cygnify

Krimson. (though I would choose Moving Pictures in a heatbeat.)

 

Fair Warning was awesome though too. I suppose my answer would depend on my mood. Allied Forces was stellar. Madien hadn't quite peaked for me yet. Actually, if you asked me in 1981, I might have said Journey Escape. But by the end of 81, it was all Rush, all decade.

Let me just explain, this is a RUSH forum so obviously RUSH will win any polls against other bands 99% of the time. There's no point in making a poll when you know who's going to win before you start is there? Same thing in the 1982 thread.

 

I actually wouldn't. '81 is probably Rush's best chance (or '80), but MP would not top Fair Warning.

 

For me....Moving Pictures blows by Fair Warning. And Fair Warning is my favorite Van Halen album!!!! Moving Pictures is #3 for me from Rush.....but still is a better album front to back....all day for me.

 

Both are amazing records. And totally different.

 

Probably matters how you feel about each band. I like DLR VH more than Rush. MP is probably my favorite Rush album, but The Camera Eye and Vital Signs are both songs that I like but don't love. There is, literally, not one note on Fair Warning I don't love. The whole vibe of FW is perfect.

 

Yeah, absolutely. For me Rush >> VH Though I do love VH. VH is a top 20 band for me, Rush is at the top of the list.

Tough tough tough

 

Somewhere in Time was so huge for me (the last Maiden I fully adored; saw them twice on tour with Yngwie Malmsteen opening up), Yngwie's Trilogy was good, but I didn't like the pop metal songs as much as Rising Force, Slayer - f**k yeah!, Megadeth appeared on my radar big time, saw triumph on the Sport of Kings tour, but did not care for that album. Tony MacAlpine- Edge of Insanity - I bought the LP this year; Steve Smith killing it in a metal setting! Saw and Loved David Lee Roth on Eat Em and Smile (life after VH!) 5150 I liked, but not as much as DLR's band... Queensryche and Eric Johnson hadn't appeared for me yet; though I would appreciate these albums later. Journey had jumped the shark; I didn't care as much for Queen in this era.

 

Ultimately, the choice was very clear - Master of Puppets!

Easy - Misplaced Childhood. Masterpiece.

 

Power Windows obviously was very big for me too, lol.

 

Metal Fatigue is a great one - but got me much later. In 1985, I saw SRV and Heart in concert - but I preferred other albums of theirs. Megadeth had not really hit for me until Peace Sells. Anthrax was great. My GF liked Mr. Mister, so there's that nostalgia. I can appreciate Dire Straits, but they've never been that huge for me.

Part of what makes this hard is how you consider the question - big part for me is in the nostalgia of that year. Some of these albums I didn't get into in that year (SRV, Marillion later). Some of these albums were very good, but I think those bands peaked before (like Kansas) or after this year's entry (like Metallica).

 

For me, Maiden, Pyromania, and Yes 90125 were all huge, great albums. Some stood up over time better than others.

 

Ultimately, I went the pop route - Journey Frontiers.

Krimson. (though I would choose Moving Pictures in a heatbeat.)

 

Fair Warning was awesome though too. I suppose my answer would depend on my mood. Allied Forces was stellar. Madien hadn't quite peaked for me yet. Actually, if you asked me in 1981, I might have said Journey Escape. But by the end of 81, it was all Rush, all decade.

Let me just explain, this is a RUSH forum so obviously RUSH will win any polls against other bands 99% of the time. There's no point in making a poll when you know who's going to win before you start is there? Same thing in the 1982 thread.

 

Oh, I get it. Not complaining. I just give my perspective in the comments and where Rush would fall. As you pointed out in the 82 thread, you're not sure Rush would have won. Personally, I would still have chosen Rush in 82. 84 would have been much much closer!

Wow, this is the hardest one yet. Of course, in 1984 I was all about Grace Under Pressure - my first Rush show and first album I got on release day... (understanding why you don't include in on this board).. after that the choice is hard!!

 

I adored Powerslave (saw Maiden on tour!!), Thunder Seven (saw Triumph on tour!), Deep Purple, I loved Ride the Lightning a little later (I did really get into Metallica until Master), Loved Gilmour, Malmsteen, Slide it in, Fugazi is fantasic (but again didn't go deep with Marillion until Childhood), Steve Morse Introduction was HUGE for me (would later see him many times and loved the Dregs!),

 

But I went with 1984. Ubiquitous pop rock anthems and some heavy riffage and arguably Alex's most awesome drum track (Hot for Teacher), the fun videos on the MTV, my still-favorite VH tune (Girl Gone Bad). It still pops on the speakers - I occasionally listen to it before playing shows, makes me feel good.

 

1984 was a particularly formative year in my life and musical taste.

Very very tough poll.... I went with Triumph.

 

I've been in bands over the past 30 years that have played Barracuda. Great song, alot of fun to play, but I've just overdone it. Fight the Good Fight is great and still fresh for me. Between bands, tough choice. IMO, but hit some real high points and both had some lows and inconsistency. Went with Triumph.

Krimson. (though I would choose Moving Pictures in a heatbeat.)

 

Fair Warning was awesome though too. I suppose my answer would depend on my mood. Allied Forces was stellar. Madien hadn't quite peaked for me yet. Actually, if you asked me in 1981, I might have said Journey Escape. But by the end of 81, it was all Rush, all decade.

Honestly, I would have chosen Signals. Subdivisions, Analog Kid, Chemistry, Digital Man, The Weapon, New World Man, Losing It, Countdown. Yeah, no doubt my favorite pick from 1982.

 

Although I am a Krimson fan, Beat was not my favorite. I went with The Dregs Industry Standard; has alot of my favs. Holdsworth IOU was also excellent.

 

Obviously Asia and Maiden were huge releases - and I like both.

 

but Signals..... no question; that was 82 for me.

In general, I like AC/DC more than The Clash - However, I play both of these songs with my band. For me, SISOSIG is so much more fun to play; it's not even close. Highway is just meh to play.

I'm curious to know if all the praise from those who loved the album on first listen has changed as I suspect it would. Now that the 'new toy' / hype has died down.

 

Still love it, probably even more. I'd put it in my top 3 Tool albums and Best of 2019.

Did I miss something or are all of these articles no longer on the site?

I've subscribed to MD continuously since 1982. Before that, I used to read it in the waiting room at my drum teacher's house - Neil was always all over the mag back in the day; features, "ask a pro" (which eventually I wrote to - and actually received 2 postcard responses from Neil directly!), style and analysis, and the ads (I sent away for every Zildjian/Ludwig/etc. poster). The magazine and Neil were absolutely formative in my passion in drumming (which persists to this day!) I myself got a little thrill being in the magazine's "on the move" column in 2000 and, of course, noted Neil as my prime mover.

 

I will admit tearing up several times with this issue. Especially moving were the 15 pages of memorials from pro drummers, sponsors, etc. RIP NEP.

Sounds like we were separated at birth.

I'm sure there are hundreds, if not thousands of us!

I've subscribed to MD continuously since 1982. Before that, I used to read it in the waiting room at my drum teacher's house - Neil was always all over the mag back in the day; features, "ask a pro" (which eventually I wrote to - and actually received 2 postcard responses from Neil directly!), style and analysis, and the ads (I sent away for every Zildjian/Ludwig/etc. poster). The magazine and Neil were absolutely formative in my passion in drumming (which persists to this day!) I myself got a little thrill being in the magazine's "on the move" column in 2000 and, of course, noted Neil as my prime mover.

 

I will admit tearing up several times with this issue. Especially moving were the 15 pages of memorials from pro drummers, sponsors, etc. RIP NEP.

Not even close for me - King Crimson by far! Krim in a top tier band for me; DP a middling.

 

Don't get me wrong, I like some DP, Blackmore is great, and I am inspired by Ian Paice. IMO, only a couple albums that are consistently good. However, none of them even approach the artistry and improvisational skills of Krim.

My list might be controversial to an old-school fan, but I couldn't give a flying f**k. Half a year later, I love the new album and easily place it in my top 3. I suppose I am also in the minority for really digging the polarizing Heritage. I appreciate, but am not a huge fan of pre-Still Life.

 

1. Ghost Reveries

2. Watershed

3. In Cauda Venenum

4. Blackwater Park

5. Pale Communion

6. Deliverance

7. Heritage

8. Damnation

9. Still Life

10. Sorceress

11. My Arms Your Hearse

12. Orchid

13. Morningrise

This is awesome! Love it!

Starless

Blech.... do not like. First time, ever, that a new Steven Wilson song did not hit the mark for me (and that goes well back into the PT days...) I'm sure some would have called me a SW fan-boy, even up through the To The Bone cycle.... but nope, not this. Yuck! Reminds me of Pet Shop Boys or Erasure (and I mean that in the least flattering way!) I know I'm old fashioned, liking adventurous rock music that is made with real drums and real guitars (I know there are drums on this, but come on.) I've always loved SW's unconventional songwriting and cinematic music; to me, this song is just cliche. I did grow up in the 80's and have a soft spot for synth nostalgia - unfortunately, this didn't even stir the least bit of that feeling for me. I realize the lyrics are sort-of tongue in cheek, with a self-depreciating line about needing to buy the deluxe bot set.... but I'm actually so turned off that I doubt I will buy this album. I suppose I will sample it, as a long-time SW fan (Signify, related to my username...) and I can appreciate his need to have an artistic vision and keep trying new things to keep it fresh, but I just honestly don't like this sound or feeling of this song. I hope that I'm pleasantly surprised with the rest of the disc, but it's going to have to earn it. Oh well, plenty of other goodies to choose from!

For everyone dealing with the grief; I've in touch with so many of my friends - musicians, fans, and people that know what Neil meant, reading and interacting here, is all so very helpful. Thanks to all. The beat will go on.

 

Somebody was asking if Geddy and Alex knew; I can't place my finger on it at the moment, but someone asked Geddy at one of his recent book signings if he had seen Neil recently. He said he was just in California to visit him. This must have been very recent (I think the book signing was in December??) At the time, I thought about what that visit was like - sadly, it must have been nothing like I could imagine. I'd bet we will hear more from Geddy and Alex in this regard, but it seems as though they were able to get together one last time.

Just paying my condolences - like so many of you, Rush was so huge in my life; and their retirement was difficult to accept but I understood it (mostly from reading Neil's last book) and I came to be at peace with it. But today just seems like a punch in the gut. 1 year of retirement before his diagnosis? f**k cancer. So sad -for his daughter, his wife, his parents, his extended family, Ged and Alex, the Rush organization and lastly all us fans. Neil was the reason that I picked up the drumsticks 38 years ago and inspired my life-long passion in music. His lyrics and musicianship were formative. We will always have his great art.

 

RIP Neil.

Some very tough choices as I liked multiple discs from a few of these. Also, excluding all the fantastic re-issues / remixes, etc. Could only narrow it down to 19; in no particular order

 

TOOL - Fear Inoculum (2019)

Opeth - In Cauda Venenum (2019)

Riverside - Love Fear and the Time Machine (2015)

Alice In Chains - The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here (2012)

Storm Corrosion (2012)

Steven Wilson - Hand Cannot Erase (2015)

King Crimson - Radical Action to Unseat Monkey Mind (2016) or Live in Chicago (2017) or Meltdown Live in Mexico City (2018)

Rush - Clockwork Angels (2012)

The Pineapple Thief - Dissolution (2018)

Steven Wilson - The Raven That Refused to Sing (2013)

The Aristocrats - Culture Clash (2013)

Anathema - Weather Systems (2012)

Katatonia - Fall of Hearts (2016)

RCHP - The Getaway (2016)

Gavin Harrison - Cheating the Polygraph (2016)

Frank Zappa - Roxy the Soundtrack (2015) or Halloween 77 (2017)

So far, 3-way tie for first place for me:

 

1.) Tool - Fear Inoculum

2.) Opeth - In Cauda Venenom

3.) The Aristocrats - You Know What?

One per band, eh?

 

King Crimson - In the Court of the Crimson King - (or Red, or Discipline, or Larks Tongues, or Thrak)

Pink Floyd - Wish You Were Here - (or Animals, or The Wall, or Dark Side, or Meddle)

Led Zeppelin - Houses of the Holy (or PG, or IV, or III)

Rush - Moving Pictures (or PeW, or Hemisheres, or Signals)

Yes - Close the Edge (or Relayer, or GFTO, or Fragile, or TfTO)

Porcupine Tree - Fear of a Blank Planet (or In Absenstia, or Deadwing)

Steven Wilson - H.C.E. (or Raven)

Tool - Lateralus (or Aenima, or 10kD, or FI)

Frank Zappa - One Size Fits All (or A-ONS, or Hot Rats, or Live in NY, or Tinseltown Rebellion, or Roxy & Elsewhere, or...)

King's X - Dogman (or GGTN, or TH!)

Genesis - Selling England by the Pount (or LLDOB, or Foxtrot, or Trick of the Tail)

Alice in Chains - Dirt

Jethro Tull - Thick as a Brick (or Aqualung, or Songs from the Wood)

The Who - Quadrophenia (or Who's Next)

Peter Gabriel - Melt (or Up, or So)

Opeth - Watershed (or GR, or BP, or D/D)

The Grateful Dead - Terrapin Station (or Blues for Allah or Live Dead, or Wake up to Find Out)

Jimi Hendrix - Are you Experienced? (or Axis)

Red Hot Chili Peppers - Blood Sugar Sex Magic

The Doors - LA Woman

Marillion - Misplaced Childhood (or Clutching, or Fugazi, or Script)

Van Halen - II (or 1984 or Fair Warning or I or Diver Down)

Kansas - Leftoverture (or SfA)

Dream Theater - Awake (or I&W, or Metropolis)

Queen - News of the World (or Night at the Opera)

Smashing Pumpkins - Siamese Dream (or Gish or MCatIS)

 

 

oh shoot, did I go over 20? yup.

A little surprised there's been no talk of the new album since it dropped a couple weeks ago (unless I missed it? I actually did a search).

 

I like the songs alot - probably the most consistently good writing of the "New-peth" era. Growl-only Opeth fans will be disappointed; this is definitely an advancement of their prog approach. All the songs have their charms, but "Dignity" "Hand In Heart" "Universal Truth" and "Continuum" stand out for me. I like the ballad "Lovelorn Crime" as well. I read Mikael wanted every song to have an "epic" feel; and I would say he succeeded. His vocals are absolutely top notch, and Frederick turns in some fantastic guitar solos; while Axe is killing it on the drums (when you can hear it...)

 

On the other hand, I absolutely detest the production. To me, this is worst sounding Opeth album in the modern era. The mix is atrocious - some things sound like they were recorded in a cave. The drum sound is abysmal. I get a headache trying to discern kick drums, ride cymbals, acoustic guitars, and wall of sound approach - a victim of too much compression/loudness and I think Mikael wanted a vintage metal sound... but blah! Nothing has room to breath in the mix; when things get busy (and they do!) there is almost no resolution of individual sounds. I've tried it in my car, on my HD theater system, on my Grados, on ear buds, changing EQ, etc. can't fix it. I like to listen to the Swedish version; but honestly I understand just as many words on the English version because you can hardly discern syllables or enunciation in the vocals.

 

The production is really a shame and I will admit having a really hard time getting over it. I can tell I like the songs and performances alot; but it's almost like a bad audience recording of a great show... Thus, I have a mixed feeling about it; I'm giving it some time and it is warming and the songs have become really powerful, in spite of the production. (However, I will say that it's been unable to unseat "Fear Inoculum" from my #1 spot - of which I also love the songs, but has immaculate production to near perfection.)