Tristan_Geoff

I have such a conflicted relationship with this album. On one hand, I love most everything about it: the world music and jazz elements, the intense vocals, the sludgy guitars. On the other hand, I just can't make it through in one siting without being overwhelmed. It just feels too long. It definitely gets easier with time, but at any rate, it's proven to be the hardest album I've ever tried to get into.

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Mondo Bungle

I felt the same after my very first listen, but after that it grew on me immediately. It's just so huge.

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The Identity Matrix

Well if Jeff Lynns War of the Worlds proved anything its that I can survive a long album. Since my journal is going to focus on recent releases besides discography reviews Ive thought about adding albums that are older to the nominees that I thought would be worth reviewing.

So once or twice a week I'll throw a random album from my collection up on the nominations. It will be through a randomizer so it could be not good enough which will make the process a lot more fun when it comes to my nominees. Keep the nominations coming though I am really enjoying what you are sending my way.

Oh and here is the first album that was picked through the randomizer.

Act II: The Father of Death by The Protomen

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Tristan_Geoff

If you're not too busy, I think it's been a little while since this thread was active.

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Does anybody hate the idea of me posting any new reviews on this thread if I have already done so on my Journal? That way I can keep tabs on all albums I review so they can get into the hall.

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Tristan_Geoff

Either way is cool with me. Whatever you feel like though.

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Feeling blue? Not after this record.


Year: 2015
Genre: Sludge/Alternative Metal
Nationality: American

The Review: I will be adopting my new format for reviews on this journal from now on. This album came out of the blue, many more color puns to follow (JK), and ended up being one of the greatest metal records of this year. I had a blast playing this record for the first time, the third, and now the fifth time. It seems that it doesn't get old. Quick disclaimer, Chlorine and Wine was my first Baroness track whenever it was released so I felt obligated to listen to the previous three records and study up on the band. What I found was a treasure of a band that definitely needed to be in my collection. Unfortunately tragedy struck the band in a terrible bus crash that left nine injured. Recovery from such an event provides many opportunities though. One of those being the creation of this album. A culmination of understanding, emotion, and new horizons creates an atmosphere in which one can connect with almost instantly. Sonically this album creates a massive wall of sound and melody. The vocals of lead singer John Baizley combined with the instrumentation form a very melodic sound on the album while still containing traces of edginess. Tracks such as the opener Morningstar and follow up single Shock Me are perfect examples of this. These tracks especially bleed emotion mixed with melody to create excellent alternative rock/metal. I cannot stop listening to these tracks in particular. The Vocals carry each track with soaring choruses and melodic verses. Try to Disappear carries the formula on with another solid melodic rocker. Kerosene however brings so much energy creating a much rawer take on the sound built up thus far. The instrumentation carries the track with excellent guitar work and fast paced percussion. Its after the instrumental track Fugue that the album transforms into something almost perfect. Chlorine and Wine one of the best tracks off of the album sets up The Iron Bell, another catchy yet energetic, melodic yet raw, rocker similar to Kerosene. Desperation Burns gets real heavy right off the bat with chugging guitar riffs and pounding drums. Melodic vocals are par for the course on this track with variety in the guitar riffing later in the song. The album finishes up with the wonderful If I Have to Wake Up (Would you Stop the Rain?). Dare I say the vocals almost reach a James Hetfield ballad style making the song truly the best that Baroness has too offer. The lyrics on most of these songs feel a little simplistic for the subject matter but I feel that is just nit picking. These guys are just firing on all cylinders for this album. It shows a lot of maturity when a band is able to create a wonderful album out of such a terrible tragedy. I cannot believe that this album released so late in the year. It makes me question why I created a top 10 list before January 1st.

Purple receives a 9.7/10

Standout Tracks: All of these tracks are wonderful but if I had to pick a few, Shock Me, Morningstar, Kerosene, Chlorine and Wine, If I Have to Wake Up (Would you Stop the Rain?)

Weaker Tracks:

Everyone should listen to this album. No matter what, it is an absolute must for any music fan I cannot even describe the emotion when I listen to this record.

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Loud yet not proud...


Year: 2000
Genre: Post-Hardcore
Nationality: American

The Review: I would like to apologize for the late posting. I had to listen to this album nine times through before I felt comfortable writing this review. You see I found this record to be a little different and tough to digest. Maybe it was because of all the distractions in my life pulling me away from the album, but I was having trouble diving deep into this album. Anyway the album is interesting to say the least. It provides no obvious lyrical themes that coherently flow throughout the album. With lines like "Kill me with the favorite comb," I am not seeing much "sense" being poured into these songs. However, when has punk ever been about making sense, thus lyrically the albums doesn't really bring it down. What is special about this record is the instrumentation. That is where this album shines. In tracks like Fever Sleeves and Hooray for Humans I am really digging the guitar work. For the most part I can dig the vocal delivery like on Line in the Sand and We Heart Our Hive, but on tracks like Kiss Distinctly American I find myself being bored to death. That just should not be happening on this type of record. The latter half of the record is all solid without really standing out as much as I was hoping. I feel very indifferent to this record, in fact I do not really feel much at all with this record. With the exception of Kiss Distinctly American I am really enjoying the instrumentation, but the vocal delivery is so spotty on the second half of the record I just can bring myself to get through it. I was skipping tracks at one point just to get to the last track, Sleeping the Terror Code, because I sort of enjoyed it. I feel like this album is squandering quite a bit of opportunity because these guys are talented musicians and the vocals would probably have no problem being improved. I am not sure if I will tackle the other two records these guys put out before disbanding but if I do I will certainly review them on this thread.

No Kill No Beep Beep receives a 6.8/10

Standout Tracks: Fever Sleeves, Hooray for Humans, Sleeping the Terror Code

Weaker Tracks: Kiss Distinctly American, Little Sparkee, Y Plus White Girl

Just not feeling it Tristan. Sorry, maybe next rec will get me going.

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Tristan_Geoff

I really didn't know how you'd feel about this record honestly. Guess it was a bust, sorry about that. I really only listen to a handful of tracks from it regularly. I get what you mean about the vocals, they can really drag at times.

Here's one I'm sure you'll like: Home, Like Noplace There Is by The Hotelier

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Tristan_Geoff

And, from what I've heard, their second album is the sweet spot. Can't speak from experience though.

(Their being Q and Not U, not Hotelier/Hotel Year)

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