Oh, and in keeping with my location field, half the stuff by MCR (even the stuff off of 3C4SR are epic in their delivery even though they mostly aren’t in content.)
What I came in to mention.
I also find Bob Mould’s “Brasilia Crossed With Trenton” sounds pretty epic and sweeping, though it’s a bit sparse as far as instrumentation, so it may not be what you’re looking for.
Carla Bozulich, of Ethyl Meatplow and the Geraldine Fibbers, has a talent for writing songs that start out big and become much bigger; at least half of her songs could be classed “epic.”
The grandaddy of all sweeping, epical songs: Macarthur Park sung by Richard Harris. I think he was in his forties when he sang this and at the end he hit the highest note I’ve ever heard a man sing. This song has it all, great lyrics, full orchestra and that final climactic ending
I’m a believer, so this song works for me: Audio Adrenaline’s My Father’s House: http://youtube.com/watch?v=wPPIFW_r1Ig
When I hear it on the radio, I turn it up LOUD & jump & pump & sing LOUD. The other drivers on the interstate usually steer away from my car.
Love, Phil
Rearviewmirror by Pearl Jam…
Mountain Goats- “Oceanographer’s Choice”
Yeah, if you like wet cakes.
All You Good Good People - Embrace. In fact, just about everything on that album is made to be played in an arena.
After all the jacks are in their boxes,
and the clowns have all gone to bed,
you can hear happiness staggering on down the street,
footprints dress in red.
And the wind whispers Mary.
A broom is drearily sweeping
up the broken pieces of yesterday’s life.
Somewhere a Queen is weeping,
somewhere a King has no wife.
And the wind it cries Mary.
I nominate Trina Magna by Blues Traveler. It’s on the Save His Soul album. I get all blown away every time it comes rollin around on my iTunes.
I look at the floor and I see it needs sweeping,
While my guitar gently weeps.
No?
Oh OK, how about Nights in White Satin by The Moody Blues.
Well, it did take a long time to bake it.
Patrick Wolf “The Libertine”
Carbon Leaf “American Tale”
Klaxons “Golden Skans”
Final Fantasy “The CN Tower Belongs To The Dead”
Bright Eyes “The Calendar Hung Itself”
Rasputina “Rats”
“Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me” by Elton John.
Epic, by Faith No More.
As the Rush Comes (Sweeping Strings Remix) - Motorcycle
The part in Heima near the end where they play Untitled #8 behind a screen with crazy lights at an outdoor gig took my breath away (the whole movie did really).
When The Tigers Broke Free by Pink Floyd is pretty sweeping, albeit short.
The Presto movement of Summer in Vivaldi’s Four Seasons–has a section that
Alot of post rock fits the bill…aside from the aforementioned Sigur Ros and GSY!BE, Mogwai Fear Satan by **Mogwai **is a classic. (I can’t seem to find a decent youtube vid–just download it!)
and I didn’t think much of Damien Rice until I saw this sweeptastic version of I Remember.
Given to Fly by Pearl Jam.
“Sweep” is one of my favorite musical qualities- so you’d think I would be able to name more songs that have it, but here’s a few:
Paranoid Android (Radiohead)
Whipping Post, Mountain Jam, Nobody Knows (Allman Brothers Band)
Cortez the Killer, No Hidden Path (Neil Young)