Author Topic: ProgRock album of 2006: Mew "And the Glass Handed Kites" (Read 1611 times)

bdfreetuna · « **on:** March 01, 2007, 08:36:23 pm »

Allright I don\'t usually take it upon myself to review albums or suggest people get them on message boards for other bands...

But I notice a lot of y\'all seem to be into the Prog Rock scene, whatever kind of scene that is. I don\'t really know. But I do know this album And the Glass Handed Kites by Danish band Mew is my pick for the best album of 2006.

Like many great albums, this one flows from song to song in true concept fashion. The songs are apparently about Love, the end of the world, noticing small beautiful things. I don\'t really know its hard to figure out what these Danish dudes are really singing about. But the lyrics really do invoke some great imagery and its the kind of music you can make up your own meaning to... until which time you read one some website what the song is really about.

The vocals are really outstanding. One song, "The Zookeeper\'s Boy" is reminiscent of Queen in the way they weave vocals in and out of each other in some kind of triumphant opera-like fashion.

The music is classic prog rock.... stange time signatures that switch in the middle of the song, driving guitars that switch to ambiance in the middle of the song.

Some of the songs straight rock. Some of the songs are just sonic bliss.

Definitely some good stuff, listen to this with headphones after enjoying the vapors of some NYC Deisel and you will have quite the experience.

You all know how to use Bittorrent ... check it out!

Overexjoesure · « **Reply #1 on:** March 01, 2007, 09:48:41 pm »

:thumbsdow :thumbsdow :thumbsdow :thumbsdow

Rickey Roux · « **Reply #2 on:** March 01, 2007, 11:20:20 pm »

This is one of those don\'t get me started kind of things. Oh well, too late. I have been into the "prog rock scene" for decades. But so much music transcends so many genres, that the term "prog rock" actually does more harm than good in many cases. I\'ve heard a lot about Mew on the blogs and decided to check \'em out. Sounded O.K., but a little too symphonic and derivative for my tastes. If I must pick one (and now I have to), it is "Arrhythmia" by Von Frickle. An instrumental prog meet metal with jazz and ambient influence (sometimes in the same song) creating a stew of music bliss. Jammy and heavy with odd time signatures at times and dark, drony and soundtrack-like at others.

Overexjoesure · « **Reply #3 on:** March 01, 2007, 11:36:16 pm »

It\'s a industry marketed term, like jambands and fusion.. Now my .02

Crime in Choir-"Trumpery Meiter"

Lexington · « **Reply #4 on:** March 02, 2007, 01:09:29 am »

glass handed kites? sounds like a pakistani headline

FrankZappa · « **Reply #5 on:** March 02, 2007, 07:40:09 am »

so should I get this album or not? Should I go get "Arrhythmia" instead, or both or what? :confused:

Overexjoesure · « **Reply #6 on:** March 02, 2007, 02:08:53 pm »

Paul, now that I\'m back in CT I\'ll have plenty of time to hook you up. I\'ve been getting all types of extravagent stuff from Europe. This one band sounds like a Spanish Rush. I think you\'d really dig them.

FreeSpirit · « **Reply #7 on:** March 02, 2007, 04:36:05 pm »

Quote from: Rickey Roux;137006

I have been into the "prog rock scene" for decades. But so much music transcends so many genres, that the term "prog rock" actually does more harm than good in many cases.

:idunno: so... how exactly is "prog rock" defined?

Rickey Roux · « **Reply #8 on:** March 02, 2007, 09:45:46 pm »

Progressive (Prog) Rock is a style of rock music that arose in the late 1960\'s in Europe, which drew many of its influences from classical and jazz music. It has grown formidably since it\'s inception and now also draws influences from folk, psychedelia, metal, electronica, world music..... and a whole lot more.

bdfreetuna · « **Reply #9 on:** March 03, 2007, 01:03:58 am »

I don\'t really know wtf "prog rock" is either I was just pullin that outta my arse...

Paul get And the Glass Handed Kites their other albums aren\'t nearly as good IMO. This one stands far above the rest.

Overexjoesure · « **Reply #10 on:** March 03, 2007, 01:47:49 am »

Quote from: bdfreetuna;137104

I don\'t really know wtf "prog rock" is either I was just pullin that outta my arse...

It\'s a shame, you\'re missing out on what music REALLY is.

FrankZappa · « **Reply #11 on:** March 03, 2007, 06:48:39 am »

prog(ressive rock) is also usually defined by very complex written music with multiple odd time signature changes and high falsetto male vocals, which normally turns most people off from it. They can be very heavy synths or none at all. The difference is drastic: that rush clip I put up has no synth and is VERY heavy (and is why prog is sometimes confused with metal). Something by YES or Mike Oldfield would be the other extreme, but it is all prog.

Joe - I\'d love to get some stuff from you. pm me sometime. I don\'t know what I have I could trade you (unless you want rush haha)

bdfreetuna · « **Reply #12 on:** March 03, 2007, 11:34:56 am »

Quote from: TreyChica;137109

It\'s a shame, you\'re missing out on what music REALLY is.

errrr.... see my original definition. I know what it is in whatever sense it can be defined --- weird time changes , time signatures like 17 / 23492.34 , falsetto singing, unusual styles of playing and classical influences.

But with all "genres" they\'re stupid to begin with, and the lines are blurry.

When it comes to heady trax my collection is vast, make no mistake