Trollheart

It's probably a little unfortunate that we end up having another (mostly) instrumental album after last week's choice, but I'd say I enjoyed this one a lot more than Goldmund's effort. That said, while I wouldn't have much negative to say about it, I can't enthuse too much about it either. It's certainly enjoyable, but like a lot of instrumental albums (let's be honest: other than the opener it's all instrumental) one track often melds into another and even though I've listened to this several times now I still couldn't really pick out a particular track; again, it's almost like one long composition. That's not to say there's no variety, unlike Goldmund; there is plenty. I just tend to have a problem finding where one track ends and another begins a lot of the time here. But don't take my word for it; let's see what the Matrix has to say about it.

1. What were your VERY FIRST impressions on listening to the album, say from the first five minutes in?
Very reminiscent of some of the instrumental work of the Alan Parsons Project in parts, guitar riff reminded me of “Run like Hell” by Floyd. Good energy in the track though it kind of doesn't really build towards anything, hence the idea of a jam. When the vocals (the only ones on the album) come in they're jarring and unncessary, and spoil the flow of the music for me personally.
2. What did you think of the opening track?
I liked the music, the energy, the beat, but the vocals were unexpected and ruined it. Almost.
3. What did you think of the next track?
Muc better, pure instrumental now
4. Did you like the vocalist? Hate him/her? Any impressions? (see note 1)
On the one track they came in on, no. Keep vocals out of this album please.
5. Did the music (only) generally appeal to you, or not? (see note 2)
Yes, very spacey and psychedelic. Rocks out a good bit too.
6. Did the album get better or worse as you listened to it (first time)?
Better, after I realised there would be no more singing.
7. What did you think of the lyrical content?
n/a
8. Did you like the instrumental parts? (see note 3)
n/a
9. What did you think of the production?
Insert answer here
10. Did you know of this artiste prior to listening to the album, and if so, did that foreknowledge colour your perception of this album?
Yes. Ant had presented them for the PRAC some years ago. I don't recall being too impressed, but it was a while ago and I couldn't really say I remember. Working on the assumption that I didn't think much of them, then I was not expecting too much here, so yes, the fact that I had heard them before did colour my perception of the album initially.
11. Is this, generally, the kind of music you listen to or not?
Pretty much. I like a lot of instrumental albums, and as I say, I hear quite a lot of APP here.
12. Assuming you listened to the album more than once, on repeated listens, did you find you liked the album more, or less?
Kind of about the same. There was nothing I heard on the fourth listen that I didn't hear on the first really.
13. What would you class as your favourite track(s), if you have any?
I couldn't pick out one track; it all kind of blended together for me into one long composition. As a straightforward rock track rather than a space rocky/psych/whatever experimental jam, “Kick muck” is pretty righteous. I like "Wreltch" too.
14. And the one(s) you liked least?
Probably the opener, due to the offputting vocals, though the closer was a bit of a stretch.
15. If the album in question is a debut, did that fact allow it, in your mind, any leeway, and if so, was that decision justified or vindicated? (see note 4)
n/a
16. Are you now looking forward to hearing more from this artiste, if you have not heard any of their other material?
I might listen to some other albums, yes.
17. Were you surprised by your reaction - positive or negative - to the album?
Yes, because I remembered being quite meh about the one in the PRAC, but this was pretty good.
18. Did the album end well?
I'm not a fan of nineteen-minute closers. Ordinarily. This is not an exception to that rule.
19. Do you see any way the album could have been improved?
Leave out the vocals entirely, shorten the closer.
20. Do you think the album hung together well, ie was a fully cohesive unit, or was it a bit hit-and-miss?
I couldn't say it was particularly cohesive, and there were a few different styles utilised, but I wouldn't go so far as to call it hit and miss.

I'd be happy rating this as an 8/10. Good stuff. Not great stuff, but certainly good stuff.

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Trollheart: Signature-free since April 2018