Albums You've Listened To Today, V.9

[J2112YYZ]

1 hour ago, TheAccountant said:

The Hu - Rumble of Thunder

 

No, I was not listening to The Who, I was listening to The Hu.  Ok, so you may be asking "Who are The Hu?  Or what are The Hu"".  Yes, I am having fun with this!!

 

The Hu are a folk metal band from Mongolia.  Yes, they sing in Mongolian.  Since I don't speak Mongolian I can't exactly tell you what their songs are about.  From some of the youtube comments I could get an idea plus I could get sort of an idea from their video's.  Their songs seem to be about the great Kahn (who seems to be great  - not a shock), about nature and how wonderful it (the wind, the stars, horses, eagles, crows, the grass, wolves etc) is, & how the Chinese are not so great (esp. when they try to invade Mongolia).  Thats just a very rough idea however.  I could be very wrong.

 

For instruments you get a variety of traditional Mongolian stringed instruments, traditional drums, electric guitar / bass & modern (rock) drums.  As said, they sing in Mongolian using Mongolian throat singing.  They sound a little like traditional native American music (not a shock IMO) plus a very little (here and there) like a a country band, a little (very little) like they were influenced by southern rock, some like they were influenced by traditional heavy metal / hard rock (in particular Metallica) and a lot of, well, I don't really know.  Something very different.  But interesting.

 

I found out about them when I watched a video on youtube of the reactor "The Charismatic Voice" reacting to one of their songs.  It interested me so I put them on my list to try and i finally worked them in.

 

They have done a song with somebody who used to be in Alice in Chains and another song with Lizzy Hale of Halestorm.  Not that either of those facts is a recommendation in my book - other than The Rooster I did not care for Alice in Chains and I don't care for Halestrom.  But for them to have toured in the US and England and worked with the above clearly they have gotten some traction.  They are also going to play at Hellfast this year.  For them to get on a big festival like that they must be getting some interest.

 

Best song on the album?  Hard to say.  Its a toss up between "Bil Biyelgee", "Upright Destined Mongol", "Black Thunder" (part 2 - which comes several songs before part 1, no idea why), "Segee", "Tartar Warrior" or "Shihi Hutu".

 

They are actually pretty good - going to explore more of them.

 

Which brings me to the next thing I tried

 

The Hu - Nothing Else Matters

 

This was a single they released of them covering the Metallica song.  So if you want to listen to Metallica sung in Mongolian here is your chance.  Its... interesting.  Actually, I found it enjoyable.   

 

It was the video for Wolf Totem that I believe first got people's attention. They're the only Mongolian band I have ever heard of. I didn't even know there was music in Mongolia before them 😄 Their work with Lzzy Hale goes beyond the collaboration. They opened for Halestorm which helped them out a bit. I think they're becoming regular on festivals throughout the world now. Which makes sense if festival organizers are looking for a bands that can bring a world music vibe to the lineup. Unique sounding stuff where the language barrier isn't an issue when it comes to enjoying them.

[Pressure/Hopenosis]

 

 

[TheAccountant]

The Hu - The Gerg

 

I find this band to be very interesting.  They are so different!!!

 

Best on the album for me is either the title track or "Shoog Shoog".  After that its either "Wolf Totem" or "Yuve Yuve Yu" or "The Same" or "Shireg Shireg".  Or perhaps "Song for Women".  I don't know.

 

Very glad I gave this band a try. 

[zepphead]

8 hours ago, Chronos said:

 

Just dropped today. A pleasant enough listen, in spite of Ian's ailing voice and Martin's conspicuous absence. It's better than 72 Seasons, anyway 😆

 

8 hours ago, Segue Myles said:

What even is that artwork. That screams "bottom of the pack and we know it"

I had my first listen yesterday evening.

 

Look, I have made my views on the current state of 'Jethro Tull' clear before ..... this new stuff would have been better served as 'Ian Anderson solo' rather than diluting the Tull legacy further.

However if Ian wants to call it Jethro Tull, he is entitled to do so (although without Barre, it is a bit of a joke imo.)

 

As for the album itself, I quite like some of the music - the guitar is more prominent than it was on Zealot Game which is a good thing. However........ the  vocals are pretty dire. Ian's voice is getting progressively weaker - so much so that he is resorting more to spoken word vocals in places here. It puts me off this when I listen to it.

 

Now here's a cunning plan Ian - as you had no problem in ditching the irreplacable Martin Barre on guitar, how about ditching the singer, and bringing in a vocalist who can actually sing! .... just sayin'.

 

To be honest I am much more looking forward to the Steven Wilson remix of Broadsword and the Beast, which is due sometime this year. By all accounts there will be loads of bonus material.

 

 

[Chronos]

[Chronos]

[bluefox4000]

Yes-Relayer (10/10)

 

Mick

[Alex’s Amazing Arpeggios]

  Past 3 days …

Toto - Kingdom of Desire ‘92 (8.5/10)

Mr.Mister - Welcome to the Real World

      ‘85 (9/10)

Thin Lizzy - Thunder & Lightning ‘83 (8/10)

Toto - Mindfields ‘99  (7.5/10)

Van Halen - 1984 (10/10)

 

 

[bluefox4000]

Yes-90125 (9/10)

 

This album seems to fall in the hate or love category.  This is album used t leave me so cold but in revisited yes.  It's i my top 5 now.  Yes was in a state of flux and they HAD t update.  Prog was on the outs in the 80's in popularity.  You could call this a new band (technically is) whatever there are some bangers here.  Yea owner was cheesy.  guess what though.  i don't know if you prog-heads noticed.  Yes was always corny.  Come on folks, lol

 

Besides Owner you have

Hold on

It Can Happen

Changes

Cinema (wink.......wink, lol)

City of Love

Hearts

 

This is pop.......but there's still experimentation going on here.  And i got to be honest.  I love it way more than the last two 70's Yes albums.  no contest. And more than their first 2 albums as well.

 

 And it blows away that band Howe was in was it Asia or something? lol

 

Rabin for the win.

 

Mick

[Segue Myles]

Rush- Fly By Night 

Testament- Low 

Lacuna Coil- Karmacode 

Leaves' Eyes- Njord

[bluefox4000]

Yes-Talk (9/10)

 

Talk is underrated.  The whole Rabin era is but this one actually sounds like it could have REALLY followed 90125 (even though Big Generator is REALLY good)

 

The Calling (pop/prog ear candy)

I am Waiting (beautiful)

Real Love

Walls (great pop/AOR song)

the Endless Dream Suite

 

I love this album

 

Mick

 

 

 

[ST3V]

8 minutes ago, bluefox4000 said:

Yes-Talk (9/10)

 

Talk is underrated.  The whole Rabin era is but this one actually sounds like it could have REALLY followed 90125 (even though Big Generator is REALLY good)

 

The Calling (pop/prog ear candy)

I am Waiting (beautiful)

Real Love

Walls (great pop/AOR song)

the Endless Dream Suite

 

I love this album

 

Mick

 

 

 

its a very mature effort from a group of guys who have gotten to know each other very well over the past decade plus. 

also, the reason Walls is co-written by Roget Hodgson is Rabin actually asked him to sing for Yes after Jon left in 1988 right before ABWH came into fruition. He declined the offer but the 2 got together in 1990 and made a demo for Walls which trevor later released. Imagine if he accepted though, how crazy that wouldve been

[bluefox4000]

Just now, ST3V said:

its a very mature effort from a group of guys who have gotten to know each other very well over the past decade plus. 

also, the reason Walls is co-written by Roget Hodgson is Rabin actually asked him to sing for Yes after Jon left in 1988 right before ABWH came into fruition. He declined the offer but the 2 got together in 1990 and made a demo for Walls which trevor later released. Imagine if he accepted though, how crazy that wouldve been

 

Hodgeson in Yes....what a nutty alt. timeline.

 

That's wild, lol

 

Mick

[Mithrandir]

3 hours ago, bluefox4000 said:

Yes-Relayer (10/10)

 

Mick

Gates is just as good as CTTE (song)

[Mithrandir]

On 4/21/2023 at 8:36 AM, bluefox4000 said:

Yes

 

Close To the Edge (10/10)

The Yes Album (10/10)

Fragile (7/10)

Relayer (10/10)

 

Rediscovering Yes........and i'm kinda obsessed.

 

CTTE is classic For a reason.  The title epic may the TIGHTEST epic ever recorded not an ounce of fat on it.  And you And I is beautiful.  Siberian Khatru is fun.

 

The yes album is my fav album.....Always has been.  I mean Starship Trooper.....I've seen all good People, Yours Is No Disgrace, Perpetual Change.  Just gorgeous prog.

 

Fragile is probably my least fav of this group and here's why.  the Main group of SONG songs are all great.  Roundabout, South Side of the Sky (the main groove of this is just filthy.....i love it)  and Heart of the Sunrise.  The shorter blurbs all over this album bring it down something heavy.

 

Relayer.......oh my Relayer.  My 2nd fav Yes album.  and thank you Patrick Moraz for that .  He really is the reason.  I love they went for a COOMPLETLY different style player after Wakeman.  Moraz plays jazzier more frantic.  they may turn some off.  But to me it injects this album so much.  the Mid-point of Gates of Delirium is INSANE folks.

 

Yes needs more credit from me and they have it.

 

Mick

 

 

Fragile is 10/10 for me.

[bluefox4000]

1 minute ago, Mithrandir said:

Fragile is 10/10 for me.

 

i get it..just the fluffy link pieces wade it down for me.  the Main big songs are prime yes though.

 

 

Mick

 

[Chronos]

[Pressure/Hopenosis]

[Chronos]

1 minute ago, Pressure/Hopenosis said:

I haven't spun any Maiden since 2021. I kind of fell out of love with them. I should revisit all my old faves soon and see if I can't rekindle that old fandom.

[Segue Myles]

1 hour ago, Chronos said:

I haven't spun any Maiden since 2021. I kind of fell out of love with them. I should revisit all my old faves soon and see if I can't rekindle that old fandom.

Oh no! What lead to this?

[Segue Myles]

Copeland- In Motion 

Jimmy Eat World- Damage 

The Juliana Theory- Music From Another Room EP

[Rick N. Backer]

6 hours ago, bluefox4000 said:

Yes-90125 (9/10)

 

This album seems to fall in the hate or love category.  This is album used t leave me so cold but in revisited yes.  It's i my top 5 now.  Yes was in a state of flux and they HAD t update.  Prog was on the outs in the 80's in popularity.  You could call this a new band (technically is) whatever there are some bangers here.  Yea owner was cheesy.  guess what though.  i don't know if you prog-heads noticed.  Yes was always corny.  Come on folks, lol

 

Besides Owner you have

Hold on

It Can Happen

Changes

Cinema (wink.......wink, lol)

City of Love

Hearts

 

This is pop.......but there's still experimentation going on here.  And i got to be honest.  I love it way more than the last two 70's Yes albums.  no contest. And more than their first 2 albums as well.

 

 And it blows away that band Howe was in was it Asia or something? lol

 

Rabin for the win.

 

Mick

Couldn't have said it any better so I’ll leave it (no pun intended) with a simple cheers.  

[ST3V]

6 hours ago, bluefox4000 said:

Yes-90125 (9/10)

 

This album seems to fall in the hate or love category.  This is album used t leave me so cold but in revisited yes.  It's i my top 5 now.  Yes was in a state of flux and they HAD t update.  Prog was on the outs in the 80's in popularity.  You could call this a new band (technically is) whatever there are some bangers here.  Yea owner was cheesy.  guess what though.  i don't know if you prog-heads noticed.  Yes was always corny.  Come on folks, lol

 

Besides Owner you have

Hold on

It Can Happen

Changes

Cinema (wink.......wink, lol)

City of Love

Hearts

 

This is pop.......but there's still experimentation going on here.  And i got to be honest.  I love it way more than the last two 70's Yes albums.  no contest. And more than their first 2 albums as well.

 

 And it blows away that band Howe was in was it Asia or something? lol

 

Rabin for the win.

 

Mick

when trevors solo comes in on Hearts its so epic such an amazing track

[Chronos]

2 hours ago, Segue Myles said:

Oh no! What lead to this?

 

No clue! It just happened. No reason I can pinpoint. Same with King's X. 

[Chronos]