Friday13th: Summer of Prog Elimination Round

Friday13th 07.24.18	Voting ends Thursday. 1 versus 2, 3 versus 4 etc.
Friday13th 07.24.18	I'm voting 2, 4, 5 and 8
TwigTW 07.24.18	here we go...
bgillesp 07.24.18	I can vote for 4 quite easily. 1 ekes out 2 for me and the same goes for 5 over 6 and 8 over 7. I do want to confirm those with another listen though, but you can put me down for 4 certainly since it is my favorite remaining vs my least favorite.
bgillesp 07.24.18	4, 1, and 2 are my favorites left so far.
Divaman 07.24.18	I have one pairing that requires another listen.
Friday13th 07.24.18	@bgill Give all 4 of your votes at the same time, because otherwise it's confusing to count.
Papa Universe 07.24.18	No definitive vote yet, but presuming (from what I remember): 1, 3, 6 and the last pair I won't vote on.
Friday13th 07.24.18	Darn it, Papa haha
bgillesp 07.24.18	I think that Papi likes 8 better. You should flip a coin and assign him a vote despite his refusal
e210013 07.24.18	I have no doubts about 1, 4 and 5. My only doubt is about 7 or 8. I've an idea, but probably I need to listen to both albums again. I'll see it tomorrow.
TheIntruder 07.24.18	I'm voting 1, 4, 5 and 8.
Jethro42 07.24.18	Man, I have to listen to 1 and 2 again. Both rule I know...
Friday13th 07.24.18	Bacio: Intruder Carmen: Friday (1:1) Autumn: Shub: Friday, Intruder (0:2) Gosta: Friday, Intruder Earring: (2:0) Kings: Eden: Friday, Intruder (0:2)
Papa Universe 07.24.18	Okay, I definitely vote for Autumn and Earring so far.
bgillesp 07.25.18	Autumn? Ew
Divaman 07.25.18	Very hard comparing 7 and 8. One is moody and atmospheric, and the other is upbeat and comes right at you.
bgillesp 07.25.18	I agree Diva. I'm certain on voting for Shub and Gosta now. I need to jam Eden and Carmen one more time tomorrow to finalize those
Divaman 07.25.18	OK, I'm ready to vote (but not without some pain). I vote 2, 3, 5, 7
hansoloshotfirst 07.25.18	okay, here we go: 2, 4 , 6, 8
Friday13th 07.25.18	Bacio: Intruder Carmen: Friday, Divaman, hansolo (1:3) Autumn: Divaman Shub: Friday, Intruder, hansolo (1:3) Gosta: Friday, Intruder, Divaman Earring: hansolo (3:1) Kings: Divaman Eden: Friday, Intruder, hansolo (1:3)
Papa Universe 07.25.18	Oi, what about me votes?
Friday13th 07.25.18	Bacio or Carmen? You only said Autumn and Earring.
bgillesp 07.25.18	Gosh darn this is so much harder than last year. Upon relistening to Carmen it has moved up into a tie position with 1. [edit] I spoke too soon as I was not quite done with the album when I said that. Carmen has an advantage for me now by a little. Only need to decide on Eden now
Papa Universe 07.25.18	I know. So you're waiting for me to say all?
Friday13th 07.25.18	yes
bgillesp 07.25.18	4 votes or no votes for Papi
Papa Universe 07.25.18	I'll relisten to 1 and 2 and I won't vote on 7 or 8.
bgillesp 07.25.18	Who else thinks we should ban Papi next year unless he will vote on competition where his album is present
Friday13th 07.25.18	lol I ain't complaining ;)
bgillesp 07.25.18	Shun the nonconformist!
Papa Universe 07.25.18	Jesus, you are one little aggressive cunning authoritarian.
TwigTW 07.25.18	You are like a dog with a bone, Bgill--just won't let it go, lol. It's interesting listening to the albums now after a short rest. They sound more solid and settled... picking between 3 and 4 will be the hardest for me. They're so different, but good in their own way.
bgillesp 07.25.18	Haha, I just like messing with Papi. We go way back (: Anyway, I can confidently vote for 2,4,5,8 now
Papa Universe 07.25.18	Shub is so obviously going to win this. Ugh.
Friday13th 07.25.18	Bacio: Intruder Carmen: Friday, Divaman, hansolo, bgill (1:4) Autumn: Divaman Shub: Friday, Intruder, hansolo, bgill (1:4) Gosta: Friday, Intruder, Divaman, bgill Earring: hansolo (4:1) Kings: Divaman Eden: Friday, Intruder, hansolo, bgill (1:4)
e210013 07.25.18	Now it's time to vote, indeed. I think this my decision exprimes only my most personal feelings in this moment. Still, it represents merely my momentary feelings in this moment. So, here it is: 1, 4, 5 and 7.
Papa Universe 07.25.18	Okay: 1, 3, 6
bgillesp 07.25.18	Shub rules tho Papi (:
Divaman 07.25.18	No. It doesn't.
Papa Universe 07.25.18	[2]
TwigTW 07.25.18	These are the ones I see myself playing the most in the future, so they get my vote: 2, 4, 6 and 8
Divaman 07.25.18	I have a feeling I know what the final pairing is going to be this year. Let's see how it plays out.
bgillesp 07.25.18	Eden v. Shub or Eden v. Carmen will be the final by my bet
Jethro42 07.25.18	@Divaman; And Carmen is one of them.
SCREAM! 07.25.18	1 (toughest choice this round imo) 4 5 8
Divaman 07.25.18	I was actually thinking it's going to wind up Shub vs. Gosta.
Jethro42 07.25.18	Would be exciting :)
Jethro42 07.25.18	i'll listen to Carmen and Bacio once more. I can't decide.
SCREAM! 07.25.18	" was actually thinking it's going to wind up Shub vs. Gosta." Well if that happens it'll be an easy choice ;)
Jethro42 07.25.18	oh! :/
Divaman 07.25.18	Ugh. I mean no disrespect to our friend gagnonov, and I respect you guys enough to know this isn't true. But I find Shub to be so unlistenable that it almost feels like people are saying, "Wow, this album is SO bad, it MUST be a work of genius!" It's like Obe Wan Kenobi used his Jedi mind tricks: "These aren't the droids you're looking for. And Shub-Niggurath is great." (Apologies again, gagnonov. I don't mean to be so negative about your knight.)
Divaman 07.25.18	Although Papa U seems to be immune, heh heh.
bgillesp 07.25.18	I truly love Shub and don't think it's "so bad it's good". I love weird music though
Divaman 07.25.18	I'm not doubting you, gillesp. Everyone has their own taste. You hate my Mostly Autumn, but it's my favorite album still in the tournament (for now). The only one I liked better was Strawbs, which was gone in an instant. I just can't fathom the Shub. (And it's one of those albums that makes my wife look at me like I've lost my mind every time she finds me listening to it for this tournament. It's like she walked in and caught me shooting heroin.)
bgillesp 07.25.18	I don't hate Mostly Autumn. It's just my least favorite in a very strong year for the tourney. I'm shocked it is your favorite remaining when you have it rated at 3.5. I only have 3 of the albums his year below a 4 rating
TwigTW 07.25.18	That's interesting Diva... When I first listened to RIO, Zeuhl and Avant-Prog, I found the genres pretty off-putting too. They sounded like noise to me. But even though I found them somewhat repulsive, there was always something interesting and attractive about them too. So I listened more, and eventually I learned to really appreciate the dissonance, atonality, Noise, Etc... I'd say it's an acquired taste.
Friday13th 07.25.18	Bacio: Intruder, e21, Universe, SCREAM Carmen: Friday, Divaman, hansolo, bgill, Twig (4:5) Autumn: Divaman, Universe Shub: Friday, Intruder, hansolo, bgill, e21, Twig, SCREAM (2:7) Gosta: Friday, Intruder, Divaman, bgill, e21, SCREAM Earring: hansolo, Universe, Twig (6:3) Kings: Divaman, e21 Eden: Friday, Intruder, hansolo, bgill, Twig, SCREAM (2:6)
Jethro42 07.25.18	2,3,5 and 8 Sorry e21, I hope we're still friends. I've just bumped up your album and Carmen to a 4.5, to show you how much I love both of them. I had to make a choice, and that choice was painful.
Friday13th 07.25.18	"it's one of those albums that makes my wife look at me like I've lost my mind every time she finds me listening to it for this tournament. It's like she walked in and caught me shooting heroin." lol I'm not surprised, Diva, and that's quite alright if she's been enjoying the rest of the tourney ;)
Friday13th 07.25.18	Bacio: Intruder, e21, Universe, SCREAM Carmen: Friday, Divaman, hansolo, bgill, Twig, Jethro (4:6) Autumn: Divaman, Universe, Jethro Shub: Friday, Intruder, hansolo, bgill, e21, Twig, SCREAM (3:7) Gosta: Friday, Intruder, Divaman, bgill, e21, SCREAM, Jethro Earring: hansolo, Universe, Twig (7:3) Kings: Divaman, e21 Eden: Friday, Intruder, hansolo, bgill, Twig, SCREAM, Jethro (2:7)
Friday13th 07.25.18	@Jethro Yeah, I definitely like Bacio a lot, but Carmen is still probably my favorite of the tournament. Gosta is up there, though. I'm really hoping for Carmen v. Gosta to end things off.
Jethro42 07.25.18	Out of the eliminated ones, I regret Strawbs and Diagonal. Triana was also pretty good. To be judicious for 1 and 2, I had to forget for a moment about the contrast of both the dark, gloomy nature of Il Bacio and the uplifting, toe-tapping nature of Carmen. The latter gained some points mainly because every songs are beautiful. ''Bullfight'' is my least favorite, but it's still great. Save mine (lol), it's probably my favorite album as well. Eden requires some patience, but when we lean back after several listens, it's really rewarding. So don't underrate your entry, Friday. I'm excited about which ones are going to the finals.
e210013 07.25.18	No problem, Jethro. Friends as always. As you know I love "Carmen". But, sincerely, "Bacio" blown my mind when I listened to it for the first time. It's so emotional lyrically and musically. Besides is a conceptual album and you knoe I love conceptaul albums. "Carmen" is really an amazing and surprising album, very electrifying. But sincerelly, musically isn't so "serious" as "Bacio", is. Is more like a kind of a burlesque and exotic thing. This isn't a negative critic about the album. I love it and I continue thinking that it was one of the best things that appeared on this tourney.
Jethro42 07.26.18	I agree e21, bro. Il Bacio leaves me emotional and is taking me elsewhere. My only gripe is that I feel it's a little bit lenghty and insistent when it comes to the different themes. The building of the music is honest and I believe in it from start to finish. But sometimes it stays to the same riff for a bit long. They coul reduce the jam parts. Carmen is cheerful, enthralling and it makes me feel good. It reminds me of a better version of A.C.T, a modern prog band that takes its influences mainly from Queen, and I'd not be surprised if A.C.T would be influenced by Carmen. I can also hear System of a Down echoes in Carmen here and there, mainly in some vocal harmonies. So you're right, band is not quite serious, but they wanted it that way. e21, bro, there's still hope for your knight. Good luck and again, I'm still sorry...I've re-listened to each albums like 5 times before deciding.
Divaman 07.26.18	e will tell you that I tend to rate low, bgillesp. The only album in the tournament I rated as high as 4 was Strawbs.
Divaman 07.26.18	Actually not so much, Friday, but Shub was the one she hated the most. She's an '80s new wave kind of gal. Which is OK with me, because as you can tell by my reviews, I like that stuff too. She does like Ian Anderson and Jethro Tull somewhat, but she's not really that into prog. She can sometimes enjoy The Moody Blues, and The Who (who I consider as much prog as not). The one prog band I can think of off the top of my head that she's really passionate about is Renaissance. She LOVES Renaissance.
Friday13th 07.26.18	Renaissance is great! I know some guys in the heavy and avant garde camp of prog think Renaissance and Moody Blues are lightweight and horrible, but I'll be dead before big romantic melodies, huge arrangements and soaring vocals aren't my thing.
Divaman 07.26.18	Me too.
bgillesp 07.26.18	I know I haven't ever voted for Il Bacio but it's still my 5th favorite of the tournament (and would have been 3rd last year). It went up against my 4th favorite in round 1 and 3rd in round 2 so bad luck for it in my opinion.
Divaman 07.26.18	After this contest is over, Friday, I'm going to use your lists to backtrack, and listen to the albums from the 2016 tournament and the 2014/15 tournament (before I was on Sputnik), and see how I would have voted compared to what actually happened. These prog tournaments are the best. You do a wonderful job.
Friday13th 07.26.18	@Divaman You are welcome, my man. Unfortunately the first tourney is inaccessible from my list page, so search the Univers Zero band page on here and then you'll find the list "Elite Prog".
Divaman 07.26.18	Think there might be two tournaments missing (they got bumped) from your list section, because in the 2014/2015 one, you welcome everyone to your third tournament. (Or were you counting the psychedelic one as one of the tournaments?)
Friday13th 07.26.18	yes, the psych one with T2 winning was #2
TwigTW 07.26.18	Wow, that was 4 years ago, time flies.
Jethro42 07.26.18	Is this the 4rth contest? Also, Friday, just asking...Can I change my mind for my Carmen's vote? e21 did convince me on a few things about Il Bacio. If I could, I would change it for Il Bacio, but it's probably too late. I don't want to be an outlaw... All the best for Il Bacio.
Jethro42 07.26.18	i ended up prefering 1 over 2, definitely. I feel myself like unstable and silly, but I've said it.
Sabrutin 07.26.18	There's a bit in Erwartung that reminds me of Gentle Giant's Free Hand, it's around 6:13 in the full album video. Just thought I'd add it to the past discussion. I vote 2, 4, 5, 7. I like all of them but I have clear preferences.
Jethro42 07.26.18	WHO WOULD BELIEVE ME NOW THAT MY HANDS ARE FREE, THAT MY HANDS ARE FREE Damn right, Sab. But it's just a little wink.
Sabrutin 07.26.18	Almost had to shout those lyrics.
Divaman 07.26.18	This appears to be the 5th Prog contest, not counting Friday's one Psych contest (so his 6th contest overall).
smaugman 07.26.18	2,3, 6 and 8
Friday13th 07.26.18	Bacio: Intruder, e21, Universe, SCREAM, Jethro Carmen: Friday, Divaman, hansolo, bgill, Twig, Sabrutin, smaugman (5:7) Autumn: Divaman, Universe, Jethro, smaugman Shub: Friday, Intruder, hansolo, bgill, e21, Twig, SCREAM, Sabrutin (4:8) Gosta: Friday, Intruder, Divaman, bgill, e21, SCREAM, Jethro, Sabrutin Earring: hansolo, Universe, Twig, smaugman (8:4) Kings: Divaman, e21, Sabrutin Eden: Friday, Intruder, hansolo, bgill, Twig, SCREAM, Jethro, smaugman (3:8)
e210013 07.26.18	Wah, what a surprise, Jethro. I never expected that. You're always so sure about your choices, like me. Still, in this case I think you did the right thing. With some modesty, in my humble opinion, unlike the previous year when we had an absolutely amazing album, the album of UTO, probably better than the album of my Quarteto, this year, the album of Bacio is the best album of this tournament, by far. This is what I think guys. Don't beat me, please, lol.
bgillesp 07.26.18	Il Bacio is awesome for sure. I'd hate to see it or Carmen go
e210013 07.26.18	By the way, Friday. Tomorrow I'm going to start my usual annual family trip. I'm going abroad for about 2 weeks and as is usual I'm almost disconnected from almost everything in the world. So, I've no free time to this tournament, in those 2 weeks. But, I expect to be here, in time, to celebrate the new winner. So, if you don't mind I'm going to tell you, by order of preference, the albums I prefer on this tournament, in this moment, so that you can consider my future votes. Here they are: - If Bacio wins, my future vote goes to Bacio against Mostly Autumn or Shub-Niggurath. If Carmen wins and is against to Shub-Niggurath, my vote goes to Shub-Niggurath. If Carmen wins and is against to Mostly Autumn, my vote goes to Carmen. - If Gosta Berlings Saga wins, my future vote goes to Gosta Berlings Saga against The Future Kings of England or Eden (GER). If Golden Earring wins and is against to The Future Kings of England, my vote goes to The Future Kings of England. If Golden Earring wins and is against to Eden (GER), my vote goes to Eden (GER). For the last round I hope to be here again. Still, as you can see, my preferences for the first group are, by this order, Bacio and Shub-Niggurath. My preferences for the second group are, by this order too, Gosta Berlings Saga and The Future Kings of England. I would appreciate if you could considered this my request, once I'm in on your tourney, with all my heart and all my soul. I hope I was clear with all what I wrote. As you know I'm not properly an expert in the English language.
Jethro42 07.27.18	Yeah e21, I'm surprised I was asking that service to Friday (thank you man). I've listened once again to Il Bacio, and I finally saw the light. What bogged me earlier was mainly the repetitiveness of its themes, but you're right, it's a concept album so it's all normal. I love everything about that album now. Everything is merged seamlessly, and album can be followed like a good book. And like you said, it's a serious piece of work, compared to the festive nature of Carmen. The latter have grown on me lately. It's a good song based album, but I can see me listen to Il Bacio still more in the future.
Friday13th 07.27.18	@e21 Got it, have fun on your vacation. Do you think you can rank all 8 albums? That might be easier, and I'd just vote for you with the higher ranked album.
Divaman 07.27.18	Some of my prog friends might be interested in this new album that I just reviewed: https://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/77622/A-Flock-of-Seagulls-Ascension/ I've always thought that A Flock of Seagulls had some prog rock tendencies, and they're even more pronounced with the orchestral accompaniment. (And thanks again to Twig for letting me know this was being released.)
wham49 07.27.18	sory thought I had the weekend, 1, 3, 6, 8 are my choices
Friday13th 07.27.18	Bacio: Intruder, e21, Universe, SCREAM, Jethro, wham Carmen: Friday, Divaman, hansolo, bgill, Twig, Sabrutin, smaugman (6:7) Autumn: Divaman, Universe, Jethro, smaugman, wham Shub: Friday, Intruder, hansolo, bgill, e21, Twig, SCREAM, Sabrutin (5:8) Gosta: Friday, Intruder, Divaman, bgill, e21, SCREAM, Jethro, Sabrutin Earring: hansolo, Universe, Twig, smaugman, wham (8:5) Kings: Divaman, e21, Sabrutin Eden: Friday, Intruder, hansolo, bgill, Twig, SCREAM, Jethro, smaugman, wham (3:9)
Friday13th 07.27.18	I was gonna call it, but given Fripper is likely just around the corner and could decide the fate of Bacio and Carmen, we'll wait another day.
zakalwe 07.27.18	2, 3, 6, 8
zakalwe 07.27.18	To go through, not for the chop.
e210013 07.27.18	Ok, here it is my ranking, Friday: 1 - Il Bacio Della Medusa 2 - Shub-Niggurath 3 - Gosta Berlings Saga 4 - Carmen 5 - Mostly Autumn 6- The Future Kings Of England 7 - Eden 8 - Golden Earring Thanks, pal.
e210013 07.27.18	@ Jethro It's the same with me. I don't have the album yet but I'm going to buy it, soon. It's the kind of albums that I can listen to, many times. Like Diva's wife, my wife isn't a real prog fan, too. And even worst, she doesn't understand Italian and in this case the lyrics are very important as a complement to the music to transmit the sadness and despair of the young lover on his descent into hell. But she told me that tears came to her eyes every time I was listening to the album and made her feel sad. So, it proves fully that we are in presence of a very especial and emotional album, almost a perfect piece of art. And one more thing, my friend. Surely it isn't a coincidence that on Progarchives it's, right now, considered as one of the 20 best albums of the Italian Progressive Rock music with 293 ratings and with the average of 4.23. This is an amazing thing for a relatively recent album. Don't you think?
Friday13th 07.27.18	Bacio: Intruder, e21, Universe, SCREAM, Jethro, wham Carmen: Friday, Divaman, hansolo, bgill, Twig, Sabrutin, smaugman, zakalwe (6:8) Autumn: Divaman, Universe, Jethro, smaugman, wham, zakalwe Shub: Friday, Intruder, hansolo, bgill, e21, Twig, SCREAM, Sabrutin (6:8) Gosta: Friday, Intruder, Divaman, bgill, e21, SCREAM, Jethro, Sabrutin Earring: hansolo, Universe, Twig, smaugman, wham, zakalwe (8:6) Kings: Divaman, e21, Sabrutin Eden: Friday, Intruder, hansolo, bgill, Twig, SCREAM, Jethro, smaugman, wham, zakalwe (3:10)
Jethro42 07.27.18	Yeah e21, album is not only worthy of the best Italian albums of the 70s, but it seems to be coming straight out of the glorious 70s prog monsters. It's one of my favorite modern prog piece of art, no doubt. The interplay between violin, flute and keyboards is sensational, and album is quite varied. What a journey! What an achievement! Good vacation, bro! Enjoy!
SCREAM! 07.27.18	@Friday I was about to mention there might be an error since those all add up to 14 except the last one then I remembered Papi Fuckin papi
e210013 07.27.18	Thanks, bro. I hope to have great vacations, indeed.
Papa Universe 07.27.18	Scream, queen!
Divaman 07.27.18	I know. I'm always torn between the fact that PapaU has an absolute right not to vote on his own picks if that's what feels right to him, and the fact that it just SCREWS THE EFF OUT OF MY OCD!
Frippertronics 07.28.18	Quite late am, I? (apologies) Carmen Shub-Niggurath Golden Earring Eden
Divaman 07.28.18	Looks like they're all pretty much decided except for Gosta vs. Earring. Doesn't look like Gagnonov has been on the site much lately. I hate it when people have lives.
Friday13th 07.28.18	Bacio: Intruder, e21, Universe, SCREAM, Jethro, wham Carmen: Friday, Divaman, hansolo, bgill, Twig, Sabrutin, smaugman, zakalwe, Fripper (6:9) Autumn: Divaman, Universe, Jethro, smaugman, wham, zakalwe Shub: Friday, Intruder, hansolo, bgill, e21, Twig, SCREAM, Sabrutin, Fripper (6:9) Gosta: Friday, Intruder, Divaman, bgill, e21, SCREAM, Jethro, Sabrutin Earring: hansolo, Universe, Twig, smaugman, wham, zakalwe, Fripper (8:7) Kings: Divaman, e21, Sabrutin Eden: Friday, Intruder, hansolo, bgill, Twig, SCREAM, Jethro, smaugman, wham, zakalwe, Fripper (3:11)
Friday13th 07.28.18	So Sharktooth says he's dealing with lots of BS "irl" and gagnonov seems to be playing hooky. Tmthy might be able to help, but I don't see him around and don't know if he's heard Gosta. Idk, I feel bad calling the Gosta v. Earring match, but I don't see how we're gonna get out of this pickle.
Friday13th 07.28.18	Okay, I'm calling all four matches. Sorry, Fripper, it was certainly a valiant fight for the books but we're two days behind schedule and we lost a few soldiers.
Jethro42 07.28.18	It was time for the votes to end between Gosta and Earring!...