Posts by Alex Martinez4

feralstag11 said:Ha. Pure comedy.

I fail to see what is supposed to be funny here.

Bryan Barrett said:First off, my apologies for the delayed response; my internet connection has been absolutely abysmal today. 😠

They performed their own compositions live, though one could argue they lean toward the classical side, especially given how Jordan Rudess’s keyboards and the acoustic elements lend that specific flair. The guitar and keys weave together seamlessly, creating a fluid sound despite the tracks being quite lengthy—around nine minutes. There are moments of heightened intensity, but the primary focus remains the construction of melody. As for technique, when John Petrucci is involved, it goes without question. At certain points, he reminds me of Pat Metheny, yet it remains distinctly his own style. He blends acoustic and electric guitar effortlessly. Essentially, this is Petrucci in a different light, showcasing his full range of versatility. If you're interested, send me a PM and I'll get those files to you.

I would also suggest you listen to a couple of pieces by Jason Becker—specifically Air and Altitudes—just to see how even metal musicians can compose exquisite, atmospheric, and mellow works.

Thanks for the info. I appreciate your point about the music being fluid and prioritizing melody. The fact that it leans toward Pat Metheny is even more appealing. It sounds like my kind of thing. I'll shoot you a PM so we can coordinate. By the way, what's the damage for that CD?

As for Steve Vai and Joe Satriani, they occasionally—and quite frequently—tend to overindulge in technical self-gratification. Personally, that doesn't bother me much because I value technical proficiency just as highly as emotional feel; they are two sides of the same coin.😉 I believe the situation is different with John Petrucci (listen to the solos on Voices, Learning to Live, Under a Glass Moon, and Take the Time), as he has managed to perfectly balance technical mastery with genuine soul.

Exactly, that is my point. Ultimately, "feeling" is entirely subjective. For instance, people constantly attempt to convince me—which is a futile endeavor in itself—that Joe Satriani is a master technician who possesses both melody and soul. That is perhaps the most subjective claim one can make. I simply do not experience that particular "feel." It isn't the energy I gravitate toward; I just don't connect with it. What strikes one person as a beautiful melody might leave another completely cold. The same applies to Voja Stefanovski; people claim he has achieved that perfect marriage of technique and emotion, yet I find myself unable to feel it. We aren't on the same wavelength. To reiterate, I find Al Di Meola to be the perfect fusion of melody and skill. To someone else, he might seem like a show-off or perhaps too melodic. Anyway, I've wandered into theorizing now. But I have always found the subjective perception of music to be fascinating. Take I Love You Much Too Much by Santana, for example. The guitar truly weeps; it pours its soul out through such a breathtaking melody that it nearly moves me to tears. Then, I play it for a friend, and he remains utterly indifferent. I am moved to tears, while he finds it practically repulsive. These psychological nuances are genuinely interesting. But I will stop droning on with my ramblings...

Take care...

Bryan Barrett said:Alex Martinez4, you might want to check out An evening with John Petrucci and Jordan Rudess. It has a bit of a classical touch.

I see... thanks for the tip, I'll look for that album. I am always open to discovering something new. Could you elaborate on what you mean by this "classical touch"? Did they perform actual classical compositions, or is it just the style? Is it an acoustic set? If it is, I might actually find Petrucci appealing. My feelings toward him are much like my view on Voja Stefanovski: I cannot stand his electric playing, yet I absolutely adore him on acoustic when he's paired with someone like Boris Tadić. Perhaps Petrucci will be similar. Go ahead and describe the album so I have a better idea of what to expect. Thanks.🙂

It's comments like these that make me look like a total hack..
Cheers, Alex Martinez4! I am in complete agreement with this sentiment.

Much appreciated! 🙂

Alright, I'll give you that... everyone is entitled to their own taste... if we were all identical on this planet, life would be incredibly boring!!!

There is an old, wise proverb from Kamchatka: Our differences are precisely what define us. 😁 😁 😁

No, in all seriousness... I am genuinely grateful for those variations... and I find satisfaction in being able to debate and hold opposing views without someone perceiving it as a personal attack and retaliating with insults. That is the only way forward.....🙂 👍 🙂 👍 👍

Exactly. That’s the issue. I simply cannot stomach that kind of playing or guitarists like Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, and John Petrucci. To me, that level of technicality isn't music; it's just typing. Don't get me wrong, I respect a world-class technician, but there absolutely must be a soul behind the notes—some sense of depth. I have no patience for shredding at any cost. I despise when a flurry of fast notes exists solely to show off technique, serving as its own reason for being. It should exist within a musical context, dictated by what the song actually requires. Of course, this is subjective; where you find soul, I might find nothing, and vice versa. A perfect example of my point is Al Di Meola. He is a master technician, certainly, but his compositions aren't merely vehicles for him to prove he can shred. Everything he does serves the music. When the moment calls for speed, he flies across the fretboard, but he never forces it just for the sake of it. There is melody and soul there. That is what I look for. You might feel that connection with the G3 trio, but I don't. To me, their music is utterly tedious—dry, monotonous, and flat. There is nothing to grab onto, nothing that triggers a "wow" moment. I tip my hat to their execution, but that's where it ends. It's nothing more than mindless note-stacking.

Greetings...

I’ve spent plenty of time listening to the G3 trio consisting of Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, and Eric Johnson, though I haven't heard anything involving John Petrucci yet.

And honestly? No... I absolutely don't like it... not even a little bit. Only Johnson works for me. I can't even wrap my head around the other two because I simply cannot stand that style of playing. I can only imagine how much worse it would be if Petrucci joined in... it would be utterly repulsive. Give them credit where it's due—the musicianship is high quality and technically flawless—but for me, it's unlistenable. I prefer Johnson on his own, without those show-offs getting in the way.

...so, there is my take on the whole matter.

Peace out.

Hugh Grant 'n' Pepper said:Listen here,
don't go messing around
with Metallica
lyrics...
'cause you might end up getting your head taken off
by some crazed
Metallica fans...
then you'll see!

😁 😉

I am not messing around one bit
with Metallica
lyrics
because everyone above me
is just a bunch of total fakes
who don't realize how good
our lyrics actually
are.

Forget about those threats
since I have my hands on
a legendary Glock 17.
So they can all go to hell, anyone who thinks
they can mess with us.

It is quite simply an absurdity 😁 😁

The situation is quite dire
Unknown
Dilea E

Blizzard Entertainment said:The apple doesn't fall far from the tree.🙄 😁

Laughter is the only logical response here.👍

Susan Nguyen85 said:Look at these geniuses. 🙂

Where?

Blizzard Beast said:And who might these Dave and Martin characters actually be, if one is permitted to ask? 😎

Most likely the authors of the pentagrams tattooed on her nipples. Signed works.

Frank Sinatra said:Just as I previously stated, and just as you admitted yourself, you are all exhausting. Utterly tedious.

Q. E. D.👍

silentheron58 said:Let’s be realistic.

Pip doesn't have any competition here in America.

I mean, Fred Astaire is easily one of the best CDs I've ever listened to. I haven't gotten to Trees and Rivers yet, but Big Grump and Dad sound incredible.

I honestly can't say; I've never been a fan of Pip. To be truthful, they've always grated on my nerves. They were irritating, and their music just never resonated with me. In fact, I find them quite tedious. As for what Jack the Ripper thinks, I have no clue. He acts like some sort of musical genius, but frankly, the guy is revolting. He is incredibly obnoxious.

Honestly, why him? I’ve watched pretty much every single one of his films available... the guy is easily one of my top three favorite actors. He just has that presence. He’s a legitimate actor, but he also has incredible charisma; there is just something about him. When he appears on screen, he completely commands your attention, much like Sean Connery or Jean Reno.

........I can't quite decide which one to cite as his absolute best work or his finest role because his filmography maintains such a remarkably consistent level of quality. I haven't seen anything that I would consider a complete disaster.

.....As for Sling Blade, there isn't much to say other than it's a masterpiece. He was the primary creative force behind the whole thing, and it's likely his greatest performance to date. If memory serves, he actually penned the screenplay while he was killing time on the set of another production.

..........Among his more recent output—given how many of his projects have flooded out lately—The Man Who Wasn't There really blew me away. It was a fantastic film paired with a phenomenal performance.

......In Bandits, he plays it for laughs, though in a somewhat clumsy way. I found myself laughing at that scene in the restaurant where he’s rolling around on the floor because he’s convinced he has a brain tumor.😁 😁

The Tina Turner band (well, technically her backing group... if you want to be pedantic), Journey, Bar (both with the Mike and the Mercenaries), Cubism, and the Tony Lee King band.

Honestly, when I first caught the headline of this thread, my immediate thought was: what kind of idiot actually sits around writing posts about their own parents?

Most of us have already voiced our opinions on this matter... now it is time to see what the professionals have to say.

Tell me what you listen to...

Amy Turner10...

Blizzard Beast said:If you approach music with the preconceived notion that it’s nothing more than mindless noise and that its listeners are all degenerates, then you aren't actually going to enjoy anything you hear.

I was referring specifically to prejudice in this context... looking at how that individual described metal... they simply have an inherent dislike for it.

...your point about prejudice is valid... however, if someone truly dislikes metal, it doesn't matter how open-minded they claim to be; you cannot force them to appreciate it.

...that is my exact reaction to hip-hop and similar genres... no matter how hard I attempt to engage with it, the music is fundamentally unlistenable to me. The moment it starts playing, I break out in hives, lose my temper entirely, and start eating cheeseburgers without pickles—making me a completely irrational and unpredictable man.😁 😁 (honestly, who eats a cheeseburger without pickles 🙄 😁 )

...it reminds me of when a friend tried to convince me years ago to get into Metallica, Satrian, or Dream Theater (or Theatre, I can never recall). It's a lost cause; even hypnosis wouldn't change my mind on those.😁

Blizzard Beast said:If you actually attempted to listen without any preconceived notions, you might finally grasp the point.

I am of the firm belief that prejudice has absolutely nothing to do with it.