New and used music for your Spring Break blues, including:
Steven Wilson - The Overview (2025) clipping. - Dead Channel Sky (2025) betcover!! - Jikan (2021) Slothrust -Parallel Timeline (2021) Bacao Rhythm & Steel Band - Expansions (2021) Todd Rundgren - 2nd Wind (1990)
Tier 2 showdowns have officially begun! On the micro level, the individual showdowns won’t
change dramatically. Unlike Tier 1,
which was generated entirely by statistics, there is some effort to style-match
in Tier 2, but otherwise the process remains the same. The big difference is that from here on through
Tier 4, the stakes are higher. Albums
that do not go on are removed from the tournament. There is a level of redundancy, however, in
the form of “saves.”
Before the Mid-Year Top12, six saves will pulled from the
pool of eliminated albums from Tiers 2-4.
These albums will be included in the year-end finals in November. This gives some room for favorites that were perhaps
unfairly matched or that have subjective significance. If this first week is any indication,
however, those six saves are going to run out fast.
If you are participating in the Viewer’s Choice bracket, tracking all these albums can be overwhelming. Never fear – there is a link to the Viewer’s Choice bracket pinned to the top of our Facebook group that might be helpful in jogging your memory as we go. There will also be a document available in early July that lists all albums that are eligible as saves.
SlapSlap – Bad Idea, Good Execution VS. 88Kasyo
Junrei – Genma Taisai
88Kasyo Junrei – Genma Taisai
Bad Idea, Good Execution has had way more traction
this winter than it had any right to accumulate. Although they present more as a gag, SlapSlap
has no small amount of musical depth to back up their self-effacing good humor. At 20 minutes, however, Bad Idea, Good Execution
ends right as it seems to be taking off, making it seem more like an EP than a
proper album. In addition, Genma Taisai
is my favorite entry from 88Kasyo Junrei that I have heard so far, with
tight compositions, reckless energy, and focused virtuosity.
Opeth – The Last Will and Testament VS. Dream Theater
– Parasomnia
Opeth – The Last Will and Testament
I have vacillated on this decision all week long. I admit to being a cautious Dream Theater fan. I have enjoyed many of their albums, but very
few of them come off the shelf. I
suspected that, despite the intriguing re-installation of Mike Portnoy on
drums, that Parasomnia would ultimately fall by the wayside, but I think
that it actually may live up to the hype.
For me personally, this has to do more with the incredible prowess of
Jordan Rudess than Mike Portnoy’s all-too-familiar-yet-ultimately-effective contributions.
I would argue, however, that The Last Will and Testament may be Opeth’s
finest work, at least from a conceptual standpoint. I could, in fact, favorably compare it to Scenes
From A Memory, which is inarguably Dream Theater’s definitive album. By extension, Parasomnia is no Scenes
From A Memory, so The Last Will and Testament wins out due to its unique
concept along with Opeth’s more austere approach to prog-metal.
Godspeed You! Black Emperor - No Title As of 13 Feb. 2024
-28,340 Dead VS. Bill Rieflin, Trey Gunn, & Robert Fripp – The Repercussions
of Angelic Behavior
Bill Rieflin, Trey Gunn, & Robert Fripp – The Repercussions
of Angelic Behavior
Godspeed You! Black Emperor has no lack of vibe. Their ability to both mesmerize and surprise suggests
a narrative capacity that eludes most instrumental projects. The Repercussions of Angelic Behavior, however,
has a conviction that is immediately arresting and clearly Crimson-adjacent.
Karate – Make it Fit VS. Squid – Cowards
Karate – Make it Fit
Although the Dream Theater VS. Opeth was a difficult choice,
this one wins the most contentious showdown award for this week. This is my third album from Squid, and I’ve
genuinely liked them all, but none of them have stuck – which is frustrating,
because I sincerely love them. Their textures,
mood, musicianship, and overall adventurousness exemplify some of the best
current post-punk art-rock out there, but I can also sense the effort that they
put into their work. Make it Fit,
however, seems comparatively effortless. It sounds like three guys who can play
the heck out of their instruments having a good time doing so. Moreover, they satisfy my ongoing addiction
to melody. Squid is plenty dramatic, but
Karate’s got the melodies, not to mention all the cool jazz chords.
Viewer’s Choice Results
SlapSlap – Bad Idea, Good Execution VS. 88Kasyo
Junrei – Genma Taisai
SlapSlap – Bad Idea, Good Execution
Opeth – The Last Will and Testament VS. Dream Theater
– Parasomnia
Dream Theater - Parasomnia
Godspeed You! Black Emperor - No Title As of 13 Feb. 2024
-28,340 Dead VS. Bill Rieflin, Trey Gunn, & Robert Fripp – The Repercussions
of Angelic Behavior
Bill Rieflin, Trey Gunn, & Robert Fripp – The Repercussions
of Angelic Behavior
Karate – Make it Fit VS. Squid – Cowards
Squid - Cowards
A look back at David Lynch, bringing to bear his unique aesthetic on his final collaborative project with Chrystabell, Cellophane Memories (2024).
Follow this link to David Lynch Theater
Circe Link and Christian Nesmith - Arcana VS. Nik Millevoi - Digital Reaction
Circe Link and Christian Nesmith - Arcana
This was a low-key upset, because I went into this showdown riding really high on the eclectic electro-guitar rock of Digital Reaction. Like many good progressive rock albums, though, Arcana revealed itself to me at a much slower pace. Its “ABBA sings for Yes” approach to melody and playful deference to classic progressive rock tropes won me over in the big picture.
Meer - Wheels Within Wheels VS. Clarence Clarity - Vanishing Act II
Meer - Wheels Within Wheels
This showdown followed almost the exact same path as that of Arcana. I have no small amount of attraction to Clarence Clarity’s jittering electro-pop, and it seemed like its riskier approach would give it the edge over Meer’s polished alternative prog. In the end, however, Wheels Within Wheels is stacked with memorable moments that emerge with repeated listens.
Melt-Banana - 3+5 VS. El Michaels Affair and Black Thought - Glorious Game
El Michaels Affair and Black Thought - Glorious Game
I have a lot of respect for Melt-Banana, and I am very interested in delving deeper into their catalog after getting into 3+5. Glorious Game, however, is a very good example of skilled, well-executed hip-hop, which is underrepresented in my listening this year. It goes on.
Boogie Down Productions - Criminal Minded VS. Missing Persons - Spring Session M
Missing Persons - Spring Session M
This was actually way closer than anyone could think. As great as Spring Session M is, it does have some minor songwriting shortcomings. Criminal Minded, despite being a bit dated, is a pristine example of late 80s rap. An argument could be made that it is as important an example of this era of hip hop as Spring Session M is to the new wave era. I couldn’t deny, however, the ridiculous amount of musicianship and detail hidden below the surface of Spring Session M.
Initially, the first few weeks of Tier 1 had us looking at
albums with the biggest gap between their respective RateYourMusic ratings. This difference has narrowed as we have traveled
through the showdowns. Now that we are
in the penultimate week of Tier 1, the album’s ratings are very closely
matched, which should theoretically mean that the outcomes should become
increasingly contentious. This week’s results
reveal that this may actually be the case.
So far, week-to-week, the Viewer’s Choice and the Prime
results have generally matched, but this week shows a 50% divergence. This is not in any way meant to imply that
one is right or wrong, but instead acknowledges the influence of individual
taste, experiences, and listening formats.
I’m pointing it out as an area of interest rather than judgement.
Prince – Controversy VS. David Gilmour – Luck
and Strange
David Gilmour – Luck and Strange
A very, very difficult choice for me. Prince is musically impeccable here, but his commitment
to the “controversy” concept feels distracting.
There are often moments where his intention to disrupt with songs like Annie
Christian diverts attention from his obvious musical strengths. This imbalance was rectified in his future
work, however, which makes this album a crucial mark in his long term
development. Luck and Strange is
not without its flaws, as well, but I am mesmerized by the way that Gilmour’s
guitar tone seems as at home in a jammy blues setting as it is backed by an
orchestra.
Soft Machine – Bundles VS. Hotline TNT – Cartwheel
Hotline TNT -Cartwheel
This outcome seems to go against my usual prog-rock modus
operandi, especially since its most salient feature (a relatively young Alan
Holdsworth) shows a guitarist with a remarkably ambitious yet clear vision of the
path ahead of him. From the perspective of musicianship, it is clearly the superior album. Cartwheel,
however, appeals to the part of me that was involved in the Dallas’ indie rock
scene in the 90s. It makes me oddly
nostalgic for the times when I would eagerly purchase a CD from the merch booth
of a great live band that I had just discovered.
Opeth – The Last Will and Testament VS. Dawn
Richard and Spencer Zahn – Pigments
Opeth -The Last Will and Testament
Pigments would have shut down a good number of albums
from Tier 1. Its an incredibly
thoughtful, well-crafted, and emotive mood study brimming over with layered,
intentional composition. I have, however,
followed Opeth for decades and I think that this may be their finest work yet. It seamlessly combines their recent
progressive rock ambitions with their extreme metal roots, housing them within
an intriguing storyline of deceit and betrayal that suits Opeth’s dark identity
perfectly.
Count Basie and Quincy Jones – Basie One More Time VS.
Kohichiro Minyata – Shakuhachi: The Japanese Bamboo Flute
Count Basie and Quincy Jones – Basie One More Time
Its not surprising that the immediacy of Basie’s
unmistakable swing is captivating enough to edge out the contemplative
atmospheres of Minyata’s performances. I
would readily argue, however, that given the correct setting, Shakuhachi
is every bit the equal of Basie One More Time
Viewer’s Choice Results
Prince – Controversy VS. David Gilmour – Luck
and Strange
Prince - Controversy
Soft Machine – Bundles VS. Hotline TNT – Cartwheel
Soft Machine - Bundles
Opeth – The Last Will and Testament VS. Dawn
Richard and Spencer Zahn – Pigments
Opeth -The Last Will and Testament
Count Basie and Quincy Jones – Basie One More Time VS.
Kohichiro Minyata – Shakuhachi: The Japanese Bamboo Flute
Count Basie and Quincy Jones – Basie One More Time
