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| Album Reviews; Everyone Loves Music, Right? | |
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| Topic Started: Mar 27 2011, 04:44 AM (11,686 Views) | |
| Romanticide | Sep 11 2012, 10:57 PM Post #181 |
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Cult Leader
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Artist: Amanda Palmer & the Grand Theft Orchestra Album: Theatre Is Evil Release date: September 11, 2012 Posted Image Unless you've been living under a rock, you're likely familiar with Kickstarter by this point in time. The concept is pretty simple: Instead of selling a label, publisher, or whoever else on your project's merits, you just post it on the internet, and the public decides whether or not it's good enough to fund and thus make a reality. Obviously this is a godsend for indie musicians, game developers who want to bring back long-dead series... Really the possibilities are endless, and we're only just starting to scratch the surface of what exactly crowdsourcing can do. Today, I bring you a review of only Kickstarter's most successful music project ever. This Kickstarter managed to raise just a little under 1.2 million dollars through around 25,000 payments, which is damn impressive for an artist whose last effort only moved 40,000 units. Chalk it up to an insanely dedicated fanbase, one Amanda Fucking Palmer has built goodwill with for years. That out of the way, what you want to know is: How is the music? The album's theme is concisely encapsulated in its introduction. Translated, it means: "How can I slit my wrists when I can't stop dancing?" To put it another way, this is the happiest, catchiest sad album you will ever hear. Every single song on the album has lyrics that are quite sad and depressing, but many of them hide this fact extremely well thanks to Amanda Palmer's sometimes hard-to-decipher vocals (part of the reason this was not up earlier than today, in fact) and the pop sensibilities of the music. You thought Lady Gaga was theatrical? Compared to what Amanda Palmer put out on this album, she's a shy ninth grader acting in her first play. Much of the music is extremely dense. Think symphonic metal levels of density and you'll have a pretty good idea of how many musical ideas were packed into many of these songs. There are strings, horns, drums, the occasional guitar, overlaid vocal tracks, elements of pop, rock of all decades, jazz... There's just a lot going on in many of these songs, and this isn't an album that you'll understand everything on after your first listen. It could easily have descended into chaos, but tight songwriting and great arrangements from Jherek Bischoff/Chad Raines keep the album moving forward without getting too bogged down. That said, on your first listen it's also one of the catchiest and most accessible records I've heard in quite some time. Want It Back and Do It With a Rockstar are more "typical", insofar as you can use that word to describe anything on this album, rock songs, whereas Massachusetts Avenue's catchiest and most memorable part is its horns section, and Melody Dean melds rock, the horns section, and electronic music together to create something wholly unique and catchy. Personally I find the songs that are more like the latter two songs more interesting, in large part because they're less "typical" but still extremely catchy. It also has some of the saddest songs I've ever heard. Trout Heart Replica is a fish-as-trapped-humans metaphor, with extremely haunting and gorgeous piano/string parts. (This song is where my sig is from.) The Bed Song chronicles a relationship that started out passionately but eventually turned frigid due to a lack of communication by both parties. Unlike Trout Heart Replica, this song is mostly piano-driven, and the piano is one of the most beautiful parts of this whole album. Amanda Palmer says this is one of her best songs? I'm inclined to agree. Many of the songs are sad and all, but when people say this album made them cry, they generally mean at least one of these two songs. It's hard to single out weak links on an album this great, but I personally feel the intermission wasn't needed. I suppose it makes the album feel more like a theatrical production or some shit, but I feel like it's not really tied to any of the other songs on the album, thematically or otherwise. Also, Lost is a *decent* song, one that I wouldn't skip if I wanted to listen to the whole album, but on here it just feels like filler because it's so much more meh than everything else. Unlike other slow songs like Grown Man Cry and Berlin (which itself is a slow burner - picks up 3 minutes in), this one just has nothing really memorable about it. On the whole, this is a great album, a must-own for anyone who's looking for something new or is into what Amanda Palmer does. It's easily going to be one of my favorite albums of the year, and I'm looking forward to seeing her in Minneapolis on October 3rd. Track Listing: 1) Meow Meow Introduces the Grand Theft Orchestra 2) Smile (Pictures Or It Didn't Happen) 3) The Killing Type 4) Do It With a Rockstar 5) Want It Back 6) Grown Man Cry 7) Trout Heart Replica 8) A Grand Theft Intermission 9) Lost 10) Bottomfeeder 11) The Bed Song 12) Massachusetts Avenue 13) Melody Dean 14) Berlin 15) Olly Olly Oxen Free I recommend getting this from her site. You can get it for free and all that, but I recommend reading what she has to say before you click "lol free", because it's true. Album highlights: Trout Heart Replica The Bed Song Melody Dean Massachusetts Avenue Really I could list almost everything, and limiting it to Trout Heart Replica, The Bed Song, and two of the more upbeat songs was hard enough. |
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| kmr95 | Sep 12 2012, 01:26 AM Post #182 |
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No Flex Zone
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I will review The Physics' new album Tomorrow People sometime in the near future. Also will be reviewing Macklemore's The Heist sometime after its release on October 9th. |
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| DucksFAN93 | Sep 19 2012, 05:36 PM Post #183 |
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The Sports Nut Member
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Artist: As I Lay Dying Album: Awakened Released: September 25, 2012 Performance: TBA Posted Image REVIEW: It is probably no surprise for you guys when I say that I am very excited to be bringing this review to you guys early. An exclusive full review of the brand new LP by metalcore giants, As I Lay Dying. What can I say about this record? It raises the bar on so many levels for the rest of the genre. Quickly, as I listened to this album for the first time (I pre-ordered very early and apparently Metal Blade records was running a get it a week early promotion). I realized that AILD are putting more emphasis on the choruses of each song, and for the first time ever in their discography, each and every song has bassist Josh Gilbert's clean singing. Of course, the razor-bladed frontman Tim Lambesis is on the very top of his game as lead vocalist, and the lryics he has written this time are the very best of his career. Opening with the thrash-core song "Cautertize", AILD format stays true. Hardcore verse, clean chorus, guitar solo, breakdown. It is typical AILD, but no band does it better than them. The breakdown is epic and crushing, while the chorus is still stuck in my head. The weakest song, while still being really good, is the next one, "A Greater Foundation". There is absolutely nothing wrong with this track, it is just a little different than the rest. Gilbert's clean vocals are very prevelant, and the chorus is actually quite sof by AILD standards. It does feature a lengthy breakdown however. "Resilience" quickly brings the pace back up, and chorus of Lambesis' harsh screams echoing Gilbert's wonderful cleans is just killer. A quick guitar solo caps it off, while the song ends with the chorus, and expected a breakdown, but was left with none. The creativity in the guitar work and song structure is very epic. It is one of the best tracks. But then, of course they all are. The one, two punch of "Wasted Words" and "Whispering Silence" keeps the melodicism going, while one of my favorite tracks "Overcome" follows them. "Overcome" is stellar in so many ways, the composition is unique, the guitar work is stellar, the lyrics are great, the drumming is perfect. The chorus is my favorite on the album, with Gilbert proclaiming "We will overcvome what we face in this life/ We will overcome". The song ends with a nasty breakdown, it is a must listen. Another great track, "No Lungs To Breathe" has the fewest amounts of clean passages, as Gilbert only says that line a few times. The tasty guitar solo will leave you wanting more, and the breakdowns are classic. "Defender" is the most technically proficient of all the AILD songs, the guitars are constantly riffing, soloing and breaking down. ALso notable is the fact that Josh Gilbert takes lead for the first time, making this a breathe of fresh air almost. The two breakdowns are crushing, as Lambesis proclaims "I. AM. WILLING. TO. DIE. DEFENDER". So sick. "My Only Home" is the catchiest song, and has a great solo, and "Tear Out My Eyes" is the best song they have written. "Tear Out My Eyes" is the song you need to listen to if you want to give AILD their rightful chance. Filled to the brim with solos, breakdowns, chant vocals, cleans, chorals, screaming, everything you can think of is presented here. When Tim screams "I AM AWAKENED" you will feel it. I am so proud of these guys, they only continue to improve. They didn't soften up, they just included clean vocals on every song this time. What did this do? It made the album sound like the masterpiece "Parallels" from their incredible The Powerless Rise album two years ago. I could list so many things as to why they are kings of metalcore, but that would just waste my time and yours. Go listen to this masterpiece, and see why they are regarded in such high esteem. As for comparisons sake, I think it may top their previous record. Everything here is so perfect, I enjoyed all of the songs. The instrument work is so incredible, I have to say, this band is certainly awakened to how they want to sound. They are perfect, they are As I Lay Dying. |
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| DucksFAN93 | Sep 24 2012, 06:36 PM Post #184 |
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The Sports Nut Member
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Artist: Papa Roach Album: The Connection Released: October 2, 2012 Performance: N/A Posted Image REVIEW: Papa Roach has been in a real rut lately. After the semi-disappointing 2009 album Metamorphosis, the band released a half-live, half studio record. Time For Annihilation was alright, the new songs were okay, but nothing special. Then, this summer, the band contributed the song "Even If I Could" to the Avengers Soundtrack. That song was terrible, so going into this Fall, I was very skeptical about P Roach's newest full length. So, thanks to a friend of mine (Who shall remain nameless), I got an advanced copy of the record, The Connection. Although the name sucks, I have to say, I am very pleased with this record as a whole. This sounds like a band rejuvinated, and ready to roll. P Roach albums have been known to have those two or three songs that are awesome hard rock, while most of the rest is pretty much filler (With the exception of their gem Getting Away With Murder back in 2004). This is not the case with this release, while I will say that some tracks are better than others, but not at the same polarizing rate of the past. "Engage" is only a 50 second intro to the record, it contains a lot of textures, loops, and dynamic sounds fans are not accsustomed to. It sounds really cool, and gives kind of a false impression of what to expect. Lead single, "Still Swinging" also continues this trend, as we also see that the hip-hop is back for some tracks ("Still Swinging, "Not That Beautiful", "Won't Let Up"). The dub-step influenced bridge is sure to throw off and piss off some Roach fans. Luckily, this is the only song on the entire 13 track LP that sounds like this. I like this song, and the chorus is still stuck in my head. Traditional Papa Roah pops up on the next track, "Where Did The Angels Go?". The heavy gutiars and crunchy drums compliment the airy vocals perfectly, as Jacoby Shaddix is easily on the top of his game or the record. I like the line "So Heaven better tell/ Where the hell did the angels go?". The next several songs are all highlights, starting with the arena ready "Silence Is The Enemy". The chorus is begging to be sung along with "Scream your heart out/ We are the chosen / Silence is the enemy". The vocals are strong, and so is the guitar work. This is true for the entire album, each member of the band is on the top of his game, every song has something notable to say. Gone are the annoying poppy sounds of the last few releases, back is the hip-hop, and now with electronic sounds! While this may piss off fans of old, the new sounds and textures really add depth to a usually skin and bones rock band. Also, Jacoby's harsh screams are back and only in the climax of certain songs, though more songs have them then not. Also, I have to mention "Not That Beautiful". It is the best song of the record, and is one of the best songs they have written. The band seems to finally have found a sound that works for them. The last time I reviewed a PR record, I said it was solid, but there are better hard rock options available. That is definitely not the case this time around. If you want hard rock, and you want it now without cliched lyrics and horrendous material, PR has just the record for you. This is the Papa Roach I have been wanting for years, and this is the Papa Roach that people would be remissed to dismiss. |
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| Granskjegg | Sep 24 2012, 07:10 PM Post #185 |
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Eg e husfar.
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I thought Papa Roach was a metalcore band? Eh, shows how little I know of that scene. I'll probably be posting two reviews in the coming weeks: Enslaved's "RIITIIR" and Devin's "Epicloud". I am super excited for both of them, and I'm positive they will both blow me away. I might actually review another album that I've been sort of addicted to lately - Krakow's "diin". |
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| Vieira151 | Sep 24 2012, 08:37 PM Post #186 |
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Dickwad 3000
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Papa Roach started as Nu-Metal (they were a slightly heavier linkin park with less rap) and went sort of standard hard rock on metamorphosis. They have also always been hit and miss, imo. |
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| Granskjegg | Sep 24 2012, 09:05 PM Post #187 |
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Eg e husfar.
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Fair enough. I had to check out some random songs on youtube. Didn't change what I thought about them; the definition of meh. |
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| DucksFAN93 | Sep 25 2012, 02:28 AM Post #188 |
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The Sports Nut Member
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That is true, and I did address that "hit and miss" issue in my review, by the way. :) |
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| BigMac | Sep 25 2012, 03:00 AM Post #189 |
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Real Trill Shit
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I was gonna post a review of Epicloud since I've listened to it so many times in the past few days, but I figure I'll let Paal have that honor. |
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| Granskjegg | Sep 25 2012, 06:53 AM Post #190 |
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Eg e husfar.
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EVERYONE should review it :P But I feel honored(?). |
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| Vieira151 | Sep 25 2012, 02:00 PM Post #191 |
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Dickwad 3000
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Yeah, it was more of a reply to Paal just in case he missed what you said. :P |
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| Granskjegg | Sep 25 2012, 04:42 PM Post #192 |
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Eg e husfar.
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I read all the things! |
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| kmr95 | Sep 29 2012, 06:20 PM Post #193 |
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No Flex Zone
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Artist: The Physics Album: Tomorrow People Release Date: August 25, 2012 Posted Image Sorry that the image is a little large, couldn't find a ton of other good ones. Lesser artists tend to lack a diversity in image size when it comes to albums #firstworldproblems As most of you know, or have figured out, I'm pretty big on Seattle's hip-hop scene. While the Seattle hip-hop movement is mainly conscious or semi-conscious hip-hop, (Macklemore, Blue Scholars, Common Market), The Physics are one of the interesting outliers in Seattle's hip-hop scene. Since members Thig Natural, Monk Wordsmith, and Justo D'Amato met in high school, their theme and goal has been to make fun, catchy, and laid-back music. And in their third release, Tomorrow People they channel that same theme. Tomorrow People had a tough act to follow. The Physics' second release, Love Is A Business was a great album all around, and had the legendary track "Coronas On Madrona". That album also featured strong tracks such as "The Red Eye", "Love Is A Business", and "Babble (feat. Phonte)". So, the hype was rising to see what these guys could do next. The question is, does Tomorrow People live up to the (local) hype? My answer: Absolutely. Admittedly, there are no tracks that can compare to the sexy beat and incredibly amazing lyrics that is "Coronas On Madrona", but that doesn't mean every track on this album is lame and the album isn't good. Even though Tomorrow People lacks in the "God Tier songs" category, this album has a lot of good to great songs on it. Thig Nat has great flow and great delivery as always. Justo's beats are still amazing to listen to. When Monk Wordsmith backs up Thig Natrual, it's amazing and brings out that signature Physics sound. Everything that is unique to The Physics' style is seen on this album. The mix of soul and hip hop, the vocal harmonies in the choruses, the sexy beats by Justo that blend everything together. It's present as ever, and that's always something refreshing. Of course, It's not just The Physics I have go give credit to for this album. In Tomorrow People, The Physics bring in other local artists such as Grynch. Sol, Bambu, Porter Ray, and more. These guys' contributions to Tomorrow People take the album to another level. "Zones in the Twilight (feat. Porter Ray & Isabella DuGraf) is a song that shows how well The Physics collaborate with other artists in the Seattle music scene. DuGraf has a beautiful voice. Porter Ray is Drake with a less annoying style/voice. Along with Justo's beat, and Thig Nat's flow, it's easily the best song on the album. Other standout songs in this album are "Feel So Cool (feat. Grynch)", where Grynch fucking kills his verse in this song. "Take A Win" has a catchy beat, and fun lyrics. "Make it Happen (feat. Sol)", "Skylines (feat. Bambu)" have strong lyrics from the guests featured in the song. "Days" is one of the songs in this album that is a grower, but after a few listens you start moving to the beat, and rapping along with The Physics. Overall, this album is very good. From top to bottom there's great tracks, and that's all you can ask for in a good album. On top of that, there are tons of standout tracks, that have you moving to the beat. The Physics' goal has always been to have fun, be chill and laid-back, and listen to some catchy tracks. Again, The Physics' style and motto is clear in Tomorrow People, and it's something that I hope never goes away from them. This album is definitely something I'll be listening to for a while. Tracklist: 1. So Funky 2. Take A Win 3. Zones in the Twilight (feat. Porter Ray & Isabella DuGraf) 4. Days 5. Last Dollar 6. Corporate By Daylight 7. Drink With You (feat. Jarv Dee) 8. Skylines (feat. Bambu) 9. New School Mental 10. Make it Happen (feat. Sol) 11. Feel So Cool (feat. Grynch) 12. The Goodbyle 13. Journey of the Drum Album Highlights: Zones in the Twilight Take a Win Make it Happen (feat. Sol) Feel So Cool (feat. Grynch) |
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| Romanticide | Sep 29 2012, 08:04 PM Post #194 |
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Cult Leader
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That was my impression on my first listen. Easily one of the best rap albums I've heard this year. I'd probably put it below the new Hail Mary Mallon and Aesop Rock albums, both of which were awesome. I'll probably wind up picking up an album or two at Fifth Element on Wednesday. Yup, planned a little side trip to the Mecca of Minnesota hip-hop. >.> |
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| kmr95 | Oct 10 2012, 05:41 AM Post #195 |
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No Flex Zone
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I have no school on Friday, so that's when I'll most likely post my very (un)anticipated review of Macklemore's The Heist. |
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