Friday13th: Prog On Discovery M7

Friday13th 06.27.19	Voting ends next Thursday (one week)!
Papa Universe 06.27.19	tactical dot deployed: •
Jethro42 06.27.19	Bump!
SharkTooth 06.27.19	both of these look great can't wait to check 'em out
e210013 06.27.19	It was what I thought. These two albums in confront. I'm very curious about both, since I never checked them before. I hope that it can be a very interesting and pleasant journey.
Divaman 06.27.19	I'm not going to ask Papa U about the damned tactical dot. I'm not going to ask Papa U about the damned tactical dot. I'm not going to ask Papa U about the damned tactical dot. I'm not going to ask Papa U about the damned tactical dot. I'm not going to ask Papa U about the damned tactical dot. I'm not going to ask Papa U about the damned tactical dot. I'm not going to ask Papa U about the damned tactical dot. I'm not going to ask Papa U about the damned tactical dot.
TwigTW 06.27.19	Hey that's me! You might want to give the 27 minute song a spin First, by itself, before listening to the whole album ...just a suggestion.
Jethro42 06.27.19	I've listened once to Evership last week, and I can say I dig it a lot.
TwigTW 06.27.19	Good to hear, Jethro ...I hope you guys get a kick out of it.
Papa Universe 06.27.19	just take it, Diva, it's yours • I've got plenty
Divaman 06.27.19	I've noticed.
Divaman 06.28.19	After one listen, I've got a fairly clear preference. We'll try them both again tomorrow. Really wish they were both on Youtube, though. That's much easier for me.
e210013 06.28.19	Unlike my friend Diva, after one listen of both albums, I'm a bit divided and I've not a fairly clear preference, really. Both are great in their own way. Definitely I need to check them some more times.
e210013 06.28.19	I didn't know that you had already reviewed this album in 2015 Sab. I only saw that in this moment. I was a recent member of Sputnik in those times. I became member only in the end of July and your review is from the beginning of August. Still, I read it now. And I can tell you that you did a nice review my friend. So, pos, despite be late.
e210013 06.28.19	I mean the Spettri album of course.
bgillesp 06.28.19	Need to check both of these this time. Oof. Been a busy week
Jethro42 06.28.19	My favorite songs tend to be in one of them. I need to give some more spins to be sure. Once again, good matchup, Friday!
Papa Universe 06.29.19	Evership is like Ghost meets King Crimson.
Papa Universe 06.29.19	Spettri feels, in many respects, like a live album, both in production and in the fact that a lot of the things here just sound off and undercooked (y'know, the mild bloopers you'd expect at a live show). My vote goes to Evership.
bgillesp 06.29.19	Another tough one but I gotta go with 1. NO JOKES ALLOWED IN THE SERIOUS ROOOOOOOM!!!!
Zig 06.29.19	Since I don't have a Spotify account so I'm unable to listen to 2973, I'll abstain from voting on this one.
SharkTooth 06.29.19	I'll start listening on tuesday got too much going on this weekend
Divaman 06.29.19	Zig, you know you can get a free Spotify account, right?
Divaman 06.30.19	After a second listen I still prefer the same album, but it's a little closer.
Friday13th 06.30.19	Evership sounds like a more Neo-prog version of Steven Wilson/Porcupine Tree to me. Good melodies, though a bit more modern sounding than expected.
TwigTW 06.30.19	Evership makes me think of bands like Styx and Queen, but... after I wrote that description, I started noticing the neo-prog influences. It's not the pure 70s throwback my blurb would have you believe.
Jethro42 06.30.19	''The Serious Room'' automatically reminded me of Porcupine Tree, so I agree with you Friday. Evership makes me think a lot of the neo-prog act Comedy Of Errors (mainly their first three albums), and it's a good thing. Spettri is not bad, it's better with each listens but I think their metal elements are not necessary and don't fit the overall sober nature.
Jethro42 06.30.19	And for Spettri, there are nervous, jerky (saccadé in French) patterns everywhere. Not much variety in that department. @Twig, I've also noticed some Styx similarities especially in the vocals, but also for the key's choices. I have more pleasure to listen to Evership, so there goes my vote.
Friday13th 07.01.19	It's a close call but I'm giving my vote to Spettri. It has more energy and I like heaviness. Sounds like ELP/King Crimson at their heaviest. Evership is good too and might have voted for it if in a different mood, but right now it's pretty and memorable in spots, but a bit dull in other spots. 1:1 Jethro Friday
Divaman 07.01.19	I'm ready to vote. I liked the Evership album overall, although I found that I liked "The Serious Room" and the first half of "Island of the Broken Tree" much more than I liked the rest of the album. Like Friday, I also feel that it's a little dull in some of the other spots. I found that the Spettri album sounded varied and colorful throughout. At times it rocks out. At other times it's slow and lovely. I also liked the obvious Keith Emerson influence evident in the keyboards. There are parts of the album that feel like they could have been missing cuts from Tarkus. And that last instrumental track is exquisite. I'll probably buy the Evership track "The Serious Room" for download. However, my vote goes to Spettri.
e210013 07.01.19	After a second listening I think I've a preference. Let's check them again to confirm that.
Friday13th 07.01.19	1:2 Jethro Friday Divaman
Jethro42 07.01.19	Papa did vote for Evership, Friday bro.
Friday13th 07.01.19	My bad 2:2 Jethro Papa Friday Divaman
Sabrutin 07.01.19	Sorry for the silence in this week. I'll listen to Spettri now and see if it still holds up. "I can tell you that you did a nice review my friend" thank you!
Scheumke 07.02.19	Another two that I enjoyed a lot! I have to say though, I've enjoyed Evership most of all the albums in this competition so far. It really clicked with me on first listen and it's something I'll definitely spin more in the future. My vote goes to Evership!
neekafat 07.02.19	how does this tourney work again?
Scheumke 07.02.19	You listen to both and vote for your favorite. Winners advance to the next round until one is crowned winner. I guess that's it basically.
bgillesp 07.02.19	Like a normal bracket tourney. Also..... bump
TwigTW 07.02.19	I love Italian prog. The Spettri had me seriously considering voting against my own entry, but in the end Evership edged it out... My vote goes to Evership II.
e210013 07.02.19	This is a very tough one, the most tough of all till now, to me. Still, I continue with a favourite one, till now, after three listenings. As usual I need one more listening of both albums to take my final decision. Tomorrow will be the day of my final decision.
e210013 07.02.19	Another great match Friday. You know how to put our options in the right places. My sincere compliments, really.
Friday13th 07.02.19	4:2 Jethro Papa Scheumke Twig Friday Divaman
Friday13th 07.02.19	@e21 glad you're enjoying it! Looking forward to hearing your thoughts.
neekafat 07.02.19	Seems like a fun comp, glad y'all seem to enjoy it so much (:
Divaman 07.02.19	Friday, you are the man. Neeka, you're still allowed to vote on a round, as long as you listen to both albums. You don't have to have been here from the beginning.
e210013 07.02.19	@ Friday Patience my friend, patience. lol. And yes, you're the man.
hansoloshotfirst 07.02.19	I vote for 2.
Jethro42 07.02.19	Pettri has grown on me lately, but I still prefer Evership. I still believe that Pettri could do without being heavy. I feel like they added the heavy parts at the last minute. The first riff of the first song has its charm. It evokes to me a sort of 21st Century Schizoid Man (La Nemica too) but it changes the direction with the vocals. Ok songs, but I prefer the trio ''La Nave'', ''La Profezia'' and ''Onda Di Fuoco''. The second part of the album is less consistent. L'Approdo reminds me (too much) of a Jethro Tull' mixt of ''Bourée'' meets ''Elegy''. Overall, what I dislike the most, it's most of the instrumental punches and patterns...They're all the same almost all of the time. Evership doesn't have a weak song, but I must confess some songs such as ''Real or Imagined'' could use of more work, but every songs have enjoyable moments.
Friday13th 07.02.19	4:3 Jethro Papa Scheumke Twig Friday Divaman hansolo
e210013 07.02.19	"Overall, what I dislike the most, it's most of the instrumental punches and patterns...They're all the same almost all of the time." You mustn't forget my friend that we are talking about a concept album. So, the main theme is a recurrent theme, in general.
Jethro42 07.02.19	I have nothing against the recurrent themes. I'd only be able to explain it in French, but I'll try :) According to me, the drummer is limited in his execution, so he's doing the same punch beats (''chops'' in drummer language) all the time, and so the other musicians naturally imit the drummer. So i have something against the poor chops all over the place. Ya know; Dadou dadou dadou...Dadou dadou dadou (from the drummer and the band) again and again. Poor drumming and overall arrangements if you will.
e210013 07.02.19	Ok. I'm going to pay more attention in the next time. I forget that you're a lover and a "connoisseur" of drumming.
Jethro42 07.03.19	I mean he basically knows how to play drums, but he's restraint and redundant, and the musicians are all adapting their playing to his limited capability. That's what I feel, maybe it's just me :)
e210013 07.03.19	Ok my friend, we talk more tomorrow. You know, it's more than 1 o'clock in the morning here. So, it's time to bed. We are no longer young enough to be awake till so late. Alors, bonsoir pour vous et bonne nuit pour moi. Lol.
Jethro42 07.03.19	Bonne nuit, et fais de beaux rêves, mon ami!
e210013 07.03.19	Il même pour toi mon ami.
Jethro42 07.03.19	Muito obrigado!
e210013 07.03.19	Oops. I think it's better: La même chose pour toi, mon ami.
e210013 07.03.19	I'm very glad to see these two sub-genres of prog in confrontation here, I mean the neo-prog and RPI. As you know, many prog fans dislike neo-prog saying this is a rubbish style, very pompous and empty. Many others dislike RPI because its lyrics are, in genaral, in Italian. Sincerelly I don't share those opinions. So, thank you Twig and Sab. This was really a tough journey. And thank to you too Friday. As Diva said, you're the man. So, after 4 auditions of both albums here is my verdict: Evership - Evership II: This is a great album, a true surprise for me. I didn't expect a so good symphonic prog album by an American band. As you know, symphonic isn't the most common style of prog by American bands, in general. This is an album without weak points very well ballanced. We can say that it's a pleasure to listen it from the start to the end. I can see clear influences of Yes and some of Styx. However, I agree with my friend Diva. "The Serious Room" and "Island Of The Broken Tree" are two really amazing tracks. "Monomyth" is also great. Pity is that the other two tracks are a bit less good. But overall it's really a great album. Spettri - 2973 La Nemica Dei Ricordi: This was another big surprise for me. I never heard anything about this band, which has a very curious story. The album is a mix of various prog styles and influences. It comes to my mind Deep Purple, Black Sabbath, ELP and Uriah Heep, besides many RPI bands, mainly due to to the Hammond organ work. I can see also some VDDG association due to some saxophone and flute works that fit very well. This is a concept album and you know how I love concept albums. Besides, I love its heaviness put in the right mesure. "Il Delfino Bianco" is very beautiful and I love the way the album finish with a medieval folk touch. "Evership II" is like a gorgeous woman. No matter how many times we are with her, she is always her without changes, a faithfull woman without any kind of surpries, a reliable woman. "2973 La Nemica Dei Ricordi" is also a gorgeous woman, maybe less gorgeous, but in which every time we are with, she can always bring to us something new, something surprising and exiting. And I prefer the surprising and the excitement. So, I decided to rate both albums with 4.0, till now. "Evership II" is stable and a solid 4.0 but "2973 La Nemica Dei Ricordi" can continue growing on me and bump to a 4.5. I'll see it. So, I'm sorry Twig, my friend, this time I'm with our friend Sab. My vote goes to "2973 La Nemica Dei Ricordi".
TwigTW 07.03.19	let the best album win!
e210013 07.03.19	Absolutely my friend. And both are great in its own way. But as you know, this is only a question of personal taste.
Sabrutin 07.03.19	Really glad to see some love for Spettri! Still not the most proficient band (but a lot better than their debut!) but they deserve some appreciation for the Sabbathy style. They are also recording the third album, I think. Oh wow the first two tracks of Evership are really nice.
Friday13th 07.03.19	4:4 Jethro Papa Scheumke Twig Friday Divaman hansolo e21
e210013 07.03.19	Yes Sab, the first two and the last track are excellent. Unfortunately the third and fourth tracks have a bit lower quality, for my taste.
Sabrutin 07.03.19	I agree but the final suite really remedies for that. I've made a decision; casually I'd likely reach for Spettri rather than Evership, but in the context of the tournament I will vote for Evership II.
Friday13th 07.03.19	Uh oh, Sabrutin has abandoned ship to board the Evership! ;) 5:4 Jethro Papa Scheumke Twig Sabrutin Friday Divaman hansolo e21
Jethro42 07.03.19	Courageous Sab!...Just because of that, I hope this match will be tight till its ending.
Sabrutin 07.03.19	Bit of an impulsive decision (and I do have some regrets haha) but I thought that maybe Evership is a better choice for how big and balanced it feels. The vocal melodies make me think of alternative rock but the catchiness is combined with some undisputable prog rock goodness, it feels pleasantly modern but still "true". And well I really appreciated the final track, not bad at all for being 30 minutes.
SharkTooth 07.03.19	Listening to 1 for the 1st time I like what I'm hearing Sorry for being late but busy week
SharkTooth 07.03.19	The Serious Room gives me motorpsycho vibes
Jethro42 07.03.19	@Sabrutin; I guess the first decision is the best. And yes, neo-prog can feel ilke alternative rock at some point. Evership might be influenced by Comedy of Errors. It's my personal opinion. Don't you agree? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Q9HvPjWTcM https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RTsAvIMaK9M
Jethro42 07.03.19	@Sharktooth; Maybe, but song is really reminiscent of Steven Wilson.
e210013 07.03.19	"Evership is a better choice for how big and balanced it feels." That is my main problem with the album, some lack of balance in confrontation with the other.
Jethro42 07.03.19	@e21; Well, ''Real or Imagined'' is better past the first 3 minutes. ''Wanderer'' could be a good UK song the way it starts, and it turns out to be a pretty good ballad. So the more I look at it, the more I like it, Adrian Belew would say. Also, I like the allegory you've made between women and albums. Good analysis overall!...pos'd hard!
SharkTooth 07.03.19	I'm feeling between a 3.5 to a light 4 on Evership good record but had a coupla weakspots
e210013 07.04.19	"Also, I like the allegory you've made between women and albums. Good analysis overall!...pos'd hard!" Thanks my friend. The humour must be always welcome, I think.
Sabrutin 07.04.19	"Evership might be influenced by Comedy of Errors. It's my personal opinion. Don't you agree?" I can see it, they both sound like a careful blend of old and modern without falling completely in any of the two. There's some Yes in both voices too. I should properly check the album from which you took those two songs, by the way. "The Serious Room gives me motorpsycho vibes" Monomyth reminded me of the song Barleycorn. "That is my main problem with the album, some lack of balance in confrontation with the other." I agree that songs 3 and 4 are weaker than the rest.
Jethro42 07.04.19	@Sab, I'd go chronogically. The songs on Disobey are more elaborate, catchy and easier to absorb. Fanfare and Fantasy has long songs that are not all the time well balanced, but there are good moments in each of them. i have to relisten to Spirit that I've rated at a 4. House of the Mind is the one i've listened to the least, and I don't remember much of it. Great band indeed.
e210013 07.04.19	I've heard good things about that band, but I never had the opportunity and time to listen it, really. Soon that I've some free time, I need to do that.
Jethro42 07.04.19	^^Album Spirit is a concept album, more atmospheric in the vein of later Anathema. @e21, Comedy of Errors are in many points similar to Evership, but they are more keyboard's driven, more symphonic prog. Very melodic, you will find plenty of enjoyable moments, I assure you. Try Disobey, and if you like it, go for Fanfare and Fantasy.
Jethro42 07.04.19	Salute to the USA! Good Independence Day!
e210013 07.04.19	Thanks for the info Jethro.
Friday13th 07.05.19	Thanks, Jethro! Happy Independence Day, no offense to my English proggers ;) Yeah we have fireworks going off like mad around here! Hard to jam prog. I think we're gonna have to wait a day till we get all the votes.
Divaman 07.05.19	>Happy Independence Day, no offense to my English proggers ;) -- Ah, they don't even miss us.
bgillesp 07.05.19	I voted for 1 last week btw
Friday13th 07.05.19	oops, missed that! 6:4 bgillesp Jethro Papa Scheumke Twig Sabrutin Friday Divaman hansolo e21
wham49 07.06.19	sorry late, but was time well spent, was up in the north woods, and visited one of my fave record stores, that I get to once a year this year. The haul this year would not be out of place in this tourney Grobschnitt/ rockpommels island the seeds/ the seeds IM Boot London (86) Renaissance/ashes are burning Aura/aura Ian Dury/ new boots and panties oh, I vote 1 Focus/ hambergr concerto
Friday13th 07.06.19	Some good stuff in there, wham! 7:4 bgillesp Jethro Papa Scheumke Twig Sabrutin wham Friday Divaman hansolo e21
e210013 07.06.19	Yeah wham, nice albums indeed. Grobschnitt-Rockpommel's Land, (I suppose, not Island), Renaissance-Ashes Are Burning, Focus- Hamburger Concerto, and out of prog, Ian Dury-New Boots And Panties are all great purchases. Congratulations. By the way, do you bought them in vinyl or CD format?
wham49 07.06.19	vinyl, could have spent 500 dollars in their they had more Aura, Gobschnitt, had Warrior on the edge of time, Gong, Can, that Witchfinder General and others, Was hoping they still had the Eloy I left there last year, all very clean and of high quality, except the Iron Maiden boot that is a little scratchy but great show form their prime, and well recorded, not muddled at all, they closed with Sancuary which I thought odd for that time, but very cool
e210013 07.06.19	Ok, nice wham. Great stuff,really.
Divaman 07.06.19	I've moved on to the next round, since it's obvious what the matchup is going to be - there are only two albums left. All I can say is, "Ho boy!" One of these albums is going to get me in trouble with my wife again.
Sabrutin 07.06.19	@Jethro: I noticed CoE have some demos from the 80s, interesting fact. Anyway, I enjoyed those songs you linked, so I'll keep in mind the albums Disobey & Fanfare and Fantasy.
Jethro42 07.06.19	@Sab, I've not got round the demos from the 80s because it's all they did before they broke up, and I've read somewhere that back then, they took their biggest inspiration from bands such as Marillion and IQ. On the other hand, when the band reunited for the best in the 2010's, they finally found their own sound and identity, leaning towards symphonic prog, art rock and even pastoral, classical snippets for Spirit. Don't miss Spirit, it's intended to be approached as a complete epic song about life and death. It's my 3rd favorite, so chronologically is the way to go. Cheers!
Casavir 07.06.19	Going with Evership on this one.
Friday13th 07.07.19	8-4 bgillesp Jethro Papa Scheumke Twig Sabrutin wham Casavir Friday Divaman hansolo e21 I'm calling this one. Evership wins! One more discovery match and we're done!
TwigTW 07.07.19	The Spettri is great. Surprised Evership came out ahead of it--pleasantly surprised, but surprised.
e210013 07.08.19	Yeah, both albums are great, but only one could go ahead. Let's go to the last discovery.