Powerstars

Considering, for the first time in my life, buying some iTunes gift cards so I can buy up Nirvana's studio discography and some of their other songs without my mom seeing stuff like "Incesticide" and "Rape Me"

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Powerstars

I got 3 albums I wanna review, which one should I do first?

Paul McCartney - Memory Almost Full
Ben Folds Five - The Sound Of My Life Of My Mind
The Black Keys - Brothers

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Powerstars

Sometimes it's good to get some free music when you're saving money, or when you're flat broke. That's what I thought when I clicked the link of an MB user looking to promote his stuff. Now it was clear that he'd joined the site simply to plug his EP, as he only had one post and he was a new user. I found the post before it was removed and I bookmarked the page. I downloaded his album, cuz, free tunes, and decided I might as well review it. I was in a good mood. BTW, here's a link to his album. Anyways, since this guy is a one man band who plays all his own instruments, I decided to give him the benefit of a doubt. I know the feeling of wanting to promote my music. So, was it worth it? Let's find out.

1. The Beach
We start off very calm and cool. It's some of the subtle details that give the first part song it's charm, like the carefree slidey guitars. Then later, we get some heavy guitars and cymbals in the background, which actually creates a weird effect. I'm not sure if I like it or not. The song in general though, it's a pretty good chill tune. Can't really complain.

2. I Still Know You
Opening reverbtastic riff is setting a pretty decent tone, and it goes up from there. We get some decent drum work and an emphasized bassline. Around the 2 minute mark the guitars get slightly heavier for a bridge that brings us some better drumming for a bit and then a nice little bass and drum breakdown before the song really gets good and slightly dark.

3. An Overwhelming Realization
This is a more somber effort, and it does get me into the mood it's trying to create, I must say. It's certainly not bad. Though I must say, when it picks up, it almost makes me wanna headbang. Key word being almost. It doesn't quite do it's job later on. It had potential to be better. Ending piano was a nice touch though.

4. On The Edge Of The World
This one, while not as dark as the last, does get slightly heavier, and mildly headbang worthy. Bass is pretty nice, as is the guitar, but overall, I don't have terribly much to say. When it picks up for the 2nd time, however, it does merit headbanging in that slow, heavier sort of way. It's kewl.

5. You're Not Coming Back, Are You?
Somber, but I really don't know what to say at this point. It's certainly calmer and sadder than "An Overwhelming Reaction" until it picks up and get surprisingly happy, but I don't really know what to say anymore.

6. Gone Away (The Offspring cover)
This one, unlike the others has vocals. The drums are actually quite good, as are the aforementioned vocals. I can't really say much about this one since I haven't heard the original song. Anyways, shall we wrap this up?

Conclusion: Overall, I did enjoy this EP, but I found it incredibly generic and rather uninteresting most of the time. It's more like background music than anything. A point of advice for Mr. "Life In HD" if he's reading this: Maybe try adding vocals to your songs. In my opinion, that immediately makes a song more memorable. If you need someone to help write the lyrics, there are many people ready and willing. Also, you're a good singer. I heard you in that Offspring cover. Anyways, yeah, just a pointer. Otherwise your songs to me sound very generic and rather uninspired, no offense.

Overall: 60/100 (Worth it, it is free)

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Powerstars

It appears as though I'll be covering mostly bad songs on this segment. Now then:


Excuse me kind sir, but exactly what flavor of what substance are you bringing? And to where? Or do you mean flavor metaphorically, as in variety?


No sir, there are many other people on this planet. If you are referring to something specifically, please send me a fax, so I may better understand your writing process.

Everybody
Yeah
Rock your body
Yeah

Okay sir, I will move or sway to and fro or from side to side.

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Trollheart

I have to say I'm not really interested in any of those, but of the three, maybe the Black Keys?

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Trollheart: Signature-free since April 2018

Powerstars

I was just a bit interested in The White Stripes for too long. After reading Trollheart's review of Elephant and finding it was considered a classic, I decided I needed to judge for myself. Trollheart himself thought it was good, but not a classic, which got me a bit more interested. If it was good, but not great, why would the people hail it as a classic? Once again, my brother had a copy, so I popped that sucker into the disc drive and started to judge it.

1. Seven Nation Army
Hey, I've heard this song before, but I can't remember where. That's because, the melody, while catchy, fails to stick in my head for very long. It's catchy but not catchy enough. Don't get me wrong: I liked the song. But it's missing something. Solo is also good, but this song isn't terribly special. Oh BTW, that bass riff isn't a bass riff at all. It's a guitar riff that got messed with. Oh Jack White, creative one.

2. Black Math
Ooh, from the opening seconds, I know this is gonna be a solid rocker. Jack White's vocal performance is quite good. The fast riff in this song (the one that opens the song and appears various times throughout) is solid and really helps carry that sick solo that this song gives us. Listen to the song and you'll know what I'm talking about.

3. There's No Home For You Here
The song that the label wanted to release as a single, this one shows various Beatles influences, which I'm a sucker for, like the harmonies. The verses also remind me of an earlier hit by the band, "Dead Leaves And The Dirty Ground." It's a pretty good song. My favorite thing about the song is the guitar solo with the keyboards popping up. I'm noticing a pattern of Jack White being very good at crafting solos.

4. I Just Don't Know What To Do With Myself
This is a cover, apparently. I'm noticing that in this song, Meg White's fantastic drumming is really helping things along. Also Jack White screams sometimes. Yay. Solid cover of a song I've never heard.

5. In The Cold, Cold Night
"Hey," says Jack White to Mr. Producer Man, "let's give Meg a song to sing." And they did just that. Granted, this is a cool little song. The song is surprisingly laidback, and Meg's voice actually complements that. Also, the organ fill/solo is awesome, and this band should have used organs more often. It really helps the almost bluesy feel the song has. It's a solid track and one that actually really helps the album.

6. I Want To Be The Boy To Warm Your Mother's Heart
Okay...what's with that title and these lyrics. What in the name of all that is holy was Jack White thinking when he added these lyrics to this song. Granted, the song is good. It's, again, a bit bluesy, and Jack's vocals are solid, but the lyrics kinda ruin it.

7. You've Got Her In Your Pocket
A heartwarming acoustic song. Yup, the album is chilling out. It's cool, but the lyrics are kinda creepy. "I wanna keep you in my pocket...where there's no way out." Dude, creepy!

8. Ball And Biscuit
Ah, every album needs a long epic rockin' song right?...SHUT UP AND DON'T ANSWER THAT! This song's about drugs, don't believe me, look it up. Jack White talking through the song is actually pretty cool for a more ELECTRIC blues song. Yeah, they went there. The jam portions are freaking fantastic, and I love them. This song is so good that in a poll by Rolling Stone, it was vote Jack White's best song, and this man has written some good stuff. It's just fantastic. Surprisingly, it also doesn't even overstay it's welcome. At 7 minutes, it just seems to pass by like every other song on the album.

9. The Hardest Button To Button
We open with an almost spacey kinda vibe. Slower, but still rocking out. We do get some sort of synth in the background that I notice, unless the bass is under lots of reverb of something. It really adds something to the song. Pretty good.

10. Little Acorns
And here we are, starting with a speech, and then an oddly sounding piano which morphs into the full band. This is the song I can imagine at one moment bobbing your head slightly, and at the next moment moshing like mad. Yup, it's one of those songs.

11. Hypnotize
And here we, another fast. This is a song for your party playlists. Get wild to this one. It's catchy, it's fast, it's awesome.

12. The Air Near My Fingers
Okay, this is a lot like "There's No Home For You Here" but less awesome. It's still pretty good though. But not much to say on it. Doo doo, doodoodoodoo doo doo. Organs are nice though.

13. Girl, You Have No Faith In Medicine
The song is somewhere in between incredibly bad ass and incredibly hilarious. I just love it. I mean, it's a bad ass rock song about a girl who has no faith in medicine. I just don't know what to (do with myself) say!

14. It's True That We Love One Another
Quirky collaboration between the 2 White Stripes and Holly Golightly. It's extremely cheesy and weird and that's why I love it. The delivery of Meg's lines is wonderful and the line "Y'know I gave that horse a carrot so he'd break your foot" is awesome. Good way to end this album.

Conclusion: I pretty much agree with Trollheart's stance that this is a good album, but not a classic, though I give it more credit. It's a very enjoyable ride.

Final Score: 75/100 (Get it)

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Powerstars

Hey guys, I hit over 1,000 views. WOO!

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Powerstars

I may look into it, but out of the 3, I'm currently most interested in talking about the Paul McCartney one. Are you interested in seeing my talk about any other albums/bands in particular?

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Powerstars

I should be getting a review out by next week.

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Powerstars

Yet another new segment here in my barf...ew, that's disgusting. Yeah, anyways, I should be getting back to my other segments eventually, but this is something I've been thinking about, and I finally figured out how to format it. The intent is not to spread hate, but rather laugh at the stupidity of the internet. So here we go:


So, what do you guys make of this? If you have a flame war you want showcased on Music Forum Flame War, PM me the link. I wanted to put out something this week guys. Hope you enjoy!

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