Best Ever Albums

Re: 'Hard' albums that aren't really

Anonymous — Thu, 24 May 2018 05:45:14 GMT

Author: Anonymous

Posted: 05/24/2018 09:45

Gowi wrote:

“Hard” is a description that is fluid and speaks of the heaviness of the times, especially with rock. You need to relate the album contextually and historically.

I agree, I think. Every album needs to be listened to with the intention of the artist in mind. I never liked Jean-Michel Jarre's Téo & Téa, until I realised it was a Eurodance album, not his usual progressive electronic.

Téo &Téa by Jean Michel Jarre[/img]

Re: 'Hard' albums that aren't really

Anonymous — Wed, 23 May 2018 10:39:35 GMT

Author: Anonymous

Posted: 05/23/2018 14:39

Ascension by John Coltrane

I was dreading this but found it really very listenable when I got round to it. Sure it's hectic and obtuse, but it's not directionless. Never a dull moment, not nearly as chaotic and people make out. I think everyone into music should give it a listen.

Re: 'Hard' albums that aren't really

mickilennial — Wed, 23 May 2018 10:27:25 GMT

Author: mickilennial

Posted: 05/23/2018 14:27

“Hard” is a description that is fluid and speaks of the heaviness of the times, especially with rock. You need to relate the album contextually and historically.

Re: 'Hard' albums that aren't really

Anonymous — Wed, 23 May 2018 09:13:21 GMT

Author: Anonymous

Posted: 05/23/2018 13:13

Autechre are definitely an act I get on with less than I would like (whatever that means). They've produced some brilliant tunes (Nine, from Amber; Eutow, from Tri Repetae), but there's also tracks that feel more like filler than considered options. I found the whole of Quarastice very difficult to like. Maybe I'll go back to it again with different ears and hear something I've not heard before.

Re: 'Hard' albums that aren't really

Luigii — Tue, 22 May 2018 20:34:29 GMT

Author: Luigii

Posted: 05/23/2018 00:34

Tap wrote:

people always talk about Autechre's work beginning in the late 90s and early 00s as being difficult and without melody, but there are very clear melodies all over the place on those albums. Like on Cfern off of Confield, it's so overt and I have no idea how people can say what they say with a straight face.

For me, I find Autechre pretty enjoyable due to how I listen to music. Enjoy the soundscapes as well the heady beats. But I do understand why people will be miffed at an act like Autechre. Especially when you get to the 2000's.
Depending on what people listen to, there perspective will look at an album like Confield the same way as a free form jazz album or a drone piece. I don't get it. And guess what, that is perfectly fine. Even when electronic music is my bread and butter, some avant garde stuff can be a turn off. As well as some music has a time and place.

Re: 'Hard' albums that aren't really

CharlieBarley — Tue, 22 May 2018 19:11:08 GMT

Author: CharlieBarley

Posted: 05/22/2018 23:11

bobbyb5 wrote:

Here's one that I always thought was too hard to listen to because it was so confusing to me, but now I don't find it hard at all.

And then another one that I find really easy.to listen to and easy to enjoy, but people tell ME that it's too confusing for them and too hard to listen to all the way through.

Hot Rats by Frank Zappa

Orbus Terrarum by The Orb

Agree with Hot Rats its a lot of fun

These two I find easy:

Freak Out! by The Mothers of Invention

Trout Mask Replica by Captain Beefheart And His Magic Band

This album by Hendrix I found hard to listen to at first cos of its out-there experimental tracks. Now its one of my favourites:

Electric Ladyland by The Jimi Hendrix Experience

which is obvs every bit as good as this one:

Electric Landlady by Kirsty MacColl

Re: 'Hard' albums that aren't really

craola — Tue, 22 May 2018 15:53:01 GMT

Author: craola

Posted: 05/22/2018 19:53

Central Market by Tyondai Braxton
listen #1 is jarring because the adrenaline levels are really high, and it's kind of unexpected in its relentlessness, but once you start to grasp what's going on (a few listens in at least), it's pretty soothing.

Re: 'Hard' albums that aren't really

Romanelli — Tue, 22 May 2018 15:31:29 GMT

Author: Romanelli

Posted: 05/22/2018 19:31

Moved to Music as it's not actually a music diary.

Re: 'Hard' albums that aren't really

Anonymous — Tue, 22 May 2018 05:00:47 GMT

Author: Anonymous

Posted: 05/22/2018 09:00

Tap wrote:

people are silly

Re: 'Hard' albums that aren't really

Tap — Tue, 22 May 2018 03:52:50 GMT

Author: Tap

Posted: 05/22/2018 07:52

people always talk about Autechre's work beginning in the late 90s and early 00s as being difficult and without melody, but there are very clear melodies all over the place on those albums. Like on Cfern off of Confield, it's so overt and I have no idea how people can say what they say with a straight face.

Re: 'Hard' albums that aren't really

Anonymous — Tue, 22 May 2018 03:23:07 GMT

Author: Anonymous

Posted: 05/22/2018 07:23

I agree about Hot Rats. Might give it a whirl today and see if I can get past my prejudices.

As for Orbus Terrarum - always loved that album. Bit more ethereal that some of their other stuff, but a really interesting listen. Definitely going to put that on today!

Cheers!

Re: 'Hard' albums that aren't really

bobbyb5 — Mon, 21 May 2018 23:40:35 GMT

Author: bobbyb5

Posted: 05/22/2018 03:40

Here's one that I always thought was too hard to listen to because it was so confusing to me, but now I don't find it hard at all.

And then another one that I find really easy.to listen to and easy to enjoy, but people tell ME that it's too confusing for them and too hard to listen to all the way through.

Hot Rats by Frank Zappa

Orbus Terrarum by The Orb

'Hard' albums that aren't really

Anonymous — Mon, 21 May 2018 00:54:40 GMT

Author: Anonymous

Posted: 05/21/2018 04:54

Why is it that I don't listen to The Hangman's Beautiful Daughter because I think of it as a 'hard' album, yet when I actually spend some time with it, I find it to be enchanting.

What other albums am I missing out on regularly because I don't want to expend effort, when I don't really have to?

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