tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6435114554107499146.post2973960807700149620..comments2023-05-18T16:39:13.153+01:00Comments on The Sound Of Fighting Cats: Aethellis - Northumbria (2011)Torodd Fuglesteghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14092286386335442052noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6435114554107499146.post-22108268102812000652012-06-16T20:07:09.498+01:002012-06-16T20:07:09.498+01:00Interesting that after a little research (as a mus...Interesting that after a little research (as a musicologist and film critic research is what I do!) what I thought may have been a quote from a Genesis song was actually more a reference to a melody in a Clementi sonatina. Not a direct quote, but it reminded me of it.<br /><br />Nowhere near a direct quote as "Groovy Kind of Love" was of Clementi's Sonata No. 5 Rondo. Ooops but now I'm moving into Phil Collins pop territory! But to be fair everyone has their preferences regarding varying styles of music. I appreciate that you are up front with yours.Boulevard Denimnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6435114554107499146.post-73090413447507905392012-06-13T23:44:04.938+01:002012-06-13T23:44:04.938+01:00I too purchased the first Aethellis album and was ...I too purchased the first Aethellis album and was more impressed with Northumbria as a follow up.<br /><br />To be fair, there were funky guitars all over the first album ("Hubris" and "Djibouti" come to mind) and long keyboard solos. Heck, UK's "Carrying No Cross" has a really long keyboard solo. I feel that the solo on the title track measures up very well and is quite Jobsonish/Emersonish in style and compositionally interesting with polytriads and dissonances. Quite PROG.<br /><br />Also to be fair, Genesis still was still doing quite progressive things after Gabriel left. And even Mr. Gabriel went all soul/pop with the So album. So let's get real.<br /><br />Sure there are some pop influences on Northumbria. They were on the first album too. There are some jazz and electronica influences ("Exchequer Prague") and fusion ("Sounds Good"). So what? Prog shouldn't be static and narrowly defined. It should be allowed to encompass other genres. And Aethellis does just that and even when it does, it still maintains compositional sophistication.<br /><br />Accusing the band of outright theft of Genesis material is a bit over the top. I hear the influences; perhaps even a quote but no outright stealing of entire songs. I hear other influences more; UK, ELP, Camel, Thomas Dolby.<br /><br />I also think the album sounds even better recorded than the first and is indeed quite a creative endeavor.<br /><br />And Mr. Hall still has done the bulk of the performing/recording as per his interview on Prog Archives.Boulevard Denimnoreply@blogger.com