too flashy and nothing too special but it's exactly the way I have it in my head, so I think it will work great.

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#100 - #1:

100: Dream Theater
99: Nightwish (Anette)
98: Elliott Smith
97: Alesana
96: Devin Townsend (Band / Project)
95: Opeth
94: The Smashing Pumpkins
93: Pink Floyd (Syd Barrett)
92: Jon Anderson (Vocalist / Solo)
91: Tarja (Vocalist / Solo)
90: Madonna
89: Sufjan Stevens
88: Steely Dan
87: Miss May I
86: Nick Drake

Yay, nothing like some good old fashioned hate

#100: Dream Theater

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• James LaBrie is an incredible vocalist, and sure, he has his off moments, but he's got range which is very important for a vocalist to have.
• Though some people are pretty disappointed with the lack of Portnoy on the drums, I think it did the band some good to get a new (more talented) drummer. Mangini fits the part well.
• Though some of their releases lack in talent compared to the rest, there are very VERY few albums that I dislike from this band, mostly the pre-LaBrie releases.
• The band itself is full of great musicians. That's evident on it's own.
• Though some would disagree, Dream Theater are NOT a prog band. They are hard rock with some progressive elements.

The Live at Budokan DVD on it's own is fantastic, but this particular song takes the cake, especially with Petrucci's solo:



And this song is great as well, I love the Images and Words release. I would easily rank this song as one of my top 5 favorite Dream Theater songs of all time:



Than you've got the new release, which still continues to get some mixed opinions, I personally thought it was great, especially with the closing track:

Well, there are definitely some bands that I 100% do not like, and there are reasons for it. There'll probably be 95% more like than hate in this thread though.

#99: Nightwish (Anette)

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• Anette does not fit the band at all, especially when a lot of Nightwish fans listen to her with a bias of Tarja's voice.
• They seem like such an unoriginal hard rock band now. It's not favorable or enjoyable.
• The guitarist still shows a lot of talent and passion in his playing, which is nice to hear.
• My chances of seeing Nightwish w/ Tarja perform live are pretty much out the window. Something I would have done in a heartbeat.
• I'll say that Anette does have a nice voice, but it's a voice that would work better with "Anette Solo Albums" or in a band like Flyleaf or an artist like Emilie Autumn. Not a metal band.

There's one song that always comes to mind when I think of Nightwish with Anette, and it's this one:



The song starts off really really good. Exactly what you would expect from Nightwish, if not more. With the heavy guitar riffs and all that. But than Anette starts singing and the feel of the song is just...completely gone. I wish I could enjoy the band again with this vocalist, but she just does not fit. Simple as that.

I agree with both of your picks so far, DT are universally hated on here and since you love Asia, its obvious your going to dig DT like me. I've always said DT are basically a rock band that just added prog and metal elements to their sound.

I saw Dream Theater last year and they put on an incredible show. They looked like they have a blast performing, which is always a good sign.

And yes, I have loved DT for quite some time. I got into them around when they released Systematic Chaos, but eventually worked my way toward their other releases.

Milano, I was looking at doing an album countdown later this year which would have included the likes of BMTH and Alesana amongst other bands prone to prejudice, but I reckon you're way ahead of me on that with your inclusion of Dream Theater.

Will read this with interest as you're a man who knows a good tune.

Its a good album, but I'd still say their best four albums were Images and Words, Awake, Metroplis Pt.2 and Six Degree of Inner Turbulence. As for James LaBrie's voice that is touch and go, he's had a history of problems with it.

I'm glad there is some DT love on here, it seems like a band that's hated on quite often. I used to literally have an obsession with them (basically when I discovered what prog was, and it blew my young and innocent mind away), but I've calmed down a bit since then. As for the albums, I agree with most of your picks, but I really digged the most recent one, and I'd even dare swap it with Awake. There are some weak tracks on it, but I think Breaking all illusions and Outcry make up for it on their own.

Another thing I've noticed about DT is that 2 of their epics are on pretty weak albums (A change of seasons and Octavarium)

BMTH and Alesana will both be included, for sure. I'll probably point out both of their most recent releases as well. Since those are becoming some of my favorite albums in general.

Metropolis, Six Degrees and Images and Words I can agree with. Awake however, not so much. It's not a bad album at all, I can listen to it and still feel the satisfaction I would listening to any other Dream Theater album, but something about that one is a bit..."less" than the other albums. Maybe i'm just being pretentious.

I notice LaBrie's voice takes a bit of a low dive through some songs on Images and Words, but I think he got back in full with the releases of Black Clouds & Silver Linings and the recent A Dramatic Turn of Events. And with the song I posted in the original #100 post, he really belts it out at the end and it really shows how much talent the guy has, vocally.

My best mate keeps trying to get me into Dream Theater and he played an album of theirs a couple of weeks back (can't remember the name unfortunately) and the first track was really good Prog but track 3 or 4 was this god awful ballad with the cheesiest Saxophone ever that just doesn't work on a Metal album. I love the Sax on smoky Jazz tracks or even some Rock tracks but this was like elevator music. He is going to try again and send me some music on a memory stick which he assures me I will like and I will listen to it but they just don't do much for me at all.

I think Octavarium is a very poor album and the low-point of DT. Once upon a time on here, expressing a love for DT would've got you stoned and then banned.

Awake is actually in my top 2 and I'd also say it was their most creative album as well. Really reminds me of the classic Kansas album Point of Know Return, probably their most creative album as well. La Brie really suffered with his voice on the Falling Into Infinity album as before that album he's ripped some vocal chords or some such thing.

Is this it?


I personally don't hate Dream Theater, but I've lost interest in them over the past 2 years. I think that my favorite album from them at the time I liked them was Awake. I might listen to it again later this year.

If you want more of the energetic style, their recent release, A Dramatic Turn of Events is fantastic.

#98: Elliott Smith

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• One of the very few acoustic artists I have come to enjoy.
• Each song and album I have heard from him have had some sort of relation to my life.
• I always feel a deep sadness whenever I read about his death/suicide. And that is a strong thing to feel, especially for a music artist.
• The song "A Fond Farewell" is tattoo'd on my left arm as a tribute to how much I love his music.
• I always find it unfortunate how he let himself go, and I often wonder if he knew how much people truly loved him.
• His music = <3

Elliott Smith has songs that can be played over and over again, and will never get old. At least in my experience. Here's a few:

Waltz #2:


A Fond Farewell


Needle In The Hay

#97: Alesana

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• Surely does the Post-Hardcore genre some justice.
• The Emptiness isn't just an album, it's a story. And a damn good one.
• The mixture of screams and clean vocals with this band in general is absolutely incredible.
• Not only are their songs heavy, they're also extremely catchy. It's been a while since i've heard catchy screamers in a band.
• They're one of those bands where you can be listening to an album of theirs, and you suddenly got through the entire thing. Meaning, their releases are smooth and easy to listen to.
• Some very heart breaking and emotional songs. Definitely good for a post-hardcore band.

Some songs that'd be a good start for someone not familiar with the band:

From The Emptiness:



From On Frail Wings of Vanity and Wax



From their most recent release, A Place Where The Sun Is Silent

Two ****ing awesome artists right there.

For Elliott Smith, everyone definitely needs to listen to Either/Or and XO.

For Alesana, the debut On Frail Wings Of Vanity And Wax and their latest release, the conceptional album 'A Place Where The Sun Is Silent'

^I prefer XO over Figure 8 myself. But both have amazing tracks.

An Introduction To Elliott Smith is pretty damn good as well. Sort of like a compilation album with in my opinion, most if not all his greatest works.

#96: Devin Townsend (Band/Project)

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• Studio production is out of this world.
• His entire discography consists of metal, and easy listening rock ambiance.
• Released two albums in the same year (Ghost & Deconstruction), two different genres, both absolutely phenomenal.
• One of the most underrated vocalist / guitarists / growlers at the moment.
• Every album is top notch. And going from his first to his last, they just get better and better.
• He rocked the skullet. Didn't look half bad.

There are so many songs you should listen to. I probably won't do it much justice, but i'll do my best.

i do quite like Elliot Smith but i only have Either/Or - it's pretty good

Devin I've only heard Strapping Young Lad

You should definitely look into listening to his other projects. They are super fantastic.

Great thread.

Thank you. :thumb:

Well... Until I disagree. Then **** gets real.

We will fight. To the death.

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#95: Opeth

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• Damnation is one of my all time favorite albums.
• I love their mixture of prog and ambiance on some albums, than switch to heavy metal / proggy.
• The vocalist is absolutely amazing. Nuf said.
• They always do something new in each album they release that blows my socks off. No doubt
• One band I would kill to see live. Seriously, i'd do anything.

Some songs off of the Damnation album, which is easily one of their more chill albums, but still a fucking incredible album from front to back.

Look at me on the right, bossing like a boss.

Can we get a band you hate for 94? It's easier to put someone down than it is to compliment them.
Maybe a nice review of why the Arctic Monkeys are ****ing terrible.

They aren't terrible, so that won't happen.

Perhaps. Though I said there'd be more like than dislike. I don't listen to the Arctic Monkeys so that'd be kind of counter productive to my list.

I find myself agreeing with pretty much every band/artist you've posted here. Keep up the good work!

Thank you very much. Comments and feedback are always appreciated.

#94: The Smashing Pumpkins

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• This band was recommended to me with the basis that I would enjoy them. That person was wrong.
• The vocalist is the type of vocalist I cannot stand. That whiny, not within range type of vocalist.
• It's sad when the instruments are the only good part of the band. They should just be an instrumental band.
• The Pineapple Thief have been said to be similar to The Smashing Pumpkins. I don't see it. And I love The Pineapple Thief.
• Simply overrated.

I'll be fair and put one song that I do kind of enjoy off of the Siamese Dreams album:

What the **** milano. I can understand not really loving the Punpkins but only liking 1 song of Siemese Dream is a CRIME. I just bought the reissue of it on viynl. ITS SO GOD GAMNED GOOD!

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...-Sdreissue.jpg

It's just not good for my taste. There are some other songs that I like, but I didn't really find it too much worth mentioning. Cherub Rock is good too, I suppose.

Looking at your last fm your all over the board. Knowing what you would like or not is truly a challenge. Haha 1 is Elliot Smith and 2 is Dream Theatre.

Yeah, I listen to almost everything and I will try anything at least once. Dream Theater was first until I discovered Elliott Smith. That took 2nd place so quick.

Though I like the Pumpkins, I do understand people who claim they can't enjoy the music because of Billy's singing. He's just got one of those love-hate voices.

He's also a colossal douche.