Give me an album and I will review it

Alfred · 01-20-2009, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jackhammer

For khfreek:

Between The Buried And Me - Colors (2007)

I have been reading up and apparently this album made many top Metal albums of 2007....why?

There is no doubt that BTBAM have talent and eclectic musial tastes. However throwing it all into one song is not particulary original or likeable. The only sorts of bands that get away with this are bands with a decidedly Avant Garde bent and even then they run from a leftfield side of the fence and incorporate Metal INTO the sound. Having a typical Metal template and then dropping in 20 seconds of blast beats here, a little jazzy interlude there just doesnt work. If there is a sense of humour involved then it can work (Dog Fashion Disco have been fucking with the genre forever) but this comes across as bloated and even egocentric. The early 90's seen bands such as Blind Illusion and Anacrusis try to subvert a classic Metal template and they ultimately failed. BTBAM is no different. In fact it gave me a headache with how much is trying to be crammed in.

Let bands such as Agalloch and Kayo Dot mess around with the Metal template and not a generic Metalcore band who can obviously play a bit. 4/10

Well said. Shit makes me wanna barf.

jackhammer · 01-20-2009, 06:30 PM

For Rainard Jalen:

DJ/Uproot - Rupture (2007)

Again. Trepidation was a key feature here. Not because of the music within but the context in which I should listen and review. It's a mix album and although I have many mix albums spanning many genres, choosing this album for me to review was a little puzzling.

A mix album is someone else's appropriation of music and rarely gives me an insight into the person behind the compilation, at least not for reviewing purposes. Commenting on individual tracks would be a lost cause (in the context of the thread's aim) so it will be reviewed as a cohesive whole.

Quite simply, it is one of the best mixes I have heard for a long while. I was expecting a dubstep mix and whilst I dig Dubstep, it can become tiresome after 30-40 mins. This mix floats around the Dubstep genre and manages to cram in roots Reggae, Ambient Electronica and chilled Hip Hop.

This does not mean that the eclectism saves it. Far from it. It's the cohesion and ease of listening that is by far it's best point. Not one track outstays it's welcome and not one track is unlistenable.

I appreciate that this will be an acquired taste on here but for those who revel in these genres (you know who you are) then this demands a listen. A keeper for me for sure. 8/10

swim · 01-20-2009, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jackhammer

For khfreek:

Between The Buried And Me - Colors (2007)

I have been reading up and apparently this album made many top Metal albums of 2007....why?

There is no doubt that BTBAM have talent and eclectic musial tastes. However throwing it all into one song is not particulary original or likeable. The only sorts of bands that get away with this are bands with a decidedly Avant Garde bent and even then they run from a leftfield side of the fence and incorporate Metal INTO the sound. Having a typical Metal template and then dropping in 20 seconds of blast beats here, a little jazzy interlude there just doesnt work. If there is a sense of humour involved then it can work (Dog Fashion Disco have been fucking with the genre forever) but this comes across as bloated and even egocentric. The early 90's seen bands such as Blind Illusion and Anacrusis try to subvert a classic Metal template and they ultimately failed. BTBAM is no different. In fact it gave me a headache with how much is trying to be crammed in.

Let bands such as Agalloch and Kayo Dot mess around with the Metal template and not a generic Metalcore band who can obviously play a bit. 4/10

There's so much better NC hardcore, blech.

jackhammer · 01-20-2009, 07:22 PM

That album was Hardcore? Damn standards have slipped!

Alfred · 01-20-2009, 07:35 PM

It was just boring, stomach churning metal.

Leave that "mathcore" stuff to the Dillinger Escape Plan.

Molecules · 01-20-2009, 07:52 PM

threads like this are what it's all about, spreading new music, sonic exploration. I am in agreement wit choo on Polvo and Finley Quaye, so shall definitely be checking out a couple of the others based on your reviews. Zeng!

swim · 01-20-2009, 07:57 PM

You did call them generic metalcore which falls under the ginormous umbrella of hardcore. I've never listened to that album but I have heard songs here and there and they're nothing to write home about.

Meph1986 · 01-21-2009, 12:04 AM

"Slow Your Roll" by Time Machine (2004)

pm sent

khfreek · 01-21-2009, 06:06 AM

I really don't get how BTBAM came off as egocentric, and I like the melding of genres. w/e.

Trollheart · 01-21-2009, 06:34 PM

Hey Jack, two questions: do you review instrumental albums? I have a great quirkly little one by Anthony Miles called "Even wolves dream", mixes sort of ambient/chill sounds with real wolf howling sounds. And also, have you heard any Waits? If not, would you be interested in reviewing one of his (I'd propose "Small change", just because it's SO different!)
Let me know and if you're interested I'll up them for you.
TH

01-20-2009, 06:30 PM	#62 (permalink)
jackhammer Ba and Be. Join Date: May 2007 Location: This Is England Posts: 17,331	For Rainard Jalen: DJ/Uproot - Rupture (2007) Again. Trepidation was a key feature here. Not because of the music within but the context in which I should listen and review. It's a mix album and although I have many mix albums spanning many genres, choosing this album for me to review was a little puzzling. A mix album is someone else's appropriation of music and rarely gives me an insight into the person behind the compilation, at least not for reviewing purposes. Commenting on individual tracks would be a lost cause (in the context of the thread's aim) so it will be reviewed as a cohesive whole. Quite simply, it is one of the best mixes I have heard for a long while. I was expecting a dubstep mix and whilst I dig Dubstep, it can become tiresome after 30-40 mins. This mix floats around the Dubstep genre and manages to cram in roots Reggae, Ambient Electronica and chilled Hip Hop. This does not mean that the eclectism saves it. Far from it. It's the cohesion and ease of listening that is by far it's best point. Not one track outstays it's welcome and not one track is unlistenable. I appreciate that this will be an acquired taste on here but for those who revel in these genres (you know who you are) then this demands a listen. A keeper for me for sure. 8/10 __________________ It be my music and film collection. “A cynic by experience, a romantic by inclination and now a hero by necessity.”

01-20-2009, 07:22 PM	#64 (permalink)
jackhammer Ba and Be. Join Date: May 2007 Location: This Is England Posts: 17,331	That album was Hardcore? Damn standards have slipped! __________________ It be my music and film collection. “A cynic by experience, a romantic by inclination and now a hero by necessity.”

01-20-2009, 07:35 PM	#65 (permalink)
Alfred one big soul Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Canada Posts: 5,096	It was just boring, stomach churning metal. Leave that "mathcore" stuff to the Dillinger Escape Plan. __________________ LAST.FM / VINYL COLLECTION / RYM

01-20-2009, 07:52 PM	#66 (permalink)
Molecules daddy don't Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: the Wastes Posts: 2,577	threads like this are what it's all about, spreading new music, sonic exploration. I am in agreement wit choo on Polvo and Finley Quaye, so shall definitely be checking out a couple of the others based on your reviews. Zeng! __________________ [SIZE="1"]Eff em tumble her

01-20-2009, 07:57 PM	#67 (permalink)
swim dontcareaboutyou Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: North Carolina Posts: 5,188	You did call them generic metalcore which falls under the ginormous umbrella of hardcore. I've never listened to that album but I have heard songs here and there and they're nothing to write home about. __________________ http://nakednaps.bandcamp.com/

01-21-2009, 12:04 AM	#68 (permalink)
Meph1986 How High? Join Date: May 2008 Location: FL Posts: 684	"Slow Your Roll" by Time Machine (2004) pm sent __________________

01-21-2009, 06:06 AM	#69 (permalink)
khfreek What a guy Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Brentwood, TN Posts: 2,123	I really don't get how BTBAM came off as egocentric, and I like the melding of genres. w/e. __________________ last.fm

01-21-2009, 06:34 PM	#70 (permalink)
Trollheart Born to be mild Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 404 Not Found Posts: 26,994	Hey Jack, two questions: do you review instrumental albums? I have a great quirkly little one by Anthony Miles called "Even wolves dream", mixes sort of ambient/chill sounds with real wolf howling sounds. And also, have you heard any Waits? If not, would you be interested in reviewing one of his (I'd propose "Small change", just because it's SO different!) Let me know and if you're interested I'll up them for you. TH __________________ Trollheart: Signature-free since April 2018