The Monthly Music Trading Post

**Frownland** · 02-17-2012, 11:09 AM

I don't know how long it is until the next round, but may I join in on the fun at the start of the next round?

Paedantic Basterd · 02-17-2012, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frownland

I don't know how long it is until the next round, but may I join in on the fun at the start of the next round?

'Course you can.

14232949 · 02-19-2012, 02:36 PM

I was paired with Bob and we mutually decided we would link one another to albums out with our usual genre preferences.
Hence, I was sent the album Neurosis - A Sun That Never Starts

I have not listened to much post metal, and if this album is an indication of the genre, I don't see myself listening to much more in the foreseeable future.

The band is obviously comprised of talented musicians as there are great elements of progression on this record, but this is contrasted with the confusing use of erratic, random notes and chords which only detract from the sound.

As do the vocals which feel completely out of place throughout the album, the singers voice never seems to be in synchronisation with any of the instrumental parts.
His rough generic metal voice has no purpose on this record other than to add to the unfathomable mess.

I somewhat recall him repeating the phrase 'Its time' on an ending track and it may have been wishful thinking to perhaps interpret this is an indication it was time for the album to end.

I really did try and like this album. But, any more than the two play through's I endured would surely serve only as a mild sedative.
There was an attempt to create an atmospheric, intense record here. However the only atmosphere it served was to recreate that of a waiting room, as I found myself exhaling and rolling my eyes waiting on something to happen, ultimately letting time slowly pass.

I guess what I'm trying to get at, is that this album is chronically boring. There are flashes of brilliance here and there, when you think things may be about to pick up but in the end there is no climax, it just sort of goes on at the same distinctly average rate.

On a positive note, there are some truly great moments of musicianship, mainly coming from the lead guitar and drumming. However, when they come together, they don't compliment each other and almost seem to be jostling for position.

The album highlight is the 13 minute long 'Falling Unknown' which showcases what this band is capable of when it takes time to build upon its waiting room atmosphere and try to actually go somewhere with the music. This track also happens to more or less neglect the vocalist. A decision that should have been implemented throughout the albums entirety.

Perhaps its just me, and Neurosis's record is a great showcase of what is a truly gripping genre. If that is the case, I'd rather remain ignorant and happy listening to other pieces of music which aren't the equivalent of hearing Eeyore of Winnie The Pooh reading the phone book.

LoathsomePete · 02-25-2012, 10:45 AM

So does anyone else feel like sharing?

bob. · 02-26-2012, 09:52 AM

i have started and had to delete my review twice now

sorry i mainly listen to music when driving so its hard to take notes on what i think of it...and well my brain is not quite what it used to be as far as memory goes

i will say this as a quick note

a) i'm sorry you disliked the Neurosis album and honestly i blame myself a bit....i should have thought out my choice for you a bit better....had you had someone like Pete i'm sure he would have sent you something amazing in the genre....i apologize i feel like i kind of copped out a bit with your selection

b) a quick review of what Mankycaaant sent me (a better one when i have time

)

i had quite the opposite reaction....i love this album.....its an amazing blend of great indie pop music and an almost jarring math rock album....except somehow they managed to leave out the jarring part and make it much more fluid....seriously i love everything about this album and have already got their other album.....i'll write a more thorough review soon....thanks manckycaant....i love this album!

**Janszoon** · 02-26-2012, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bob.

i'm sorry you disliked the Neurosis album and honestly i blame myself a bit....i should have thought out my choice for you a bit better....had you had someone like Pete i'm sure he would have sent you something amazing in the genre....i apologize i feel like i kind of copped out a bit with your selection

There's no cop out there as far as I'm concerned. A Sun That Never Sets is an amazing album!

bob. · 02-26-2012, 12:26 PM

i agree 100%....but i think i could have paid a bit more attention to what mancky already likes and catered more towards that....whereas he asked for something in the progressive metal genre....so i just went with that as it was fresh on the brain

....but yeah i agree that it is one of their best albums

14232949 · 02-26-2012, 02:29 PM

I don't know guys, what is it that you particularly like about the album?
I feel as if I am missing something.

Don't feel disheartened Bob, it'd suck if we all liked the same things, it gave me a chance to listen to a type of music I had not already heard, and I thank you for that.

NSW · 02-28-2012, 06:02 PM

Salami sent me Otis Redding & Carla Thomas - King & Queen (1967)

Certainly not a genre or artist I'm not familiar with, but I didn't already have this album and actually had not listened to but one or two songs from it prior to receiving it, so I was extremely happy to get it.

Soul music is pretty much my favorite genre of music, so this was a good (and easy

) pick to send me. And Otis Redding is one of my faves anyway. Surprisingly, I'm actually not all that familiar with Carla Thomas though. I definitely need to rectify that. Their voices worked well together, were natural and meshed like they were meant to be singing together long before then.

"Tramp" is an obvious favorite here, totally fun and they played off each other so well, like an old married couple. Other favorites were "Knock On Wood", "Lovey Dovey", and "Oh Carla, Oh Otis".

Their version of "Tell It Like It Is" was perfection. It made me just want to take someones hand and dance really slow.

The only song I didn't get completely jazzed about was "Bring It On Home to Me". Sam Cooke is probably one of my all time favorites and he just nails this song for me. No one else can or will ever sing it like him. That's not to say Otis and Carla can't hold their own...it just can't ever be their song in my mind.

Overall, 9.9 out of 10 stars! Thanks so very much for the album Salami, it was a very fitting choice!

**Janszoon** · 02-28-2012, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mankycaaant

I don't know guys, what is it that you particularly like about the album?
I feel as if I am missing something.

Well, actually wrote a review of it in one of my member journals here. To quote a couple of my most relevant sentences about it:

Quote:

It's only natural that Neurosis would end up on this list since they've built a career out of making music that sounds like the end of the world. They're an amazing band who do what they do incredibly well and A Sun That Never Sets works as a single, unified piece of artistic expression to an amazing degree. This is a stunningly dynamic album full of peaks and valleys, build-up and release, subtlety and absolutely crushing intensity.

...

Even in it's quietest moments A Sun That Never Sets is a very dark, unsettling and raw album. What's truly remarkable about it though is, despite feeling so raw and stripped-down, it's such a sonically rich album. Acoustic guitar, violin, piano, even bagpipes weave their way in and out of the sharp angles of these tracks while subdued production touches crackle and swirl around the edges.

...

This album is such a strong, integrated piece that it's better appreciated as whole rather than as individual tracks, but if I had to pick highlights they would probably be "Falling Unknown" and "Stones from the Sky". These two—the longest tracks on the album—sort of function as the climaxes of its two movements so it's not surprising that they're the easiest to single out.

02-17-2012, 11:09 AM	#1 (permalink)
Frownland SOPHIE FOREVER Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: East of the Southern North American West Posts: 35,541	I don't know how long it is until the next round, but may I join in on the fun at the start of the next round? __________________ Studies show that when a given norm is changed in the face of the unchanging, the remaining contradictions will parallel the truth. d e a f b o x

02-25-2012, 10:45 AM	#4 (permalink)
LoathsomePete Cardboard Box Realtor Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Hobb's End Posts: 7,648	So does anyone else feel like sharing? __________________ Last.FM 101 Albums That May Not Change Your Life, But I Really Like And You Might Too

02-28-2012, 06:02 PM	#9 (permalink)
NSW Bigger and Better Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Texas girl living in the UK Posts: 2,596	Salami sent me Otis Redding & Carla Thomas - King & Queen (1967) Certainly not a genre or artist I'm not familiar with, but I didn't already have this album and actually had not listened to but one or two songs from it prior to receiving it, so I was extremely happy to get it. Soul music is pretty much my favorite genre of music, so this was a good (and easy ) pick to send me. And Otis Redding is one of my faves anyway. Surprisingly, I'm actually not all that familiar with Carla Thomas though. I definitely need to rectify that. Their voices worked well together, were natural and meshed like they were meant to be singing together long before then. "Tramp" is an obvious favorite here, totally fun and they played off each other so well, like an old married couple. Other favorites were "Knock On Wood", "Lovey Dovey", and "Oh Carla, Oh Otis". Their version of "Tell It Like It Is" was perfection. It made me just want to take someones hand and dance really slow. The only song I didn't get completely jazzed about was "Bring It On Home to Me". Sam Cooke is probably one of my all time favorites and he just nails this song for me. No one else can or will ever sing it like him. That's not to say Otis and Carla can't hold their own...it just can't ever be their song in my mind. Overall, 9.9 out of 10 stars! Thanks so very much for the album Salami, it was a very fitting choice! __________________ Hi.

02-19-2012, 02:36 PM	#3 (permalink)
14232949 The Big Dog Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Scotland Posts: 1,989	I was paired with Bob and we mutually decided we would link one another to albums out with our usual genre preferences. Hence, I was sent the album Neurosis - A Sun That Never Starts I have not listened to much post metal, and if this album is an indication of the genre, I don't see myself listening to much more in the foreseeable future. The band is obviously comprised of talented musicians as there are great elements of progression on this record, but this is contrasted with the confusing use of erratic, random notes and chords which only detract from the sound. As do the vocals which feel completely out of place throughout the album, the singers voice never seems to be in synchronisation with any of the instrumental parts. His rough generic metal voice has no purpose on this record other than to add to the unfathomable mess. I somewhat recall him repeating the phrase 'Its time' on an ending track and it may have been wishful thinking to perhaps interpret this is an indication it was time for the album to end. I really did try and like this album. But, any more than the two play through's I endured would surely serve only as a mild sedative. There was an attempt to create an atmospheric, intense record here. However the only atmosphere it served was to recreate that of a waiting room, as I found myself exhaling and rolling my eyes waiting on something to happen, ultimately letting time slowly pass. I guess what I'm trying to get at, is that this album is chronically boring. There are flashes of brilliance here and there, when you think things may be about to pick up but in the end there is no climax, it just sort of goes on at the same distinctly average rate. On a positive note, there are some truly great moments of musicianship, mainly coming from the lead guitar and drumming. However, when they come together, they don't compliment each other and almost seem to be jostling for position. The album highlight is the 13 minute long 'Falling Unknown' which showcases what this band is capable of when it takes time to build upon its waiting room atmosphere and try to actually go somewhere with the music. This track also happens to more or less neglect the vocalist. A decision that should have been implemented throughout the albums entirety. Perhaps its just me, and Neurosis's record is a great showcase of what is a truly gripping genre. If that is the case, I'd rather remain ignorant and happy listening to other pieces of music which aren't the equivalent of hearing Eeyore of Winnie The Pooh reading the phone book.

02-26-2012, 09:52 AM	#5 (permalink)
bob. Still sends his reguards. Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Trying to get out of the cat town.... Posts: 5,039	i have started and had to delete my review twice now sorry i mainly listen to music when driving so its hard to take notes on what i think of it...and well my brain is not quite what it used to be as far as memory goes i will say this as a quick note a) i'm sorry you disliked the Neurosis album and honestly i blame myself a bit....i should have thought out my choice for you a bit better....had you had someone like Pete i'm sure he would have sent you something amazing in the genre....i apologize i feel like i kind of copped out a bit with your selection b) a quick review of what Mankycaaant sent me (a better one when i have time ) i had quite the opposite reaction....i love this album.....its an amazing blend of great indie pop music and an almost jarring math rock album....except somehow they managed to leave out the jarring part and make it much more fluid....seriously i love everything about this album and have already got their other album.....i'll write a more thorough review soon....thanks manckycaant....i love this album!

02-26-2012, 12:26 PM	#7 (permalink)
bob. Still sends his reguards. Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Trying to get out of the cat town.... Posts: 5,039	i agree 100%....but i think i could have paid a bit more attention to what mancky already likes and catered more towards that....whereas he asked for something in the progressive metal genre....so i just went with that as it was fresh on the brain ....but yeah i agree that it is one of their best albums

02-26-2012, 02:29 PM	#8 (permalink)
14232949 The Big Dog Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Scotland Posts: 1,989	I don't know guys, what is it that you particularly like about the album? I feel as if I am missing something. Don't feel disheartened Bob, it'd suck if we all liked the same things, it gave me a chance to listen to a type of music I had not already heard, and I thank you for that.