good_old_fashioned_loverboy1986 30.05.2005 09:07 |
I am sure that I am not the only Queen Fan to say that if it was a choice between listening to their work from the 70's and from the 80's I would go 70's every time! The thing that spoils later work for me is the use of synths in the songs. I much prefer the piano, bass, drums, guitar, vocals set as i feel that the use of synths can make musicians lazy because it is too easy to rely on them. Would the vocal parts of Bo Rhap been aas impressive if they were done by a synthesiser? Plus as a sort of pianist who can't sing there wouldn't be a part for me! (somewhat selfish motive i know) |
rachael mae. 30.05.2005 09:39 |
Well, they don't bug me that much, but I much prefer non-synthesizer music... |
Fenderek 30.05.2005 09:52 |
hate'em, with few exeptions- Dream Theater, Faith No More, prog rock in general... But in pop... sorry... Hate'em... |
Scott_Mercury 30.05.2005 10:59 |
Fenderek- Dream Theater?? C'mon, I thought you liked good music?? Seriously though, I did a guitar clinic with Petrucci, the guys technical ability is astounding, but his playing bores me to death. He asked me if I wanted him to sign one of his latest cds for me.... I told him, "No, I'll take one of your Rock disipline instructionals instead" (which he signed). He then said "I bet you already have the cd huh?" I said ..."uhh, yeah". Cool, nice guy... I wouldn't walk across the street to see his band play though. |
iGSM 30.05.2005 11:34 |
I don't care to much for synthies, synthies can't buy me love. Mellotron's are ok in my book *SFF* |
Sebastian 30.05.2005 12:35 |
> the use of synths can make musicians lazy because it is too easy to rely on them Depends on the situation > Would the vocal parts of Bo Rhap been aas impressive if they were done by a synthesiser? They would be way more impressive. Let me tell you why: in 1975 synth technology was still in embryos. To program one of those primitive moogs and make it say "ah" sounding like a human would be an Everest for any semi-pro sound engineer, let alone people like Fred, John, Brian or Rog who clearly don't know very much about synths. Hence, to produce a word would be much a bigger achievement. Now, instead of a word, many words ... an entire section... forget about it. |
deleted user 30.05.2005 13:21 |
I prefer the good n old instruments :) But.. i have to admit that some synths sound VERY VERY GOOD! But most of the time.. I love the plain old sound :) |
good_old_fashioned_loverboy1986 30.05.2005 13:43 |
Hence, to produce a word would be much a bigger achievement. Now, instead of a word, many words ... an entire section... forget about it Yes i see your point that as far as technological advancement but freddie's harmonizing had to be so tight to produce those cascading 'magnifico's that took so much work to produce. As contrary to popular belief singers cannot just harmonise with themselves you've still got to hit the right note whereas to do it on a keyboard synth for example would only have taken five note glissandos. That's the point i'm trying to make. |
teleman 30.05.2005 13:59 |
Depends on thwe music. Synths are a musical instrument dependant on the music and the musician playing them. I like Queen 1 and Innuendo the same. One with Synths and one without but both utilizing excellent composition and musicianship. Queen had some synth moments that didn't work for me but most of their material holds up based on songwriting and musical skill. |
Adam Baboolal 30.05.2005 15:11 |
good_old_fashioned_loverboy1986 wrote: Hence, to produce a word would be much a bigger achievement. Now, instead of a word, many words ... an entire section... forget about it Yes i see your point that as far as technological advancement but freddie's harmonizing had to be so tight to produce those cascading 'magnifico's that took so much work to produce. As contrary to popular belief singers cannot just harmonise with themselves you've still got to hit the right note whereas to do it on a keyboard synth for example would only have taken five note glissandos. That's the point i'm trying to make.Sorry, but Queen and pretty much any respectable musician wouldn't do that. If they (musicians in general) have the vocal chops and the musical ideas, they'll always try and make it happen with their own vocal abilities. And yes, if it fails they'll want to make it happen, somehow. Now, because I'm not fully versed in creating the correct harmonies with my voice, my recent ideas could be mapped out with a vocal program on my computer. I could even use some of those to further enhance my vocal sound, too. Is that wrong? I certainly don't think so. My thoughts are, if it sounds good and works, what's the problem? Synths are hugely underated because of stereotypical sounds. Just listen to all the hip-hop/dance/pop music at the moment! Peace, Adam. EDIT: Teleman hits it on the head with his post. I can enjoy the synthier stuff in the same way as the no synths period. Was It All Worth It... |
Fenderek 30.05.2005 15:38 |
You know what's the pronblem with synths, especially in 80s? There was everyday something new, something that needed to be (?) used- forgetting one thing. The new technoilogy was so quickly developed that something new the very next week sounded dated and pretty shitty... That's exactly why those who were using the synths without specific idea- failed. That's why those dated so badly- they werE like the dress in a waredrobe; once a beutiful creation- the very next day unfashionable outfit... The albums from 80s dated terribly- why is it that some stuff from 70s still sounds so fresh and vibrant, whereas 80s sound is just pure palstic...? There was simply too many "new" things to try, something trendy but... What's better than a guitar, bass, drums and vocals? Add a piano if you want and you can have a great sound, almost timeless... Take the piano, put guitar lower in the mix, layer it with synths and you'll get maybe aquick hit but... it's not gonna sound so imressive in 10 years... That's MHO anyway... |
Mike Label 30.05.2005 15:59 |
If was in a position to remove all synths from any Queen record I'd be happy to do so! And I bet they all would sound much better without those crappy keyboard noises. They didn't need them in the 70s (and hardly any of their early songs sound dated)- they could have easily done without them in later years. To be honest, I can hardly bear listening to some of my favourite band's songs because of those sounds! (So guys, give me a chance ...) |
Boy Thomas Raker 30.05.2005 16:00 |
Very true Fenderek. It's why synths have never stood the test of time. They're all flavour of the moment type of things. I mean really, what did the Oberheim OB-8 or whatever it was add musically to The Game? Nothing. A bit of sound effects here and there. My favourite synth sound is the Yes sound from Owner of a Lonely Heart. 10,000 people used (Roger on 'Klling Time', Van Halen on 'Outside' to name a few) that 'orchestral hit' sound and it became yesterday's sound. Plus as Brian said in an article I recently read, he did orchestrations instead of having someone playing a keyboard as you have to make the notes you want on a guitar, not having someone make a chord that can't approximate the feel and emotion that a guitar can. Finally, save for early Genesis, Yes and a few others, no band has a real keyboard sound. The Human League, Scritti Politti, the Scorpions and Johnny Cash could all use the same machine, and it'll invariably sound the same. Those people couldn't approximate Brian's guitar sound in a million years. They're decision to become a keyboard dominant band helped Queen stay together creatively, but it marked the end of their best songwriting period. |
Vad 30.05.2005 16:13 |
The problem with synths on Queen was that they put an end to Freddie's piano sound, one of the band's trademarks during the 70s. |
GiantSpider 30.05.2005 16:19 |
As far as not liking the 80's stuff aint really true because with A Kind Of Magic we have a orchestra. But in general I prefer the 70's stuff. I think that using synths as appose to instuments in crap, however as a comparison when I listen to say The Killers they use allot of synths to make non-human sounds which I think is different. |
Mr.Jingles 30.05.2005 17:28 |
Seems like so many people have forgotten that some of the greatest bands in the world have used synths, and in some of them like Pink Floyd and Genesis it was so common that it was a trademark. Whether it's progressive rock from the 70s, or new wave from the 80s, the use of synths on those were sounds that became milestones of an era. Both have well stood the test of time, and both are respectable in their own terms. It's all a matter of taste. When Queen decided to use synths they were new to it, and weren't exactly sure on how to do it properly. Most people would agree that the use on synths on "Play The Game" nearly ruined the song (IMO thanks to Mack), but it worked wonderfully on the intro for "The Show Must Go On". |
Gunpowder Gelatine 30.05.2005 17:36 |
I agree that when they're used right, they sound great! The synths on One Vision, Who Wants To Live Forever and The Show Must Go On fit perfectly, but Play The Game didn't have as good a sound, even if it was one of their earlier tries. |
kdj2hot 30.05.2005 17:45 |
Synths werent a great fit for Queen in my opinion. I dont know if I should blame Mack, but I do. Prince is a master of synth riffs in my opinion. They work for him, back in the day with Dr. Finkon the keyboards on the odd song here and there (like Head and Dirty Mind) are great. Now that's funky music I dont know what the hell the first side of Hot Space is compared to that real funk/rock. |
Gordie Howe 30.05.2005 22:40 |
Hate them for Queen Love them for Rush |
good_old_fashioned_loverboy1986 31.05.2005 03:29 |
can see where the liking synth side is coming from but i do agree that earlier songs like keep yourself alive just sound so fresh in comparison with later ones like invisible man. unfair comparison maybe but it does. for those 'i'm the invisible man (dumph)' i'd much prefer to have heard Freddie's 'super little grand'. It's not that i'm anti synth rather that they should not be used in replacement to more conventional instruments rather as little tasters to the song. |
Knute 31.05.2005 04:49 |
I like the old analog synths, like the ARP 2600 and the Minimoog. They have a warmth about them. Let's also not forget the world's first sampler: The Melotron. I'm down with those. |
Fenderek 31.05.2005 05:42 |
Yeah- I love melotrone! |
Mr.Jingles 31.05.2005 08:21 |
MLQ wrote:'Play The Game' is a great song... up until you hear the synths.deeperanddeeperinside wrote: I love Play The Game... I could listen to it all day!I could listen to that for one second! :) It makes the song sound like someone accidentally put some cheesy sci-fi flick sounds. |
reeddr 31.05.2005 20:32 |
I was quite dissapointed when I read the album liner details on "the Game" just after purchasing it and reading about the introduction of a synthesizer to the mix. I always thought Brians orchestations were far superior to any of the synth sounds. The synth on the cut "Play the Game" was quite irritating and I still don't care for it. One listen to the orchestations of "All Dead, All Dead", "The Milloanares Waltz", "Dreamers Ball" or many others and Brians orchestations wins hands down. Those songs refelect so much more skill and effort than the synth laden ones. |
7Innuendo7 01.06.2005 18:10 |
kind of hit or miss with Queen on keyboards -- sometimes it tastes like butt "Rain Must Fall" etc -- or great sounds on "Staying Power" (live MK version) but Devo f*cking rocks and they should be in the RnR Hall of Fame too, massively expert use of keyboards |
kdj2hot 05.06.2005 11:20 |
Mr.Jingles79 wrote:Up until you hear the synths? Um, the song opens with a synth lol. But yeah I know what you mean in the middle, it sounds like they didnt know what to do with a synth or just wanted to get the whole "no body played synth" era over with.MLQ wrote:'Play The Game' is a great song... up until you hear the synths. It makes the song sound like someone accidentally put some cheesy sci-fi flick sounds.deeperanddeeperinside wrote: I love Play The Game... I could listen to it all day!I could listen to that for one second! :) |
Grantcdn 06.06.2005 01:23 |
If only we could have had the Hot Space album WITHOUT synths..........can you imagine?? heck Queen would have been ruling the U.S. until 91.....of course they'd have to ditch some of those songs (i.e. Body Language) and put some heavy guitar grooves on there... |