YTSEJAM Digest 5513

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Date: Sun Jun 18 2000 - 12:56:49 EDT

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                                YTSEJAM Digest 5513

    Today's Topics:

      1) Re: Devin Townsend
     by "Michael Pruchnicki (DE)" <michael.pruchnicki@computec.de>
      2) Re: Devin Townsend
     by "Korg Ecksthrey" <korgx3@safelink.net>
      3) 3" Tears CD
     by Scott Hansen <schansen@cts.com>
      4) Ayreon
     by Andreas Skarin - SDTS <sdts@sdts.nu>
      5) Questions Regarding Nightwish "Angels Fall First"
     by MTeiper@aol.com
      6) guitar help?
     by "Tim Detman" <td4235@ship.edu>
      7) Dixie Dregs
     by Dan Costello <axeman_dannl@juno.com>
      8) I fart in your general direction!!!
     by Dan Costello <axeman_dannl@juno.com>
      9) dreamtheater.org
     by Dan Costello <axeman_dannl@juno.com>
     10) Re: guitar help?
     by "Korg Ecksthrey" <korgx3@safelink.net>
     11) Re: YTSEJAM digest 5510
     by Bm2112dt@aol.com
     12) Caddyshack
     by "chahram riazi" <cr79@hotmail.com>
     13) Re: Questions Regarding Nightwish "Angels Fall First"
     by graham@renegade2K.com
     14) Fates Warning - Disconnected
     by graham@renegade2K.com
     15) Re: Rock Discipline/Concept Album
     by EvoReaper@aol.com
     16) Special request
     by Pam Nazer <mnazer@pressenter.com>
     17) Re: YTSEJAM digest 5512
     by "Ricardo Testa" <ricardotesta@hotmail.com>
     18) DT Boot artwork
     by Totikus <totikus@gmx.net>
     19) Re: Questions Regarding Nightwish "Angels Fall First"
     by "Korg Ecksthrey" <korgx3@safelink.net>
     20) RE: Questions Regarding Nightwish "Angels Fall First"
     by David Dixon <dixon@iisweb.com>
     21) RE: Questions Regarding Nightwish "Angels Fall First"
     by "Souter, Jan-Michael" <JSouter@healthaxis.com>
     22) Transatlantic DC show - where are we gathering?
     by "HJ Rivera" <hrivera@crp.org>
     23) Can't get enough of them X bands
     by Adam M Cook <ac003i@mail.rochester.edu>

    ----------------------------------------------------------------------

    Date: Sun, 18 Jun 2000 23:56:49 +0200
    From: "Michael Pruchnicki (DE)" <michael.pruchnicki@computec.de>
    To: "'ytsejam@torchsong.com'" <ytsejam@torchsong.com>
    Subject: Re: Devin Townsend
    Message-ID: <A1205194D0DAD2119B05006097B4030872E8F4@fileserver2>

    > I picked up "infinity" the other day, and although I havn't given it too
    > many listenings, I find it pretty 'noisy'.
    > Maybe it'll grow...
    > And, is "Ocean Machine" much better? (I've heard positive words on this
    > before)

    Ocean Machine is - IMHO - one of the best albums ever made, period.

    - Mike

    ------------------------------

    Date: Sun, 18 Jun 2000 17:37:13 -0600
    From: "Korg Ecksthrey" <korgx3@safelink.net>
    To: <ytsejam@torchsong.com>
    Subject: Re: Devin Townsend
    Message-ID: <001201bfd97e$28f5d750$880d84d0@default>

    > I picked up "infinity" the other day, and although I havn't given it
    > many listenings, I find it pretty 'noisy'.

    That's kind of the problem with that album. It's very "full." I'd say
    that is one of those albums that is probably reserved for the DevTown
    junkies. It's really weird, but lets you in on what a real genius Dev
    really is. :)

    > Ocean Machine is - IMHO - one of the best albums ever made, period.

    I absolutely agree, 100%. There are few pieces of work that can hold a
    candle to that masterpiece. If we could only get everyone to listen to
    it, world peace would ensue. ;) Strangely, though, I haven't heard a
    bad review of it yet that I can remember.

    --
    KorgX3 is hooked on Physicist, too.  Dev is the king of melodic metal.
    

    ------------------------------

    Date: Sun, 18 Jun 2000 17:27:12 -0700 From: Scott Hansen <schansen@cts.com> To: <ytsejam@torchsong.com> Subject: 3" Tears CD Message-ID: <B572B6F0.256%schansen@cts.com>

    Kroggy rote: > *covets his Awake import with the 3" Eve single* I've still yet to know > whether the rumor of there being a 3" CD with a cover of Rush's Tears > exists. *shrugs*

    Heh heh - I got my Eve 3" as well. :)

    About the Tears 3", I know it exists, tho I myself don't have a copy of it. I remember MP saying he had a hard time getting a copy of it but he finally got 2 copies of it. The French DT fanclub website has a pretty extensive discography, including a scanned image of the Tears 3" at http://yourmajesty.free.fr/multimedia/discographie/promo/Acos/tears.html

    Scott

    ------------------------------

    Date: Mon, 19 Jun 2000 03:51:39 +0200 From: Andreas Skarin - SDTS <sdts@sdts.nu> To: Ytsejam list <ytsejam@torchsong.com> Subject: Ayreon Message-ID: <394D7CAB.A17673BE@sdts.nu>

    I've just finished listening to the new Ayreon discs, and I just wanted to drop a quick note to everyone.

    Priority no. 1: Get these discs ASAP! I'm speechless! (well, almost) -- Andreas Skarin Svenska Dream Theater S=E4llskapet http://www.sdts.nu - mailto:sdts@sdts.nu

    ------------------------------

    Date: Sun, 18 Jun 2000 22:13:01 EDT From: MTeiper@aol.com To: ytsejam@torchsong.com Subject: Questions Regarding Nightwish "Angels Fall First" Message-ID: <ea.6cf5e3b.267edbad@aol.com>

    Hi -

    Well, with all the talk recently on the Jam about Nightwish, I picked up "Oceanborn" and friggin' LOVE it! Huge thanks again to all for the recommendations! :-) I have trying to find out more Nightwish info, so I was checking out the FAQ on their website. I have some questions regarding their first album "Angels Fall First":

    I see that there is the standard version of the album, and that there is also a limited edition version of the album with 2 bonus tracks. At first glance, I would think that the limited version would be the preferred version. However, after reading the FAQ, am I correct in understanding that the limited version of the CD is the demo version of the album?

    If so, how much of a sound quality difference is there between the normal version and the demo version? And which version would be recommended to buy: the one with the bonus tracks but maybe lesser sound quality, or the one without the bonus tracks but maybe with the better sound quality? And I know how some of you Jammers think.... don't say "both!" ;-)

    Please let me know. There is currently a limited version on eBay, and I think I saw that Laser's Edge sells the regular version.

    Thanks in advance!!

    - Matt T.

    NP: What else.... Oceanborn!! :-)

    ------------------------------

    Date: Sun, 18 Jun 2000 22:49:50 -0400 From: "Tim Detman" <td4235@ship.edu> To: <ytsejam@torchsong.com> Subject: guitar help? Message-ID: <NDBBJOAJEBLELDIGIBGMMEOPEGAA.td4235@ship.edu>

    i need help getting started playing the guitar. i would prefer to teach myself rather than pay for lessons. right now i'm finding lessons online but they pretty much suck other than teaching me the basics. so... does anybody have any suggestions as to what book, or maybe a good website i should look at. mostly i'm finding websites with chord charts that say what string to press and what fret, but not with any specific finger. a page with a bunch of chord charts would help. thanks! -Tim

    ------------------------------

    Date: Sun, 18 Jun 2000 20:08:29 -0400 From: Dan Costello <axeman_dannl@juno.com> To: ytsejam@torchsong.com Subject: Dixie Dregs Message-ID: <20000618.231425.-999839.14.Axeman_dannl@juno.com>

    > Friday Aug. 11 New York City, NY Irving Plaza > Saturday Aug. 12 Huntington, L.I., NY IMAC

    WOOHOO!!!! Looks like another road trip for dan-o! :-)

    -Dan. ________________________________________________________________ YOU'RE PAYING TOO MUCH FOR THE INTERNET! Juno now offers FREE Internet Access! Try it today - there's no risk! For your FREE software, visit: http://dl.www.juno.com/get/tagj.

    ------------------------------

    Date: Sun, 18 Jun 2000 22:48:58 -0400 From: Dan Costello <axeman_dannl@juno.com> To: ytsejam@torchsong.com Subject: I fart in your general direction!!! Message-ID: <20000618.231425.-999839.16.Axeman_dannl@juno.com>

    > Have you ever eaten a whole box of Grape Nuts in one sitting? Trust me, > if you did so yourself, you might disappear for more than two months. > -- > KorgX3 has a clean colon now, at least.

    haha! I bet it's something like eating an entire jar of honey roasted peanuts - something I do not recommend.

    > Besides, everyone knows that WDADU is the best DT album ever

    haha! you guys kill me. :-)

    -Dan. ________________________________________________________________ YOU'RE PAYING TOO MUCH FOR THE INTERNET! Juno now offers FREE Internet Access! Try it today - there's no risk! For your FREE software, visit: http://dl.www.juno.com/get/tagj.

    ------------------------------

    Date: Sun, 18 Jun 2000 23:09:19 -0400 From: Dan Costello <axeman_dannl@juno.com> To: ytsejam@torchsong.com Subject: dreamtheater.org Message-ID: <20000618.231425.-999839.17.Axeman_dannl@juno.com>

    >Anyone know how to access to http://dreamtheater.org in order to download >some mp3 bootleg sample? The only thing I get is a terrible "http >403(forbiden)" ;(

    I don't believe dreamtheater.com or dreamtheater.org have anything to do w/ the band, only dreamtheater.net. You may be looking for the LiTS site, which is dreamtheater.mit.edu - which you must register to use, but it's free.

    -Dan. ________________________________________________________________ YOU'RE PAYING TOO MUCH FOR THE INTERNET! Juno now offers FREE Internet Access! Try it today - there's no risk! For your FREE software, visit: http://dl.www.juno.com/get/tagj.

    ------------------------------

    Date: Sun, 18 Jun 2000 22:56:05 -0600 From: "Korg Ecksthrey" <korgx3@safelink.net> To: <ytsejam@torchsong.com> Subject: Re: guitar help? Message-ID: <002201bfd9aa$e20a8070$880d84d0@default>

    > that say what string to press and what fret, but not with any specific > finger. a page with a bunch of chord charts would help.

    I dunno if it'll help, but one time I was at a music store and they had a real handy poster with 100+ guitar chords printed on it, also giving the fingers used to play such chords. I've had it ever since I started learning, though I seldom use it anymore (since I know 12 of those chords). ;) But it helped me a ton in getting started.

    As far as reading tablatures (those fretboard charts that tell you which fret to press along with what string) you're on your own as far as which fingers to use to play those notes. That's probably the hardest part of learning to play guitar is building up the instinctive knowledge to just let your hands do it and you just follow along. I'm still working on that part after 7 years of playing. :) -- KorgX3 probably should have changed the strings once in 7 years, tho.

    ------------------------------

    Date: Mon, 19 Jun 2000 01:37:35 EDT From: Bm2112dt@aol.com To: ytsejam@torchsong.com Subject: Re: YTSEJAM digest 5510 Message-ID: <77.597dbb8.267f0b9f@aol.com>

    In a message dated 6/16/00 3:52:37 PM Mountain Daylight Time, ytsejam@torchsong.com writes:

    << I'm still pretty new to this list so unfortunately I haven't read many posts on Dream Theater themselves ironically enough! Mostly just stuff on Napster, John Petrucci's gear, keyboards, obscure bands, and that Richardo guy that seems kind of wacky. I was just wondering though: How many of you guys out there hate Images and Words? I mean, it is defintely their worst album and they shouldn't have made it. To be honest, it's pure crap. Pull me Under and Learning to Live sound as though they were just written in a couple of hours with no thought given to them. And Another day sounds exactly like The Ones Who Help Set the Sun. You really have to be goofy in order to like that album. In fact, you have to be downright retarded. Don't get me wrong here, I love Dream Theater, but Images and Words sucks badly. Their best album is by far Falling Into Infinity. You Not Me and Anna Lee are brilliant tunes as is Lines in the Sand. I also like Take Me Over. That is one of my favorites. My second favorite album is When Dream and Day Unite. I just wish they would have kept Charlie Dominci though as their vocalist. The man was brilliant. What is he up to now? It is a shame that he left the band and was replaced by LaBrie. LaBrie is Ok but doesn't have the range of Dominci. It would be the perfect band if Dominci and Derek Sherinian could work together. I mean, if you wouldn't like that band, you'd have to be a cocksucker. Their album would be tons better than Images and Words. >>

    laughing my ass off right now....

    ------------------------------

    Date: Mon, 19 Jun 2000 06:34:41 GMT From: "chahram riazi" <cr79@hotmail.com> To: ytsejam@torchsong.com Subject: Caddyshack Message-ID: <20000619063441.15441.qmail@hotmail.com>

    >"...so I've got that going for me...which is nice." >---Carl the assistant greenskeeper

    Up until I saw Caddyshack this morning I had no idea where that quote was coming from.

    --Chahram ________________________________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com

    ------------------------------

    Date: Mon, 19 Jun 2000 17:46:57 +1000 From: graham@renegade2K.com To: ytsejam@torchsong.com Subject: Re: Questions Regarding Nightwish "Angels Fall First" Message-ID: <200006190853.e5J8rEJ20813@sampa.simpleweb.com.br>

    > Well, with all the talk recently on the Jam about Nightwish, I picked > up "Oceanborn" and friggin' LOVE it! Huge thanks again to all for the > recommendations! :-) I have trying to find out more Nightwish info, > so I was checking out the FAQ on their website. I have some questions > regarding their first album "Angels Fall First": > > I see that there is the standard version of the album, and that there > is also a limited edition version of the album with 2 bonus tracks. > At first glance, I would think that the limited version would be the > preferred version. However, after reading the FAQ, am I correct in > understanding that the limited version of the CD is the demo version > of the album?

    1. The original album came out as a 7 track album, only 500 copies of this were ever pressed (I have #415). It is NOT a demo of the album. 2. Some more tracks were recorded and two were dropped, namely, 'Once Upon A Troubadour' & 'A Retrun To The Sea' from the 9 track album that most people have. 3. A Brasilian version of the album is available with these two tracks, however the discs are mispressed, with only 2:21 left of the song 'Lappi (Lapland)' 4. These same two songs are also found on the French Tour edition of 'Oceanborn'. > If so, how much of a sound quality difference is there between the > normal version and the demo version? And which version would be > recommended to buy: > the one with the bonus tracks but maybe lesser sound quality, or the > one > without the bonus tracks but maybe with the better sound quality? And > I know how some of you Jammers think.... don't say "both!" ;-)

    Both have the same sound quality, again the LTD ED is not a demo version.

    > Please let me know. There is currently a limited version on eBay, and > I think I saw that Laser's Edge sells the regular version.

    The one on ebay for sale is NOT the LTD ED one, it's the Brasilian one that is mispressed, but has the two bonus song that are on the LTD ED version.

    Save you money buy the regular version. Hope this helps, anymore questions feel free to ask

    gaz

    NP - Fates Warning 'Disconnected'

    'If you don't have a sense of humour or are too stupid to understand sarcasm don't complain to me, because I don't give a shit'

    ------------------------------

    Date: Mon, 19 Jun 2000 19:08:48 +1000 From: graham@renegade2K.com To: ytsejam@torchsong.com Subject: Fates Warning - Disconnected Message-ID: <200006191015.e5JAF4J25919@sampa.simpleweb.com.br>

    Well I have the new Fates album, my initial thoughts after 4 listens are: A very dark, sombre and moody sounding album. Not an immediate album at all. 'Something For Nothing' starts off sounding a lot like ChromaKey. The album is very different to anything I've previously heard from fates.

    Every spin it gets better

    gaz

    ------------------------------

    Date: Mon, 19 Jun 2000 08:38:38 EDT From: EvoReaper@aol.com To: ytsejam@torchsong.com Subject: Re: Rock Discipline/Concept Album Message-ID: <d3.5eb2aab.267f6e4e@aol.com>

    Yes, John does give away the secrets of his rig/guitars/strings. But, you look at his rig then, and then you look at the Backline section of one of last year's Guitar mags, and it's a total different rig.

    I haven't seen recent pics of it, but I think someone said on JP.com that pics were coming soon of the new one.

    He's added quite a bit since 95'-Dual Rectifier Heads (2), Eventide GTR4000, and some Lexicon toys. Maybe a TC Electronics G-Force as well. I'll have to dig up that Guitar mag with the Backline section, it showed his two racks, 3 guitars and the 3 Traditional Recto cabs he was using for the FII tour.

    Well, tomorrow is my last day of school, and I've already started my Summer/Senior project. I want to write a concept album. I'm going to try to make it unlike SFAM as much as possible, but I know parts are going to get stuck in there that sound similar, without intending to.

    I want it to have the structured sound of a DT song at times, but also the looseness of a Vai song at other times. Kind of like the live version of "Through Her Eyes", and then the rest of SFAM, very structured, with no improv. I just want to have a little more improved sections.

    Right now, I've got some ideas for the concept, but I could probably come up with something better.

    My idea: Reaper and Reapress live in present day world, (Not in Hell or anything, but here on Earth, as regular human beings), until one day, when the Reapress is murdured. Then the Reaper vows his revenge on the murdurer, and a section is spent on tracking him down, through the Reaper's eyes, and the murdurers. In the end, the Reaper kills the man, and the man is sent to Hell, to live aside the Reapress, where she gets her eternal revenge.

    If anyone would like to give some theme ideas, GO FOR IT!!!! I need as many as possible.

    Other ideas were: Waco-Write about how the Government took things into their own hands and all. Columbine-Write through the kid's eyes as they ran through the halls and witnessed everything, kind of in a tribute.

    Thanks a lot,

    Warm Regards, Andy

    PS-If I were to buy a CD-R for my computer, what kind would yuo guys suggest? I want to get a really nice one, but haven't payed much attention to them, so any info would be great.

    Thanks!

    ------------------------------

    Date: Mon, 19 Jun 2000 08:09:37 -0500 From: Pam Nazer <mnazer@pressenter.com> To: ytsejam@torchsong.com Subject: Special request Message-ID: <l03020900b573cad19bc4@[209.224.35.204]>

    If you were fortunate enough to see Transatlantic yesterday please give us a detailed review. I live no where near any of the venues they are playing, and will be unable to see them live. This is greatly disapointing, but you could cheer me up by giving us a review!

    Thanks! Pam

    ------------------------------

    Date: Mon, 19 Jun 2000 16:53:48 CEST From: "Ricardo Testa" <ricardotesta@hotmail.com> To: ytsejam@torchsong.com Subject: Re: YTSEJAM digest 5512 Message-ID: <20000619145348.66526.qmail@hotmail.com>

    "Gaz" or "Argus Tuft" or whoever posted: > >PS SPRINGSTEEN RULES

    Did I miss something here?? Where the hell did that one come from?? Springsteen?

    Ciao, Ricardo Testa

    ________________________________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com

    ------------------------------

    Date: Mon, 19 Jun 2000 18:14:17 +0200 From: Totikus <totikus@gmx.net> To: ytsejam@torchsong.com Subject: DT Boot artwork Message-ID: <3.0.6.32.20000619181417.007acc10@pop.gmx.net>

    Is the artwork for DT bootlegs available anywhere in jpg or gif format? I'm looking especially for those of Mike Bahr's boots. Thanks, Totikus

    ------------------------------

    Date: Mon, 19 Jun 2000 10:05:57 -0600 From: "Korg Ecksthrey" <korgx3@safelink.net> To: <ytsejam@torchsong.com> Subject: Re: Questions Regarding Nightwish "Angels Fall First" Message-ID: <001a01bfda08$579f1460$0201010a@chuck>

    I never saw it mentioned, but, as I believe it may be a deterrent to buying Angels Fall First, I've heard that Tarje doesn't even sing on it at all. For all I know it's Mr. Cookie Monster throughout, which is plenty enough to keep me from buying that album. Oceanborn rocks, though, and I hear their new one's out (or almost out)?

    I was majorly disappointed when I bought The Gathering's Always and was affronted with the growler. I don't want to have to go through that again. -- KorgX3 doesn't like razorblade-gargling vocalists.

    ------------------------------

    Date: Mon, 19 Jun 2000 09:47:09 -0700 From: David Dixon <dixon@iisweb.com> To: "'ytsejam@torchsong.com'" <ytsejam@torchsong.com> Subject: RE: Questions Regarding Nightwish "Angels Fall First" Message-ID: <A65ADB6BE999D3118F650008C7E6175202A18364@MESSAGING>

    > I never saw it mentioned, but, as I believe it may be a deterrent to > buying Angels Fall First, I've heard that Tarje doesn't even sing on it > at all. For all I know it's Mr. Cookie Monster throughout, which is > plenty enough to keep me from buying that album. Oceanborn rocks, > though, and I hear their new one's out (or almost out)? > > I was majorly disappointed when I bought The Gathering's Always and was > affronted with the growler. I don't want to have to go through that > again. > -- > KorgX3 doesn't like razorblade-gargling vocalists.

    Actually, Tarja DOES sing on it, and she sings on most of the album. The other singer is male, but is not a cookie monster - he just sings really off-key the whole time, which REALLY drives me nuts. He also has ZERO power, and his voice sounds really thin (of course in STARK contrast to Tarja). The music/Tarja's vocals are very cool, but dude's vocals prevent me from really enjoying the album...

    <Dave cringes at the very thought of dude singing instead of Tarja - who the hell does he think he is?>

    David Dixon MCSD, MCDBA, MCSE Internet Developer Integrated Information Systems, Inc. dixon@iisweb.com

    ------------------------------

    Date: Mon, 19 Jun 2000 11:52:58 -0500 From: "Souter, Jan-Michael" <JSouter@healthaxis.com> To: "'korgx3@safelink.net'" <korgx3@safelink.net> Cc: "'ytsejam@torchsong.com'" <ytsejam@torchsong.com> Subject: RE: Questions Regarding Nightwish "Angels Fall First" Message-ID: <74ACE5A6CB89D3119E6F00609720274AE3E538@ISDCRE00>

    What ???

    There are NO cookie monster vocals -ever- on NightWish material !!

    Tarja's voice is like an Angel on all of their CD's.

    Angels fall first is their debut and I have ALL of those songs in Real-Audio format if you want some samples. They aren't too terribly large. I also have Oceanborn on CD (love it) and their newest one Wishmaster on CD (LOVE IT more than Oceanborn!!).

    Jan-Michael

    > -----Original Message----- > From: Korg Ecksthrey [SMTP:korgx3@safelink.net] > Sent: Monday, June 19, 2000 11:22 AM > To: Multiple recipients of list > Subject: Re: Questions Regarding Nightwish "Angels Fall First" > > > I never saw it mentioned, but, as I believe it may be a deterrent to > buying Angels Fall First, I've heard that Tarje doesn't even sing on it > at all. For all I know it's Mr. Cookie Monster throughout, which is > plenty enough to keep me from buying that album. Oceanborn rocks, > though, and I hear their new one's out (or almost out)? > > I was majorly disappointed when I bought The Gathering's Always and was > affronted with the growler. I don't want to have to go through that > again. > -- > KorgX3 doesn't like razorblade-gargling vocalists.

    ------------------------------

    Date: Mon, 19 Jun 2000 15:12:20 -0400 From: "HJ Rivera" <hrivera@crp.org> To: <ytsejam@torchsong.com> Subject: Transatlantic DC show - where are we gathering? Message-ID: <005801bfda22$4ad8d210$b084c5cf@crp.org>

    K. Anyone from DC (or coming to the show this Saturday) want to meet up for a pre-show beer (or beerless) get together? If it's nice enough outdside, we could gather by my rooftop pool early in the day.

    joe

    ------------------------------

    Date: Mon, 19 Jun 2000 16:17:25 -0400 From: Adam M Cook <ac003i@mail.rochester.edu> To: ytsejam@torchsong.com Subject: Can't get enough of them X bands Message-ID: <Pine.SGI.4.10.10006191548140.307037-100000@mail2.ats.rochester.edu>

    It's amazing how sitting at work procrastinating inspires one to write to the jam...

    The new King's X release is very solid...despite crappy cover art and a very strange album title. It's amazing how different this band sounds now compared to their first few releases, yet they still have one of the most distinctive sounds in rock music. I saw an ad in the new Guitar World for Ty Tabor's new signature model Yamaha and it quotes Jeff Ament saying, "Heavy music didn't start in Seattle, it started in Houston with King's X." While heavy music had obviously been around before King's X, I think what Jeff was getting at was a lot of the Seattle sound, and the whole tuning down grunge guitar sound really did draw a lot from Ty's sound. Ty evolves that sound even further on the new album. Tuning down even lower, and more importantly, using a wide variety of chord voicings and extremely original chord progressions. You won't hear any I-IV-V riffing on this cd. Check out the progressions on the verse of Marshmellow Fields or Charlie Sheen. One guy mentioned how he wondered why King's X would ever be considered prog. On some of their earlier releases, they definitely did more technical, Rush-like power trio jamming. However, I think their high originality and impressive sense of harmony and melody is what draws progressive-rock fan's attention. They certainly don't write long compositions full of lengthy instrumental parts. But where else can you hear Beatles like vocal harmonies combined with the heavyness of early Soundgarden.

    I'm surprised nobody has mentioned the new Planet X release. Derek doesn't have a great reputation around here because Kevin was the original and Jordan can play faster, but the new PX discs just rips. What amazes me about this group (also featuring Tony McAlpine on guitar and Virgil Donati on drums) is how right off the bat they have a completely original sound. Most of these modern day "supergroups" usually sound their respective member's former or present bands. I won't bother with the obvious comparisons to LTE. But PX definitely right off the bat sound completely original. They occupy that realm between technical prog and fusion. The two genres have always had some overlap, but PX just destroys all barriers in terms of prog's technicality and fusion's wild improv solos. For those who have not heard Virgil Donati or Tony Mcalpine....I don't know what else to say except you must hear them immediately. Granted, this disc probably won't sit well with those who are not at least partial fans of both genres. The melodies and structures will seem extremely disjointed to most prog fans. While traditional prog and prog metal draws on conventional western harmony, fusion and PX tend to be more atonal and the chords fly all over the place. Finally, for all those who think Derek is a pompous over the top asshole... listen to King of Universe and you'll see just how seriously he really does take himself.

    Adam

    ------------------------------

    End of YTSEJAM Digest 5513 **************************



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