Colors. Because that's probably the most accessible album of the lot. Everything else already requires you to already know their style, otherwise its chaos.
This is such a great series! I feel like Coma Ecliptic would be the best introduction for someone who was more into regular prog rock since the overall sound was inspired by Yes.
Alaska is what got me into the band. I hated screaming vocals but I loved the intro to that song so much. I would just continuously listen to the intro over and over and eventually I got tired of skipping back to the beginning and would just listen to the full song and it eventually grew on me.
The album that hooked me was the parallax part 2. While colors Is certainly an Amazing album,i think it's a Little too much to start with. With parallax 2, you have more easy songs and you can actually stop between some of the tracks.
I’ve struggled with getting into this band. I’m very happy to report that Coma Ecliptic has been playing non-stop….love this album. Returned to Alaska and still can’t do it. Looking for recommendations on where to go next.
Great vid! fun fact, I first didn't fully connect with Colors in the first couple listens, I connected with Parallax II more, I was just hot off being introduced to Periphery's Juggernaut series of albums and I guess the polished production gravitated to me more at the time, nonetheless, I grew to love Colors like most of their other albums, I think Sun of Nothing was one of my early favorites on the album.
Colors was my first introduction to Between The Buried and Me. I was getting into prog and someone recommended it to me and I hated it at the time. Then three years later they released the parallax and I decided to give colors a second chance after that and it finally clicked and now they are one of my favorites! Crazy how that can happen!
I've been trying to get into this band, but the vocals are hard for me to get into. That said, I fucking love Automata II, so I want to try and acclimate myself to band's sound more, because clearly there's something there that speaks to me.
TGM is my favourite, PI&II are the "best," and everything else is pretty much just as good. Had a good giggle at some of your pronunciations/mis-titles. To give you some more depth into the band's history, keyboardist Tommy and guitarist Paul are founding members, while bassist Dan, guitarist Dustie, and drummer Blake have been a part of the band from Alaska to present. A big part of BTBAM's proggy sound from there on can be attributed to Dan Briggs (also known for ORBS, Trioscapes, Nightmare Scenario, and fusion supergroup Nova Collective (with members of HAKEN)). The entire band contributes in the writing process, which gives them a leg up over many bands with only one or two composers. When I'm trying to get someone interested in BTBAM, it will depend on what they are into already. Coma Ecliptic is great for prog rock fans, since it's essentially BTBAM's one-off "rock-opera." Although if I was recommending one song for prog rock fans it would be The Proverbial Bellow from Automata. Fans of heavier prog I would point towards The Great Misdirect, and metalheads towards Hypersleep Dialogues. If you are on FB, join All Things Between the Buried and Me (group) and share your video there!
THE. GREAT. MISDIRECT. UGH!! Front to back, my fav album of theirs. at this point, I'd probs say Coma Ecliptic is BTBAMs most approachable album. it's front to back so clean as well as it's production is marvelous. so I think my listening order would also branch. Coma Ecliptic -> Colors -> Great Misdirect -> Parallax 1, 2 OR Coma -> Automata 1, 2 -> Alaska -> Silent Circus -> Self Titled. also, Alaska, as a song: WONDERFUL song to equalize a stereo with. Sensitive low tones and shiny high end. Also also, Disease Injury Madness is, I think, my favorite song they've released??? I dunno. it's tough.
When I got into them, a friend told me to listen to Selkies but didn't care for anything past the intro. It was just too wild but I didn't understand that the contrast between the craziness and the 'pearls' you referenced is the whole appeal. Then I heard Fossil Genera and it hooked me. Now there is not a single song I do not 100% love. Some of the vocals on Coma Ecliptic do sound a bit off to me though.
I also started with "Colors" but it took me like 6 months to process "Ants of the sky" hahaha I had a hard job listening to "Colors", it's just too much for people who are not used to. I'd definitely recommend something else if you're not familiar with "fast tech brutal prog metal" and make your way up to "Colors" and "Parallax II" which are the masterpieces. The last 2 records are an excellent start.
The thing that is the hardest to get into are the vocals. Sometimes they are too monotonous, almost lifeless. I know they are going for that wall of sound, but sometimes it's a little bit too exagerated
Brilliant band, I was a little disappointed with Coma because it felt too near to Dream Theater but it grew on me. I prefer their more experimental side so I love Automata 1 & 2, should have had the courage to release them as one album really and Great Misdirect is my favourite also. Enjoy the video 👍
I have to disagree with starting with "Colors" (and I'll make the same argument for "Parallax II" as well). While those two albums are their "best" records... they're not exactly the most approachable albums in their collection. Both are really dense, really ambitious, really technical pieces of prog metal that....while masterpieces of the genre... might be too big of a mouthful to start out with. If you're a new listener wanting to get a good idea of what BTBAM is all about, and looking for what albums give a really great idea of what their sound is all about, I'd recommend "The Great Misdirect" or the "Automata" duology. Those wont offer the best of what BTBAM has to offer, but IMO paint the best picture of what BTBAM's music is all about..... however If your a new listener that's apprehensive about the more technical side of BTBAM, the more extreme side and need to be eased into the genre and they're style a bit... "Coma Ecliptic" is the album for you.
Agreed! Their most recent record is probably the more listenable for beginners. Although is heavier than "Coma Ecliptic" is more palatable while "Coma..." is probably the softer one in terms of heaviness but the craziest one....so if you're into prog. rock and love weird stuff this is where you start but if you want something more "normal" but not that normal "Automata" is for you.
The issue with Devin Townsend is that a "how to get into" video would be sprawling. You'd need a good starting/entry point (Empath, would be my suggestion), but instead of where to go next, it'd be.... well here's this flowchart you can follow.. If you like this sound, follow this branch and the albums listed... but if you like this sound follow this branch and the albums listed... There are branches further down and sub branches listed and you will be graded on this, so do your studying. It'd be a video of trying to break something like this down: i.redd.it/yx05fqs334q21.jpg
@@alltheworldsastage I agree that for Devin Townsend, listening to just one album doesn't give you the full picture of what his music is about. Empath might be the best standalone album to start with from that perspective, but I think checking out a few albums (like Ki, Ocean Machine, Ziltoid & Epicloud) or even just a couple of songs from these albums, and then making the decision either to dive deeper or stop here, makes it less likely that the listener misses out on one of Devy's styles that they might actually enjoy.
Colors. Because that's probably the most accessible album of the lot. Everything else already requires you to already know their style, otherwise its chaos.
This is such a great series! I feel like Coma Ecliptic would be the best introduction for someone who was more into regular prog rock since the overall sound was inspired by Yes.
Oh yeah! Keep this series going!!
Alaska is where I started, and it's still my favorite.
Alaska is what got me into the band. I hated screaming vocals but I loved the intro to that song so much. I would just continuously listen to the intro over and over and eventually I got tired of skipping back to the beginning and would just listen to the full song and it eventually grew on me.
The Silent Circus was their latest album when I discovered them.... it's been a journey following them since then!
Its cool that you are doing this in a Tommy Giles cosplay
Been working on it for a year!
dude i love this! great review of an amazing band
Here it is again, the very rare album from Between the Buried and Me called Coma Eclectic.
Still haven’t heard this album. 🤔
It's very good! Doesn't get the love that it deserves really.
@@NotesReviews whoosh. lol :D
@@NotesReviews Okay, it's been months now.. time to put you out of your misery. It's "Coma Ecliptic"
skelkies and rototurner :-D
@@felixmassot1389 Not to forget the albums The Hyperspace Diatribes, Automater I and II, The Paradox II - Future Sequence.
Swim to the Moon was my first full blown intro to BTBAM and damn I loved it!
Just what I asked for! Thanks!
How to get into BtBaM:
Colors. Then go from there, but Colors might be the best start.
The album that hooked me was the parallax part 2. While colors Is certainly an Amazing album,i think it's a Little too much to start with. With parallax 2, you have more easy songs and you can actually stop between some of the tracks.
It was easy to get into it, how do i get out of it? Nevermind, I don't want to.
ah yes, laser speed, the most brutal metal track
Nice series. An episode about Devin Townsend would be very cool😉
I’ve struggled with getting into this band. I’m very happy to report that Coma Ecliptic has been playing non-stop….love this album. Returned to Alaska and still can’t do it. Looking for recommendations on where to go next.
Great vid! fun fact, I first didn't fully connect with Colors in the first couple listens, I connected with Parallax II more, I was just hot off being introduced to Periphery's Juggernaut series of albums and I guess the polished production gravitated to me more at the time, nonetheless, I grew to love Colors like most of their other albums, I think Sun of Nothing was one of my early favorites on the album.
Colors was my first introduction to Between The Buried and Me. I was getting into prog and someone recommended it to me and I hated it at the time. Then three years later they released the parallax and I decided to give colors a second chance after that and it finally clicked and now they are one of my favorites! Crazy how that can happen!
I've been trying to get into this band, but the vocals are hard for me to get into. That said, I fucking love Automata II, so I want to try and acclimate myself to band's sound more, because clearly there's something there that speaks to me.
I love your review, im a huge fan from BTBAM , and i agree all you think, thanks!!
This video could be 15 seconds long.
“Listen to Colors. That’s all”
As least that’s how it was for me. Cool video
TGM is my favourite, PI&II are the "best," and everything else is pretty much just as good. Had a good giggle at some of your pronunciations/mis-titles.
To give you some more depth into the band's history, keyboardist Tommy and guitarist Paul are founding members, while bassist Dan, guitarist Dustie, and drummer Blake have been a part of the band from Alaska to present. A big part of BTBAM's proggy sound from there on can be attributed to Dan Briggs (also known for ORBS, Trioscapes, Nightmare Scenario, and fusion supergroup Nova Collective (with members of HAKEN)). The entire band contributes in the writing process, which gives them a leg up over many bands with only one or two composers.
When I'm trying to get someone interested in BTBAM, it will depend on what they are into already. Coma Ecliptic is great for prog rock fans, since it's essentially BTBAM's one-off "rock-opera." Although if I was recommending one song for prog rock fans it would be The Proverbial Bellow from Automata. Fans of heavier prog I would point towards The Great Misdirect, and metalheads towards Hypersleep Dialogues.
If you are on FB, join All Things Between the Buried and Me (group) and share your video there!
I got into BTBAM shortly after their Silent Circus release. I have a lot of love for that album but I totally agree Colors is the way to start!
I remember their self titled back in 2002 pretty mental
selkies was the song that got them a lot more fans
THE. GREAT. MISDIRECT. UGH!!
Front to back, my fav album of theirs.
at this point, I'd probs say Coma Ecliptic is BTBAMs most approachable album. it's front to back so clean as well as it's production is marvelous. so I think my listening order would also branch. Coma Ecliptic -> Colors -> Great Misdirect -> Parallax 1, 2
OR
Coma -> Automata 1, 2 -> Alaska -> Silent Circus -> Self Titled.
also, Alaska, as a song: WONDERFUL song to equalize a stereo with. Sensitive low tones and shiny high end.
Also also, Disease Injury Madness is, I think, my favorite song they've released??? I dunno. it's tough.
what is your BTBAM favorite album / song?
me: YES!
I feel like Coma would be a better starter if you know the person isn’t generally a fan of heavier music.
When I got into them, a friend told me to listen to Selkies but didn't care for anything past the intro. It was just too wild but I didn't understand that the contrast between the craziness and the 'pearls' you referenced is the whole appeal. Then I heard Fossil Genera and it hooked me. Now there is not a single song I do not 100% love. Some of the vocals on Coma Ecliptic do sound a bit off to me though.
how to get into Devin townsend
I also started with "Colors" but it took me like 6 months to process "Ants of the sky" hahaha I had a hard job listening to "Colors", it's just too much for people who are not used to. I'd definitely recommend something else if you're not familiar with "fast tech brutal prog metal" and make your way up to "Colors" and "Parallax II" which are the masterpieces. The last 2 records are an excellent start.
The best talkers & the best looking people get promoted, so be one of them
Oh man, I am neither of those things. So I won't be promoted any time soon 🙂
The thing that is the hardest to get into are the vocals. Sometimes they are too monotonous, almost lifeless. I know they are going for that wall of sound, but sometimes it's a little bit too exagerated
Blake Richardson is the baddest badass in the genre
Brilliant band, I was a little disappointed with Coma because it felt too near to Dream Theater but it grew on me. I prefer their more experimental side so I love Automata 1 & 2, should have had the courage to release them as one album really and Great Misdirect is my favourite also. Enjoy the video 👍
Excellent video/series. Btbam is my favorite band. Oh and it’s pronounced au-tomata and not auto-mata.
do Mastodon
I have to disagree with starting with "Colors" (and I'll make the same argument for "Parallax II" as well). While those two albums are their "best" records... they're not exactly the most approachable albums in their collection. Both are really dense, really ambitious, really technical pieces of prog metal that....while masterpieces of the genre... might be too big of a mouthful to start out with.
If you're a new listener wanting to get a good idea of what BTBAM is all about, and looking for what albums give a really great idea of what their sound is all about, I'd recommend "The Great Misdirect" or the "Automata" duology. Those wont offer the best of what BTBAM has to offer, but IMO paint the best picture of what BTBAM's music is all about..... however
If your a new listener that's apprehensive about the more technical side of BTBAM, the more extreme side and need to be eased into the genre and they're style a bit... "Coma Ecliptic" is the album for you.
Agreed! Their most recent record is probably the more listenable for beginners. Although is heavier than "Coma Ecliptic" is more palatable while "Coma..." is probably the softer one in terms of heaviness but the craziest one....so if you're into prog. rock and love weird stuff this is where you start but if you want something more "normal" but not that normal "Automata" is for you.
Like it!
Is that t-shirt foreshadowing things to come? (wink wink nudge nudge)
The issue with Devin Townsend is that a "how to get into" video would be sprawling. You'd need a good starting/entry point (Empath, would be my suggestion), but instead of where to go next, it'd be.... well here's this flowchart you can follow.. If you like this sound, follow this branch and the albums listed... but if you like this sound follow this branch and the albums listed... There are branches further down and sub branches listed and you will be graded on this, so do your studying.
It'd be a video of trying to break something like this down: i.redd.it/yx05fqs334q21.jpg
@@alltheworldsastage I agree that for Devin Townsend, listening to just one album doesn't give you the full picture of what his music is about. Empath might be the best standalone album to start with from that perspective, but I think checking out a few albums (like Ki, Ocean Machine, Ziltoid & Epicloud) or even just a couple of songs from these albums, and then making the decision either to dive deeper or stop here, makes it less likely that the listener misses out on one of Devy's styles that they might actually enjoy.
Best band. Fight me. You didnt mention paralax 1 and this is a problem 🤨
This take is so based. Parallax I almost never gets the respect it deserves. SMH
HOW DO YOU TALK ABOUT PARALLAX 2 WITHOUT TALLKING ABOUT PARALLAX 1? PARALAX 1 GETS SLEPT ON HARD!
I’m glad you like btbam but rototurner? Really? And Skelkies? Dawg.. it’s Roboturner and Selkies…. This made me cringe..
they are probably on the coma "eclectic" album :-D
It's horrible how you name so many things wrong.