From: "Robert Seeberger" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Reply-To: Killer Bs Discussion <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Science Fiction In Music Date: Mon, 22 Dec 2003 19:18:44 -0600
Something I have been thinking about a lot lately is music with Science Fictional and Fantasmal themes.
Offhand, bands like Pink Floyd and Hawkwind spring to mind immediately. But I have been thinking that the band that has done the most and/or the best with SF and Fantasy themes is Blue Oyster Cult.
So if we were pretending to give out an award for best SF&F song, album, and
group of the 20th century, I would (pending suggestions from others)
nominate the following:
BEST SONG:
Black Blade by Blue Oyster Cult
After The Goldrush by Neil Young
Space Oddity by David Bowie
Homeworld by Yes (You knew I was gonna sneak them in there<G>)
Rocket Man by Elton John
'39 by Queen
Ramble On by Led Zeppelin
Come Sail Away by Styx
8 Miles High by The Byrds
BEST ALBUM:
In Search Of Space by Hawkwind
2112 by Rush
Diamond Dogs by David Bowie
I, Robot by The Alan Parsons Project
BEST GROUP:
Blue Oyster Cult?
Almost every album has a song or two that SF&Fnal. These guys must really like SF&F. They even wrote some songs with Michael Moorcock (Black Blade is about Elric, and is one ass kicking song.) Some songs by Blue Oyster Cult: The Red And The Black Seven Screaming Diz-Busters Don't Fear The Reaper Godzilla Harvester Of Eyes Flaming Telepaths Veteran Of The Psychic Wars E.T.I. (Extra Terrestrial Intelligence) Workshop Of The Telescopes Astronomy Take Me Away
The Alan Parsons Project?
Puulease......Just look at their catalogue. Its virtually all SF&F!!!
_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_
I'd like to see some suggestions from others, and criticisms too
There ought to be a few limits too:
No Purple People Eater comedy type songs.
No instrumentals (Names are just too little to go on)
Songs or albums must have a distinct and clear reference to SF&F tropes.
(I'm including Horror as a subgenre of Fantasy, in case that wasn't very
clear. So Horror is fair game.)
And suggestions for BEST GROUP should come with some justification as to why
you think a band or artist is the best SF&Fnal group or artist.
Now I know I haven't come close to covering all the bases in this post. So tell me what I missed and where I am wrong!!!!!!<G>
xponent Starman Maru rob
Well this is right up my alley. You're talking to the resident music freak here!
First of all though let me point out something. You said you'd like some suggestions and criticisms. Well here's where I criticize:
Although the music mentioned certainly has sf/f themes, I don't think that's the sole basis of the music itself. Sure some may be quite literally 100% influenced by sf/f, but I think (I hesitate to use the word majority) some of that music might just be music, and the whole sf/f themes or influences thing may just be wishful thinking. This is just my opinion though...
On to some suggestions.
Bands like Iron Maiden and Iced Earth cater to the "over the top" dungeons & dragons type metal, which in a way could be considered "Fantasmal themes". The song "Electric Eye" by Judas Priest deals with satellite surveillance. Yngwie Malmsteen does the whole dungeons & dragons bit as well. Current Guns N Roses lead guitarist Buckethead has done instrumental work for the likes of Dragon Ball Z movies. Some might even consider the tune "Judgement Day" by Whitesnake a fantasy oriented song of sorts.
Monster Magnet in the song "Look To Your Orb For The Warning" talks about "the spaceship/landed at your doorstep". Many, many bands/artists/songs with sf/f themes. However I find myself asking this question: is it just wishful thinking for the most part?
-Travis "not trying to take the fun out of this at all" Edmunds
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