Monday, December 3, 2012

12/3/12 Complex and Contagious Oxygene

Intro:  Today will be an interesting day musically, Oxygene 1 and 2 bundled together and two top twenty albums.  Don't get too frightened by the multiple contagions by Arena, the first one is the real album, the second two are related three song EP's.

The Albums:
  • The Complete Depeche Mode (Excerpt) - Depeche Mode
  • The Complete Oxygen - Jean-Michel Jarre
  • The Complex - Blue Man Group
  • The ConstruKction of Light - Kimg Crimson
  • Contagion - Arena
  • Contagious - Arena
The Wrap Up:  

So I declared a multiple winner day.  Both 'The Complex" and "Contagious" are all time favorites of mine.

I started my fascination with The Blue Man Group a few years ago, I think they were on a PBS concert and I was utterly impressed with their work.  I bought "The Complex" and absolutely loved it.  Highly innovative and imaginative with their music, their stage show and their instrumentation.  Marianne and I went to see them in concert and absolutely loved it.  Honestly, I can't wait for the chance to take Tori to go see them.  If you're interested in people that make their own instruments, these are the guys to see.  I've heard amazingly interesting things come out of PVC thanks to these guys.

Contagion is by a Neoprog band called Arena and tells the story of Earth after the population has been decimated by disease.  The real story here though is the music.  Clive Nolan truly shines on Keys, so much of this album is dominated by his work, if you want to hear a great 'keyboard feature' piece, check out "Riding the Tide".  For songwriting, try "Skin Game", the modulation from minor to major at the 2:41 mark is one of the key points and most spine tingling moments of the album.  If you like Neoprog, this album is a must have.

The Final Tally:
  • Winner
    • The Complex - Blue Man Group
    • Contagion - Arena
  • Growers

  • Keepers
    • The Complete Oxygen - Jean-Michel Jarre
  • Wibblers (no opinion one way or another)
    • The ConstruKction of Light - Kimg Crimson
  • Moodies (Albums for a certain mood)
    • The Complete Depeche Mode (Excerpt) - Depeche Mode
  • Bleh
    • Contagious - Arena

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