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Ranting Thespian
Fluffy-Esque
USA
1283 Posts |
 Posted - 10/10/2006 : 01:21:43 AM
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I juts got in the mail the last copy of Sticks and Stones: A Collection of Spontaneous Improvisations.
Wow! This is different . . . and it's growing on me fast. I can't tell if it is Greg doing this part or Tim doing this other part (except for sax, that's Greg). This is my 3rd time of ever hearing Greg Howard. First was on the Dreaming Tree, second on Code Magenta, and now this . . . and it isn't like the others at all.
I really like the concept of this. Wiether intentional or not (looking at the track list, it must have been intentional, but with Tim and Greg, who knows). It's all about the creation of the planet, water, fish, land, trees, dinosaurs . . . and then man, the worst creature mother nature ever made.
Moments: Such a nice opener. Very spacey, and pleasent. A sense of something magical.
Birth of a Planet: Starting off wierd. I get the feeling of things being clammered around, much like asteroids colliding together. Big thumps eventualy, and the background keeps getting stronger and louder. And it is just funny at points (not pathetic funny, but just has that quirky feeling). Then it all rises, and everything comes into place.
Water: Bass is up, treble down, and reverb on high. And then there is this sax coming out of nowhere. Very jazzy, freeform and spacious. It's just the type that sets you in such a pleasent mood. All this and little tapping/plucking on the high strings to give the rain feel. Very nice, my second favorite off the album. I get a feeling of Code Magenta here, actualy.
The Fishes, Part I: From "Monty Python and the Meaning oif Life": oh fishy fish fish, where art thou fishy fish fish fish? My, my we have gotten wierd here. Tim's voice is creeping me out. I'm sorry, but any Tim moaning like that, creeps me out . . . but for some reason, I can't get enough of it ;) . Damn, what was Tim smoking when he started singing on this track. Anyways, I really just think of those freaky fish down at the bottom of the ocean. Ones out of a horror movie or something, just swimming around, and they just make you have nightmares til you die . . . and you pray that you don't reincarnate, for fear of having those nightmares again. Thank god for the sax to bring me out of the insanity ;) . Tim is still going, but the sax. Don't get me wrong, I like the track, I like this creepy stuff, I am just describing it.
The Fishies, Part II: Hmm, still can't find the fish? It's in my trousers, or my trunk . . . who knows? Actualy it's on the kitchen counter, dinner's done. This is shortter than it's predecesor, and a lot more calming (still not quite, though). It is obviously symbolizing the evolution of the fish into more logical and such like we have today on the counter. Nice chimes on here. Really starting to show some sanity out of this planet that was created.
A World of Trees Part I: My favorite off the album. Beautiful, absolutly beautiful. I just think of the game MYST and the land of trees you go to. I would just think about what it was like before the water over took the land. This tree filled paradise. One of my favorite things Tim has ever done is right here. Stunning. So peaceful, so mesmorizing, so many big words to choose from to make me sound intelligent. Anyways, just one big wonderful land of trees. A place I would love to live in.
End of An Age: Nooooo!!!!!!!!!!! TAKE ME BACK!!!!!!!! NO!!!!!!!! (something's rotten in the state of denmark . . . man I sound intellectual)
Dinosaur: "Omg, the leamonade, look at the lemonade!" - Ron Howard. Yep, they are coming. Man, if I cranked this one up on my sereo, no water of any liquid wouldn't be quivering. Water, lemonade, molten lava, liqued oxygen. It's a very spacey TR3 type rock stuff for what Tim is playing. Since it's just Greg and Tim, it's not really hard rock or such, but that is the style Tim is playing. This would have sounded extrmely good Live with Greg and the rest of TR3.
And we come to the point of no return . . .
The Ascent of Man: Starts off very calm, intriquing. I am thinking of the monkeys walking around, and after a while, they hit a big black slab of stone. Let that bone fly ape, let it fly. Then it starts to pick up progression. Still peaceful at this point. But hints of possible wrong doings with some bending notes that really don't mix with the rest. Then it increases, moves faster. The sax enters and shows the heart and mind of man. Out intrique, our intelligence. Our potential. The sax starts to fail it's perfect peacefulness. The guitar is starting to contrast it every so often. It starts to get a bit more technical. The sax is now more or less spreading hope, but spreading a slight fear. Fear of eachother. So we start growing, and the sax and stick, guitar start becoming agressive. The most noted invention from men of all time: WAR! The stress, the strain. The suspicious. We start to build, we start to seperate. Still watching our backs, we are moving forward. Then there is some sense of unity for a bit, but still agressive. Yeah, long review for this track, but it's 20 minutes long, so just bare with me. Also, yes I am listening to it as I type. It increases. The sound gets faster, more notes, the sax comes back, but as a marching cry to press on, rather than peaceful celebration. The synth starts to make a prominent sound. Technology is starting to boom. The industrial revolution is right around the curb. We are capturing land, still watching our backs for anyone now. Very few friends remain. Same lines over and over, stressing the point of frustration. Then it calms, for a minute. The guitar starts to attack. The sax is starting really get pushed off. The guitar is getting more distortion, more prominate. We are building, we are fighting, we are loving, we are divorcing. CHAOS, WAR, DESTRUCTION, MONEY, GREED. It all comes to a head, everything right head on. Over and over again. And then the end, the last fires, the last of everything being used, and we all slow down, the saxes wain and try to stay, but the guitar is moving too fast, and quick. We come to a stand still. What do we do?
A World of Trees, Part II: Where are the trees? Where is the life? Where are the humans? Where are the animals? Nothing left but Sticks and Stone. Empty, echoing, disconnecting. Things still move, but they are falling from death. Wait, new life? No, just memories. A cry from a clean guitar, what have we done?
Wow. I am impressed. So impressed. Roger Waters needs a copy of this.
Tim and Greg, you're awesome.
(I also ordered Water On the Moon. I should get that by friday). |
Not communicating can hurt more than any word that can be said -
Nick
-the Ranting Thespian |
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Ranting Thespian
Fluffy-Esque
USA
1283 Posts |
Posted - 10/13/2006 : 01:52:09 AM
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| Any thoughts? |
Not communicating can hurt more than any word that can be said -
Nick
-the Ranting Thespian |
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Batstone
Chatterbox
Canada
281 Posts |
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KevinLesko
Alien Abductee
3712 Posts |
Posted - 10/15/2006 : 5:43:47 PM
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This is an amazing review! Great work, you should post this on Amazon. I'm going to email it to Greg.
By the way, do you have Transmigration? It is one of my favorite albums period. If you like the 1st Sticks and Stones cd, you'll love this one. Greg might still have some for sale. |
god
Kevin |
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Arthen
Alien Abductee
USA
4845 Posts |
Posted - 10/15/2006 : 6:40:52 PM
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| Transmigration is badass, I'll have to check out this one though. Maybe find it on Amazon or Ebay... |
Steve Hackett: "I'm my own opening act, you see."
Tim (before "Faceoff"): "Peace, love....and SEX!"
cbenc41@hotmail.com |
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Ranting Thespian
Fluffy-Esque
USA
1283 Posts |
Posted - 10/15/2006 : 10:27:17 PM
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Kewl. Actualy when I bought Sticks And Stones, it said it was the last on amazon, but more were coming in.
Also, I think you can buy Transmigration through this site. What I would love Greg to do is make a Box Set of all the Sticks and Stones albums. |
Not communicating can hurt more than any word that can be said -
Nick
-the Ranting Thespian |
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Arthen
Alien Abductee
USA
4845 Posts |
Posted - 10/15/2006 : 10:52:54 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by Ranting Thespian
Kewl. Actualy when I bought Sticks And Stones, it said it was the last on amazon, but more were coming in.
Also, I think you can buy Transmigration through this site. What I would love Greg to do is make a Box Set of all the Sticks and Stones albums.
I don't know if it was about Sticks and Stones, but he was doing some remastering work on older albums. I can't remember the details exactly.
Transmigration is bad ass, definitely check that one out. The music is so crazy and out there I love it. |
Steve Hackett: "I'm my own opening act, you see."
Tim (before "Faceoff"): "Peace, love....and SEX!"
cbenc41@hotmail.com |
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Sticks and Stones: Review
