Shawn

I thought I had reached the age where I couldn't become "geeky" over a band again. You know, I had "matured" too much for that. Then I discovered Porcupine Tree and Opeth in the same year. I'm glad I proved myself wrong.

I went to 8th grade in West Virginia, part of the requirement for passing gym class was completing a "hunter's safety course". They weren't allowed to use guns, so they taught everyone how to bow-hunt. In addition, the first day of Deer season is a state-wide school holiday.

As long as they don't try to teach Johnny how the world is 5000 years old and Jesus had a pet dinosaur, I'm okay.

I'd start smack dab in the middle of their discography with "In Absentia", a great album and one that touches on both where they had been and where they were headed. The song "Prodigal" I posted above is from that record. There is also an EP that goes along with the album called "Futile" which is a must-have, it's available as a download-only release from Burning Shed.

Prodigal - live! This is an outtake from the "Anesthetize" DVD, I have no idea why this wasn't left in.

I'm happy with it, basically because second-tier Van Halen is preferable to just about any other "first-tier" band playing this style of hard "party rock". This particular stripe of hard rock I lost interest in around 1985 (it was replaced by my interest in heavier acts at the time like Metallica, Slayer, etc.) and I never really got nostalgic for this sound...until I heard a few tracks from this new Van Halen on the radio. Even though I can't see it having any long-lasting effect on my musical tastes...it is however nice to have some new material from this particular band.

Happy Birthday, here's your birthday girl for this year...

A "love it or hate it" film if there ever was one. I dig it.

I think it will! I've listened to more Iron Maiden in the past 6 months that I did in the 6 years prior, for some reason they are really "clicking" with me again. I've been concentrating more on their recent albums. While not really even remotely "metal" anymore, they do play intelligent prog-fused heavy rock and sound like nobody but themselves. They are heading out on the "Maiden England" tour this year, performing a variation of the setlist they performed on the 1988 "Seventh Son" tour, should be fun!

This truly AMAZING twofer of Antelope Freeway/Equinox Express Elevator is also on Spotify for those curious.

I"m glad this thread came back around, reminded me it's been too long since I listened to Bill. Playing "Just As I Am" right now!

The album "Where I'm Coming From" is excellent as well, including a killer version of "Trouble Man".

The lack of likable characters is one of the primary things that's hindering me from enjoying it. I guess that's more of a fatal flaw to me, it kind of reminds me of films like 'The Grifters" where I just couldn't enjoy it because I HATED every character in the film. From a production standpoint it's an amazing show, hopefully one of these days I'll be in the appropriate headspace to appreciate it.

I've actually been bothered by that myself, I understand the reality of it, but it still irks me. I watched about half of Season One but I've never completed it. I plan to revisit one of these days, but I have to be in the right frame of mind for it first.

A REAL shame, Leon was criminally underrated and I really enjoy his recordings. I think his volume of Legends Of Acid Jazz is essential for that style, dude could play!

Odd, I don't pay for Spotify, I'm using the free version.

It's on there, but the opening and closing "Pigs On The Wing" aren't available to stream. They have most of the Floyd albums, missing some of the late 60s/early 70s releases.

Have you tried Spotify yet? It's free and you can listen to all the Pink Floyd albums...plus just about anything else you're in the mood for.

Animals is one of my favorite albums. I think I first heard it around 1979 and it's fascinated me ever since. I'm also in agreement with others who have mentioned that it's the last real "Pink Floyd" album, not just Roger Waters and his backing band. Animals has to be listened to from beginning to end to really appreciate it, you can play the songs separately and they are all good, but it's really an "album" and should be treated as such. It's every bit as strong as Wish You Were Here. David Gilmour's amazing guitar is the primary focus and that's another reason this record ranks high on my favorite Pink Floyd recordings. It's a meaty and muscular sounding album. The coda to "Sheep" (which was paid homage to in "Time Flies" by Porcupine Tree) is one of my favorite guitar moments on record.

I'm also a "View New Content" person.

I can't remember the last time the Redskins did something intelligent.

Is it Ozzy? Yes. John Osbourne as a youngster.

Your "dumb myself down" comment just proves to me how fucking "superior" you think you are. I have no patience to argue with musical snobs, I learned not to piss into the wind many years ago.

I don't agree that he's a "poor" musician, that's your opinion. Van Halen has some great songs, they are a fun "party rock" band, does music have to be "significant" in some way to get approval? It shouldn't, it's supposed to be about entertainment. I listen to lots of serious music, but once in awhile it's nice to put on some straight ahead party rock and cut loose. At least Van Halen actually PLAYS instruments, how many million selling pop stars of today could even tune a guitar let alone play it?

I've heard worse, it's a fairly simple rock band, he doesn't have to be Tony Williams. As far as the financial kind of "success", I'd say 80 million albums sold worldwide ain't too shabby.