~Beyond the Border~ > Sara's Audio-Visual Import-Overflow Retail
Why so few music threads?
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--- Quote from: ZillionBrain on July 24, 2016, 11:20:00 PM ---For me at least, it's very hard to put into words why I like something. It's like there's no language for it. I guess it's more a problem if you want to go in-depth though, yes.
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I don't know, a basic description seems simple enough to do. For example, why do I like Incantation and similar bands? It's the raw, dirty sound, crushing atmosphere and themes of doom, decay and otherworldly horrors. The riffs are rarely catchy, but still rather enthralling. And the thicker the guitar sounds, the better.
--- Quote from: ZillionBrain on July 24, 2016, 11:20:00 PM ---There are some styles that I pretty much never like (like death doom)
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Agreed here, death doom seems like it's missing the best parts of both genres and the sluggish pace seems to be going nowhere. The sole exception I can think of is Runemagick, a superb band that started out as pure death metal and slowed their playing down over the years. Their early material is best.
--- Quote from: commandercool on July 24, 2016, 11:32:33 PM ---I'm pretty sure there is a language for it and that's one of the things being a technically trained musician gets you, but I certainly don't know what it is. That's one of the reasons I tend not to talk about music, I'm afraid someone who actually knows what the fuck they're talking about is going to drop in and school me. :V
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Same here, I certainly don't have any actual knowledge of music, just experience in listening. Still that's no reason to be afraid of expressing our subjective opinions! In the worst case, someone schools us as you say and we learn something new.
By the way, Dagon? Sounds tempting, lovecraftian themes are among my favourite things in metal. They're very fitting for death metal, but stuff like this is lovely as well.
Tea Devil:
Can't say I know too much about metal, but Nightwish was definitely a huge part of my middle/high school days. I am one of those people who definitely preferred Tarja, but honestly Annette was good too. A bit weak on Dark Passion Play, but it's not like she was bad. Her voice did not suit some of the songs, and I remember some people saying that she sounded too much like a pop star. Imaginaerium, however, was really wonderful. I'm not sure what changed, but her vocals and the music complemented each other much better. I have not listened to the latest album, though. It's been a while since I had a real interest in Nightwish.
As far as my favourite albums, well, it would be easier to say that I don't care for the first one much at all and Dark Passion Play, while some of the composition is quite nice, just has too much of a clash between Annette and everything else. For songs, I like "Deep Silent Complete", "The Crow, the Owl, and the Dove", "The Islander", and at the top probably is "The Siren".
Like I said, I don't listen to much in terms of metal. Other than Nightwish, it's mostly just Wolves in the Throne Room and Lacrimas Profundere. Wolves can be a bit too heavy and screamo for me, but "Diadem of 12 Stars" is pretty awesome, save for a dull 5 minute section in the middle. Lacrimas is generally good. I'm pretty on-board with German singers doing English lyrics. Sometimes there is a point where I'm not entirely sure what they're trying to describe, but great vocals.
Silent Harmony:
If you love naturally beautiful voices with a R&B/Soul style then you need to buy Jess Glynne's music. She's most famous for this Clean Bandit song, but her solo stuff is seriously amazing.
Anybody else have any favorite up-and-coming musicians?
Emerald Mint:
Quite a fan of Jess Glynne's voice myself. Joss Stone is more along the touching subject of difficult relationships, though she's got good melody and soul too.
Also into Ellie Goulding and Katy B for affectionate female voices.
As for up-and-coming artists, I'm a little stuck in the past right now, as it's difficult to appreciate modern trends. There might be a few once in a while, I'll have to listen more.
CenturyEgg:
Quite surprised no one has mentioned Korpliklaani and Finntroll since Ensiferum appeared. But maybe it was just blind luck I chanced upon the three together.
Another artist with a really nice voice is Jonsi Birgisson, the vocalist of Sigur Ros. Theur stuff is quite ambient though, but interesting if you want to try something different.