Health benefits of metal music WAS: OT LOL! Mark Purdey FAQ

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>> [ron]NIN is a regular on the hi-fi at the

>> house. Some of the most cleanly recorded music on the planet.>>>

> [chris] Isn't that because it's all synthesized?>>>

Almost everything is synth to some degree now in producing and recording

music. But it's not the synth your granddaddy drove (or however that

ad/saying goes..) And it's not a bad thing.

As for the synthesizer keyboards systems that artists are using now -they

are just so far advanced -- a much broader range of sound than those

irritating " choir " sounds from past years -- you know the sound I mean --

c'mon! I love that the synth has found its home as a multi-textured rhythm

instrument. And as Ron was saying, its bass note is incredible.

I brought up the subject of this newer version of progressive rock because I

feel it has had health benefits for my sluggish burned out self - it's a

healthy high -- that was the thread I think.. The complicated electronic

sounds from the new synthesizers (and the artists!) can weave textures that

I've not heard to that degree in music. I've mostly listened to jazz (

Dolphy's my man) because I guess I'm what you call an active listener and so

I like the music to be layered and interesting on a lot of levels - you

know, talented players and creations that are well produced. I like to hear

music that works on a human gut level whether it's country or classical.

Also I started out the most jaded snobbish person on the planet when it came

to the cold synth sound until one of my young musician friends introduced me

to some of this new stuff a few years back. It's not the kick drum whiny

voices that we've listened to for 20 years in alternative rock and it's not

just NIN who is doing it. Porcupine Tree has been around a lot longer. And

there are a lot of new bands from Iceland and Sweden who are doing some

wonderful things now and for the past five or ten years. They're just hidden

so I'm glad I found them. These bands seem to enjoy what they're doing and

don't make a heck of a lot of money. They play at small venues like the SF

Fillmore where I go.

The other thing that delights me about most of the new prog rock bands I've

seen is that, when you see them live, you'll notice that no matter what the

age of the band members, it *seems* that the synth keyboard player always

looks like he's about 16 or so. Young. They're probably older of course but

definitely Asperger geeks I'd say.. :-) (That's for Heidi.) Anyway, my

point is that I think these kids coming up really know what the synthesizer

is all about. It's their generation's baby. It's fun and exciting to see

something like that happen in music. People are starting to care again about

" who's playing drums? Or what guitar is that guy using? and so on..

This new metal prog seems more about musicians and creative talent than

about record companies and except for (maybe) NIN, you won't see any of the

bands I'm talking about on MTV. They're not making a heck of a lot of money

either..

So if you want a change, check it out. It'll cure what ails ya.

~Robin

My favorite prog bands and cd's in no particular order:

Porcupine Tree - " Deadwing " and/or " In Absentia " (classic)

Opeth - " Damnation " -- some of their stuff on the other albums is pretty

dark and scary.

Doves - " Lost Souls " is a classic and " Some Cities " is the latest - quite

good)

Nine Inch Nails - " With Teeth " (but I hate cuts 2,3 and 4 - maybe they work

live but too much yelling) 5,6,7, and 8 turn up the volume and rock!

Arcade Fire - " Funeral " (just a fun sweet sound you can't help but laugh and

love this one)

Notwist - hmmm. all their cd's are good in different ways - " Neon Golden " is

nice and interesting. All their stuff is really themed. Drummer is

absolutely amazing on " Nook " - maybe as good as Dave Grohl with NIN now..)

Now my mind is going blank. you get the idea though.