We're Here Because We're Here

Am out of blogger-hibernation for a quick word recommending Anathema's new album - We're Here Because We're Here. Anathema has consistently evolved in their song-writing and their musical style has changed over the numerous albums. This melodic/atmospheric album is brilliant, and I keep making comparisons to Pain of Salvation's One Hour by the Concrete Lake. This album's a must-buy. Also keep an eye out for the next album - Falling Deeper, releasing soon.

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Mood I and Katatonia

It took days of planning, following up, online purchase of tickets/passes, standing in line at 11 PM for pass collection, and skipping work half day for me to get IIT, Powai to see Katatonia perform live. What a waste!

As good as they are in the studio, the live concert was unimpressive. But that could have been salvaged except that the people who turned up were, for want of a better adjective, stupendously terrible. Most people around me appeared like they were there for want of a better thing to do, and would have preferred Anu Malik or 'imesh on stage any day. And they shimmied instead of head-banging! Bah!

Now need to get to Chennai with hopes that Pain of Salvation will erase this experience for me when they play at Saarang '10.

Katatonia photos, again from my cellphone -

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Black

Have been listening to this extremely interesting album by Nachtmystium called Assassins - Black Meddle Pt. 1. Black  death metal and Pink Floyd? Awesome combination. Or as one reviewer says - blackadelia.

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Good Music

It's tough having to explain to someone what progressive metal is; I'm pretty sure some of you have tried it, often leaving the other person in a daze wondering about classical influences and off-timings and experimental instruments. Since I've been listening to a lot of good lately, I thought I'd put up a list of my top 10 prog albums - this should give on - listeners a fair idea of what good prog's all about.

In no particular order, and the newer ones remembered first -
1. Porcupine Tree - Fear of a Blank Planet (2007)
2. Sieges Even - Paramount (2007)
3. Pain of Salvation -Scarsick (2007)
4. Dead Soul Tribe - Lullaby for the Devil (2007)
5. The Devin Townsend Band - Accelerated Evolution (2003)
6. Threshold - Dead Reckoning (2007)
7. Circus Maximus - The First Chapter (2005)
8. Vanden Plas - Christ.0 (2006)
9. Kamelot - The Black Halo (2005)
10. Opeth - Deliverance (2002)

Yes, Dream Theater is not in the list, but then again they're always there, like a number zero.

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Independence Day Holiday

A holiday in the middle of the week allowed me a great opportunity to get some sun and wander around town. I spent a lazy afternoon walking around Lamington Road, Charni Road, Flora Fountain, and Victoria Terminus (note my references to the old names for these places). I also happened to be at the right place at the right time to catch a rock show at Musician's Mall at Charni Road. I heard some energetic bands play - Black, Cirkles, and Zygnima.

Joy! There are footpath booksellers again at Flora Fountain! I spent a significant amount of money buying books. Here's a list -

W. Somerset Maughm

• The Magician
• Mrs. Craddock
• The Razor's Edge
• The Narrow Corner

Graham Greene

• May We Borrow Your Husband?
• Ways of Escape
• The End of The Affair
• The Quiet American
• Orient Express
• Doctor Fischer of Geneva
• The Ministry of Fear
• The Power and The Glory

I also accidentally bought a second copy of Greene's May We Borrow Your Husband, so if anyone wants to swap, let me know.

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Maiden!

Yes! Much money will be spent, much travelling will be done, and much comfort will be sacrificed. But I will be in Bangalore (I still call them Bombay and Bangalore, so sue me) for the Iron Maiden concert. Right out there in front. Reality will be faced Monday, but until then, Eddie beckons.

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