The Album Club 2017

The Batlord · 04-11-2017, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trollheart

As the point has been brought up, and in all seriousness, if anyone is getting a little overwhelmed here but still wants to participate, you can apply to become an associate member, which basically means you can talk about but not rate albums (well, you can if you want but the rating won't be considered in the album's overall tally when I get around to eventually adding these up) and you're not required to comment on every album, you can come and go as you please.

The only drawback with that is that you can't then suggest an album, ie you'll be removed from the list of active club members and will not have a place assigned you in the album queue.

Tristan, if you want to do this that's fine. Anyone else who wishes to, just let me know. If later you want to return to being a full member that's cool, again just let me know.

Trollheart · 04-15-2017, 10:32 AM

The Gris Gris s/t

Considering we tend to usually listen to very different music, I'm quite surprised at how much my experiences of some of these albums are dovetailing with those of Psy-Fi, and here again I'm in agreement with him. Unlike everyone else, who seem to love this album, I'm not really that impressed. I've spun it about 6-8 times now, and I think it's enough to form my opinion of it.

1. What were your VERY FIRST impressions on listening to the album, say from the first five minutes in?
It was nice, kind of nearly shoegaze-y, very laidback and acoustic.

2. What did you think of the opening track?
I liked how it started, but it went through too many changes and in the end it kind of pissed me off. It's also too long in my opinion.

3. What did you think of the next track?
Didn't like that much at all.

4. Did you like the vocalist? Hate him/her? Any impressions? (see note 1)
Most of the time I didn't like him. I found him very whiny, especially on "Winter weather"

5. Did the music (only) generally appeal to you, or not? (see note 2)
Generally, mostly yes, but I didn't like the screechy, abrasive bits

6. Did the album get better or worse as you listened to it (first time)?
Worse mostly

7. What did you think of the lyrical content?
I didn't take too much notice really

8. Did you like the instrumental parts? (see note 3)
Some of them, yes, others no.

9. What did you think of the production?
You know me and production...

10. Did you know of this artiste prior to listening to the album, and if so, did that foreknowledge colour your perception of this album?
It's odd; I have heard of this before and I think it may have been recced to me, perhaps in “Love or Hate?” but when I looked at the track listing nothing seemed familiar, and when I listened to it, again, nothing rang a bell. Definitely heard Goofle speaking about them though.

11. Is this, generally, the kind of music you listen to or not?
Generally no

12. Assuming you listened to the album more than once, on repeated listens, did you find you liked the album more, or less?
I actually got to dislike it more each time I listened.

13. What would you class as your favourite track, if you have one?
“Raygun”, “Me queda um bejou” (apart from the ****ing screechy feedback!), “Mary #38” (though that began to grate after the fourth listen or so – whiny, y'see?)

14. And the one you liked least?
“Plain Vanilla”, “Necessary separation”, “Best regards” (way too long for what it is). “Winter weather”

15. If the album in question is a debut, did that fact allow it, in your mind, any leeway, and if so, was that decision justified or vindicated? (see note 4)
As a debut I guess it was good; just didn't impress me

16. Are you now looking forward to hearing more from this artiste, if you have not heard any of their other material?
No.

17. Were you surprised by your reaction - positive or negative - to the album?
Being one of Goofle's I think I might have expected better, but you never really know with him.

18. Did the album end well?

Not for me; I hate "Winter weather"

19. Do you see any way the album could have been improved?
There's probably nothing I could say that would improve it. It just isn't for me.

20. Do you think the album hung together well, ie was a fully cohesive unit, or was it a bit hit-and-miss?
I found it very hit-and-miss; some of it was very good, some of it was terrible. Mostly it veered from annoying to boring and back. I don't hate it but my Meh is very much down the lower end of the scale. 3/10

Oriphiel · 04-16-2017, 04:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trollheart

The Gris Gris s/t
*3/10

04-15-2017, 10:32 AM	#2 (permalink)
Trollheart Born to be mild Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 404 Not Found Posts: 26,996	The Gris Gris s/t Considering we tend to usually listen to very different music, I'm quite surprised at how much my experiences of some of these albums are dovetailing with those of Psy-Fi, and here again I'm in agreement with him. Unlike everyone else, who seem to love this album, I'm not really that impressed. I've spun it about 6-8 times now, and I think it's enough to form my opinion of it. 1. What were your VERY FIRST impressions on listening to the album, say from the first five minutes in? It was nice, kind of nearly shoegaze-y, very laidback and acoustic. 2. What did you think of the opening track? I liked how it started, but it went through too many changes and in the end it kind of pissed me off. It's also too long in my opinion. 3. What did you think of the next track? Didn't like that much at all. 4. Did you like the vocalist? Hate him/her? Any impressions? (see note 1) Most of the time I didn't like him. I found him very whiny, especially on "Winter weather" 5. Did the music (only) generally appeal to you, or not? (see note 2) Generally, mostly yes, but I didn't like the screechy, abrasive bits 6. Did the album get better or worse as you listened to it (first time)? Worse mostly 7. What did you think of the lyrical content? I didn't take too much notice really 8. Did you like the instrumental parts? (see note 3) Some of them, yes, others no. 9. What did you think of the production? You know me and production... 10. Did you know of this artiste prior to listening to the album, and if so, did that foreknowledge colour your perception of this album? It's odd; I have heard of this before and I think it may have been recced to me, perhaps in “Love or Hate?” but when I looked at the track listing nothing seemed familiar, and when I listened to it, again, nothing rang a bell. Definitely heard Goofle speaking about them though. 11. Is this, generally, the kind of music you listen to or not? Generally no 12. Assuming you listened to the album more than once, on repeated listens, did you find you liked the album more, or less? I actually got to dislike it more each time I listened. 13. What would you class as your favourite track, if you have one? “Raygun”, “Me queda um bejou” (apart from the **ing screechy feedback!), “Mary #38” (though that began to grate after the fourth listen or so – whiny, y'see?) 14. And the one you liked least? “Plain Vanilla”, “Necessary separation”, “Best regards” (way too long for what it is). “Winter weather” 15. If the album in question is a debut, did that fact allow it, in your mind, any leeway, and if so, was that decision justified or vindicated? (see note 4) As a debut I guess it was good; just didn't impress me 16. Are you now looking forward to hearing more from this artiste, if you have not heard any of their other material? No. 17. Were you surprised by your reaction - positive or negative - to the album? Being one of Goofle's I think I might have expected better, but you never really know with him. 18. Did the album end well? Not for me; I hate "Winter weather" 19. Do you see any way the album could have been improved? There's probably nothing I could say that would improve it. It just isn't for me. 20. Do you think the album hung together well, ie was a fully cohesive unit, or was it a bit hit-and-miss? I found it very hit-and-miss; some of it was very good, some of it was terrible. Mostly it veered from annoying to boring and back. I don't hate it but my Meh is very much down the lower end of the scale. 3/10** __________________ Trollheart: Signature-free since April 2018