Complicated music, like...

Folsom · « **on:** 27 Dec 2008, 07:55 am »

Thriller, Michael Jackson

What else is out there? I am mostly referring to Billie Jean and Thriller tracks. They have such an amazing amount of stuff going on them that is awesome.

keenween · « **Reply #1 on:** 27 Dec 2008, 07:59 am »

Yello

soundbitten1 · « **Reply #2 on:** 27 Dec 2008, 09:57 am »

Electric Light Orchestra

BobM · « **Reply #3 on:** 27 Dec 2008, 01:02 pm »

When someone says complicaed I immediately think Gentle Giant (but that's hardly commercial) or perhaps Echolyn (same).

Bob

timind · « **Reply #4 on:** 27 Dec 2008, 01:17 pm »

XTC generally has a lot going on.

Scott F. · « **Reply #5 on:** 27 Dec 2008, 05:14 pm »

When I think of complicated music, I [for the most part] exclude melodic, riff based 'mainstream' music. Though some artists may be technically proficient (or even phenomenal) on their chosen instrument, "complicated music" transcends being lighting fast. It (to me) means being able to orchestrate complicated rhythms, cord changes and progressions across multiple instruments (the band or orchestra as a whole). Keeping the composition from sounding like noise for the average listener is the key. If you have to be a music major to understand a piece of music, there is no point in listening.

These are songs that fit my personal definition of complicated.

Yes, Relayer - Sound Chaser followed by Gates of Delirium

Mad at Gravity, Resonance

and for a three man band Rush, Moving Pictures, YYZ comes pretty close too

Believe it or not, select songs from Kansas
Kansas, Journey from Mariabronn

Masque, Icarus

Leftoverture, Magnum Opus

Pat Metheny,
Imaginary Day

The Way Up (a 45 minute composition in four parts that holds a core theme)

There are way too many jazz and classical 'complicated' pieces that fit my definition to try and list.

..just my 2 pence

Folsom · « **Reply #6 on:** 27 Dec 2008, 05:50 pm »

I guess I would also rank The Downward Spiral by Nine Inch Nails as complicated as well. It is certainly a composure of stuff.

Crimson · « **Reply #7 on:** 27 Dec 2008, 05:54 pm »

NIN's The Fragile and anything by King Crimson.

Folsom · « **Reply #8 on:** 27 Dec 2008, 07:43 pm »

Got the Fragile too

What is King Crimson like?

JoshK · « **Reply #9 on:** 27 Dec 2008, 07:58 pm »

Since you mention NIN, I find his Broken album to be complicated, but a bit inaccessible at first. However, after repeat listens the brain breaks it down and you can hear complex layering. I always thought that was a bit cool. It is definitely one of those that sounds like noise at first though.

Crimson · « **Reply #10 on:** 27 Dec 2008, 09:03 pm »

Quote from: Destroyer of Smiles. on 27 Dec 2008, 07:43 pm

Got the Fragile too

What is King Crimson like?

Very complicated.

Seriously, it's progressive, fusion, acid, funk, jazzy, edgy rock. Talk about layers! Try it. I love it. They are incredible musicians (currently Adrian Belew, Robert Fripp, Tony Levin, Pat Mastelotto, and Gavin Harrison). To start, you may want to try In The Court of the Crimson King, Discipline, or Three of a Perfect Pair.

hmen · « **Reply #11 on:** 27 Dec 2008, 09:18 pm »

FRANK ZAPPA

Wayner · « **Reply #12 on:** 27 Dec 2008, 10:10 pm »

Greg Lake was the original vocalist/Bassist for King Crimson. This was the late 60's early 70's version of the hardest metal rock. They blended guitar, mellotron and horns with a jazz drummer rythem. Very special.

Scott: Great call on Yes music. Yes, Close to the Edge, Drama, 90125.....wow.

I also think Andreas Vollenweider is very complicated, tho it aint rock. Pink Floyd is there as well as Camel (I love "A Nod and a Wink and "The Singles"). Also don't forget Alan Parsons.

Wayner aa

Tyson · « **Reply #13 on:** 28 Dec 2008, 12:18 am »

Coltrane, FTW!!!

JoshK · « **Reply #14 on:** 28 Dec 2008, 12:50 am »

I was listening to the radio and they played Simple Minds - Alive and Kicking and it is very layered like you describe.

Wayner · « **Reply #15 on:** 28 Dec 2008, 12:55 am »

I have the 12" LP @ 45 rpm of Simple Minds, "Don't you forget about me". It is frickin' awesome. This band was always better then U2 and never got any publicity.

Wayner

BrassEar · « **Reply #16 on:** 28 Dec 2008, 01:32 am »

LOVE King Crimson.

Kurt Cobain said the KC album "Red" was the greatest album of all time.

guest41324 · « **Reply #17 on:** 28 Dec 2008, 01:51 am »

play around with "don't stop till you get enough"
the production is perfect and can be tweaked to get what
you want.

JerryM · « **Reply #18 on:** 28 Dec 2008, 02:16 am »

+1 on Zappa.

Nicely complex is the Doobie Brothers Livin' on the Fault Line. Lotta' cool stuff going on there.

Have fun,
Jerry

bunnyma357 · « **Reply #19 on:** 28 Dec 2008, 02:21 am »

Currently bands like TV on the Radio, Arcade Fire, and as others have mentioned NIN have a lot of layered levels, Complexity can also have a lot to do with what isn't there, or what is somewhat discordant - sometimes minimalism is far more complex than a kitchen sink approach. For me the complexity of ideas leads to groups like Wire, Squeeze, Los Lobos and others who add a lot of levels in constrained genres - much like MJ in a pop idiom.

With MJ even songs dating back to "I Want You Back", there is a intellectual break where the voice of the song is a misogynist douche, who doesn't want the girl, until he sees her in another's arms. In a super catchy manner the song puts you on the side of someone who only cares for themselves. To me this is the stuff that makes a song complex - and why Michael Jackson's work still resonates with me - less than a complex musical arrangement.

Jim C

Complicated music, like...

guest41324