Re: Theocracy: The Gift of Music

by Friday13th Sat Oct 15, 2022 8:58 pm

deathisgain wrote:We all know Barry did it better, with less cheese.

Song was written by Bruce Johnston of the Beach Boys, often accused of being the most syrupy member but he wrote killer BB tracks like Dierdre and Disney Girls. The Beach Boys are my favorite band so that’s probably more than any here care to know

by Follower of Jesus Sat Oct 15, 2022 10:25 pm

Friday13th wrote:
CrimsonWarrior wrote:Definitely the worst Theocracy song. I normally skip it and I otherwise really enjoy As the World Bleeds.

IMO the worst Theocracy song that made it to an album is Call to Arms. Also don’t see how Gift of Music can be worse than Around the World and Back, which is about the same syrup (granted more pop rock than Andrew Lloyd Webber) but none of the metal of Gift of Music. Another song people dog which I love is Sinner off the debut, great song.

Around the World and Back is top 3 Theocracy for me! That is a killer melodic metal song with an amazing message in the lyrics. Don’t be dissing that song or we’re going to have to throw down.

by Pethead Sat Oct 15, 2022 10:33 pm

Follower of Jesus wrote:
Friday13th wrote:
CrimsonWarrior wrote:Definitely the worst Theocracy song. I normally skip it and I otherwise really enjoy As the World Bleeds.

IMO the worst Theocracy song that made it to an album is Call to Arms. Also don’t see how Gift of Music can be worse than Around the World and Back, which is about the same syrup (granted more pop rock than Andrew Lloyd Webber) but none of the metal of Gift of Music. Another song people dog which I love is Sinner off the debut, great song.

Around the World and Back is top 3 Theocracy for me! That is a killer melodic metal song with an amazing message in the lyrics. Don’t be dissing that song or we’re going to have to throw down.

One of my good friends loves that song especially and can’t listen to that song without tears.

by Sevenoneself Sat Oct 15, 2022 11:07 pm

Seeing we're all having a moment together now...

I was introduced to Theocracy by my wife's uncle, who isn't into metal music at all. But he was working as a men's dean at a small bible school at the time and going through some tough mental health issues. One of the students suggested he listen to I AM; the whole song--mix of lyrics and music--encouraged him in the Lord in an amazing way, and he sent it to me to listen to (as I have the same struggles).

On a similar but less dramatic note, but also more consequential to this thread's topic, The Gift Of Music has been very encouraging to my oldest son. He is incredibly gifted musically (no pun intended! Smile

), but has struggled with social awareness and expressing himself emotionally. He sees himself in this song and thus it is very personal and dear to him.

Pethead...that's my ace in the hole for this song!! You can't beat a tear-jerker to change the mass' minds!

by Pethead Sat Oct 15, 2022 11:10 pm

^Drat. Now my only option is to go after the only other Theocracy song I don’t like: Light of the World.

by Sevenoneself Sat Oct 15, 2022 11:16 pm

Pethead wrote:^Drat. Now my only option is to go after the only other Theocracy song I don’t like: Light of the World.

Didn't I mention that my daughter made the decision to get baptized after listening to that song?

by Sevenoneself Sat Oct 15, 2022 11:25 pm

Sevenoneself wrote:
Pethead wrote:^Drat. Now my only option is to go after the only other Theocracy song I don’t like: Light of the World.

Didn't I mention that my daughter made the decision to get baptized after listening to that song?

Theocracy: The Gift of Music - Page 2 OIP

by Machine Fish Sun Oct 16, 2022 8:25 am

Well...uhm...I actually love The Gift of Music, in fact the first time I heard it years ago, it actually made me tear up. I get that it's cheesy, but I'm a sucker for heartfelt songs about being a creative. As I am one myself.

by Black Rider Sun Oct 16, 2022 9:32 am

So, it turns out if you don't like TGoM you are a heartless heathen.

by Pethead Sun Oct 16, 2022 10:00 am

“If any man think ill of you, do not be angry with him, for you are worse than he thinks you to be.” Charles Spurgeon Very Happy

by Ammocas Sun Oct 16, 2022 10:49 am

I like it …. Especially the guitars at the end…. and the prince of preachers C.H. Spurgeon would’ve agreed for sure!

by deathisgain Sun Oct 16, 2022 12:42 pm

Pethead wrote:“If any man think ill of you, do not be angry with him, for you are worse than he thinks you to be.” Charles Spurgeon

So the song is worse than we think? Razz

by Pethead Sun Oct 16, 2022 12:44 pm

deathisgain wrote:
Pethead wrote:“If any man think ill of you, do not be angry with him, for you are worse than he thinks you to be.” Charles Spurgeon

So the song is worse than we think?

That is entirely possible. I’ve only made it through the whole thing twice!

by Opeth3232 Mon Oct 24, 2022 10:24 pm

Pethead wrote:My antipathy for this song is well-known. (Although I do really like the lyrical idea). I love this band overall.

So sound off! Who here likes this song and who here doesn’t???

(I’m trusting Kerrick to do the right thing by enforcing the consequences for selecting the third option).

I finally understand what people mean by Disney metal well sorta I know Tommy Johansson gets called that a lot with Majestica but I hate this song but then I love it because of the thrash elements that redeem it sorta. The songs end is pure speedy thrash its just all the sticky sweet syrup you have to wade through to get to it.

by Snert I Wed Oct 26, 2022 4:10 pm

Love The Gift of Music!

by Temple of Blood Thu Dec 01, 2022 4:24 pm

OK, so I've finally heard this song now.

So ... what is it that you guys don't like about this song, just so I can understand the objections?

by Pethead Thu Dec 01, 2022 4:26 pm

Temple of Blood wrote:OK, so I've finally heard this song now.

So ... what is it that you guys don't like about this song, just so I can understand the objections?

It’s just so cheesy. It sounds like a Disney song made metal.

by Temple of Blood Thu Dec 01, 2022 4:29 pm

Pethead wrote:
Temple of Blood wrote:OK, so I've finally heard this song now.

So ... what is it that you guys don't like about this song, just so I can understand the objections?
It’s just so cheesy. It sounds like a Disney song made metal.

But ... isn't that what everyone loves about this entire genre?

I mean, this isn't a Mercyful Fate song we're talking about. This isn't Led Zeppelin. This isn't Dio or Black Sabbath.

by Pethead Thu Dec 01, 2022 4:33 pm

Temple of Blood wrote:
Pethead wrote:
Temple of Blood wrote:OK, so I've finally heard this song now.

So ... what is it that you guys don't like about this song, just so I can understand the objections?
It’s just so cheesy. It sounds like a Disney song made metal.

But ... isn't that what everyone loves about this entire genre?

I mean, this isn't a Mercyful Fate song we're talking about. This isn't Led Zeppelin. This isn't Dio or Black Sabbath.

I dunno, there’s something about this song that just rubs me the wrong way. There’s fun cheese and then there’s bad cheese. In context with their other songs, it sticks out to me in a bad way.

For contrast, here’s one of my favorites:
https://youtu.be/HqJhEBGFmu0

by Sevenoneself Thu Dec 01, 2022 4:39 pm

And I freely admit, ToB, that it's a touch of an anomaly on the album, and the lyrical subject is quite different than the rest. My opinion is that it works, Pethead's is that it doesn't. And we have fun ripping each other over it!

by deathisgain Thu Dec 01, 2022 5:54 pm

Temple of Blood wrote:But ... isn't that what everyone loves about this entire genre?

Not really. Most people label THeocracy as Power Metal and some Progressive metal, which I've never thought of containing cheesiness.

by Temple of Blood Thu Dec 01, 2022 6:12 pm

deathisgain wrote:
Temple of Blood wrote:But ... isn't that what everyone loves about this entire genre?

Not really. Most people label THeocracy as Power Metal and some Progressive metal, which I've never thought of containing cheesiness.

Power metal doesn't have cheesiness? So ... do you think "The Gift of Music" contains cheesiness?

Most people differentiate between U.S. Power Metal (Jag Panzer, Warlord, Helstar, Lethal, early Queensryche, Metal Church, early Fates Warning, etc. etc.) and Europower metal. I think Theocracy is clearly influenced by the Europower scene, among other things.

by Pethead Thu Dec 01, 2022 6:15 pm

Temple of Blood wrote:
deathisgain wrote:
Temple of Blood wrote:But ... isn't that what everyone loves about this entire genre?

Not really. Most people label THeocracy as Power Metal and some Progressive metal, which I've never thought of containing cheesiness.

Power metal doesn't have cheesiness? So ... do you think "The Gift of Music" contains cheesiness?

Most people differentiate between U.S. Power Metal (Jag Panzer, Warlord, Helstar, Lethal, early Queensryche, Metal Church, early Fates Warning, etc. etc.) and Europower metal. I think Theocracy is clearly influenced by the Europower scene, among other things.

I also usually view Theocracy as being in the same general genre as Euro power metal, in distinction from USPM.

by Sevenoneself Thu Dec 01, 2022 8:03 pm

Here's where my lack of knowledge concerning genres rises to the surface again. Smile

I'll have to let you guys duke it out.

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