Earth

**Janszoon** · 06-16-2009, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hesher

HEY! I'm doing the review here, buddy. Git yer own thread! :p

Do you want this thread moved to the reviews forum then?

Hesher · 06-16-2009, 03:28 PM

No, I'm just teasing. I should have the next album up sometime today.

Hesher · 06-19-2009, 02:43 AM

So fuck you all for making me stay up late again to deliver this review. I hate you guys.

(Big enough image for ya? Huh? Huh?)

Pentastar is definitely Earth's most accessible album in my opinion, although Bees Made Honey is a pretty close second. Pentastar actually sounds somewhat like a regular rock album; the riffs are played at a more regular speed, although they are still quite laid back. The album also has discernable lyrics on it, demonstrating Dylan Carlson's semi-unique voice. The lyrics are pretty fun but not too serious. There are some standout tracks on Pentastar; Crooked Axis is a keyboard/organ driven spatial drone track, sort of like Earth 2 but electronic and not so arresting. Charioteer is also pretty distinct, with it's simple doubled/chorused guitar track played as partly distorted, partly clean, and partly on acoustic or maybe harp if I'm not mistaken. Peace in Mississippi is a Jimi Hendrix cover, believe it or not... It just goes to show how varied Carlson's musical inspirations can be and how willing he is to reflect those in his music. Sonar and Depth Charge is a pretty somber all-piano song with oodles of reverb; again, a much more "spatial" and simplistic sound but without the all-encompassing distortion of Earth 2. I think my favourite song on the album is Coda Meastoso though, with it's meandering guitar lead and bass line reinforcement. Overall, Pentastar is great in the car on long road trips during the time when you have nothing to talk about and are just cruising down the highway between cornfields for hours. A lot of people would recommend this as a listener's first album, but I don't think it really represents the scope of Earth's music and is kind of a pussy album to begin with. Starting with one of the tougher works gives you more of an appreciation for the band and their creativity before seeing how they deal with a more radio-friendly kind of sound. People I locked horns with in the Metallica thread: note how it is ok for Earth to experiment. They make good albums. For the record, I have this record on record. That is to say, on vinyl. It's good. It was like $15. Awesome.

Next you get Hexed...

333 · 06-19-2009, 02:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hesher

Pentastar is definitely Earth's most accessible album in my opinion, although Bees Made Honey is a pretty close second. Pentastar actually sounds somewhat like a regular rock album; the riffs are played at a more regular speed, although they are still quite laid back. The album also has discernable lyrics on it, demonstrating Dylan Carlson's semi-unique voice. The lyrics are pretty fun but not too serious. There are some standout tracks on Pentastar; Crooked Axis is a keyboard/organ driven spatial drone track, sort of like Earth 2 but electronic and not so arresting. Charioteer is also pretty distinct, with it's simple doubled/chorused guitar track played as partly distorted, partly clean, and partly on acoustic or maybe harp if I'm not mistaken. Peace in Mississippi is a Jimi Hendrix cover, believe it or not... It just goes to show how varied Carlson's musical inspirations can be and how willing he is to reflect those in his music. Sonar and Depth Charge is a pretty somber all-piano song with oodles of reverb; again, a much more "spatial" and simplistic sound but without the all-encompassing distortion of Earth 2. I think my favourite song on the album is Coda Meastoso though, with it's meandering guitar lead and bass line reinforcement. Overall, Pentastar is great in the car on long road trips during the time when you have nothing to talk about and are just cruising down the highway between cornfields for hours. A lot of people would recommend this as a listener's first album, but I don't think it really represents the scope of Earth's music and is kind of a pussy album to begin with. Starting with one of the tougher works gives you more of an appreciation for the band and their creativity before seeing how they deal with a more radio-friendly kind of sound. People I locked horns with in the Metallica thread: note how it is ok for Earth to experiment. They make good albums. For the record, I have this record on record. That is to say, on vinyl. It's good. It was like $15. Awesome.

Next you get Hexed...

That sentence alone has got me sold. Is there any chance you can share any of these albums you've been reviewing? Also, a good followup to Bees Made Honey ..?

Hesher · 07-29-2009, 02:43 AM

Hey, I'm sorry to neglect these threads and I promise I will get back to them soon, but it's a massive heat wave here and so I've been listening to nothing but Cat Power and 80s hiphop for the last few weeks while working full-time. See you soon.

Mojo · 07-29-2009, 05:33 AM

I haven't actually heard the records people are bigging up the most in this thread. Earth are a band I can dig but I have to be in the right mood. I like some drone but Earth, if i'm not in the right mood can just sound too...lazy. Not enough to keep my attention. Then again if i am in the right mood I sometimes put some earphones in and Earth can help wind me down a little.

I only have Extra-Capsular Extraction, Earth 2 and Phase 3.

The Bees Made Honey in The Lions Skull was their latest record, wasnt it? I assume that's worth a listen then?

333 · 07-29-2009, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mojopinuk

I only have Extra-Capsular Extraction, Earth 2 and Phase 3.

The Bees Made Honey in The Lions Skull was their latest record, wasnt it? I assume that's worth a listen then?

Yes, it is worth a listen. It's the only Earth album I've heard/have. Care to trade?

Mojo · 07-29-2009, 11:51 AM

Sure. Sounds like a plan to me.

333 · 07-29-2009, 12:12 PM

Ok, so I don't have it uploaded yet, but when I do, I'll send it your way, vanilla face.

Piss Me Off · 07-29-2009, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 333

Ok, so I don't have it uploaded yet, but when I do, I'll send it your way, vanilla face.

Can i get in on some of that? Been on my list for a while.

07-29-2009, 05:33 AM	#16 (permalink)
Mojo Melancholia Eternally Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: England Posts: 5,018	I haven't actually heard the records people are bigging up the most in this thread. Earth are a band I can dig but I have to be in the right mood. I like some drone but Earth, if i'm not in the right mood can just sound too...lazy. Not enough to keep my attention. Then again if i am in the right mood I sometimes put some earphones in and Earth can help wind me down a little. I only have Extra-Capsular Extraction, Earth 2 and Phase 3. The Bees Made Honey in The Lions Skull was their latest record, wasnt it? I assume that's worth a listen then? __________________ Last.FM \| Echoes and Dust

07-29-2009, 11:51 AM	#18 (permalink)
Mojo Melancholia Eternally Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: England Posts: 5,018	Sure. Sounds like a plan to me. __________________ Last.FM \| Echoes and Dust

06-16-2009, 03:28 PM	#12 (permalink)
Hesher Palm Muted Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 168	No, I'm just teasing. I should have the next album up sometime today.

06-19-2009, 02:43 AM	#13 (permalink)
Hesher Palm Muted Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 168	So fuck you all for making me stay up late again to deliver this review. I hate you guys. (Big enough image for ya? Huh? Huh?) Pentastar is definitely Earth's most accessible album in my opinion, although Bees Made Honey is a pretty close second. Pentastar actually sounds somewhat like a regular rock album; the riffs are played at a more regular speed, although they are still quite laid back. The album also has discernable lyrics on it, demonstrating Dylan Carlson's semi-unique voice. The lyrics are pretty fun but not too serious. There are some standout tracks on Pentastar; Crooked Axis is a keyboard/organ driven spatial drone track, sort of like Earth 2 but electronic and not so arresting. Charioteer is also pretty distinct, with it's simple doubled/chorused guitar track played as partly distorted, partly clean, and partly on acoustic or maybe harp if I'm not mistaken. Peace in Mississippi is a Jimi Hendrix cover, believe it or not... It just goes to show how varied Carlson's musical inspirations can be and how willing he is to reflect those in his music. Sonar and Depth Charge is a pretty somber all-piano song with oodles of reverb; again, a much more "spatial" and simplistic sound but without the all-encompassing distortion of Earth 2. I think my favourite song on the album is Coda Meastoso though, with it's meandering guitar lead and bass line reinforcement. Overall, Pentastar is great in the car on long road trips during the time when you have nothing to talk about and are just cruising down the highway between cornfields for hours. A lot of people would recommend this as a listener's first album, but I don't think it really represents the scope of Earth's music and is kind of a pussy album to begin with. Starting with one of the tougher works gives you more of an appreciation for the band and their creativity before seeing how they deal with a more radio-friendly kind of sound. People I locked horns with in the Metallica thread: note how it is ok for Earth to experiment. They make good albums. For the record, I have this record on record. That is to say, on vinyl. It's good. It was like $15. Awesome. Next you get Hexed...

07-29-2009, 02:43 AM	#15 (permalink)
Hesher Palm Muted Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 168	Hey, I'm sorry to neglect these threads and I promise I will get back to them soon, but it's a massive heat wave here and so I've been listening to nothing but Cat Power and 80s hiphop for the last few weeks while working full-time. See you soon.

07-29-2009, 12:12 PM	#19 (permalink)
333 Music Addict Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 965	Ok, so I don't have it uploaded yet, but when I do, I'll send it your way, vanilla face.