My Musical Opinion

Exeggcute :3 · 08-24-2010, 12:41 PM

Cheers, that's great for now. The spacecraft stuff especially sounds really good - will purchase that some time next week!

I have Little Fluffy Clouds, but none of the rest of The Orb's album, it was something I had considered getting so if you're reccing it, I'll definitely get it at some point!

If you check the last post in that thread you'll see I already tried :P It appears you're better than the entirety of the MB Electronic section!

Exeggcute :3 · 08-30-2010, 10:39 AM

Couple of things just to comment on. Today I drove between my parents two houses, about an hours drive maybe slightly more and decided I wanted something that would relaly wake me up, so I went for this:

1. Through The Fire And Flames
2. Revolution Deathsquad
3. Storming The Burning Fields
4. Operation Ground And Pound
5. Body Breakdown
6. Cry For Eternity
7. The Flame Of Youth
8. Trail Of Broken Hearts

This is an amazing album, especially to drive to. Turned a 1 hour 15 journey into an hour one! :P The mental guitar, lyrics that are audible over the amazing mess of sound, yet aren't too screamy, and a slightly mellower final track make this a fantastic listen!

Anyone familiar with the genre has definitely heard "Through The Fire And Flames" and most who aren't probably still have. But trust me, if that floats your boat the entire album will, full of very similar stuff, but different enough to keep you interested. Perfect hour's listen if you're looking for something really hyped up. Set it as your alarm in the morning, that will get you up.

I can't shower this with enough praise, I haven't enjoyed an album as much first time since Subfocus, and I've been sceptical of Metal for months!

Exeggcute :3 · 09-03-2010, 01:41 PM

So Imran, what do you actually listen to?

I am quite proud of the variation in my top 50 or so, definitely better than some people whose top 20 or so are all by the same artist! :P Obviously my favourite bands do come out, Hollywood Undead especially which is strange as there are very few other Rap Metal bands up there, Limp Bizkit being the only other. I'll take you through my top 5

This Love This Hate / Sell Your Soul - Hollywood Undead

A perfect song in my opinion, the verses are lyrically well crafted, a really good sounding catchy chorus and the bit that would take the place of the third verse that I can't remember what it's called. The bit that start "And I'm floating right above my coffin..." I think the reason I love this song so much is I can listen to it no matter what mood I'm in, it's an amazing track (I'm running out of superlatives to describe it :P) and wholly deserves it's place at the top of my list.

Set Me On Fire - Pendulum

A beautiful Dubstep (or at least what Pendulum would have us believe Dustep is) track. This is one of the successes of the search for good sounds in Electronic music. The way that all the sounds work together in the main section of the music is pretty orgasmic tbh. I'm a big fan of the most musical sound in that section (it is also used to good effect in "the vulture") and throughout the album iirc. Fantastic track that I think is pretty laid back. It's managed to make it's way onto pretty much every one of my "mood" playlists. Very versatile track

Not In Love / Untrust Us - Crystal Castles

Two very similar songs, one form the first album, one from the second album. Untrust us is the anthem from the first album, the track that introduced me to Crystal Castles in the first place and encouraged me to buy their first self titled album. Not in Love is the 5th or so song that struck me as top quality on the second crystal castles album and is another one that I can listen to in any mood. It's got quite a melancholy feel to it, whilst still being a top electronic track!

On Melancholy Hill - Gorillaz

Another laid back track from the Gorillaz new album. There are again so many good tracks on this album, and I am even myself quite surprised that I've listened to this one more than I have some of the others (I would have said that Glitter Freeze is my favourite), both of these are pretty electronicy which I think is why I like them the best. Top track!

Omen (Reprise) - The Prodigy

This is an example of me liking the stranger tracks on albums. Omen (Reprise) is certainly not the headline tracks on the album, in fact it's probably more of an afterthought, but it really is an excellent track. Again more laib back or melancholy, as most of my most listened to tracks generally are, so you know, there's a trend I hadn't realised until recently!

Exeggcute :3 · 09-12-2010, 04:44 PM

So here's the new thing. I tend to buy one album a week (when I can limit myself) and to ensure that each one gets a proper listen to and examination I will endeavour to listen to each once a day for the week in which I buy them (Monday to Friday) and see how my opinions evolve / which tracks start to jump out at me during this listening period. So here's this weeks, opinions and commentary will come from tomorrow!:

1. Prangin' Out
2. War Of The Sexes
3. The Hardest Way To Make An Easy Living
4. All Goes Out The Window
5. Memento Mori
6. Can't Con An Honest John
7. When You Wasn't Famous
8. Never Went To Church
9. Hotel Expressionism
10. Two Nations
11. Fake Street Hats

Exeggcute :3 · 09-13-2010, 12:38 PM

First Listen

Strikes me as not as good as "A Grand Don't Come For Free" initially, perhaps the habits that Skinner is portraying in this album is showing in the quality of his music. I must admit I bought this mostly for the portrayal of his experiences as Wikipedia promised me and that bit I found quite interesting. When You Wasn't famous is a good example of that. Stand out tracks at the moment? Definitely Memento Mori, When You Wasn't Famous and Never Went To Church.

Exeggcute :3 · 09-14-2010, 12:08 PM

Second Listen

Album definitely growing on me. Still not sure that it can rival "A Grand Don't Come For Free," but Pranging Out, The Hardest Way Make An Easy Living, All Goes Out The Window, When You Wasn't Famous are all absolutely genius and the rest of the album is still very listenable. Although the whole "experience of being famous" vibe is wearing off after two listens I still find what he has to say interesting, regardless of whether or not I believe him. Especially if when you wasn't famous is talking about Cheryl Cole!! Skinner is an odd guy, but he's definitely very good at producing catchy lyrical lines such as those in Pranging Out and The Hardest Way...

Would definitely recommend this album at this point, definitely a good buy.

Exeggcute :3 · 09-14-2010, 04:17 PM

Oh and a casual Drum & Bass playlist I put together. Most of it is Liquid, or at least mildly relaxing, sometimes drifting into electro - if you like that kind of thing:

View From Nowhere - Mistabishi
1 N 2 - Jonny L
Secret Agent - Netsky
9,000 Miles - Pendulum
Solid Air (feat. Alana) - Nero
From Memory - Mistabishi
Hold Your Colour - Pendulum
End Credits (feat. Plan B) - Chase & Status
In For The Kill (Skream's lets get who gives a **** remix) - La Roux
Last Jungle - Sub Focus
Bones (feat. Kellermensch) - The Qemists
A Song For Lenny - Skream

Exeggcute :3 · 09-16-2010, 12:43 PM

Third / Fourth Listen

Favourite tracks are still my favourite tracks, definitely. The thing that's annoying me about this album is the poor ending. The last three tracks aren't brilliant - well - they have a really annoying habit of sticking in my head which doesn't bode well because the premises either annoy me or are completely beyond me !_!

That said the first half is getting a lot stronger, all goes out the window impressed me today and so did can't con an honest john which I think are two I haven't really mentioned before! So yeah, at the moment this albums heading for "decent" I'll try to give a score out of 10 tomorrow, I think I'll have listened to it enough by then.

Exeggcute :3 · 09-18-2010, 11:08 AM

So overall, a mini review.

The Streets - The Hardest Way To Make An Easy Living

Having spent a week with this album I'm starting to get to know it quite well now, there are a few elements that I want to talk about.

The Message

None of these songs can I really relate too, I've never had a heavy involvement in drugs, fame or a crazy party lifestyle. I like to describe myself as easy, the middle road is definitely the best way, too much of anything, being too obsessed or not caring enough about something is rarely a good thing. Anyway, that's quite a long way off the point, my point is that I try not to have too heavy involvement in that sort of thing, without being a social recluse. I think I balance it rather well.

I can understand what he is trying to say in some of them, and I think he may have some touching points in some songs and some very down to earth points in others. War of the Sexes is a particularly interesting song in terms of message, I think. Anyway, I think some of the songs really aren't saying anything important or meaningful, and some I "just don't get at all." So not an amazing album in terms of message, definitely nothing compared to "A Grand Don't Come for Free."

Musically

I think musically the album has a lot more to say. Skinner is especially good at making up catchy lyrical lines, as are observed in Pranging Out, The Hardest Way To Make An Easy Living, Memento Mori, Never Went to Church, ... the list goes on. I can sing along to those all day.

Also, his fairly unique talky, conversationally rappy style is quite endearing and adds a lot to quite a lot of songs.

Conclusion

Really quite enjoyed this album, but some songs leave a sour taste in the mouth with the message, and others are just a bit too hard to get in to. Definitely decent, but not as good what I had hoped. I'd give it 6.5/10.

Exeggcute :3 · 09-18-2010, 11:13 AM

Looking forward to next week:

Linkin Park - A Thousand Suns

1. The Requiem
2. The Radiance
3. Burning in the Skies
4. Empty Spaces
5. When They Come for Me
6. Robot Boy
7. Jornada Del Muerto
8. Waiting for the End
9. Blackout
10. Wretches and Kings
11. Wisdom, Justice and Love
12. Iridescent
13. Fallout
14. The Catalyst
15. The Messenger

08-24-2010, 12:41 PM	#11 (permalink)
Exeggcute :3 Music Addict Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 80	Cheers, that's great for now. The spacecraft stuff especially sounds really good - will purchase that some time next week! I have Little Fluffy Clouds, but none of the rest of The Orb's album, it was something I had considered getting so if you're reccing it, I'll definitely get it at some point! If you check the last post in that thread you'll see I already tried :P It appears you're better than the entirety of the MB Electronic section! __________________ Hi :)

08-30-2010, 10:39 AM	#12 (permalink)
Exeggcute :3 Music Addict Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 80	Couple of things just to comment on. Today I drove between my parents two houses, about an hours drive maybe slightly more and decided I wanted something that would relaly wake me up, so I went for this: 1. Through The Fire And Flames 2. Revolution Deathsquad 3. Storming The Burning Fields 4. Operation Ground And Pound 5. Body Breakdown 6. Cry For Eternity 7. The Flame Of Youth 8. Trail Of Broken Hearts This is an amazing album, especially to drive to. Turned a 1 hour 15 journey into an hour one! :P The mental guitar, lyrics that are audible over the amazing mess of sound, yet aren't too screamy, and a slightly mellower final track make this a fantastic listen! Anyone familiar with the genre has definitely heard "Through The Fire And Flames" and most who aren't probably still have. But trust me, if that floats your boat the entire album will, full of very similar stuff, but different enough to keep you interested. Perfect hour's listen if you're looking for something really hyped up. Set it as your alarm in the morning, that will get you up. I can't shower this with enough praise, I haven't enjoyed an album as much first time since Subfocus, and I've been sceptical of Metal for months! __________________ Hi :)

09-03-2010, 01:41 PM	#13 (permalink)
Exeggcute :3 Music Addict Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 80	So Imran, what do you actually listen to? I am quite proud of the variation in my top 50 or so, definitely better than some people whose top 20 or so are all by the same artist! :P Obviously my favourite bands do come out, Hollywood Undead especially which is strange as there are very few other Rap Metal bands up there, Limp Bizkit being the only other. I'll take you through my top 5 This Love This Hate / Sell Your Soul - Hollywood Undead A perfect song in my opinion, the verses are lyrically well crafted, a really good sounding catchy chorus and the bit that would take the place of the third verse that I can't remember what it's called. The bit that start "And I'm floating right above my coffin..." I think the reason I love this song so much is I can listen to it no matter what mood I'm in, it's an amazing track (I'm running out of superlatives to describe it :P) and wholly deserves it's place at the top of my list. Set Me On Fire - Pendulum A beautiful Dubstep (or at least what Pendulum would have us believe Dustep is) track. This is one of the successes of the search for good sounds in Electronic music. The way that all the sounds work together in the main section of the music is pretty orgasmic tbh. I'm a big fan of the most musical sound in that section (it is also used to good effect in "the vulture") and throughout the album iirc. Fantastic track that I think is pretty laid back. It's managed to make it's way onto pretty much every one of my "mood" playlists. Very versatile track Not In Love / Untrust Us - Crystal Castles Two very similar songs, one form the first album, one from the second album. Untrust us is the anthem from the first album, the track that introduced me to Crystal Castles in the first place and encouraged me to buy their first self titled album. Not in Love is the 5th or so song that struck me as top quality on the second crystal castles album and is another one that I can listen to in any mood. It's got quite a melancholy feel to it, whilst still being a top electronic track! On Melancholy Hill - Gorillaz Another laid back track from the Gorillaz new album. There are again so many good tracks on this album, and I am even myself quite surprised that I've listened to this one more than I have some of the others (I would have said that Glitter Freeze is my favourite), both of these are pretty electronicy which I think is why I like them the best. Top track! Omen (Reprise) - The Prodigy This is an example of me liking the stranger tracks on albums. Omen (Reprise) is certainly not the headline tracks on the album, in fact it's probably more of an afterthought, but it really is an excellent track. Again more laib back or melancholy, as most of my most listened to tracks generally are, so you know, there's a trend I hadn't realised until recently! __________________ Hi :)

09-12-2010, 04:44 PM	#14 (permalink)
Exeggcute :3 Music Addict Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 80	So here's the new thing. I tend to buy one album a week (when I can limit myself) and to ensure that each one gets a proper listen to and examination I will endeavour to listen to each once a day for the week in which I buy them (Monday to Friday) and see how my opinions evolve / which tracks start to jump out at me during this listening period. So here's this weeks, opinions and commentary will come from tomorrow!: 1. Prangin' Out 2. War Of The Sexes 3. The Hardest Way To Make An Easy Living 4. All Goes Out The Window 5. Memento Mori 6. Can't Con An Honest John 7. When You Wasn't Famous 8. Never Went To Church 9. Hotel Expressionism 10. Two Nations 11. Fake Street Hats __________________ Hi :)

09-13-2010, 12:38 PM	#15 (permalink)
Exeggcute :3 Music Addict Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 80	First Listen Strikes me as not as good as "A Grand Don't Come For Free" initially, perhaps the habits that Skinner is portraying in this album is showing in the quality of his music. I must admit I bought this mostly for the portrayal of his experiences as Wikipedia promised me and that bit I found quite interesting. When You Wasn't famous is a good example of that. Stand out tracks at the moment? Definitely Memento Mori, When You Wasn't Famous and Never Went To Church. __________________ Hi :)

09-14-2010, 12:08 PM	#16 (permalink)
Exeggcute :3 Music Addict Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 80	Second Listen Album definitely growing on me. Still not sure that it can rival "A Grand Don't Come For Free," but Pranging Out, The Hardest Way Make An Easy Living, All Goes Out The Window, When You Wasn't Famous are all absolutely genius and the rest of the album is still very listenable. Although the whole "experience of being famous" vibe is wearing off after two listens I still find what he has to say interesting, regardless of whether or not I believe him. Especially if when you wasn't famous is talking about Cheryl Cole!! Skinner is an odd guy, but he's definitely very good at producing catchy lyrical lines such as those in Pranging Out and The Hardest Way... Would definitely recommend this album at this point, definitely a good buy. __________________ Hi :)

09-14-2010, 04:17 PM	#17 (permalink)
Exeggcute :3 Music Addict Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 80	Oh and a casual Drum & Bass playlist I put together. Most of it is Liquid, or at least mildly relaxing, sometimes drifting into electro - if you like that kind of thing: View From Nowhere - Mistabishi 1 N 2 - Jonny L Secret Agent - Netsky 9,000 Miles - Pendulum Solid Air (feat. Alana) - Nero From Memory - Mistabishi Hold Your Colour - Pendulum End Credits (feat. Plan B) - Chase & Status In For The Kill (Skream's lets get who gives a **** remix) - La Roux Last Jungle - Sub Focus Bones (feat. Kellermensch) - The Qemists A Song For Lenny - Skream __________________ Hi :)

09-16-2010, 12:43 PM	#18 (permalink)
Exeggcute :3 Music Addict Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 80	Third / Fourth Listen Favourite tracks are still my favourite tracks, definitely. The thing that's annoying me about this album is the poor ending. The last three tracks aren't brilliant - well - they have a really annoying habit of sticking in my head which doesn't bode well because the premises either annoy me or are completely beyond me !_! That said the first half is getting a lot stronger, all goes out the window impressed me today and so did can't con an honest john which I think are two I haven't really mentioned before! So yeah, at the moment this albums heading for "decent" I'll try to give a score out of 10 tomorrow, I think I'll have listened to it enough by then. __________________ Hi :)

09-18-2010, 11:08 AM	#19 (permalink)
Exeggcute :3 Music Addict Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 80	So overall, a mini review. The Streets - The Hardest Way To Make An Easy Living Having spent a week with this album I'm starting to get to know it quite well now, there are a few elements that I want to talk about. The Message None of these songs can I really relate too, I've never had a heavy involvement in drugs, fame or a crazy party lifestyle. I like to describe myself as easy, the middle road is definitely the best way, too much of anything, being too obsessed or not caring enough about something is rarely a good thing. Anyway, that's quite a long way off the point, my point is that I try not to have too heavy involvement in that sort of thing, without being a social recluse. I think I balance it rather well. I can understand what he is trying to say in some of them, and I think he may have some touching points in some songs and some very down to earth points in others. War of the Sexes is a particularly interesting song in terms of message, I think. Anyway, I think some of the songs really aren't saying anything important or meaningful, and some I "just don't get at all." So not an amazing album in terms of message, definitely nothing compared to "A Grand Don't Come for Free." Musically I think musically the album has a lot more to say. Skinner is especially good at making up catchy lyrical lines, as are observed in Pranging Out, The Hardest Way To Make An Easy Living, Memento Mori, Never Went to Church, ... the list goes on. I can sing along to those all day. Also, his fairly unique talky, conversationally rappy style is quite endearing and adds a lot to quite a lot of songs. Conclusion Really quite enjoyed this album, but some songs leave a sour taste in the mouth with the message, and others are just a bit too hard to get in to. Definitely decent, but not as good what I had hoped. I'd give it 6.5/10. __________________ Hi :)

09-18-2010, 11:13 AM	#20 (permalink)
Exeggcute :3 Music Addict Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 80	Looking forward to next week: Linkin Park - A Thousand Suns 1. The Requiem 2. The Radiance 3. Burning in the Skies 4. Empty Spaces 5. When They Come for Me 6. Robot Boy 7. Jornada Del Muerto 8. Waiting for the End 9. Blackout 10. Wretches and Kings 11. Wisdom, Justice and Love 12. Iridescent 13. Fallout 14. The Catalyst 15. The Messenger __________________ Hi :)