Aquarius (Haken): Extended Play Lounge - Episode 27
Added 2022-09-04 01:45:01 +0000 UTCFor this EPL episode, I made a power play and picked Aquarius, the debut album from Haken, as a 'Doug's Choice'. I consider Haken one of my 'adopted' bands that are in their current early or major part of their career. I've been taken with their range of sound and expert playing from the first song (Cockroach King) I heard. As I mention in the video, I've had the opportunity to interview Ross Jennings. And, I've met Richard Henshall after seeing them from the 2nd row at the Kenswick outside Philadelphia.
I was going to listen to Celestial Elixir earlier this year, but the Haken fans asked for a delay, and that I hear it for the first time while listening to the entire album. That day has now come!
Occasionally, I make these EPL episodes available to all patrons, and since this one is a Doug's Choice, this one is available to all of Helvering's Army! Thanks for your continued support and participation. Much love!
Doug
Unlisted Vimeo Link: https://vimeo.com/746208751/e32a941abf
Comments
I’m so happy that you listened to Aquarius! :D It’s my favorite album by Haken and it’s only behind Metropolis pt. 2 by DT and Wish You Were Here by PF on my favorite albums of all time. The story is amazing and each and every song is fantastic. This is definitely Haken’s most consistently great album, since it has no low points whatsoever. I hope to see you reacting to Visions the next time you react to an album by Haken! No matter how many months/years it takes, I’ll be here for it! :D In fact. After Visions, I hope for you to listen to Vector and Virus in a single EPL as well. They are connected albums and also just amazing. :)
Jozo
2022-09-11 14:42:53 +0000 UTCI was due for another full listen of this album. Love it! Really cool analysis! I'm going to have to play with some of those chord changes now that I know what they are. I highly recommend Visions the next time you want to do a full Haken album. It's the album between the two you've done, and it's just more excellence!
Gary D
2022-09-07 00:07:08 +0000 UTCThe growls in Streams I think represents Aquarius either manipulating the Mermaid to make her realize he has plans in store for her or the Mermaid suddenly realizing she is special and fate has something in store for her. She realizes the human world is hurting and her choice is whether she should head to the surface to help. Thus she is discovered by the fisherman in the next song. Then she realizes s just how messed up humans are.
Arrow2theACL
2022-09-05 21:50:03 +0000 UTCBravo, Doug!! What a freakin epic analysis for an epic album. You gave us a fun ride and some really on point insight. Super cool. Other than TTLLOB and SFAM, this is my favorite EPL so far. Great job!! 🎶 🥓 🧜♀️ 🥓 🎶
EphesiansSix
2022-09-04 23:52:31 +0000 UTCSo happy you did this one!! Probably my second favorite Haken album after Visions. To me their first three albums is perfect. Hope you will do Visions at some point. 😄
Joakim Skurk
2022-09-04 20:38:44 +0000 UTCThx, I heard him mentioning it. That's a great suggestion for tomorrow! Love the channel, I would probably never have heard Haken without it.
Ewald Bal
2022-09-04 20:11:42 +0000 UTCDoug also did The Mountain. It was Dougged as well. Very well done and a more commercial album.
Arrow2theACL
2022-09-04 18:39:07 +0000 UTCWow, my first Haken... And what a first it was! Thx Doug, loved the journey.
Ewald Bal
2022-09-04 17:42:19 +0000 UTCI always love experiencing an album I am familiar with through fresh eyes, and this was no exception. You brought a new perspective to Aquarius that I hadn’t seen before, and I gained an even deeper appreciation for Haken. Thanks for the Doug’s Choice, and I hope you get a chance to circle back to more Haken in the future
Andrew Clark
2022-09-04 16:37:24 +0000 UTCI love how Doug is so honest with not liking the growls and the quirky section in Celestial Elixir. I think those sections in particular are just a young band having fun and something to be able to have in their live show. I recommend watching the live version on Celestial Elixir. It's just a band having fun. After this album, Rich does cut back a bit on the obtuse quirkiness and Ross (with Dieagobacking him up) does not growl on any other album.
Arrow2theACL
2022-09-04 15:32:49 +0000 UTCStoked that you did Aquarius, Doug! I absolutely adore this album and have ever since I discovered Haken shortly after it's release in 2010. It's hard to describe the sense of awe and brilliance this album exudes. I'm hoping you'll dig into some of their other records in the future, too!
Dev Brow
2022-09-04 05:41:06 +0000 UTCThis is why I love this community. Right here. If you need some help discovering or questions etc. Ask me. Are you on Discord?
Arrow2theACL
2022-09-04 05:32:14 +0000 UTCI've been around a long, long time . . . almost 80 years, and I've listened to lots and lots of music, mostly rock of all the various genres. Or, so I thought. But this was totally new to me. So complex. So beautiful. So melodic. So interesting. Thanks,, Doug, for turning me on to a whole new musical vein, something I had no idea existed. Love it. Love it. Love it. (Now I get to investigate Haken's other albums - can't wait.)
Ed Noponen
2022-09-04 04:46:09 +0000 UTCYes!!!! 🧜♀️ 🧜♂️
EphesiansSix
2022-09-04 03:58:08 +0000 UTCIt's the Dawn of the Age of Aquarius!!!!
Arrow2theACL
2022-09-04 01:52:15 +0000 UTC
