Manilla Fucking Road

[Crimson Velvet]

What does this even mean? Am I required to have extensive experience with "this style of music" before I'm capable of comparing them to other bands which I'd consider better in the overall scope of metal? Last I checked, Manilla Road isn't exactly the most super-inaccessible or 'hard to get' type of music.

Just in case we may be using different standards of evaluation, however, let me clarify that my main gripe with them is in the songwriting department. I think it's safe to say that song-for-song, their riffage and composition do not stand up to bands of the caliber of Sabbath, Maiden, Priest, Metallica, et al.

Weren't you the guy who stated that your music had to be obviously melodic for you to appreciate it?

 

[Omni]

He's also the guy who said that Dimmu Borgir is one of the only good black metal bands.

 

[zabu of nΩd]

I think I've made it pretty clear how I evaluate most of the music I hear. I could swear that there are other people on this planet who share the same view, but they sure seem to be in short supply here.

I consider it the mark of a good band that they can produce music which appeals to listeners outside their style - and eventually draw them into it. I've been drawn in to music genres I'd never dreamed of liking before because of bands of this sort - bands who serve as 'gateways to the masses'. The key to this is usually songwriting skill, and from my observation it seems to be a trait that the more underground bands lack, regardless of whether they're more refined in the stylistic elements of the music than the gateway bands are.

This is just my theory. I'm sure many of you are going to laugh at it, ridicule it, etc. But it's the best I can do to articulate my perspective. And that's probably the only way to have a useful discussion on this topic. That said, I am still largely clueless as to what makes this band so great in other people's eyes, so feel free to do some articulating of your own.

 

[Mort Divine]

Bands that get people outside of their target market into a style are usually, if not always, watered down versions of the real thing. They are very rarely 'good songwriters' they simply write catchy and easy to digest things.

 

[Omni]

I consider it the mark of a good band that they can produce music which appeals to listeners outside their style

Ironically, I'm not a big fan of classic heavy metal, but listening to Manilla Road has gotten me way more interested in the style than I ever imagined that I'd be.

The key to this is usually songwriting skill, and from my observation it seems to be a trait that the more underground bands lack, regardless of whether they're more refined in the stylistic elements of the music than the gateway bands are.

I don't understand this because of the fact that a band which is more refined in a particular style would be able to play and create better songs than a band that isn't refined, but maybe it's just me. Or maybe it's because what you said doesn't make any sense, which seems somewhat likely.

 

[zabu of nΩd]

Bands that get people outside of their target market into a style are usually, if not always, watered down versions of the real thing. They are very rarely 'good songwriters' they simply write catchy and easy to digest things.

Well, of the following list of bands that got me interested in their respective styles:

Bathory (folk metal)
Cathedral (doom metal)
Morbid Angel (death metal)
Children of Bodom (melodic DM)
Therion (symphonic metal)
Steely Dan (jazz rock)
Magma (Zeuhl)
Ten Years After (blues rock)

I wouldn't consider any of those "watered down" throwaways in their genre.

 

[Omni]

Well, of the following list of bands that got me interested in their respective styles:

Bathory (folk metal)
Cathedral (doom metal)
Morbid Angel (death metal)
Children of Bodom (melodic DM)
Therion (symphonic metal)
Steely Dan (jazz rock)
Magma (Zeuhl)
Ten Years After (blues rock)

I wouldn't consider any of those "watered down" throwaways in their genre.

 

[zabu of nΩd]

I don't understand this because of the fact that a band which is more refined in a particular style would be able to play and create better songs than a band that isn't refined, but maybe it's just me. Or maybe it's because what you said doesn't make any sense, which seems somewhat likely.

It's one thing to have a good sense of atmospherics, but it's a totally different thing to have a good sense of melody. One does not follow from the other.

 

[zabu of nΩd]

Oh shit, I've expressed the opinion that Children of Bodom is a good melodic DM band. My argument is ruined!!!

 

[Omni]

Having a more refined style doesn't mean anything about playing less melodies than another band who isn't as refined as you are.

Oh shit, I've expressed the opinion that CoB is a good melodic DM band. My argument is ruined!!!

It's a perfect example of a band playing really watered-down music that's appealing to people who aren't really into metal bands that actually have refined playing styles, many of which write far more interesting or catchy melodies than Children of Bodom.

 

[zabu of nΩd]

Having a more refined style doesn't mean anything about playing less melodies than another band who isn't as refined as you are.

Um, good for you... I just said they were two distinct things. That was my point.

 

[zabu of nΩd]

It's a perfect example of a band playing really watered-down music that's appealing to people who aren't really into metal bands that actually have refined playing styles, many of which write far more interesting or catchy melodies than Children of Bodom.

If this is such an important point to you, then I'm happy to concede 1/8 of my list.

 

[skeptik]

vihris, just face it. Manilla Road does not strike you because it's not your style of music, not because they're bad songwriters. They're excellent songwriters of a style that you don't like. You should probably just leave this thread.

 

[black blood]

Crystal Logic is a timeless masterpiece, other albums wear thin after a few listens. imo

 

[V.V.V.V.V.]

Also, Voyager is one of the best if not THE best album of this year, so fuck faggots who dislike it.

 

[zabu of nΩd]

vihris, just face it. Manilla Road does not strike you because it's not your style of music, not because they're bad songwriters. They're excellent songwriters of a style that you don't like. You should probably just leave this thread.

What, is this supposed to be a disagreement-free thread?

Anyway, I'm not trying to troll or pick a giant argument. And I'm pretty sure it's not the style that turns me off to most of the MR I've heard so far - unless "Necropolis" and "Crystal Logic" are just two flukes of theirs which lend an inappropriately-mainstream tint to their usual style, thus attracting fans of watered-downness like myself.

I still need to give them more listening time, and check out other albums, so maybe my opinion will change. Feel free to point me toward any songs/albums in particular based on the two I like from Crystal Logic.

 

[skeptik]

My point is that your not liking Manilla Road is like me not liking Steely Dan.

 

[Mort Divine]

I'd also like to state, despite there being no need to, that Children of Bodom play power metal. Not melo-death nor melodic death.

 

[Rumpole]

Also, Voyager is one of the best if not THE best album of this year, so fuck faggots who dislike it.

.

 

[Zephyrus]

I'd also like to state, despite there being no need to, that Children of Bodom play power metal. Not melo-death nor melodic death.

Try telling that to the insecure fanboys.

To add my two cents, I don't see how any body who likes any other Heavy Metal band would not like Manilla Road. That said, I often associate them with Cirith Ungol, whom I know were hard to get into for some people.