Thinking Plague

[zombywoof]

I know, I know, I'm late to the party, so be it. I've been spinning "In Extremis" for a few days and it finally clicked just how brilliant this band is. Love the flat, emotionless vocals, the weird rhythms, and that chordal pallette - WOW! Some absolutely brilliant, from the gut stuff here with loads of attitude.

Anyway, seeing as that record is about 15 years old, I figured it was time to update my Thinking Plague library, so I bought their newest one, "Decline and Fall". I'm about halfway through and I'm stunned at how great it is! "Sleeper Cell Anthem" is such a great little multipart piece, such brilliant writing and even the lyrics are pretty good! Any fans of Thinking Plague's unique environmentally-concious take on avant prog?

[mogrooves]

Any fans of Thinking Plague's unique environmentally-concious take on avant prog?

Yeah, particularly In Extremis. Caught them about a dozen years ago, with Kerman and Matt Mitchell, the latter a current member of Tim Berne's group.

[Scrotum Scissor]

All of their work is astonishing, but In Extremis sorts among the most vital "modern" progressive rock releases overall - IMHO.

[Morpheus]

I like In This Life best, Decline and Fall and In Extremis are excellent as well.

[Sputnik]

I like In This Life best, Decline and Fall and In Extremis are excellent as well.

I agree with this, In This Life is still my overall favorite. I'd also really like their second album Moonsongs.

I'd say that Thinking Plague is probably my overall favorite "Avant/Dissonant/RIO" Progressive Rock. For me, their work is "out there," but not so far out that it isn't still largely accessible to people who enjoy adventurous rock. I think their stuff rocks more than a lot of the "RIO" bands, and I also think it is more focused an organized.

Really looking forward to their new one.

Bill

[NogbadTheBad]

The last three are brilliant, huge fan.

[Trane]

All of their work is astonishing, but In Extremis sorts among the most vital "modern" progressive rock releases overall - IMHO.

Not really a fan of their first era... I guess I'd have to revisit it, but I was really disppointed with those first three album some 15 years ago, when I investigated... This was just before In Extremis arrivbed and changed my mind about the TP initials...

The last three are brilliant,

I'd tend to agree with this... But In Extremis is much better INHO (also a tad more accessible)

[thedunno]

What? Thinking Plague fans on THIS forum? no Way!

Count me in as fan too ;-)

[Phlakaton]

I love all their albums. In This Life and In Extremis are always fighting for my top slot. So good. I'm with Scrotum - some of the most impressive and vital "modern" progressive out there.

[Steve F.]

I know, I know, I'm late to the party

Ian! you missed seeing them on the east coast by something like one year! sigh.

[NogbadTheBad]

Ian! you missed seeing them on the east coast by something like one year! sigh.

I'm sure they'll tour extensively to support an upcoming album? (pppllleeeaaasssseee)

They were terrific at RIO a couple of years ago supporting Magma. Unfortunately Elaine's voice was seriously crocked at the Cuneifest gig though she performed heroically and I loved the gig.

[zombywoof]

I'm sure they'll tour extensively to support an upcoming album? (pppllleeeaaasssseee)

Why not ProgDay?

[Joe F.]

Why not ProgDay?

I saw them at Progday in '99. Absolutely killer show. Indoors due to the torrential downpour.

Damn, time is flying by.

[battema]

I saw them at Progday in '99. Absolutely killer show. Indoors due to the torrential downpour.

Damn, time is flying by.

Cats Cradle. That was an EPIC set by TP. The dark club and the downpour outside made for a perfect atmosphere. A few other bands definitely gained from that setting...NeBeLNeST springs to mind immediately.

I like the various little soundscapes and texture pieces on History of Madness...guess that would make that one a favorite of sorts.

[Steve F.]

Why not ProgDay?

Would be nice. Start a petition or something!

[zombywoof]

Would be nice. Start a petition or something!

Well, like everyone else, I've already submitted my personal lineup choices for ProgDay + alternates in case they can't be reached (and / or can't be convinced to reform). Still no response from the committee.

[progholio]

Would be nice. Start a petition or something!

There's a TP discussion taking place right now on Progday's facebook page, probably a good place to start petitioning.

[Joe F.]

They were great in Seattle last year.

In Extremis is my favorite as well, but I do have and like them all.

I look forward to hearing (and purchasing) the new album whenever it's ready.

[100423]

If you like In Extremis and Decline And Fall I'd go ahead and get A History of Madness next and then work your way backwards. In This Life is a really great transitional record from their earlier 'quirky' '80s material which I think you'll enjoy too. Enjoy!

[No Pride]

I only have "A History of Madness" and "Decline and Fall," but I dig them both, particularly the latter!

TP and Underground Railroad make the kind of music that I'd hoped prog would've evolved into 40+ years after it's inception.

[Scrotum Scissor]

TP and Underground Railroad make the kind of music that I'd hoped prog would've evolved into 40+ years after it's inception.

You'd might want to read Jarle Storløkken's master's thesis on these groups as harbingers of "actual" progressive rock music in and for the modern day and age. Jarle is the guitarist for Panzerpappa and a string of other bands here in Norway (including the country's most renowned "prog covers" act, Dead Dino Storage, who've done some of the most amazing shows of such music you could ever imagine), and he makes a damn fine argument.

It's an immense paper, but well worth the read - and it's openly available here https://www.duo.uio.no/handle/10852/27165

[TheH]

I was really flattend by "In Extremis", what an awesome Album! I like the next two, but was not so impressed as with
"In Extremis".

[Trane]

I was really flattend by "In Extremis", what an awesome Album! I like the next two, but was not so impressed as with
"In Extremis".

Clearly, In Extremis is their apex

(at least until their next one)

[Scrotum Scissor]

Clearly, In Extremis is their apex

I dunno; although I belong to that very crowd myself, I sometimes get the impression that this album remains their allegedly "best" quite simply due to the circumstances of its release back in '98 - seeing how there was little other stuff like this around (apart from their "sister act" the 5UUs). In a sense, it was to then-current day RIO stylings (well aware that Mike J. doesn't necessarily agree on that tag being bestowed on his music) what someone like Änglagård had been with their debut. I still remember being absolutely floored by In Extremis on release, but I suppose one of the aspects about it that I really still appreciate is the overall feeling of a creative force which hasn't set out to make any specific "kind of prog" but rather composed from the very same eclectic and transgressive ideal that once gave life to progressive rock *at large*. Both AHoM and Decline and Fall might be more technically challenging and intriguing records, but In Extremis holds a special place in head'n'heart.

[Wounded Land]

I dunno; although I belong to that very crowd myself, I sometimes get the impression that this album remains their allegedly "best" quite simply due to the circumstances of its release back in '98 - seeing how there was little other stuff like this around (apart from their "sister act" the 5UUs). In a sense, it was to then-current day RIO stylings (well aware that Mike J. doesn't necessarily agree on that tag being bestowed on his music) what someone like Änglagård had been with their debut.

That's an interesting insight. I'll have to think about that.

My favorite is In Extremis also, by a long shot.