EDGUY: Entire 'Space Police - Defenders Of The Crown' Album Available For Streaming

[TheLongshot]

There are two or three salvageable songs. The rest is complete garbage. I can't believe we're even trying to debate the nuances of "England" and "Do Me Like a Caveman."

I guess YMMV, because it sounds like the best album since Rocket Ride for me.

That being said, for their amusing songs, "England" is pretty weak.

Joke bands only work when they're actually funny.

When did Edguy become a joke band? Their stuff is pretty whimsical, but I'd never call them a joke band.

 

[Azrael LenGraden]

Those last 2 songs made me laugh... listened to it twice, liked most of it ....better than their last one...

 

[DuchessOfDork]

When did Edguy become a joke band?

Okay, what's the definition of "joke band"? Sometimes bands like to write funny songs. That doesn't make them a "joke", does it? Maybe they just felt like writing a funny song! I fucking LOVED it, and I loved Love Tiger.

All of this being said, the band's name is "Edguy". They haven't exactly always been the picture of seriousness!

 

[TheLongshot]

Okay, what's the definition of "joke band"?

I'm thinking of bands like Psychostick and Green Jelly, who's primary purpose is to be humorous.

 

[DuchessOfDork]

I'm thinking of bands like Psychostick and Green Jelly, who's primary purpose is to be humorous.

You know personally I always found Edguy to be pretty lighthearted! Especially considering their name and the way they carry themselves.. and I mean, come on, remember this!?

 

[TENTH DREAMER DECEIVER]

Okay, what's the definition of "joke band"? Sometimes bands like to write funny songs. That doesn't make them a "joke", does it? Maybe they just felt like writing a funny song! I fucking LOVED it, and I loved Love Tiger.

All of this being said, the band's name is "Edguy". They haven't exactly always been the picture of seriousness!

Easy answer would be Gwar.

 

[Riceloft]

Ummm... Lavatory Love Machine anyone? They've clearly had a sense of humor for a very long time.

 

[Justin G]

Ummm... Lavatory Love Machine anyone? They've clearly had a sense of humor for a very long time.

Yeah, that was the beginning of the end of my enjoyment of Edguy.

 

[General Zod]

I'm stealing this from a recent review of the new Winterstorm album:

So here’s my thing with a lot of power metal, the key part of the genre that sits at the crux of my relationship to it: the success of any particular album relies so heavily on the listener’s ability to completely invest in it. Like the suspended disbelief that allows film audiences to sink unquestioningly into the universe a particular movie occupies, so each power metal album must create its own mini-universe, of fucking epicness, and convince the listener that it is worth abandoning reason for the duration of the album. Power metal can be the most stirring, glorious incarnation of the entire metal genre; it can also be utterly irrevocably ridiculous, and often manages to be both at the same time. What matters is how well a band manages this, and whether their bid to get the listener to believe the sweeping narrative they’re weaving with riffs and rhythms.

I couldn't agree more with the writer's assessment. And in a nutshell, it perfectly summarizes why I have no use for comedy in my music; the comedic elements ruin the suspended disbelief. I haven't heard the new Edguy album and likely never will. In part, because they've been shitting the bed for the better part of a decade. And in part, because if you want to be funny, write a book, write a play, go to an open mic night at a comedy show. But for goat's sake, keep your comedy out of my metal.

 

[AngraRULES]

I'm stealing this from a recent review of the new Winterstorm album:

So here’s my thing with a lot of power metal, the key part of the genre that sits at the crux of my relationship to it: the success of any particular album relies so heavily on the listener’s ability to completely invest in it. Like the suspended disbelief that allows film audiences to sink unquestioningly into the universe a particular movie occupies, so each power metal album must create its own mini-universe, of fucking epicness, and convince the listener that it is worth abandoning reason for the duration of the album. Power metal can be the most stirring, glorious incarnation of the entire metal genre; it can also be utterly irrevocably ridiculous, and often manages to be both at the same time. What matters is how well a band manages this, and whether their bid to get the listener to believe the sweeping narrative they’re weaving with riffs and rhythms.

I couldn't agree more with the writer's assessment. And in a nutshell, it perfectly summarizes why I have no use for comedy in my music; the comedic elements ruin the suspended disbelief. I haven't heard the new Edguy album and likely never will. In part, because they've been shitting the bed for the better part of a decade. And in part, because if you want to be funny, write a book, write a play, go to an open mic night at a comedy show. But for goat's sake, keep your comedy out of my metal.

I can 100% accept, understand and get your feelings about it, but bro... the world has been laughing at Manowar for 30 years and yet you still adore them.

 

[Sir Exar Kun]

So here’s my thing with a lot of power metal, the key part of the genre that sits at the crux of my relationship to it: the success of any particular album relies so heavily on the listener’s ability to completely invest in it. Like the suspended disbelief that allows film audiences to sink unquestioningly into the universe a particular movie occupies, so each power metal album must create its own mini-universe, of fucking epicness, and convince the listener that it is worth abandoning reason for the duration of the album. Power metal can be the most stirring, glorious incarnation of the entire metal genre; it can also be utterly irrevocably ridiculous, and often manages to be both at the same time. What matters is how well a band manages this, and whether their bid to get the listener to believe the sweeping narrative they’re weaving with riffs and rhythms.

I think this makes the assumption that one must BELIEVE in every facet of the material to find entertainment in it. With much of power metal, that's comparable to trying to take 80's hair metal "seriously". Much of the power metal out there is meant to be fun, head-banging, beer-stein-swinging sing-along music, and shouldn't be taken at literal face value. Edguy has done a tremendous job of mixing the German power metal formula with vintage 80's metal, and I expect this album to be no different.

Now, I will say that Edguy has gotten stale even in this format, and Tobias's best ideas seem to end up more on the Avantasia playlist than the Edguy one, but that's another discussion entirely.

 

[General Zod]

I can 100% accept, understand and get your feelings about it, but bro... the world has been laughing at Manowar for 30 years and yet you still adore them.

The difference being, Manowar doesn't break character. They take themselves seriously.. If anything, they take themselves too seriously. However, by taking themselves seriously and by buying into their whole "brothers at arms" motif, they allow those listeners who wish to, to maintain that suspension of disbelief.

Again, movies offer a good analogy. You can watch a bad horror movie, so long as it's fun. However, if every 15 minutes the main character turned to the camera and said, "By the way, the monster is not real, this is just a movie", it would likely ruin your enjoyment. And by writing joke songs, that's exactly what Tobias is doing.

 

[General Zod]

I think this makes the assumption that one must BELIEVE in every facet of the material to find entertainment in it. With much of power metal, that's comparable to trying to take 80's hair metal "seriously".

One may believe whatever one likes. I'm simply saying I agree with the writer's analysis. The line is different for everyone.

 

[NorseBlood]

Again, movies offer a good analogy. You can watch a bad horror movie, so long as it's fun. However, if every 15 minutes the main character turned to the camera and said, "By the way, the monster is not real, this is just a movie", it would likely ruin your enjoyment. And by writing joke songs, that's exactly what Tobias is doing.

Joke songs are cute once or twice, but I have to agree with the General here. Joke songs all the time cease to be funny, and blowing money on bad jokes is not what I'm going to do.

 

[DuchessOfDork]

Personally I'd rather laugh WITH a band then at them. Manowar doesn't seem to be in on their own joke and that feels awkward. Edguy knows exactly what they're doing, which feels way more genuine.

 

[Comic Book Dude]

I don't know...to me, the goofy and silly stuff from Edguy feels really forced and unnecessary. It's almost as if Tobias has this constant need to prove to everyone how witty and comical he is.
Oh well.....I guess they can't all be Lord Tracy; now THAT was a fun band!

 

[General Zod]

Personally I'd rather laugh WITH a band then at them. Manowar doesn't seem to be in on their own joke and that feels awkward. Edguy knows exactly what they're doing, which feels way more genuine.

As with everything having to do with music, to each their own. That said, I'm not laughing at Edguy. I'm simply saying the comedic elements in their music are a turnoff for me and I've consequently begun ignoring their new releases.

 

[PromisedLand]

Edguy seems to have become one of those polarizing bands over the last ten years, much like Pain of Salvation.. either you love them, or are completely out on them. I'm in the former category, but I can understand the people who feel the latter.

 

[TheLongshot]

Personally I'd rather laugh WITH a band then at them. Manowar doesn't seem to be in on their own joke and that feels awkward. Edguy knows exactly what they're doing, which feels way more genuine.

This. For me, it is a lot harder for me to take Manowar seriously when they take their silly BS too seriously. Edguy doesn't really take themselves seriously at all and are having fun, which makes it easier to respect what they are doing.

Personally, I don't really get why some people don't think comedy and fun don't belong in music. As someone who was raised on "Weird Al" albums and Dr. Demento, I definitely don't subscribe to this. I understand that comedy is subjective, but to say it has no place in our music just boggles my mind.

Edguy seems to have become one of those polarizing bands over the last ten years, much like Pain of Salvation.. either you love them, or are completely out on them. I'm in the former category, but I can understand the people who feel the latter.

I think it is going from more straight-ahead power metal to something lighter and whimsical. Course, recently the quality of the songs haven't been great, but this does seem to be a step up.

The funny thing about all the bellyaching is that their direction is quite similar to Helloween. I'm sure they had gotten similar reactions when things changed.

 

[Comic Book Dude]

The funny thing about all the bellyaching is that their direction is quite similar to Helloween. I'm sure they had gotten similar reactions when things changed.

Helloween never went juvenile with their lyrics. Tobias goes borderline Steel Panther with his "comic" stuff. Besides, Helloween turned it back around when Deris joined the band.