Forum Member Album Reviews

[Trollheart]

You know that's weird. I can't write for toffee as you all know (those of you who have been unfortunate enough to suffer the so-called music I wrote) but I did write a song and called it "When everyone has gone home", very like the title on that song on your album. Yours is no doubt a thousand zillion percent better of course, but still, it's interesting...

[Pet_Sounds]

Here's one I did of WWWP's band's demo awhile ago....

Originally Posted by Pet_Sounds

The Music of MB:

Snake Walk - Snake Walk Demo
the band of wolverinewolfweiselpigeon

I kick off my series of reviews of the music of Banterers with a look at the band of a member with whom I had previously never had the pleasure of exchanging pleasantries: Miss wolverinewolfweiselpigeon, formerly Junkyard Donner, and perhaps better known to you as Steph.

I have literally no idea what to expect going into this - WWWP and I have never spoken about music before, and I don't know what she's into. But if the rest of the album sounds anything like the opening track, Bed And Breakfast, it should be a fun ride. The vocalist has a pleasant, almost nasally sound, and I love the way he says the r's on the ends of words like "former lover".

Percussion opens the next track, Cheap Cream. This one has a real hip-hop vibe to it, which I'm not a fan of, generally. But the way Snake Walk performs it feels different. WWWP informs me it's "folksy arthop". I'll take her word for it. By the end of this relatively short song, I'm tapping my feet.

Rain Gallery has some nice guitar lines - almost a country feel to them at times. I think I hear a female vocal in there too, which I'm guessing is our WWWP. While listening to this, I had headphones on, and there was this voice in the left channel that made me spin around, thinking someone was behind me. It segues into

Fresh Toffee Apples, which has some weird spoken word about apples being stuck at the bottom…? There's also a bit of what sounds like half of a telephone conversation. According to WWWP, her bandmate recorded it at a party - someone was giving him advice. The lyrics remind me of one of my all time favourite poems, Robert Frost's After Apple Picking.

And now I'm onto the closer, For Lulu, a Shiv to the Gut. This sounds like a mix of hip-hop, country, folk, rock, and a bit of something else. Over seven minutes of shifting beats, great grooves, and really awesome vocals. Apparently Lulu needs a "shiv to the gut". Whatever that is, it doesn't sound like a pleasant experience, and I pity the poor girl.

Snake Walk Demo really wasn't anything like I've heard before. The mixing was great - stereo effects were used tastefully and the sound quality pristine. If I had to sum the album up in one word, I would pick "subtle". There was nothing invasive - just awesome, laidback folksy arthop, great for relaxing with on a snowy afternoon.

Note: this is not inspired by Trollheart's thread in any way. Just an unfortunate case of two of us having an idea at the same time. But I have the first review up!

[Pet_Sounds]

... and here's Krill, from Plankton. (IMO, this is the best review I've ever written--the album deserved it!)

Originally Posted by Pet_Sounds

The Music of MB:

Plankton's Odyssey - Krill
the project of Plankton

It's been a long time since I visited the Scrap Heap, and even longer since I began this project, but what better way to revive both than a review of an album by one of MB's most valuable members? Naturally, I speak of Plankton, friendly guitar wizard and the forum's unofficial dad. He's released three albums, which you can listen to and download here. I'll be reviewing my favourite, Krill, released in 2013.

I must confess to feeling some apprehension before I listened to Krill. I don't listen to much instrumental music other than classical and jazz, and Trollheart's admirable review compared it to Iron Maiden several times. I'm not really a fan of metal, with some exceptions, and they're not one of them. Still, perhaps instrumental heavy metal might appeal to me. Only one way to find out…

The album kicks off with "Flustraxion" (try pronouncing that), and my fears are relieved. This is great! There's some interplay between what I believe are two guitars. As someone whose guitar knowledge consists solely of the chords to "Edelweiss", I'm impressed.

"Waiting Impatiently" is next. It's not quite as heavy, and there's a nice solo that reminds me a bit of Pink Floyd's "Comfortably Numb". And then… holy cow. Plankton simply explodes.

All the music so far has been contributed by Plankton alone, but he's joined a guest on "Shoveled"--Dr. Martin Luther King. When I asked him (Plank, not MLK) about including this excerpt of a speech, I was informed that he wanted a dramatic feel. It certainly provides that, and appeals to my experimental tastes.

"Lights of an Unknown City" is next. It's my favourite track, building from a proggy intro to a powerful middle, then ending with some beautiful acoustic guitar, which gives me chills. I have limited experience with progressive metal, but that's how I'd probably describe this track.

Plankton's only living collaborator on Krill (his friend Keith, from Canada) enters the scene on the appropriately-titled "Canadian Mist". It's slower, with some lovely keys, played by the aforementioned Keith.

I consider "Son of Soothsayer" Plankton's signature song. It's the first one I heard (he played it in plug, I believe), it's the track I've seen him talk about the most, and it's also the epitome of his sound. Catchy, swaggering, and a real headbanger.

"Here We Go Again" is breathtaking. Although I wouldn't call it chaotic--everything has a definite direction--"wild" is definitely a word that comes to mind. It's probably the best example of Plank's skill.

"Xphereblotish" (whatever that means) continues the incredible guitar work. I'm picking up a bluesy vibe from this one--almost like a caged animal that can't quite break out, but you damn well that you're toast if he does.

Even with my ignorance of metal, I can hear Black Sabbath in "Screaming at an Empty Canvas". It reminds me a bit of "Paranoid"--a crushing representation of artistic frustation. This is also the first time the bass has really caught my attention.

The title track is next, in two parts. Some jangly acoustic begins it--reminds me a bit of The Byrds or even Boston. Then the drums and lead guitar come in. Despite its heaviness, it seems almost melancholy. It fades into Part 2, which follows the same general pattern, but more slowly. It creates an interesting effect of changing gears.

The last track, "Fields of Youth (For Hanna" is the calm following the storm, Plankton's tribute to his daughter. Despite the many fantastic solos on other songs, the guitar work here impresses more than anything else on the album. It's the perfect way to end a journey. The picture that came into my head as Krill came to a close was of Jonah waking up on land after being spit out by the great fish.

Plankton informs me that there is no intentional concept or storyline behind the album, but its songs mesh together so perfectly that as you listen, it's impossible not to feel that you're on a journey. Where it leads you is your decision.

[Trollheart]

Yorkie, do you want us just to link or post the whole thing? Like I said, most of mine would need two or three posts per album....

[Trollheart]

I guess you missed my question so again...

Originally Posted by Trollheart

Yorkie, do you want us just to link or post the whole thing? Like I said, most of mine would need two or three posts per album....

[YorkeDaddy]

Originally Posted by Trollheart

I guess you missed my question so again...

Yeah just post em, or if you're really worried you can link to them too. Either way's fine

[Plankton]

Originally Posted by Pet_Sounds

... and here's Krill, from Plankton. (IMO, this is the best review I've ever written--the album deserved it!)

Thanks again for that outstanding review. New album is in the works, but won't be available until next year. Professional mastering and all the fixings included this time around.

[Pet_Sounds]

Originally Posted by Plankton

Thanks again for that outstanding review. New album is in the works, but won't be available until next year. Professional mastering and all the fixings included this time around.

Awesome! Lemme know when it's released.

Originally Posted by wolverinewolfweiselpigeon

Yeah, seriously Pet Sounds. I had forgotten how rad your review was. I can't remember if I ever shared it with my band mates or not, but I'm going to now.

Thanks.