Zer0

1) What are this albums' strengths?
One of the album's main strengths is it's consistency. It's very difficult to pick out a weak song on this album and it's just as difficult to pick a favourite. Another big strength would be Feist's vocal delivery and how she manages to get her emotions across so convincingly. Her vocals can sound so heart-breaking at times especially on songs such as 'Graveyard' and 'Anti-Pioneer'.

2) What are its weaknessess?
It's very hard to pick out any weaknesses on this album. But I guess even though it is one of my favourite albums of 2011 it's not exactly out of this world either. It's not an album I'd listen to on repeat for weeks.

3) How does it compare to the artist's other work?
This is the only complete album of hers I've heard, although I have heard a couple of her other songs. I will listen to her other albums soon enough.

4) Favourite songs?
As I said it's very tough picking favourite songs off this album. But if I'm so pushed I'll have to chose 'Graveyard', 'The Circle Married The Line' and 'Anti-Pioneer'.

5) What feelings did this album evoke?
Metals can be both uplifting at times ('The Bad In Each Other', 'A Commotion') and despairing at times ('Anti-Pioneer'). But overall this album reminds me that we as human beings can experience a multitude of emotions.

6) How does this album fit into your regular rotation?
I listen to it regularly enough. I don't know how many times I've listened to it since I bought it but quite a bit.

7) What stood out to you about this album's themes, musically/lyrically?
I don't think there are any really pronounced themes on this album. As was mentioned already the brass sections that are present on this album seem to lend themselves to the album title somewhat. Lyrically this album seems to deal a lot with human emotions and the fragility and/or strength of the human soul.

8) If you've had any noteworthy experiences with this album, what have they been?
Nothing particularly noteworthy. Although I do like the scent of the album booklet.

10) How does this album represent the chosen theme?
The very precise fact that this particular album was released in the year of 2011 and just happened to be enjoyed by a number of people makes it fit the current theme quite suitably and effectively in my opinionated opinion.

11) How does this album compare to other albums nominated for this theme?
Yuck's s/t was my album of the year. It's a very different album to Metal but it hits the spot that bit more than Metals and has a big sense of joy and excitement. The only other album I've heard that had been nominated is 50 Words For Snow by Kate Bush, it's an album you can compare a bit more directly. While Metals seems to be more inward-looking 50 Words For Snow is more fantasy-based and is the product of Kate Bush's extraordinarily creative imagination.

12) How does this album compare to others in its genre?
Compared to other female singer-songwriters this album holds up very well. It can stand up on it's own against album released by the likes of PJ Harvey, Cat Power, Kate Bush etc.

14) What does this album's artwork say about it? Is it well paired with the music?
The album artwork is okay, I'm not too fond of the predominantly grey colour scheme. I find it a bit cold but then again it does relate to the album title Metals. What is interesting about the album cover however is that from the distance it looks like a painting but up close it's actually a very well-taken photograph. I find it difficult to relate it to the music however.

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