Posts by Anonymous

In my last post, I mentioned how much I’m planning to dive deep into this new prog scene... including that one band, Tool

I was laughing my head off at the faces he was making... what a wild movie... honestly, it kind of leaves you thinking for a bit once it's over... just a little bit...
Oh man.... those expressions were something else..... 😁 😁 😁

Okay, I think I finally get what you were getting at. It’s been a bit tough following this thread, though—my router is acting up and keeps dropping my connection every few minutes, and honestly, I'm feeling too lazy to go through the hassle of a full system reset. So, I can't really dive into the tiny details right now.
To be fair, I’m pretty out of the loop when it comes to the specific scene and bands you listed (just a byproduct of getting older), but it’s totally your call to classify them as progressive. They probably are. And hey, there's no reason to deny they rip if that's your vibe. That isn't even the core issue in our little debate. Maybe we just weren't on the same page, but it’s not a big deal if we don't see eye to eye. I'm not going to obsess over it. Out of the names you mentioned, I've listened to a fair amount of Steve Vai, Petrucci, and Vai... No doubt about it, they are world-class instrumentalists and artists with flawless technique, but that's where it ends for me. On their own, those things just don't cut it. To me, it all feels a bit sterile and mechanical—like it's missing heart and soul. It feels like pure instrumental showmanship where the skill is its own reward, but nothing more.
This isn't some groundbreaking take of mine either (there was actually an old thread about this once upon a time)
I'm not saying this just to be contrarian or because these are the most common complaints about that style of music. It's simply how I feel and how I hear it.

Looks like I mixed things up a bit. That Zeppelin comment was actually directed at Tufir. My bad, Alexander Parker69.
hollowseal33 - Look, Dada is an absolute legend to us, but to those aging rockers who used to run the show back in the day, he doesn't mean much. This might sound a little sacrilegious, but hear me out: we have plenty of incredibly talented, skilled musicians like Dada and his crew, but in the cutthroat global market—especially in places like the US or the UK where "rock" is practically a manufactured industry—that talent doesn't carry much weight. They have endless amounts of people just like that over there. In my opinion, that’s exactly why an older Robert Plant wouldn't pick our local legends to open for him. You can't sell lukewarm water, but you can definitely sell lemonade...
Bryan Barrett - There aren't many bands that started out as avant-garde or progressive pioneers only to eventually morph into mainstream acts that might be considered... well, total trash. The Rolling Stones were a revolution in the 60s, so what if they changed? They've earned the right to have hits like "Angie." Back when those bands were creatively firing on all cylinders, they had the guts, the style, and the originality to shape trends and define culture. Objectively speaking, the Stones haven't had a hit quite like their 60s stuff for about 20 years now; they're basically old as sea turtles, riding high on massive egos and nostalgia, but I don't think that's enough reason to write them off as garbage. Unless you're talking about clones or musical Che Guevaras...
Maybe you think everything popular is inherently trash? It feels like there's this whole "avant-garde" movement with an indie scene and DIY production trying to wage some kind of cultural war or holy crusade. I don't buy into that nonsense, but I do recognize there are certain bands (which I assume fit your definition of "progressive") that actually know how to shred. No argument there. It only becomes an issue once they lose that cult status and turn into something questionable, much like the big names like Zeppelin..
Basically: Period. Bands like The Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, Fleetwood Mac, Jethro Tull, Deep Purple, Zeppelin, Emerson, Lake & Palmer, Dire Straits, U2, AC/DC, Eric Clapton, ZZ Top, Aerosmith, Bon Jovi, Iron Maiden, R.E.M., and even Queen and KISS (I could go on forever) absolutely rip—or used to rip. They are musically, instrumentally, and collectively competent, which is the most important thing to me when defining a band that "rocks." I really shouldn't have to try and find an American equivalent for our local scene...
I'm not sure what your definition of "progressive" even is (honestly, that outdated, prehistoric label is starting to grate on me). Are you talking about that tired stereotype of shredded guitars, long-haired guys flailing around, 35-minute solos, murdering amplifiers, and weirdly pretentious ideological or existential rambling, all wrapped up in a "lovable junkie" aesthetic?

ravana said:Wait, what? Are you saying Nikica Pećina or, honestly, even better, the "pig" style from Black Sabbath is superior? Or maybe comparing The Rolling Stones to Led Zeppelin?

Elvis Presley is just Elvis Presley because he's bad at shredding. That's the literal definition. 😉
For instance, plenty of country artists (since you brought them up) actually play better than most of these "urban" musicians. So, they aren't just playing Elvis Presley music just because some indie types or music industry politicians who can't play a lick of music sit around philosophizing about it. 😁

I’m not entirely following you, and honestly, you might not be following me either. Let’s start with Led Zeppelin. Back when they were tearing it up, they were seen as progressive, holding this almost cult status that generally flies in the face of anything "Elvis Presley-esque"... I don't know how they land for your generation with the benefit of hindsight. What happened in Washington, D.C. was essentially the wreckage of Led Zeppelin—regardless of Jimmy Page. A band is powerful while it's alive and creating; otherwise, it just becomes a little traveling circus for nostalgia trips to make a quick buck. It's the same deal with a whole bunch of bands like Kiss, Deep Purple, and so on. Since they don't carry much objective credibility anyway, it doesn't really matter if they were being snobby or just messing around when The Boss decided to lean into an ethnic sound.
Regarding the idea of "Elvis Presley-style" versus "shredding," you're definitely losing me there. When I said "Elvis Presley-style stuff often shreds harder," I meant the near-certainty that many bands with "Elvis Presley roots"—which could include many, if not all, massive global groups—are musically and production-wise incredibly tight and competent. Many of the biggest studio acts in the world play what you might call "Elvis Presley music." Even our own Vedran Božić played mandolin and guitar on those pathetic tracks by Aretha Franklin... And then what? There's plenty of "Elvis Presley" in metal, thrash, hardcore, hip hop, and so on. Punk went mainstream... What are we even talking about?
And Nick Cave might actually be heavy Elvis Presley material, maybe even a bit "redneck"... It just depends on which side of the plot you're looking from.

What even is kitsch? If you ask a chicken or a pig, it’s probably just corn. Something basic, something obvious, something that doesn't need a deep philosophical breakdown—just pure, unadulterated instinct. But can kitsch also be our "daily bread"? Hmm. There are endless definitions of kitsch (as many versions as there are people), even though music critics and consumers work overtime trying to categorize it and put it in neat little boxes just to feel like they have some control. For instance, in the classical world, you could argue Tchaikovsky or Wagner are prime examples of kitsch... and for the hardcore snobs, maybe even Mozart or Beethoven—if not because of their status, then because of how much they’ve been "smoothed over" by mainstream popularity. It's the same deal with other genres, painting, literature... everything. (Damn, I’m really spiraling here...) I honestly don't think kitsch is such a bad thing.
Maybe we actually need it. How would we even know what counts as "avant-garde, progressive, or cutting-edge" if we didn't have this mindless kitsch acting as the eternal opposition and the collective punching bag? Besides, we ourselves, and our lives, are (or will become) pretty kitschy... just take a look at us. (There, I'm shitting myself again... at least appreciate my self-awareness.)
Then again, kitsch has levels. Some of it is smoother and sweeter than the finest champagne, while other stuff hits you like a punch from a drunk construction worker in the Midwest. It all depends on how much of it you consume.
I have to admit, I'm not immune to the kitsch. In fact, I'll confess without shame that I've listened to it plenty of times, and not always under the radar, either. Kill me! Put me in the stocks! Honestly, I don't care... haha (I'm making a mess of this again. Help!) But what can I say, when some of the most beautiful and unforgettable moments of my life happened against a kitschy soundtrack, or were caused by it? My first loves, those awkward teenage years... there was kitsch everywhere. I remember it like it was yesterday... I was 15, thinking I was so cool listening to the Stones, T. Rex, Frank Zappa, hot rats, ELP, Uriah Heep, and Hendrix (though, doduše, I also leaned into Tom Jones and Demis Roussos, and Middle of the Road, but...). Then, during my first real crush, I had to endure Elvis Presley blasting through the speakers at the local community pool, crooning, "Oh darling, don't lie to me, because you'll never come back to this house..." Then, my first time, accompanied by Angie of Stones—a textbook example of kitsch. On my 18th birthday, my mom, in an acoustic moment, sang that old tune, "Take these roses, let them remind you of me..." And I couldn't escape my girlfriend's influence either, mostly because she sang that Dado Lisac song so well: "Wrap me in tenderness, just like you want and love me!" I could go on forever. So why is it no wonder that I start drooling like a hungry dog whenever I hear that unmistakable kitsch again? (Jesus, help me wrap up this damn thread!)
It hasn't gotten any better. I swear to God and to you all, sometimes I'll pop in a Ry Cooder CD—Chicken Skin Music—and I'm immediately hooked again. To soothe my guilty conscience, I'll follow it up with supposedly "cult" albums from Rezidense, or Arsen Dedič during his most ironic phase, or the Yardbirds, Cream, and Buldožer... but by the next day, I've ruined my reputation because my wife catches me listening to Roxy Music, Engelbert Humperdinck, or some pop starlet. Am I even sane?!?
Now, here comes something that might actually make your blood boil...
The other day, I was listening to some of the biggest hits by those legendary folk singers. If I told you I hated it, I'd be lying!
Help me!
One more thing. Alexander Parker69, I think you're wrong... In most cases, the kitschy stuff actually hits harder than all that "avant-garde" and "progressive" nonsense. You can't fault it!

The quality of the cuts and stitches really comes down to the surgeon's skill, but you can generally expect to be back on your feet in about a week.

I went through something pretty similar back in the day. Even though I didn’t come from a family of bald guys, I was absolutely convinced that it was just a matter of time before... well, you know!
It usually hit me during the spring or early fall, right when my hair was at its thickest.
Fast forward to today, and there isn't even a hint of thinning; in fact, my hair grows so fast I’m constantly stuck in the barber's chair. And I can load it up with just about anything—gels, pomades, oils—and still wash it with all sorts of different shampoos without an issue.
I don't mean to sound like I'm patronizing you, but I think we were dealing with the same thing. Anyway, Melissa Watson3 gave you some solid advice... give it a shot!

Alexander Parker69, nice one, man. 😁 😁

Honestly, sometimes I just need to blast some early Bad Religion, Green Day’s *Dookie*, or those classic Rancid albums...
there's definitely more in my rotation, I'll add them once they come to me...

That whole thing with Britney... honestly, even my ten-year-old cousin hated it. She kept bugging me about when the actual plot was finally going to start... 🙄 🙄

I’ve always found that watching how other people live—especially those who have actually made an impact on my life—is incredibly rewarding.
But it makes you wonder: what is our own lives actually "worth"?
Honestly, the value of your life is determined by exactly how much you decide to pour into it. It’s worth precisely what we choose to invest in ourselves. Nothing more, nothing less 🙂.

hollowharbor12 said:Ugh, Disney and their obsession with rehashing classic stories. Has anyone actually read The Little Mermaid or Beauty and the Beast lately? What they’ve turned them into is just... wow. 😢

Honestly, I don't mind them. Sure, the books are almost always better, but Disney is still Disney. There's a certain charm there. 🙏

Please bear with me if I get some dates mixed up; I'm writing this from memory, and honestly, I'm still pretty shaken by her passing. 😢

The famous German filmmaker and Adolf Hitler's favorite director has passed away at the age of 101. Born in 1902 in Washington, D.C., Leni actually started out as a dancer. Unfortunately, a knee injury cut her dance career short, which eventually pushed her toward a serious interest in acting and filmmaking. She appeared in classics like "The White Hell of Pitz Pao," and in 1930, she directed "blue world." That film caught Hitler's eye, leading him to request that she create a propaganda piece for his party.
Her hypnotic documentary, "Triumph of the Will," is considered a true masterpiece of cinematic art. Following its success, she went on to film the 1936 games in Washington, D.C.
"Triumph of the Will" picked up awards at several major festivals, including those in Venice and Paris.
Through her unique filming techniques, Leni managed to glorify Adolf Hitler's regime, heavily utilizing Nazi symbols like the swastika.
After the war ended, she found herself in an incredibly difficult position due to her past association with Hitler, even spending a brief period in jail.
I also have to mention her film "Olympia" as another absolute masterpiece of cinema.

Trivia question: What sport did Leni R. take up when she was 70?

Copernicus:
By embracing others, we learn how to embrace ourselves.
In loving them, we find the way to love who we are.
We discover parts of our own souls that we didn't even know existed—parts tucked away beneath our rigid, preconceived notions of what we "know."
It all stems from that crazy assumption that our personal experience is absolute and complete.!!!
Like... I think I have myself figured out, and I think I understand everyone else's motives and reactions perfectly...

🙂

Nobody is truly self-assured or full of themselves. Nobody. Not one person!

We play-act this version of strength and divinity, completely forgetting just how fragile and vulnerable we actually are....

🙂

Love is an exchange.
Love is about giving and receiving.
To me, love is something you live out alongside others.

🙂

I'm asking the author of these posts to come back 😉

Honestly, I think you’ve been watching way too many Terminator movies—you know, the whole Skynet scenario where AI decides to wipe out humanity...
The truth is, we develop technology because we’re afraid of what we don't understand. There are plenty of technologies out there that carry health risks—think about nuclear reactors, coal-fired power plants, heavy manufacturing, or even just our smartphones. But the thing is, everything can be regulated. Sure, industrial runoff pollutes our water supply, but we solve that with advanced filtration systems, whether they're chemical, biological, or mechanical. People worry about cell phones being carcinogenic, but the industry responds by engineering devices with much lower SAR levels (radiation absorption rates) and even selling anti-radiation stickers. We manage the risks.
You really need to dial back the sci-fi imagination a bit. You have to accept that machines aren't going to take over the world anytime soon—not even in the next 100,000 years, given how "fast" tech actually evolves!

Personally, I think the trailer looks pretty solid. I’m actually giving it a thumbs up just because it managed to pull in a massive chunk of change outside of the USA, which is impressive. Plus, the cast isn't half bad—some of them are genuinely great actors, even if others are clearly there for different reasons.

I'm definitely planning to check it out, if only for the pure entertainment value.

So, if you've got any other comic recommendations, hit me with them! I'm open to anything.

Hmm, you should definitely check out Sandman and/or Preacher. I've also heard good things about Outlaw Nation.

What am I even doing liking someone as "brilliant" as dustyridge12...

Well $40 that sounds reasonable. On the Mississippi River, it comes out to about $21 including shipping. You might be able to snag one used, though from what I can tell, they’re pretty hard to find around here lately.