Blarobbarg

Well, I picked this album out, so some of you might be wondering how I liked it... or why. Honestly, I didn't know what I was getting into. Here are my thoughts.


1) What are this albums' strengths?

Some good riffs, good vocals (if generic), fairly cohesive story. And if comic fanboyism isn't a strength, it should be.

2) What are its weaknessess?

The whole thing seems very... okay. Nothing too good, nothing horribly awful... but it's all mediocre. Many of the riffs are completely forgettable, the lyrics are downright laughable, and the vocals, as I mentioned before, are very generic, even if they are strong.

3) How does it compare to the artist's other work?

The only other album I have from them is Something Wicked Part 1, which is quite a bit better.

4) What feelings did this album evoke?

Something in between bored internet surfing and contentment with the mediocre. If those are emotions at all.

5) How does this album fit into your regular rotation?

Oh, trust me. Never again.

6) If you've had any noteworthy experiences with this album, what have they been?

I listened to this album while reading up on Cowboy Bebop, an anime with a notably awesome jazz soundtrack. Ironic.

7) How does this album represent the chosen theme?

It's a concept album, for sure. Just... not a very good one. Fine with the theme, not with the quality.

8) How does this album compare to other albums nominated for this theme?

No comparison. Shouldn't have won.

9) How does this album compare to others in its genre?

Power metal is a genre cheesier than Wisconsin, and this certainly isn't the worst, nor the cheesiest I've ever heard... but it's definitely the worst metal I've purposefully listened to in a looooong time. Better than hair metal, though.

10) Can you recommend similar albums to this?

You want cheesy metal, with powerful vocals and good riffs? For something INFINITELY better, check out Iron Maiden's Powerslave. You will not be disappointed.

14) What does this album's artwork say about it? Is it well paired with the music?

Well, it's Spawn, drawn by the actual creator... so yes it does fit.



Okay, so I shouldn't have chosen this album. I'll just say I was in a lack-of-sleep induced haze when I made my decision, which may or may not be true... I can't really remember.

This isn't quite as bad as I make it out to be... but it's so mediocre, so middle-of-the-road, that its mistakes are simply inexcusable. That almost makes it WORSE than an album that is glaringly terrible. I don't plan on listening to it again... ever.

Bottom line: I apologize for nominating the album, and am completely baffled that it won... but it was kinda fun making fun of it. And that's the best thing that came out of it.

Lisnaholic

^
I`m relieved to see that you don`t have some deep emotional bond with this album, Blaobbarg, because I can`t think of anything very positive to say about it.

Metal is a genre that does nothing for me anyway, and this album was no exception: the only bits I liked were the snippets of quiet intro before the predictable, insistent barrage of drum and guitar started up. I also found the forced, desperate urgency of the vocals rather tiresome, and tbh I couldn`t be bothered to delve into the concept at all, partly because I`m not familiar with Spawn.

What does the album`s artwork say about it ?

The artwork looks to me like a slick amalgam of clichés, void of any real individuality or interest. So, yes, it does a great job of reflecting the music.

bob.

Dig the new questions

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A kiss is the beginning of cannibalism.

Reach out, pierce the fine fabric of the sheltering sky, take repose.

Blarobbarg

Unfortunately, I have no computer that I can download this on ATM. I'm gonna have to listen to it all on Youtube, so it's gonna take me awhile.

By the way all, I have never listened to this before, so if you don't like it don't be hatin. :p

Electrophonic Tonic

Use http://grooveshark.com/. It's better quality, you can probably find the album as a pre-made playlist and it's a freaking shark that grooves.

Blarobbarg

I'd love to, but it's not on there, surprisingly. That was the first place I looked. And for some reason, Youtube at work doesn't support playlists... and I can't go back and forth to keep getting the next song. And I'm always super busy at home, rarely sitting down long enough to listen to it all the way... so like I said, it'll be awhile.

Electrophonic Tonic

If I "obtain" it this evening, I can upload it to the shark before the night is over. And there you go!

Howard the Duck

i just got it

need to give it an intense listen before i can answer all the queries

__________________


Malaise is THE dominant human predilection.

Paedantic Basterd

The questions are just there to get people who have nothing to say to think about what they've listened to. They're by no means a requirement, just suggestions!

In case anybody has seen the list and thought "Whoa****that, not joining".

Howard the Duck

a bit of a disclaimer here, i have never liked the comic at all, not even during the famed Alan Moore run, i have only liked the movie and that's only because Michael Jai White is in it and i love him

so i ain't exactly excited about an album based on Spawn

from the spoonfeed:-

1) What are this albums' strengths?

From the first 2/3rds of the album, Iced Earth is using a slightly different approach than their usual Iron Maiden meets Blue Oyster Cult approach, the riffs are almost Metallica-lite and the vocals are stronger than usual. I Died For You, once again, showcases Iced Earth's penchant for power ballads.

2) What are its weaknessess?

The final two tracks are boring and overlong and mediocre. And let's face it, the Spawn story isn't exactly the stuff of legends and not only that, the lyrics are too literal.

3) How does it compare to the artist's other work?

I have Something Wicked This Way Comes, which is slightly inferior to this. The EP Realms is stronger than this. But the covers/tribute album is the most fun thing I heard from them.

4) Favourite songs?

I Died For You and The Depths of Hell

5) What feelings did this album evoke?

well, it's not gonna increase my interest in the comic - a feeling of outdatedness, I suppose, though some of the faster tracks invoke some teenage hormones

6) How does this album fit into your regular rotation?

Don't think I'll listen to this much in the future.

7) What stood out to you about this album's themes, musically/lyrically?

Nothing much, it's a literal transposition of the comic. Musically, something like thrash-lite.

8) If you've had any noteworthy experiences with this album, what have they been?

I Died For You is evocative and heart-wrenching.

9) What do you know about this album's creation? Any interesting facts or anecdotes?

Nope. McFarlane approving this is probably due to greed and not much else.

10) How does this album represent the chosen theme?

Pretty blah theme overall. I have no interest in Spawn.

11) How does this album compare to other albums nominated for this theme?

Ok-ish. Ziggy Stardust is light-years ahead.

12) How does this album compare to others in its genre?

As a power-metal album, it's fine. Not really up to the standards of Nevermore or even Helloween, I guess.

13) Can you recommend similar albums to this?

Stratovarius' Elements Pt. 1

14) What does this album's artwork say about it? Is it well paired with the music?

i hate repeating myself - I HATE SPAWN

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Malaise is THE dominant human predilection.