Jethro42: Prog epic Rd 2

Jethro42 05.16.23	Vote ends May 24th. Good jazzy journey!
porcupinetheater 05.16.23	Oh dear this matchup looks like an uphill battle lol
Jethro42 05.16.23	Yes it is.
Zig 05.17.23	very curious for this round.
kalkwiese 05.17.23	This italo prog album is bonkers. Next is Interpose
Donchivo 05.17.23	Jazzy prog is exactly up my alley! stoked for this!
kalkwiese 05.17.23	Oh wow, Interpose+ rules pretty hard. And some good vocals without that annoying japanese wobble vibrato, which I really appreciate. This round will need some time to let the music sink in
e210013 05.17.23	It seems it's time for my baby against porc's baby. I think it will be a very interesting confrontation. An album from the classic prog era in confrontation with a more modern effort. I agree with Jethro. This is when the symphonics meet jazz rock and jazz rock meets classical and you can get the jazzy prog. But, in the case of Area you need to add one more thing, the experimentation and the avant-garde to it, which is perfectly seen on the last track of "Maledetti", as its name indicates, "Caos". As is always usual with me, and to help those who wants to know more things about Area and "Maledetti", I published a review of the album today. So, be my guest. And as is alwyas usual, comments are very welcome, especially in this case.
kalkwiese 05.17.23	Leaning heavily into a certain direction, but both albums are solid as fuck This tourney starts out strong
Jethro42 05.17.23	@e21, you're right, your knight is full of experimentation and avant-garde, and it makes its charm. I forgot that Area were a 70's prog act. Album could easily be some modern prog. I'm liking both of these albums. Did you write a review because you felt I would have chosen your knight, or it's a coincidence?
e210013 05.17.23	No, lol. It's a coincidence. If you do a retrospective of the past 5 tournaments, those who I participated, you'll see that the album chosen by me had already a review of me or I wrote a review expressly for those tournaments. The objective is show better my knight. You know, it's a mere question of tradtion.
e210013 05.17.23	By the way Jethro, I remembered one thing. In the elimination round we are going to be with the tradition, which means 1v3, 2v4 and so on.
Jethro42 05.17.23	Yeah now that you're saying, I could observe it. It's a good thing to do, and it increase the tourney's quality.
Jethro42 05.17.23	''By the way Jethro, I remembered one thing. In the elimination round we are going to be with the tradition, which means 1v3, 2v4 and so on.'' Yes, it's that way when we are 16 contestants.
e210013 05.17.23	Yeah I think so. Of course if we had 20 candidates it would be probably different. But this isn't the case. I also think it's better.
Jethro42 05.17.23	Agreed. Gonna read your review later in the day. You're right, Maledetti is also funky. That piano, wow, and Demetrio's vocals destroy. I think it's my turn to not voting lol.
e210013 05.17.23	Ok. It would be a huge but fair vengeance. But it would be nice if you voted against mine. Lol.
Jethro42 05.17.23	Hahaha! Would it be funny! It's always hard to vote against you. You always have a tough knight on your hand.
e210013 05.17.23	Look who's talking. You already won for several times. You're a competitive killer. Lol.
TheIntruder 05.17.23	Very curious for this round too.
Jethro42 05.17.23	Lol e21, if you knew the quantity of albums I'm listening to before making my choice. @Intruder, good battle against you, bro. I'm really surprised we were not more tied. And to say the truth, I would not be surprised you would have won over me.
TheIntruder 05.17.23	No hard feelings Jethro. It is life. You was a fair winner. Your album is excellent.
e210013 05.17.23	"Lol e21, if you knew the quantity of albums I'm listening to before making my choice." I just imagine.
Jethro42 05.17.23	Many thanks, Intruder. @e21, again there, it's not a good behaviour. The more I'm listening to them, the more I'm getting confused, and I can ended up choosing a wrong album. Possibilities are there.
e210013 05.17.23	I really think that for guys like us there's no wrong albums. It's essentially a matter of taste and moment. With time and the change of our mood we can see things different sometimes. Besides, in this case and in my opinion, we are in presence of two very different but great proposals. Both deserve to be praised.
e210013 05.17.23	I must need go out now my friend. Tomorrow we'll talk more about the albums, especially about Interpose+, once I already said almost everything I wanted about "Maledetti" on my today's review. It's only a matter of reading it to know what I think.
Jethro42 05.17.23	Always a pleasure to share things with you. Take care, see you soon! I was by a hair to match you with bgillesp, a full Spanish album from 1979, but I changed my mind.
e210013 05.17.23	Ah, ah. It would be interesting too, probably. But I must confess that Spanish album is one I didn't check yet. So, it would be a shot in the dark, for me. On the contrary, I had already checked the Interpose+ album three times before you announced your decision. So, it wasn't a strange thing to me, and I can see why you did that. Both have a certain jazz feel, despite the huge differences.
Jethro42 05.17.23	The Interpose's guitarist reminds me of Alan Holdsworth and/or SBB's. Interpose plays safe, but songwriting is great. Its jazz feel is blended with symphonic prog and good melodies. Maledetti is more adventurous, more ambitious. Piano is fantastic, vocal prowesses are phenomenal. It's funky, experimental and avant gardist, added with jazz rock.
bgillesp 05.17.23	Big sad for 1 not being on Spotify…
Jethro42 05.17.23	Thanks Manosg or anyone from the staff, for the feature.
Donchivo 05.18.23	Wow Interpose+ freaking rules!!!! What a sonic journey, really love it! It has the surreal atmosphere I love in my prog! Gotta give it a few more spins before moving to contestant 2. Stoked for that one too!
manosg 05.18.23	Always a pleasure and wish I could participate in your tourney. Hopefully, I will be able to be more involved in the future.
Jethro42 05.18.23	Would be great... Watch for this every May, manosg. Take note that you can vote any time. You just have to properly vote to both of the albums.
bgillesp 05.18.23	Agree with Don. Interpose surprised me. The first track I was not impressed by but it got better every song for the most part
Jethro42 05.18.23	Maledetti is in a good portion made of random background jazz rock, and avant-gardist music. Its structures are fragile, and while good, songs are rather similar one to another. By chance, the vocals are used as an instrument, because band is short of imagination when it comes to definite instrumentation. Love the short classical piece, and bass and piano overall. I'm far from made my mind. While well done, Interpose is getting old pretty fast, to me.
e210013 05.19.23	About "Interpose+" and on the contrary of porc, I still like of the bombastic side of prog, which is one of the carachteristics of this album. This is an eclectic work with a great level of musicianship and it's very melodic too. The voice is simple and soft, yet beautiful. I can see on it some hints of Yes, Camel, UK and Mahavishnu Orchestra. It's a kind of a cross between the symphonic prog and jazz rock/fusion style. So, it probably will please both the symphonic and jazz rock aficionados.
e210013 05.19.23	About "Maledetti", we are in presence of a work of one of the most adventures and original prog bands ever and one of the most important bands of the 70's Italian prog scene. Their first five albums, the albums with Demetrio Stratos, are all an essential listening to anyone discovering the RPI genre and the prog rock scene in general. About "Maledetti", it's an album in the same vein of their works in the 70's, another avant-garde album in the jazz rock vein. For the connoisseurs of Area it's a cross between "Cation Radiation Area and "Crac!", a cross between the most traditional "Popular Music" and jazz, something between the traditional Mediterranean music (including the Greek and Arabic) and the jazz fusion music including the free jazz. If you want to know more about Area and "Maledetti", I invite you, again, to read my review about that album, written purposely to this tourney. To help understand better the music of Area, we need to read their manifesto about their music written in the 70's: “For Area, composed of five young Italians coming from very different social ambient, the jazz music at this time has lost much of its compositional ability, timeliness and communication. So, the band chose a more advanced form, to exceed what separated the jazz of POPular music. The purpose of the group is to establish a direct impact, as far as possible, in the public, without compromising the dominating essential features of the music”.
Helentroy 05.19.23	Nice informative things. Nice work.
e210013 05.19.23	Thanks, Helen. I already answered you with the comment about my review of "Maledetti".
TheIntruder 05.19.23	Nice to see your points of view about both albums. Always interesting. It is also nice to know the point of view of Area about their music. Thanks.
e210013 05.19.23	Be my guest, dude. It was a pleasure to me. You know, I'm a huge fan of Area too.
zakalwe 05.19.23	Votes in for me I’m going to go with interpose+ and it’s moments of serenity. Area was great but them vocals. Mama Mia.
Jethro42 05.19.23	1:0 zak
e210013 05.19.23	After I've listened for a fourth time "Interpose+" and once I'm going to be very busy in the next weekend, I'm going to vote now too. I don't change my opinion about both albums. Both are great in their own way, but they're two very diferent musical proposals. One, "Interpose+" is a more traditional album with beatiful moments and nice musicanship. However, it doesn't bring anything new to me. We saw that many other times. The other, "Maledetti" is a very audacious work, advanced for the time when it was made. I even dare to say a work of a band with a unique style of music. So, I agree with Jethro when he says that, while well done, "Interpose+" will getting old pretty fast, probably. It comes to my mind a conversation with a friend. When we were talking about some bands and I was saying that they're pretty good he told me one thing. Maybe you're right at the moment, but 50 or 60 years from now nobody will talk of them. But about Zappa, I'm sure that he will be surely remembered. I think he's right, and I'm sure that, in a certain way, we can say the same about Area. So, it must be "Maledetti+".
Jethro42 05.19.23	@zak; Singer's vocals of Area are skilful nevertheless.
Jethro42 05.19.23	Long live Area, really! 1:1 zak e21
Donchivo 05.19.23	My vote goes to interpose+. I am a bit ashamed to say that it seems like I am getting old :Area was a bit too tough to swallow for me, the dissonant parts were too many to outrival an album as strong as Interpose+. Still I think it sounds astonishingly modern for being 45 years old, both music wise and sound wise. Has been Another great matchup. Thanks to both for introducing these bands to me!
Jethro42 05.19.23	2:1 zak Don e21
bgillesp 05.19.23	Oh heck this is gonna be a tough round for me
Jethro42 05.19.23	I'm a jazz rock freak, but If there were more songs like ''Gerontocrazia'' and ''Il Massacro'', I would be more enthusiastic for Maledetti. Album is not diverse and not much consistency, whereas Interpose+ is consistency good and melodious. It's varied and well developed. It's deep and emotive. Instrumental and vocals are well balanced. Guitar sounds like Alan Holdsworth or as SBB, for my happiness. My vote goes to Interpose, even if I feel album is getting old fast.
Jethro42 05.19.23	3:1 zak Don Jethro e21
Koris 05.19.23	I'll submit my vote this weekend Been a fan of Area for quite some time though, so this could be an uphill battle for Interpose. But I'll give both a fair shake :]
Jethro42 05.19.23	I wasn't decided for that one. I'm now comfortable with my choice. YAY
Zig 05.20.23	Demetrio Stratos is the 70s Mike Patton.
Jethro42 05.20.23	Demetrio is skilful, it's true.
Jethro42 05.20.23	He can be dissonant, though.
Jethro42 05.20.23	I did this match up because there were the only one to somewhat fit together. Good luck to both of you, porc and e21.
Koris 05.21.23	So, much to my surprise, I'm actually gonna have to go with Interpose on this one. The way they combine symphonic and jazz elements is fantastic, and yet they still manage to cram so many good hooks in there at the same time. What porc said about the city pop vocals is true as well, and I've been into that sound a lot lately. It seems as though I'm supporting the underdogs a lot during this tournament, lol
Jethro42 05.21.23	Hope it's not another crushed candidate to come... 4:1 zak Don Jethro Koris e21
Sabrutin 05.22.23	Interesting match. Maledetti is cult but not the band's peak. Jamming Interpose now
TheIntruder 05.22.23	I think Interpose is a great album consistent and melodious but compared with Maledetti is not as original and creative. I agree with Sabrutin this is not the band's peak abut still is a cult album. According to my rating I know Maledetti since five years and I am a great fan of the band. Usually I like more of melodious albums. But Area is an exception a very special band for me. So Maledetti.
Jethro42 05.22.23	4:2 zak Don Jethro Koris e21 Intruder
kalkwiese 05.22.23	Interpose for me
SlothcoreSam 05.22.23	Area- Maldetti for me,
Jethro42 05.22.23	5:3 zak Don Jethro Koris kalk e21 Intruder Sloth
Sabrutin 05.22.23	mmh it's true that Maledetti is a bit unfocused, but on the opposite side I feel like Interpose+ stays a bit too close to the "smooth" side of prog even if it tries not to (that guitar solo around 32 minutes in though!). Like a wise man once said: mmmmmm
Zig 05.23.23	Maledetti gets my vote. in contrast with Interpose, which turned out to be a very average and safe prog, Area takes risks and sounds way more interesting to my ears.
Jethro42 05.23.23	5:4 zak Don Jethro Koris kalk e21 Intruder Sloth ZIG
Sabrutin 05.23.23	I will also vote for Area, standing by my previous comment. However I did enjoy both albums and so, since they're now tied, I'll be glad for either one to win the match (and hey it is mostly about obscure entries after all, so Interpose would still be nice to have around).
Helentroy 05.23.23	Interpose has its charm but it must be Area - Maledetti for me too.
Jethro42 05.23.23	5:6 zak Don Jethro Koris kalk e21 Intruder Sloth ZIG Sab Helentroy
Jethro42 05.23.23	Pretty good discoveries to get in this tourney. What a fun ride.
bnelso55 05.23.23	Area definitely gets points from me for being more distinctive. Ultimately, i may come to appreciate them more than Interpose. However, my vote has to go to Interpose for now, even if it's a bit prog by the numbers at times. Their music resonated with me from the outset. Their music has many of the elements that first drew me to the genre.
kalkwiese 05.23.23	"Area definitely gets points from me for being more distinctive. Ultimately, i may come to appreciate them more than Interpose. However, my vote has to go to Interpose for now, even if it's a bit prog by the numbers at times. Their music resonated with me from the outset. Their music has many of the elements that first drew me to the genre." Not sure that Interpose+ is by the numbers, but other than that it's my thoughts exactly
Jethro42 05.23.23	Is it a vote, bnelso cos you said ''Interpose for now''.
bnelso55 05.23.23	Yes, that's my vote. Thanks. And I didn't mean for "by the numbers" to come as derogatory, Kalk. Sorry if it sounded that way. I suppose their sound just seems slightly more conventional to my ears compared with Area. I actually really like both records this round. Interpose just has more of the elements I enjoy most when it comes to prog.
kalkwiese 05.23.23	No need to apologize there, I just wanted to express my agreement ^^' Interpose is more conventional, that's true. But it stands well in its own imo :) Also japanese singing without wobble vibrato? I'm all for that kind of stuff
bnelso55 05.23.23	True! The vocals are a pretty special aspect of the album.
Jethro42 05.23.23	...of both of the albums. 6:6 zak Don Jethro Koris kalk bnelso e21 Intruder Sloth ZIG Sab Helentroy
kalkwiese 05.23.23	Hahaha, love me some interesting vocals tbh :D Whoever wins this, I am happy
Scheumke 05.23.23	Oeeeh this is close. Sorry for my being so late, I'm on holiday in Japan and expected to have way more time to listen to both then I've actually had. That being said I really enjoyed Interpose+ and the jazzy vibes of it. Vocals were tolerable albeit not great for me, but the music was excellent and very fun. Will give Area a spin and will cast my vote later today!
porcupinetheater 05.24.23	Obvi on board for Interpose+, but also on board for Area, so it comes down to a question of degrees. Interpose+ hits a pretty solid emotional core for me, particularly on a track like Dayflower, which start to finish blows me away, even if some of the more fiery progstandard instrumentals come off a tad rote. Area comes in with a really compelling experimentation in sounds, but sometimes feels like a theoretical exercise than something rooted in any tangible emotion, interesting but a bit cold, and without all that much atmosphere. Interesting to see the two matched up because they almost feel like polar opposites to me as far as what they do and how they go about it. Voting for Interpose+ has that little oomph of heart takes it over the edge for me, but Area was a really nice listen and will def by checking out some of their earlier work
Mythodea 05.24.23	I'm casting my vote later today!
Donchivo 05.24.23	wow, this is becoming a nailbiter. An instant classic like Superbowl Eagles vs. Patriots or last years soccer World cup final! Deservedly so with two great albums throwing everything plus the kitchen sink at each other!
Donchivo 05.24.23	hmmm and now I am wondering, if this match up is like France vs. Argentina, does it mean that Jethro is our own Gianni Infantino? :p
Scheumke 05.24.23	My vote goes for Interpose+. Both were really close though and it feels again like picking between two contenders who might both be better then winners in matches to come, who knows.. I thought Area was very distinctive with a unique sound and a lot packed into a short time. It comes down to a personal preference for me, where I'm not really a conneseur of the avant-garde styles of music. Area had quite a lot of moments where I thought "what am I actually hearing?" And though I can certainly appreciate it, I'm not a fan of it.
Jethro42 05.24.23	@Donchivo :p @ Scheumke, good visit to Japan!
Jethro42 05.24.23	8:6 zak Don Jethro Koris kalk bnelso porc Scheumke e21 Intruder Sloth ZIG Sab Helentroy
Jethro42 05.24.23	Still 3 to vote. Everything is still possible.
Mythodea 05.24.23	Interpose+ was very well constructed, and had some really juicy moments, with the Japanese adding value to a mostly "heard-again" album. The musicianship is of course pristine, and most often than not it manages to keep your attention. But I have to give it to Area. Maledetti sounds so vibrant and alive, almost as if it's a drama play unfolding before my eyes. A surreal dream, really. Never expected to hear Greek on an album other than mine (I'm talking about the lyrics on Gerontocrazia ("elder-mania", I suppose) which come from a trad Greek lullaby. Bass is killer, as well, very stompy and present throughout. One of the strongest choices on the tournaments I've participated, feels like it has an infinte amount of ideas to pull from. So, yes, just to be clear: Area - Maledetti. Not even a question
e210013 05.24.23	@ Mith Demetrio speak Greek wasn't a strange thing. Actually he wasn't properly Italian. His origins were Greek, despite he was born in Alexandria, Egypt. His parents were Greeks. When he left Alexandria he went to Nicosia, Cyprus to study. He became linked with Italy because later he went to Milan to study Architecture. His origins became very important to the music of Area with deep influences from the Greek, Arabian and Mediterranean music.
Mythodea 05.24.23	I wonder if there's anything prog-related (even loosely) that you don't know, e21! Alexandria indeed had a large Greek population, and Demetrio's name suggests his greek origins. There are two Greeks named Demetrios, from Alexandria, that left their mark on progressive rock in the '70s, which is not a large number, but it's still weird that it happened twice (the other one of course being the iconic Demis Roussos!)
e210013 05.24.23	Ah, ah. Mith. I'm very flattered with your kind words, but I don't know everything about prog. You have a great connoisseur between us, our great friend and host, Jethro. About Area I must confess that I'm an expert, with some modesty. I know Area since the beginning of my interest with prog. Actually, "Crac!" is my third record of my vinyl collection. I bought it in 1975, when it was published. Still, I knew already their debut and sophomore albums. I even had the chance to see Area live in those years in a Festival in my country. And I can asure you they were an amazing prog live act. Besides, I always felt a very special feeling for them and Demetrio in particular.
Jethro42 05.24.23	Oh! I'm touched e21. Let say we are equally interested in prog :) ''Gerontocrazia'' is the most rich and profound song out of Maledetti, if we don't count the classical piece. Like self-respecting jazz albums, we're in presence of an homogeneous album. But I would like it with more variety, personally.
e210013 05.24.23	You know, and I know you know Area quite well. The only thing I can say is, this is Area.
Jethro42 05.24.23	8:7 zak Don Jethro Koris kalk bnelso porc Scheumke e21 Intruder Sloth ZIG Sab Helentroy Myth
Koris 05.24.23	Glad this is such a tight race compared to the last one. Makes things more interesting :]
Jethro42 05.24.23	@e21; Yes, this is Area. Crac! is such a good album. Full of melodies.
Jethro42 05.24.23	ya right, Koris. I like the matches when they're well balanced. It's my goal.
wham49 05.24.23	I'll go with area
Jethro42 05.24.23	So I let wham and bgillesp until this evening to do an appearance. They can do a difference, so I have no choice to let them coming.
Jethro42 05.24.23	8:8 zak Don Jethro Koris kalk bnelso porc Scheumke e21 Intruder Sloth ZIG Sab Helentroy Myth wham So we got bgillesp as a tiebreaker. My poor friend!
kalkwiese 05.24.23	Oh wow, the tension is constantly high here :D
Jethro42 05.24.23	Hell yeah! It never happened to me being the tiebreaker. I prefer to avoid it, my lord! It's not finished till it's finished.
bgillesp 05.24.23	I’m so sorry, both were great, but I have to go with interpose I think
bgillesp 05.24.23	Sorry for taking so long
kalkwiese 05.24.23	The turn has tabled
Jethro42 05.24.23	Oh! The game is over. Good game to everyone. Bravo! Sorry for my friend e21...
Jethro42 05.24.23	I myself was close to vote for Maledetti. I find it too homogeneous, but hey, that's jazz nature. I would have liked more variety into it. I'm preparing the next match.
porcupinetheater 05.24.23	What a skin of the teeth finish my God Excellent match, e, Maledetti was pretty sweet
Jethro42 05.24.23	A skin of the teeth indeed. Bravo porc. Rd 3 is out.
Mythodea 05.25.23	So far, two rounds in this tournament, I've discovered two amazing prog rock albums that have somewhat rekindled my interest in the genre. Both have lost, but we're all winners here, I guess... Off to the next round!
e210013 05.25.23	Congrats to you porc and luck for the next phase. You brought here an excellent album that surprised me. I'm very glad that I could interest you, and everybody, by a unique and special band. Once you said that probably you'll check their previous works, what is great, you must check their following work too, "1978 - Gli Dei Se Ne Vanno, Gli Arrabbiati Restano!", their last work with Demetrio. All albums with him are great.
Mythodea 05.25.23	good, we'll keep in mind
e210013 05.25.23	That doesn't mean that the other two last albums are bad. I read some positive comments about them but I never had courage to check them. I think both are nice jazz/fusion works. But, you know. For me it's the same to listen to The Doors without Jim Morrison or Queen without Freddy Mercury.
Jethro42 05.25.23	I really like the candidates this year. Rich, original and memorable.
e210013 05.25.23	Yeah, I agree. I think it's an enjoyable and balanced tourney with some nice and interesting proposals.
porcupinetheater 05.25.23	Yeah after hearing the character Demetrio brings to the fold, imagining the band without that presence in my head feels like listening to Can after Damo left. Sure, there’s a good record or two in there, but the magic of it is gone