Official Indie Starter Kit Thread (Calling all hipsters... sorry euro)

[nomadtla]

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Given this criteria name me 3 or 4 albums I might like and give me a few words on why. If it's possible.

I like well done guitar solos....

Help me if you can.

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Two Words:
Dream Theater

I don't know if you just didn't mention them because their not as well known or because you've never listened to them. The vocals are a bit operatic (don't know if that knocks it out as a "female vocale") but the guitar solo's will melt your face off. As far as purely technical musical skill goes I think each of these guys is in the top .05% of musicians for their particular istrument. If you don't like the vocals the guitarist and some other great musicians (including others from DT) have done side projects such as "Liquid Tension Expiriment" and "Explorers Club" which are also both fantastic and have very little vocals at all.
Dream Theater is simply the top of progressive rock IMHO, esspescially along the lines of heavier progressive rock. My sugestion (which others may agree or not) is Metropollis 2: Scenes From A Memory, a few of your favorite drinks, and just sit and enjoy the whole album with no interuption.
Images And Words, and A Change Of Seasons are also great but Metropollis is a full story in an album.