The Prog & Fusion Album Club

Guybrush · 08-18-2010, 01:18 PM

The response on Close to the Edge has, although somewhat predictably, been a lot better than it has with the earlier albums, so I'm thinking perhaps getting another classic album for next week might be good as well.

So then I'd like to suggest ..

Harmonium - Si on avait besoin d'une cinquième saison (1975)

French Canadian band Harmonium has a short discography of only 3 studio albums. Si on avait.. is their second album and commonly considered their magnum opus. Although not the most obvious pick to newcomers of the genre, the album is still widely appreciated by progheads. To give you an idea of just how much, it currently sits at #14 in progarchives list of the 100 best prog albums throughout the ages which is impressive, I think, considering most of the places above it are filled by the giants of the genre like King Crimson, Jethro Tull, Pink floyd and Genesis who have a lot more albums in their discography and, likely, a lot more fans.

In other words, their ranking in the list is more likely due to the strength of the album rather than people just voting up their favourite band and this record is indeed a good one. Reverby flutes, acoustic guitar, layered harmonious vocals and beautiful melodies is what this album is about. Well, there are some other things thrown into the mix as well of course. Anyways, for a prog album, it is not very challenging, but rather easy to get into and very comfortable on the ears. There are 5 songs in all, each one meant to represent one season with the 5th being the "new" season .. I guess a bit like the fifth element.

Anyways, I guess some here will know this one well and for you who don't, consider this a warm recommendation

debaserr · 08-18-2010, 02:00 PM

that sounds great, i already have that on my computer but I haven't given it a fair shake yet.

Anteater · 08-18-2010, 03:24 PM

Hmn, I've got an interesting suggestion for this week as well, though some might find it a challenge.

Mike Oldfield - Amarok (1990)

Far better than the ever-lauded Tubular Bells IMO, this 60 minute, 1 track effort from the master of ambient-prog is Oldfield's finest moment. Like previous works, Oldfield is responsible for most of the eclectic instrumentation. Worldbeat atmospherics, stabs at synthwork which wouldn't be too far out of place in a Legend of Zelda game, insanely good guitar and bass and loads of percussion are but a few of the things you'll hear in Amarok, but such is but a modest overview of how grand this suite is and I couldn't do it justice in 10 paragraphs, much less this one.

But basically, this is top class world-prog. fusion, and one of the 90's Holy Grails of prog. for those interested, so hope a few of you give it a whirl. xD

Guybrush · 08-18-2010, 03:29 PM

Brilliant suggestion Ants

I'll set up a poll tomorrow so if anyone else have any ideas, be quick or they'll get pushed back to next week's poll!

Guybrush · 08-19-2010, 10:43 AM

Homework poll is up! Vote for the album you would like to have as next week's homework assignment

http://www.musicbanter.com/prog-psyc...week-34-a.html

Guybrush · 08-23-2010, 07:30 AM

Aaaaaaaaight hombrès. You and the poll has spoken. Here's this week's homework :

Quote:

Originally Posted by tore

The response on Close to the Edge has, although somewhat predictably, been a lot better than it has with the earlier albums, so I'm thinking perhaps getting another classic album for next week might be good as well.

So then I'd like to suggest ..

Harmonium - Si on avait besoin d'une cinquième saison (1975)

French Canadian band Harmonium has a short discography of only 3 studio albums. Si on avait.. is their second album and commonly considered their magnum opus. Although not the most obvious pick to newcomers of the genre, the album is still widely appreciated by progheads. To give you an idea of just how much, it currently sits at #14 in progarchives list of the 100 best prog albums throughout the ages which is impressive, I think, considering most of the places above it are filled by the giants of the genre like King Crimson, Jethro Tull, Pink floyd and Genesis who have a lot more albums in their discography and, likely, a lot more fans.

In other words, their ranking in the list is more likely due to the strength of the album rather than people just voting up their favourite band and this record is indeed a good one. Reverby flutes, acoustic guitar, layered harmonious vocals and beautiful melodies is what this album is about. Well, there are some other things thrown into the mix as well of course. Anyways, for a prog album, it is not very challenging, but rather easy to get into and very comfortable on the ears. There are 5 songs in all, each one meant to represent one season with the 5th being the "new" season .. I guess a bit like the fifth element.

Anyways, I guess some here will know this one well and for you who don't, consider this a warm recommendation

And for those who'd like to discuss last week's homework, I've made the discussion thread!

http://www.musicbanter.com/jazz-blue...on-1971-a.html

Now, for thursday's poll, I'm just gonna put in all suggestions that we didn't listen to in the other weeks .. Stuff like King Crimson's Lizard, Dün, Return to Forever and Mike Oldfield's Amorok. If you have any other suggestions, I will be happy to include those as well. Just do a little write-up so people know what they're voting for!

~~James~~ · 08-23-2010, 03:01 PM

I was gonna do a writeup as well but if Dun is up again i'll leave it.

Guybrush · 08-23-2010, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James

I was gonna do a writeup as well but if Dun is up again i'll leave it.

No, if you want to, you should do one

The more the merrier .. I'm thinking of doing another myself.

~~James~~ · 08-23-2010, 03:53 PM

Well i'd like to see Dun win, so i'll do my other next week.

debaserr · 08-26-2010, 07:28 PM

is someone taking over this thread?

08-18-2010, 01:18 PM	#71 (permalink)
Guybrush Juicious Maximus III Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Scabb Island Posts: 6,525	The response on Close to the Edge has, although somewhat predictably, been a lot better than it has with the earlier albums, so I'm thinking perhaps getting another classic album for next week might be good as well. So then I'd like to suggest .. Harmonium - Si on avait besoin d'une cinquième saison (1975) French Canadian band Harmonium has a short discography of only 3 studio albums. Si on avait.. is their second album and commonly considered their magnum opus. Although not the most obvious pick to newcomers of the genre, the album is still widely appreciated by progheads. To give you an idea of just how much, it currently sits at #14 in progarchives list of the 100 best prog albums throughout the ages which is impressive, I think, considering most of the places above it are filled by the giants of the genre like King Crimson, Jethro Tull, Pink floyd and Genesis who have a lot more albums in their discography and, likely, a lot more fans. In other words, their ranking in the list is more likely due to the strength of the album rather than people just voting up their favourite band and this record is indeed a good one. Reverby flutes, acoustic guitar, layered harmonious vocals and beautiful melodies is what this album is about. Well, there are some other things thrown into the mix as well of course. Anyways, for a prog album, it is not very challenging, but rather easy to get into and very comfortable on the ears. There are 5 songs in all, each one meant to represent one season with the 5th being the "new" season .. I guess a bit like the fifth element. Anyways, I guess some here will know this one well and for you who don't, consider this a warm recommendation __________________ Something Completely Different

08-18-2010, 02:00 PM	#72 (permalink)
debaserr eat the masters Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 5,470	that sounds great, i already have that on my computer but I haven't given it a fair shake yet. __________________ Last.FM

08-18-2010, 03:29 PM	#74 (permalink)
Guybrush Juicious Maximus III Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Scabb Island Posts: 6,525	Brilliant suggestion Ants I'll set up a poll tomorrow so if anyone else have any ideas, be quick or they'll get pushed back to next week's poll! __________________ Something Completely Different

08-19-2010, 10:43 AM	#75 (permalink)
Guybrush Juicious Maximus III Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Scabb Island Posts: 6,525	Homework poll is up! Vote for the album you would like to have as next week's homework assignment http://www.musicbanter.com/prog-psyc...week-34-a.html __________________ Something Completely Different

08-26-2010, 07:28 PM	#80 (permalink)
debaserr eat the masters Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 5,470	is someone taking over this thread? __________________ Last.FM

08-23-2010, 03:01 PM	#77 (permalink)
~~James~~ Account Disabled Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Scotland Posts: 4,483	I was gonna do a writeup as well but if Dun is up again i'll leave it.

08-23-2010, 03:53 PM	#79 (permalink)
~~James~~ Account Disabled Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Scotland Posts: 4,483	Well i'd like to see Dun win, so i'll do my other next week.