Extended Play Lounge Episode 5 - Poll (Round 1)

Not to be the over poster, but I always felt that there was some venom from Peter Gabriel aimed at the "progressive rock" movement present in Back in NYC. I mean, by the time TLLDOB was released, not only was Gabriel on his way out of Genesis, but progressive rock was beginning to teeter on its last legs in Europe, and I think it's clear that Genesis had been there at every single turn as one of its leaders and seminal influences. We would be foolish to think Gabriel was not aware of these things, and he yells: "Your progressive hypocrites hand out their trash / But it was MINE IN THE FIRST PLACE so I'll burn it to ash." If this was a reference to progressive politics it would make little sense as neither Genesis nor Rael were a political movement. However if Rael is considered an embodiment of Gabriel's emotional frustration and angst with an artistic movement that he saw as ultimately not producing whatever changes he had once thought possible, which definitely would fit in with everything going on when this album was recorded, it does hold some water.

Skyline Drifter

BTW the animation does not accurately tell the story of parts of this at all. It misses or intentionally glosses over the redundant themes of sexual frustration and a lack of sexual know how in the life of angry young Rael. "Cuddling the porcupine" is a reference to self pleasure. "Fluffy heart" is referring to an erection with a mind of its own that seeks a female for completion. So when he says his "fluffy heart is ready for rape" he's not joking...he's young, violent, angry and full of testosterone.

Skyline Drifter

I got into this album in the mid 80s and absolutely none of my friends had the slightest idea what I was listening to or what I was doing. As far as they were concerned Genesis were all about Abacab, Mama, Land of Confusion, etc. I was definitely going totally against every single trendy kind of music available such as U2, Duran Duran, and who knows what else everyone at my high school were listening to at the time.

Skyline Drifter

United States This album has been my favorite since introduced to it in the mid-'70s. Ignoring the lyrics, I was immersed in the music. As I am older I am appreciating the lyrics more and more. They are difficult, but I am impressed that you, Doug, grabbed the message in your first listen. It is similar to what I have just recently came to understand. Your comments enriched my own interpretation and I think you got IT, Doug. It is everything. Everyone of us is connected whether we know it or not. Just as all our complex feelings are part of who we are. Every time I hear this work of art I am surprised and hear something new. As you say, it reveals itself as we are ready.

Rick Kress

This has been a companion of mine since I was a teenager. It never gets tired. It always feels like a shamans journey that you are invited to ride along with, to learn and reveal more about yourself. So, here I go.

Totally agree!

William Roberto Alkema do Monte

Hey, just thought I'd say I've been really enjoying listening to all of your videos. I've especially enjoyed hearing some new music and there are a few bands I've started listening to in more depth as a result of this (though it is also nice to watch you react to stuff I already know). I'd suggest mixing it up between doing polls (which will undoubtedly result in better-known bands/albums) and choosing what you'd most like to react to for these extended plays.

I don't just don't think that classical prog fans know where to find the modern prog bands they can get behind. There is a lot of heavy stuff out there. In the up coming next two weeks or so on Doug's Channel I think they will really enjoy Transatlantic, Big Big Train, Riverside, Haken.

Arrow2theACL

I love the classic prog, its what it got us here, bit I sometimes feel that classic prog doesn't give a chance to more modern more in this kind of polls XD, I think a good option would be to alternate this so we can modern bands a chance in extended plays, either way Yes is good :D

One day we will be there!

Pavel Kulagin

Honestly never been a fan of Pink Floyd. Let the lynching begin.

Aaron E Austin

Love all this music!! How about some Softmachine. Bundles or Softs LP

I'd be very happy with Yes or Floyd... If Yes wins... I'm very hopeful for Fragile album

Bryan Tursk

Oh yeah - this or Fragile would be excellent choices for the next Yes reaction. Topographic Oceans would be great too but perhaps not ideal to go for another double album straight after The Lamb.

Nick

I see Yes is tracking a little ahead of Pinkj Floyd - OK, that is cool. I'd like to see Dr Doug dip his toe in the water of the '80s post punk new romantic era - hope I'm not alone there.

Ian Raine

I am hoping Marillion makes the list again, but I will have a helluva time deciding which of those first 4 albums to choose.

Richard Karbowski

Dude. You’ve gotta listen to TALES. MY FAVORITE ALBUM EVER. Just give it a chance and don’t get bored, the musical moments come one after the other as long as you can keep listening for em😉

Joey Wise

Pain of Salvation “BE” !! We’re getting closer! 😁

Daniel Andrews

I 100% agree, but I find it both odd and downright pathetic that we can't get a good quality live recording of their (IMO) best song Crystallised. It sounds amazing live, but I can't find a video anywhere that matches the sound quality that other songs like Visions has and what this song disserves.

Arrow2theACL

Haken is a good shout as comfortably the "youngest" (most recent) of all the bands listed. They've really carved out a musical niche for themselves since their opener Aquarius in 2010 and having seen them live (in UK) twice can confirm they sound as good in that setting as they do in the studio which, given the complexity of the music, is an impressive achievement. That, and the fact that they've retained 5 of the original 6 musicians, suggests they are a settled unit (all high school teachers by the way, hence their limited touring opportunities).

Johnny Marsh

Me too.

Paul t hebert

I'm still holding out steadfast for SNOW by Spock's Beard. It IS a MASTERWORK

Arpeggio Blues

If Yes wins, I would be tempted to vote for The Yes Album. Just to see Doug's reaction to Perpetual Change.

Richard Karbowski

Whatever band / song / album is selected, may it please be a live version? If "YES" becomes the next selection, anything from their Yes Symphonic Live concert (2002) is highly recommended. Even though Rick Wakeman wasn't available for this one, Tom Brislin did a very capable job on the keyboards in his place. Plus ... it's very well shot & mixed!

Rick Morse

Nei no kødda du😂

Roy Torset

Operation Mindcrime would be very welcome as a complete listen

Stephan Skogen

A life long Yes fan from their first up until GFTO, which in so many ways for me was the epitaph for great progressive music of the 1970's, though Renaissance's 'A song For All Seasons in 1978 is also right up there. However I can remember in 1970, as an 8 year old, hearing my brother playing Atom Heart Mother, especially side 1 and I think that track was where my musical journey of progressive exploration began. I'l be fascinated to see where this round leads us all!

Richard Worrall

TOPOGRAPHIC OCEANS!!!!!!

Sian Podmore

What do you ladies and gentlemen think of Wobbler?

Enigmaticus

Of course, I will always choose any member of the “holy trinity” of prog (Rush, Yes and The Moody Blues) over numerous other artists, although I have become very impressed lately with the music of Wobbler, also. ‘Awaken’ is still my favorite Yes song. I happen to prefer the version from “Keys To Ascension,” over the version from “Going For The One.” I wish that ‘Symphonic Live’ had included ‘Awaken.’

Enigmaticus

As Doug is making this a more long-term project, I think it would be good to start with the older (albums of) bands like Yes and Pink Floyd, to discover and recognize foundations they laid for prog rock on which modern bands are building further.

Frits van Voorst

Doug's already done Awaken.

John Clark

OK, "And You and I" also a great choice. I agree with James, arguably their all time greatest piece. But..."Awaken" a progressive rock classic, awesome Rick Wakeman church organ solo!

Bradley Stone

Yes, "Awaken".

Bradley Stone

Hi Doug! Obviously you just reacted to four sides of The Lamb, so that was giant!, But do single sides of albums count in these episodes or are you always going for full albums? Just asking because you already did the epic side one " Close to the Edge" by Yes. But I have to say, side two, although not one grand piece, is its equal. "And You And I" arguably their greatest song and the instrumental "Siberian Khatru" used as the opening tune of practically every live show since its writing. You might consider if they win this poll, if not maybe in the future on a regular Fri episode. Thanks!

Rhesus Perplexus

Pink Floyd: Atom Heart Mother, pleeeeease!!!!

Nelson Br

I'm reading in on the patreon settings for polls. If there's a bug in their system, they need to know about it.

R. Douglas Helvering

Yes, yes,yes!

Paul t hebert

Has anyone noticed that you can vote for every band listed and it counts? How is that? Every week I vote but never know if my vote is official so I just vote for them all, something is odd about this. Is there a way to confirm a vote or a way to make it official? or is this just the way it is?

Ron Swirson

as much as Mindcrime is the obvious choice for an EP, I would love rather to hear reacts to Rage for Order or The Warning

Matthew Hackbert

F for Queensryche. Would've loved to hear an EP of Operation:Mindcrime.

This 👆🏻👆🏻👆🏻👆🏻. And I really think it’s an album he would love.

JORDI SALES

Would be happy with any of these bands, though I can't help myself wishing, even as a massive Yes fan, that it doesn't end up being Yes - only because they've featured several times on the channel already.

Nick

Fingers crossed Haken makes a comeback. I'm torn about PoS because I'd *love* to see Doug take on Remedy Lane, which is personal top 10 album, but I'm pretty confident if they were to win then BE would win the second round vote and I really don't care for that album.

Bill C

Animals never did it for me. Some of my younger friends grew up with Animals and love it. Saw PF in Jan. 72. Blew my mind. Believe it or not they played 2 or 3 songs from DSOTM. Did not realize it until it was released in 73.

Glenn Wimberly

Queensryche is trailing this week, oh no! It's tough because they are vastly different than these other four bands (or so I think).

Paul Humphrey

They didn't make the top 3 last time. I'm sure they'll be back in the mix soon.

R. Douglas Helvering

Hey, what happened to Spock's Beard???

Jeremy Taylor

Do it BE of Pain Of Salvation Please!

Theremainsoftheday

Heartily seconded! My favorite Yes album.

MPHawk

Pain Of salvation 🤩🤩

PoS is going to kill the Haken vote after a 2nd place finish last poll. Always a bride's maid. Never a bride. J/K. Every single one of these would be a great listen. Enjoying these extended plays even though I've never heard the older ones.

Arrow2theACL

Pink Floyd’s Animals is your best bet here. 👍🤟

Michael Gehrman

After couple of months PoS are to win because there won't be any more great bands - Doug will listen to them all :D

Pavel Kulagin

I feel like the best whole record is CTTE but he’s already listened to half of it. But still, I’m craving an And You and I reaction.

Gary Thobaben

Ever since the first episode I saw I've always wanted Atom Heart Mother by Pink Floyd. Seems like the perfect blend of prog and classical instruments.

I just had my awesomeness overdose with The Lamb, NEXT TALES FROM TOPOGRAPHIC OCEANS PLEASE!!! :D

Estefanía Sucre

I'd be happy with a reaction to just "Dogs" off of the album Animals, or maybe "Dogs" plus the two short songs of "Pigs on the Wing". But I'd also be happy with a full-album reaction to "Fragile" if that would be a new album for Doug to hear. Or Haken would also be good. Or.... 🙂

Garance A Drosehn

PoS won't win here since they're far less popular than these other bands but I'm glad you included them! I think you would really love their album "Be".

That requires two full plays of the album, doesn't it?

Richard Moore

Pink Floyd or Yes works for me, but I'll vote for Yes with the hope it wins and Tales makes it into the list and wins. On the other hand PF's DSOTM deserves its spot here as it's arguable one of most influential albums of all times

Juan Ignacio Quesada

Yes: Fragile would be a fantastic choice!

Richard Moore

Dark Side of the Moon and have the video sync to Wizard of Oz playing.

Teresa Conboy

Tales from topographic oceans time?

Also: It just takes a minute, and you'll feel no pain

C'mon Doug - you've got to do Operation: MindCrime :-)

I vote for doing Animals end to end

Deepak Singh