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Tophat665 · 11-29-2003, 03:23 PM

Frank Zappa - Rock Xylophone. There are so many other things that set Zappa apart from everyone else, but it all comes down to the Xylophone work on Apostrophe and Overnite. No one else does that. Ever.

King Crimson - This has to be the most nearly unique band, however, see below.

Primus - Would be more nearly unique than King Crimson if so much of their early stuff didn't sound like King Crimson.

Tull - If only because they're an album rock band with a lead Flutist and roots in Celtic Folk and Classical and took the first Metal Grammy away from Metallica.

Floyd - They were almost unique - people imitated them.

Talking Heads
Cake - Both Cake and Talking Heads defy categorization. On some level they are very similar to each other, but on another, not at all.

Bela Fleck & the Flecktones - Banjo as high art. Drummitar instead of a drum kit. A truly innovateive bassist, and a hyperthyroid multi-instrumentalist? Even if everything they played sounded just like the Rolling stones, their composition alone would make them unique. That their music sounds like nothing else made is a lock.

Tom Waits - Swordfishtrombones was not an album that could have been made by anyone else.

String Cheese Incident - Adequately covered above.

Alan Parsons Project - A feeling I can't pin down. Something about Eric Wolfson's voice is part of it.

They Might Be Giants - Cheerfully dour, to quote John Linnell. You don't see that vibe anywhere else.

Maynard and Tool as well as Faith No More and Soundgarden are excellent, but they are all just innovative takes on metal. That they are not unique takes nothing away from them - they are the best of the bunch - but I don't honestly believe they are seriously more distinctive than, say, Primus.

11-29-2003, 03:23 PM	#105 (permalink)
Tophat665 Minion of the scaléd ones Location: Northeast Jesusland	Frank Zappa - Rock Xylophone. There are so many other things that set Zappa apart from everyone else, but it all comes down to the Xylophone work on Apostrophe and Overnite. No one else does that. Ever. King Crimson - This has to be the most nearly unique band, however, see below. Primus - Would be more nearly unique than King Crimson if so much of their early stuff didn't sound like King Crimson. Tull - If only because they're an album rock band with a lead Flutist and roots in Celtic Folk and Classical and took the first Metal Grammy away from Metallica. Floyd - They were almost unique - people imitated them. Talking Heads Cake - Both Cake and Talking Heads defy categorization. On some level they are very similar to each other, but on another, not at all. Bela Fleck & the Flecktones - Banjo as high art. Drummitar instead of a drum kit. A truly innovateive bassist, and a hyperthyroid multi-instrumentalist? Even if everything they played sounded just like the Rolling stones, their composition alone would make them unique. That their music sounds like nothing else made is a lock. Tom Waits - Swordfishtrombones was not an album that could have been made by anyone else. String Cheese Incident - Adequately covered above. Alan Parsons Project - A feeling I can't pin down. Something about Eric Wolfson's voice is part of it. They Might Be Giants - Cheerfully dour, to quote John Linnell. You don't see that vibe anywhere else. Maynard and Tool as well as Faith No More and Soundgarden are excellent, but they are all just innovative takes on metal. That they are not unique takes nothing away from them - they are the best of the bunch - but I don't honestly believe they are seriously more distinctive than, say, Primus. __________________ Light a man a fire, and he will be warm while it burns. Set a man on fire, and he will be warm for the rest of his life. Last edited by Tophat665; 11-29-2003 at 03:25 PM..