Trollheart Listens to Every Album on Wiki's List for 2017

Trollheart · 10-11-2017, 07:33 AM

Album title: Snowdonia
Artist: Surfer Blood
Genre: Indie Rock/ Surf Rock
Nationality: American
Release date: February 3
Position in Discography: Fourth
Fear Factor: Moderate
Familiar with this artist? No
Familiar with the genre or subgenre? Not much
Average RYM Score: 2.63
I'll say one thing for this album: it has a stunning cover, drawn by Devra Freelander, who is apparently a sculptor. Unfortunately it would appear that the music contained herein does not live up to that stark, breathtaking image. It's pretty much jangle rock, upbeat but so far pretty unremarkable. Four tracks in and I'm bored. Still, that's halfway so I won't bail, just in case, but I don't hold out much hope really. There's something about the title track, in fairness, but it's the only one so far. Last track has a nice kind of Lightning Seeds feel to it, but overall not terribly impressed.

Check out more from this artist? No
Check out more from this genre or subgenre? Yes

Expectation Index: 3

Trollheart · 10-11-2017, 02:58 PM

Album title: Grey Blood
Artist: Swifty McVay
Genre: Hip-hop
Nationality: American
Release date: February 3
Position in Discography: Debut
Fear Factor: High
Familiar with this artist? No
Familiar with the genre or subgenre? No
Average RYM Score: N/A
For a new rapper this guy has a bright future I feel, again not that I know anything about hip-hop bu he seems very good. Oh right: he's part of the group D-12, so this is his debut solo effort. Well, I know nothing of them but he certainly has his own presence here. I like all the tracks so far. We're only three in, but still, that's not bad for me. “You're Welcome” is great, as is “Over Protective” and “You Ain't Real” spits real anger at wht Batty would probably call poseur rappers. The first track I'm not really mad about is “Rock Wit Me” (that's the correct spelling) but “Ter the Club Up” (again, the proper spelling) soon gets things back on track.

I'm really quite surprised. This should not be my thing, but I really enjoyed it. Very well put together, good lyrics, love all the music, great atmosphere, nice balance between anger and I guess restraint? Not too many guest vocalists so you can hear how well he can rap. Yeah, pretty stellar all round really.

Check out more from this artist? I would yes
Check out more from this genre or subgenre? Yes

Expectation Index: 10
**** it: it deserves it.

Trollheart · 10-11-2017, 03:40 PM

Album title: Fin
Artist: Syd
Genre: R&B/Neo-Soul
Nationality: American
Release date: February 3
Position in Discography: Debut
Fear Factor: High
Familiar with this artist? No
Familiar with the genre or subgenre? No
Average RYM Score: 3.15
Interested, first of all, to find that Syd is female. The opening track is a weird kind of mix of r&b and some sort of kind of industrial sound – industrial soul? Harsh, staccato melodies counterpointing her voice. Not sure it really works, but we'll see. Okay well it's settled down into a kind of Sade-like slow rhythm and she's a competent singer, but in general I find it all a little boring and listless. It's not that there's anything wrong, as such, with this album, but after Swifty got me so fired up this, well, doesn't.

Check out more from this artist? Unlikely
Check out more from this genre or subgenre? Probably

Expectation Index: 1

Trollheart · 10-11-2017, 04:22 PM

Album title: J'ouvert
Artist: Wyclef Jean
Genre: R&B/ Hip-hop
Nationality: American
Release date: February 3
Position in Discography: Eleventh
Fear Factor: High
Familiar with this artist? Heard of him
Familiar with the genre or subgenre? No
Average RYM Score: 2.29
Not quite sure why a record with ten tracks is called an EP here. I would call this an album. Oh, I see it's a preview to his new album, his first in seven years, so I guess this would be seen as a comeback of sorts. “Rear View” is very catchy in a sort of Caribbean way, but I haven't been too totally impressed just yet, given how big this guy is/was. Yeah, there's a nice sort of easy, relaxed vibe to it, but I sort of don't care. “Lady Haiti” and “Party Started” are very annoying but “Hendrix” is very good, and “Lives Matter”, while clearly an example of him shamelessly jumping on the nearest bandwagon, is a nice laidback song with a sort of semi-reggae beat and a feel of Curtis to it somehow. And it ends well. Really picked up there near the end; think I'll kick it up one rating point.

Check out more from this artist? Probably not
Check out more from this genre or subgenre? Yes

Expectation Index: 4

Trollheart · 10-11-2017, 08:33 PM

Album title: One Voice
Artist: Kyuhyun
Genre: J-Pop
Nationality: Japanese
Release date: February 8
Position in Discography: Debut
Fear Factor: High
Familiar with this artist? No
Familiar with the genre or subgenre? No
Average RYM Score: 3.50
Not that anyone cares in the least (I know I don't) but this guy was in a band called Super Junior, apparently, so although this is technically his first solo album he has been around and is, presumably, well known in the Land of the Rising Sun. It's not, to be fair, the worst opening, if a little cruise ship-ish; happy, pleasant stuff, not half as bad as I expected it to be. Quite respectable really. Guy's a decent singer and has (or is) a good pianner player. Hell you know, this is good. I thought I'd be struggling through it but I'm quite enjoying it. Yeah; this was miles better than I had expected. Best J-pop album I've ever ... ah.

Check out more from this artist? Yes
Check out more from this genre or subgenre? Yes

Expectation Index: 10

Trollheart · 10-12-2017, 01:17 PM

[img]https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/1600/1*AEoHKu3OtvoBHLzXcg8V1A.jpeg[/img]
Album title: FRVR
Artist: Two-9
Genre: Hip-Hop/Trap
Nationality: American
Release date: February 9
Position in Discography: Debut
Fear Factor: Moderate
Familiar with this artist? No
Familiar with the genre or subgenre? No
Average RYM Score: N/A
This album is literally nowhere. In fact, I'm surprised I can find it on Spotify. Nobody – Wiki, RYM, Discogs – even lists it. Weird. Anyway apparently it's the first album from this collective that calls itself Two-9. I guess hip-hop is unique in that; I've never heard of any other genre using collectives. Starts off well with “None of These”, though the next track is very repetitive and a little annoying. Meh, this isn't bad but it's not keeping my interest. A bit boring if I'm honest.

Check out more from this artist? No
Check out more from this genre or subgenre? Yes

Expectation Index: 4

Trollheart · 10-12-2017, 03:17 PM

Album title: Love
Artist: Aaron Carter
Genre: Pop/EDM
Nationality: American
Release date: February 10
Position in Discography: Third EP; seventh overall
Fear Factor: Indeterminate
Familiar with this artist? No
Familiar with the genre or subgenre? A little
Average RYM Score: 2.07
Meh, sounds like generic pop to me, the kind of thing any pretty boy could turn out. No idea who this guy is but apparently he has been quite successful both in the pop and hip-hop world. Yeah, this is ****. I'm not even going to waste my time writing about it, even though it is only five tracks, which for me is five tracks too many.

Check out more from this artist? Oh let me see ...
Check out more from this genre or subgenre? Meh, probably will have to

Expectation Index: N/A

The Batlord · 10-12-2017, 03:26 PM

OMG I can't wait till he gets to August.

**Frownland** · 10-12-2017, 03:33 PM

I'm looking forward to Quazarz in July so I can fight with TH about it.

Trollheart · 10-12-2017, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Batlord

OMG I can't wait till he gets to August.

I know I'll regret asking but, why?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frownland

I'm looking forward to Quazarz in July so I can fight with TH about it.

It's a date!

10-11-2017, 07:33 AM	#481 (permalink)
Trollheart Born to be mild Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 404 Not Found Posts: 26,992	Album title: Snowdonia Artist: Surfer Blood Genre: Indie Rock/ Surf Rock Nationality: American Release date: February 3 Position in Discography: Fourth Fear Factor: Moderate Familiar with this artist? No Familiar with the genre or subgenre? Not much Average RYM Score: 2.63 I'll say one thing for this album: it has a stunning cover, drawn by Devra Freelander, who is apparently a sculptor. Unfortunately it would appear that the music contained herein does not live up to that stark, breathtaking image. It's pretty much jangle rock, upbeat but so far pretty unremarkable. Four tracks in and I'm bored. Still, that's halfway so I won't bail, just in case, but I don't hold out much hope really. There's something about the title track, in fairness, but it's the only one so far. Last track has a nice kind of Lightning Seeds feel to it, but overall not terribly impressed. Check out more from this artist? No Check out more from this genre or subgenre? Yes Expectation Index: 3 __________________ Trollheart: Signature-free since April 2018

10-11-2017, 02:58 PM	#482 (permalink)
Trollheart Born to be mild Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 404 Not Found Posts: 26,992	Album title: Grey Blood Artist: Swifty McVay Genre: Hip-hop Nationality: American Release date: February 3 Position in Discography: Debut Fear Factor: High Familiar with this artist? No Familiar with the genre or subgenre? No Average RYM Score: N/A For a new rapper this guy has a bright future I feel, again not that I know anything about hip-hop bu he seems very good. Oh right: he's part of the group D-12, so this is his debut solo effort. Well, I know nothing of them but he certainly has his own presence here. I like all the tracks so far. We're only three in, but still, that's not bad for me. “You're Welcome” is great, as is “Over Protective” and “You Ain't Real” spits real anger at wht Batty would probably call poseur rappers. The first track I'm not really mad about is “Rock Wit Me” (that's the correct spelling) but “Ter the Club Up” (again, the proper spelling) soon gets things back on track. I'm really quite surprised. This should not be my thing, but I really enjoyed it. Very well put together, good lyrics, love all the music, great atmosphere, nice balance between anger and I guess restraint? Not too many guest vocalists so you can hear how well he can rap. Yeah, pretty stellar all round really. Check out more from this artist? I would yes Check out more from this genre or subgenre? Yes Expectation Index: 10 **** it: it deserves it. __________________ Trollheart: Signature-free since April 2018

10-11-2017, 03:40 PM	#483 (permalink)
Trollheart Born to be mild Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 404 Not Found Posts: 26,992	Album title: Fin Artist: Syd Genre: R&B/Neo-Soul Nationality: American Release date: February 3 Position in Discography: Debut Fear Factor: High Familiar with this artist? No Familiar with the genre or subgenre? No Average RYM Score: 3.15 Interested, first of all, to find that Syd is female. The opening track is a weird kind of mix of r&b and some sort of kind of industrial sound – industrial soul? Harsh, staccato melodies counterpointing her voice. Not sure it really works, but we'll see. Okay well it's settled down into a kind of Sade-like slow rhythm and she's a competent singer, but in general I find it all a little boring and listless. It's not that there's anything wrong, as such, with this album, but after Swifty got me so fired up this, well, doesn't. Check out more from this artist? Unlikely Check out more from this genre or subgenre? Probably Expectation Index: 1 __________________ Trollheart: Signature-free since April 2018

10-11-2017, 04:22 PM	#484 (permalink)
Trollheart Born to be mild Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 404 Not Found Posts: 26,992	Album title: J'ouvert Artist: Wyclef Jean Genre: R&B/ Hip-hop Nationality: American Release date: February 3 Position in Discography: Eleventh Fear Factor: High Familiar with this artist? Heard of him Familiar with the genre or subgenre? No Average RYM Score: 2.29 Not quite sure why a record with ten tracks is called an EP here. I would call this an album. Oh, I see it's a preview to his new album, his first in seven years, so I guess this would be seen as a comeback of sorts. “Rear View” is very catchy in a sort of Caribbean way, but I haven't been too totally impressed just yet, given how big this guy is/was. Yeah, there's a nice sort of easy, relaxed vibe to it, but I sort of don't care. “Lady Haiti” and “Party Started” are very annoying but “Hendrix” is very good, and “Lives Matter”, while clearly an example of him shamelessly jumping on the nearest bandwagon, is a nice laidback song with a sort of semi-reggae beat and a feel of Curtis to it somehow. And it ends well. Really picked up there near the end; think I'll kick it up one rating point. Check out more from this artist? Probably not Check out more from this genre or subgenre? Yes Expectation Index: 4 __________________ Trollheart: Signature-free since April 2018

10-11-2017, 08:33 PM	#485 (permalink)
Trollheart Born to be mild Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 404 Not Found Posts: 26,992	Album title: One Voice Artist: Kyuhyun Genre: J-Pop Nationality: Japanese Release date: February 8 Position in Discography: Debut Fear Factor: High Familiar with this artist? No Familiar with the genre or subgenre? No Average RYM Score: 3.50 Not that anyone cares in the least (I know I don't) but this guy was in a band called Super Junior, apparently, so although this is technically his first solo album he has been around and is, presumably, well known in the Land of the Rising Sun. It's not, to be fair, the worst opening, if a little cruise ship-ish; happy, pleasant stuff, not half as bad as I expected it to be. Quite respectable really. Guy's a decent singer and has (or is) a good pianner player. Hell you know, this is good. I thought I'd be struggling through it but I'm quite enjoying it. Yeah; this was miles better than I had expected. Best J-pop album I've ever ... ah. Check out more from this artist? Yes Check out more from this genre or subgenre? Yes Expectation Index: 10 __________________ Trollheart: Signature-free since April 2018

10-12-2017, 01:17 PM	#486 (permalink)
Trollheart Born to be mild Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 404 Not Found Posts: 26,992	[img]https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/1600/1AEoHKu3OtvoBHLzXcg8V1A.jpeg[/img] Album title:* FRVR Artist: Two-9 Genre: Hip-Hop/Trap Nationality: American Release date: February 9 Position in Discography: Debut Fear Factor: Moderate Familiar with this artist? No Familiar with the genre or subgenre? No Average RYM Score: N/A This album is literally nowhere. In fact, I'm surprised I can find it on Spotify. Nobody – Wiki, RYM, Discogs – even lists it. Weird. Anyway apparently it's the first album from this collective that calls itself Two-9. I guess hip-hop is unique in that; I've never heard of any other genre using collectives. Starts off well with “None of These”, though the next track is very repetitive and a little annoying. Meh, this isn't bad but it's not keeping my interest. A bit boring if I'm honest. Check out more from this artist? No Check out more from this genre or subgenre? Yes Expectation Index: 4 __________________ Trollheart: Signature-free since April 2018

10-12-2017, 03:17 PM	#487 (permalink)
Trollheart Born to be mild Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 404 Not Found Posts: 26,992	Album title: Love Artist: Aaron Carter Genre: Pop/EDM Nationality: American Release date: February 10 Position in Discography: Third EP; seventh overall Fear Factor: Indeterminate Familiar with this artist? No Familiar with the genre or subgenre? A little Average RYM Score: 2.07 Meh, sounds like generic pop to me, the kind of thing any pretty boy could turn out. No idea who this guy is but apparently he has been quite successful both in the pop and hip-hop world. Yeah, this is **. I'm not even going to waste my time writing about it, even though it is only five tracks, which for me is five tracks too many. Check out more from this artist? Oh let me see ... Check out more from this genre or subgenre? Meh, probably will have to Expectation Index:** N/A __________________ Trollheart: Signature-free since April 2018

10-12-2017, 03:33 PM	#489 (permalink)
Frownland SOPHIE FOREVER Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: East of the Southern North American West Posts: 35,541	I'm looking forward to Quazarz in July so I can fight with TH about it. __________________ Studies show that when a given norm is changed in the face of the unchanging, the remaining contradictions will parallel the truth. d e a f b o x