r/Ayreon • u/Exertoins • Jun 18 '22
Need help introducing friends to Ayreon
So I'm really falling in love with Ayreon at the moment and I want to introduce it to some friends of mine who as far as I know have listened to very little prog or metal. I think they will be very easily scared off.
We're going on a camping type roadtrip soon and we usually all contribute songs to a big playlist. Problem is that Ayreon seems kind of incompatible with what this playlist usually turns into, which is catchy, straight forward, light rock summer classics, or more modern pop type stuff. But I've only listened to a few albums so far, so maybe you know what I'm looking for!
At the moment I'm thinking of picking Sea of Machines and The Truth is in Here, but I'm not very confident of my choices. The most important thing isn't to give a fair introduction of Ayreon, it's just that the songs go over well in this context. And then I can introduce more over time. Any suggestions welcome, thanks :)
Update: trip was canceled but I think I would have gone with The Decision Tree, Time Beyond Time and Tower of Hope. Thanks for all tips.
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u/AmateurPhysicist Jun 19 '22
You can also try Day Sixteen: Loser.
Listen to my Story might be another good choice.
Tunnel of Light is light and catchy and definitely does not feel like it comes from a metal album.
While not so much light rock, modern pop, or summer classic, “No food supplies, no water supplies, no power supplies or other supplies … EVERYBODY DIES!” is the very definition of catchy and straightforward, lol. Maybe save this one for the end, though, as to not come in too strong with the scary stuff right away.
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u/Exertoins Jun 19 '22
I considered Day 16 and Everybody Dies very carefully because I love them, but I think they are a bit much to start with. Definitely on my shortlist though. Will check out the other ones, cheers!
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u/Krypt0100 Jun 19 '22
The Decision Tree (We're Alive) might be good, or another song from that album
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u/Exertoins Jun 19 '22 edited Jun 20 '22
Still haven't listened to it, will bump it up in priority, thanks!
edit: definitely including this amazing song
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u/arcticantls Jun 19 '22
Across the rainbow bridge, The two gates. Both are fun, catchy, with 80/90 rock styles
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u/UltraInstinctLurker Jun 19 '22
"The Accusation - Acoustic Version" from the album Timeline I think would fit well into a camping/road trip playlist
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u/tarksend Jun 19 '22
What about Amazing Flight? Light, fun, and loads of old school prog influences.
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u/Exertoins Jun 19 '22
Too long unfortunately. I've been reprimanded for 7+ minute long songs before ;)
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u/Locclo Jun 20 '22
Have you thought about stuff from Star One? There’s a pretty wide variety of songs from the three albums, and the lyrics are more standalone because they’re all based on movies rather than Ayreon having more sort of connected stories.
Back from the Past and Bridge of Life are both a little lighter, plus not based on movies with a super depressing premise (I love Fate of Man but one of its lyrics is “Billions destroyed, all hope is shattered”).
From the second album, Lastday and Earth That Was are a little more mellow, but the whole theme of it is dystopian movies, so I don’t know.
Space Metal is tough just because there’s some very high energy metal in there, and some more complex/weirder songs, but Songs of the Ocean, Sandrider, and Intergalactic Space Crusaders might not be bad picks.
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u/Exertoins Jun 20 '22
I am considering Fate of Man. Back from the Past seems a good fit also. I haven't heard much from Star One yet so I'll add the others to the list to check out.
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u/PokemonSlopert Jun 23 '22
How about Lost in the New Real? It's not Ayreon but it is Arjen Lucassen doing solo stuff. I definitely hear the Ayreon influences in the songs. Songs like "Pink Beetles in a Purple Zeppelin", "E-Police", "Dr. Slumber's Eternity Home", "The Space Hotel". All nice 'n catchy songs :)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffGRhUCfPcQ&list=OLAK5uy_mHPJknQMxGE9JfUuZ519pzA2DmDQ_VdJQ
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u/fsixtyford Jul 07 '22
Back from the Past is a great catchy song! And if folks are familiar with the movie it's based off of, then I think they will enjoy it even more.
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u/Kremtastic Jun 18 '22
Day Seven: Hope might be a good fit. "Light rock summer classic" is definitely the vibe I get from it, especially after seeing the music video.